"You're really him. Goddess of space you’re the real deal. I recognize you from your biography holo," he whispered. Irons chuckled.
"Last time I checked." A door opened nearby and an angry tenant leaned out. "What the hell’s all the racket! I've got a graveyard in two hours can't you people talk somewhere else?" the balding man snarled. Harris hastily stepped back.
"Come in, come in. Oh jeez." He rushed around picking up dirty underwear and food containers. He stuffed them in the sink then turned. Irons had followed Shelby into the room and turned. The room was filled with holos and posters of the Xeno war and other wars predating it. Holograms of ships and battles, as well as tattered recruiting posters. He shook his head. In the corner a holographic display was frozen with a battle in place.
"That looks familiar. Dugar?" he asked studying the plot.
"You know your history. What am I saying you should, you were there," Harris shook his head and went over to the plot.
"I was a shave tail second Lieutenant at the time," Irons smiled. "Shelby says she'd like you to accept a commission." He turned to Harris. Harris froze.
"A commission?" he asked studying both of them. Shelby tapped her rank insignia on her collar.
"I thought you were wearing that for fun or our usual game club meeting." He turned and waved to his closet not seeing her color slightly. Irons turned and noted several uniforms inside. "I host a club here, we dress up and run battle sims," Harris shrugged.
"Right. When was the last time you ran into Lasko and the others?" Shelby snorted. "Lasko jumped station a year ago. Caught a freighter berth," she explained to Irons.
"Your club could come in handy. IF they have the mental ability and are willing," Irons smiled.
"What did she mean by Firefly? Did you really salvage her?" Harris asked suddenly.
Shelby sighed rolling her eyes. "You really need to get away from the sims sometime Harris. Firefly docked over six hours ago!" She shook her head.
"She's here?!" Harris was practically jumping for joy. "I've been running sims on what we could do but the presence of a modern warship and the Admiral increases our chances by several orders of magnitude!" He rushed around knocking things to the floor before he found a flash stick and plugged it into the holo.
A sim of the system came up, then the enemy fleet. Irons noted it was pretty close to what they had noted in the yacht footage. "How did you get that?" he asked pointing. Shelby's arms were crossed. She tapped her foot. Harris didn't look up, he was tapping furiously at his keypads.
"I wish I had cybernetics like you," he muttered. "Um, I got it from a friend," he said.
"You mean you hacked it? Or traded for it?" Shelby asked starting to sound ominous. Harris's shoulders hunched.
"Don't be like that. Honest Shell, I'm trying to help," Harris muttered.
Irons nodded. "No harm no foul. No harm done as long as it doesn't hit the central net. We don't need a panic." He watched as Harris inputted Firefly and then ran a head to head sim.
"No, won’t work, gotta be sneaky..." Harris muttered.
"Yes, We're planning on a mine field. I've got them working on it now," Irons said. He came over and jacked in. Harris sat back stunned as he stared at the Admiral's right arm.
"Is that standard issue?" he asked pointing. Irons chuckled.
"No not exactly. I volunteered." He uploaded a sim he had run then ran it.
"Damn, okay, so you want to snipe the small ships so they don't swarm you after they run into a minefield. Could work." Harris rubbed his chin, arms crossed. He looked up to Irons. "I'd love to see it." He smiled at Shelby.
"That's what I've been trying to ask you; you dummy!" Shelby said finally losing her cool. "I've been trying to tell you that you can be on the bridge!" she waved. Harris stared.
"How does a commission as a first Lieutenant and head of tactical sound?" Irons asked.
Harris gulped. "Me?" He stared stunned. "You don't have cybernetics though..."
Irons smile stopped him. "You do?" Harris asked stunned once more.
"Sign up and you'll be one of the first in line. Bridge and command officers are first." Irons looked over to Shelby. "They need to get used to their implants fast," he explained half apologetically.
She nodded. "I get it. Good idea." She nodded as she turned to Harris. "So? What do you say?" she demanded.
Harris nodded. "I'm in." He held up his hand. "I pledge allegiance to the galactic Federation for which it stands one government over all...." Irons waved him off.
"Later. We're doing a mass ceremony later. I want you to get with your club and anyone else you think could handle being on a ship and handle Navy discipline. Then pack your gear and sims and report to the Firefly." He held out his hand. Harris shook it enthusiastically.
"You can count on me Admiral!" Harris smile was fit to split his face.
"Good. you've got an hour to report aboard, then twenty minutes to get your stuff to your room and then report to the bridge. I've uploaded my sims and yours to Firefly, I want you to update them and familiarize yourself with the ships systems. Firefly is a Resolution class. I see from the poster on the ceiling over your bunk that you know the basic details of her class. We'll be updating the munitions as time permits," he waved.
"Grapeshot and KEWs?" Harris asked getting up and pulling out duffels and then shook them open.
The admiral's appreciation of the young man went up a notch. "So far. Firefly used most of her expendable munitions and platforms before coming here. We're going to make more but it takes time," Irons shrugged.
“Ask me for anything but time. I gotcha," Harris said not looking up as he started packing. He was shoving things into the duffels.
"Right, We'll leave you to it," Irons said. He nodded as Harris straightened and saluted. "Save it for later. We've got work to do," Irons smiled. "I've got a few more stops let me know if you've got a problem recruiting anyone," he pointed to the comm as Harris opened his mouth. "I uploaded my web address already," he smiled and followed Shelby out.
"Well, that went well, I've got a recruit in mind for the guards. Former guard actually," she said pointing.
"You mean marines. Marine detachment. Good. If we board any ships we will need them." Irons followed her.
“He's down the hall here," she pointed. A door opened and a head stuck out.
"Shelby?" A body followed. He was clean shaven and well built. His silvering hair was close cropped. "Admiral Irons? Harris just called. I assume you want me for the marines?" the man asked. He was dressed in a coverall but they could see his muscles rippling under it. "I'm in." Irons nodded.
"Right, well, I'm giving you a commission as a marine senior captain. Since we can't have more then one captain on a ship, that means your being frocked to Major. Find me some more bodies to fill in your ranks. Solid and capable, but with a clean history if possible. I want a TOE as soon as you get settled." He was testing the man and he was pleasantly surprised when the man nodded.
"Aye aye Admiral. I've got a few people in mind. The exec will be annoyed at my poaching though," he gave Irons a look but Irons smiled.
"You've got priority Major, get it done," he nodded.
"Aye aye sir!" The man saluted and withdrew into his quarters.
"Right. Now who was that?" Irons asked following Shelby.
"Jersey Forth sir. He was a guard captain on his home world. His lord went to war with another local lord and lost badly. He didn't like the new boss and went to the port. He was picked up and wound up here. He's good sir, he's a bit of a marine nut though," She shrugged. He chuckled.
"Whatever works," he nodded.
"Dad gave me a sit rep, Firefly shot him the plans to common parts when we were en route, he's already shifted production from grapeshot and KEWs. He said he can't do the classified stuff without you though," she said looking up to him.
"Right, that's my next stop."
She nodded. "He said we can't make weapons without an officer's implants?"
she looked confused. "I know about the replicator lockout.."
He nodded. "It ties into it. It's to keep terrorists from getting anything military grade. It also helped to stall warlords from building up a supply. We still had problems though. There was always someone who was corrupt enough to run a bypass," he sighed. "It will be a headache but we'll get around it. I have to be on station to authorize milspec materials, so I'm going to have Firefly do the warheads and classified tech then mate them up with parts made here." She nodded in understanding.
He shrugged. "Firefly's shops are better suited anyway." He nodded to a pair of techs hunched over a piece of equipment then moved on.
"Right then. I'll check in with the work crew. I've got an EVA crew on the hull now doing another survey. I'll upload the specs and give you a sitrep at the next meeting." Shelby split off from him and waved. He chuckled.
"She's long on military deportment," Defender grumped. He clucked his tongue.
"All things come with time and patience." He nodded to another group of techs maneuvering a pallet of supplies.
"Clear a hole!" a tech called looking at him. He flattened himself against a bulkhead and waited for them to pass. "Oh sorry Admiral. Didn't know it was you," the tech said as they passed.
"No harm done," Irons said then continued on his way.
"So we've got beam weapons, tractors, KEWs, and grapeshot. Any chance of shield disruptors? Gravity bombs?" Harris asked. Shelby grimaced. Harris was shaking down into his new roll and seemed to enjoy it. He'd spent the past couple of hours since boarding familiarizing himself with the tactical systems. He'd even pestered her about the drive specs until Firefly had intervened. She wasn't sure why he needed to know that information. This was his first time in a meeting hopefully she wouldn't have to kick him too often.
"We're making as many missile bodies as we can. We've got two lines going, since there are apparently two different types." She looked over to the Admiral but Harris nodded.
"Right, point defense missiles and offense missiles. Got it. Not much of warheads though?" he asked looking over to the Firefly avatar.
"We've made three fusion warheads. Now that the crew has experienced the manufacturing and assembly process they should speed up," Firefly explained.
"Fusion? Gravity?" Shelby asked.
"There are different types of missiles. They all use the same body and propulsion... But the warheads do different things. Fusion warheads are nuclear explosives. Antimatter... Same deal but more powerful. Gravity.. well it is harder to make and it is specialized," Logan explained.
"Then there are ECM missiles. They use electronics to spoof the enemy's fire and defensive fire control. They blind it or fool it into receiving incorrect sensory data." Logan sat back.
"Unfortunately antimatter and gravity warheads take a lot of time, rare materials, and energy to make. They are out," Irons explained. "We can make ECM missiles though, we're working on that now. Now that we have some missile bodies we've set up a second warhead line that is making them. Most will be flares and dazzlers though," he shrugged. Shelby and Harris nodded.
"I'll have to factor that into the tactical plans," Harris muttered.
"You'll get to play with the others later Harris. Let's get through this mess first," Shelby muttered. Harris looked up and smiled.
"Promise?" His tone and smile was so much like a kid promised candy that the staff chuckled.
"Least he's happy," Logan pointed his thumb to the smug tactician.
"Whatever works," Irons nodded.
The lift doors opened and Irons looked inside. "That's it?" he asked.
"Yes Admiral. I'm afraid after the battle of Malaysia rebuilding my flag bridge was deemed unnecessary. Chief Grimaldi pulled the debris and the space has been used as storage since then." Firefly sounded apologetic. He'd told the AI it was an informal inspection tour.
Irons grunted looking around at the crates. "Food?" he asked.
"Yes Admiral. Ration bars."
"A bit past their expiration dates I would imagine," Irons said dryly. "Don't even think about getting me to eat them." He shook his head.
"Why Admiral I'd never..."
"Relax Firefly, he's pulling your leg," Sprite responded. The Admiral chuckled.
"Spoil sport," he shook his head.
"No, merely filling a naive soul in about your depraved nature," Sprite replied.
He chuckled. "Right, send it all to the recycler. I don't need a flag bridge for now anyway, so we can hold off on repairing it as well."
He shrugged. "Besides, we've got more important priorities. If we have a fleet action I can use the backup bridge or the couch in the Admiral's wardroom," he smiled.
"Right, with a jack you can plug in anywhere," Firefly responded. "I've put in a work order now. Chief Mantooth and the Bosun are polling for a work party now." The Admiral nodded.
Chapter 16
"So, what are these implants?” Jesse, one of the coxswains asked nervously. "They are implants that will let you access ships systems and enhance you," Irons replied. He looked around the bridge. Most of the crew were attending to their stations but also listening in. Even the techs working on wiring in the corner had slowed or paused to listen. Typical he thought with an amused thought. Some things never change.
"Like super men?" Jesse asked dubious.
"No. We don't have the time for that. You'll get a basic IFF, code package, medical check up, and if possible sensory implants. Also rejuv treatments," Irons looked down at his tablet. He'd need to adjust the schedules to get the port plasma feeds back online. In just two days they'd worked wonders. He was proud of them.
"Anti-aging?" Harris asked. "You'll love that Jesse," he smiled to her. She grimaced then stuck her tongue out at him. Harris chuckled. "Seriously, anti-aging?" he asked.
"It's a bit more complex than that. It doesn't just slow the aging process, it also eliminates a lot of excess body fat and enhances your muscles and immune system," the doctor sat down with a cup of coffee.
"Morning Doc. Just the person to ask about this," Irons sat back picking his own cup up.
"Right. There are different implant techniques, we're going with a mix since we don't have access to military grade medical nano," she grimaced.
"Why not?" Harris asked surprised. "I'd think they'd stock it here..." He waved to indicate Firefly.
"It's not that easy. Because of Federation law the only places that can make medical nanites are hospital facilities under strict regulation. Military medical nano can only be made on hospital ships or stations," she sighed sitting back.
“And Firefly ran out of military grade a long time ago. Right?”
“Right doctor. I have been making do with civilian grade,” Firefly responded.
"So where does that leave us?" Janice asked. Irons was pleased with her. She had recently joined up, in fact she'd made a bee line from sickbay straight to Firefly's dock when she came into port. She was shaping up as a good second chair helmswoman. He had given her a brevet rank of second lieutenant.
"Doing implants the hard way. Oh I can program the nano I have to do civilian grade implants now, so we will do that with those that need it. Those that need to do a lot of telepresence or VR work," she waved. "Some implants will have to be the old cut and paste method, so they will have some recovery time attached," doctor Thornby said with a grimace.
"What about Logan?" Jesse asked.
"What about me?" Logan asked coming in. He saluted the Admiral with his cup and then took his seat next to him.
"Don't you need an officer's upgrade?" she asked.
He nodded. "The Admiral frocked me to officer status, so my implants have the basic codes. He updated them in my BIOS. Firefly is going to do a firmware update the next time I go to bed." He shrugged it off.
"And you can do what? Access computers and stuff?" Jesse asked.
"I can jack in yes." He held up his right palm. "That's how I've been managing Anvil's power plant for years. This is a
civie implant, used for basic data like banking." He tapped the right side of his neck. "You can't see it unless you're close but there is a port here that lets me jack into a system," he grimaced.
"But you don't need to do you Admiral," Harris said. Irons stiffened then shrugged.
"There are upgrades and plug and play radio LAN transceivers. In my case however I have a wireless implant. It lets me access things without a physical jack when I need to, but the bandwidth is more limited. I don't telepresence without physically jacking in." He held up his right arm. His middle finger morphed into a jack. "See?" he said. Jesse and Harris stared in mute fascination and horror. "If we had medical nano that was properly programmed then they would weave the implants into your tissue while you slept. It would take a day or two, but you'd wake up better than ever," he shrugged.
"I guess I can live with it," Jesse grimaced. "As long as I'm still me in the end," she muttered. Irons nodded.
"It takes some getting used to petty officer, but you don't need what I have so don't worry about it. We're giving you the minimum invasive upgrade we can." He shrugged. Doc nodded.
"Right, Once I get the handle on it and get the crew squared away I'm going to switch to the station so I can set up an assembly line and do it right," she smiled. Jesse grimaced.
"Doc Standish?" she asked. Doc locked her eyes with the helmswoman.
"He wants an officer's slot. Do you have a problem with that?" she challenged. "No not at all," Jesse mumbled.
"Good," Doc said primly. “Doctors are usually considered officers. Most nurses as well. We need the authority to deal with difficult patients.” She gave the Admiral a dead pan look.
Irons hid a grimace. "Right, we've come a long way, but we've got a ways to go. How is engineering?" He turned to Shelby.
"Better. We've finished our first round of training sims, or at least the orientation ones. I'm going to throw a few problems at them on the next shift and see how it goes." She shrugged. "So far so good. I've got a few problem people but we're working it out. I'll get you a watch bill and shift rotation by next watch," she held up a tablet. Irons nodded.
Fool's Gold (The Wandering Engineer) Page 33
