Based on characters created for "The Princess Has Come Of Age"
"Commence mission log, ESV Prometheus, Captain Elizabeth Daniels commanding. Earthdate September 21
st
2271. Earth Command has instructed us to seek out habitable worlds in preparation for the colonization programme that it shortly intends to commence. After some weeks, long range sensors have picked up a small planet that may be suitable, and we are moving in to investigate."
The Earth Science Vessel Prometheus moved through space, approaching a small blue and green world in a small solar system of four planets. It looked like a miniature version of the Sol system, the first planet closest to the sun being a small, hot world of molten rock and toxic fumes. The second planet, much further out, was the one the Prometheus was most interested in, and it closely resembles Earth, despite the fact that there was little sign of intelligent life. Even further out was a large blue coloured gas world with two sets of rings, each on a different axis. The final planet, so far away from it's own sun that it was barely noticeable, was a tiny world of ice and rock. It was doubtful that anything could live there, though the ship was too far away for sensors to pick up any signs of life.
On board the ship, Undergraduate Officer Zoe Daniels walked the long corridors to the bridge, a data pad held under her arm. The pad contained the results of her analysis of a type four nebulae the ship had passed through a few days ago. Though the nebulae bore no significance to their primary mission, the ship also doubled as a science college, and Zoe was one of its senior students. EarthGov, Earth's international governing body, had decided that the best form of education for it's young people was field experience. For this reason, ships such as the Prometheus were crewed with a number of students as well as fully qualified officers. Their studies comprised of normal duties that were recorded and finally assessed on or near the student's 18
th
birthday. So far on her tour of duty as an Undergraduate Officer, Zoe had investigated various spatial anomalies and phenomena and had taken part in a number of planetary surveys. This report would be her last college assignment, but only as long as she got it in on time. It was her 18
th
birthday tomorrow, and the deadline for final submissions was 18:30. Half an hour from now. Hopefully her tutor, the ship's Chief Science Officer, would be at her post on the bridge. Otherwise Zoe didn't think she had any hope of getting the report in on time.
The bridge of the Prometheus was a hive of noise and activity. As well as the sound of the massive hyperdrive engine, which was a low background buzz throughout the ship, there were the beeps and buzzes of various computers and systems. Runners dashed around the large area, passing messages between departments and waiting for reports to be signed. The quietest part of the room was the forward command deck. This compact section was right at the front of the bridge, laid out in a circular pattern around a 3D holographic display screen. The command deck housed the terminals for navigation, operations, tactical and sensors. Navigation was the closest to the holoscreen, with the captain and first officer chair's positioned just behind. The remaining stations formed a curved line behind the captain's chair, and a low wall separated the area from the rest of the bridge.
The lift door onto the bridge opened and Zoe stepped out into a bustle of activity. Far in front of her, she could see the planet they were approaching in glorious three-dimensional detail on the viewer. Dodging the mass of staff in the busier section of the bridge, Zoe made her way towards the command deck, glancing around her as she went to make sure the science officer wasn't at one of the science stations back here. It turned out that the woman was at her other post, in the first officer's chair, right at the front of the bridge. Taking advantage of her relationship with the ship's captain, Zoe strode confidently down to the front of the command deck.
"Hi, mom. Hi, Commander." The 18-year-old moved across the deck to stand between the two senior officers as they sat in their seats.
"Hi, Zoe. What can we do for you?" Her mother asked, looking up at her daughter as she came into view.
"I've just finished my report on my analysis of the nebulae we passed through. I wanted to hand it in personally, before I ran out of time."
"Thank you, Zoe." Commander Deniston replied, as she took the data pad from the teenager. "I'm sure it will make an excellent addition to your portfolio." Zoe's mother immediately changed the subject.
"We've just been talking about you, actually," she said, with a glance at her first officer. "Your final assessment is tomorrow, and both Lauren and I thought it would be a good idea if you took command of the planetary survey mission. A kind of practical examination." Zoe looked shocked and surprised.
"But I thought only full officers could take commands. Surely I won't be eligible until after my moderation?"
"Being the Captain's daughter gives you more privileges than just free access to the bridge," Captain Daniels said with a smile. "So, what do you think?"
"I think it's excellent," Zoe answered, a wide grin on her face. "When do I start?"
"Well, I advise you wait until tomorrow before you take a trip down to the surface," her mother suggested. "But you may want to spend some time picking your team."
"Picking my team? Hasn't one already been assigned?"
"Not unless you've done it, already. You're the commanding officer. Choosing your staff is your job. A database of all crewmembers with the relevant skills has already been downloaded to your personal computer."