A New Experience

Three days passed on the ship as Micca continued his new routine. He trained in the Cannon room, grew his network in the cafeteria, and at night he also began talking to his fellow crew members. Vog even seemed to be leaving him alone. Overall, he was making due in his new life.

Verona still had a nagging feeling ever since the day with Kimi in the cafeteria. She couldn't tell if Micca actually cared about her or if he was using her the same as all these other people. He often didn't speak to her until they slept near each other on their mats at night. When he did, she still saw the same emotions as before, the same as what it looked like he gave everyone. They saw Kimi twice since then and Micca acted the same. He was flirtatuous with her, unlike Verona, but he didn't even really know her. All of it was so confusing for Verona. She didn't know if she pledged herself to someone that really cared about her welbeing or not.

Both Micca and Verona continued their duties like any other day. Both of them happened to be on the chain at the moment, pulling with their straps as hard as they could muster. The training they experienced had started to hone their bodies to this sort of work. A minute for a shell to reach the cannon was normal now. Now, Petty Officer Liam worked with them on making sure they were in sync and preparing for disruptions to their process. He would grab people out from the lineup, blare a horn as they worked, or create an innovative disruption such as the time he filled the room with smoke. The whole crew of cannon 13 drilled everyday in order to learn their new jobs.

Almost as if a call from the nether answered their training, a klaxon rang. The petty officer ran off into the hall after a curt, "At ease; rest." Shortly after he left, the klaxon stopped.The crew in cannon 13 was left with no information as they stopped and let themselves slump down onto the ground. Most of them, anyways. Micca let himself sit, but stayed aware of the room around them and looked out the porthole of the door, trying to gather any information he could. He couldn't see anything through the hole into the hall though and let himself be concerned with his more immediate surroundings.

Verona had a look of worry on her face as she looked down at the floor, her face peaking over her legs folded into herself. Her anxiety, as present as always, had her concerned about the alarm. Micca put his hand on her back and spoke to her. 

"The petty officer didn't seem very disturbed by the alarm. I'm sure we will be fine."

She didn't seem moved by his words at first, but her muscles slowly relaxed and her form loosened. Micca gave her a soft smile, unmoving. Unmoving, besides his eyes which quickly flicked back to the door several times.

Before long, Liam walked back into the room at what somehow seemed the most upright any of them had seen him. He quickly glanced around. His eyes full of an undisclosed emotion, possibly... pride.

"It appears your training will be put to the test today. We have encountered a ship of pirates. We are currently moving to engage with them and outpace their vessel. Current estimates show twelve hours until combat range. You are dismissed for today. We will attend the cafeteria in eight hours, in order to have the most possible energy for combat. Get some rest and be assured this victory is ours."

With that, Petty Officer Liam turned and left the room, leaving all of the crew with a refound confusion of their situation, after they had finally learned their new routine.

The crew busied themselves with whatever seemed right to them. Some prayed to themselves, some chatted, and others went to sleep. Micca sat with Verona and didn't leave her side.

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Eight hours later the crew of Cannon 13 walked down the hall to the cafeteria, led by Petty Officer Liam. He directed them to be in a clear double file in the strictest sense, moreso than they had been since their feet were bound by shackles. Liam seemed to have a haughty stride in him, full of vigour. 

They reached the cafeteria and encountered an unusually boisterous crowd inside. Liam gave a curt salute before grabbing his food and running off to the petty officers' eating area, faster than they have ever seen him. 

Micca looked around at the crowd and noticed that something was different from them compared to normal, besides their behavior. Each of them bore a bullet like symbol on their uniform, just like Micca. He went up to the counter with the rest of his crew and got his food. Normally all they received was some stale bread, a soup of unknown contents, and some type of assortment of vegetables in a portion that barely satisfied them. What was on his plate now was a fairly high quality meal in a much bigger portion. The bread looked fresh, the soup replaced by a piece of meat, and the vegetables looked tastier.

He proceeded to find a spot to sit, followed by Verona. Before they, or the rest of the crew from Cannon 13, could a man stood up at one of the tables and addressed them.

"Hey, new bloods, look more alive. Today is a day we are one of the most important parts of the ship. Eat up and enjoy. Then work hard when we need those shells flying."

The man went back to his food and the company around him with a grin on his face.

All of Micca's crew seemed to look a little more joyful after that exchange.