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<span style="font-size: 26px">~Leaving Sigma 6~</span><br/>​</div>Nearly a dozen men and women, mostly fresh Enlistees and Privates, shuffled their way into the narrow confines of the shuttles passenger bay.  Duffle bags full of personal items were dropped upon the floor and shoved under the seats they took while one man dressed in a freshly pressed uniform of a ranking Forge officer watched on from the fore of the ship.  Once the idle banter and chatter began to fade, the young commander cleared his throat and took center stage.  "Alright ladies and gentleman, get yourselves comfortable, buckle up.  Our departures gonna be a little rough."  Lieutenant<a class="link link--external" href="https://icdn6.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/best-space-movies-moon2-500x500.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Allen</a>Cartwright chirped up from the front row of the shuttle as the last of the passengers eased into their seats.  "I'm hoping you all got the memo and remembered to pack light."  There was a hint of amusement in the fresh faced commanders voice as he stood by the sealed off cockpit, welcoming everyone aboard.  "For those of you who don't know me, my name is Allen Cartwright.  For those that do, or are serving under me for the first time it's going to be Lieutenant Cartwright."  He paused while the hiss of the boarding ramps hydraulics echoed through the passenger cabin as the shuttle sealed itself shut.  "Which is the vast majority of you men and women.  The rest of you can address me as Mr. Cartwright."<br/><br/>His voice rose as the sound of the shuttles impulse engines roared to life, causing the floor to hum and vibrate beneath his feet.  "We do have some civilians on board with us today!"  There was none to subtle nod given towards Jaxx Herd.  "Miss Herd is here as a representative of our employer, Divinity and she'll be sharing the details of our mission to Cynosure with us later, once we've all settled in onboard Ares 8!"  Allen glanced down to the olive green cushioned bucket seat as the shuttle began to churn, a clear sign that lift off was growing imminently closer.  "We'll have one week aboard Ares 8 before we all settle into that blissful state of stasis!  I expect everyone to learn the ins and outs of the ship!  Make sure your equipment is in tip top condition, and study up on Cynosure's floor plans!  She's a big station, and we're not sure what we're going to find when we arrive there in six months."  He paused, making an effort to fix his gaze on every single occupant in the shuttle with him before driving home his last point. "We don't need anyone getting lost, or worse!  Understood?"<br/><br/>"Yes sir, sir!"  The discordant chorus of troops responded.<br/><br/>Lieutenant Cartwright reached his hand out, taking hold of the top of his seat as the shuttle lurched off the floor.  His voice strained to call out over the rising din of the engines.  "If you've got questions, save them for the briefing!"  He exhaled as he sank down into the seat and began to yank the straps over his chest and waist, securing himself in place.  The transport shuttle rattled, shaking fitfully as the engines pushed it up off the floor while the side thrusters engaged, turning the vehicle towards the open bay doors that lead out from Sigma 6.  Allen sunk his head back against the firm pad atop his chair, closing his eyes briefly while the ship began to make its way carefully out of the bay and into space.  "It should be about a ten minute ride to Ares 8!"  He called out, before falling silent again.  His hands clenched and fidgeted together in his lap as little bursts from the engines pushed the shuttle forward, sending it on a path to the cargo vessel that waited just beyond Sigma 6's no fly zone.<br/><br/>Eventually as the shuttle curled its way smoothly along its path towards Ares 8 the gossip resumed between some of the more eager and excited troops.  Allen listened with a small smile on his face, folding his arms across his chest and doing his best to hide that nagging nervous feeling that tugged at his heart.  This was the first big mission where he would be the one calling the shots.  He was really hoping for a promotion after this if everything went well.  Besides it was a relief to leave the problems at Sigma 6 behind.  Engaging pirates could be a downright dangerous affair, but then again checking into a deep space refinery that had gone silent didn't sound all that appealing either. Take the unknown over the known and just hope for the best.  But make sure to plan for the worst, he privately reminded himself as he wrapped his arms tighter about his chest while the shuttle chugged onward to Ares 8.