Take The Star Road (The Maxwell Saga) Read Online Free PDF Page B

about a spacer's job?"
    "A couple of years ago, as soon as I figured out it was my most likely ticket off-planet, I started studying part-time, Sir. I've taken and passed all the available online theory classes and examinations. According to local regulations, I've done enough to qualify for a Spacer Third Class rating once I've added the practical training."
    The Bosun's eyebrows rose. "You did all that on your own? That's impressive. Earth's standards aren't as rigorous as those of the Lancastrian Commonwealth, but they're not too shabby nonetheless - at least on paper."
    The waiter knocked on the door, then opened it, wheeling in a serving cart laden with plates, dishes and glasses of water. He served them, and they settled down to their meal. Vince added horseradish sauce to his plate, smeared a little on a piece of the succulent meat, put it in his mouth and chewed slowly, closing his eyes in pleasure as he relished the flavor. He swallowed. "Oh, man! That's ambrosia after weeks of spacer rations!"
    He looked at Steve. "It sounds like you've got a lot of the theory you'll need," he said thoughtfully, "and we have hypno-study materials in the ship's library to teach you the rest. That puts you head and shoulders over wannabe apprentices who've got it all to learn. I've got a Bosun's Mate Second Class, name of Tomkins, who's bucking for promotion to First Class next year. He needs experience as an instructor to qualify, and supervising your training would go a long way towards meeting that requirement. You realize that, as an apprentice, you'll be doing a lot of scut work - the dirty jobs qualified spacers don't like, and that we can't afford to assign to them because we're paying them to do more important stuff?"
    Steve swallowed a mouthful of food. "I understand, Sir. I guess you had to do the same when you got started."
    Vince choked as he laughed. Coughing, he cleared his throat. "You can say that again!" He sipped his water. "How old are you, Steve?"
    "I'll be nineteen next month, Sir."
    "What's your medical status? Are your immunizations all up to date and documented? What about travel documents?"
    "I've had all my shots, Sir. They're recorded in my passport. It's valid for ten years - well, nine, now - and endorsed for unrestricted travel."
    "How did you manage that? Earth isn't noted for issuing long-term unrestricted passports to its citizens, because so many never come back! They won't even allow off-planet recruiters to operate here."
    "Yes, Sir. Brother Bede at St. Anselm's pulled a few strings for me. I think one or two of his former students are working in that department."
    "You were very lucky. Nine years ought to be long enough to find your feet somewhere else. What about longevity treatments? Some planets require them all, and at nineteen you're already too old for some of the advanced therapies to take full effect."
    "I received them all before my sixteenth birthday, Sir. The state provides the basic regimen for everyone, of course. Brother Bede persuaded my parents' lawyer to allow me to use most of the residue of their estate to pay for a full suite of advanced therapies. He reckoned it would be much more useful to 'double my Biblical life-span', as he put it, than to waste the money on short-term expenses."
    "He's a wise man! You were lucky you had private means available."
    "Yes, Sir. It wasn't 'lucky' to lose my parents, but at least they did their best to provide for me if the worst happened."
    The Bosun hesitated, then made up his mind. "All right. I'll talk to Cap'n Volschenk about you. Don't get your hopes up too high!" he hastened to add as he saw the youngster's face light up with excitement. "He may turn me down. It's his decision in the end."
    "If the kid needs a reference, Vince, I'll give him one," Louie offered.
    Steve flushed. "Thanks, Mr. Brackmann. I really appreciate that."
    "I'll tell the Captain, but if he's willing to hire an apprentice - and as I said, he hasn't done that for a