“God, this is boring.” It was the third time in the last thirty minutes that Second Lieutenant Dustin Price uttered the same words. “This is not what I signed up for.”

Eleanor looked up from her console at the young Surveillance Systems Officer that had been appointed as a part of her ship’s crew, but said nothing.

“I thought they trained you guys for this.” The voice was that of First Lieutenant James Sloan, the Ranger’s Flight Engineer, he had almost as many years of experience under his belt as Eleanor had.

“They do.” Eleanor chirped from her seat. “They prepare us pilots, and if they don’t prepare Sensor Ops they should!”

“Not like this!” Price reiterated. “Recon is supposed to go out and surveil new planets and their defenses! Gather intel! Serve as the ship’s eyes forward of friendly lines! Not to stand here playing starbase customs!”

Eleanor swiveled her seat to face the young Marine. An eyebrow raised and a worried look on her face. “I’m not sure what Kool-Aid you’ve been drinking Badger, but I suggest you start getting used to it. If you thought you’d be out and about every day in the frontline of excitement, you’re going to be sorely disappointed…”

“I’m sure it is not that bad, Captain.” Price started.

“I suggest you listen to the Lady, kid…” Sloan added almost immediately. “There’s a big difference before what the recruitment posters say and what you’ll actually do…”

“But, during training–“

Price’s thought was abruptly interrupted by the computer. =/\= Proximity alert. Unidentified vessel. Proximity alert. =/\=

Carnegie’s wide gaze met Price’s as the young man scrambled to get readings from his console. She was not happy. Quickly swiveling back to the front, Eleanor armed the Ranger’s phasers and raised her shields. “Where are they coming from?” She yelled at the Sensors Operator over the computer warning. “Right behind us, Ma’am.” He promptly replied.

It was a maneuver she had done many times with the Templars, and a common one many pilots did when trying to see what was behind them. After all, in space there was no up or down. With a swift motion, she pulled on her controls, and before either of her crew members could even say anything, the Ranger flipped upside down, nose now where her tail had been just a second before.

Cpt. Carnegie, Recon Squadron CO