“What do you mean by somewhere? You don’t know?”

“Yes and no. It’s not that we don’t know where people are sent to. Well, we don't know where. It's just the place they are sent... it could be anywhere. Maybe eight of ten find their way back, or we can get to them. However, if your ship is destroyed... there is a very real chance you are not coming back.”

Then they were there. They first stopped at another desk where they scanned Sevs finger and eyes, so he would be able to get around the ship. This also registered him for training.

“Sir,” the man at the desk said; before turning to Sevs. "Training begins at 0600 tomorrow. You will be joining the training flight, Charlie. You are expected to come prepared."

The Lieutenant led Sevs away. “I can’t tell you about training. That's a bit of tradition. But I can help you set up a bit. If you pull up your menus you should have a new tab.”

Sevs checked. Now he had an equipment tab. It was empty. “Now, this tab is both lifesaving and complete garbage. It pretty much tells you what equipment you are responsible for. Unlike many worlds, we have no inventory or soul-bound items. This is a list of items you have been issued, and we expect back. The only other function is that if these items are on your person, they will respawn with you. Loss of an item will come out of your pay. You can also add other items to respawn with you. I recommended adding your flight suit now.”

Sevs thought of the command, and the flight suit appeared on the list. That would be useful. “There has gotta be limits on this, right? I can’t just add the ship.”

Sevs knew that because he tried and failed. “Yes, there are limits. It only needs to be an item you can carry around with you. So a weapon, clothes. The limit is pretty much a space suit. Anything more than that will not work. It’s one of the reasons we don’t have too many people in power armor.”

“That makes sense. What kind of gear do we use then?”

“Perfect timing. We are here too.” They stepped into a new room, which looked to be a quarter masters office. “I need a new kit, please.”

“Yes, sir,” said the woman in the back, beginning to move items around. Sevs and the Lieutenant heard things tossed around and some swearing.

Then the Lieutenant answered Sevs’s question. “It’s a mix and largely due to personal preference, along with the needs of the squad. The standard issue is some light armor and a plasma rifle. Modifications are allowed, or even replacements. Though you may need to cover the cost difference yourself.”

Right then, the quartermaster came out of the shelves holding a stuffed duffle bag. She dropped it on the counter. And started pulling things out. Listing them as she went, “Two flight suits, one set of armor, one med kit for when the armor doesn't bleed'n work, one canteen, one pair of combat boots, and the bag. Thumb here.”

She indicated the glowing spot on the desk and then dumped everything back in the bag. Sevs looked at the list displayed over the thumb spot. It matched what he had seen and what she had said, so he put his thumb down. All those items were listed in his equipment tab. Sevs slung the bag over one shoulder and followed the Lieutenant out.

“Hey, uh, Sir?”

“Yes, Sevs?”

“Why are you showing me around? Clearly, you are an officer, and it seems this wouldn’t be the best use of your time?”

“Between combat, I like to take care of my men. Besides, this whole process goes smoothly if your guide has a bit of rank. You’ll learn more about rank in training, but I'm not that high up in the ranks. Our force is not large enough to have too many levels. We can’t afford to get top heavy.”

Sevs accepted that explanation. For the most part. Lieutenant was the lowest officer rank from what he remembered. However, the way the people spoke to the Lieutenant was too respectful. Sevs didn't believe that was the only thing going on. Sevs saw a man with the same rank insignia step out of the way for them to pass. Definitely not the only thing going on.

Lieutenant Dan led him to a couple other places. Next, they stopped at the mess hall, and each grabbed a tray and ate a quick lunch. “The mess hall is open all the time. However, they only serve meals for an hour three times a day. Otherwise, you get this. It’s not the worst, but it gets old, so try to make the meals if you can.”

He gestured to the brick of food on the plate; it looked like some stir fry rice. They had that, a drink, and a bag of crackers. That was it. Sevs took a bite; it really was not bad. Kinda bland, though.

“We missed lunch by a couple hours, but I found it's best to get food in right after a respawn. Though I am sure you know that.” Sevs nodded in confirmation.

After they finished eating, Sevs was issued a rifle which the Lieutenant turned the safety on and warned him not to touch until he was trained. “Just leave it in your locker for now. They will tell you when you will need it.”

Eventually, Sevs was shown to a barracks room. It was a long hall with four beds stacked on top of each other on each side. Under each bed, there was a shallow drawer. It was keyed to the occupant's thumb. Once he grabbed a bunk, the Lieutenant wished him well and left. The drawer was not deep enough to fit the bag, so Sevs took the items one at a time, and they all fit, with a little room left over. As he shut the locker, a voice spoke out from behind him. “Newbie!”