On my last day of the rotation in the galley I want to make sure to thank Little Joe and the Chief of Galley for all they've taught me and for being patient with me.
Then I'll make sure I'm on time for my first day of the rotation on the bridge. I'm very excited for this.
"Welcome to the bridge," the commanding officer says. "I'm First Officer Tomason, and your shift seems to overlap mine. The captain comes in at seven, and since you're here from two to ten you'll be working with him for three hours at the end of shift, most days. Let me give you the tour.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Mike Washer."
During the 3 hours of being the only student I'll spend 2 of the hours observing the piloting and half an hour each on both of the others. Unless there is something tricky or particularly interesting going on at any particular station in which case I'll observe over there and ask questions after the interesting task is resolved.
"Please, call me Mike. I'm flexible about where to sit, would you prefer to observe the same station at the same time so we can talk about what we're seeing or rotate so we're always at different stations?"
I'll also try reading her mind, it may help with making a better first impression.
"I certainly see the advantage of sitting together, but I think there's only one spare chair at each station, so one of us would have to stand--and no," she teases, "you can't sit on my lap.
"I have no problem standing to allow someone as beautiful as yourself sit, even if your other suggestion is more appealing."
"I'm most interested in Scanning. I'm hoping to be an engineer, and that seems the most technically-oriented section of the bridge. At least, when I was in engineering, that was the section that we didn't run from there. But you're here first. However you'd like to do it--well, at least, I'll think about it."
"I'm most interesting in the piloting aspect, but I want to learn about everything. Can never know too much. How about we rotate with equal amounts of time at each station for the time when we are both here, which will allow us to talk to one another about what's going on. Then during the time where only one of us is here that person can simply spend more time on their preferred section."
I'm all smiles by the way throughout all of this.
"That sounds fine to me"
I'll go about that schedule then for the next couple of days until something eventful happens, which I imagine is going to be when we get to port. If I see Kim after work at some point that'd be nice too, but not going to ask her if she wants to hang out yet.
Ok, just going to continue on with my daily routine for a while then. I'll be trying hard to make a good impression during my time here though, as I hope to eventually have more of a focus here.
I'll walk over to join her then, this is a nice way to start the day.
"Good morning Kim, how are you doing today?"
"I'm doing well, although I imagine it's hard to be in a bad mood around you. As to the class, it seems to have the potential to stay interesting, especially with the docking process coming up in a few days. Past that I imagine it getting somewhat routine, but at least there's good company."
"I imagine if a sibling thought any differently you would be doing something wrong. At least every so often. What are you doing up this early anyway? You still have a good while before you have to clock in."
"I'm an only child actually, my parents stopped after me, something about the universe only being able to handle one of me."
"Well I'm glad your brother wasn't born first then, the universe just wouldn't seem as bright."
(said with a slight smirk)
"As to my knowledge of siblings it's just from seeing how my cousins and friends are, and I'm a materials engineer major, none of those fake sciences in psychology."
"I'm most interested in piloting, but want to know as much as I can of engineering as possible since being a pilot with no understanding of what's going on around is just irresponsible and also gives me the advantage of easily being able to switch between the two. It's always good to learn more after all."
"Are you offering to be the one that keeps me in line? The know-it-all engineer that keeps the pilots ego in check? We'd make a great team, even if it meant my ego was deflated every so often."
Smirking slightly I'll respond "I could see enjoying being under you, but I guess we'll have to wait and see for that."
"Well now I sure can't allow myself to wash out, you'd be the first one to tell me I told you so, and we can't have that. Anyway I should start heading to the bridge anyway, I wouldn't want to be late. I'll see you in a few hours then."
I'll then head to the bridge and go about observing the different stations and the daily routine.
Ok, just observe what I can and ask questions about operations. Sure it's boring but need to learn. Otherwise going about my routine for the day, or however many days until something outside of routine happens.
Looks good, continue forward with my schedule then.
I'll comment to Kim that I'm sad to spend less time with her, but I'm glad someone noticed her talent in engineering.
Otherwise just keep going along with routine, trying to learn as much as I can during my time on the bridge and make a good impression.
I'd prefer to be second chair during the docking process.
Are we docked for a few days and are we allowed to explore the space station during our time off?
Getting to see so many new and interesting places is going to be a blast.
I'll just follow what im told to do during the docking process and keep learning. Does the 20 minute wait actually end up being only 20 minutes and what do we do once docked.
So students in the galley are the only ones working during these 5 days?
I'll see whether I can find Kim then and see if she wants to make a day trip down to Galapagos.
Are there shops on the ship that would sell clothing like swim trunks and do I get the impression they would be cheaper up on ship or down on the planet? Having just started getting paid I imagine I'll have to save money whenever I can.
I'll spend the first half of my workday each day on the bridge learning what I can from the pilot and partially so I make a good impression, but not wanting to sit around being bored the entire uneventful day.
I'll fill the other half of my workday with reading and light research on piloting and engineering, hoping to get ahead of my coursework a bit. I'll do that in my room though.
I'd also like to look up what eye corrective treatments there are in this futuristic world and what they cost.
As to costs, just reminding you about the swim trunks question. I'll be picking them up before the trip if they're cheaper up here, otherwise I'll wait till we're down there.
Was hoping my last post would act as my post and bump in one. Sadly, no.
OK then, I'll get a pair of swim trunks up here then. Otherwise just go about my routine with the changes for the couple of days as outlined above. I'll check with Kim when she wants to leave to go down to Galapagos, although I suggest we leave shortly after we both have breakfast.
"Let's go hiking through the jungle trails and then relax near the beach afterwards to cool down. We can go dancing and drinking another time, but I doubt every planet is going to have such a beautiful looking jungle to enjoy. Depending on timing we might be able to try some of the local food this way as well."
The idea of getting up early to head down sounds great, so we'll go with that.
Then for the day I imagined starting it off with the hiking, as it's probably coolest then and also it allows time to cool down at the beach. Then relaxing at the beach afterwards, and finding a small place to try local food before heading back.
OK, well the time I was going to dedicating daily to research and getting ahead of coursework will go to doing a good job on this project.
I'll write the paper on how a pilot being well versed in engineering and up to speed on new technological developments on the scanning side will improve both the efficiency of communication and the level of service. I'll go further to suggest that the method for keeping pilots up to date on these issues would be continuing education classes with a heavy technical focus.
I'll offer to proof read her paper for her if she likes, or brainstorm topics with her. Want her to be able to relax for the trip down to Galapagos.
Computers may catch grammar and spelling, but there's a certain amount to writing that is "does what I'm saying make sense". You know what you're saying when you're writing the paper, but it's good to have it proofread in case you forget to state an assumption or criteria you already had set in your mind but didn't translate to the paper. Either way, if you don't want me to I don't have to, I just wanted to help with some of the stress.
I'll continue my routine for the 2 days, hopefully finishing my paper before then which I don't see as a problem with the amount of spare time this has given me. Once I have her paper it'll be top priority to proofread and return it to her as quick as I can then.
Otherwise just trucking along with my schedule until the trip down.
Hmm, it just occurred to me I might not have shorts, but that I would definitely be packing them.
If I have shorts I'll pack those, a pair of pants, and two of the undershirts from the uniform. If I don't have shorts I'll have to go pick up a pair. I'll also be packing a towel and my swim trunks. I'm not taking the psionic drill. While it would be good defense I'm not sure how I would explain it and im not going to have enough packed to hide it. I'll also pack 3 pairs of socks and an extra pair of boxers.
I would be expecting her to pack whatever she would be comfortable hiking in and swim suit and towel, preferably bikini.
It occurs to me that she might also pack something to change into in case we see something that looks nice to go to but requires more than swim apparel or hiking gear. That's why I'm bringing the pants, a just in case type thing.
I have the clothes I versed out in, which were the ones I got from one of my fellow warlocks and sneakers, which I forgot to put on the sheet, but I think it's a safe enough assumption I was wearing my shoes at Ubercon.
I also have:
...and they fit well--you have three, white shirt, slacks, and jacket with some black trim, along with one very naval hat and one pair of black shoes, plus eight sets of undergarments which include something like a T-shirt, boxer shorts, and socks
Those pieces of clothing, and my psionic drill are the only possessions I have with me. The rest are left on TerraNova. I'm not disowning them, just haven't picked them up yet.
Oh, and the swim trunks I bought, and I'm assuming I have towels in my room for taking a shower.
So I'll be bringing the swim trunks, towel, one of the undergarment t-shirts from my uniform, boxers, 2 pairs of socks, slacks from my uniform, and the lower part of the outfit I got from the warlocks, which hasn't been described as long pants or short, so whatever you decide.
I'll be wearing the boxers,1 pair of socks, sneakers, bottoms of my warlock garb, and a white t-shirt with the remainder packed. The slacks from my uniform are more of a precaution of if she decides she wants to go somewhere a little nicer at some point. I don't want to be caught off guard entirely. Actually, if the warlocks garb bottoms aren't shorts, I'll pick up a pair of shorts from the store onboard. I've been working out enough and have enough down time that I'll want a pair of shorts anyway, then I'll wear them instead.
That sounds appropriate to me. In that case I'll pick up a cheap pair of shorts from the the onboard store. They would be nice for working out in too, so I can't see it being a bad purchase.
"Ever ride a skyhook before?" she asks. She hasn't, either, and it looking forward to the experience with some trepidation.
"No, but I'm excited for my first time."
I'll then find a seat with Kim and get ready for the initial launch. If at any point Kim seems visibly nervous I'll hold her hand, partially for her nerves partially just to hold her hand.
Otherwise bracing myself for the initial launch, not being sure what to expect or how long the trip down will be.
A movie, preferably a comedy, would be my preference. Slightly below that would be assorted hand/eye games as often seen at carnivals or arcades. My fear is something I'd be under dressed for.
It takes a comment from Kim for you to realize that what you are feeling is one grav acceleration head down toward the planet, and that this may be part of the reason that there are no windows.
"That makes sense, also makes sense that they don't point that out to people, it's a little freaky to imagine."
"I guess we didn't really have to pack a meal, did we?" Kim says. "I had no idea they did this, did you?"
"Nope, this is news to me as well. Oh well, having a little extra food doesn't hurt."
I'll also make sure to thank the passenger that gives us that information.
As to whether to eat now or after inversal it depends on what entertainment there is, so I'll wait on the GE roll and what Kim says looks good.
If she's being quite about what she prefers I'll attempt to read her mind.
"Let's eat now then, and then play some board games until inversal. Chess sounds good to me. After inversal we can decide which movie to watch."
I figure my skill at chess will be a question, out of the options its my strongest, and I tend to be well above average at board games. I was in chess club in high school and probably one of the top 3 players in the school, which had about 2000 students but only about 30 in chess club. Didn't go to any tournaments though, as scheduling always conflicted.
I'll compliment Kim on her win at chess and suggest a rematch on the return trip.
I imagine being slightly unsettled after something like that, although I absolutely love roller coasters so I probably enjoyed it as well.
I'll suggest the romantic comedy, although I agree it's a tough decision between the two.
"Wow, going for the Galtale? Is that something you like, or did someone tell you that it makes for a better first date?"
"I don't see why it can't be both"
I'll find seats then and get comfortable and get ready to watch the movie. I'll put my arm around her around the beginning of the movie. What's the movie theater like anyway?
"Which is not actually an answer, but it will have to do."
I'll just smile in response.
I'll try a couple of the cookie-like chips and thank her them. Otherwise just watching the movie. I'm really curious how they get the sound to originate from the holograms, but I don't want to ask a question that Kim would find really basic. I'll just have to look it up later.
Just relaxing and enjoying watching what sounds like an enjoyable movie with a cute girl. Life doesn't get much better.
I'll start making my way for our seats with Kim and comment that I enjoyed the movie.
After landing I'll go to the bathroom before leaving, it's not something that occurs to me often, but I imagine I'd start to need to by this point, and with the plan to be hiking I'd rather get to use a real bathroom beforehand.
I'll follow Kim's example and answer not to my knowledge to most of the questions. Otherwise just follow Kim until we get to a spot to stop and talk and figure out where exactly we'd like to hike. I imagine there are a number of hiking trails since this is a tropical world that people seem to want to vacation to, so I'll just pick one of those with her.