Space Corps - Explorer (Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

orbit, you’ll see the sun rise and set sixteen times a day.”
    “Does it ever get boring?” Ashley asked.
    “I’ve been on more than a dozen missions,” said the pilot, making a minor course correction, “and I can promise you it doesn’t.”
    Straining, the new admiral could see a small speck in the distance. She didn’t need anyone to tell her what it was. She recognized it as the International Space Station. Just to the side sat a considerably larger craft.
    “We’ll need to make two more complete orbits around the planet, and then we can dock with the station,” said the pilot.
    Turning to the commanding officer of the shuttle, Ashley asked, “Would you mind if I asked you a question?”
    “Of course not.”
    “I heard you had the chance to spend some time onboard the station. Why didn’t you take it?”
    “Family, sir. My wife doesn’t like me to leave for too long, and I don’t like to leave her. The relationship works well that way.”
    “Is living on the station all they make it out to be?”
    “I would imagine it’s pretty miserable. The station is just about as cramped as can be. There’s barely enough room to stretch out.”
    “I saw a million pictures of the station when I was growing up. I always wondered what it would feel like to live inside for more than just a day or so.” Ashley sighed. “I know there are many downsides, but I can’t help thinking that sitting so high above the Earth is worth it.”
    “There certainly are,” the captain said, “but your ship is much better. The construction for the International Space Station started in 1998. The plans are even older than that. Your ship is much newer and much better.”
    With one orbit around the Earth complete, Ashley couldn’t help but grow excited. She knew she would walk on her ship in just a few hours.
     
    Floating through the airlock and into the Space Corps vessel, Ashley heard a loud but gentle whistle announce her presence.
    “Admiral on deck!” shouted a lieutenant.
    Everyone in sight jumped to attention as well as they could. To set themselves up to give a salute, men and women in blue jumpsuits pushed off metal and held themselves in place with their free hand.
    She couldn’t believe her eyes. The people surrounding her all looked older than her, but showed respect. Ashley heard crewmen of the Space Corps call her admiral before, but hadn’t grown used to the title.
    “As you were.”
    With three words from Ashley, the crew hurried back to work. Everyone rushed with tools or supplies to their destination. Ashley didn’t know where each person went, but knew they were the engineers building her vessel.
    Only one woman remained. She pushed off the wall to meet Ashley. Reaching down to her feet, she hit a button on the side of her unusually bulky boots.
    “What are those?” Ashley asked.
    “Magnetic boots, sir. It’s great to feel weightless and it’s great to float everywhere, but it does look a bit ridiculous. There’s a pair waiting for you in your quarters if you would like to see them.”
    “My quarters? I was told we would use barracks because of the lack of available space.”
    The Lieutenant smiled. “It’s a surprise for you. All crewmen will bunk in the barracks. Because you’re an admiral, you get a special treat. They’ve set aside some space for some quarters. It’s nothing large, and it’s nothing amazing, but it’s your own space.”
    Smiling, Ashley looked around. While small, the hall connecting to the airlock bore clean lines. Not an ounce of space went to waste. In the corners, cables and pipes ran, protected by a thin casing.
    “If I’m going to help start this thing up, I need to change into my static suit,” Ashley said. “Would you mind taking me to my quarters, Lieutenant…?”
    “Lieutenant Card, sir. I’m the communications officer on this ship. Speaking of which, I was wondering if you had a name picked out.”
    As they walked, Ashley looked around in amazement.