Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [36]
“I tried getting into Starfleet once, Stiles said, leaning against a bulkhead near one of the battered coffeemakers, from which he had just poured himself a full cup. “Couldnt quite pass the physical, though. His tone sounded vaguely resentful of the fact, though he offered no further explanation.
“Im sorry, Mayweather said, his elbows resting on a dull stainless steel table as he sipped at a cup of coffee that tasted as though it once might have been used to cool old-style plutonium fuel rods. He felt stupid that he hadnt been able to come up with anything better to say.
“Im from a Starfleet family, though, Stiles continued, apparently unfazed by Mayweathers well-intentioned gaffe. “I have a niece whos just earned her lieutenants commission, a grand-nephew whos a freshly minted ensign, and a couple of cousins who made it as far as lieutenant commander. At least one of ems bound to make captain sooner or later.
“You must be very proud, Mayweather said, pushing the nasty-tasting coffee to one side, taking care not to spill any lest it eat through the table, the deck, and the Maru s ventral hull.
Stiles chuckled mirthlessly, then looked around as though to make sure he wouldnt be overheard by any of his shipmates. “Im just glad I can take pride in something while Im serving aboard this tub.
While Stiles was speaking, a small group of men and women brushed past Mayweathers table on their way to the freighters self-service galley area. Most of them looked somewhat weather-beaten, though they all seemed strong and fit, fairly radiating both confidence and competence. As Mayweather quietly watched them going about their mealsthey all seemed to be doing their best to avoid any contact with the Starfleet intruders who had temporarily disrupted their ships routinehe reflected that these people represented the true cutting edge of the permanent expansion of humanitys presence throughout the galaxy. This crew reminded him of the stories his late father had told him of the hardy professional survivors whose livelihoods had required them to drive incredibly heavy multiaxle trucks over the treacherous ice roads of the remote Alaskan wilderness. Like those survivors, these people were the strong backbone of the human species ongoing effort to make a permanent mark on the eternal stars themselves.
Pioneers, as it were, on a wagon train to the stars.
“So youre bound for Gamma Hydra next, he said, turning back toward Stiles in the hopes of directing the conversation toward a happier topic than career regrets.
Stiles nodded. “If we ever get this inspection business out of the way so we can finish our repairs.
Mayweather tried to defuse the thinly veiled complaint with more small talk. “You know, my familys in the interstellar hauling trade, too, working with the Earth Cargo Service. I was born on a freighter, in fact.
Stiles chuckled around a sip of his own coffee. “Ah. A Boomer, huh?
“Better believe it, Mayweather said, grinning. “The family is still doing business in the ship I was born in. That boat has to be at least as old as this one. In fact, family legend has it that the inside of her warp casing was autographed by Zefram Cochrane himself.
“Get outta town, the other man said in an almost bantering tone.
Mayweather grinned. “Thats Moms story, and shes sticking to it. Anyway, the family freighter has a few stops in the Gamma Hydra sector planned for the near future.
“Really? Whats the ships name? Stiles asked, sounding genuinely interested.
“The Horizon .
Stiless eyebrows rose in surprise. “Its a small galaxy, Ensign. The Horizon s scheduled to make a cargo pickup from us when we get to Gamma Hydra.
Mayweather didnt try to conceal his delight in hearing that. His grin broadening involuntarily, he said, “Do you think I could trouble you to deliver some personal mail to Rianna and Paul Mayweather,