One thing I quickly realized had been forgotten in our training was formality. In the military, there was a strict protocol about how to address superiors, comrades, and those below my rank. The issue didn't become blaringly obvious until after the Bridge crew had greeted the rest of the crewmembers. With all thirty-eight members on board, we dispersed to our rooms until takeoff.

    The speakers throughout the ship conveyed Captain Thorn's voice. "All crew report to takeoff positions."

   I was already on my way to the Bridge. The doors slid open upon my arrival, revealing the large room. 270 degrees of the room was see-through, allowing us to see the edge of the Earth. The back wall was covered with screens and diagrams. Officers Bird and Edwards had stations at the back wall. Every station appeared to be a bean-shaped, touch-screen desk with a comfortable seat. Officers Byrne, Peterson, and Decker had already appeared at theirs. Besides the Captain's station in the center, there was one left: mine.

   I sat down at my station, activating the screen. Several diagnostics appeared which allowed me to track the ship's life support, thruster system, and gravity with a glance. I knew from training that I could access any security feed, crew profile, door locks, and weapons systems from this same station. It could do practically anything. The only other station with this level of power was the Captain's.

   As if summoned by my thought, the doors slid open and he stepped inside. He wore the same uniform as mine, except there was no white stripe across his chest. The lack of protocol became prominent when I hesitated, unsure of what to do. I decided to stand up and face him at attention. Officer Peterson saw and copied, getting to his feet. Soon the whole Bridge crew had stood at attention.

   Captain Thorn paused. "Ah, I see there is a lack of specification for protocol."

   "Yes, Captain," I agreed.

   He thought for a moment, rubbing his chin. "How about a compromise? In the presence of the crew and others, we follow strict formality. Lacking company, we can be more relaxed. You don't have to stand at attention or the like. What do you think?"

   The Bridge crew shared a few glances, relieved, before I nodded. "Agreeable, sir."

   "Excellent." He took his seat. His station lit up in welcome. A smile brightened his face. "Let's get this ball rolling. Systems check."

   We knew that command. Officer Peterson went first. "Thruster system operating at full efficiency." His red long-sleeved shirt reflected on the shiny surface of the station, and the navy stripe across his chest left an odd pattern.

   "Life systems operating at full efficiency," echoed Officer Byrne.

   Officer Decker confirmed the weapons system was ready. Next, Officer Edwards confirmed navigation was prepared. Lastly, Officer Bird confirmed that the data collection systems were primed and ready to go.

   "Good." Captain Thorn tapped a button on his screen. "Attention, crew." His voice broadcasted through the Bridge, and presumably the rest of the ship. "This is Captain Thorn. Welcome to the Patriot I. We are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. We are ready for takeoff. Congratulations would normally be in order, but this is more daunting of a mission than we have ever taken on. A 'good luck' is more appropriate. However, now is not the time to be worrying about such things. I want you all to forget about the little things. You are now cemented in a historical event larger than yourself."

   I glanced at where he sat, diagonally to my front left, and waited patiently. He thought about his words carefully. "You all know the mission better than the back of your hand. So let's show everyone the fruit of our hard work, shall we." He lifted his hand from the button. Movement from my station caught my eye and I looked down at the security feed showing the maintenance room for the thruster system.

   I smothered a laugh and instead said, unable to stop the smile, "The technical department is celebrating, Captain." I watched the group of engineers whoop and clap, pumping their fists.

   Officer Peterson smiled. "They've been working on this ship for ages. They're excited to see her fly, First Officer."

   Captain Thorn shook his head, amused, and said, "Prepare for takeoff."

   Immediately, the Bridge crew moved. I pulled up all diagnostics for the ship as the Bridge officers tuned in with their crew, giving orders and maintaining their systems from here.

   "Activate heat shields," Officer Peterson was saying, just as Officer Edwards ordered, "Maintain coordinate location and sync the two systems..."

   I watched the diagnostics carefully. "All systems operating properly, Captain. Awaiting your order."

   "Good... Three, two, one. Takeoff."

   At the second he said it, I pressed the button to release the space elevator's clamps to the Patriot. The thrusters surged as there was a clang. The ship rattled as the thrusters fought Earth's gravity, no longer suspended by the space elevator. I watched the diagnostics shift as the Officers and departments rapidly adjusted to get us moving. The gravity lowered as more power pushed the ship, until it began to move.

   From the corner of my eye, I saw the camera feed from the maintenance room again. "Captain, the Technical Department is celebrating a bit too much."

   "Officer Peterson?" prompted the Captain.

   "On it, Captain." Officer Peterson pressed a button. "Report to your stations, and keep the cheering down please."

   On the screen, the engineers jumped with alarm as their Officer's voice filled the room. Captain Thorn covered his mouth, undoubtably trying to hide a smile, as they scurried back to their stations.

   "I imagine there will be a large party in the common room tonight," said Officer Byrne.

   "You think so, Officer?" said Officer Decker. His uniform's base color was green, but still retained the navy stripe. I understood the navy stripe signified Bridge crew. "No one can drink after midnight, due to the medical requirements of cryogenic freezing."

   "I highly doubt that will stop them, Officer Decker."

   If lack of alcohol could stop a party, then I would have had an incredibly boring academy life, I thought vaguely.

   Captain Thorn asked, "Officer Edwards, report on navigation."

   "Course set and followed thus far, Captain."

   "Systems check."

   The crew chimed their reports until Captain Thorn nodded, satisfied. "Excellent. First Officer Autumn, get me in touch with Captain Spencer of the Pioneer."

   "Yes, Captain." I knew what he wanted, but that was a far cry from knowing how. I returned to the profiles tab on my screen and located a divider, which allowed me to access the Pioneer's crew. Captain Malik Spencer's profile sat at the top. I selected it, and a pop-up offered two options: a camera and a mic. I selected the camera. Next, it offered me a map of the Bridge, with each station as an option. There was a different choice in the front center of the room. After a brief second, I chose the front choice.

   A panel on the floor opened and a prism lifted up. It lit up. An image projected above it in a hologram, clear in color and definition. After a split second, it beeped and Captain Spencer's face filled the front of the room, easily five feet tall.

   Captain Thorn said, "Liftoff complete. We are circling around to get alongside you, as planned. Everything running properly?"

   "It's been perfect," said Captain Spencer, his voice strictly professional. "We will be off of the elevator in seconds."

   There was a beep on my station, as well as Officer Decker's. I looked down and scrutinized the pop-up. "We've got fighter jets approaching, Captain."

   Captain Spencer paused as the crew focused on their stations. Captain Thorn glanced at his station as I swiped the information to him, causing the radar to pop up.

   "Japanese fighters," said Officer Byrne. "The translation of their communication feed suggests they were sent to determine who and what we are."

   Captain Thorn changed from professional-chat mode to threat-assess mode immediately. Officer Decker waited at attention, prepared to utilize his department if necessary.

   "All countries with airspace prowess received mission statements an hour before takeoff. First Officer, send them a copy of Zoel-2 and warn them that if they do not retreat, we will be forced to act defensively."

   "Yes, Captain." I located the file he was talking about quickly. After scanning for their systems, I managed to transmit the Zoel-2 file. The crew held their breath as they watched the radar of the jets, awaiting their move.

   I felt my first sign of trepidation at the wait. I hadn't thought we could already face an altercation within Earth's bounds. Was the Patriot prepared for airspace battle? I knew it was built to be, but that was still a far cry from being truly ready.

   The jets backed up slowly. Officer Decker released a breath. I relaxed, reporting, "They are backing off."

   Captain Thorn nodded. "Officer Decker, keep an eye on their whereabouts and communications."

   "Yes, Captain."

   "We are still ready to go, Captain Spencer. Let's get out of here before we encounter trouble."

   "Excellent idea," said Captain Spencer.