Blast Off

"Sir, so far this month, out of our target of 100 mechanics that meet our requirements, we have only been able to recruit 42. If we are unable to meet our minimum requirement of 50, we might have to host an extended examination." James Hazaq nervously looks up from his tablet as he completes his report. This was James' first foray in running a system wide recruitment drive, and it just might be his last. The look in his boss's eyes reminds him of his own father when he first came home with a less than stellar grade. Pure disappointment.

"Can't you just lower the requirements? We will be sending them to training camp anyway." The boss's secretary suggests with disdain clearly displayed on her face. She rolls her eyes at his lack of imagination and goes back to reading her emails.

"Wonderful Idea Ms. Elaine. I will take that into consideration." James quickly says while feigning a smile before bowing and exiting the room. Feeling the cold sweat on his back, he takes a deep breath before reaching in front of him on a screen only he can see and presses the "Call" button on the most recent contact. After half a ringtone, the call connects.

"D-did you get the approval?" A stuttering voice chimes in ears.

"Unfortunately, we'll have to lower our requirements. Even if we take in a few more mechanics than expected, we can just transfer them to other departments if it exceeds our budget." James replies with a suggestion. What do you mean lower the requirements? Either they know the basics or they don't. To teach new recruits how to use a multi-tool will just end up in unnecessary accidents. James mumbles as he steps into a shuttle heading towards the next transport to Earth.

=== Olympia, Mars ===

In a large meeting room are seated several dozen people dressed in suits, all representatives of major corporations from Earth and Mars along with a few government officials. In front of each is a clear holographic screen with the meeting notes displayed as well as a live-translation module.

Core Magnetization Plan

"Secretary Tan, with the recent push for new mechanics, we should be able to extend the life of the Solar Shield Array on L1 for another 4 Galactic Years at most. Unless we divert half of our military budget towards completing phase one of the project, the Martian Fusion Reactor Core project, it will be another 8 years before Mars will see even a rudimentary magnetic field." One of the gentlemen quickly stands up and reports. However, before Secretary Tan can respond, a tall, bearded man in a red military uniform stands up, salutes the Secretary, and turns to the man that just spoke.

"We have already cut the budget over the last decade much more than necessary and if we cut anymore, we will be suffering even more harassment from pirate activities." As the General is speaking, a notification appears on the HUD of Secretary Tan.

"General Wang, I assure you there will not be another budget cut." Secretary Tan quickly responds to the concern raised. "I have just received notice from the Solar System United Mechanics head of recruitment that they will be increasing this year's budget for new recruits to accommodate double the usual quota."

Hearing this news, the general visibly relaxed and sit back down.

-

After logging in, Euri turns her head left and right to take in the situation in Terra Nova Capital's plaza. As the capital of the quadrant, its technology far surpasses that of Earth. People from any major planet with a Quantum Satellite Router can directly come here and take advantage of the resources available. Though only a virtual world, it is far cheaper to visit Empyrean this way.

Euri looks up at the enchanting emerald sky before setting her destination on her HUD towards the arcade, the best place to practice spacecraft piloting as the newest game, Depth of Space VII, comes with the latest ship models Azure Sky Laboratories have developed. Unless one wishes to risk their lives fighting on the front lines or is currently in military school, there's no better place to train.

Walking in to the crowded hall, Euri expertly navigates between the stream of bodies to arrive before the cabin for Depth of Space VII. Taking a step into the cabin, a notification quickly pops up on her HUD: 'Royal Arcade Day Pass: 10 Credits. Accept?' Euri nods in approval. 'Transaction complete, Enjoy Ms. Euridicia.'

As the new notification fades from her HUD, her character is teleported to an instanced cabin in the pilot seat of a F-S23, the latest fighter spacecraft, capable of making 3 consecutive hyperspace jumps before needed to recharge as well as state-of-the-art miniature railgun rifles for maximum penetration power. Further more, it can carry up to 10 torpedoes capable of performing up to one hyperspace jump once it locks onto a target. The new Void Collision Torpedoes. In reality, each of those fancy space grenades would be worth around 100,000 credits. Enough to retire on an agricultural planet for 200 years! A lifetime for most people.

Looking around at the dashboard, Euri loads her preferred configurations and immediately, things around her begin to shift every so slightly to enhance her comfort and focus. She unloads 8 of the 10 torpedoes and uses half of the weight capacity she just earned to equip two more Railguns as well as a classic high-velocity machine gun. Euri hates to blow up any target she can take out with a bullet. Who knows, maybe one day she'll be able to salvage the ship of a pirate and make it her own. If she blew it up, she'd get nothing!

After everything is set, she presses the "Start challenge" button on her HUD and five green holographic orbs appear in front of the ship. As the third orb lights up, she starts to ramp up the engine, and the moment the fifth orb lights up, Euri activates the Ion-Thrusters. Immediately, she can feel the excellent padding of the seat cushioning her as the acceleration increases. Within seconds, the ship is off the track and heading straight into Terra Nova's virtual atmosphere, though everything is much more fantastical since this is a game. Euri expertly navigates the craft into large golden rings and taking out one target after another. Twelve minutes later, Euri finishes off the last target and turns the ship back towards the starting runway. The moment the ship touches the ground, the timer stops.

Time: 0h13m22.12s

Record: 0h12m59.33s

Unsatisfied with her performance, she starts again.

"There's still at least 10 hours until sunrise. I can definitely beat my record tonight." Euri mumbles to herself.