Alpha One - Chris Burton [5]
He continued: “Myself and Lieutenant’s Marlo and Adamski will fly solo at the rear of the formation. No heroics today please ladies and gentlemen. You are just getting a feel for these ships and I don’t expect flybys or any wing tipping. That’s it. Get out there and enjoy.”
The three instructors stood up and left the room through the door leading directly to the flight hangar.
Jake and Steve were allocated a ship at the far end of the hangar. A long walk, but they would probably be first out. They boarded the ship via the wing and footplate and strapped themselves into their seats, with Steve assuming Command for takeoff and the first half of the flight. Familiarization and pre-flight checks took fifteen minutes and unsurprisingly, Steve and Jake’s ship was the first to leave the hangar and head for the runway.
Two minutes later the ship assumed ‘pole position’ on the runway and Steve requested flight clearance. They were cleared for takeoff and Steve pulled down hard on the stick and the Rapier responded instantly, lunging forward at five hundred kilometers per hour before taking off sharply after only two hundred meters. They assumed near vertical flight and accelerated briskly. The Earth’s shields were already down at their intended exit point and they cleared the troposphere and assumed off-world flight status, just twenty seconds after takeoff.
The remaining ten ships joined them in orbit within two minutes, with the final three ships flying in formation with ‘Night Hawk’ leading and the two instructors either side. Each vessel was assigned a call sign during the pre-flight and Red 5 piloted by Steve Costello, assumed the lead.
The solar system was always busy with freight, private, cruise and Alpha vessels occupying the same small area of space. Their movements were strictly controlled. Alpha Fleet vessels always guaranteed a high priority and the eleven vessel ‘training’ formation was quickly granted clearance and the formation departed long the seventh space way. Heading towards Mars, Red Group cleared the main Earth space routes and Steve expertly maneuvered the Rapier to its intended course. Red commander (Night Hawk) then issued the ‘jump’ command and all eleven vessels made the jump to stellar speed instantaneously. This was however, not a race and the Commander only allowed Red 5 the luxury of leading the formation briefly before he instructed Red 3 to assume pole position. The small fleet headed onward towards their destination.
Red 5’s cockpit was quiet. This was not particularly unusual, as the peace and tranquility of space, when not in battle, often created a calming environment. Steve monitored his key controls, via his head up and helmet displays, while Jake carried out the post take off checks.
Steve had something on his mind. He allowed Jake to think the matter of his intimacy with Carla was closed. It was most certainly not. Steve knew Carla was pre-occupied with something and someone and it was likely that Jake was involved. This was just the opportunity he needed to challenge Jake properly.
“So how’s Carla?” Steve asked.
“You should know. She’s your girlfriend,” replied Jake.
Steve smiled and declared, “You are seeing Carla behind my back. You are both flaunting it. Why can’t you find your own woman? Leave mine alone.”
Jake sighed it was going to be a long flight. “Steve, I am not seeing Carla; she’s your girlfriend, and I don’t do seconds, thanks.”
Before Steve could reply further, two of the three coaxial lights came on and they were starting to lose power.
“Red 5. What’s your position?”
“Looks like we have a coaxial fuel leak and we are losing pressure in the vectral thrusters. I am sending Jake to have a look.”
Jake went to the rear of the cockpit and studied the information monitors. Pressure would