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HMSS Pangolin Prime Chapter 3

Chapter 3
The lights came on slowly as my alarm sounded, simulating dawn. I lay still in bed for a few minutes, trying to extend a lay in as much as possible, I thought I deserved it, since yesterday I saved a StatBloc from exploding. I was just about to get up when my bed did it for me, it rose up on one end, tipping me onto the cold floor. I groggily stood up, I asked Forzy “What was that?” Forzy replied “All Q2 standard issue beds are fitted with a wake-up insurance policy,” I just nodded and waved it away. I sleepily padded into the bathroom and stepped inside the auto fit. This machine automatically undresses you, washes and then clothes you, it certainly makes getting ready a whole lot quicker.  The machine tore my sleepwear off as it always does, then sprayed me with the cleaning fluid, followed by its slightly painful powerful water jets. They certainly get in all the nooks and crannies. This was then followed by an intensive drying procedure, It then presented me with my uniform, a nice crisp set of overalls. I pulled them on, they are designed to not require underwear in order to cut down on resources, the snug fit clinging to my frame. I stepped out the shower and grabbed my tool belt which clipped neatly around my waist, my wrap . I gave my hair a quick run-through then headed out. I joined the morning shuffle, as everyone made their way to the various role posts. I was heading through the security scanner when one of the guards called me over, they told me to head for the docks and go see the dock manager. I asked him why but he said he was just relaying the message. I wondered why they didn’t just message me on my visor. I stepped into the elevator that would take me to the docks, due to the re-route the shuffle had ended to I had the elevator to myself, the metal walls vibrating as I descended. The docks were located at the bottom of the PP, the main hangar door, opening to face backwards. I elevator ground to a halt, and I stepped out, the engine fumes mixing in the air. I followed the signs to the dock master's office, some of the workers nodded to me as I passed, only a second technician for two weeks and i'm already loving it. I knocked on the door and entered, the dock master was an older gentleman, a greying beard hugging his chin. He was busying through some paperwork when I entered and after a moment he looked up. “Ah, you must be the second technician I requested” I simply shrugged back, he continued, “...Sam Grimsbry… hmm…. ok,... sure ...whatever...anyway, Yes, you are here to assist on a mission”
“A mission?!” I questioned
“Yes Sam, will it be your first?” I nodded in response. A mission was very exciting, it's where you go on a ship outside the PP, usually to harvest some resources or something, but it’s unusual for a technician to be needed. The dock master must have seen the look on my face and continued, “This is strictly confidential, so no spreading this about, but we spotted a ship on the scanner” My jaw dropped, we were supposed to be alone. “It reads no life signs or heat signatures so it was hard to pick up, but it seems mostly intact so we are gonna go and take a look, perhaps even get it operational again.” I attempted to retrieve my jaw from the floor but I stopped when he continued again, “That’s where you come in Sam, we need your technical skills on the mission” I could not think of what to say, so a spluttered “Thank You” dropped out my mouth. The dock master chuckled “Don't thank me yet.” he waved me off, “you depart at dusk, there will be a briefing en route.” It was all so much to take in, I was finally going on a mission, to say I was excited would be an understatement, I wandered out of his office and headed all the way back to my quarters to prepare myself. I had never wished dusk to come sooner than on that day. At around noon I sent my brother a message, firstly telling him not to  tell anyone, and that I would be going on a mission, I couldn’t tell him what, but I think he is high enough up to know anyway. I wonder what he thought about me going on a mission, I think I beat him to it, HAHA! finally something i’ve got one up on him!

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