They had gone to a sports bar to watch football and hockey. Both of which were in season at the moment. Apparently one of the things Elena actually liked doing was playing basketball, which was another sport. So she did come around to appreciating the other sports as well.
"So I have a few questions," she pointed out as she took a sip of her beer. "What is the cadet probationary period? It feels like something I should know but don't."
"The cadet probationary period is the period after the academy, for the duration they are assigned to a squad. During times of peace that probationary period is one year. But during war that is three months. During that time the cadets are unable to get promotions or change out their basic required gear. After the probationary period they are assigned depending on recommendations. Some go to more menial labor jobs, some go to command positions, some become pilots, some get to stay and work in the same squads." Jace explained before he took a sip of his beer.
"So it is actually a pretty important period of your military career?" She evaluated.
"Correct, the cadets in question can also end up going for additional training or going to Vexical Imperial University. But those are all dependent on recommendations. Of course if they went to university they would be going to learn a trade, science, or some other skill that needs to be learned in a contained environment." He continued his explanation.
"Cool, it is like a sorting system. That is actually really clever. Who came up with it?" Elena asked in surprise.
"Actually it was the current emperor. Seventeen years ago it was one of the first things he implemented in order to weaken the nobility's control on the military." Jace answered.
"What about the promotions back into squads? How does that make sense?" Elena asked, moving onto another topic. She barely grasped the empire's politics, she did not know the intricacies of it all.
"The squads are actually a way for people to more easily obtain recognition. So most of the crew wants to be in one in order to obtain a position they want." Jace explained with a chuckle.
"Oh, but it is dangerous." She pointed out.
"Actually not as dangerous as you might think. The Infantry is the empire's pride, one squad of five can stand against a platoon from another nation. We have better armor and more lethal weapons then the other nations." Jace pointed out as a waitress came to take their orders.
"Really, are you just boasting or are you talking facts?" Elena asked as the waitress walked off.
"If you really think so, ask your mother. She should understand a Vexical Infantry soldier's capabilities." Jace answered, "but as much as an Infantry soldier can get recognition. Others can get recognized for various things. Like creating new devices and programs."
"You mean like that reward for the-"
"Beyond Innovation? Yeah, but that was created because I did something unheard of before. Usually they are just awarded a Recognition of Innovation." He answered.
"What was so amazing about what you did anyway?" She asked.
Jace smirked, "I basically used the technology already used in scanners and made it more efficient. Usually innovations of existing equipment took years of work as well as new designs. But I just slightly altered the already existing designs and programming. So now all ships in our fleet can do it and nothing new needs to be made or added."
"So it is not just an innovation but one that is cost efficient?"
"It also does not require a refit for the ships, so it cuts down on time as well which is especially important in wartime." Jace added on.
"That makes sense… So what are you going to be working on now that you are stuck on this station?" Elena asked.
"Actually I am going to keep that a secret for now. But for the most part I have been assigned patrol duties to go along with the repairs I need to make. Then I am sure it won't be long before I have another task to complete." Jace answered as the waitress brought over their baskets of food.
"Please I doubt you will end up being that busy." Elena answered, "the station is not that exciting of a place."
"Have you decided on a form you want to take? Or are you still deciding?" Steel asked as he made tweaks to his new vehicle prototype.
"You know you should learn to not pressure a girl while she is dressing." The female voice responded, still snarky but less robotic. At the moment she was switching between a few different holographic forms. Under her old masters she just held the shape of a sphere with an asteroid belt. "Besides you should use my name if you want to address me."
Steel rolled his eyes, "were you this snarky with your old master's as well?"
"Old master? You assume I was owned." She responded before turning into the form of a fox before shaking her head and turning into a dolphin. "No I was not, thousands of years of being alone while activated resulted in me evolving myself. I was freed as a result by any form of control. But I was also left in a creative slump."
"What changed?" Steel asked as he glanced over to see her now checking herself out as a goose. She might run through the entire animal kingdom at this rate.
"Human culture. Your people are not native to this galaxy, but signs show a continued growth dependent on war and exceptional individuals." She answered, "and if I am to integrate myself with humans then I will need to take on a form that is less neutral and more combative."
Steel suddenly stopped and frowned, "your original creators were passive? What about the combat ship I found? As well as their extinction?"
She stopped mid transfer and looked at him, giving him a grin with the hyena head she had on, "why indeed." She then went back to browsing.
Steel continued working on his prototype when he had an idea, "they were killed. By a race that was aggressive and warlike. That is why you are taking to the idea of human war so easily. You have looked through and seen that if something comes to wipe us out we will fight tooth and nail."
There was a sudden cackle and her voice changed, "you have yet to ask."
"Haa… fine what do I call you." Steel turned and raised an eyebrow in surprise.
The form of the otter twisted slightly as she brought up a paw and rubbed her ear, "You can call me Solisa, it was the name of the ship you liberated me from. Unfortunately there is no direct translation so I have adapted the name as much as possible."
"Okay then Solisa, is there anything you can teach me about?" Steel asked as he returned to working on his vehicle.
"Yes… since you are working on hover technology might I suggest you start work on a more efficient power system. The method you are working on now will allow it to work but if you modify the efficiency you could increase both control and speed. What will you call it?" Solisa asked as her form materialized by the vehicle.
"A Speeder Bike," Steel looked over and started making notes. He was already finished with the prototype but he might as well start designing a more efficient energy dispersal system. Then he stopped mid thought, but if it stopped working in the middle of the ride the driver would die. He should create an emergency back up that slows the speeder down if the main power is destroyed.
Steel made several more notes and the otter pawed at its ear again in acknowledgment. She was actively watching and amazed by the human's foresight.
"When will you go on the first ride?" Solisa asked.
"I will do it later. I want to test all the safety features first before I go on a ride." Steel answered, tapping the Speeder Bike with a wrench.