The Test
Chapter 2
The Aid had did all the testing and Peter was found fit for employment or training and his time in medical was about to come to a end. All that remained was the testing to get recertified for piloting spacecraft.
Peter had been studying the laws and guidebooks and was ready to take the test. The Aid went with Peter to watch how he did in the simulators. On the way he seen the Argon Security Director for the Station and stopped to talk to him as Peter went on ahead to get started.
[Aid] “Director I thank you should reconsider Mr. Stone as a part of the security force I am through with his testing and whatever he went through has enhanced about all of his abilities up way above normal.”
[Director] “He could have been genetically modified.”
[Aid] “We tested for that and his DNA is clear and we don’t know what or how it was done he just is.”
[Director] “Well that makes me trust him even less what do you want anyway?”
[Aid] “I want you to test how he reacts to a threat. I thank he was a spook of some kind.”
[Director] “And how do you thank I can help you to test him for that?”
[Aid] “Get someone to act like he a robber or pull a pistol on him something to see how he reacts to a real surprising threat.”
[Director] “What if he kills or hurts the one doing the threading?”
[Aid] “We did a in-depth psychological test on him. He is not a killer but is more of a defender with a high moral ethical. For an example I asked him what if he found out he use to be a criminal of some kind. He told me even if he had been he wasn’t now and wasn’t going to be either and I believe him.”
[Director] “Your to attached to your patient. I’ll help you out with the testing I have a Guard that I actually wouldn’t mind if your Patient hurt him a little. But first you must get him to agree to the test we can’t just have someone attack him he must agree to the test. I’ll be at the entrance of the Argon section you scratch the side of your right ear with your first two fingers if it’s a go. If its not you cough with a closed fist over your mouth if I don’t see you do either one it’s a no go I’ll be in the information booth talking to the receptionist.”
[Aid] “I can do that. If he does well with the flight testing and shows that he can defend himself like a pro will you give him an approval his license for fighter escort?”
[Director] “I knew their was some kind of catch to this! Was his old license approved for fighter escort service?”
[Aid] “Yes along with a counseled weapons and guard endorsement but you know that already. We’re about to cut him loose and he’ll be needing a job and the more options he has the better off he’ll be.”
[Director] “If he test alright I’ll approve him for fighter escort. If he takes my man down like a pro I’ll approve him for light security but no counseled weapons just a stunner and defense weapons.”
[Aid] “What about the weapons we took from his ship?”
[Director] “He’s a long way from getting them back! If he does well like we talked about I‘ll do what I said. The next step in his climb back up is getting authorization to carry a handgun not the stuff I have locked up.
And have him turn in those pistols he has in his lockbox to me for safe keeping while he’s on the Station or until he get his ship fixed then he can store them on it but he better no be caught with a pistol on him anywhere until he get the authorization or he’ll go to detainment and stay there for quit a while.”
[Aid] “I’ll explain it to him. I’ll give you a call when we’re about to leave.”
[Director] “You do that! I’ll be ready you just remember the signals!”
Peter was already in the simulator taking the test when the Aid arrived and asked the instructor. “What level is he trying for?”
[Instructor] “He’s trying to re-qualify at the same level he was at, corvette class. If your waiting on him you’ll be here a while. I have to test him in light and heavy fighters, freighter and then corvette. Most fighter pilots or freighter have a hard time making the switch for one to the other. A fighter pilot will try and fly the freighter to fast and hit things. A freighter pilot will drag along in a fighter not being use to the speed. A small amount of Pilots are good at both and typically own both and fly each on a regular basis.”
[Aid] “I’m here to monitor his progress through out the testing on how he does in reaction time and decision making and we want a extra recording of it all for our records.”
[Instructor] “Do you have the paper work for that?’ [Aid] “Yes sir right here.”
The Aid handed him the paper work as the Instructor turned on the extra monitor so the Aid could watch and keep records on the test. The Instructor explained each score Peter was given as the simulation run the test.
[Instructor] “He has aced the test so far and has been approved for this part of the test lets see how he handles himself when he’s outnumbered and outgunned. This is one of hardest test for a pilot to pass only one out of a hundred can survive. If he takes these ships out he get a top rating in the small fighter class.”
As Peter dodged and weaved till he took out one of the light fighters. Then moved on to the next light fighter that was now staying close to the heavier medium class fighter. Which gave Peter time to retrieve the missiles dropped when the first light fighter exploded. As Peter made his run dodging fire from the attacking ships he was also draining their weapons energy as he fired just enough to keep them busy as he swung around and fired a missile at the medium fighter causing it to take evasive measures. Then Peter turned on the light fighter and fired till his weapons were about drained and fired a missile and turned to recharge his weapons as the fighter exploded in the background. Now the enemy ship had fired a missile at Peter as he checked the class he turned to evade opened fire and destroy it. As the missile exploded Peter fired his last missile at the now closing medium fighter that had opened fire on Peter as he evaded the shots in a wide swing to make his attacker follow him giving the missile time to reach it’s mark dropping his shields down. Peter turned onto the tail of the medium fighter and started his assault sweeping in every direction to stay on the tail of his enemy making every shot count while telling the pilot to eject until the ship exploded.
[Instructor] “Excellent job Mr. Stone that gave you a top rank in the small fighter class are you up to the next test or do you want a break?”
[Peter] “No I’m fine let’s keep going.”
As the Instructor started the next test he looked at the Aid. “Are you two trying to pull some kind of joke on me? I’m to busy for this kind of prank no one is that good while remaining as calm as he did!”
[Aid] “He is and that’s why I’m here to record and watch. He checks out normal but he’s far from any normal person I’ve ever met.”
[Instructor] “What is he then?”
[Aid] “We believe he was traveling through the next sector when the ship he was in was struck with some kind of solar flair caused by a asteroid crashing into the sun. He and his ship was found adrift in our sector near the gate. The flair fried his brain and wiped out his memory. His ship looks like a electrical storm went through it destroying everything. I thank somehow he got supercharged in the process.”
The Instructor laughed. “Supercharged you’re so funny now I know your kidding! Where’s the camera I don’t feel like fooling around pal I’m a busy Man!”
[Aid] “I’m not kidding you or pulling a prank You just keep going with the test and see for your self!”
As the test went on Peter aced it and the Instructor increased the qualifying level to the top rank.
And again Peter succeeded. Then again with the freighter class and then again with the corvette class.
[Instructor] “Alright he aced them lets see how he does in a real ship the last part of the test is in a M4 training ship I’ll start him out at the medium level and see how he does when its for real and go from their. They will be a Instructor in the ship with him incase he needs to take charge and disable his controls. The attacking ships will be under remote control by trained pilots. During the attack its made to look and feel real but the ships don’t really blow up or the shields fail so he’ll be safe it just want fill like it. But if his shield gauge ever drops to below 10% it’s game over and he fails that level.”
[Aid] “I’m watching just like you are remember I need recordings of the whole thing.”
As the ship enter the testing area the fight was on as Peter made easy work of the fighters in the first test.
A crowd was watching now as the test level went to the top after Peter aced the first test. The crowd was making bets on the next test while the Instructors were placing the ships in place for the finial test.
No one had ever made it through the top level off testing on the station so the crowd was starting to grow till the bays were filling up with spectators as Peter took control of the ship.
And as before the odds were three to one in the top rank as he faced up against two medium and one heavy fighter.
Peter played cat and mouse with the first medium ship that was playing hit and run trying to draw Peter into the line of fire of the other two ships. After Peter had managed to drop the shields of the ship playing hit and run with him down to about 50% and he ventured to far away from the group Peter turned and opened up on the ship. As he raced to returned to the circle of safety the other ships provided Peter fired a missile at each of the other ship causing them to split up and evade the missiles. While the heavy ships turret took out the missile tracking it the other ship wasn’t so lucky as it took a hit causing damage and dropping the shields down as he returned to the security of the heavy fighter the first ship was destroyed. Half the crowd gave a moan while some of them applauded and cheered showing which side they were for.
Peter fired a mosquito missile at the last medium fighter to lure it away from the heavy ship as he placed a folly of fire at the heavy ship to push it in the opposite direction as the medium fighter was headed.
Peter was in range of the last medium fighter when the missile hit no doing much damage other than splitting the two ships up. Peter fired his last mosquito at the heavy just to keep him busy while he made quick work of the medium fighter he was on the tail of. This ship had retrieved a pair of dropped wasp missiles from the first medium fighter Peter had taken out. The heavy fighter fired a missile at Peter his shields could take it so he stayed on the target firing. As the missile closed to a strike range he had taken a attack position below his opponent and in a quick move to a sharp climb up the missile tried to correct back onto Peter. As Peter pulled up out of the way it causing the missile to explode into the last medium fighter destroying it while two containers of missiles ejected into space. Peter turned and picked up two silkworm as the heavy ship hit Peter with a couple of shots from long range trying to explode the missiles before he could get them.
Peter hit the thrusters as he pulled away from the heavy ship till his shields recharged and the attack continued. The crowd was starting to get noisy after the second ship was taken out. A few good shots from the heavy fighter could destroy the ship Peter was in and the rear turret made a attack from the rear a bad choice but a better one than the big gun in front.
Peter dodged, turned, twisted, nose-dived and climbed over and over hitting the heavy ship randomly till he could get a clear shot strait into the turret. Then the process would start all over again the heavy fighter was getting weary after several runs and the stress was showing as he started making bad judgments in his counter moves. While Peter took advantage of the exhausted pilots mistakes and let the weapons fire fly hitting their mark until at last the turret was down.
Peter broke of to recharge his shields as the crowd went wild with excitement knowing the heavy fighter was done for now after watching Peter slice away at the ship with every run until he disabled the turret to stay on the tail of the heavy fighter till it exploded was a lot easier than what he had just done.
As Peter closed on the fighter a folly of missiles came at him as Peter shot one then another then had to evade the fire from the heavy fighter as he tried to take advantage of the missiles distracting Peter from the attack in a last ditch attempt as he fired every thing he had at Peter while trying to land as many shots on Peter’s ship as he could.
While Peter twisted as dodged incoming fire turning back just long enough to destroy a missile until at last they were all gone.
Peter pulled away again to recharge his shields to full as the crowd watched the fight in silence now as Peter made his last turn onto the tail of the heavy fighter and opened fire. The shields dropped little by little as Peter made each shot count as the big ship tried to shake him off his tail until at last it was over the heavy ship exploded and the test was over.
The crowd clapped at the success of the unknown Pilot that had just broke the record and made top rank as Peter and the heavy fighter Pilot returned to the station.
[Aid] “There’s quite a crowd here can you dock the ship somewhere else so Peter can remain anonymous from the thrill seekers trying to make themselves a name in taking out the top gun.”
[Instructor] “We have a transporter onboard he can be transported into my office if you want. Then the Instructor onboard can dock the ship.”
[Aid] “That sounds good to me just let us slip out before the ship lands.”
The Aid told Peter about the crowd and his plan to get him out of their and keep his identity unknown. He was all for it as he was transported into the office and took off his suit.
Peter was surprised at the crowd of people as he and the Aid slipped right out of the area while the crowd waited on the ship to land and the ace to come out.
[Aid] “Peter I have to get your consent for one more test to see how your self defense skills are for your security guard certification. Do I have it?”
[Peter] “Yes where do I take it?”
[Aid] “Back at the Argon section of the station. Just don‘t hurt anyone when you take the test.”
[Peter] “I’ll try and go easy on them. Is their a place to practice?”
[Aid] “I’ll show you where the gym is there’s an instructor that works with the security personnel I introduce you to him.”
The Aid let Peter go into the Argon section a step ahead of him as he looked at the Director in the reception booth and but his two fingers up to his eye and rubbed it. The Director nodded his head looking at the Aid and smiled as he turned away.
Just as the left the main entrance and were out of sight of the main lobby a monster of a man jumped out saying. “Give me your valuables now!” Then he lunged at Peter with a knife in his right hand.
Peter sidestepped with a quick move driving his nee into the mans right side ribs while pushing the attackers hand with the knife on forward with his right hand while punching the attacker in the right kidney with his left fist making him sag down. Peter then took his left foot and drove it into the back of the attackers right knee and pushing his lower leg down into the floor. While Peter pulled the knife arm up at the attacker as he fell twisting his wrist making the knife fall to the floor. Peter kicked the knife out of reach of the attacker as the Aid shouted. “Stop this is the test!”
The Aid walked over and placed his hand on the hand Peter was holding the attackers arm behind his back with saying. “Let him go this was the test.”
[Peter] “Well that wasn’t a very smart thing to do what if I hurt him or he hurt one of us!”
[Aid] “I’m sorry Peter it won’t happen again we needed to know if you had it in you to act on impulse. It told us that you have been trained so well it was like a second nature to you. You reacted without any hesitation and took a man down bigger than you with out doing any damage to either of you.”
[Peter] “And that’s suppose to comfort me or this man here somehow?”
[Aid] “No but it did qualify you as a security guard. I’m really sorry Peter I take full responsibility for this I talked the Director into it so he would approve you as a security guard and to test my theory about your abilities.”
[Peter] “Is that’s why you asked me for my permission on the way down here?”
[Aid] “Yes. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time and I was trying to help you please don’t be mad at me your done with all your test and will be leaving I don’t want you to leave mad at me. Lets go back to medical I’ll leave you alone and finish you paper work up and get you certifications so you can leave tomorrow.”
As the two walked back to the medical section Peter looked at the Aid and said. “I’m not mad at you just promise you won’t do nothing like this again.”
“You have my word on it Peter!” The Aid replied as he shook Peter’s hand.
Peter went to get something to eat then stop in and watch some mind numbing show to unwind with a couple of the patients he befriended in the medical ward.
The Aid was filling out Peters release papers and report and was about to input the data onto his ID card when he seen the Security Director had not sent the endorsements so he called him.
“I was looking and seen you didn’t sent the endorsements we talked about.”
[Director] “I’ll send them now but I want you to know I don’t like it. That man is dangerous he aced the flying test and didn’t even ounce brake a sweet or get tense while he drilled them ships. Then he takes my man down like he’s a little school kid. He’s more than dangerous he’s my worst nightmare come to drive me mad!”
[Aid] “Do you need to check yourself in here for help! Get a grip! Look at this way he’s the best either of us have ever seen so start thanking of him as a positive figure and not a problem. Try changing the way you think about him he’s own our side and you need him to stay on our side at least try and be friendly with him it would help.”
[Director] “You’re a funny man. Be his friend? I will give him a chance if I can. I’m sending my final endorsements to you now, don’t show up with any more like him.”
The Director closed the line as the Aid placed the final endorsements on the stations main computer and on Peters permit.
Castaway Chapter 2
Moderators: TheElf, Moderators for English X Forum
-
parameter
- Posts: 728
- Joined: Thu, 2. Feb 06, 09:21
Castaway 2
Aha! A volley of fire....! Nice read. I think I agree with the Director with regards not being able to trust a super enhanced 'cuckoo' finding itself in his nest. I would biotag 'Peter' as a 'medical precaution'. 
Anyway, at least 'Peter' is recovered. Keep up the good work!
veneratio supernus omni
-
Ed Man
- Posts: 186
- Joined: Wed, 6. Nov 02, 20:31
