Leon then woke up as he heard the loud announcement calling for the assigned crews on their duties.

“Times up, let's get back to work or else we’ll get beaten again…” Leon yawned and went first to his assigned area without waiting for his colleagues to fully wake up.

He then started to work diligently to repair the damage inflicted upon their ship during the recent skirmish with the droids. Every clang of metal against metal echoed through the hull, a constant reminder of the perilous situation they found themselves in.

As he worked and with each passing moment, Leon found himself flinching at the sight of the droids that moved about the ship, assisting with the repairs. Such a walking weapon was a stark reminder of how quickly a situation could shift unpredictably in the unforgiving expanse of space.

Despite their new commander claiming that the droids wouldn’t attack them unless provoked, he still couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered on his mind and body.
Previously, he would trust them to work alongside them as they were more efficient and accurate in fixing things inside and on the hull of their ships. Now, it seems that he was traumatized by the sight of them. Especially when the events yesterday had been nothing short of chaotic, and he still struggled to make sense of it all.

Despite his reservations, Leon knew that he had no choice but to focus on the task at hand. The ship needed to be repaired and it was his job right now to finish it. As he worked, Leon also couldn't help but reflect on the events that had brought them to this point.

He and his three friends were former orphans in Orctus Station near Mars. And was forcibly enlisted to a defense militia force to defend the station against an Alliance attack, then captured and sold into slavery, forced to serve on a freighter ship for several years until they were liberated by the pirates. Now, they found themselves under the command of a new leader, uncertain of what the future held.

His friends finally arrived to help in sealing countless holes in the bulkheads. Leon found solace in the familiarity of his companions. Daearko and Jin worked alongside him, their presence a source of comfort in the face of the unpredictability of their lives. As the repairs neared completion, Leon allowed himself a moment of respite.

“Hey, I’ll take my breakfast first,” Leon said.

“Yeah yeah…”

“Tell me if there’s something good later…”

Both of his friends were still sleepy and groggily replied to him. He set down his tools and made his way to the mess hall, eager to replenish his strength with a meal.

Leon entered the canteen, the aroma of freshly cooked food wafting through the air. He made his way to the serving line, where the cook greeted him with a nod.

"Good to see you, Leon," the cook said, a friendly smile on his face. "What can I get for you today?"
Leon glanced at the menu board, his stomach grumbling in anticipation.

"I'll have the roasted cherko with mashed potatoes, please," he replied, his mouth watering at the thought of a hot meal. Cherko was an animal poultry that was modified genetically to adapt and live in deep space. And thankfully, it tasted better than the chickens he had tasted before.

As the cook plated up his meal, Leon couldn't help but let his mind wander.

He found himself thinking about their new commander, Ubel. And the circumstances that had led them to this point. He recalled the simulated game that Ubel had put them through, a test of their skills and abilities. While some of his fellow pirate crews had passed with flying colors, Leon had struggled, failing the test several times before being sent back to Godright ship.

As he sat down to eat, surrounded by his fellow pirates, Leon couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie. Despite the brutal training that they set upon Leon and other former recruits, they helped giving their recruits skills to survive in this cruel universe. And as he looked around at the faces of his comrades, he found faces of doubt and tinge of worry. He took a bite of his meal, pushing aside his thoughts. Instead, he focused on savoring the delicious food before him and appreciating the delicious serving of food he was provided today.

As Leon finished his meal in the canteen, he noticed a group of people entering the room. They were the people whom he heard to be candidates for the new ship captains, returning from their trials aboard the mining ship. Curious, Leon approached them, eager to hear about their experiences.

"Hey, how did it go?" Leon asked, his curiosity evident in his voice.

One of the candidates, a burly man with a grizzled beard, turned to him with a tired smile.

"It was intense," he replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "Ubel… the new boss put us through a series of tests, pushing us to our limits."

Leon nodded, listening intently as the candidates shared their stories. They explained how Ubel had weeded out their numbers, selecting only the top 17 candidates to serve as new ship captains.
As he listened, Leon couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. Here were his former fellow pirates, being promoted to positions of leadership and responsibility, while he remained behind. He started to think and wonder if he should have tried harder. Perhaps if he had performed better in the simulation, he would have been chosen as one of the candidates for captaincy aboard other ships.

But as the candidates spoke of the grueling trials they had endured, Leon couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. He had faced Ubel once before in the simulated game, and the experience had been harrowing. The thought of having to face him again, this time in person, filled Leon with a sense of dread.

As the conversation continued, Leon found himself torn between conflicting emotions. Part of him yearned for the opportunity to prove himself and rise through the ranks, while another part of him was content to remain where he was, away from the scrutiny of their new commander.
In the end, Leon knew that he would have to accept whatever path fate had in store for him.

Whether he remained on the mining ship or eventually rose to a position of leadership, he was determined to make the most of his circumstances and continue to serve the ship that he always considered to be his second home to the best of his abilities.