This ongoing sci-fi series will contain non-consensual elements.
"Cadet," the voice boomed out from behind me.
"Yes, Sir," I said and jumped to my feet. Gilbert was a barrel of a man and very respected amongst the officers in the UEN. As I stood to attention before him, he asked me if I had fixed the fault I was working on.
"Yes, Sir," I said, confidently.
"Good Miss Jackson, get to your station."
I moved smartly to the bridge of the UEN Brooklyn. It was busy and on the view screen was a trio of ships. Our Captain today was a young man called Petyr. He was nineteen like me and asked if the fault had been rectified.
"It has, Sir," I said and took my station at the engineering system.
"Captain," a shrill voice came from the scanning station. "They are powering weapons."
"Power ours," he said, just as quickly. He was a confident young man, but brash and headstrong. In the academy recreational room, I often humiliated him playing the Jovian board. He told me it didn't bother him, but I think secretly he did. A few times he had tried to talk me into bed. I had always preferred women but I was a virgin and almost relented one night just to get it over with.
The Brooklyn rocked violently as we were hit multiple times with a fusion cannon.
"Return fire," he said, coolly. A brace of missiles was launched, destroying one ship and heavily damaging another.
I called out our own damaged reports. Things looked bad.
We were being watched by an instructor named Leila. She was in her fifties and had slicked-back black hair. She was the very definition of a cool and calm officer and one I admired greatly.
"Our engine is going critical," I called out.
"No evacuation," the Captain said, and called out for more fire.
It was hopeless.
Our ship rocked one last time and I informed the group that our engine had blown, and seventy per cent of the ship had been destroyed. Had this not been a simulation we would all be dead.
"Okay, very good ladies and gentlemen," Leila said with a clap of her hands. "Emrah, tomorrow you will be acting Captain," she said and dismissed us.
*********
As a group, we made our way out of the simulator into the hot Martian air. Six other simulators were situated next to the parade grounds. Petyr caught up with me.
"You coming for a drink tonight, Em?"
I told him I was going to be studying for my navigation exam.
"I don't mind a bad score on that," he admitted. "If a nav computer goes down, you've probably got more problems than finding your way home."
I didn't share his sentiments and hoped to get as many high scores as possible. His father was an admiral, and he knew he would get a good posting no matter how he did. It annoyed me, but it was a matter of fact. Even with such a leg up, he remained popular with the other students. He was attractive with an easy demeanour and a cute smile.
"How about I bring a bottle of wine to yours and we study together?"
"I don't know," I said.
"Come on, Em, let your hair down."
I relented with a smile.
He smiled widely and told me he would see me later then. As I made my way into the girl's dorm I knew what a bottle of wine and a promise to study meant. He had often been seen coming and going from the other girl's quarters. He was easy with his company and I knew that he would be taking my virginity tonight. I felt a knot in my stomach at the thought. It wouldn't have been my ideal choice, but he had worn me down, and I did feel flattered at the attention.
********
There were still two months left to graduate. I still had a lot to do. There were exams and tests to complete. The time had flown by. I had not been the most sociable cadet. While the others had partied and formed relationships. I had focused on my studies. Joining the United Earth Navy had all I ever wanted to do. It was my dream and passion. Books littered my small quarters, There was only one family photo on my wall and that was of my late mother. People said I should be more sociable, but I just kept putting it off.
Petry was coming around tonight, so I tidied up. I changed the sheets and stowed some of the larger books in a cabinet. I still felt nervous about it and hoped the wine he brought was nice. After a shower I changed, I looked through my wardrobe for something suitable to wear. There was nothing sexy, just functional clothes and my various uniforms. I settled on a summer dress that I had bought on Titan. It was white and had a pretty floral pattern. As I looked at myself in the mirror and realised I couldn't have picked some more virginal. I took it off and changed into my jogging outfit. It was light blue and fit nicely. It wasn't sexy but I didn't want to seem too eager or pathetic.
There was still time and I opened a book to at least try and get some studying in. It was hard to concentrate though and my mind wondered, Was he going to be tender, and loving, or firm and rough? As my mind played with the thought, my comms device lit up. For a second I wondered if it was him calling to cancel.
It wasn't it was from my instructor, Leila. It was a brief message asking me to visit her in her office. It was odd at this late hour, and I thought that maybe I was in trouble. I quickly changed into my cadet uniform. Petyr would have to wait.
*************
The sun was dipping over the horizon as I made my way across the quadrangle. The sunsets on Mars gave everything a lovely orange glow. I would miss that when I got my assignment.
Leila's office was on the second floor. The building had minimal light on and it looked like the rest of the staff had gone back to their quarters. It was eerie being in here on my own. On the walls were portraits of famous officers. I wondered if one day mine would be up there.
I knocked lightly on her door.
"Enter," she said and I let myself in.
Her office was large, with one wall dedicated to books. She was sitting behind her oak desk with a smile on her face. Her tunic was open. It was the most casual and laid-back I had ever seen her. She was always the perfect officer. Not a hair out of place. She was in her forties and had lines around her eyes. Her hair was tied in a severe bun and was salt and pepper coloured.
"You wanted to see me, Ma'am?" I said as I presented myself to her.
"Emrah, yes," she said with a smile. She told me to take a seat and asked if she had interrupted anything special.
"Just studying, Ma'am."
She nodded. "It's your navigation exam tomorrow?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Confident?"
I nodded.
She smiled and came around to the front of the desk. She leaned against it and asked if I was having any problems.
My mind raced for an answer, and I wondered if she knew something I didn't.
"I don't think so, Ma'am."
"The thing is Emrah, I have had a complaint about you."
I couldn't believe it. I had never put a foot wrong.
"What?" I mumbled.
"It's nothing major, it's just about your attitude."
"My attitude," I said, feeling my cheeks go red. Not only did I hate failing, but disappointing this woman was a horrible prospect.
"How do I put this," she said. "Part of the job of an officer is to put the lower ranks at ease. Your test scores are excellent but your demeanour can be quite cold, quite standoffish."
