Sovereignty of the Caldari State

Black Rise Region - Aokinen Constellation - Onnamon System

Onnamon I - State War Academy, Docking Berth A12

Jaster couldn't have been in higher spirits, and as he walked toward the hangar deck of the station, he had a very difficult time showing it. The new rank insignia on his collar it seemed had gone to his head, and this time he was very aware of the salutes that were rendered at him. But all of that changed as soon as he spotted the ship he was to take command of.

"You have GOT to be kidding me...!"

The outburst was loud enough that several dock workers turned and looked at him with confused expressions, but quickly resumed their work after they saw the incredulous look on his face. He turned quickly, only to nearly trip over the Major, who stood behind him.

"Why whatever is the problem, Lieutenant? You look as if there's something amiss."

Of all the people to run into..."Not a problem so much as a question."

"And that would be?"

"First of all, we're the same rank now, albeit in different branches of military, so I would appreciate you not talking down to me. And second, what the hell is that hulking, half-finished excuse for a target barge doing on my docking berth?"

Jaster and the Major both turned to the viewport to get a full view of the ship. Floating in the middle of the dock, with airlock tunnels extended to it's hatches, was what Jaster thought upon first seeing was a hunk of metal with ragged holes in it. Indeed it was Rokh-class battleship, but it was so damaged and beaten up, he was wondering what was holding it together.

"Well then, Lieutenant-Commander, I don't know what you would be referring to. That is your ship, the one that the Commander awarded you. Personally I think you're lucky to have gotten it. If I were in the Commander's shoes you wouldn't have been allowed to pilot a garbage freighter. I fail to see what the issue is."

"The issue is, Major, is that ship looks like it was piloted by a drunk cadet on a joyride through an asteroid field. There is no way, no way in hell, that I can be expected to take THAT against the same ship that shredded my old ship in less than a minute."

The Major once again looked like he was smirking, as he turned on his heel and began walking toward the lift that would take him back to the habitat portion of the station.

"Well that's not for me to worry about. All I do is what the Commander tells me. What you should worry about is getting that ship ready to go. Oh, I would stop by medical again before you depart. God knows with your record you'll be needing a new clone again in no time at all. Happy hunting!"

And with that, the Major stepped aboard the lift, with just a small amount of laughter echoing just as the doors shut. Jaster cursed his luck. First he loses his ship, getting his original body killed in the process, to having his hopes restored with a new promotion and new ship, only to once again have them dashed by finding out that his "new" ship looked like it wouldn't stand a chance against a mining laser. Sighing inwardly, he made his way to the gangway lift that would take him to the airlock tunnels, to inspect his latest command.