Grounding

Posted on Mon Aug 10th, 2026 @ 6:13am by Crewman Paul Randall

Mission: Retrobandonment
Location: Randall's Quarters
Timeline: Current

The Astraea is still in Earth orbit on the final stretch of her three month refit. Paul had recently joined the crew, recently as a few days ago. As he understood it, the captain, up until now, hadn't had the need for a Yeoman, but clearly something has changed, for this was his assignment.

He was still in the process of unpacking and organising his belongings. Through his window, and through the metal frame of the the drydock, he could see Earth. It's beautiful blues and greens filling his quarters with light.

Only three days ago he was in his home city of Manchester, England with his parents and other friends, whom he saw as his extended family. They had all come to celebrate his posting and give him a good send off.

As he recalled the fun and the food, he held in his had a photograph of himself and all who wished him well that day, in a polished wooden frame. He carefully positioned it in the table by his bed. Something nice to wake up to.

He decided at there point to take a break from sorting out his quarters and go for a stroll around the ship, to help familiarise himself. The last thing he needed was to be late for anyone or anything for simply getting lost.

Leaving his quarters, on Deck 5, he set about exploring the ship. He knew the best place to go, to learn about the ship and her crew, would be the messhall. The one place where everyone mingled. The social hub, as it were, of the ship.

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