The Pleiades
Good morning Hank. Sleep well?
Yeah. The Damn CO2 scrubber squeaks all night, but I'm getting used to it.
Here comes the Captain. Look smart.
Good morning, crew. Ensign Jones, prepare to open the shield.
...
Open the Shield.
As the outer shield slowly opened to expose the "transparent aluminium" (also known as ALON) viewport, the distant starscape appeared, centered on that most revered constellation, inspiration of The Corporation, and the central image of all humanity.
Crew, Parade Attention!
The forty-five member crew snapped to rigid attention as the Captain recited the well rehearsed standard pledge.
Crew, The Pleiades is the symbol of our most benevolent Employer. We, the fortunate, the Employed, give homage to this symbol as a measure of honor and devotion, as a demonstration of our eternal loyalty, and as a show of gratitude. We bow to show our dependence on The Corporation.
Forty-five crew bowed in careful unison with the Captain. The recording drones hovered quietly nearby to record the ceremony, as always.
We take a single knee in solidarity with The Sisters, who have become mother to all.
Again, forty-five crew dropped to one knee.
We stand in support of our Employer and sovereign.
Forty-five crew stood again and came to attention.
We serve The Corporation, we thank The Corporation, we live as dutiful Employees.
Good morning crew, dismissed.
At this, the crew quickly scattered to their stations and began the morning shift. Another day (as much as one could call it a day aboard a long-duration transport ship) employed, and another opportunity to serve in hopes of someday earning retirement among the domes of Luna.
Yeah. The Damn CO2 scrubber squeaks all night, but I'm getting used to it.
Here comes the Captain. Look smart.
Good morning, crew. Ensign Jones, prepare to open the shield.
...
Open the Shield.
As the outer shield slowly opened to expose the "transparent aluminium" (also known as ALON) viewport, the distant starscape appeared, centered on that most revered constellation, inspiration of The Corporation, and the central image of all humanity.
Crew, Parade Attention!
The forty-five member crew snapped to rigid attention as the Captain recited the well rehearsed standard pledge.
Crew, The Pleiades is the symbol of our most benevolent Employer. We, the fortunate, the Employed, give homage to this symbol as a measure of honor and devotion, as a demonstration of our eternal loyalty, and as a show of gratitude. We bow to show our dependence on The Corporation.
Forty-five crew bowed in careful unison with the Captain. The recording drones hovered quietly nearby to record the ceremony, as always.
We take a single knee in solidarity with The Sisters, who have become mother to all.
Again, forty-five crew dropped to one knee.
We stand in support of our Employer and sovereign.
Forty-five crew stood again and came to attention.
We serve The Corporation, we thank The Corporation, we live as dutiful Employees.
Good morning crew, dismissed.
At this, the crew quickly scattered to their stations and began the morning shift. Another day (as much as one could call it a day aboard a long-duration transport ship) employed, and another opportunity to serve in hopes of someday earning retirement among the domes of Luna.
The Pleiades, the Seven Sisters, Messier 45. This Northern constellation formed the inspiration for the creation and naming of the Pleiades Corporation. Formed in 2045, when a group of seven sisters were unexpectedly orphaned after their parents were lost in a suspicious accident during their father's public demonstration of the first practical portable fusion power system. This constellation became an inspiration, a sign, and even a rallying point throughout the the decades that followed, known to history as the Time of The Sisters.
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