Take the Tour

The Massachusetts is the most advanced Astroship of the fleet. That about sums up what the admiral said over and over again. You felt as though he had to rehearse his tour before actually giving to the captain and you. Just about every section was "the most advanced" of it's kind. For the most part, each "advancement" was like getting a new model hovercar. It works about the same, but the mileage is a bit better and maybe a new feature is thrown in for the sake of being innovative.

Speaking of new features, though. The Massachusetts was the first Astroship to come equipped with a matter transporter. The technology is relatively new, but well researched. The only thing stopping it from being more widely used is the large amount of power needed for a single transport. Recent developments in the decrease in transporter power use and increase in energy production aboard an Astroship have actually made it viable as an option to have on the ship. It still has it's limits though. Transporting all crew to the Massachusetts today would have required more power than the ship had in all her systems combined.

As the tour comes to a conclusion, the admiral bids you and the captain farewell and decides to show you two a successful transport back to Earth. He steps onto the transporter pad with a smile on his face. The captain, transporter chief Burt, and you give him a salute and he gives one in return.

"Energize." He said and Chief Burt tapped a few buttons and threw the switch.

The admiral was engulfed in a blue light and he gradually faded from existence. You and the captain look at each other amazed. The captain's comm badge beeped signalling an incoming message. She tapped it and the admiral's voice sounded.

"God speed you two. And make sure my Katie comes home, ensign."

"Yes, Sir!" you reply instinctively.

"I'll make sure he does," the captain said tapping her comm badge again to hang up on her dad, "Well, Number One, we've got a couple of hours left before we report for our first duty shift. Feel free to explore the ship some more. Just make sure to report to the bridge on time."

"No problem, Katie." For some reason you couldn't resist continuing the parental embarrassment.

"Watch yourself," she said smirking, "That's Capt. Katie to you." She turned and watched out of the transporter room. You and Chief Burt couldn't resist a chance at looking at her ass as she walked out.