It has been several hours since the massive destroyer pulled away from
AGRICOLON platform and made for open space. To the Legionaires of 9 Troop,
this was all the transparent actions of a well drilled naval crew. To these
'ground pounders,' they seemed a competent lot.

The bridge crew had leaked some scuttlebutt about the actions of both the
KNEIS-ENAU's crew and the Legion troop while they had been aboard the station.
Further, it was noted that the CO and the station chief of security had run
afoul of one another during the short mooring. Those mad monkeys would not be
as pleasant with this old tub next time she pulled alongside...

After several hours in the Medbay under a very angelic Saurian medical
officer, Legionaire Arimos was finally back down on the "flight deck" with the
rest of his troop. His bruises and the cracked ribs would pain him for some
time to come, but it had been necessary. Looking over at Akahi, he saw the
split in the Osakar's purple and violet scales on his head. It had been a
rough time indeed.

Arimos focused on his weapons maintenance and wondered about the rest of
the members of the Troop.

Daily shipboard life for the Legionaires could be a very boring experience
for crewmen who were not actively engaged. Already Centurion Vit'atik had
started a rigorous calisthenics program which included two hours of martial
arts training every morning. Additionally, a weapons cleaning and combat
training drill found their way to the schedule. The one sleep cycle the
Legionaires had already experianced did not seem anywhere near enough to keep
up with this heavy activity.

Lt Birrkh and Centurion Mi'Naack had already inspected the QUICKDEATH and
the other weapon and supply stores. Each seemed well pleased with the current
situation. The Legionaires were pleased as well. They had seen, inspected,
and prepared their individual pieces of combat armor and battle equipment kits
to their personal tastes. All were within regs, of course. Centurion
SaisWing had given them until tomorrow to complete their individual maintnance
and set-up prior to his inspection. This was very liberal. Each Legionaire
knew the high price for failing the inspection though.

In the time building up to jump velocity, the Legionaire's time was
consumed with these and other mundane routines. They looked forward to the
training scheduled with the ships heavy weapons as they decelerated toward
Hargut. They still had a lot of things to work out among themselves before
they would be a tight unit...

*****

"Captain on deck, ATTEN-HUH!"
The crew stood at attention in the small RecRoom. The Legionaires had
their black and whites on along with the white beret. They stood out in sharp
contrast to the deep blue, white, silver and red coloring of the crew
uniforms. All were neatly lined around the small room, allowing only a small
pathway for the CO.

The door slid open and the 'old man' himself slowly entered the confined
space. He moved slowly, taking position in front of the RecRoom's only large
viewport. He seemed relaxed and well accoustomed to command.
"At ease. Welcome all - I am Janz Peiper, Captain of this vessel. The
KNEIS-ENAU is an old but proud ship, and we are honored to have you all
aboard... "

The captain continues with introductions of the ships officers (to include
the Legion officer) and each of the NCOs present (to include Legion
Centurions.) He makes it very clear that should the issue arise, all crew are
to respond to Fleet and Legion officers and NCO's regarless of their service
branch, unless such an order runs directly counter to one issued by their own
commanders. Indiscipline will not be tolerated - insubordination, public
intoxication and any other gross indiscretions will be swiftly and severely
punished. All are invited to make the most of their free time in the gym,
with the rec sims in the ship's databanks, and the newly stocked video
library. He further notes that barring any major incidents or accidents, they
can expect 2 days shore leave in Hargut's station before the KNEIS-ENAU
strikes out for deep space. Concluding his remarks, the captain says,
"That'll be it for the intro's - hopefully friction will be minimal. We are a
team, one crew. Dismissed."

*****

Gannalon Sugg could not sleep after the pummeling id had endured during the
physical training of the day before. Quietly, id slipped out of his berthing
space and into the circular corridor of Deck 5. The seven large pie shaped
bays that served as the crew quarters were all quiet as this shift slept. 
While standing in the corridor, id decided it was as good a time as any to
survey the ship. Gannalon moved toward the blast door that protected the
elevator shaft in the center of the deck. Slapping the button, id waited for
the small spherical capsule that would carry him to the neither portions of
the vessel.

"Deck 7," said the black and white clad Dralasite.
The bubble sped down the core of the destroyer, obediantly halting on the
seventh deck. A seductive feminine voice said, "Deck 7." The door slide
aside revealing the blast door to this level, its black and yellow caution
striping a glaring contrast to the dark grey walls. A large panel with a
brightly glowing green 7 in its center indicated that this was indeed deck 7.
Gannalon stepped out and passed two human crew members that were headed for
the elevator bubble. As id had found is normal here, they paid him no
attention. Again, he slapped the panel that opened the blast doors and looked
out into deck 7.

This was one of the three heavy weapons decks aboard the KNEIS-ENAU. Two
large laser battery arrays flanked id's position. Walking at a tourist
shuffle, the Dralasite took in the twin massive computers and the charge
couplers visible in the deck plating. Id's gaze swept the large lifesupport
system with "MAIN" stenciled in whilte on the black and grey device. It took
up a good quarter of the available deck space on this level and much more
above and below - out of sight. 

All of this Gannalon remembered as id approached the double blast doors
on the port side of the ship. Behind these large doors was the main airlock.
It was an area easy to secure and access to the remainder of the vessel was
restricted. Id didn't bother to open the doors to that large room. Instead,
id headed for another small bubble elevator between the two huge guns. Id
waited several moments for the car and it finally arrived.

Three crewmen were talking excitedly as they stepped out of the bubble
and headed to the main elevator. Gannalon heard one say, "...All of Deck 9."
Thinking that was as good as any place, he stepped into the bubble and said,
"Deck 9." The bubble descended smoothly and the same female voice intoned,
"Deck 9."

This time when Legionaire Sugg opened the blast door id was surprised to
see several crewman around a large computer. A Vruskian engineer officer was
quickly giving instructions to several spacers, all obviously working on some
problem. Knowing better than to interfere, Gannalon watched the activity and
noted that much of it was related to the damage control computer and one of
the two large laser batteries located on this deck.

From the discussion and shouted commands, it was obvious that LB3 had
gone off-line and the Vruskian Damage Control officer had no idea why.
Neither did the gun's crew.

"Hey you....yeah [click] you. Come here [click-clack]."

Looking over at the Vrusk, Gannalon Sugg realizes that now he is in this
small web of intrigue - whether he wants to be or not. 

"Ttacke tthese ttools [click] up tto tthe gun tteam in tthe tturret.
[click] help out unttil the otther tteam [click-clack] arrives," says the
Vrusk as he hands the Dralasite several tools.

"Yes, SIR!," says Legionaire Sugg. Oh boy - id should have stayed in the
rack. Id's very tired now....

___________________________________________

Time is moving by slowly for each of you. You have some time on your hands
when not training. What would you like to do while waiting for the jump?