When the pandemonium created by the announcement settled down, Rachel said, “If we meet at 1300 hours, I can give you a tour of our ships!”
Tired and excited, everyone headed off to bed.
ERETZ - CHAPTER NINE
EVEN THOUGH THE THREE families had planned on gathering at 1300, by noon they were clustered at tables in the mess hall. The children were thrilled at being allowed to see the ships and take a ride out to the freight depot. Mimi was so excited she could hardly sit still, and Rachel had to remind her several times to eat her lunch. Rose elected to pass on the trip claiming she had some shopping she wanted to do. Wendy and Rachel speculated that she was tired from all the work she had done redecorating and furnishing the apartment. Avi knew better, but as long as her mother was happy and active, who was she to interfere with whatever her mother was up to these days?
After lunch, they trooped to the hangar. They split the children into two groups. Wendy took one group to her mother’s ship, and Rachel took the other group to Greg’s ship. The adults stayed behind to let Wendy and Rachel conduct the tours. Rachel strode over to Greg’s ship and put her hand on the recognition pad. The ship’s computer responded, “Hello, Rachel.” The children giggled.
“Rachel Solomon requests permission to come aboard.”
“Permission granted.”
“Request permission to bring some friends aboard for a tour.”
“Have each of your friends place their hand on the recognition pad and state their name.” Each of the children was recognized and given permission to board.
Wendy placed her hand on the recognition pad on Avi’s ship and it greeted her. The children in her group were individually recognized and granted permission to board.
Faye Anne went with Rachel and promptly sat in the pilot’s chair. “How do you know what all this does?”
“We’ve been in these ships since we were babies. We have simulators to teach you.”
Rachel took the kids behind the flight deck and showed them the crew quarters. She showed them the hollow in the wall enclosed with netting that served as a bunk, the counter top that served as a galley and the fold down dining table. The children were impressed with the hygiene unit and made jokes about what the initials for the personal hygiene unit spelled.
“These ships are designed for two people, but you can see why so many of them are operated solo. Can you imagine two people stuck together in this small a space with nothing to do for months at a time traveling in hyper drive? In combat, they are better off with two crew members, but the controls can be operated from either seat so one person can take the ship into combat. That’s the way Mom and Dad flew when they were in the Force. We convinced them that they would be better off with a second person so we fly with them now.”
“Can you fly one of these by yourself?” Faye Anne asked.
“Wendy and I can fly by ourselves. When we’re on patrol that’s how we sleep. One sleeps, and one flies.”
“If you wanted, could you just strap in and go?” Faye Anne asked.
“Someone would have to open those big hangar doors first,” Reuben wisecracked.
“If the ship was prepped, yes, either Wendy or I could take off if we wanted. Let’s check the ship’s status.” She turned to the console. “Command mode! Flight readiness status report.”
“Fully fueled. Fully armed. Flight rations stocked. All systems checked nominal,” the computer replied in its HAL voice.
“Is there anything which would prevent us from flying should we elect to do so?”
“The big hangar doors,” the computer replied, “and your father’s permission.”
Rachel shook her head. “Dad programmed a sense of humor into his ships. The big cargo ship gets really strange sometimes.”
Mimi climbed into the rear seat, “Rachel? Are we flying in this ship?”
“No, we’re taking that pretty passenger ship outside on the flight line. See the white one with the pretty blue pin stripes? That one.”
“Why can’t we take this one?” Mimi asked.
“Because you need a flight suit, and because it only fits two. That big ship fits all of us, and you can sit with me. Besides, I bet that nice passenger ship flies a lot smoother than this one. This one gets real rough sometimes.”
Rachel pointed out some of the controls and explained what some of the displays did. At the end of the tour they returned to the hangar floor and admired the other P I ships sitting silently in long rows in the massive hangar.
“That’s quite a collection!” Rachel exclaimed when she realized how many there were. “How did you get them?”
“We bought them,” Admiral Sherman answered. “The Space Force was phasing them out in favor of destroyers. We snapped them up as soon as they were available.”
“Dad says you’re short of pilots. Do you have enough pilots?” Rachel asked.
“No. We have test pilots for the research ships and ferry pilots. We have freighter pilots who travel in hyper between here and the central system, but none of them have been trained in combat. Most of them are too old to expect them to survive combat. So we have all this magnificent hardware and no one to run it.” Admiral Sherman replied.
“Where are your pilots now?” Rachel asked.
“We keep about half of them busy on runs back and forth to the central system. They fly our cargo vessels. Most of the rest stay out at the freight depot. A few stay here and work with the electronic warfare research center. Jake is our pilot for today. Shall we board?”
The passenger ferry’s pilot greeted them as they boarded and strapped in. He looked old enough to be Greg’s father. For a moment Wendy wondered if this was the same person that processed them at immigration, but when that old man showed up to verify who was on board for departure, Wendy realized there actually were two people that old. Maybe she could fix Rose up with a date. Rachel took extra time with Mimi’s straps due to her small stature. The pilot was part way through the pre-flight briefing when Admiral Sherman’s communicator sounded for his attention. He spoke into it in hushed tones. The expression on his face showed concern. He disconnected his conversation. Before he could say anything, Greg’s communicator to the cargo ship sounded. Greg responded.
“Intruder alert,” the cargo ship’s computer announced.
“Identify,” Greg commanded.
“Drive signature indicates pilotless drone. Trajectory suggests a recon mission. Does not appear to be armed,” the computer replied.
“Projected ETA?” Greg asked.
“Twenty-four hours,” the computer replied.
“Maintain tracking,” Greg ordered.
“Request permission to relocate to better vantage point,” the computer said.
“Permission denied. We are en-route to your location,” Greg responded.
“Acknowledged.”
Mimi looked up at Rachel and asked, “Who was your Dad talking to?”
“The computer on the cargo ship,” Rachel answered.
“Wow! That ship talks, too! I like talking ships!” Mimi exclaimed.
Greg turned to Admiral Sherman. “Is this happening often? Should we intercept it?”
The Admiral sighed. “This is the third time in six months we have been alerted to a recon drone. We have made no attempt at interception although long range telescopes and electronic surveillance have verified that they are recon drones. The drones are of the type used by mineral prospectors in search of rare or valuable elements.”
“But you don’t think that’s what it is,” Avi surmised.
“No, but we can’t prove it,” the Admiral replied.
Greg thought for a few seconds before saying, “When we jumped to the Swordsman base, the P I pilots used a fiber optic to connect our ships so we could jump in formation. Are any of these P I’s equipped with that device?”
“All of them. Yours are the only ones without it.”
“Do you have anyone on planet who knows how to run it?” Greg asked.<
br />
Admiral Sherman said, “I should hope so. It was developed here. One of our test pilots should.”
Abraham spoke up. “I worked on it in its early stages. I haven’t worked with it in a long time, but I wrote much of the software.”
Greg’s face lit up with a giant smile.
Wendy groaned and leaned over to Rashi. “I know that smile. We’re in deep shit now.”
“Anyone else know the system?” Greg asked.
“Faye Anne was one of my guinea pigs for the training manuals and interface. She seemed to have the best grasp of the equipment. I think she could run it.”
Greg’s grin became malicious. “Let’s go for a ride! I suggest that I take one of the ships with the fiber optic and Avi take one. Abraham can ride with me and run the fiber optic. Faye Anne can ride with Avi as back up. We will intercept the drone, hook into it and find out who sent it and why.”
“Can you do that?” Admiral Sherman asked in amazement.
“If the software will support it,” Greg replied.
“The software will support it,” Abraham affirmed.
“Then let’s go,” Greg said.
“Dad! Don’t even think of leaving us behind!” Rachel said.
“She’s probably right,” Avi agreed. Greg nodded.
Rachel started giving orders, “Reuben, you ride with me. Rashi, you go with Wendy. I claim Dad’s ship.”
“I’m good with Mom’s,” Wendy said, “What do they do for flight suits?”
“I have a flight suit in storage with the space flight readiness building.” Abraham said. “I think we can find suits there to fit everyone else.”
“Admiral,” Greg asked, “will you authorize a mission to intercept and interrogate the drone?”
“The mission is authorized,” the Admiral replied.
“Everyone return to quarters and get what you need for a mission of four days.” Greg got up to leave.
Mimi tugged at Rachel’s arm. “Can I come too?”
“Not this trip. We don’t have a flight suit your size. Maybe later.” Rachel gave her a quick hug and headed for the door with Wendy right behind her.
Reuben, Rashi and Faye Anne followed them. As they ran across the hangar Rachel shouted, “Get four sets of underwear and heavy socks! Make sure you bring deodorant and a tooth brush!”
Wendy grabbed Faye Anne’s arm. “Bring your sturdiest bras.”
Faye Anne looked surprised.
“Trust me!” Wendy added.
Avi intended to tell Rose where they were going, but Rose was nowhere to be found. Avi left her a note deciding whatever her mother was doing was none of her business. Avi wondered if she was deluding herself, but rationalized that trying to stop her mother once she set her mind on something was next to impossible.
An hour later, each properly suited up flight crew member began pre-flight walk around checks on their ships. Rachel showed Reuben how to inspect for leaks and visual damage. Wendy and Rashi took their time going over Avi’s ship. Avi meticulously showed Faye Anne what to look for in their ship. Abraham already knew what to look for so he and Greg were ready before the others.
Sarah and Mimi came to see them off. Sarah kissed her husband and said, “I knew you’d get a chance to fly. I love you. Come back safe.”
Mimi reached up to her father for a big hug.
Sarah came over to her two boys. “You will be alone with a young lady for several days. I expect you to behave as gentlemen. You understand me?”
“Yes, Mom!”
Sarah faced her sons. “Be careful. Flying the real thing is not the same as a simulator. I want you back with all your pieces in their right places.” Reuben and Rashi hugged her and Mimi and climbed into their ships.
Faye Anne’s parents, her sister and brother came to see her off. “Faye Anne, you do what you’re told. Understand? This one’s not about you,” her mother reminded her.
“Yes, mom. I’ll be good.” She climbed into the ship with Avi.
Two hours after the intruder alert was received, four ex-Federation pirate interdiction craft departed Eretz headed for the freight depot on the planet’s moon.
ERETZ - CHAPTER TEN
THE FOUR SHIPS LANDED as instructed at the freight depot. Rachel and Wendy linked to the cargo ship’s air locks so they, Reuben and Rashi could board the cargo ship without needing EVA suits. They instructed the cargo ship’s computer to undock the P I ships and park them on the flight apron. Greg and Avi docked their ships in turn, and soon all eight were on the cargo ship’s flight deck.
“We have a couple of hours before we need to head out.” Greg said. “While we’re here, Wendy and Rachel pick up what you need to take down to the planet and stow it on your ships. I think we should take our EVA suits with us. We can leave them on the P I’s.”
For the next hour there was a mad scramble as they packed their possessions, clothes, games, workstations, data assistants and whatever else they thought might be of use into their P I ships. They loaded Greg’s ship then Avi’s. Those two ships moved to parking spots, and the two ships the girls were using re-docked. After everything else was loaded, Wendy was still searching deep into her personal storage compartment. Miraculously, the personal storage compartments had not been ransacked by the Swordsmen the way the rest of the ship had been after it had been hijacked. Faye Anne, Reuben, Rashi and Rachel sat on the edge of Wendy’s bed anxiously waiting to find out what she was searching for so intently. After much bumping and thumping, a small flight helmet rolled out on to the floor. A few minutes later a small boot flew out and then another followed by a small flight suit and a set of small gloves. When the bumping and thumping finally stopped, a disheveled Wendy emerged victorious.
Rachel picked up the suit and asked, “Why do we need this?”
“It’s one of my old flight suits,” Wendy said.
“I see that,” Reuben said.
Wendy smiled. “It’s for Mimi. Did you see the look on her face when we left her behind? I thought she was going to cry.”
“I think it’s too big for her,” Rachel observed.
“Even better,” Wendy said. “We can tell her when she’s big enough to wear the suit, she can fly with us. That will make her feel better.”
“And I thought the kid was taking advantage of me!” Rachel said.
“She does that to everyone!” Reuben laughed.
Greg and Abraham left first. Avi and Faye Anne followed. The two remaining P I’s were re-docked. Rachel and Wendy piloted the cargo ship to a point in space where it could better monitor the drone’s activities. They left to join the others. Once clear of the cargo ship, Rachel and Wendy extended their weapons pods. They hyper jumped to a point slightly behind the drone’s path so they could catch up with it from behind in standard drive. For the four passengers, this was their first experience with a short hyper jump, and they immediately understood the difference between the longer jump they had made a few years earlier on their way to Eretz from the central system and this much shorter jump. Faye Anne especially understood Wendy’s admonition about good support.
When their passengers had recovered from the shock of the hyper jump, the four pilots advanced on the drone now coasting on its assigned trajectory. Following the current path, the drone would intercept the freight depot. Greg assumed its mission was to investigate and photograph the depot. The four ships took their positions. Greg was slightly ahead of the drone. Avi behind and the girls on either side. The girls rotated their craft so they were looking at the drone. This was the position they called “around the clock”. With all their missile tubes loaded and the lasers armed, any hint of a problem from the drone could mean instant annihilation. The tactic was used to advantage when capturing the stray scouts that had wandered into their old home’s defensive perimeter.
Greg and Abraham deployed the probe in the direction of the drone. It quickly found the open port and immediately started streaming data. Abraham read as much of the data as he could as
it poured into the P I’s memory. When it was finished, he said, “It works from a tender. Can you open the navigation program so I can give you the coordinates?”
“That’s not far from here.” Greg commented once the display indicated the location that corresponded to the coordinates. We could hyper jump that in about six hours.”
Abraham scanned the data. “I can give the drone the electronic equivalent of a lobotomy. It will complete its mission, but won’t bring back any data. I can make it look like a malfunction.”
“Do that. I’m contacting Admiral Sherman for permission to investigate the tender,” Greg said.
Admiral Sherman gave permission to investigate but not to engage the tender.
Not comfortable jumping in formation, Greg jumped to a point not far from the tender first. The others followed one at a time.
The tender was a cargo ship like Greg’s except that the cargo attachments had been modified to support launching platforms for drones. There was a P I attached to one air lock and a destroyer attached to the other. Two of the drones bristled with antennae and sensors like the one they had intercepted. Six appeared capable of carrying nuclear payloads.
“Now what do we do?” Abraham asked.
“We orbit and see how long it takes them to respond,” Greg replied. He had the ships move to a “finger four” formation with their weapons armed.
The P I left the tender first and headed in their direction with its targeting radar activated. Greg hailed it, and it failed to respond. Greg had the computer initiate a broad multi-band hail on all the normal frequencies. It did not respond. The destroyer separated from the tender. The tender started its engines. The destroyer approached with its targeting radar activated.
In the old days, when he was fighting pirates, Greg’s decision would have been easy. He would have targeted all three ships and destroyed them. Now his options were less clear. If he attacked these vessels, he could provoke an incident. He heard a strange clicking noise from the back seat. “What are you doing back there?” Greg asked.
Solomon Family Warriors II Page 40