Recruitment Part IV - Finale
05 Jun 2020NeLs0n RaD
CMDR Note: Late Log Entry for OPSEC of Ongoing Operations11.05.3306 / Aboard: Krait MkII 'Antares' 3TG2-7 / Ops Region: Apadecavi / Ops System: Apadecavi / Current Contract: NA – Docked @ Fontenay City
We saw a station run-about with a Sirius Special Forces logo on its side pull up in front of the Antares. The rear door opened and a sharply uniformed Asian woman stepped out, looking expectantly toward the cockpit.
“I reckon that's my ride”, I said, “I'll be back in a bit. Keep the coffee on, yeah?” I winked at 'Lys.
She gave a bit of a nervous smile in return, “No worries Cap.”
I took the entry lift down to the landing pad and strode toward the run-about, regarding my escort as I approached. About 165cm tall, she was wearing what my experience as a Federal Marine told me was an 'office dress' uniform, black waist jacket, black shirt sporting a teal neck tie and black slacks bloused into notably spit-polished combat boots. The uniform was trimmed in red with what looked to be silver ranking ribbon at the cuffs and epaulets of the jacket, and a single silver stripe running the length of the slacks. If my estimate was right, it meant she held the Federation Navy rank of Lieutenant Commander. Her hair was tied back in a low bun topped by a black beret with a silver Sirius Corp crest pinned to it. On the left shoulder of her jacket was the black, teal, silver and red Sirius Special Forces patch, the right shoulder sported a Pilots Federation Combat Dangerous patch. Nice...
As I drew near, I was suddenly surprised as she drew her right hand up in a smart salute. My Marine instinct kicked in and I returned it promptly, as she introduced herself,
“Leftenant Commander Chan at your service, Sir!” she said, using the old Earth British pronunciation for Lieutenant in an accent that told me English had not been her first language. Dropping the salute and motioning toward the door of the run-about, “If you would, Sir...”
I waved my hand casually with a bit of a smile, “No need for all the 'Sir' stuff, Commander, I work for a living.” I climbed into the run-about and made myself comfortable on the bench seat couch. As LtCdr Chan climbed aboard and settled across from me she regarded me a bit quizzically, then,
“You are Rear Admiral Nelson Rad, are you not, Sir?” she asked.
I stopped and considered for a second, “Well, I reckon you're right on that account. To be honest, I haven't really thought about it much.” Though I did remember the Navy sending me a really nice dress uniform and informing me that I would, on occasion, be expected to wear it.
She nodded a bit, “Then it is only proper that I address you as 'Sir', Sir.”
“Well alright, Lef-ten-ant Commander Chan, you may do as you will in that respect”, I answered. These people obviously take the 'military' part of 'paramilitary' seriously.
She smiled a bit at that, “Yes Sir, thank-you, Sir.” Then turning a bit to the front of the run-about, she called out, “Pilot?!”
“Ma'am?” came a young man's voice.
“Headquarters, quick time!” she commanded smartly.
“Aye, ma'am! Headquarters quick time, it is!” came back his confirmation.
The run-about levitated from the landing pad and quickly accelerated across the docking area, heading toward a vehicle passageway in the distance. I settled a bit in my seat and casually reached to my tele-glasses to begin recording. I immediately got an error signal telling me an electronics dampening field was in operation. As expected.
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'Lys Boyle watched the run-about lift off, then blinked hard, “Alright 'Lys, get your ass in gear!” She slipped the key into her flight suit sleeve pocket making sure it was secure, then slipped on her own flight jacket and secured it shut.
She called station services and arranged for a ground crew to top off the Antares with fuel. Knowing SSF would be watching her, she needed to come up with a way to give them the slip and make her way to the Heavy Metal undetected. Now all that time she wasn't racked on the Antares was going to come in handy. See, 'Lys Boyle had spent much of her free time wandering the station, and not just the public passageways and corridors, no, she liked going those places she wasn't supposed to be... simply because she could and it was where no one could monitor her. Such was the baggage left from time spent under supervision on an Imperial prison barge.
'Lys made her way down to the landing pad, then called station services again from her wrist-comm, “Pilot Boyle here, Antares three-tango-golf-two-zero-seven, pad zero-seven, needs a turn for launch prep.”
“Copy Antares, landing pad zero-seven, turn for launch prep. Stand-by.” came a dock controller's reply.
She took a casual stance under Antares starboard side, just forward of mid-ship. Her plan was to get to the station maintenance catwalk just below the dock deck. Problem was she couldn't do it on the pad's way down, she had to crouch to make the jump and that would alert anyone watching that something was up. No, she had to do it as the pad was coming back up on its turn, which meant if she missed... well, messy would be an understatement.
The landing pad shuddered, alerting her the turning cycle was beginning. As it dropped she felt the mag-grav coils in her boots strengthen to keep her from floating free. Now came the turn, she crouched down, fingertips at the cuffs of her boots to switch the coils off. As the pad began its upward journey, she fixed her target, took a breath, then mag-gravs off and... leap! 'Lys felt herself come free from the landing pad as she fairly flew upward. Pilot calculations racing in her head, she saw she was approaching the catwalk fast.
“Shit!” she had failed to account that the pad's upward movement added boost to her own leap and low gravity compounded it, “This is gonna leave a mark...” Using what little gravity there was she twisted herself around and put her back to the catwalk cubby slamming into the corner of the overhead and side bulkheads, her breath coming out in audible “ugghh!” at which point she found herself bouncing back toward the opening where the landing pad was beginning its pass. “Crap planet!” she cried aloud, as she hit the safety barrier, face first, seeing stars as she bounced back and finally came to rest, flat on her back on the catwalk, Newton's Law of Action and Reaction having balanced itself out as the landing pad disappeared up to the dock's deck.
“Owwwhhh!!!” 'Lys exclaimed, laying there for a moment as she gathered her wits. She reached to her boot cuffs and turned on their mag-gravs, then got to her feet, giving herself a once over check. While she was a bit sore, nothing seemed broken and she was able to move freely. “Any landing you can walk away from, is a good one...” she was glad Cap hadn't been around to witness this one.
The beautiful thing about hard to access station maintenance hatches was they were NEVER locked. There were thousands of them on Coriolis stations like this one and having them locked would defeat the purpose of getting quick access when one needed it, like say, when a ship's reactor had gone critical inside the dock and crews and repair limpets needed to get to seal off points before all of the station's atmosphere bled off into space. So 'Lys quickly gained access to the maintenance corridor, checked the direction finder on her data-pad and was soon on her way to the Heavy Metal.
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I regarded LtCdr Chan, the run-about quickly transiting the dock and entering a vehicle passageway as I considered possibilities. If she was my would-be assassin I had no doubt that she would attempt to be quick and efficient. Such was my experience with women in close quarters combat as a Federal Marine. You see, men often let things like ego and pride take over when facing a foe, they have to measure each other, to test each other, they have to dominate their enemy. What I had learned from my female compatriots in the Corps was they had no such compunctions in combat, to them it was simple... kill and survive, by whatever means necessary. I took that lesson to heart in my early days, first as a Federal Marine, later as a pilot and commander, and it saved my life on more than one occasion.
On the other hand, if she truly was the envoy she presented herself to be, I might be finding myself finally seated at the table and not on it as the main course. I hoped this was the case, as I did not relish the thought of LtCdr Chan's demise, neither by my hand nor by my legacy.
I decided to do some fishing, “So, Lieutenant Commander Chan, you're obviously an 'officer' with SSF... are you a member of the S.O.S.?”
She regarded me directly for just a moment with a polite smile, “I'm sorry Sir, I'm not at liberty to say.”
“I'll take that as a 'yes' then”, I came back.
“You really shouldn't, Sir”, she replied, then continuing, “None of the SSF's uniformed services are permitted to say which branch of our organization we are with, nor are we permitted to speak of our duties.
“However, Sir, I am permitted to say that I am honored to be assigned the particular duty of bringing you to see 'The Commander' today.”
I gave a polite nod and smile, “My pleasure, I'm sure, Lieutenant Commander Chan.”
The run-about exited the vehicle passageway and pulled up to a lobby entrance, one I recognized, we were at the 'faction' tower of Sirius Special Forces. VP Joshua Vang's offices were located here.
“Arrival at Headquarters, ma'am”, the young pilot called back.
“Very good, pilot”, LtCdr Chan acknowledged, “Remain on station here until my return.”
“Aye, ma'am, station-keeping this location.”
LtCdr Chan exited through the rear door, taking up an escort position and motioning toward the lobby entrance with her hand, “Admiral?”
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'Lys had worked her way to where the Heavy Metal was hangared, two decks “down” from Antares, in a long-term storage hangar in the station's L-pad ring. Now the trick was to get into the ship without being spotted by station security. But it wasn't a difficult one, all the CCTV vids were pointed down toward the ship's regular deck accessed entries and the lighting was dimmed. 'Lys found herself above the HM's starboard side where the maintenance hatch had opened into a cubby recess in the hangar bulkhead. Taking advantage of the still relatively low gravity, she quickly scaled the safety barrier, and balancing atop the railing for a moment, crouched slightly to turn off her boots then launched herself into a graceful diving arc toward the dark top of the HM. In mid-arc she executed a beautiful somersault switching on her boots again as she did so, and landed perfectly feet first on the ship.
“Now that's how its done, Pilot Boyle!” she told herself with some satisfaction, then quickly crouched and made her way aft to HM's emergency egress hatch. Laying flat on her belly there, she opened the hatch access panel, placing her hand on the bio-scanner. “C'mon, c'mon, Victor... be a good boy and let me in...” she whispered as the scanner took its reading.
There was a slight whirring sound and suddenly the hatch popped down and slid back to its open position. Victor's British accented voice came from the HM's interior, “Greetings Pilot Boyle, you are at the emergency egress hatch, are you in need of assistance?”
'Lys' eyes grew wide in horror, as she scrambled into the ship through the hatch, “No Victor, I'm quite alright, please close the hatch immediately!”
There was the slight whirring sound again as the hatch slid back into place, “Hatch secured”, came Victor's informative reply. The ship's interior lighting began to flicker on,
“Emergency lighting only, Victor!” 'Lys called out.
The bright interior lights immediately dimmed to red as Victor complied with 'Lys' command, “Emergency lighting on”, the AI informed again.
She made her way down from the emergency egress compartment and forward through HM's cavernous cargo hold, then gained access to the bridge decks. Finally she arrived at the command bridge, stopping for a moment at the entry, she took a deep breath considering what she was about to do. Then with no further hesitation stepped onto the command bridge and looked to her right to locate the engineering panel. Coming up to it, she reached inside her flight jacket to her flight suit sleeve pocket and drew out the key.
“You have the key”, Victor's voice caused 'Lys to start, “Is Commander Rad no longer with us, Pilot Boyle?” the AI queried.
The statement and question caught 'Lys a bit by surprise, why would the ship's AI know anything about this key? But seeing as it does,
“I don't know, Victor. SSF took the Commander a short while ago, he told me to come here with the key”, she replied.
The AI was quiet for a moment, then “My scans and queries to station services are not able to locate our Commander presently”, Victor stopped again, then continued, “Please proceed with the operation at hand, Pilot Boyle.”
'Lys raised a brow at that, “You know what I'm about to do, Victor?”
“Yes, Pilot Boyle. Commander Rad informed me of the possibility that you would come to implement this operation. His instructions were that I am to aid you in its completion with every system at my disposal. He said I am to... trust... you, as he did.”
Hearing this 'Lys choked back tears and almost broke down, then recovered herself and with a look of grim resolve slid the key into place,
“This is what happens...” one click right, “when ya f*ck around...” two clicks left, “with us!”... three clicks right... and... nothing. 'Lys stared at the non-functioning timer.
“Please remove the key, Pilot Boyle”, Victor prompted.
“Shit!” 'Lys thought to herself, feeling a flush of embarrassment come over her as she pulled the key out of the mechanism. The timer came to life, immediately starting its count – 2:04:59... 58... 57...
She heard a hum and felt a bit queasy for a short moment, then heard Victor's informative, “Two hours, four minutes, fifty-five seconds until reactor critical”, then continued, “Pilot Boyle, I have taken the liberty to synchronize your data-pad with the count-down clock. Also, I have implemented an EM field which will cancel all incoming or outgoing signals within a 300 meter radius. Once you leave I will activate my shields. Unless Commander Rad personally returns with the key, this operation will complete as scheduled. Any attempts to abort this operation by any means other than the Commander's return with the key will result in an immediate reactor critical condition.”
“The ultimate dead-man's switch”, 'Lys mused to herself.
“You should leave now, Pilot Boyle. Maintenance crews will soon arrive to investigate the EM field and may try to detain you.”
“Thank you, Victor, you are a credit to your model line”, 'Lys complimented as she secured the key in her flight suit sleeve.
“It has been my pleasure to serve with both the Commander and yourself, Pilot Boyle”, the AI replied.
“No worries, Victor... Commander Rad will be returning and we'll be serving together again soon”, 'Lys said hopefully as she made for the command bridge door.
“That would also be a satisfactory completion of this operation”, Victor affirmed.
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We stepped off the lift at what I estimated to be the very outermost floor of the SSF tower. This was even further out than VP Vang's office. Here the gravity was a perfect Earth-normal 1G, and I felt the mag-grav coils in my boots switch off.
This area was definitely VIP. Real wood paneling covered the walls which were adorned with many pieces of rare artwork, along with the occasional stands and cases of equally rare original works of statues made of every exotic material one could think of from throughout the galaxy. Even the desks were made of wood, and there were real green plants everywhere! There was a quiet but busy atmosphere about the place, but the biggest thing I noticed was everyone seemed... at ease. Everyone had a job, was doing that job, and obviously liked the job they were doing.
Further on from the open area was where the private offices were located, all along the circumference of the floor. Some had Plexiglas walls and I could see they had windows looking out into the stars. Others had their inner walls darkened so that whatever was taking place there would be unseen. I was being led toward the center of this arc of suites, where a large area of the arc was taken up by solid walls, again wood paneled. This particular office had a large SSF squadron logo above the double entry doors in typical military fashion, then just below that, in block lettering that was raised from the wall “SPECIAL OPERATIONS SQUADRON” and lastly, below that, just one word, “COMMANDER”.
I noted there was a guard at each side of the door. Unlike LtCdr Chan, these men were uniformed in mottled grey camouflaged utilities, though like LtCdr Chan, wore black berets with silver Sirius Corp crests and SSF patches at their left shoulders. And these guards were armed with stun sticks... not stun guns, interesting... From the looks of them, I'd make them out to be former Marines, from one or the other Federation or Imperial Superpowers.
As we approached, LtCdr Chan addressed them, “Good day gentlemen, this is Rear Admiral Rad, here to speak with The Commander.”
The guards snapped to attention, rendered a smart salute, then the senior of the two turned and addressed me first, “Good day Sir, and welcome”, he took up a data-pad from a small ornate end-table, and held it out toward me, “If you would log your thumbprint here, Sir”, I did so. Then turning toward LtCdr Chan, “Ma'am?” to which she did the same. While all this was going on, I noted the other guard never took his eyes from me... professionals, nice!
“You may go right in, Sir”, the senior guard said, and opened the door for me.
“No announcement?” I asked.
“The Commander is aware that you're here, Sir”, the guard replied.
“I'll see you shortly Admiral”, I heard from LtCdr Chan. I certainly hoped that would be the case.
I stepped into the office and heard the door close quietly behind me as I surveyed the interior. It looked much like any other well-to-do commanding officer's office might look, a rich wooden desk with a plush real leather chair behind it, behind that a VIP view out into space. There were two very nice arm chairs in front of the desk to either side. On my left was a... bookshelf... filled with what looked to be some very ancient texts, bound in leather, from old Earth. To my right was a paneled wall with some presentations and award plaques on it. One of note was a framed diploma from the Federation's Special Weapons and Warfare School. It was too far away to make out the name on it, however, and my tele-glasses were still in-op.
“Good day, Commander Rad”, came a voice I recognized as Commander Maehara's, “Please do have a seat. The Commander will be with you momentarily.”
I glanced at my wrist chronometer, the only thing that seemed to be working at the moment, and that was because it was a mechanical watch. The trip to this point had been about 30 minutes. If I knew 'Lys, the HM was already in count-down. I hope this 'Commander' gets a move on...
The outer window became opaque and the lights dimmed a bit. The chair behind the desk seemed to flicker and then was filled with... a holo-image!
Well, crap planet, he's not even HERE!
I looked to the image trying to get a look at who I was dealing with, because he was sitting it was impossible to gauge his height, and while I could get a general impression of his face (at least I thought it was a he) I couldn't get the features, as the image was being intentionally scrambled. He looked to be wearing an 'office dress' uniform similar to LtCdr Chan.
“Commander Nelson Rad, at last!” the Commander greeted... definitely male.
“Indeed”, I replied, “and you would be Commander...?”
“For now, just 'Commander' will do”, he answered.
“Alright then, 'just Commander', what can I do for you today?” I came back, putting on my traders face, “And we might want to make it quick, I have an appointment that would be really bad for me to miss.”
I couldn't tell for sure, but it seemed that the 'Commander' smiled, then said, “Would that appointment have anything to do with your Type-10... the 'Heavy Metal', is it? Our engineers inform me that its shields are activated and it is emitting a rather strong EM dampening field.”
Excellent work, Pilot Boyle! Knew I could count on you!
“Well now, that it would, sir... and it would also be really bad for your engineers to go tampering with it”, I replied.
This time I could tell, he laughed out loud, a full mirthful laugh, “Oh my good Commander, I really must convince you to come on board with us!”
I was a bit confused at his reaction, “Am I missing something here? You do know what happens if I miss my 'appointment' at the HM?"
“Let me guess, the reactor goes critical?” he said chuckling.
“And wipes out your station!”, I exclaimed, starting to feel a bit insulted by his apparent lack of concern. Was this 'Commander' insane?
The Commander grew a bit more serious as he gauged my tone, “That the station is at risk is of great concern to me, please do not misunderstand”, then he continued, “But what absolutely ROCKS me is that you would do such a thing in order to protect the interests of yourself and your comrade. Oh that I could enlist a dozen like you!”
“So, let me get this straight, you're concerned the station is at risk, but not angry with the person who put it at risk?” I asked.
“Angry?! Why not at all, Commander. Were I in the position you perceived yourself to be in, I would only hope that I would have the... cajones... to do the same!” then he continued, “So come, let us reason together, shall we?”
“I'm listening”, I replied.
“Very good, I will come straight to the point, then discuss any questions you may have”, the Commander said, his tone going to straightforward business, “The S.O.S. has need of a Deputy Squadron Commander to command a wing in certain sectors we've not been able to cover to date. We've looked at other candidates but they have proved to be less than... optimal.”
“I've been seeing SSF ships and wings all through this sector, how is it you aren't covered?” I asked.
“They are not S.O.S. and while they may be on missions that on some level are directed from here, they have no knowledge of such direction”, the Commander answered.
I considered that for a moment, “Alright, let's get to it. What is it S.O.S. does and who does it work for?”
“Ah, what shall we say?” the Commander mused, “Put simply, we influence events in our areas of operations. As to who we “work for”, it would be more appropriate to say that we work with certain parties.”
“So you're not with Sirius Gov or LYR?” I queried.
“We are definitely NOT 'with' Sirius Gov”, the Commander answered icily, then paused for a moment, “We do, on occasion, undertake operations that they benefit from, as our interests at those times happen to coincide.”
I nodded in understanding, “And LYR?”
“While we do not work directly with Mr Li's offices, we do work to maintain his interests in regions and sectors that we have a presence”, the Commander explained, “We find his 'business' model and ethics... agreeable.”
“So, Sirius Special Forces and the S.O.S. are independent from Sirius Corp altogether?” I asked, “How is it I see Sirius Corp and LYR all over this region? Even your logo and uniforms carry Sirius Corp insignia.”
“Lets just say Mr Li finds us 'necessary'”, the Commander replied, then went on to explain, “As I'm sure you are aware, LYR and Sirius Corp have entered into agreements with all the Superpowers to remain “neutral” in areas of conflict between them and their various factions. Sirius' considerable naval and ground forces may only be used to provide security to LYR controlled and exploited systems. However, Mr Li is a realist, and understands that such agreements will invariably cause harm and losses to Sirius Corp interests...”
“And that's where your organization comes in... by being registered with the Federation and distanced thereby from LYR, you provide him deniability while accomplishing that which his 'regulars' cannot”, I interjected as I connected the dots.
“Precisely!” the Commander affirmed.
“Alright, you have my interest, now to the point... to what end, Commander?” I queried again.
“Ah, now that really is the question, isn't it Commander Rad?” the Commander came back, paused for a moment, then answered, “Really, it is to whatever end you decide for yourself, Commander. The real question is, do you wish to be an influence to that end?”
Now I really did have to stop to consider. What did I really want? Here's what I knew at the moment... I liked doing business in this sector, I had done well here and enjoyed the variety of systems I was doing business in. If joining Sirius Special Forces would help me to continue to do so, why not?
“Alright, Commander, tell me more about this 'position' you need to fill”, I put forward.
The Commander went straight to the point, “Deputy Squadron Commander, rank is Commanding Admiral. You will command a squadron wing in the SSF. Your area of operation is designated X-Ray-Bravo-One. All appropriate intelligence will be passed on to your data-banks.”
“Number of Commanders in my squadron wing?” I asked.
“Currently... one, a Commander Tau Yeti, excellent combat pilot by all accounts”, the Commander quickly answered.
“Only one?” I asked a bit plaintively.
The Commander chuckled a bit, “We are a Special Operations Squadron, Commander. It will be up to you to build your wing in your area of operation.”
I nodded in understanding, “Good enough, I reckon... I'm in.”
“Excellent!” the Commander exclaimed, then reached forward and seemed to push a button wherever he was located. A hidden panel opened on the desk before me, revealing a small hinged box. The Commander motioned toward it, “Please...”
I took up the box and opened it to reveal two collar insignia pins fashioned with a golden star over three golden chevrons. I looked back to the Commander.
“Welcome to Sirius Special Forces, Deputy Squadron Commander Rad!”