“Let me start by saying this, I will not tolerate traitors here, we have a relatively open policy here, if you wish to leave, you may do so. The only clause is that you give up your gift.” I take out a antidote vial, demonstrating to the gathered commanders. “Your years will catch up to you, in standard time. There is no fear of suddenly growing old in days before turning to dust.”
Many looked around, some of them quite relieved.
“However, we will have to wipe your memory of sensitive information, and forge you some new documents. A semi-fresh start if you will. You will remember your old lives, we will probably have to make some Cryo-stasis up for you that are well over fifty years of age. This isn’t the first time we had to make new starts.” I put the antidote down. “For those that want to quit the service but remember stuff, we also have training camps that need instructors with experience. You will be based in the Sector and various other stations and bases. Now give me a moment to get these documents in order.”
“Right, it has come to my attention that your units are flying around in this ship design yes?” A schematic comes up, it had 4 turrets sticking out of it, double twin engines, and a somewhat bird like design. “The Osprey C-5, armed with four main outer hull turrets, class five thrusters. Living quarters can man up to four people at a time. The cannons are class seven blasters, each cannon requires two people to operate. Correct?”
With many agreements I went on, “Secondary turrets are heavy hitting class four cannons, reduced rate of fire for a stronger punch. They can be controlled, but it is best to let onboard systems do the job. You will note that there isn’t any secondary or redundant life support systems, this was apparently done to make more room to allow the turrets to rotate. These ships sacrifice speed for firepower, and it also gives away armor for mobile turrets.”
“Recall all units, this ship is an abomination! These are civilian escort ships! Your units can keep these for personal use if they wish, but they will fly Overlord approved combat vessels when on duty, is that understood?”
“Sir!”
“Very well, look at these new designs, you will note that they are far superior than those civilian junk piles. Production starts as soon as we finish here.” I flicker through a few designs. “Living quarters have improved by adding 2 more bunks. These are also unmanned turrets, controlled by consoles that don’t require two to operate. These controls are relatively easy to control, although I would recommend some training anyway for better response times. These cannons are class eight, they also have coolant enhancements for longer firing time. Class five secondary turrets can be controlled as well, you will note that they pack a slightly weaker punch but they make up for that by faster firing.”
I rotate the design, flicking through parts. “The design still requires two pilots, but can be controlled by a single person. Each section of the ship has redundant life support systems, it is required though that crew wear pressure suits in combat situations though. There is a double hull, built with EMP resistant materials. These are class seven thrusters, they can be maintained from inside as well if needed. With these improvements it has left room for a cargo hold.”
I zoom into the side of the ship. “You can either carry cargo now, or you can carry one combat craft. Drone or piloted it doesn’t matter to me. Every cabin has its own redundant life support systems good up to eight hours, each suit has at least one hour of support as well.” zooming across the ship I show the engine compartment “The shield deflectors have been modernized, and can hold up slightly longer against military grade weapons, however it would be wise to avoid being hit in the first place. The armor is a composite alloy type that I won’t go into details about, all I will say is that it can take a bit more of a beating than what you are used to. Beware however, that once breached it will do you no good. The best way to take a hit is to not be there when it lands. Nanobots are still there, however each section has its own smaller hive to react faster as the situation demands it.”
“Due to the lighter armor, and smarter designs, the craft are far more maneuverable than usual, and can reach top speeds far more quickly. It will not however out run everything, this design is for dog fighting, not racing. Eventually we will have a more faster craft for hit and run tactics, as well as a more heavy armored battle fortress type.” Closing the design I turn back to the commanders. “Keep in mind, these craft are highly modular, you will be able to switch out the cannons for whatever you wish, rail guns, turbo blasters, kinetic weapons, missile launchers. The cargo hold can be converted to whatever you wish, a transport, ship bay, jamming equipment, whatever you wish.”
“I do know that individuals are partial to decorating their craft, all that I ask is you keep our Colors on it, our calling sign. I could give a damn less about what you do on the interior, so long as the Colors and Symbol remain the same. Now, is there any questions?”
“How long will each craft take to be built? Reports indicate that we need to mobilize soon against rogue groups in Sector Fifty-Five. Our contract states that this is a timely manner that needs to be dealt with within the next two weeks.”
“Our directives are to patrol the AgriCorps planets, lately there has been increased pirate raids on them. These new ships show promise, however, we need craft now.”
Various other commanders had timely concerns as well, almost shouting each other out. I fire off my prop pistol silencing them. “As I said, production starts as soon as we leave this room. It only takes a day to build ten standard craft… Per shipyard. It will take slightly longer to add on different modules, three days at the most. I had taken the liberty of building fifty standard craft for emergency purposes. There are two shipyards per commander at your disposal for the next four days. After this week is out, you will have to reserve the standard shipyards, and the usual wait times.”
This seemed to appease the commanders for now. “These shipyards have been stocked for a maximum of sixty ships each. Personal modules are available free of charge for this opportunity, if a spartan look about it. For aesthetics I would recommend you spend your own money and time for it.”
“Begin preparation, for now the controls remain the same as the Osprey, slowly we shall upgrade control systems for better response times. In one years time we will once more be the top ship producer.” The other commanders seemed to appreciate the new ship, and seemed to get their confidence back. “You have your orders, dismissed!”
It had been a couple of days since the mission, with Nona and Natasha, they were standing at the bridge seeing off their comrade Yasha and Victor. With full honors they was sent off.
“I still have no idea why a cola box.” I comment, watching as the pod drifts towards the star.
“He told me that he loved the drink, and that he didn’t want to be buried or left adrift in the void.” explained Nona. “Whatever though, he’ll just have to be content we sent him off with a case than actually trying to stuff him into a cola box. Not that he’d fit, he was a fitness freak, too much muscle.”
“Right?”
“Enough with this bullshit. We must still find replacement members. The 18th is down to our crew, and even we are down by two. Boris, you’re in charge of this recruitment drive.” Natasha was all business lately, she won’t admit that Yasha’s loss hit her hard.
“Why me?”
“The Overlord likes you, apparently there is something about you that people like. Do you honestly think people would trust me?”
“She does have a point Boris, Yasha or even Dimitri would’ve left me in that room when it depressurized. Besides, it was you that got us home alive.”
“Fine then, lets get going. We still got work to do.”
End part 13
Stay tuned for part 14 next Friday.
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Leave a comment if you wish, it would be appreciated. Cheers
-Kenneth
Trihazard18 