Scout Force

by Rodney Smith

  “He really is a fabulous chef. I helped a bit, but it was a joy just to have a fully-equipped kitchen to putter around in.”

  Andrew sidled over and asked, “ Angie, how are the folks in your squadron reacting to the test?”

  “There are a few that are cautious, but none that have any real second thoughts about it. We’re all fighter pilots, danger is just part of the job description. If you need ideas for other uses for your invention though, there are a number of folks with some good ones. If they could be fitted inside ships, it would greatly lengthen the time a ship could remain on station. Supplies and replacements would be as close as a supply base on the other side of the ring. The possibilities are almost endless. Troops could visit home in seconds versus the weeks it takes now.”

  “Kelly gave us a similar idea for self-propelled ring ships that could reduce the number of ships required to be on station along the frontier. I can see we will be quite busy for years to come.”

  The conversation went on quite late, but Kelly had duty early the next morning and they had to say their goodbyes. Angie gave Arnold a kiss on the cheek, which had him blushing crimson. Andrew and Moira each gave Angie a hug and invited her to come back anytime.

  The shuttle was waiting for Kelly and Angie and they rode back to the spaceport. Angie lay in Kelly’s arms all the way back to the Vigilant. She kissed him goodbye in the shuttle and took it back to the Q, while Kelly went up the ramp into his ship.

  As he dropped off to sleep, he pondered how lucky he was to have three beautiful and charming women interested in him.

  * * * * *

  The time for the test arrived. Dr. Moira Kelly came on board the Vigilant, along with several Fleet observers, for lift off and travel to the transporter ring. Chief Watson gave up his position for her. The terminal screen contained strange readings, probably from the transporter ring. LCDR Timmons gave the order to lift off. Kelly watched as the Fighting 68th took off behind them.

  They reached orbit quickly and proceeded to the ring. Admiral Craddock came on the communicator and gave permission for the Vigilant to proceed upon the Blakes’ okay. A week of tests with drones was about to move to its human stage.

  Andrew’s face came on the communicator screen, “Moira, are you ready?”

  Moira looked at the captain. “Captain, are you ready? If so, I’m ready.”

  The captain replied that the Vigilant was ready.

  “Captain, at your discretion, you may proceed into the ring and good luck.”

  The captain looked around the bridge and said, “Chief Watson, activate the monitors. Helm, at maximum maneuver speed, take us to Tau Ceti.”

  The helmsman repeated the command and applied power. The Vigilant lined up with the ring. Kelly looked around. There was tension on many faces on the bridge. Chief Blankenship moved forward and stood behind Kelly’s position. The leading edge of the Vigilant touched the shimmering plane at the front of the ring. Kelly watched as the shimmer made its way through the bridge and behind him. He felt the gripping cold and then was looking out the bridge at the twin moons of Gagarin. He looked behind him and saw the shimmer progress through the ship. He punched up the rear view and saw Antares space until the shimmer appeared behind them.

  The captain keyed his intercom and said, “All sections report status.”

  One by one the sections reported everything normal. The captain sent a message to Scout Force HQ that the Vigilant had made it through successfully. He looked over at Moira and asked if she had all the readings she needed.

  “Yes, Captain. When you're ready, take us back through the gate, please.”

  “Helm, turn us around and take us back through again.”

  The helmsman brought the Vigilant around, lined up with the ring, and brought the ship through.

  When they appeared back in Antares space a message from Admiral Craddock came through. “Welcome back, Vigilant.”

  The Vigilant moved aside for the remainder of the tests. They watched as a single fighter was sent through the ring and returned. It was the squadron commander’s fighter. Then, two fighters in formation went through and came back. These were followed by a flight of four that made the same trip. Finally, the entire 12 fighter complement flew through in formation. When they returned, the Vigilant lined up with the ring and the 68th took up formation around them. They proceeded through the gate as one and reached Tau Ceti Space again. The formation made a wide turn and returned to Antares space.

  Admiral Craddock’s voice came over the communicator, “Congratulations all, and thank you. Vigilant dock at space dock to pick up passengers. All others return to base.”

  The 68th returned to Antares Base. The Vigilant docked with the space dock, picked up Dr. Andrew Blake and assistants, several additional fleet observers, Admiral Craddock and his staff, and returned to Antares Base.

  Upon landing, side boys were positioned on the quarterdeck and Chief Pennypacker piped the admiral and his party off the ship. The Blakes followed close behind. Once the ship was clear of passengers, the captain called all the crew into the Vigilant’s central corridor.

  “I want all of you to know how proud I am of you for what we accomplished today. The crew is authorized two days liberty over the next four days on a fifty percent manning basis.”

  A cheer erupted from the crew. The crew had worked some long hard days and nights, preparing the Vigilant for the test. The Vigilant was probably closer to specifications than any ship in Scout Force. The crew deserved the time off.

  The captain came over to Kelly and said, “Exec, if you want to fly that fighter you’d better get it arranged. The 68th will be leaving for Tau Ceti in a very few days. I appreciate that you have devoted yourself to the test. Now take some time for yourself.”

  Kelly thanked the captain and went out to find LTC Matthews. He found his old squadron commander on the flight line.

  He saw Kelly coming and broke into a grin. “I wondered when you’d come around for your fighter ride. Hey, Aaron, come over here. There’s someone here that wants to go for a ride with you.”

  Major Brown, the 68th’s executive officer, came over. “Come on, Kelly. We’ve probably still got your flight gear around here somewhere.”

  Kelly went into the equipment room and was issued a helmet, flightsuit, gloves, and survival vest. It was even Kelly’s old helmet. It hadn’t been refurbished and repainted.

  He put his gear on and walked out to the flightline. Several of his old squadron mates were waiting for him, including Angie. He was bombarded with questions, like did he still remember how to wear his helmet and did he need a barf bag. Kelly took the good-natured ribbing in stride. After all, he was about to climb back into the cockpit of a fighter again.

  Major Brown’s crew chief helped them both into the cockpit and checked that all was secure and as it should be. Major Brown fired up the F-53B and took a salute from his crew chief. He moved the fighter from its parking space and onto the taxiway. He lined it up on the runway and turned the controls over to Kelly.

  “Kelly, I’m signed for this thing. Just don’t break it.”

  Kelly did a quick instrument scan, pushed his head back against the headrest and kicked the throttle to the stop. He pulled straight back on the stick and aimed for space. In just a few minutes, he was back in outer space behind the controls of a fighter.

  Major Brown came on the intercom, “Man, I didn’t think this heavy lady could do that. Now I know how those early astronauts felt being strapped on top of a rocket and blasted into space. That was some ride. What do you want to do now?”

  “Turn your sensors on. I anticipate some company.”

  Major Brown turned his sensors from collision avoidance to all around combat sweep. It was only a few minutes before the ship warned of approaching fighters. He checked the monitor and saw three ships in tight formation and one lagging behind. Janey, Angie, John, and Angie’s new wingman were coming up to play.

  “You might want to tighten your stra
ps, Major. It’s going to get a little bumpy. Activate the combat sim, if you would, sir.”

  Major Brown was laughing when he keyed his intercom, “Okay, Kelly, combat sim is on and I’m strapped in securely. Let’s see if you still remember how to do this.”

  Kelly punched the throttle to the stop again. He watched the reaction as Janey’s flight realized he was on to them. They split into two groups of two, accelerated, and attempted to come up on each side of them. That was their fatal mistake. Kelly frantically programmed the ship’s computer.

  He waited until they were almost in firing range at max velocity and hit the execute key. The fighter spun on its axis, facing toward the pursuers and fired two notional mini-seekers at John Kanakis and Angie’s wingman. Then the ship’s engines fired, bringing them to a dead stop in space. The G-forces caused both Kelly and the Major to black out temporarily. When they came to, the ship had spun back and the four ships were in front of them. A quick flick on the control stick, a short burst from the guns, and Angie was out of the fight. Kelly turned on Janey’s fighter. She jinked left, right, up, and down, but Kelly stayed right on her tail. He finished her off with another mini-seeker.

  His screen showed another healthy fighter coming up under him on an intercept course. Kelly pushed hard on the stick to line up with the fighter coming up from below. When he was lined up on a collision course, he pushed down on the stick again to look like he was chickening out. The other fighter changed angle to shoot him through the cockpit. Kelly let him come on a little bit more then then pulled up hard on the stick and fired the nose rockets to drop the nose down and fired off a burst from his guns as he blew past underneath.

  LTC Matthews came up on the communicator laughing, “Okay all, Kelly is too good for us. Let’s head down to the base.”

  The flight of four joined up on the squadron commander’s ship and Kelly lined up to the left of them. As they got within the pattern, they peeled off single file and made individual approaches to the spaceport. When the wheels hit the taxiway, Major Brown took over the controls and taxied the fighter into its place on the apron.

  The crew chief came over with the personnel ladder and helped Kelly and Major Brown get unhooked from the fighter. They dropped down from the fighter and walked into the squadron equipment room. Janey and her flight were lined up inside the door on their knees and bowing for him, “Oh mighty ex-fighter pilot, we bow and scrape before you.”

  Kelly helped them up off the floor and laughed with them, saying, “I guess some folks owe me a beer or four.”

  LTC Matthews entered the room and said, “A beer or five, I believe.”

  Major Brown piped up, “A beer or six, that was one hell of a ride I went on.”

  LTC Matthews said, “Kelly, get your captain and meet us at the Officers Club tonight about 1900. We’ll celebrate the successful test and bid farewell to Antares. We’ll need to leave in two days for Tau Ceti if we are going to beat the Bolivar back. It’ll be good to knock back a few and swap space stories.”

  Kelly looked around at the warmth in the faces and said he would ask the captain.

  Kelly changed out of his flight gear and headed for the Vigilant. Angie caught up with him. “Hey guy, that was some fantastic flying today. If you could have stayed in the Fighter Force, I think you would have been a major force in fighter tactics. Your off-axis tactics are so hard to defend against. I recorded all your engagements and have been studying them. I’m not as good as you, but I’m practicing.”

  “Tonight, don’t drink too much. I’d like you to come to my room again tonight so I can say goodbye properly.”

  “Well, I have at least six beers to drink tonight. I’ll make sure to snack all night so I don’t disappoint you.”

  Angie looked to make sure no one was around and gave Kelly a quick kiss. She turned and hurried off to the flight line. Kelly went back to the Vigilant and told the captain about the party. Janey had already invited him and he was looking forward to it.

  The captain asked how his flight went. Kelly told him, with sweeping hand gestures, about smoking his entire old flight and the squadron commander. LCDR Timmons laughed and mumbled as he walked off, “Once a fighter pilot, always a fighter pilot.”

  As 1900 approached, the captain stuck his head in Kelly’s quarters and said it was time to go. Kelly closed down the terminal, where he was double-checking some personnel actions that were to go for the captain’s approval. They could wait until tomorrow.

  They found the nearest waiting shuttle and rode over to the Officers Club. When they got there, the party was already going strong. Angie met Kelly at the door, handed him a beer, and gave him a kiss. Janey did the same for LCDR Timmons.

  Major Brown came over with the ancient ceremonial red fuzzy high top hat of dubious origin. He indicated that LCDR Timmons should put it on and that he was being made an honorary member of the fighting 68th. Kelly started laughing, because he had been through this particular ceremony himself. Major Brown took LCDR Timmons’ beer, handed it off to someone, and stood on a chair to get everyone’s attention. Kelly and Angie stood back.

  “We’d like to bring everyone’s attention to the presence of an outsider in our midst, begging entry into our august body. I present to the Fighting 68th an insecure Fleet officer incapable of going into space by himself, a so-so officer, and a miserable human being wishing to improve his lot in life by sharing the company of the finest, deadliest, craftiest, fighter pilots in the known universe.” A loud cheer erupted.

  “I offer up, for your consideration, one LCDR Edgar Timmons. LCDR Timmons comes to us as a fellow warrior against the K’Rang. He is, unfortunately, burdened by having had to accept a former member of this august body into his crew and somehow turn him into a proper Fleet officer. Now we all know how ineffective this former member of the venerable 68th was and still is today, but it is a task that may make LCDR Timmons worthy to grace our presence. Pilots of the Fighting 68th, what say you?”

  A resounding nay boomed through the club followed by gales of laughter.

  “LCDR Timmons, the Fighting 68th has spoken. Even though we don’t want you, all the other squadrons in Fighter Force voted before us and they don’t want you either. I guess we’re stuck with you. Members of the Fighting 68th, fill your glasses. Thank providence that we are not currently subject to the damn Fleet regulations against alcohol on ships. Fill your glasses and toast our newest honorary squab, Edgar Timmons.”

  At that point every glass in the room was raised in the air and the contents thrown at LCDR Timmons. The captain, dripping from all manner of drinks, had just been initiated into the Fighting 68th.

  The soaking was followed by every 68th officer in the room passing by, shaking hands, and welcoming him. The executive officer came over last. He walked up to LCDR Timmons, shook his hand and slapped the 68th’s patch into his hand.

  “Welcome, Ed. If the reports of your trials and tribulations dealing with Kelly are halfway true, you will make a fine addition to the squadron.”

  LTC Matthews came over and took the hat back. He handed it to the petite brunette that was Angie’s wingman. “Ed, I hope you didn’t mind our initiation ceremony, but it’s our little way of saying welcome. You are now one of us. If you're ever in a tight spot and the 68th is around, you’ve got a lot of friends that will come to your aid.”

  Kelly found a towel and handed it to LCDR Timmons to dry off. Janey took it and got the spots he couldn’t see. Kelly handed him a new beer to replace his that had been misplaced during the ceremony.

  He looked at Kelly and said, “You could have warned me.”

  “Sorry, boss, I didn’t know this is what they intended, but I might not have warned you anyway.” Kelly and Timmons both broke out laughing. They grabbed their female companions and worked their way around the room.

  Kelly drank all six beers for his exploits earlier in the day. Each smoked pilot brought him a beer in turn. The ladies gave him a kiss and the guys shook his hand. John Kana
kis tried to kiss him, but Kelly ducked that one.

  It was good to be back with his old squadron mates, but Kelly liked the Scout Force. Even though LTC Matthews offered to intercede with Fighter Force to rescind his dismissal, Kelly politely turned him down. Kelly was where he needed and wanted to be.

  The party went on for hours. Angie patiently monitored his alcohol consumption and made sure he had plenty of food to help soak it up. When Kelly finished his sixth beer, she drug him off to her room to give him a proper goodbye.

  Kelly woke up alone in her bed the next morning. He had barely roused himself when she crawled back in, “I just got up to get breakfast started. It will be ready in about 30 minutes. Can I just lay here in your arms until them?”

  Kelly didn’t say anything, just pulled her up against his side, and hugged her. They lay there, luxuriating in each other’s warmth.

  “Kelly, I’m leaving with the squadron tomorrow. We will be on Gagarin until our next deployment. We’ve been told the battle group will be going into the yards to have their engines adjusted to protect against those torpedoes. Of course, we won’t necessarily ship out with the Bolivar next time.”

  “You know they are going to leave the gates between the two systems active. I heard they might run a shuttle between the two systems. I understand the local transport unit is getting S-660s and they are space capable. Maybe you could hop the shuttle and come visit or maybe I could come back and see you.”

  “Angie, I’d love to have you come visit. I’d like to come visit you on Gagarin. I’ll have to see how my patrol schedule will work out.”

  They lay in each other’s arms until breakfast was ready.

  The next day, Kelly and Timmons were on hand to bid farewell to the 68th. They managed to get a few moments alone with their ladies amidst the orderly chaos of a squadron lift off.

  “Kelly, I was serious about us seeing each other. If you can break free from those other ladies that are after you, come see me. The CO just told us that we will be on Gagarin for at least six months. As long as your folks’ transport gate is there, you might as well take advantage of it.”