[b]”Ensign Kayler.  Ensign Kayler.”[/b]

The buzz of his personal intercom was as persistent as it was irritating.  It would not go away however.  He opened his eyes with a groan, shielding them from the red blinking of his personal comm.

[b]”Ensign Kayler, you are late for your briefing,”[/b] said the slightly irritating robot woman.

[b]”Whatever,”[/b] he raised his hand, clenching it into a fist and bringing it down on top of the stupid blinking light.

It smashed, and the red light was no more.  [b]”And fuck off too,”[/b] he moaned again before laying his head back down.

Turning his head to see who was lying next to him, he smirked at the sight of a shock of blonde hair coming out from under the cover.  It was then that the memory of last night game to him.  He remembered the disco.  He remembered the flashing orange lights at the top of the dance floor.  He remembered seeing her there, alone.  He remembered working his way over to her, placing his arm around her.....

Morgan slid out of bed, casually noting his officers uniform crumpled on the floor.  As she lay there, still asleep, he gathered his clothes, smoothing them over before putting them back on.  Reaching into his pocket, he drew out a small round metallic object.  Bringing it to his lips, he whispered, [b]”One hundred and fifty four,”[/b] into it.

Placing it back into his pocket, he walked over to the mirror and looked into it.  Ignoring the sight of his two bloodshot eyes staring back at him, as well as the shadows under them, he reached up, pushing the loose strands of hair back into place.  Then glancing back at the sleeping girl, he smirked again.

[b]”Sorry, duty calls.  Be seeing you.”[/b]

Of course, being asleep, she couldn’t answer as he glided out of her apartment, pushing the door shut behind him.

[CENTER]***[/CENTER]

The flight deck was a long, almost cavernous room.  On either side of the room, lined up in order next to each other, exploration pods.  Small and round aircraft, they were only designed to fit two people per craft.  So it was that the exploration teams that were sent out were sent out in groups of two, first to reconnoiter and report back when it came to exploring new planets.

Their ship, the Galacticus, was a cruiser designed to house many such teams.  Posted out in a remote area of the universe, inside a quadrant that had never been explored before, it was down to the people on board the Galacticus to discover and explore new frontiers.

Today, it was Morgan’s turn to go out, and his new partner, Beatrice.

They were stood on a metal walkway overlooking the exploration craft.  As he came running down the walkway, Morgan noted with a strange sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach that she had already arrived, as had their superior, Major Carver.  Morgan was late.

Very late.

[b]”Sir,”[/b] Morgan began, running up to them and saluting his superior officer.

A grim, stern faced man, Major Carver did not look like the man to suffer fools gladly.  Which could be borne out by the cold expression on his face.

[b]”Ensign Kayler.  If you are late again to your briefing, I will suspend both you and your partner for a week without pay,”[/b] he said in a voice that lacked any sort of warmth and humour.

[b]”Noted Sir,”[/b] Morgan turned to look at his partner.  

She was an attractive girl, not far removed from his own age.  Her hair was the strangest colours, waves of purple and blue combining to give off a fascinating sheen.

[b]”Hey there,”[/b] Morgan whispered with a grin just seconds before Major Carver cut him off.

[b]”Ensign Kayler.  Your reputation is almost legendary here on the Galacticus, as are your, uh, habits.  The Science Officer, Beatrice, is not to be considered as one of your, ahhh, conquests.”[/b]

Morgan scowled at that, raising his eyebrow as the Major began detailing assignment.  [i]They’re sending me with a SCIENCE OFFICER of all people?  Not a co-pilot, or a gunner?  Great....just fucking great.[/i]

[b]”Two thousand clicks away, near the edge of the system, our advanced ships caught site of a planet that we have not yet documented.  This planet, from what we can see, is an arid desert world.  You will have to take the appropriate gear and equipment to cope with the hazards such a desolate place will bring.  You are to take the Falcon, fly over to the planet, touch down and document what you find.  Do a cursory Investigation of your surroundings but don’t stray too far from your pod.  Of key importance to us are signs of life, and an indication of whether the planet is suitable for colonisation?”[/b]

Glaring at the two of them, Major Carver then added, [b]”Any questions?”[/b]

[@Guardian Angel Haruki]