<span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Albert Perez, SFC, Martian Army (Retired)</span></span></span><br/>Albert had several parcels he wanted delivered aboard the Feronia. He paid a delivery crew of two men to help load equipment aboard the former Martian Cargo ship. He had packages containing cooking equipment as well as fresh vegetables, a cooler of meats and some dried breads and pasta. He had packages containing his workout gear and training equipment. He carried a canvas olive drab (OD) green parachute bag filled with his personal clothing items over his left shoulder. He wore his load bearing equipment (LBE) as well as the rifle slung over his shoulder; his trusty .357 revolver in the low-hip holster at his right side; both weapons Kinetic Rail Guns. Ammunition for both was included in the boxes his delivery men carried.<br/><br/>Albert recognized the ship's proprietor, headed toward the elevator with the two men in tow, grunting under their burden. Al Perez stuck out his hand when he arrived, "hello Captain Dereeve. I hope you don't mind. I hired these gentlemen to help carry my training gear and food for the galley." Since Albert Perez had already met the Captain during the interview process, he didn't feel it necessary to re-introduce himself. As the men waited for directions to some destination, Al dropped his para bag to the deck and repositioned his KRG rifle over his right shoulder. The weapon slung down so the muzzle was pointed toward the flooring.<br/><br/>One of the men, with a hand truck asked, "Where do you want these vegetables, Mac?" Obviously, the delivery men were in a hurry.<br/><br/>"I took the liberty to pick up some vegetables, meats, pastas and bread for meals. I do enjoy cooking.  I hope you do not mind?" Albert Perez was eager to get the perishables stored in a cooler of some sort and then begin unpacking his equipment in his room, stateroom or whatever they are called aboard ship. He was Army and spent his time either in a barracks room or in the field. He preferred the field, but the barracks were more secure and drier. He assumed a ship like this one would be just as dry as the barracks.<br/><br/>"That's fine, Albert. Or do you prefer Al?" Callum responded, trying his best to keep things casual in front of a military man.<br/><br/>"Al is fine, sir." The former Martian NCO looked placidly at the ship's captain. Using the terms,<span style="font-style: italic">sir</span>and<span style="font-style: italic">ma'am</span>are signs of respect, not age. Sure the Captain appeared to be older and probably was, but that wasn't the point. As a senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) in the Martian Army he'd used the terms on plenty of young second lieutenants who were just a little bit older than kids.<br/><br/>"Not a problem at all," Callum said, trying his best to give a good impression. "You win points in my book for bringing food aboard my ship. You just better be as good a cook as you say you are. I can be quite the chef and critic," Callum Flaunted. "Food can be brought to the 6th deck to the mess hall. Personal rooms are on the 5th deck. There's plenty of room, just a lot of small bunk rooms. So feel free to take out bunks, and when the rest of the crew arrive you can break down some of the walls to make a larger room, after I approve it. If you need more storage you can take up a locker in the cargo hold on the 1st deck."<br/><br/>Callum continued, "Seeing as your our main gun guy, I was thinking of setting up a firing range in the cargo hold. There used to be one while it was a navy vessel, but it has since been torn out. Feel free to check it out. You can take charge with that."<br/><br/>"I hope you like Mexican, sir," Al Perez smiled at his boss and began instructing the delivery men to bring their bags onto the elevator. "I'll be back down in a few," directing his last remark to Captain Dereeve just before the door closed.<br/><br/>Al found the galley on the 6th deck. He and the deliverymen loaded the fresh vegetables into the walk in cooler. He stored the other foodstuff in the pantry and the pots and pans in the storage spaces under and above the prep counters. Next, they went to the fifth deck where Al found a bunk. He dropped his bag on the bed, took off his LBE and hung it off the corner of the bed. Finally, he removed the slung rifle, took it and the pistol and placed them inside a closet with a hasp. He took out one of the many padlocks he brought with him and locked the door. Finally, they took the remaining items down to the 1st deck and hauled Al's training equipment into the cargo hold. He never used the ship-board firing ranges, but heard that the Martian Marines and sailors use them frequently. They looked like firing ranges cluttered with boxes and unused machinery, equipment or what have you. They only needed to be cleaned up.<br/><br/>When all was squared away, he gave the deliverymen a gratuity and thanked them for his assistance. He walked them back to the elevator and they rode down in silence back to where Captain Dereeve was standing, waiting for the rest of the crew. "I figured you could use some company while you wait, sir. I would like to meet the crew as well."