Alpha One - Chris Burton [61]
They both felt relieved. The remainder of the return trip to Alpha Two was uneventful and, within a half hour, the Sabre 2 neared its destination.
It was Jake’s turn to work his magic. He was given clearance to land by Alpha Two control and he set up the landing parameters on his visor display. He needed to compensate by bringing the aft thrusters on line twenty-three seconds later than if both the main and aft thrusters worked. He took his time and waited for the jump pad’s emergency tractor beam to grab the jump ship before applying pressure on the thrusters’ manual controls. Split-second timing was required to ensure he didn’t overrun the jump pad. He eased off on the thruster controls expertly and the jump ship landed with a thud. Jake allowed the sensor controlled grabbers to lock the ship in place and disconnect the tractor beam. He heaved a huge sigh of relief.
“Great landing,” said Maguire.
“Great mechanics,” said Jake.
They both laughed as they climbed down from the cockpit and watched the CAG team set about securing the ship and commencing repairs to the damaged thruster.
“No point us sticking around here,” said Jake. “Let’s grab a drink and come back in half an hour or so.”
“The thrusters and nose cone are going to take about two hours to repair, so there is little point you going up again. The shift will be over before you are able to rejoin your group.” Harry Wong located the two Academy rookies’ in the mess hall.
“You did well today—both of you. Your group leader reports you took out a ‘Wasp’ single-handed, Enson Carter. You have made your first ‘kill’. You are among a select few to have achieved this before graduation. One thing, though; it might have been better if you had waited for a wing-man. You are much safer in pairs and the format usually allows you to work as part of a team.
“Enson Maguire. Your repair to the power unit and innovation with the power coupling was fantastic. All in all, you guys proved yourselves well, and I would be more than happy to take you both in here, should we have a vacancy when you graduate.”
Jake and Siobhan thanked the Commander and watched him as he left the Mess Hall.
“I guess you could say that was a double hit.”
“Yes. I think I owe you a drink,” said Jake.
“Don’t you be coming on to me, Enson Carter. I know your reputation.”
“Don’t worry. My love life is complicated enough without you adding to it.”
The two pilots chatted for a while before Jake stood up. “I think I am going to take a stroll, care to join me?”
The Squadron had a relatively quiet time once the ‘Wasps’ were rounded up. The captives were taken by the Patrol vessels directly to Venus command, where they would be processed and tried. The evidence would be compiled quickly, allowing for a quick trial, conviction and immediate transfer to a penal colony.
Steve was impressed. The Green Squadron was not made of front-line pilots. They were more than capable and they dealt with the pirate threat consistently without fuss. It was good today and he spent the day with Lydia Lyons. He was tired and ready to return to Alpha Two, debrief and get back to Earth as quickly as possible.
The debriefing was straightforward enough. The operation was effective and, collectively, eighteen space pirates and their ‘Wasp’ ships were taken into custody. Commander Wong had thanked the Academy trainees for their ‘active’ participation and had praised the group as a whole without singling out any particular jump ship crew. Wong finished by saying he welcomed approaches from new jump ship graduates six months from now. He exploded the myth that the front line was the only place to find notice and move up the ladder.
The trainee pilots made their way to the mess hall following the debriefing. Steve and Lydia met up with Jake and Siobhan for a drink. Jake’s ship was ready and the four pilots agreed to swap so that Jake and Steve could fly home in the AA5, with the two girls taking the other ship.
Steve relished