Scout Force

by Rodney Smith

  “Good plan, Exec. Do it when we are in dark space between the star systems.”

  “Yes, sir. Chief Miller, would you work with Chief Blankenship to modify a probe? How long do you think it will take?”

  “I can have it ready in two days, sir.”

  “Chief Billings, when will we be in the dark space exactly between Scutum and Aquila sectors?”

  “It should take us about three days.”

  The captain stood up. “Okay, let’s aim for running out the probe in three days. Are there any questions? None? Good, back to work.”

  Chiefs Blankenship and Miller configured and tested the probe in a day and a half. Chief B fine tuned the data link to increase its data flow to be the sensor equivalent of the Vigilant.

  On launch day, Chief Billings confirmed the coordinates, Chief Miller loaded the probe in the launcher, and Chief B confirmed the area was clear of ships and stellar objects. Except for space dust, normal background radiation, and normal gravimetric influences there was nothing for a long way. The captain gave the order and the probe was launched.

  The probe set into an increasing spiral around the Vigilant’s horizontal axis. When it reached 10,000 kilometers, it shifted to a decreasing spiral around the vertical axis. This was repeated on the two 45 degree axes between the vertical and horizontal axes. Then the spirals were switched to cover the 22.5 degree axes between.

  After all spirals were done the probe was retrieved and stored away. The sensor crew correlated all the data and Chief B displayed the results in the small holographic viewer in the ready room.

  Chief B turned down the lights to start the briefing. “I’m going to run through the different spectral bands. First is the visible band. As you can see, the Vigilant has excellent stealth qualities in the visible wavelength. We look like any other black spot in space. As the probe gets closer, you can resolve the outline of the ship, but not pick out any details. As we move into the Ultraviolet bands, we are almost invisible. In the near IR bands we are equally nondescript. Once we move into the far IR, we pick up a small IR signature from the engine exhaust, but only at very close range. If we are greater than 8,000 kilometers away, we are virtually invisible. When we move into the radio and radar bands, we emit no signature whatsoever. We are gravimetrically and magnetically neutral.”

  Chief B fiddled with the controls. “It is not until we start looking at the exhaust plume that we see any signature at all.”

  The exhaust plume shone in the holographic field like the tail of a comet.

  “The exhaust plume of our sub-FTL engine contains ionized particles that trail out behind us like the contrail of an atmospheric flyer. This is what I believe the K’Rang torpedo was homing in on. The sweeping, back and forth movement that it was making was the probe turning back and forth through our exhaust plume. If it had kept going, it would have flown right up our engine exhaust cones.”

  The captain folded his hands under his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, “Chief Miller, is there anything we can do to alter our exhaust to make it harder for these things to lock onto us?”

  “Well, sir, I’ll need a few days to think about how to do it, but if we could inject something into our exhaust to de-ionize the particles it should throw their sniffer off. I don’t know if we would want to do it all the time or only when we are being sneaky.”

  “Chief, think about this and give me some recommendations before we turn back to Antares.”

  “Aye aye, sir.”

  “Chief B, thank you for your analysis. Don’t change the probe back just yet. I’d like to use it to test some of Chief Miller’s ideas. See if you can program it to home in on our exhaust plume. That’s all, everyone. Thank you. Exec, stick around.”

  The others filed out, leaving the captain and Kelly alone. “We’ve got about four days left on this patrol. Work with Chief Miller and Chief B to see what we can come up with to scramble this exhaust homing torpedo. I suspect that the torpedo had a bit more speed than it was displaying. When we went under that lighter and went to power 3, it was gaining on us. Fortunately, it locked onto and took the lighter out rather than us. Review the sensor logs for that particular engagement and see if you can determine how fast that torpedo was going when it hit the lighter. It might come in handy to know that.”

  “We did very well. The crew did a great job. Our first real combat and not even a scratch. You’ve done well, Kelly. You have done a great job of making the crew into a cohesive unit. I couldn’t have asked for a better exec. I imagine you’ll do very well. I can see you in your own command some day, in the not so distant future.”

  “Thank you, sir. I appreciate the compliment, but you’ve got a good crew and great chiefs.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m recommending awards for you, the chiefs, and the crew for our combat action. Of course, they won’t be as impressive as those from New Alexandria.” The captain and Kelly both broke into loud laughter.

  “Come on, Exec, let’s get back to patrolling. The K’Rang may come around to see where their friends went now that the cruisers have moved out.”

  The rest of the patrol was uneventful. There was no reaction from the K’Rang side of the frontier. A review of the sensor logs from the battle showed that neither K’Rang ship sent a distress call. The K’Rang may not know what happened to their expedition.

  On the way back to Antares, the captain called Chiefs Miller and Blankenship into his ready room. Kelly trailed them.

  “So, Chiefs, what have you come up with to mask our exhaust?”

  Chief Miller spoke first. “Well, sir, Chief B and I have been working on this. We’ve found a number of compounds that will de-ionize the exhaust. The simplest and most effective method would be to increase the size, and therefore, the capacity of the existing electron guns. The electrons will bond with the ions and eliminate their charge with no loss of thrust. That leaves no charged exhaust trail to follow.”

  The captain jumped up. “Great, do we have what we need to do that on board?”

  Chief Miller had an unhappy look on his face. “No, sir, I’ve searched the whole ship and we don’t have the parts to do that. It will have to be done in a shipyard.”

  “Shoot, I’m disappointed in you, Chief. I always thought you could make anything out of almost nothing.” The captain smiled, belying his serious tone.

  Chief Miller responded, “There’s no need to be insulting, sir.”

  The whole room broke out in laughter and even Chief Miller cracked a smile.

  Chapter Nine

  The Vigilant was ordered to the Antares space dock. The captain and Kelly were escorted again to Admiral Craddock’s space dock office. Admiral Craddock was behind his desk waiting for them when they were brought in.

  “Ed, Kelly, come on in and have a seat. I was just reviewing the New Alexandrian Defense Forces’ report on your action there. The Vigilant acquitted herself quite well. Ed, I’m putting you in for the Space Medal for that action. I have your recommendations for awards for the crew. My staff will be reviewing those, but I don’t see any problem with any of your recommendations.”

  “Now, tell me about this data device you found.”

  LCDR Timmons pulled the data device, sealed in a plastic pouch, out of his pocket and set it on the admiral’s desk.

  “That is an exact copy of the data we found on the K’Rang body on our last patrol. It was obviously what the K’Rang landing party was trying to get. Only our untimely appearance and destruction of their transport and escort caused them to try and depart before they accomplished their mission. I think our techies need to review that data again. If the K’Rang are willing to sacrifice a battalion of warriors and two ships, it must be worth more to them than our analysts have surmised. I recommend, sir, that we let the Blakes look at this data and see what their assessment is.”

  “That’s a good recommendation, Ed. I think that’s just what I’ll do. Andrew and Moira may be able to make sense of this.”

  “I also a
ppreciate your recommendation for the increased electron flow in the sub-FTL engine exhaust. I’m glad you guys figured that out. That could have been disastrous if we met the K’Rang in battle and they released a number of those into our fleet. I’ll get the yard boys to come up with a fix for that based on your Chief’s recommendation.”

  “You can return to your ship and move down to the Base spaceport. We’re going to need the space here shortly. Bolivar and her battle group will be here within the hour.”

  Kelly perked up and said, “Admiral, would it be all right to stick around for an hour or so? I’d like to see the Bolivar come into orbit.”

  The admiral looked up with a smile on his face. “Yes, I think it would be all right to hang out in orbit for an hour or so. Just move off to make room for them, Ed.”

  LCDR Timmons smiled, “Okay, Exec, we can wait a bit for you to see your old ship.”

  Kelly and the captain saluted and took their leave. They made their way back to the Vigilant. On their way, they passed a Fighter Force Major General and his aide. The aide was having trouble keeping up with the general and controlling a wayward baggage cart. Several bags were dropped and retrieved as they made their way down the hall. Kelly thought to himself that the general must be Bugarov’s replacement. It brought a smile to his face. As they passed around a corner he heard the general admonishing his aide, “There's docking arm 17, Jim. We’re going to be late if you don’t get a move on.”

  Timmons and Kelly boarded the Vigilant. The captain ordered it to depart the dock and move off 50 km to make room for the battle group.

  In less than 45 minutes, the frigates Tenacious and Transcendent came into view, dwarfed by the Bolivar immediately behind them. Two flights of F-53 fighters flew to port and starboard of the Bolivar. One flight flew directly ahead of the Bolivar. She moved majestically in the velvety darkness, navigation and marker lights blazing. The destroyers and cruisers, with their gun turrets fore and aft, trailed the Bolivar. Support ships followed behind. The battle group arrayed itself around the space dock, lining up on the external docking arms. Within minutes all the ships had locked and sealed to the space dock. Most ships the size of those in the battle group would fit inside the space dock only one at a time. The Bolivar wouldn’t fit at all. It would require a Fleet space dock on one of the major worlds for overhaul and refit.

  Kelly felt nostalgic about the Bolivar, but realized he was happy right where he was.

  Timmons came up beside him as he stared out the view screen at the battle group, “Do you wish you were still on her?”

  “No, sir, I’m happy here, but she does look impressive, doesn’t she?”

  “That she does. It is time to head down to the Spaceport. Didn’t you say your former flight lead was going to be stationed on Antares Base for a while?”

  “Yes, sir, Angie Shappelle, she said she’d be around for a while. I think her squadron will be taking part in my folks’ experiments.”

  “You’ll have to introduce me to her when she gets in.”

  The captain turned back to the bridge crew. “Helm, take us down to the base spaceport, standard approach.”

  The helmsman engaged the engines and the Vigilant descended to the surface, where she was directed into the same dry dock she had left a few weeks earlier. A message came through telling the captain that the yard would be replacing the electron guns in the engines with larger ones to reduce the ion discharge. It seemed their idea had borne fruit.

  Life in the dry dock, while the engines were being upgraded, settled into a routine. The chiefs ran their sections at fifty percent manning, allowing time off for their personnel. Kelly finally got word that his old squadron would be landing at the spaceport. He got time off to watch them come in.

  Kelly walked over to where the squadron would be parked once they came in. He watched as twelve F-53 fighters passed over the field at altitude before peeling off and landing two by two. Kelly stood just off the apron as the dozen sleek fighters were guided into their parking spaces. The fighters shut down, canopies opened and the pilots climbed out. It was 1LT Kanakis that first recognized Kelly standing by the fence.

  He pointed and yelled, “Hey everyone, it’s Kelly!”

  Several heads turned in his direction and a crowd of pilots ran over to him. Angie was first, giving him a big hug. He was slapped on the back and had his hand shaken by five of the pilots before CPT Willis, his old flight leader, noticed the twin silver bars on the collar of his coveralls.

  “What the hell is this? Who did you steal this uniform from?”

  Kelly quickly explained his frocking as exec of the Vigilant. Several lieutenants quickly saluted him and followed it with a rude noise. Kelly laughed along with his former squadron mates. He stopped laughing when they told him he was buying the first two rounds at the club that night. LTC Matthews, his first Squadron Commander, came over to him. The others walked back to their fighters.

  “Wow! Lieutenant Blake. I heard that Fleet made rank faster, but I thought it was just a myth. How have you been, Kelly?”

  “I’ve been just fine, sir. How have you been?”

  “You know how it is in the squadron with this bunch. There’s never a dull moment. Things did get a lot better though when your favorite General was ordered to retire. The new General is supposed to be a breath of fresh air. You’ll be happy to know that the Wall of Fire tactic has been officially retired.”

  “Great to hear that, sir. I believe I saw your new general up on the station today. I’ve been informed that I’m buying the first two rounds at the club tonight. I’d be glad to buy a drink or two for you, sir.”

  “I might be a little late, but I’ll take you up on that. After more than six months on cruise, I’m ready for a few drinks.”

  Kelly saluted as LTC Matthews walked away to take care of a matter brought to his attention. Angie came over to him.

  “Hey, Wing, I haven’t had a drink in six months. How’s about buying a girl a drink? We can celebrate your jump in rank at the same time.”

  “Sounds good to me. I need to change out of my coveralls. They’re not really appreciated out of the spaceport after noon. Come on. I’ll show you my ship.”

  Angie and Kelly walked to the Vigilant after she saw to it that her gear would wind up at the BOQ. It was a good distance to his ship and they caught up on what all had happened since last they saw each other. Angie told him of the minimal ceremony held for General Bugarov’s retirement and the expected blowout now that she was gone. Kelly told her of his two patrols and his actions against the K’Rang. He told her of his parents’ invention and what their part in it might be. They arrived at the Vigilant.

  “Wow! I’ve seen these out in space, but it looks so much bigger sitting here on the ground. How big is the crew?”

  Kelly told her about the crew and how they were organized. Then he brought her onboard the Vigilant.

  Angie impressed the crew. At 5’6”, fit, wearing a partially zipped open flight suit, tight turtleneck shirt, and fighter boots, she was impressive. He brought her up the ramp into the crews’ quarters area, past sensor crewmen with gaping mouths, past the galley, chiefs' country and up to the officers' quarters, where the captain was standing, looking over the bridge.

  “Captain, you wanted to meet 1LT Shappelle, well, here she is. Angie, this is my boss, LCDR Edgar Timmons. Captain, this is my former lead pilot, 1LT Angie Shappelle.”

  LCDR Timmons had a smile from ear to ear. “I’m glad to meet you, Angie. Kelly has told me a lot about you. I have to say that his description of you doesn’t do you justice.”

  “Why, thank you, sir. I must say that I’m quite impressed with your ship. I wouldn’t trade my F-53 for it, but I like it.”

  “Sir, I didn’t give Angie the full tour. I’ve been informed that I am responsible for some rounds of drinks and I need to change into something more fitting for the club. You’re invited to come and partake, if you wish. Could you give Angie the grand tour while I change?”


  “I’d be happy to, on both counts. Come on Angie, let me show you my ship.”

  When Kelly came back out, the captain and Angie were waiting for him on the bridge.

  “Kelly, let me see your quarters. I want to see how Fleet lives.”

  Kelly opened the door to his stateroom and Angie walked in. He left the door open as he followed her.

  “This is nice. What’s in here? Oh, you have your own head with shower. Can I move in here with you? This is much nicer than I would have expected on a ship of this size. Are there just you two officers?”

  “Just the captain and I and six very good chiefs.”

  “That’s amazing. The smallest division on the Bolivar is bigger than your whole crew. I’m envious.”

  Angie moved over and sat on the bunk. “Kelly, I’m so glad things worked out for you. I felt just terrible when that horrid woman shipped you out. I miss you. Your replacement as my wing man has been hopeless. I have to constantly remind her to keep her spacing and stay in formation. I think she screwed her way through fighter school. You were fun to fly with. She’s a pain in the butt.”

  Kelly laughed. “Come on. Let’s head over to the club before the ship’s rumor mill gets too wound up over us being in here together.”

  The two of them departed the ship and headed over to the club. Kelly showed her the base shuttles and how they worked. They got out at the club and Kelly led her into the junior officers’ bar.

  Kelly and Angie were loudly greeted as they entered the bar. Kelly was grabbed by both arms and led to the bar to put his credit chit down. Kelly told the barmaid to give two drinks to anyone in a flight suit.

  CPT Willis came over. “Kelly, now that you don’t work for me and we’re both the same rank, can I kiss you and give you a hug?”

  Kelly, wondering how much she had already had to drink, said, “Sure Janey, why not?”