He nodded as he looked at each of them.
"That's right. Relentless is joining the Orion Battlegroup, and I can assure you, I plan on causing a ruckus. I can't tell you the mission, but I will tell you that it's important enough to warrant fifteen Alliance warships."
Lieutenant Higgins watched Captain Galanos carefully. Until now she'd been completely stationary, barely moving as the Admiral spoke. As he finished his last few words, he signalled to her and lowered his head politely. Captain Galanos spoke, and her voice boomed out through the hangar deck.
"Relentless will rise to this challenge, as will all of our crew. We will take on a new squadron, and bring up our own to full strength. It is time for Relentless to return to duty as an active assault ship at the heart of a fleet."
The Captain looked up at the long bulkhead sections that filled the high ceiling.
"She was built to support a fleet in times of war, and armoured to allow us to close with the enemy. That is why I am activating two full squadrons, as well as a single wing of bombers. As of today, Relentless is on call."
Admiral Churchill gave her a polite nod as she finished.
"I know it will not be easy taking on new crew and pilots, but we are professionals to the core. Use your simulators and get your pilots ready, and fast. When the time comes, I will be relying on your birds to assist my ships."
The Admiral looked to his left and almost on cue, another trio of shapes emerged from inside the Mauler. This time it was two young officers, along with a third much older looking Captain right behind them. The first was a tall Marine Corps Lieutenant, and right behind him a female Lieutenant Commander. They stepped out into the light and moved to the flanks of the Admiral. He waited and then nodded towards the Captain.
"Captain Cornwallis will be your new CAG. He's an old warhorse, so he should fit in well aboard such a grand old lady as Relentless."
That received a better welcome than it should have. Though now at full strength, the ship had been without senior officers for some time. The man looked out at the group and quickly identified Lieutenant Higgins, the single remaining flight officer on the ship. They shared a polite acknowledgement as the Admiral continued his introductions.
"Lieutenant Commander Holder has brought her entire squadron with her, and she will help bring us to two full strength squadrons."
All that remained was to introduce the marine.
"Lieutenant Heiskell is one of Warlord's newest and most capable officers. He has brought over additional marines to bring you back to two full platoons."
The man was a classic marine, with the razor short haircut and tanned skin. His muscular framer was obvious, even hidden behind his service fatigues. A sidearm hung down low on a private-purchase holster rig. The Admiral licked his upper lip and then pointed off into the cavernous hangar space. There were already a number of new fighters, and more being worked on by the newly arrived engineers and aircrew.
"As of today, Relentless is taking over the role of the fleet's carrier operations. It will be your duty to provide defensive and offensive capabilities for the duration of our mission."
His eyes moved along the line as though he were looking for somebody. For just a brief moment his eyes lingered on one or two, before returning to Captain Galanos.
"Captain, we have matters to discuss."
The Captain nodded and then looked out to her assembled officers.
"Return to your stations and make ready. We leave in six hours. Dismissed."
The group broke apart, with most heading to the elevators that moved up through the decks of the ship. The new arrivals followed the Admiral as they disappeared off inside the ship, only Captain Cornwallis staying behind. As the numbers dissipated, he walked over to Higgins. After moving through the formalities, the man seemed to relax.
"Lieutenant, I've seen the after action reports from your last operation. I have to say, making use of cadets to fly your drones was hardly out of the book, was it?"
"No, Sir. I felt it was the only chance under the..."
The Captain chuckled.
"That wasn't a criticism. Your people pulled off something unexpected, and that impresses me."
He looked over to the fighters and indicated to where the remains of three battered drones waited.
"It's a crying shame we don't have more on board."
As he looked back at Lieutenant Higgins, he already knew what he was going to say.
"I can't use them, even if I wanted to, which I do. Regulations are very clear, and I've received a request from the Ambassador to ensure all civilians are granted travel to the nearest starbase. They are civilians, so I can hardly refuse her."
"I don't see what's changed, Captain. Can they not be given permanent battlefield commissions?"
The older man tried to disarm the issue with relaxed body language, but it was having little effect.
"We have pilots, fighters, and crew. There is no legitimate emergency here, and they will shortly be gone. I've already had the request from the Ambassador, and it will be sent to your cadets within the hour. They will leave with the other civilians when the passenger liner arrives. I am sorry."
Their eyes met, and for a moment Higgins was sure he saw a glimmer of amusement in the older man's eyes. They certainly shared a moment, one where more was said than just through body language alone.
"When this mission begins, everything will change. I have orders from the Admiral to enlist every pair of hands on board at my disposal to get this air wing up and operational. That much I can promise you."
Lieutenant Higgins knew when it was time to push, and right now clearly was not it. There had been a heavy emphasis on the words ‘on board’, and he thought he knew what they meant. The Captain started walking to where a pair of new Hammerhead spacecraft was waiting. One of the technicians spotted them approaching and stopped to salute.
"Sir!"
"Carry on, Petty Officer," said Lieutenant Higgins.
The man went back to work but noticed how interested the officer was in his spacecraft. He continued attaching a new component to a panel on the flank of its nose.
"Sir, they're newly arrived off the barge. Just like you requested."
The Lieutenant smiled. It was true. He'd requested many things to bring the ship back to full strength but never expected to be granted his request. Most on board had assumed Relentless would be pulled out of the line, especially after the pounding she'd so recently taken. Incredibly, the ship had sustained only minor damage to her core systems, with most of the heavy damage against her layered armour. Her design was such that sections could be replaced and repaired at ease when out of combat. The Captain examined an area of light damage on one of the platings.
"I received your requisition request when we first arrived. These are upgraded Hammerhead B4 Gunships, a little newer than we're used to out here in Orion Command. Luckily for us, there are still plenty in hangars on the surface. We've got war stock all over the place now."
Lieutenant Higgins did his best to hide a smile as he looked at the new arrivals.
"It's about time Relentless was brought up to spec. She's a fighting ship, Sir, and she's been without a full squadron for years now."
"Indeed," Captain Cornwallis agreed, "Relentless should not be a training ship to babysit cadets."
The officer immediately knew he had gone too far. He might have been referring to her most recent role in the battle, or her longer-term role as a training ship. In any case, the man tried to back pedal.
"Her days of training new recruits back home are over. Relentless is back in the driving seat."
Lieutenant Higgins walked along the length of the spacecraft. He was more than familiar with the design. Under the facade of new paint, these spacecraft were just as worn as anything else on Relentless.
"They are all stock from the war?"
Captain Cornwallis nodded.
"Yes. The Hammerheads are war stock from Spascia, but they've been kept in air
-conditioned hangars since then. They might have been out of action, but they've been well looked after."
He touched the nearest spacecraft.
"They have been retrofitted with the computer controlled stern turrets. They are the toughest fighter-class spacecraft in the arsenal. Turrets, missiles, and railgun cannons."
He paused as though imaging how they would perform.
"These are all old girls, from back in the war. But they have it where it counts."
For their wear and tear, it would be easy to assume they were at least a generation old. Yet they were one of the newer designs in the Alliance, and had only entered service back at the start of the war as a replacement for the aging Thunderbolt. They were designed to perform all roles, from fleet support to marine insertion. He ran his hand along the smooth metallic finish as a technician pushed the hatch shut.
"I've heard they're the best gunships in the fleet. I've always wanted to get my hands on one, and now we have a whole squadron."
"I can't argue with you there, Lieutenant. Two pilots, four engines, and enough firepower to scare off even the biggest enemy fighters; they are exactly what Relentless needs."
He stepped back to get a better view of the thing.
"They are ugly things. But you have to admire the firepower."
Lieutenant Higgins turned his attention from the spacecraft and back to the Captain.
"Does that mean we are at full strength now?"
The Captain nodded slowly as he checked the Secpad bracelet on his left arm.
"In about ninety more minutes you'll be correct. We've got one more group of bomber pilots coming directly from the Naval reserve. They are a little out of practice, but command assures me they are all qualified and experienced bomber pilots."
The two walked along the deck, occasionally stopping to look at the various spacecraft.
"Crusader Squadron has been disbanded, and your spare fighters will help bring my two squadrons to full strength."
Lieutenant Higgins wanted to complain, but like all officers, he knew he had to pick his battles. He decided to wait, for now.
"Corsair Squadron transferred from Spascia, with Lieutenant Commander Holder in command. She's one of the best squadron commanders I've ever encountered and is already whipping them into shape."
He then pointed to one of the Lightning fighters.
"As for spacecraft, we've got six more transferred from Warlord for attrition...just in case. And that's on top of the others already brought aboard from the disbanded Rawhides Squadron from ANS Ventura. I'm reforming them right here, on Relentless."
Lieutenant Higgins was not happy about that; two fighter squadrons that he would have little or no input on. And now, after all their work the old fighters of Relentless were to be used as spares for the new arrivals.
"That's thirty Lightning fighters, and enough pilots and crew to operate both squadrons."
He took a step closer and looked straight into Lieutenant Higgins' eyes.
"It's a big job for one man. I know you're still recovering, but I want you as my deputy CAG. You know the ship better than any pilot here, and I need everybody fully integrated into your system. It takes years to bed in new units on a ship, and I need this done in weeks. I can't do this without you. Are you up to it?"
Lieutenant Higgins had half expected to hear he'd put back on the bench, rather than being given a position of command.
"I...uh...yes, Sir. I would be honoured."
"Good."
Captain Cornwallis then tapped his hand on the flank of the Hammerhead Gunship, quickly moving the topic of conversation from organisation and politics to the machines.
"The Admiral has called in favours throughout this sector to get pilots and fighters for the fleet. With you and Relentless here, our fighter capacity just doubled. He commandeered a unit transferring from Centauri Prime to the Spascia Proving Ground and sent them our way. Pilots and ships."
Lieutenant Higgins seemed fascinated.
"What did he get us, Sir?"
The senior officer chuckled.
"A pair Lightning F2 fighters, and five still crated Bullnose gunships, one of the new Hammerhead variants. I got them, plus their seven OTC cadets on transfer."
Higgins looked a little confused.
"That's an interesting collection. I...how can we use them, Sir?"
The Captain chuckled.
"I know it's not ideal, but the Admiral told me to use everything I had to hand."
He focused on Lieutenant Higgins.
"Whatever the mission is, I know he's been calling in favours. Omega Command is mobilising throughout the sector, and every unit, temporary, training, and reserve has been activated."
Lieutenant Higgins felt his lips drying and discreetly licked his upper lip.
"If you can get them ready, I'd like to form a single half-strength squadron from them."
Captain Cornwallis ran his hand along the flank of the Hammerhead.
"These pilots are fully trained and were heading to Spascia as part of a major inter-unit training exercise. According to their CO, they have experience on Hammerhead and Bullnose gunships. I suspect they've been spending more time enjoying themselves than flying. You know OTC cadets. That party is over now. We will make sure they're ready. Or more specifically, you will."
"Yes, Sir," said Lieutenant Higgins.
The Secpad device flickered on the Captain's wrist once more, and this time he made to move.
"I have to rejoin the Admiral. Like I said, it's a shame the civilians are all being withdrawn. The gunship squadron is under strength. Could have done with a few extra crew, ah well."
He lifted his eyebrows as though sharing a joke as he moved away. He then took another six steps before stopping and looking back.
"It's good to finally meet you, Lieutenant Higgins. Or should I say, Commander?"
As he moved away, Lieutenant Higgins shook his head for a moment before calling after the Captain.
"Sir?"
"Oh, did I not tell you? Your promotion has come through. As of seven hundred hours today, you've been pushed up to Commander in the Alliance Navy. We're low on recruiting this month, and I need an experienced man to watch my back. Congratulations."
The Captain moved away at a brisk pace, leaving him near the lines of waiting fighters. Already a number of the new pilots were mingling around the fighters checking their equipment, software version, and configurations. Just looking at them made his body ache. He was a fighter pilot, not a deck officer. A pain in his left leg served as a cruel reminder as to the change in his circumstances. He looked around at the rest of the hangar deck and rested his hands at his flanks. He was still relatively young for the role he'd been recently given, but not once had he ever expected to see Relentless back on the front-line. Now here she was, with engineers performing maintenance in days that would normally take months. He moved his attention from one fighter to the next and shook his head.
Thirty-five birds on board, thirty-two pilots, a full crew, and with more pilots on the way; it is a good day for the old girl.
His expression then changed as his thoughts turned to his core group of pilots. He had more than enough pilots to run multiple operations from Relentless.
Losing the five cadets is a great disappointment. More so for the five of them, though, they will be gone in a few hours.
That was the moment he spotted the small cadre of pilots coming onto the deck. These were not the young, lean men and women making up the two new fighter squadrons. They were something else, and he didn't like what he could see one little bit. He counted seven of them, and they walked around the bomber while several laughed at the machine.
I see.
The newly promoted Commander Higgins moved closer to them and then stopped and listened for a few seconds.
"They want us to fly these hunks of junk?" complained the first.
He was a young man, perhaps very early twenties. His hair was a fraction longer than the n
orm in the Navy, and his accent was classic upper class.
Rich kids from Proxima Prime. Typical.
"What were you saying?"
The man turned around and straightened up at seeing the officer. His hand lifted right to the side of his head.
"Sir, I...uh...just admiring the new gunships, Sir."
"Were you now?"
"Sir. Yes, Sir."
The young man had recovered his composure, and a little of that arrogance had now returned.
"What's your name, Pilot?"
"Flight Lieutenant Bartholomew Hawkins, the Third, Sir."
The accent from Proxima Prime was thick, but not in the regional sense. The upper class tones were a reminder of the many wealthy families that controlled the industries of so many colonies. Of the nine star systems that now comprised the Alliance, only four contained colonies of any size, and this young man was from one of them.
Of all the colonies we control, I'd have to get rich kids from Prime.
Commander Higgins shook his head slowly. The old star system now known simply as Sol and considered Mars to be its most significant territory; with the shattered and irradiated homeworld of Earth still undergoing extensive atmospheric reprocessing. The largest and most significant planet in the Alliance was now Terra Nova, the capital of the Alliance, as well as the Alpha Centauri System. In comparison, the large worlds of Kerberos, Carthago, and Proxima Prime, would always play second fiddle in the game of ranked importance, a game that appeared to only be played by the rich and important.
"Flight Lieutenant Hawkins."
Commander Higgins watched the man flinch as he refused to use any other part of the man's name. There was no place for such nonsense in the Navy.
"Tell me about your most recent posting."
"Yes, Sir. All seven of us are part of the Primus College Officer Training School, back on Proxima. We're here for a three month gap placement before heading back home."
Star Crusader: Knighthawk Squadron Page 7
