Chapter 6
As I approached the docking slip of the James Cook I realized that I’d been on Freedom Station for far too long. I belonged in space, not tied down as the engineer on a station. I stopped just inside the main hatch. “Permission to come aboard?” The ensign on duty was aware and watching me.
“Permission granted. Your orders please, Ma’am?” He looked really young for an ensign.
“Of, course Ensign…”
“Ensign Tremblay, Ma’am.”
I handed the hard copy of my orders to the ensign. He quickly checked them over and logged them into his system. He turned back to me and asked, “Ma’am, do you need directions to quarters?”
“No thank you Ensign. I’ve served aboard the James Cook before.” I left the entryway and entered the lift to the crew area.
I wasn’t on board this time as part of the
