One by one a series of lamps switched on. At first just a few ceilings lights activated, and they cast odd flashes and shadows onto the fighters. Then more came on and revealed the gleaming shapes of the deadly Avengers.
"Relentless is rated to carry manned fighters. The Avengers are here as part of the training detachment, and now they are yours."
Nate looked at the shapes, and the Lieutenant's words faded from his mind. He'd seen a few of them when they came aboard the ship. Back then most were covered to protect them from dust. Now all six had been brought out into the light, and he truly felt he'd never seen anything quite as beautiful. At first it wasn't obvious, not until Nate pointed to the nose of the nearest fighters. One of the civilian workers had clearly been busy, and the imagery of an ancient warrior, cased in metal armour and bearing a sword ran along the nose.
"The Crusaders."
Nate didn't mean to say the name quite so loudly, but in the silent space of the hangar deck it seemed to echo throughout the great space. He looked back, but the other five were not interested in what he had to say. Rex had moved to the guns, Jack and Matilda were examining the opposite side of the fighter. Cassandra and Billy were close by and fascinated by the paintwork.
"I wonder who painted this?" Cassandra asked.
Lieutenant Higgs joined them and touched the side of the drone fighter.
"Two of the civilians pulled from the starbase were artists. They've been helping in the canteen, but when they heard about the Squadron they were...well, let's just say they preferred painting the artwork than preparing another meal."
The quality of the painting was exceptional, and even Matilda seemed impressed by the detail and colour. Lieutenant Higgs pointed at the nearest fighter, one where the helmet bore different colours to the others.
"The Squadron is more than named for the six of you."
Nate and Cassandra turned their attention from the craft and to the officer.
"It is something that gives everybody in this ship hope. The civilians see the fighters as the one thing that will keep them safe, and my crew see you as the payment for the costly evacuation of the starbase. Crusader Squadron is the culmination of all of our efforts, from the engineers, artificers, and mechanics up to the cooks and deck crew. Everybody has something invested in the Crusaders. None of the others seemed to know what to say, but Nate had no such qualms.
"Sir, we will not let them down."
It wasn't much, but it seemed to be enough for Lieutenant Higgins. He gave Nate a short nod and then grabbed onto one of the vertical rails currently raised in the hangar.
"Rotation completes in seven seconds. Hold on."
Each cadet knew what was coming and had experienced the odd feeling multiple times before. They moved to the many grab rails fitted throughout the ship and waited for the inevitable. The fighters, and all loose tooling and equipment were already tied or strapped down. The main engines had been deactivated nearly ten minutes earlier. On a less sophisticated ship this would have meant the complete loss of gravity, but not on Relentless. Like so many older vessels, she had been refitted multiple times to bring her up to something approaching modern specifications. Gone were her old short-range engines, and in the brand-new, long-range pulsed Ion engines with boost extenders. The main powerplant had been changed to the same core used on the powerful Crusader class warships.
More important to the crew than engines or new weapons was the installation of the first generation artificial gravity generators. This one piece of technology made long-duration operations bearable, as well as allowing the crew to stay in top physical condition; more important when accommodating large numbers of marines for tactical deployments. Though the new units were incredibly powerful, even they suffered in the initial bursts of acceleration when engines activated. The ship was technically facing backwards, not that it could be noticed from inside unless one was near a window.
"Now!"
The great ship groaned as her engines activated and then increased in power. They would run at full burn for thirty-six hours, a feat possible only through the use of high-efficiency engines and powerplants. As the groaning sounds settled down, the Lieutenant released his hand on the grab rail and looked to the cadets.
"Okay, then, the die has finally been cast."
Matilda almost snorted at that, but Nate and the others looked none the wiser. Lieutenant Higgins sighed and shook his head before looking along the group.
"So, then, who can tell me the specifications of our state-of-the-art fighters?"
Billy lifted his hand, and the Lieutenant gave him a quick nod.
"They are X57 Avengers, Sir. This is the Mark III, the final development model before the drones went into full production."
"Indeed it is. Twelve months ago the X57 Avenger was put into service as a standard front-line fighter in the Alliance Navy, with the attack drone designation of..."
Matilda lifted a hand slowly. He paused, perhaps wondering if she really knew what she was looking at. He was a pilot of the old school and learnt to fly on the old generation training equipment. He could only imagine what they had seen on the Star Crusader simulation.
"Sir, the Avenger has to use the same nomenclature as all other vessels in the Alliance military. It has now entered service as the MQ-5 Avenger, Sir."
"I see. What else can you tell me about its name?"
"Sir, the M is for its role as a missile carrier, and the Q signified an unmanned drone platform."
"Good. Very good."
The Lieutenant walked back to the drones and signalled for the others to follow. The spacecraft were much bigger than they looked on a computer screen. He stopped on reaching the rear of the first pair.
"I can only assume you have come across these units in your simulated engagements?"
Matilda and Cassandra both nodded in the affirmative at the same time.
"Good. Well, one thing you might not know is that the configuration of the Avenger has been kept something of a secret. Only the first generation specifications were allowed in the simulation. Later models are much...improved."
He indicated to the nearby drone.
"What we have here is the most sophisticated and powerful robotic spacecraft ever used in the Alliance. I'm told that we're coming close to the capabilities of our old friends, the Biomechs. Maybe we are, and maybe we aren't. All I can tell you is that this represents the nest generation in space combat."
Nate looked to Billy and found his friend's mouth was wide open. He would not even have been surprised if he'd been drooling.
"Each Avenger drone packs a single powerplant with eight CVTC Anthros engine outlets."
Nate's eyebrows lifted up. He was all too familiar with the specification in the simulation, and he knew from memory that the Mark I fighters were equipped with only four outlets for flight control. He now began to wonder quite what else might have changed.
"This model develops a total of more than two hundred kilonewtons of thrust. That's adequate for a light manned fighter, but for an unmanned drone it gives you incredible power. Each outlet can be controlled individually to give you manoeuvrability unlike any other spacecraft, and is directly integrated into the flight control computer."
He moved along to the short, bat like wings and reached out to touch them. The overall design strayed greatly from the more traditional design of the Alliance fighters.
"Six eternal pylons, and enough internal space for another fifteen hundred kilograms of ordnance."
Billy bent down and looked up at the tightly fitted bays. They were only visible due to the black lines running around the outer frame, and the small letters and symbols that marked where the locking clamps were installed. Nate moved closer and reached out, placing his hand on the smooth metal. It was much colder than expected, and its surface rough, like an incredibly thin paste had been applied.
"Is this.."
Lieutenant Higgins grinned.
"Nanocrystalline Cellulose paste?"
"That's exactly what it is. All four of our birds have the test version. It's thicker than the production model and not as efficient. It will still give you extra protection against fragmentation weapons and shrapnel."
He then grinned.
"Like I said, the final models of the Avenger are rather different to what you've seen before."
Lieutenant Higgins was already moving along the flank of the craft and resting his hand on its fuselage. His fingers moved along the newly dried paint, stopping as they reached the fearsome muzzles of its primary armament.
"All of these weapons are useful, but you must always remember that when it comes to the crunch, there's little out there that can beat quadruple barrelled high-velocity cannons."
The combined barrels took up as much space as his head and protruded out from the fuselage. The muzzles were covered in small circular hinged plates to protect them from dust or other substances. Lieutenant Higgins watched the six cadets run their eyes over the drone's smooth lines.
"These guns are not far off the power of the attack variants of the Lightning, and all combined into the Avenger drone package."
He turned away from the craft and placed his hands on his waist.
"So, all I need to know is this. Is Crusader Squadron ready for drone combat training?"
They looked to each other, and for the first time Nate noticed even Rex seemed excited at the prospect. Only Matilda seemed able to control her feelings, yet she still smiled at this opportunity. One by one the cadets said what he wanted to hear. Satisfied, he pointed back to the noses of the drones. They were lifted up high on their sleds so it was impossible to see quite what he was pointing at from there.
"Each carries your name on its nose. This particular drone belongs to Flight Cadet Rex Hampel. You will learn to fly her and bring her back in one piece as though she was a part of you."
He pointed to another drone and then another, until finally to the one with a massive two-handed sword running along the front flanks. The design was striking and gave the impression the drone was pointing a sword point directly at an enemy.
"This is yours, Cadet Lewis."
The conversation continued, but Nate's mind was in one place, and one place only. The drones were all the same bar their paint scheme, yet this one had taken on a life of its own. By placing his name on its body, it felt more like an avatar than a machine, and he couldn't believe it. Finally, the introduction was over, and the lights switched off until the bulk of the hangar deck was shrouded in darkness.
"So..." said Lieutenant Higgins, "We have one and a half days to get ready. So let's get back to the Fighter Control Suite. We have multiple missions to run, and you need to get familiar with the differences between the fighters and the combat drones. When we arrive, you will no longer be fighter cadets."
He waited as each of them looked back in silence.
"You will be combat pilots."
* * *
ANS Relentless was one of the few ships in the Alliance Navy still equipped with a fully functional brig. It was a modest affair, but with enough space to hold six separate prisoners. Each was tiny, and the outward facing wall composed of a thick cross-section of reinforced steel. A narrow passage in front of the cells was blocked at both ends, with a single narrow door leading into a battered looking foyer. Against the far wall was a transparent security station, now manned by a single marine. There was no way for a prisoner to even move without being observed by those in the station.
The Marine guard stood smartly to attention as the security door leading into the rest of the ship opened. In walked a Marine Sergeant and a Byotai officer in his off-duty regalia. Both were armed with weapons on their flanks.
"Private," said Sergeant Popwell. He moved up to the security station and stopped, "Here as arranged to speak with the prisoner."
The marine checked a display unit, and then looked to the Sergeant.
"Your sidearm."
Sergeant Popwell moved his hand to his weapon. The guard instinctively reached for his own and waited for the weapon to be handed over.
"And him?"
The Private nodded at the alien. Sergeant Popwell looked to Captain Dreuc and nudged him. The Byotai officer grunted and then reached for his own weapon, before handing to the Private. Both weapons were placed in a sealed unit to the side and then locked.
"Through the security seal."
The Private moved from his station and to the side of the door. With his right hand on his weapon, his left put the series of codes into the panel. The door then slowly opened.
"Inside please."
Both guests entered through the doorway and into the corridor on the other side. They now had the perfect view of the six cells, all but one of which were unoccupied. Sergeant Popwell moved in front of the sealed cell door, but it remained closed until the door leading back to the security station was correctly sealed. The Private was already back at his post and activating the security protocol.
"Five...four..."
With a clunk sound, the security bars moved into position, and the two visitors were locked out from the rest of the ship.
"Just say the word, Sergeant, and the area will be cleansed."
"Understood, Private. We'll be fine, just fine."
He moved to the cell door and hit the access panel. The bars slid off to the sides, as well as a thick section that slid down into the floor. The door then opened outwards, revealing the tiny space inside, along with the prisoner.
"Well, hello, my little friend," said Sergeant Popwell.
The cell lacked anything that could be used by the occupant, all apart from a small shelf to sit or sleep on. Neither guest was interested in the facilities, but only in the bulky form of the Byotai warrior. Based on the colouring on the face, it was clearly male, and a thick metal plate had been clamped over a field dressing on his upper arm.
"We're here for a little chat," said the Sergeant.
So far the marine was speaking in his own language, and he knew quite well that there was almost no chance the Byotai understood him. The many races of the Helion Nexus had been in contact with humanity for little more than a generation, and so far nothing even close to a lingua franca had developed. He looked to his right and nodded for Captain Dreuc to enter. The wounded officer moved through the doorway and garnered an immediate reaction. The Byotai soldier remained seated, but as he turned his attention back to Sergeant Popwell, he looked up, opened his mouth, and let out a long hiss. Sergeant Popwell ran his right hand over his Secpad bracelet and activated the translator circuit. As he spoke, the unit recorded the strings of text, translated them, regurgitating them via its external speaker hole in the Byotai language.
"I take it he's not happy at seeing you?"
Captain Dreuc glanced at the Sergeant and made an odd sound at the back of his throat. He looked to the soldier and moved closer. The two exchanged angry words for almost a minute. Finally, Captain Dreuc turned his attention back to the Sergeant.
"Well, explain."
Captain Dreuc spoke, and the Secpad based translator did its job.
"He is part of the Crimson Company, and he wants to die."
Sergeant Popwell looked surprised.
"The what?"
"The Company is one of the many agitating groups among my people. Most are young, looking for changes in our society."
He looked back at the other Byotai.
"He will not tell me his name, but I can tell from the way he speaks that he is another of the plebiscite movement. They want to destroy our way of life, break up the great households of the Patricians, and redistribute our resources."
Sergeant Popwell lifted his hands.
"Okay, slow down. I don't need to know any of this. All the Captain wants is to know why they were here, and what they know."
Captain Dreuc waited for the translation, and then nodded in the way he'd already learnt from the humans.
"Very well, give
me ten minutes, and I will have what you require."
He stepped fully into the cell, looking back at the reinforced security door.
"Close it behind me, and do not enter under any circumstances."
Sergeant Popwell hesitated but pressed the button to start the locking procedure. As soon as it clunked shut, the Captain lurched at the prisoner, put both hands around his throat, and lifted him up from his seated position.
"Hvers vegna rathast a menn?"
The prisoner said nothing at first, but Captain Dreuc was having none of it. He gripped even more tightly and thrust the wounded soldier to the wall. The very bones of the soldier began groaning under the pressure until finally his will broke. The soldier answered a number of short questions, and in less than ten minutes, the entire affair was over. Captain Dreuc signalled to be let out. When the door opened, he walked out. Sergeant Popwell noticed the clenched fists and the taut muscles. The colour of his dry skin has become much darker, with almost black patterns showing on the lighter sections. The door clunked shut behind him, and the prisoner slid bitterly to the floor. Captain Dreuc looked back at the prisoner and said just one word. He returned his gaze to Sergeant Popwell.
"We have a problem, Sergeant, a very big problem. I need to speak with Captain Galanos, immediately!"
* * *
The CIC was dimly lit, the majority of the light coming from the displays and computer monitors. For the first time in many hours the place was quiet. With Relentless hurtling through space, there was little need for most of the senior officers. Captain Galanos knew how long they had until they arrived at their destination, right down to the second, and she was using that time to rest her crew as much as possible. She remained on the bridge, along with two junior officers to monitor the systems. Opposite her were Sergeant Popwell and Captain Dreuc.
The silence was broken as the Captain let out a single, long breath. Captain Galanos looked at the Byotai officer with an incredulous look on her face. She'd heard all sorts of stories and rumours, but nothing had quite prepared her for what he had just put forward. She turned her gaze to Sergeant Popwell, but as she was about to speak, Lieutenant Higgins appeared.
Star Crusader: Hero of the Alliance Page 17
