“I'll take you to your room, show you around the ship and then we'll take out the Star Swords.”
Just as they were leaving he saw April Kelley get off the shuttle. Sure enough she was wearing a military uniform with Commander's insignia. It seemed to take forever to get to Jack's room. The interior of the Saratoga was extremely cramped. They made their way through the maze of narrow corridors walking with magnetized boots.
“There’s no free floating allowed outside your quarters—it creates havoc in the corridors. As a Junior Officer you'll have to share a room with some one else. The other pilots have been drawing straws to see who has to bunk with Red Styler, but since he's your best friend you get the honor.”
“Terrific,” Jack said sarcastically.
“Wait here a second,” said Trey. He hit the door buzzer.
“Come in. Hey Trey, what's up? How's the second best pilot in the known universe?”
“Just fine Red. Your new roommate is here.”
“Who got the straw this week?”
“No one. Come on in.”
“Well, well, look who it is,” said Red.
“Hello Red,” said Jack.
“I thought you were going to be one of those classy space liner pilots.”
“Well, I'll tell you all about it later.”
Jack put up his stuff and then Trey took him on a tour of the ship. He showed him the engine room, the hangars, the launch bays, science labs, medical center and combat information center. Jack declined a visit to the bridge knowing the commander would be there. After the tour they went to the recreation center which was a lot like the old club and Jack met a bunch of the other pilots. Then Trey and Jack went down to the pilots’ lockers and got into their flight suits. They then went to one of the Star Sword hangars.
“Take number five and I'll take number one,” said Trey. “Now you’re sure you can handle it? These Star Swords are the hardest to fly.”
“Yes sir. I can handle it.”
“All right let's go.” They climbed into their Star Swords. Jack strapped himself in and closed the cockpit. The Star Swords were lowered into the launch tunnels. “Ready?” came Trey's voice over the speaker.
“Ready,” said Jack.
“Okay let's go,” said Trey. Jack pulled back the throttle and his Star Sword shot down the tunnel and out of the ship like a bullet. “All right Thunder lets see what you’re made of. Follow me and do exactly what I do.” Trey did a series of easy maneuvers. Jack copied them exactly. “Not bad Thunder. Let’s try something a little harder.” Trey did a more complicated series of maneuvers. Jack again copied every one of them perfectly. “You’re all right Jack! Lets move on to the fun stuff!” Trey started teaching Jack advanced combat maneuvers.
Up on the bridge of the Saratoga, Commander April Kelley was busy making the preparations for their departure from orbit.
“So how was your shore leave, April?” asked Lieutenant Miranda Pearson. “Did you get to meet up with that guy you told me about… what was his name….Mark?”
“Mason,” said April. “We had dinner.”
“How’d it go?”
April rolled her eyes. “All he could talk about was himself and money. I tell you, Miranda, just once I’d like to meet a decent man.”
“There’s lots of decent men,” said Miranda.
“You’re right. I should have said ‘a decent man interested in me.’”
“The date was that bad, huh?”
April nodded.
“Is that why you were so hard on Lt. Commander Knight and the new guy?”
“What? You know about that?”
“I heard the fighter pilots talking about it on the shuttle. They didn’t think it was right for you to punish them, especially a hero like Commander Knight.”
“You’re out of line, Miranda and they are too,” said April in an annoyed voice with just a touch of anger.
“Are we? I know you April, you’re a nice person. But sometimes I think you go a little overboard to try and prove how tough you are.”
“You know men, Miranda, it’s against their nature to respect women in authority. You just wait until you’re in my shoes. You’ll do whatever it takes to get them to respect and obey you too.”
“Well, all I know is that a lot of the crew is starting to think of you as mean and hostile. Like I said, I know you’re a nice person. Just don’t be afraid to show it sometimes.”
April sighed.
“All right, I’ll apologize to Trey, and to Lt. Thunder. I suppose I was blowing steam and they just happened to be convenient targets.” April then shifted the subject. “So you were sitting with the pilots on the shuttle.”
“What can I say,” said Miranda. “They are all so cute. You should try to hook up with one. There’s plenty to choose from.”
“No, thank you,” said April. “A fighter pilot is the last kind of man that I’d ever end up with.”
Across the bridge, Morton Doran the Saratoga's Captain, stood in front of the main viewports watching Jack and Trey doing some of the most difficult and amazing maneuvers in the book. He was a tall man with broad shoulders. He had dark hair that was more grey than black and a thick mustache. He wore a single gold star on each of his shoulders. Though officially a rear admiral lower half, Doran held the distinguished rank of Fleet Captain. He called over to Commander Kelley.
“April, come over here and see this. It's one of the most impressive displays of piloting I've ever seen.” April left her duty station and went over by the captain who was standing by the view ports.
“Yes, sir, Captain it is.”
“Who are they?” asked Doran.
April checked her data pad which was interphased with the ship’s main computer.
“It’s Lieutenant Commander Knight and the new recruit,” said April.
“Who is he?” asked Captain Doran.
“Lieutenant Jack Thunder,” said April.
“I wonder why Commander Knight didn't bring him up to the bridge. He normally brings the new recruits up here to meet me.”
“I think it was because Lieutenant Thunder wanted to avoid me,” said April.
“Why would he want to do that?” asked the Captain.
“Because...” she told the Captain about their first meeting and the forty nine year old Captain burst out laughing on his own bridge. It was a surprise to everyone, since he hardly ever laughed.
“You still made him clean your car? You are a ruthless woman,” he said with a smile. “I don't blame him for avoiding you.”
“Now Captain, you of all people should understand the need of maintaining discipline.”
Doran looked at her mischievously.
“Absolutely…Your Majesty.”
April gave him a mean look and the Captain turned back to the view ports still stifling his laughter.
"It's not funny,” said Commander Kelley.
Meanwhile out in the Star Sword Jack was having the time of his life. Trey had him flying in arcs, loops, barrel roles and dozens of other maneuvers. His six years training had come in handy after all. Anything Trey could think of Jack could do.
“Fantastic Jack.”
“Thanks,”
“You ready to have some real fun?” asked Trey.
“What do you mean?”
“Just wait,” said Trey. He then radioed the Saratoga. “Star Sword one to Saratoga come in please.”
“This is Saratoga, Star Sword one go ahead.”
“Request permission for a level four mock battle.”
“Stand by,” said the voice from Saratoga.
Chapter Four
On the bridge Captain Doran was still enjoying the show when the communications officer, Ensign Rebeca Fields, came up and said “Captain, Commander Knight requests permission for a level four mock battle.”
“Level four!” said Commander Kelly who was listening. “Sir, that exercise has never been won with less than five Star Swords not to mention two! It's a waste of
time and expensive drone ships. There's no way they'll win. Besides we’re due at Titan station and we’re already running behind schedule.”
The Captain pondered a moment. He knew it was foolhardy but Doran loved a great show.
“Titan station can wait,” said Doran. “I'm going to allow this. Put it on all screens I want the whole crew to see this one. Inform Commander Knight and Lieutenant Thunder that the exercise will begin in ten minutes. Ready all drone craft!”
“You ready Jack?” asked Trey.
“I guess. What's going on?” replied Jack.
Trey began to explain.
“We are about to do a level four mock battle. They are mounting a target on the outer hull of the Saratoga. Our job is to destroy it. We'll set our weapons to minimal power, this will allow us to destroy the target without damaging the ship.”
“Sounds simple enough,” said Jack.
“Not exactly. They're going to launch drones to defend the target.”
“How many?”
“Well if we were at level one then five, level two then ten, level three then fifteen, and level four...twenty.”
“Twenty! Has anyone ever won?”
“Not with less than five Star Swords. Just relax, the drones will act as enemy fighters would. They will fire minimal energy bursts at us. They are absolutely harmless. If you are hit your on board computer will register it and simulate the damage. Your Star Sword will act as if it is really hit.”
“What's the plan?” asked Jack.
“Well their advantage is strictly their numbers. They've got us at ten to one odds. Our advantage is speed and maneuverability. The drones can only perform basic maneuvers. We'll make attack runs on the drone formation to lower their numbers then when the time is right try for the target.” The radio crackled.
“Star Swords one and five assume your positions and good luck.”
“All right, Jack, this is it!”
Back on the Saratoga everything was ready: the Captain was geared up for the show, the target was mounted and the whole crew watching.
“Launch the drones,” ordered Captain Doran. Four drone squadrons were immediately launched.
“All right Jack open her up, full speed, here we go!”
They sped straight for the drone formation. Trey had the lead. They cut through the drone formation with weapons blazing and then bogied out. Their first pass had been successful. They had no damage and they had taken out three of the drones.
“Three down seventeen to go!” stated Trey.
“Why aren't they coming after us?” asked Jack.
“Because it's the drones’ prerogative to protect Saratoga, but this hit and run strategy won't work forever. They'll catch on to our strategy and come after us. All right Jack this time you take the lead.”
They zoomed across the drone formation on their second pass. The drones were a bit more cunning this time. They took evasive action and managed to shoot the underside of Trey's Star Sword as he was darting out.
“Trey, are you hit?”
“Yea but it’s minor damage only, just a scratch.”
“I got one that pass, Trey, what did you get?”
“I got one too.”
“Good, then that means we're down to fifteen.” Suddenly Jack's proximity alarm went off. “Trey we’ve got a drone squadron coming our way! My scanner reads five of them.”
“I've got them on mine too,” said Trey.
“All right,” said Jack. “I'll hold them off while you make a pass at the others!”
“All right let's do it!” yelled Trey. Their Star Swords broke formation and headed in opposite directions.
Back on the bridge, Captain Doran was like a kid in the middle of his favorite holographic action show, enjoying every minute of the battle.
“Thunder is taking the drones head on!” yelled Doran.
“What is he crazy?” said Kelley.
“No Commander, he's not mad, just a gambler. He's headed for the lead drone.”
Kelley was a bridge officer. She’d never been a fighter pilot and therefore had no real knowledge of fighter tactics. She didn't quite understand what the Captain meant.
“I don't get it, sir.”
“He's betting the lead drone will change course to avoid a collision—which will force the entire drone squadron to change direction with it and expose the broadside of three of the drones to Thunder's guns. The danger is that the lead drone will instead try to fire at Thunder and negate him.”
The Captain guessed Jack's strategy exactly. Incredibly, the drone chose to change course rather than risk a collision. As soon as they had changed course, Jack fired his plasma cannons and took out three of the five drones. His gamble had paid off.
Doran swore ecstatically. Kelley couldn't help but be impressed. In the rec-room with the rest of the pilots, Red was watching the show. Half of him was excited for Jack the other half was jealous. The other pilots were loving it.
A few seconds after Jack's little scheme Trey made his pass on the ten drones guarding the target. He flew straight into the volley of drone fire. He took out two of the drones then zoomed out. He had gotten two drones but it had cost him. He had taken several hits and his port weapons array was out of order. Meanwhile Jack had the two drones that had survived his last attack on his tail.
“Trey, I've got two bogies on my six, I can't shake them!”
“Hang on Jack, I'm coming.” Just then Jack's starboard engine was hit knocking his speed in half. One drone over shot him and Jack took it out but the other compensated and stayed right behind him. It fired and hit Jack's scanning array. Five more seconds and Jack would have been toast, but Trey zoomed by and took out the drone with his remaining gun just in time.
“Thanks, Trey.”
“No problem.”
“Now what?” asked Jack.
Trey said “I got an idea...”
Captain Doran was on the edge of his seat. He had called for the yeoman and had had her bring popcorn from the galley. It was sealed in a plastic bag and Doran had to be careful that none of it got loose and floated about the bridge lest it get into one of the panels. For that reason it was against the rules to eat outside of designated areas especially on the bridge. No one, however, dared mention that the Captain was breaking his own rules.
“Looks like they’re gearing up for another pass. They're probably going to go straight for the target.” said Doran.
“They're too damaged,” replied Kelley. “They'll never make it.”
Doran watched as the two Star Swords flew side by side toward the eight remaining drones. All of a sudden, Jack's Star Sword spun out and twirled to a motionless drift.
Doran swore angrily. In his outburst, the Captain lost a few pieces of popcorn that the steward hastily plucked from the air. “His other engine must have given out!”
“He's a sitting duck,” said Kelley.
Instead of trying for the target, Trey made another pass at the drones guarding it. With only one gun he couldn't manage to take out any drones. The volley of drone fire took out his remaining gun and his port engine. He made a run for it. The drones now saw their chance. They would pursue Trey, take him out, and then come mop up Jack. Trey gave them a good chase. He got all eight of them as far away from the target as he could. Then, just before they could finish him off, Jack's Star Sword burst to life and darted toward the target. He had been playing dead. The drones broke off their pursuit of Trey and raced back toward the target, but it was too late. Jack had two guns and a straight shot. He fired a burst of harmless energy from his guns, which he had set to minimum power. The Saratoga's computer registered the target destroyed. Jack and Trey had won.
A great cheer went up from the crew except from Red. He looked neither happy nor disappointed. On the bridge everyone was excited and cheering. In his excitement the Captain had lost a good deal of his popcorn that the yeoman was trying desperately to retrieve from the air.
The surviving drones headed back t
o the Saratoga. The Star Swords returned to normal and then returned. They flew into the re-entry ports and decelerated to a stop right where they had started from. Trey and Jack popped the cockpits and received a hearty welcome from their shipmates. They got out of their flight suits and headed up to the recreation center. This called for a celebration.
A while later Trey and Jack stood slurping their drinks from straws surrounded by fellow pilots discussing the battle and watching replays on the screens. Trey and Jack got an outside view of the fight they had just won. The Captain came into the recreation center.
“Where is he?” asked Doran. The room fell silent. Trey came forward, Jack was right behind him. Trey proceeded to introduce them.
“Captain Morton Doran, may I present Lieutenant Jack Thunder. Jack Thunder Captain Morton Doran.”
“It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person, sir.”
“Excellent flying Mr. Thunder. We sure could have used you against the pirates,” said the Captain as he reached forward and shook Jack's hand.
“Thank you, sir.” The Captain turned to also congratulate Trey. “Superb job Commander!”
“Thanks, Captain.”
Suddenly Doran’s wrist complink sounded.
“Yes?”
“Captain, course is set for Titan. We’re ready to get under way.”
“Very well, Lieutenant. We’ll get underway as soon as I return to the bridge. Stand by for all ahead full.”
“Aye, sir.”
Doran turned back to Jack and Trey. “If you’ll excuse me gentlemen.”
The Captain then left the room and the silence that his presence had invoked was filled once again with the clatter of conversation. Then Commander Kelley entered. Reputation for harshness or not, she went virtually unnoticed, no one fell silent. After a long day she liked to relax like a normal person, unlike the Captain who preferred to be in total control of everything all the time. She saw Jack and felt a small stab of guilt.
I suppose I was a little unfair… She decided that then would be as good a time as any to patch things up. She waited until Jack had stepped away from the others to get another drink from the dispenser. He actually is cute.
Starstorm (Starstorm Saga) Page 4
