Reporting For Duty

[NS]

Specialist Second Class Callahan's mind was brought back to the present by the stopping of the cab. One of the three soldiers from the Mobile Infantry who were guarding the main gate to the base had halted the cab that Lieutenant Faraday and Callahan were riding in. The soldier peered into the back seat, glanced at the passengers’ ID cards (even though they were in uniforms), returned their cards to them and stood up ram-rod straight, firing off a sharp salute to Faraday and motioning for the bright yellow hover-craft to proceed.

Lieutenant Faraday had the driver drop “Cookie” off at the Enlisted Men’s Barracks first, then had him drive the several blocks over to the BOQ (Bachelor Officer’s Quarters). Although he was married and was receiving extra Allowance For Quarters, as an FTL Spacer, he was still entitled to a bunk at the BOQ.

Paying the driver and looking around the familiar base, Lieutenant Faraday had to smile at that paradox. A married Officer being allowed to stay at the BOQ without a bunch of red tape. He glanced down at the special insignia he wore on his chest. The same insignia that Callahan had on his uniform. Although Callahan’s was silver and Faraday’s was gold.

He had to hand it to the over-all Commanding Officer of the EX program. That old bull might be a gut-busting bastard, but he took care of his people!

As Lieutenant Faraday stepped inside the three story building and approached the Yeoman on duty for a billet assignment, he wondered who else might be staying here that he knew. He also wondered if any of his fellow three Officers from the 5-EX had arrived.

He would be very surprised if the Skipper had not reported in already.