Alpha One - Chris Burton [122]
Jake and Steve were led back towards the main hangar and into the CAG’s ready room, which looked out upon and gave a clear view of the main deck.
“Come in and sit down, Ensons Carter and Costello. I have been briefed on your background and availability. I am pleased to say that I am only too grateful for additional pilots, albeit rookies. I am drafting you into my reserve fleet. As you have not yet graduated, you will understand I cannot make you front line combat-ready and, in any case, the jump ship variants are probably not yet familiar to you. Do either of you have any preference for Rapier or Sabres?”
Both Jake and Steve answered immediately. Unsurprisingly, Jake opted for Sabres and Steve for Rapiers.
“Very well,” the CAG replied. “You are drafted in. Enson Costello, please report to the fore jump ship deck. Lieutenant Simmons will show you your barrack room and flight schedules. Enson Carter, you can follow me down to the main deck. The Sabre CAG is beginning a briefing shortly.”
Jake did not get a chance to wish his friend good luck, but gave Steve a nervous acknowledgement as he left the CAG’s ready room and headed for the Sabre Flight deck. As he exited the hangar administration block, in front of him stood a squadron of Sabre 4’s, and a crowd of pilots gathered round a makeshift briefing board. The Sabre CAG had just started to address his pilots. Jake stood at the back while the Sabre CAG was brought up to speed on his new addition.
“Ladies and Gentlemen. I am pleased to announce we have a new team member—a rookie and still a baby I am afraid. Enson Carter, please approach the briefing board.”
Jake moved towards the front of the crowd and the CAG continued. “You come highly recommended by the ship’s CAG.”
“Today you will be flying a Sabre 4, which I presume will be your first time. We are on a two hour patrol of the region and you will fly wing-man to Blue Leader, Lieutenant Hope.” He gestured towards a female pilot, who acknowledged him briefly before turning her attention back towards the CAG.
“Okay everyone: ‘We make hay while the sun shines’. While there is no action, you guys get to do some flying, so make the most of it. You all know this, but if things get bad, you could be drafted into the combat squadrons quickly, so please ensure your familiarity and, above all, your concentration levels remain at peak. You can make your way to your ships. Enson Carter, please follow me.”
Jake was led to the front of the squadron and a gleaming new Sabre 4. He could not believe his luck and, for a moment, he briefly lost sight of his overall predicament, of Carla and the Kryl. He climbed aboard the Sabre 4 and strapped himself in. He was joined by a technician, who made adjustments to his flight position, to accommodate Jake’s frame, and to his helmet so it matched his DNA and cortex frequencies. Thirty seconds later, Jake Carter–call sign Blue 7–launched into space. He picked out the Blue Leader and expertly tucked himself behind her wing.
* * * *
The Sabre 4 was every bit as responsive as described. Its controls were instantly intuitive, and its subtlety beyond anything else Jake had encountered. It was simply stunning to fly and Jake quickly grew in confidence. Their flight path took them away from the fleet and towards the first of the three interconnecting planetary systems, before sweeping back and passing the rear of the fleet directly in front of the three wormholes, keeping to a safe distance to avoid being pulled in. The first circuit took about twenty minutes and as they swept past the last of the twelve planets and headed back towards the fleet for the second time, Jake was very much in the zone. It was a calming place to be, and Blue leader followed a simple flight pattern, making the job of wing-man simple. There was no comm traffic, because of the comm block.