Chapter 9

Thinking about it, I was eager to get to my assignment, so I quickly changed clothes and rushed to the Fahren Spaceport.

At that point, I was told it would be two hours, but I should have had little time left. However, because I had come in a hurry, looking forward to it, I still had an hour and a half before departure.

I arrived at the Fahren Spaceport, but there was nothing to do here. With over an hour to spare, I looked around, wondering what to do.

I had heard it was a military-only spaceport, but being in the capital, it was well-equipped, almost indistinguishable from a civilian port.

Even if you wanted to eat, there were so many different types of restaurants, you couldn't count them all.

Well, not only the other two star systems in the capital sector, but a considerable number of regular flights to other star systems also departed from here. Moreover, even though it was for military use, many civilians used it for jobs contracted by the military, and there were many civilians in the spaceport's lobby, not just military personnel.

Most notably, there were many cute civilian women standing in front of the gates, presumably to see off their military lovers.

Damn, I screamed in my heart, "Burst, you real-life couples!"

Someone called out to me from behind.

"Hey, is that Naoh?"

"Huh?"

I turned around in surprise, and there was Mark, wearing a lieutenant's uniform, approaching me with a large bag.

"Hey, Mark. Are you already deploying?"

"Deploying... It's just a training cruise. I got my orders yesterday, and by the way, I'm now attached to the First Fleet Command."

"That's impressive."

"Is it? I heard that most graduates of the elite officer training school end up attached to the First or Second Fleet Command. You're the abnormal one. Your grades must have been off the charts."

"Having off-the-charts grades is harsh. Anyway, I just got my orders a little while ago."

"Your uniform suggests you're with the Coast Guard. I don't hear much good about that place..."

"Yeah, but to me, it's all the same. I think just being an officer is a luxury."

"Still, to be a lieutenant right away. Where are you going?"

"I'm heading to the Third Patrol Squadron office on Luchiralia. I've been assigned as the captain of the 2nd Inspection Squad on the space frigate 'Akeshi' of the Third Patrol Squadron."

"Captain of a squad right away? Oh, do you have time, Naoh?"

"Yeah, I have over an hour before departure, so I was wondering what to do."

"That's good. I have two hours before assembly. Want to grab a drink somewhere?"

I followed Mark into the nearest café. It was quite busy, but as two officers, we were quickly shown to a seat. In a society where there are often differences in rank, officers are always given preferential treatment, even in the military, which is even more hierarchical.

Even for us fresh out of school, we were seated and served tea without much waiting.

I had seen Mark yesterday, but it had been a while since we had a chance to talk like this. According to Mark, most graduates of the elite officer training school follow a predetermined course in their first year. Mark, now attached to the First Fleet Command, said this was to provide training on a more relaxed ship within the fleet. As evidence, the lieutenants who were to assemble here in two hours would be training on frigates of the First Fleet's supply ship escort squadron.

The reason for the supply ship escort squadron was that there were no plans to move the supply ships for a while, so the escort ships had some free time. Typically, for about six months each year, they would be divided among the frigates of the supply ship escort squadron, learning various departments such as navigation, engineering, communications, and weapons control from their seniors. After that, they would move to battleships, where each would be assigned a senior officer to perform actual officer duties, and their suitability would be evaluated before being promoted to lieutenant and assigned to their respective courses.

In Naoh's case, due to his extreme grades, he was sent to the Coast Guard without following this course.

"I still have a lot to learn. It's almost the same as the training at the academy. In that sense, you're impressive, Naoh. Captain of a squad right away. But can you handle it?"

"I don't know. I'm surprised too, but I can't say no. I'll just do my best."

"What, what, Naoh, that's all you say. You probably didn't even want to go to the academy. I really think you're amazing. But is it just good luck?"

"Again, luck? Yeah, I guess. For now, I'll think it's good luck. Oh, it's about time. Sorry, I have to go. Take care."

"You too. Good luck."

"Thanks."

I parted ways with Mark and boarded a regular shuttle to Luchiralia.

Luchiralia is the main planet in the Luchia star system in the capital sector, known for supplying mineral resources to the stars in the capital sector. As a result, it has developed significantly in heavy chemical industries such as resource refining and processing, and is often called the factory planet of the capital sector. In fact, there are many factories, and due to its practical development, it is not a picturesque planet and lacks greenery to soothe the soul.

Still, the urban areas are quite developed, and the planet's largest spaceport is quite large.

Unlike the capital planet Diamond, this spaceport is used by both the government and civilians, and the Third Patrol Squadron office is also located here.

Naoh got off the shuttle and went directly to the Third Patrol Squadron office, which is inside the spaceport management building. It manages the operations of two space frigates and is not as large or grand as the Coast Guard headquarters. However, it has departments for managing the two ships and ground offices for the ship captains.

When I entered the office, it was quite busy. The atmosphere was different from the headquarters. I went to the reception and explained the purpose of my visit. The person at the reception led me to the squadron commander's office.

"Commander, I have brought the new Lieutenant Bruce."

"Come in."

"I have been assigned here as of today, Naoh Bruce."

After saluting, I handed my orders to the squadron commander.

"Are you the famous lieutenant? Please, have a seat and wait."

Following the commander's instructions, I sat on the sofa in the command room and waited. The office was quite busy, and the commander was on the phone, busy.

After a while, a lieutenant colonel entered the command room.

"Commander Pott, you called?"

"Yes, I've been waiting, Colonel Dusty."

"This is the lieutenant you mentioned. He's the captain of the 2nd Inspection Squad. I'll leave the rest to you."

"Understood. He can start work immediately. He won't be needed for this operation, so there's no problem."

"Right. This is a big operation, and we won't be doing small inspections. The Third Mobile Fleet and the Second Patrol Squadron are also involved. We might not have much work, but we need to be prepared. I'm busy, so I'll leave it to you."

"Understood. Lieutenant, I'm Lieutenant Colonel Dusty, the captain of the space frigate 'Akeshi.' Nice to meet you. We don't have much time, so I'll take you to meet your subordinates right away."

Naoh was introduced to his new superior, Captain Dusty, and was hurriedly taken to his new workplace.