Neto had just graduated from Scout Academy and received his assignment as the Pilot on the small two person ship. His Captain is the highly decorated Scout, Ariana. As if serving under the most highly decorated officer in the scouts didn't make him nervous enough, Neto knew that he'd only gotten the choice position through his Uncle Weldon's influence.
After the Admiral had asked Captain Ariana to consider him for the open Pilot position on her ship the Fortuna he soon found himself sitting in the pilot's chair at the front of the bridge. The six foot tall, dark haired man sat tensely waiting for orders.
You wouldn't know by looking at the diminutive officer sitting confidently in the Caprain's chair, but she was the most decorated officer in the Scouts. Ariana asked, "Pilot, have you entered the calculations to plot our course to Centauri base for our practice run?"
"Yes ma'am, the course is laid in."
She looked at his calculations "Double check that Pilot. We will end up too close to the gravity well of the Star system with this plotted course."
"Yes ma'am. You are correct. Let me adjust the FTL parameters."
A few tense minutes later Ariana said, "That look much better. Accelerate to full speed and get us to the jump point."
Neto said, "Yes ma'am. Engaging impulse engines."
They sat quietly as the little ship passed by the outer planets and a few fleet ships. After about 30 minutes Neto said, "We have reached the jump point Captain. What are your orders?"
Ariana said, "Excellent work navigating us out of the solar system. Engage the FTL drive and take us out Pilot."
Neto spoke in what he hoped was a confident tone that didn't betray his nervousness, "Yes ma'am." He engaged the engines and the view screen went blank for a few seconds and then normal space appeared. "Captain, our coordinates are as expected. We have made it to the first jump position on our course."
Ariana checked the position and smiled at him, "Well done Pilot. Take us over to Centauri Station and we can practice docking."
The made it to position next to the large space station and Neto moved the small ship up to the docking clamps.
Ariana suddenly shouted, "This is much too fast, brace yourself."
Sure enough the Fortuna hit the docking clamps on the space station and bounced away. The vibrations from the ship's impact coursed through them.
Ariana ordered, "Take us around and try it again."
After three more failed attempts Ariana remained calm with the young pilot. "Let me show you." She transferred navigational controls to her chair. She took the Fortuna back around and got it into position near the docking clamps. "Notice that we are completely stopped and the docking clamps are centered in the porthole of the view screen."
"Yes ma'am."
"Now we just ease the lateral thrusters and push us in."
