The Apprentice Starship Engineer: Book One The Link Read Online Free PDF Page B

brought up a schematic drawing of the power bus as he checked my switching order, then ran a simulation. To my horror a shunt safety feed came on, powering up the area where we’d be working.
    Bob swore as he turned away. “Dumb kid is going to kill us all,” he muttered as he walked out into the shop area.
    Jack looked at the switching order and shook his head. “What the hell do you think we’re doing here? A dam kid’s game? If you hit that bus live, you’re done dead. You’re one of those smart guys. Start being wise. We do this so we all get to go home.” He pointed at me. “You screw up another switch order and you’re done. Got it? Now do it again right.”
    I looked at my switch order. I’d pulled up the file on the wrong side of the ship. I would have killed us all. Jack had it right—test and check everything. I started over, and after a careful review of the file, I went over the schematic, making sure I hadn’t made a mistake, then ran the simulator. It checked out. 
    I asked Jack to check my switch order. He ran the simulator again. “So we’ll each need four locks, correct?” he asked.
    Still embarrassed I just nodded. I pushed the anti-gravity cart carrying our tools and power converter as I followed Jack. This wasn’t a farm. It was a starship. I’d better leave the farm behind and do what my journeyman says, I thought.
    Bob had locked out the switches before we’d arrived. He led us to the location of each one, and I verified that the switch identifier was correct before applying my lock. Bob laughed as I put on my last one.
    “Well, Jack and I made a convert out of a farm boy. You might just make it to your retirement yet,” he said with a smile.
    Jack made the connections to the replacement power converter. Determined to be a good apprentice, I’d never let myself get caught in to making the same sloppy mistake as the lock out again.
    Finishing up with work on Wednesday, I felt a sense of dread for another of Sandra’s workouts. I was still sore from the last one. I’d hoped Jack would come up with some extra work that couldn’t wait so I could miss our practice, but, in fact, he’d left early! I’d just tell her I couldn’t practice anymore. I’d been up until midnight Tuesday finishing another of Jack’s assignments. I argued with myself all the way to my dorm, then got changed into my workout clothes. I’d talk to her after today’s workout.
    Only three of us showed up for practice—myself, Rod and Terri.
    Sandra entered, wearing a brave smile. “Well, a bit smaller class. Mike and Jillian have decided not to continue. All the better for you, as it’ll be a lot more intimate. Shall we begin?”
    Jillian shook her head. “Sandra, Rod and I have decided not to continue also. It’s just not for us. Sorry.”
    Sandra nodded. They both slipped out. The room got quiet. Sandra looked at me with sparkling eyes. “How about you? Are you going to quit also?”
    I really hate myself. I can be such a worm. “No, if you still want to teach I want to learn,” I said with my best I’m-motivated smile.
    She nodded and then led me through a workout that was harder than the last one. At the end, she suggested I come every day. She’d teach me how to use small weapons. Of course I agreed. That’s what worms do. The trouble with me is I have so much guilt I do what I agree to do.
    I berated myself all the way to my dorm, then stayed up past midnight studying, mostly to abuse myself further.
    Jack didn’t let up. He taught me as fast as I could learn, and I felt pressured. Meeting with Sandra slowed me down, but seeing her face light up when I came into the gym I couldn’t quit. I was tired and felt pressured to study to keep up with Jack. Her workouts were pure torture. I liked her, and I just couldn’t let her down. I learned to do with a lot less sleep.  
    Every day I brought coffee to the shop. Bob had said that was what apprentices were supposed to do. He’d been joking