New Start 26 The Fleet Increases

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New Start 26 The Fleet Increases

James was up by 5:30 local got dressed and went to the mess hall for some coffee, he was surprised to find Tracy there talking to Jeff, Morning are you ready for the day?

Jeff: sure, how bout you

Tracy: I’m excited, cant wait to see my new ship.

James: I just wonder what surprises Ban has, James pores some coffee and sits down, Ban always has something that surprises me.

Jeff: why does he want to see the carrier?

James: maybe he wants one and has to convince the senate committee to buy it for him.

Jeff: well I wish him luck, that bunch of tight wads wont spend a nickel unless it will benefit them.

James: your right but I heard that they retired some old carriers, and there are holes in the security that need to be filled.

Tracy: do you think we will have enough pilots for the new ships?

James: we can shuttle the pilots till all the ships are loaded are loaded and if we short on the transport pilots Jeff and Me can fly them, to the HQ.

James I’d like to set up a breakfast for Ban and us while the crews are loading, could you set it up,

Tracy: be glade to do you want Randle here and the other Partners?

James: Yes

Tracy gets up and walks to the kitchen,

James: I wonder if Chris has gotten the stations, Ill have to remember to check on that later, and to check on Howard, its getting hard to keep up with every thing going on,

Jeff: I’m sure they would call if there were any problems I can call Howard if you like and get his status,

James: I guess your right I should let them handle it, but I would like a status report occasionally.

Jeff: I’ll let them know, and get there status.

Tracy returned, All set up, I’ll call them when Ben is onboard.

James: thank you, I’m going to the bridge, refills his coffee and leaves,

James enters the bridge : good morning Randle how’s it look?

Randle: the sector is clear, the station has it’s patrols out, we’ll be jumping to AP in 10 Mizuras, we only have your 4 Hawks on board, so we can carry 20 of the new fighter an 2 of the transports if necessary,

James: very good, Ill just stand by till we get to AP then I’ll go and greet Commander Danna.

Randle: were ready to Jump,

James: Ok, go ahead, I’m heading to the docking bay, have Jeff, Mike, Sam and Tracy meet me there. As James entered the bay he felt the transition between normal space and hyper space, then back to normal space, he dealt with his equilibrium for a few Sezuras then continued over to were Jeff and Tracy were waiting, Mike and Sam joined them as James heard the announcement that a ship was landing, he watched the docking doors open and the Nava enter, after it settled down an the door opened he walked over to greet Ban,

As Commander Danna exited the ship, James extended his hand, welcome aboard Ban,

Ban: thank you, I saw your ship enter the sector and flew over,

James: I have breakfast for you follow me to the mess hall and we can talk there,

Ban good I haven’t eaten yet, it will be good to get a good meal.

James: led the way to the mess hall, saw that the table had been set up with coffee and juice, he offered the head seat to Ban,

Ban sat down, and the others follow suit, the steward was there to pore coffee and Juice, then he took orders for breakfast. And left

Ban: I think I have enough help for you, I’ve got 25 pilots 3 transport pilots and 20 carrier personnel ready to come aboard wit about 20 more due in tomorrow,

James that’s wonderful news, Ill put them to work,

Ban: most of them had retired from the navy and were looking for work, so I snatched them up, some were due to retire soon, so I had them transferred, Let me know if you need any more.

James: I sure will,

Randle walked up: the personnel are transferring over from argon 1 we’ll jump to KE as soon as everyone is on board.

James: thank you, have a seat,

Randle sat down and a steward walked up pored him some coffee checked the others for refills and took Randle’s order, then left.

It wasn’t long before 2 steward pushed carts over to the table and passed out the orders, checked to see who needed refills and left.

Ben: I cant wait to see that new carrier, I think I can get the funds for one but I need three to fill the gaps I have, if its as good as the Phoenix 2 Ill be happy,

James: this one we are calling Phoenix 3 it does not have the station deployment capability but it has a larger hanger for 75 fighters and 2 transports and more storage areas along with a repair bay for 10 fighters.


Ben: that sounds like just what I need,

Tracy: will I have a full complement of fighters?

James: I plain on 50 Hawks and 2 sparrows for you that leaves 25 slots for captured ships,

Tracy: I love it I’ll have my own fleet,

James, and a lot of responsibility to keep my ships safe.

Tracy: I’ll do my best.

James: that all I can ask for.

Randle: I’ve been informed that all of the personnel are aboard and were ready to jump to PC,

James: good, Ben join us on the bridge?

Ben sure,

Jeff: I’m heading to the landing bay,

Mike: I’ll join you incase we need to launch

Sam: wait on me,

James, Ben and Tracy followed Randle to the bridge,

Randle enter the bridge: set course to jump point, prepare to jump to PC

Navigator: course laid in, engaging engines,

Communications: gate notified awaiting permissions,

Navigator: arrived at jump point,

Communications: permission granted,

Navigator: jumping, entering sector Power circle, setting course to HQ, engaging engines,

Communications: docking granted

James was watching the screens saw the sector patrol fly by, and saw the HQ station come into view,

Navigator: entering docking path, cutting engines, engaging maneuvering thrusters, docking,

Randle: secure ship open hatch,

James: I’m going to talk to Thresica, let me know when were ready to leave, and exits the bridge with Commander Danna and Tracy in tow. James exited the ship and found Thresica standing near the hatch way,

Thresica: hi James, commander Danna, Tracy, I have the pilots loading, can I go with you to KE?

James: sure lets get onboard so we can leave as soon as the pilots are on board, there a lot of new personnel that you need to get information from any way, turns and reenters the ship, heads to the landing bay were the new personnel were gathered,

Thresica enters the landing bay: o my I’ll need some help with this,

James: I’ have Mike 4 Jeff help you ok and waves Jeff over, Jeff help Thresica while I find Mike,

Jeff: be glad to and walks over to were Thresica was,

James wonders thru the bay and finds Mike talking to some Pilots, Mike I need you to help Thresica Sam you can help to

Sam: wilco and follows Mike

James then headed to the bridge to check on the loading,

James enter the bridge: Randle hoes the loading going?

Randle: Slowly we have some people dragging butt trying to check out the ship thru observation window, I have some security people trying to get them on board so we can leave give me 5 Mizuras,

James: ok Ill give you 10 Mizuras, then I want to be moving,

Randle: will do,

James moved to a empty seat and sat down.

James was looking the sector screen, and watched the patrol go by, he heard Randle tell the navigator to prepare to undock, he looked over at Randle and got the high sine, James got up and walked over to Randle,

Randle: loading complete,

James: good, I’m going down to the loading bay, let me know when we dock in KE,

Randle: roger

James left the bridge and headed to the landing bay, Upon entering He saw 4 lines that was being process in, He walked up to Thresica : how much longer?

Thresica: were all most done, the data pads are correlating the information and sending it to the HQ computer that made it easer for us,

James: good we’ll be jumping soon, James then went over to Jeff,

James: how is it going,

Jeff, ok I guess, I’ve got two more people to enter then I’m done

James: just wanted to let you know were jumping soon, then James herd the docking hood release, he couldn’t feel the ship move but knew it was, then shortly he felt the ship go into hyper space and back again, I guess were in KE, when he heard the alarm go off

James opened his communicator, Randle what is it?

Randle: we picked up 4 Pirates attacking a freighter between us and the station,

James: to the ship we got work to do,

Mike, Sam, and Jeff ran to there ships while the crowd cleared a path to the docking doors,

Mike and Sam lifted off first followed by Jeff then James,
James watched as the tgts were numbered and ships identified 2 busters and 2 falcons, Mike & Sam tgts 1&3 Jeff tgt 2, Jake set intercept to tgt 4

Jake Roger, course set engaging boosters

James watched as the Pirated kept attacking the freighter, no sector police were to be found, Jake warn off the pirates,

Jake roger, tgt entering firing range, message sent,
James heard the response F**k Y*u

James engage,

Jake firing missiles engaging with main guns, tgts scattering, tgt shields at 50% tgt fleeing tgt 1 disabled tgt 2 shields at 24% tgt 3 evading shields at 40% tgt 4 shields at 20%,
James heard a communication from tgt2 I surrender stop shooting, Jeff told him to eject

Jake tgt 3 destroyed, tgt 4 shields at 13% pilot ejecting,

James cap the ship scan it send it to the ship yard,
Jake: wilco

Mike: I got 1 buster and the Pilot, what do you want me do with them?

James: send the ship to the ship yard, hold the pilot and pick up the others then take them to the Phoenix,

Randle: Ill have a security team standing b,

James: roger, Jake contact the freighter,

Jake: communication open,

James: saw a small baron, he looked like he was sick,

Baron: Ttannkss ffor yyourrs helps, I am gggrattfulle tto yyou.

James: you are welcome are you all right, do you need assistance?

Baron: Is fine jjust sscard, I canmmake it tto sstion,

James; good, bye

Baron: hhows much I oowe yyou

James: nothing

Baron: Tttanks ttoo youus

James closed the connection and turns his ship toward the Phoenix1:

Jake lets land on the phoenix
Jake: roger

James watched as his ship fell in line behind Sam and landed, then exited the ship to an applause of the group on the landing bay, looking confused Jeff walked up,

Jeff: Randle put the whole fight on the screens for then to watch,

James smiled and walked over to Thresica, did we do it right?

Thresica smiled then leaned over to give him a hug : yes, you did.

James: thank you and turned to the crowd: that is what we do, thank you.

Randle: the ship is preparing to dock,

James felt the ship come to an abrupt stop then heard the docking clamps take hold, and then the bay doors opened and the ramp was in place, he walked out of the ship onto the docking bay were Salas was waiting,

Salas: thank you for helping, the baron government thanks you, and I thank you, the freighter you saved belongs to me, and the pilot is a distant cousin, he was carrying equipment for the ship yard, how can I repay you,

James: just keep my ships coming,

Salas: Ill go one better, we now have ship repair nano bots that can repair the ship while under attack, I will install the system on your new carrier free of charge,

James: thank you, and will you let me get it for all of my ships?

Salas: yes I can do that at cost,

James thank you, James noticed that Commander Danna was walking down the ramp with Tracy, Thresica, Randle, Jeff, Mike and Sam following,

James: Salas I would Like to show the new carrier to Commander Danna, ok

Salas: sure it yours as soon as I transfer the registration over to you, give me your data pad and I will do that now, along with the other ships,

James hands over his data pad and turns to greet the group, we will go to the carrier shortly,

Salas: I have had most of the ships loaded on the carrier except for 10 fighters that were finished this morning, and 6 super transports; we will use my transit vehicle,

James motion to the others to load on the transit,

When the transit was loaded, James climes onboard and Salas took off,
He winded thru the station up to a check point, and gave his pass to the guard,

The guard scanned the card then handed it back and opened the bay door,

Salas drove thru the door down a corridor to another one and the guard here opened the door and waved them thru.

Inside was he carrier it looked huge, but rarely do you get this close to the outside of one,
It looked magnificent it was jet black and it didn’t look like a fish that was know for the race,

Salas: drove around the carrier, to the opened bay door that had a ramp placed leading up to the bay floor, Salas drove up the ramp and into the bay, Inside the bay James saw the fighters lined along the sides, it look like the bay was full, James noted that Commander was looking at the lines of fighters with a since of longing on his face,

Salas, stopped half way down the bay and the group unloaded,

James: Salas you have surprised me again, this is Magnificent, and I will put it to good use.

Salas: I am glade, you are a most favored customer.

James: can we see the rest of the ship,

Salas; this way please,

The group followed, they entered a lift that would take them to the bridge, as they entered the bridge, James noted that the layout was totally different from the Phoenix 2 and Sales had the interior more on the Argon standards, It had the best command layout that James had ever seen The Commanders seat was sat upon a raised platform with a seat on each side of the command seat, the communications center was off to the left, the it had a navigation section down front closer to the large screen, the engineer section was on the right, with security section near the entrance, and another section he did not recognize,

Tracy: this is wonderful as she walked around the bridge looking at each station and noted that there were extra seats at each station, then she went up to the command seat and sat down, as she did a holographic screen appeared to her right, Tracy studied the screen for a few sezuras, then touched the screen and the main screen came on showing the outside of the ship,

Tracy: I think I can run the ship from my seat,

Salas: yes you can it’s a new configuration we have acquired, and the layout was done by our Argon engineer,

Commander Danna: may I check out the command seat,

Tracy: sure and she got up and the screen shut down,

Ban: Thank you he climbed up on the command platform and sat down, the screen appeared Ban studied it then started going thru the ship systems checking out weapons load outs, engine tunings steering tunings shields and power plant output, cargo and landing bay configurations, after 5 mizuras, Ban got up and walked down to Salas,

Ban: if I can get the funding how long would it take to build one of these?

Salas: I must say a mazura but I would have to get permissions to use the engines and power plant and other equipment that James and Josh, and the fighters are James the Transport’s are Josh’s

Ban: I’m sure I can get Josh to approve it. And James is right here ask him,

Salas: looked over to James

James nodded, and said tell you what Ill have another one built and let you test it for me,

Ban: you would do that?

James: yes for Argon defenses, but its Just a lone for now,

Ban; I’m grateful to you, and it will give me a leverage to use against the Senate committee.

James: ok Salas 1 more of these with full ship complement, and add the hull repairing system, I want to make sure I get it back in one peace,

Salas: ok one mazura

James: Tracy download Our AI, and get your crew on board, Mike, Sam will you help her.

Mike: be glad to

Sam: sure and walks over to the security section and looks for the transporter control’s,

Thresica: I would like to stay onboard ok?

James: sure

Jeff: Ill transport back and get the people ready and assign the pilots for the other ships

James: fine I’m going to make the fund transfer, I’ll be back soon, and follows Salas out to the lift,

They loaded onto the transit vehicle and Salas drove to his office and entered, Salas still had James’ data pad, Do you want me to deduct al costs?

James: yes if there is not enough in the account let me know, and I’ll have it transferred over.

Salas made a few calculations and tapped in the amount, in a few Sezuras, the computer announced, transfer complete, Salas: thank you I’ll place the orders shortly.

James: thank you , I will head back to my ship call me if any problems arise.

Salas: I will, travel good.

James left the office and headed to the Phoenix 3, James arrived at the docking bay were the Phoenix 3 was berth look at the ship, at was truly magnificent as he approached the landing ramp and walked up it into the hanger, there were a lot of pilots looking over the ships, yes he say to him self this will be a good ship for it mission, he headed to the lift and was soon on the bridge he saw that the stations were manned he walked up the ramp to the command area and stopped beside Tracy, : status report,

Tracy: were just about ready to depart the station, all of my crew is aboard along with the pilots, 10 fighters are on board Phoenix 1 along with 2 transports 4 transports are standing by to depart Jeff is in one of them, she reported,

James: good, lets get this baby out an see what she will do,

Tracy My pleasures, James took a seat next to Thresica and Ban, and asked what do you think so far?

Ban: I like the way this ship is laid out, it has the defiance capability of a destroyer and the offence capability of a carrier, if it can do the job of both it will change the way we align our fleets. If I can get the funding,

James: I’ll let you know how it does in Aladna Hill once we train the pilots and Tracy get her crew trained,

Thresica: will you be staying on this ship with her?

James: yes for a while,

Tracy: undocking, departing station,

James watched the screens as the ship left the lit docking bay in to the blackness of space, he could hardly feel the rumble of the ships engines, as the ship gained speed and moved away from the station, then he noticed the transports moving to join up, then he saw the Phoenix 1 depart the station heading toward them,

Security: sector is green, weapons on stand by

Navigation: course set for jump point,

Engineering: shields at 100% engines at 30% and rising

Tracy who already knew this from her displays, Notify the other ships, We’ll jump as a group to PC,

Communications: message sent,

Navigation:: standing by for jump,

Communications: Ships report ready and standing by, gate notified, ready,

Navigation: Jumping in 5,4,3,2,1 Jumping, entering sector Power Circle,
Course set fir HQ, engines engaged,

Tracy: roger continue to station, then looks over to James that was a smooth transition,

James: yes it was, the ship moves good I cant wait to see the speed trials, we’ll start training the pilots this after noon that gives you some time to spend with them, I’ll talk to my partners and we’ll set up the training, looks over to Thresica I guess we stay in PC for a few tazuras or a wozuras at the most, will you notify Melissa that we will be needing uniforms and jackets for the crew,

Thresica: ok, and Ill get the paper work to Anjanette to finish,

James; ok , I’ll be using the conference room this morning to plan training for the new pilots, James pulls out his communicator and calls Jeff,

Jeff: wats up,

James: get Mike and Sam and meet me in the conference room,

Jeff: ok, see you in 5,

James puts his communicator away and headed to the office with Thresica,

As they entered Anjanette: good morning I saw the video of the new ships entering the sector It looked wonderful,

James: thank you,

Thresica: here go thru the data on the new personnel and complete the files and get them into the payroll data base, and back up the data,

Anjanette: ok and takes the data pad,

Thresica: I’ll be in my office till lunch if you need me, turns and walks away,

James headed to the conference room, ordered some coffee and snakes from the cafeteria, and sits down, opens up his data pad and logs into the network, locates the training outlines that had been created, and imports the pilot lists,

Jeff, Mike and Sam walk into the room and takes seats,

James: we have a large group of pilots to train, I think we should take them out in groups of two, and run them thru the simulations,

Jeff: can we use some of the pilots from HQ and Phoenix 1 to assist,

James that sound good to me,

Mike: I think this would be a good time to try out the new communications device that I have been working on that allows us to communicate thru the ships communication system even when were not on the ship, Let me get some and show you.

James: ok hurry back. Mikes leaves the conference room just as the refreshments that James had ordered arrive.

James had then set the trays on the table, and helped him self to coffee and pastry,


Jeff and Sam helped them self’s

Mike arrived back, and passed out the new communication gear, and showed the others how to operate it,

James was the first to us it calling Jake,

Jake: how may I be of service?

James: rout me thru to Tracy,

Jake: roger, Phoenix 3 is on line,

James: Tracy

Tracy: yes

James how is my communication coming thru?

Tracy: 5 by 5

James: good we are trying out some new communication gear, thank you and closes the link. I think this will work out ok, what about encryptions?

Mike: it is as secure as our ships systems since it goes thru them,

James and it cant be intercepted?

Mike yes it can but unless they have our cipher codes they cant understand it and it sounds like air rush until it goes thru the encryption decode process.

James: ok we’ll try it out, how long before you have enough for all of our personnel?

Mike I already have it I just need to pass it out.

James: good have a drone do that.

Mike: ok,

James: we can start the training after lunch, I’ll meet you on the Phoenix 3 docking bay, and the group broke up, James looked at his watch he still had an stazuras before lunch, He called Jake, Jake move the ship to the Phoenix 3,

Jake: roger,

James walked to Thresica’s office, knocked and opened the door, How’s it going?

Thresica: I’ve found a manager for the ore mine, but I am having problems with the Crystal fab, I’ll check again after lunch,

James: did Commander Danna head back to AP?

Thresica: yes right after we landed here, he took off,

James I hope he gets the funding he needs.

Thresica: I was nice of you to loan him the carrier,

James: I may give it to him for all the help he has done for me if the senate don’t provide the funding for him, anyway would you like to have lunch with me.

Thresica: sure give me a sezura, to close down my system.

James: ok,

Thresica finished shutting down her system and led the way out of the office, and headed to the lounge,

James opened and held the door for her and they went to the private dining room and took a seat by the observation window,

James looked around the dining room and noticed that it was quite full, Is it all ways this busy here?
Thresica: yes this is empty compared to what it usually is, if this table did not have the reserved sign on it would be used most of the time, and there has been times the this table is used,

Ruby walked up: Hi Thresica what can I get you for lunch?

Thresica: how about a argnu stake sandwich with a salad no dressing and Ice Tea,

Ruby: and what can I get for you Mr. Hawk,

James smiled at her: I’ll have a stake sandwich with fries and salad with ranch dressing, and coffee

Ruby: I’ll be right back with your drinks, and left

Thresica: all of the shops here are reporting high sales, and the station room are always at 90 to 95 % in use shipping is doing well and we have to turn down a lot of requests, I have been thinking of increasing My staff,

James: that’s good, and if you need more personnel get them, I can increase the transports but not the escorts for a while,

Thresica: the HQ has already earned three times it cost in profits, and growing all the time all of its shops are leased for 3 Jazura some ask for a 5 Jazura contract, our escorts stay busy, I was going to suggest another station here, but that may be too much for now unless it was a crystal fab.

James: I’ll consider it,

Ruby returned with a carafe of coffee and a pitcher of tea set them on the table and pored a glass of tea for Thresica and a cup of coffee for James, I’ll be right back with your meals, and left

Thresica: is that a new communication device? As she point to the ear piece James had,

James: Yes, we are trying it out, Mike designed it to work with the ships communication system,

Thresica: does it work?

James: yes, Mike is having them distributed to our employees, this is a hands free device and from what I understand it is completely secure,

Thresica: good, I get so tired of pulling out me communicator all of the time,

Ruby returned with there meals and passed them out, as Mike and Jeff arrived and took seats

Mike, kind of crowded here isn’t it?

James: Yes it is,

Ruby: business has been high for the last Mazura, Can I take your orders

Mike and Jeff ordered stake sandwich and fries,

Ruby: ok Ill put a rush on it and left.

Mike handed a communication device to Thresica, and explained how to use it.

Thresica: I’ve heard about it from James I was wondering when I would get one, as she hooked it behind her ear,

Mike: yours will use the station communication system,

Thresica: I’ll try it out later and see how it works,

Jeff: I’ve used it to contact Howard, and Chris, Howard says he is a Tazura ahead of schedule, and Chris is on his way to Aladna Hill,

James: good, I’ll talk to him tonight and check on the progress,

Ruby returned with there meals, passed them out and left.

They eat there meals in quite,

James that was a good meal, now t get some work done I’ll be on the landing bay if you need me, got up placed a gold coin on the table , and left

James entered the landing bay and went to his ship, Jake prepare training program 3, notify two teams to prepare to leave station in 10 mizuras,

Jake: roger teams notified,

James: ok, do a systems check and let me know when there ready to depart,

Jake: roger, starting systems check.

James changed and put on a flight suit, grabbed his helmet, and strapped in to his seat,

Jake: systems check complete all systems good,

James checked the weapons load out then looked at the system scans, Jake prepare to undock and move to this point as he marked the sector scanner ,

Jake: roger, hatch secured, undocking, departing station, course laid in engaging engines,

Jake: navigation plot reached, holding position,

James watched the scanner noted Hawk 2,3 and 4 departure from the station and head to there positions, heard Mike tell the trainees to undock and link up with there assigned instructors,

H96 & H97 reported to James that they were on station and ready to start training,

James: ok, H97 will wingman for 96 we’ll switch after the first run thru,

H97: roger,

H96: roger

James: selected a spot on the sector display and told H96 to move to the start point and select Training for the onboard AI, Jake select training program 5 and contact the onboard AI and send the scenario to it,

Jake: roger, AI linked, TP 5 sent, James watched as the 2 fighters approached the start point, and a transport image appeared and the instructions were sent to H96 , That he was to escort the transport to the mock trading station, when 96 acknowledged the orders, the transport started moving and 96 took up over watch position, then 4 mock pirate ships appeared on the screen and headed toward the transport, 96 warned them off, and the pirated turned to engage the fighters with missiles, 96 selected the pirate that he wanted his wing man to attack then headed toward the pirate ships with his boosters engaged, and launched his own missiles, while his wingman did the same to his own tgt and sent two missiles to the tgt following his, 96 opened up with main guns and engaged his turret auto defense systems that immediately locked on to the incoming missiles and took them out, while the tgt tried to evade the missiles launched at him, and 96 closed on the tgt and continued to pound it with his main guns, till the shields failed and the ship blew up then 96 started engaging the next tgt within range, the tge launched missiles and tried to evade the incoming fire, but 96 stayed on him till its shields failed and it blew up, then 96 moved to support his wing man, who was servicing his second tgt and destroyed it.
96 instructed his wing man to follow him as he turned back to his over watch position.

Then the transport landed, 96 was issued new orders to move to patrol position indicated on his sector map, 96 rogered the order and moved to the position indicated, 97 stayed in his wingman position, once 96 confirmed he was in position, the AI started the next training session, ten Xeon ships appeared on the screen, 96 reported the sighting and requested assistance, and told his wing man which tgts to engage with missiles, as he select his own to engage, the AI reported that assistance would arrive in 10 mizuras, to try to hold position, 96 rogered the orders and waited till the tgts were within missile range then engaged the tgts , and registered three kills leaving 7 to be engaged with 10 more showing up as follow on group, 96 started engaging the first 7tgt with his wing man helping, 96 set his AI to auto defense, and 97 also selected auto defense as they avoided incoming fire and continued to engage tgts, as the first ten ship had been destroyed or disable the reinforcements showed up and relived 96, 96 was then ordered to land on the station for ammo resupply,96 rogered the orders and he and his wing man flew back to the station, on the way back they were attacked by 4 Falcons, 97 was the first to be targeted by missiles and warned 96 and they split up while the turrets were engaging the missiles, 96 was the first to get on the tails of the attacking Falcons, and launched her own missile attack along with engaging the closest one with main guns, the missiles caused the attackers to evade while 97 got on their 6’s and opened fire, two of the attackers were destroyed while the other tried to flee, The hawk’s went to boosters and caught up with the fleeing Falcons and took their shields down one pilot ejected the other was destroyed, and 96 called to report the attack, and asked for instructions,

James: answered, good job land on the station, and stopped the training scenario, and follow them in. noting that Jeff and Mike were returning to the station also.

James landed and waited for Jeff and Mike, James told his trainees to check out there ships that he would call them when he was ready to debrief them and they walked to there ships, James: Jeff, Mike meet me in the conference room, then walked toward the office, and walked in, Thresica was conferring with Anjanette and looked up at James Back already?

James: yes I finished my first and want to confer with Jeff and Mike, send them in when they arrive,

Thresica: sure

James walked into the conference room and opened his data pad and brought up the training review for to days cession, the score was 92% and James looked to see why 8 points had been lost, the program showed that the pilot had failed to evade some incoming fire causing the shields to drop by 10 %, then he looked at the wing man score, 96% he had lost 4 points for not trying to cap a ship, that the computer thought he should have, James did note that he had kept his AI on auto defense throughout the engagement, that what help him react to the mock attack so fast,

Jeff and Mike walked in at that time, and took seats, and opened there data pads and each shared the training events for the day, James noted that 1 pilot had gotten an 80% and looked to see why, ok he had set the AI to fly while he used the gun controls and had missed a lot of shots and was slow taking out the tgts, and was docked for it,

James: Mike you will have to debrief Eleanor Tate in private and set up some simulator time for her.

Mike: I know,

James: ok lets take a break then we can take the next group out, we may be able to finish up 32 of the pilots to day, and Sam walked in at that time and sat down his data pad,
Sam said that he had added an extra scenario for his trainees and had them switch positions and they still scored 98% each Elnora Vargas, and Bernice Norman make a good team, Elnora Vargas had been a Maj in the argon navy and had commanded a fighter wing Bernice Norman Had been a Cap in the navy and was a flight leader,

James: very good we may put there skills to use, make a not to look at them for Patrol leaders maybe a CAG for Elnora,

Sam: Roger, and he looked at the others sessions, they all are impressive,

James: that what we look for, take a short break notify the next group to prep there ships.

Jeff: roger

James left the office area and walked back to his ship,

James entered his ship, Jake prepare to undock,

Jake: roger, hatch secured, dock clamps released,

James: move to start point,

Jake: exiting station, thrusters engaged, start position, holding station,

James heard Mike tell the trainees to depart ship and move to start point.
Mike assigned H104 Jacklyn Manning&105 Judy Hawkins to me,

James watched as they exited the ship and fly to the start point,


James: Jacklyn you will be the team leader for this training exercise, and Judy will be your wingman

Jacklyn: roger

Judy: roger

James: I am uploading the first scenario now, follow the AI instructions,

Jacklyn: roger

Judy: roger

James: Jake move to selected point

Jake: roger.

As James ship approached the start point James started the scenario,

AI: for this training exercise H104 will escort a transport H105 will fly as wing man, Your mission will be to protect the transport till it reaches the assigned station,

Jacklyn: roger, transport identified, assuming escort position,

104 & 105 followed the transport as it moved toward a trading station, then 4 ships identified as pirates headed toward the transport,

Jacklyn: unidentified ships change your heading or we will engage you,

The pirate ships turned toward H104, Pirate: you better leave this area or we will take your ships also,

Jacklyn: Judy follow me and Jacklyn turned to intercept the pirates,
Set her AI on auto defense, and marked two tgts for missiles, and kicked in the boosters,
Launched the missiles and opened fire on the tgt the tgt fired missiles at Jacklyn, her turret fired at the missiles and destroyed them as Jacklyn opened up with her main guns the tgts shields were dropping rapidly and the pilot ejected, Jacklyn turned to engage the other tgt that was turning to engage Judy and found itself taking fire and tried to evade but Jacklyn stayed on it and the pilot ejected. Judy had finished off her first tgt and was engaging the second when Jacklyn joined in and the ship was destroyed before the pilot could eject,

Jacklyn: Judy cap the three falcons,

Judy: roger

Jacklyn called for the sector police to pick up the pilots and dropped markers for the police to navigate to.

Jacklyn then joined up with the transports, Judy capped the three Falcons and sent them to the trading station,

The transports docked with the trading station, and the scenario ended.

AI: H105 take lead and move to patrol station marked on your sector map report any enemy ships that enter the sector. H104 will assume wingman position,

Judy acknowledge the order and headed to the patrol point.

Judy checked her scanner, noted that Jacklyn was on her left rear.

Judy reported that she was in position and starting her patrol rout.

Shortly a Klaak cruiser with 10 fighters entered the sector,

Judy reported that a Klaak cruiser and ten fighters had entered sector, requested assistance and that she was moving to keep surveillance on the Klaak ships, until help arrived.

Two of the Klaak ships left the formation turned and headed toward Judy,

Judy: Jacklyn engage tgt 2

Jacklyn: Roger and turned to intercept the tgt, Jacklyn launched two missiles at the tgt and engaged boosters’ to engage when she entered firing range she opened up with main guns.

Judy engaged her boosters and launched 1 missile at her tgt ,

Jaclyn’s first missile was destroyed but the second one hit knocking the shields down to 23% when she opened up with her main guns the tgt was destroyed. She then turned to assist Judy

Judy’s missile was destroyed and she opened with main guns while trying to evade incoming fire from the tgt she brought the tgts shields down to 30 % when Jacklyn engaged the tgt disabling its engines, Judy targeted the guns and engaged them till the tgt stopped firing, the ship was disabled and its weapons destroyed,

Jacklyn: we have four Klaak inbound,

Judy: ok lets engage them you take tgt 2 & 4,

Jacklyn: roger and engaged the boosters to get within firing range and launched 2 missiles at each tgt,
Had her AI to cap the ship as she engaged the boosters and head toward her tgts she launched 2 missiles at each tgt and opened up with main guns her first tgt exploded and caused additional damage to the other tgt, Judy turned and engaged it with main guns and it exploded she flew thru the debris and looked at Jaclyn’s tgt 1 was disabled and floating in space the other one was almost destroyed with its shields at 5% then it exploded Judy caped the disabled ship and sent both to the trading dock.

Jacklyn: it looks like the cruiser and the other 4 ships are heading toward us, lets move in fast and launch two hornet missiles at the cruiser and two wasp missiles each at the fighters then engage the fighters try to avoid the cruiser till the fighters are out of play,

Judy: roger on your command

Jacklyn sent a report 4 Klaak fighters destroyed two captured and heading to the trading dock preparing to engage the Klaak cruiser and 4 fighters, out Judy engage boosters ready hornet missiles, fire.

Jacklyn raced by the cruiser and launch her two hornet missiles selected wasp and sent them at the fighters while the turrets were engaging tgts one fighter took two missiles and exploded the other was able to avoid the missiles and was turning to engage when Jacklyn opened up with her main guns causing the ship to lose control and crash into the cruiser and exploded, the cruiser was turning to engage it’s shields were at 60% Jacklyn accelerated to stay out of the cruisers range and turned to engage the last fighter both Judy and Jacklyn opened up on the fighter and it exploded, they turned and launched more missiles at the cruiser at shields fell to 20% and had slowed down, and launched missiles of its own, Jacklyn engaged the missiles coming at her and launched 2 hornets at the cruiser and opening up with her main guns while Judy got behind the cruiser and engaged the engines and rear turret, the turret exploded and the cruiser came to a complete stop its engines were destroyed, its shields were at 12%, Jacklyn engaged the top turret, and Judy brought its shields down to 4%, the top turret exploded the cruiser was dead in space, Judy causally approached the cruiser and attempted to capture it, when it self destructed.

Jacklyn sent a report that all enemy had been destroyed, and was told to return to base.

Jacklyn acknowledged the order, :Judy rtb,

Judy: Roger

Jacklyn headed to the HQ, was about 40KM out when she heard a request for help, she looked at her scanner and saw a freighter under attack by four pirates, acknowledged the request and turned to intercept the pirates, : Judy lets take out these pirates,

Judy: roger, on your wing

Jacklyn engaged the boosters and targeted the closes pirate it was a falcon and marked two tgts for Judy, as the ship closed Jacklyn launched two missiles at each of her tgts and opened up with main guns as the pirate broke off its attack run toward the freighter and turned to engage Jacklyn,

Judy launched missiles at her tgts and opened up with main guns,

Jacklyn was dodging incoming shots and kept constant fire on the Falcon as it shields dropped below 10% the pilot ejected, Jacklyn turned and engaged the other falcon who had been hit by one of her missiles, it shields were at 50% when she opened up with her main guns and the shields dropped below 30%, and it tried to run, Jacklyn: surrender or be destroyed,

Pirate: I quite let me go.

Jacklyn: surrender and eject now.

Pirate: let me go

Jacklyn hit the ship with two more shots and its shields dropped to 9%,

Pirate: I’m ejecting ok, and he ejected,

Jacklyn: I’ll Have sector police pick you up, and dropped markers, then she scanned the ship for contraband found none and captured the ship and sent it to the HQ, then went to get the other one, Jacklyn noted that Judy had capped one ship and destroyed the other one,


Freighter Caption: thank you for your help I am landing on the trading station for repair meet me there and I’ll pay for your help,

Jacklyn: thank you for the offer, but we do not want payment, the rewards for the pirates will do.

Freighter Caption: Thank you, then closed the communications

Jacklyn called for sector police to pick up the pirates, then Jacklyn sent a message to HQ advising them that she was waiting for sector police to pick up 4 pirates,

James watching the drama unfold and watched the pilots performance, then he contacted Jacklyn, :Jacklyn proceed to HQ and stand by for debrief, I’ll give you 30 Mizuras to perform after operation checks,

Jacklyn: roger and she headed toward the dock

James contacted SP and sent them the engagement report, then contacted the Transport Captain and sent him the company information and told him that he could hire the escort services,

Transport Captain: thank you and I will check out the services you offer.

James watched as SP picked up the pilots, then headed to the HQ dock, wondering how he was going to Wright this one up. James landed and left the ship headed to the briefing room,

Entered and found Mike, Jeff, and Sam waiting on him

Jeff: what took you so long we been finished 15 Mizuras ago,

James: my trainees ran into a transport being attacked by 4 pirates and rendered aid, capturing 3 falcons and destroying one, allowing the transport to dock at the trade center, the transport Capt. offered to pay them but they declined, and SP picked up the 4 pilots, I think they thought it was part of the training scenario,


Mike: good one for them,

Sam: and you didn’t tell them any difference,

James: no but they will find out when they find that some real missiles have been fired,

Jeff: I bet that will shake them up, not knowing which was real or training,

James : yes it will but that’s the way we designed the training, wasn’t it ?

Mike: I guess but it nice to know that it works.

James for the training they scored 96% I’ll have to go over the program to see where it docked them at. James view the report found were the AI had cut them (4pts for improper missile use, ) and edited it for a 2 pt deduction that gave them a score of 98%
Making a note that the onboard AI should have fired the second missile, and a note to have it checked out.

The others agreed with his evaluation, and decided to give Jacklyn and Judy an option of keeping the ships or taking the bonus and assigning them with 2 Captures each.

James called for Jacklyn and Judy to report to the briefing room.

Judy knocked on the door.

Mike opened the door and invited the them in, and told them to have a seat,

James: I have looked at your training scores for to day and you received 98% on the training missions, the last engagement you were in was not part of the training and you have an option of keeping the falcons’ you captured, or receiving the bonus for capping them along with receiving two captures apiece.

Judy: I was wondering why I was 4 missiles short while doing the after ops on my ship.
So your saying that we did save that merchant from the pirates?

James: yes you did and it was a good engagement.

Jacklyn: is that for real? The engagements all looked so real I couldn’t tell the difference.

James: that why we say train to fight and fight like you train, we make it as real as possible.

Judy: I’ll take the falcon I always wanted one, were can I get the damage repaired?

James: the carrier is all ready fixing them and upgrading them, for you.

Jacklyn: I’ll take the falcon also, is it possible to get the AI we used to day installed on them?

James: I’m sorry but the AI is not for general use, but you mite ask Mike to improve the one in it for you. The other Falcons will be fixed and upgraded for new recruits’, is that ok with you?

Judy: yes , I cant believe this its wonderful,

Jacklyn: yes, that’s fine with me, when can I fly it?

James: after the repairs are done, should be ready in 2 Tazuras, Also I’m making you both team leaders, do you have any questions?

They both said no and left the briefing room.

James: I suggest we continue the training tomorrow,

The others agreed,

Mike: I want to check on the progress of the ship upgrades,

Jeff: I’ll start setting up teams for Phoenix 3,

Sam: I’m going to work on my ships weapons, I think I can improve the output and recharge rate,

James: see you at Dinner, and left to see Thresica,

James enters Thresica’s office: Hi how are we doing to day?

Thresica: I got a message from Captain Desmond, thanking us for capturing four pirates and said that the bounties of 2,600,00 and the rewards of 1,600,00 will be deposited to our account. Who was patrolling to day?

James: that was my two trainees, who got the call and helped a transport from being hijacked,

Thresica: you let trainees do an engagement!

James: I was there and they were doing a great job ,I gave them a promotion and a falcon each

Thresica: I guess you know what your doing.

James: I’m going to get cleaned up will you meet me for dinner and you can fill me in on how the business is doing,

Thresica: ok see you at 7:00 in the lounge ok

James: ok, bye and leaves the office and heads to his suite.

When James arrived at his suite he was meet by Maxwell Gilmore the Security Chief,

Maxwell: good evening James Just checking security before I turn in.

James: ok, is every thing ok?

Maxwell: yes sir

James: good night, and enters his suite.
James enters his bed room and gets ready for bed.

[Ramius85]

Long awaited, thanks for not disappointing!

[collins50]

Your welcome,
Been bussy with the ice storm, no power for 4 days, were back up and running thanks.

[Ramius85]

I know there are still people here in KY that don't have power. Are you here in KY or points northeast?

[collins50]

Im in Elizabethtown, Ky

[Ramius85]

WOW thats not far at all, I'm staying bundled up here in Berea. Thankful to still have power.