Federation Officer

I pressed the yellow button.

ARE YOU SURE?

“Yup.”

I wasn’t. But hell, let’s see where this goes. The Federation was the largest faction in the galaxy, being made up of an alliance of hundreds of independent planets. While their Space Navy was vast in number their primary role being to serve as peacekeepers. The ships contained minimal yet advanced armaments, mainly relying on beam cannons and Fusion torpedos for defense. More than enough to take down a rogue pirate ship but not a match for the heavy weaponry of rival Imperial and Colonial warships. The fact that the Federation Navy outnumbered every other by at least seven to one was their true strength.

The four holograms disappeared, and everything faded once again into the endless whiteness of the room. For a few seconds there was nothing. Then, the sound of a low mechanical hum. It was followed by the familiar symphony of electronic beeps and chirps I’d heard aboard a hundred fictional starships. Shapes began emerging from the infinite white around me. Uniformed figures crossed back and forth, appearing from nowhere before briefly dissolving back into nothingness. My vision slowly adjusted as the world seemed to render itself around me. Featureless boxes morphed into computer panels covered in glowing displays. Vaguely humanoid shapes sprouted faces, hair, eyes, and some of them even breasts. Walls stretched upward and curved into a ceiling.

Then everything snapped into focus.

I found myself standing in the middle of a busy starship bridge.

“Holy shit.”

I turned slowly, taking everything in. It wasn’t any ship I’d immediately recognize, but I’d estimate frigate-class based on the size of the bridge and number of crew stations. Maybe twenty people occupied the command deck, all hard at work as though a strange man hadn’t just materialized in the middle of their workplace.

True to the Federation’s diversity the crew was made up of various alien species, some with pastel colored skin, others with insect like exoskeletons or tendrils sprouting from their heads. The men wore Gold colored officer’s jackets with their ranks displayed by rows of silver bars around their sleeves. Very classy. Very professional. Very we represent an enlightened interstellar civilization and definitely know what we’re doing.

The women apparently represented a slightly different Federation philosophy. Their uniforms consisted of sky-blue minidresses and either knee or thigh-high black boots depending on the individual.One particular female officer caught my attention as she crossed the bridge. She had porcelain white skin, massive, solid black, almond-shaped eyes that matched her jet black hair and a slim feminine figure hugged by her little uniform.

She seemed to notice my gaze and gave me a little wink as she exited the bridge. I was tempted to follow but needed to get my bearings. I looked down and discovered I was wearing the men’s uniform. Gold jacket, black trousers and polished black boots. A silver insignia was pinned above my left breast, while two silver bars circled each sleeve.

I ran my hands over the jacket.

I could feel it.

Not simulated pressure. Not some vibrating haptic suit trying to convince my brain I was touching fabric. I felt the individual threads beneath my fingertips. The weight of the jacket against my shoulders. The cool metal of the insignia pinned to me.

“One thousand times more realistic,” I muttered.

They weren’t kidding.

A woman with green skin and a cranium that reminded me of a puffer fish brushed past me carrying a tablet.

“Excuse me, Lieutenant.”

I quickly stepped aside. “Sorry uh…fellow lieutenant” She continued walking, focused on her tablet. No sly wink from this one…

“Lieutenant.” A gruff voiced older man addressed me. My eyes narrowed in on the five gold bars on his sleeve.

“Uh yes captain, sir.” I saluted him. I don’t think they salute in the Federation but it had felt like the right first move.

“Uh at ease son.” He gave me an awkward look. “As I told you this morning you’re going planet side today. An away team has been assembled on Deck C and in addition to the mission you’ll be participating in a mentorship assignment”

“Yes of course, I’m ready and eager to learn sir. Who will be mentoring me?.” He gave me another awkward look

“You’ll be mentoring our newest crew member, the ensign-did you not get her file this morning?”

I stared at him for a moment. File? This morning? Two things I definitely should have known about if I had existed in this world for more than three minutes. “Of course I got it. I just haven’t had a chance to read it yet.”

The captain’s eyebrow twitched. “Well you’ll have to read it on the go, you’re going planet side in five, she’s waiting for you on Deck C.”

“Understood, Captain.” I gave him another salute.

He stared at my hand. “We don’t do that here.”

“Right.” I said as I awkwardly lowered my hand and hid it behind my back in shame. I quickly exited the bridge before I embarrassed myself any further.