"Why is he here? I thought he was grounded?"
Nate looked over his shoulder towards the back of the room. Rex was there and gave him a pleasant nod as he sat down. Nate nodded back before spotting the smirk from his old rival. He turned back to Cassandra.
"No idea. He's still on the Squadron roll call, isn't he?"
Matilda piped up.
"True, he's still listed."
It took only a few more seconds, and the door hissed shut. Commander Higgins marched out in front of the assembled pilots. There were men and women of all ages, but one thing they all shared was their role as pilots. Nate spotted several familiar faces, including a handful from the broken and now deactivated Thunder Squadron. Just thinking about them reminded him how close his own unit was to reaching an unsustainable stage. Only a few more casualties would be needed before they were considered ineffective. Nate dreaded that day more than any other.
"Okay, then, we don't have much time," said a familiar voice.
Nick looked at Commander Higgins and immediately recalled the first time they had worked together. The man had been battered and broken, and yet he'd stayed with them, whipping them into shape so that they could pilot the ship's drone fighters. Since the new crew had arrived, they all saw a lot less of him, and that saddened Nate a little.
"Captain Cornwallis has tasked me with assembling a special unit, and I believe we have the pilots needed in this very room. In any case, I need pilots, good pilots for something special. This is one of those occasions that doesn't happen twice, so listen up."
A murmur of excitement spread quickly through the group. There was nothing more exciting to the pilots than being given the chance to participate in an exceptional or unusual mission.
"Each ship in the fleet is being assessed for suitable pilots for an operation with the Byotai. This includes both Alliance and renegade Byotai vessels that are now sailing with us. Those selected will operate aboard a Byotai vessel, and under their immediate command, but using our own spacecraft for the duration of this mission."
He looked out and lifted his hands before pointing them at the group.
"Now, who of you has combat experience flying alongside Byotai pilots?"
More than a dozen hands shot up, including Nate’s. Some of the older pilots may have even fought beside the small numbers of Byotai ships from the Biomech War. Back then contingents under the command of General Makos had fought alongside their Alliance and Helion brethren against the creatures and machines of the enemy.
"Good, that's a start. And of you, how many have operated in Byotai mixed squadrons?"
Every hand when down, apart from one. All eyes turned to find Lieutenant Commander Holder with her hand still raised. She was by no means the oldest of them all there, but she was the senior combat pilot in the unit. Her hair transfixed Nate as she turned her head.
"What?" Billy exclaimed.
Nate and Matilda turned to him and attempted to silence him with nothing more than a stare. Nate whispered as quietly as he could but couldn't quite tell if the comment had been because she had her hand up, or because Nate had been staring at her.
"Holder is supposed to have done a tour on one of the Byotai ships a year or two ago. I think she's considered a bit of a legend among their pilots."
Matilda heard him speak and cocked her head to one side.
"Really? I'm surprised you know that."
Nate cleared his throat and spoke quickly, and a little too nervously. Matilda lowered her head a fraction, but he could see her mocking expression. Just behind her sat Cassandra, but her attention seemed to be focussed completely on the Commander.
"I checked on her when we all first met."
He tried to sound innocent, but somehow managed to still make it sound weird, and maybe a little creepy. Every word he uttered gave the impression he was at best, completely enamoured by the officer, and at worst, infatuated to a worrisome level. They looked to the front where the Commander was still waiting. Nate's heart felt heavy as he realised he would not be taking part. He had never served with Byotai pilots in actual combat before, only in simulation.
It's not fair. We've got more experience than the rest of these pilots put together.
It was bitterness talking to him, but Nate was factually correct. Apart from the Lieutenant Commander, not one of the other pilots had even piloted fighters in simulated engagements on the same size as actual Byotai pilots. Nate and his friends had fought in hundreds of simulated battles alongside Byotai squadrons, and even working in the same units. Nate could even remember with some bitterness the time they had all worked together to control the weapon systems of an entire Byotai frigate in simulated battle.
We know the people, and we know how to work with them.
Without thinking, Nate lifted his right hand, but the Commander shook his head.
"No questions."
As Nate lowered his hand, he blinked slowly and grumbled to himself. He was so annoyed that he almost missed the Commander's next words.
"Very well. And how about combat simulation with Byotai units? Have any of you operated with actual Byotai pilots in simulated engagements and operations under their command?"
Nate couldn't believe what he'd just heard. There were a small number of squadrons that had exchange pilots with their allies in the Byotai Empire, but that was a tiny number over the last few years. Nate and his friends were something else. Without checking on the others, Nate lifted his hand and joined Lieutenant Commander Holder. Commander Higgins' eyes scanned the room, and Nate looked back as he watched one hand after another rise high. He counted them and then looked back at the Lieutenant.
It's only us, and Holder.
He could barely hide his excitement as the Commander nodded slowly.
"Very well. Everybody else, out...now!"
One or two of Corsair Squadron grumbled, but the most surprised were the other members of the Knighthawks. Ensign Hawkins and his friends gave Nate a nod as they passed by until finally it was one small group.
"So...this is it," said the Commander, "Put your hands down."
With everybody else gone, Nate could see who remained, and he was stunned. Apart from him and Lieutenant Commander Holder, there was Billy, Rex, Matilda, and Cassandra. They were what remained of the six pilots that had left home months earlier, their task little more than a civilian competition between the best simulator pilots of two races. Billy lifted a hand, but the Commander shook his head.
"No, son, no time for questions. You'll be fully briefed when we get to our destination. All you need to know is that you need to hurry."
He then walked from the raised platform and down to the same level as the pilots. With one hand he waved them towards him, his expression now becoming impatient. Lieutenant Commander Holder started to speak.
"Sir. This is the first I've heard of..."
"I know. This is unexpected."
He then turned his attention to the other pilots.
"Walk with me. Time it limited."
The Commander made for the door, and they moved up to join him. No sooner were they in the main passageway and he was explaining their new role.
"Technicians and support crew are already en route to the ship. You'll grab your gear and get to the port hangar deck in ten minutes."
"But, Sir," said Nate, "Where are we going?"
The Commander glanced back and then looked ahead, his walking pace increasing by the second. Anybody in their path quickly scattered, making room for the seven personnel to move through.
"We're being temporarily assigned to the Ironclads Squadron, aboard Furiosa."
A few seconds passed without a sound. All of them were familiar with the name of the ship, though none had seen the vessel up close yet. As the most significant Byotai asset, she was being kept well away from the Rift.
"We?" Matilda repeated.
"Indeed. We are an asset that is needed elsewhere. Relentless will be rotated out of the line and take on replacement pilots and equipme
nt. Furiosa, like all the remaining Byotai ships has sustained heavy losses, including all of their flight officers and most of their pilots."
They reached an intersection, and he stopped for a moment.
"Look, Furiosa is a big girl, with space for eighteen fighters on board. They are down to four. Our own pilots will be taking up the slack to bring us up to ten. I will be liaising with her command staff as temporary CAG."
He moved to the right where the passageway would take him directly to the hangar deck but stopped briefly when Nate called out after him.
"Sir. Why now? Isn't Furiosa being held back, out of the fighting?"
The Commander shook his head, his expression grim.
"No, son, not anymore. We're going into action, and I need all of you ready and on the mark."
He looked to his Secpad bracelet and sighed.
"You've got nine minutes now. Get yourselves ready, and don't be late. If you're not there in nine, I'll be leaving without you."
With that, he was gone, leaving the six pilots alone at the intersection. The five ensigns looked to Lieutenant Commander Holder for guidance. She seemed equally surprised at the conversation, even more so when a message arrived on her own Secpad device. She glanced at the unit and took a deep breath.
"Interesting, very interesting."
Billy looked as confused as ever.
"Sir, you are coming with us, as a pilot?"
She smiled in answer.
"Yes, I will be coming, too. And as the senior pilot amongst all of us, I'll be taking command of the Ironclads."
As she said the words, her expression changed from surprise to stern resolve. Nate could instantly tell he was looking at the officer he was only too familiar with. There were some officers that simply exuded confidence, and though she was only twenty-six, she acted as though she'd been in command for decades. He began to smile, and as she looked directly at him, he felt stupid, perhaps a little embarrassed.
"Now, you heard the Commander. Grab your gear and move it! We've got work to do!"
* * *
Nate was last to make it to the deck, and as he ran onto the platform, he nearly crashed into Rex who was coming from the other direction. They both turned off to the left and through the doorway. Waiting for them was Commander Higgins, along with the rest of the small group of fighters. The senior officer looked at his Secpad and then placed his hands down at his side.
"Within thirty seconds of the deadline. That was a close call."
"Yes, Sir," said Nate.
Rex turned to him and shook his head. He might have said something, but the Commander cut him off.
"Son, you had better fall in line, and right now. You will operate as one of Lieutenant Commander Holder's new unit, and you will follow orders to the letter."
He pointed with his right hand directly at Rex's face.
"If you deviate even one millimetre, I will kick you out of this outfit. Do you understand?"
To Nate's astonishment, Rex simply shrugged.
"I get it, Sir. I'll tow the line."
"Rex!" Cassandra muttered.
Commander Higgins moved up to the young pilot. It was an awkward walk, made more uncomfortable due to his injuries.
"You got a problem, Ensign?"
Rex looked right back at him and for some reason smirked. It was a stupid decision to have made, whether intentional or not. Commander Higgins was having none of it, though. He tapped his Secpad bracelet, pressed several buttons, and then signalled for one of the nearby marines to approach. The Sergeant moved to his flank and saluted.
"Sir."
"Escort Ensign Hampel to his quarters."
Rex's expression changed in an instant.
"Wait...Sir...I didn't."
Commander Higgins lifted his right hand and instantly silenced him.
"No, Ensign, you did. Now get to your quarters, and when Captain Cornwallis requests your presence, you will show him the respect you should have shown me. Understood?"
Rex looked to the other pilots, but both Billy and Matilda avoided eye contact. Cassandra shook her head but said nothing. Only Nate actually looked sad to see him go.
"Sir. He's under a lot of..."
"Enough," said Commander Higgins, "Now, follow me to your fighters. We have work to do."
They walked along the deck and past the many crew busily working on the group of fighters. With the starboard deck currently busy launching fighters for patrol work, this entire section of the ship was now available for Commander Higgins and his unit. Five Lightning fighters waited on their launch rails, and a sixth rotated to the right as it was manoeuvred back to its rest cradle. Nate gulped upon realising that it was Rex's fighter being moved away. The Commander must have noticed his look because he indicated towards the line of fighters.
"This is an important mission and requires skills as a pilot, but also diplomacy. We will be serving aboard an alien vessel, in the middle of what is essentially a war zone."
A shape moved from behind the first fighter, and then stepped out in front of the small group.
"Lieutenant Commander, good to see you again."
She smiled politely at Commander Higgins.
"All fighters are fuelled, armed, and combat ready. We're good to go."
"Excellent. Mount up and leave when you're ready. I'll see you aboard."
With no further talk, he turned away and headed for the single Hammerhead that waited further along the deck. Nate could just about make out four other personnel, all of which were technicians. They began to move away, until a familiar pilot appeared from behind one of the weapon loaders.
"Fletcher?"
He moved at a fast walk while struggling to tighten up his PDS Naval body armour. Finally, he stopped in front of the assembled pilots and saluted to Lieutenant Commander Holder.
"Sir, Ensign Neil Fletcher reporting for duty."
The Lieutenant Commander responded with her own salute.
"Good. Now, you understand the importance of this mission. You will be subordinate to Ensign Lewis, and be on your best behaviour. Is that understood?"
The skinny pilot nodded repeatedly.
"Of course, Sir."
"Now, according to your own pilot log, it says you have operated with a Byotai bomber squadron on simulated exercises. Is that true?"
The Ensign looked to his comrades before answering the question.
"Well, kind of, Sir. I was a substitute gunner for a simulated inter-academy demonstration last year."
"But you did work alongside Byotai?
"Well...sort of, Sir. The entire operation was conducted by remote. I never actually got to see the Byotai in the flesh."
Her expression remained impassive as she looked at the young pilot. Her eyes started low at his feet and worked their way up. By the time she reached his eyes, it looked like he was trembling, but with excitement, not fear. Of all those in Knighthawk Squadron, he was the one that should be the most comfortable around new people. His reputation of being something of a dealer of unusual and hard to find items was already common knowledge among his comrades.
"Ensign Lewis. Any signs of trouble or dissent with your pilots, and you will send them to the Byotai brig. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Good. Let's go."
Their new Squadron Leader led the way to the fighters where as usual, deck crew waited. Small wheeled ladders were in position so that they could climb up and into their craft. Nate moved to the third fighter and nodded upon seeing his name along the flank. It was the same fighter he'd used so many times now, and he was stunned at how quickly the last damage had been repaired.
"She's good to go?"
The technicians gave him a polite wave as he climbed the ladder.
"Yes, Sir. Everything is working to spec, including upgrades. She's never been better."
Nate lifted one leg to climb in and then spotted a long series of black marks along the hull. The memory of how they got there gave him a chill
.
"Great work, I'll see you again soon."
"Good hunting, Sir. We'll look forward to your return."
CHAPTER SIX
Fiorr Veej System, Deadlands
23 December 2472
The column of Byotai ships split apart as one unit remained with the fleet, and three ships trailed behind the great bulk of Furiosa. Three escort ships were still nearly ten thousand kilometres away, and each had their engines on half burn as they quickly closed up the gap to their flagship. Any drones, probes, and fighters were already aboard as all four vessels changed their heading to one of the Rift entrances.
"All fighters, report in," said Lieutenant Commander Holder.
One by one, the small group of pilots called in as they moved into a wide 'V' formation. Nate looked in both directions and spotted his comrades identification markings, as well as the full load of weaponry. Apparently, more ordnance had been sent over via a Mauler, and he could only hope that there would be enough.
"Very good. Now follow me in..."
They had been in space for little more than ten minutes, but Nate could already feel his heart pounding. Relentless was just a grey smudge behind him, and in front was the grand shape of the Byotai battleship. The stars refused to move as usual, but he could still see the flickering of light as a single ship duelled with ANS Promethium. Nate looked down and checked the status indicators on his fighter. Every one showed up as green, though all of his missiles were currently off-line. It was standard procedure during a ferrying operation and would take just a couple of seconds to reverse, if needed.
"There she is. What do you think?"
Nate shook his head in stunned amazement.
"She is one...incredible ship, Sir," said Nate.
"Quite. She's our home for the next few days, maybe even weeks. There are a few things you need to know before we arrive."
He was surprised to be hearing this now that they were already in space. He knew of the ship's class rather than by name, but even the most unassuming pilot would know the posting was something special.
"First, the remaining pilots are very, and I mean, very loyal. Watch your language around them. They will likely attack or kill any that disrespect Kratha and his family."
Battleship Furiosa Page 8
