Patrick was sitting on his bunk, reading a letter form one of his younger sisters back home on New Irland colony. He missed his sisters and mother but didn't miss his father all that much. It had been well over a year since he had seen them last.
"Hey, Patrick, do you think that you'll make petty officer before Hicks? He's got a wager saying in one year he will be a petty officer AND be one before you," A fellow member of Harper's platoon asked.
"Well that's an easy rank. Lets see who makes chief first. Who ever does gets a bottle of the best ale in the Alpha Quadrent."
Patrick was dead certain he was going to be leaving everyone else in the dust when it came to promotions. Hell he pasted everone else up on their PT scores and marksmenship and book work.
"Alright Harper it's a deal," Hicks said yelling across from the barracks.
Then the door slid open from the Chief's office and an old chief stepped out wearing the gold uniform. He had grey hair and a black mustache.
"Hey quite down in hear. Harper, in my officer and I mean now damn it." The chief was not a very kind or nice person, he had been in Starfleet for 36 years and ahd seen alot of things.
Patrick quickly walked into his office and stood at attention and waited to be yield at for something. The chief never called anyone into his office unless they were in trouble. "Stand easy crewman. It's your time to go now, son.You've been assigned to supply base 901. Here are your orders." The chief handed a PADD to Patrick and then he was dismissed.
Patrick walked over to his bunk and read the orders. He'd leave at 0900 hours tommrow onboard a transport ship. He was extremly excited. His first post and he was filled with grand ideas of adventure. He shared his news with his friends and they were not affraid to show their resement for not being assigned their.
Patrick also wrote a few letters home explaing about his first posting and what he would be doing.
That night he could barely sleep at all, for he was extremly excited. When he was able to sleep he dreamed of himself in five years as Chief Petty Officer onboard a Defiant Class starship serving as assistant OPS officer.