ILLUMINARRPG: (1-0840) Commander Strong and Bravo Squadron

[Al Muir]

Mission:  Prelude

Day: 1

Stardate:  2446.03.23


(Mars Defense Command - Commander Strong - 0840)


Commander Strong was reviewing the daily flight operations when the call came through from the USS Illuminar.  He knew their FCO, and had been sad when she moved to piloting the ships of the line.  Great instincts as a pilot with a damn fine record, but he knew she wanted and needed more.


Pleasantries were exchanged before the Lieutenant asked for a favor.  Pulling up the information on the USS Illuminar, he noted they had three of the MKIII Void Sphynx’s.  Why a research and discovery vessel had them was beyond him, but they were properly manifested.


Checking into their crew, he noticed two names on the list.  Not only did this explorer have advanced fighters, they had two of the best pilots in the fleet flying them.  Whoever pulled those strings had some clout.  Montero was a great pilot, just a bit unorthodox, and had issues in the past.  Strong thought back to the fight that Montero started when some diplomats started taking credit for the peace on Casperia Prime, when in fact they were responsible for the death of Montero’s wingman and best friend.


Snoopy was just too damned cute to be a fighter pilot, but nerves of steel and reactions to match. Those two alone in the MKIIIs would devastate a squadron.  Unless Tempest was flying the third fighter, it didn’t look like they had a third trained pilot.  But she asked for 6 fighters.   Could be good training for his team.  “Flight one to the briefing room in 20 minutes,” he called as he sent the command to get the fighters ready for a simulated combat.


(Mars Defense Command - Commander Strong - Pilot Briefing Room - 0900)


As Strong entered the room, his pilots came to attention. “At ease,” he said from the podium.  “We got a request to participate in an impromptu training mission.  The USS Illuminar has arrived at Mars and their FCO, Lieutenant Tempest Gray Wolf has asked for us to give their fighter pilots a bit of a brushup.”


There were murmurs through the pilots. “Yes, I know, it’s a research vessel, but somehow they got their hands on three MKIII’s.  Not only that, they have Raid and Snoopy flying them.”


“That’s a lot of firepower boss, and if those two can get alone, it’s going to be hairy,” said one of the pilots.


“I know, not sure who’s flying the third fighter, unless it’s Tempest herself, but she’s been flying ships of the line for a while now,” the commander replied. “So not sure who the third pilot will be.”


A map appeared on the screen behind him, “This is the tactical area we'll be flying in,” he said as the map outlined the volume of space.  “All the ships will have these markers, anyone who flies outside is out of the combat and will RTB.  Weapons are set for simulated combat, so hits will be recorded and transmitted to all the fighters. When the ship is destroyed, autopilot will take over and bring the fighter back to base.”


“Now, to make it interesting.  Post action meeting will be at the Canton Bar.  Everyone who gets shot down owes drinks tonight.  If you win, drinks are on me.  Finally, if they win, you’ll be cleaning for a week, so don’t let them win.  You have a two to one advantage.”


“But Sir, the MKIII?”


“Don’t be so intimidated Badger. Its another Fleetex.  No one has beat this squad in a year. Don’t let that record fall.”


The Commander looked around. “Dismissed, and kick ass.”


(Mars Defense Comand - Pilots Complex - Flight Line - 0920)


The six pilots were all business as they completed their walk around.  Getting into the fighters, Commander Strong’s voice came over the communicators.  “OK, Bravo lead is Baron.  Bravo two is Snake Eyes.  Brave Three is Deuce, Mutt you are bravo four, Badger you’re bravo five and last but not least is Spuds.  Good hunting.”


Deus Ex jogged to his fighter and after lovingly caressing the hull outside the hatch vaulted through and made his way to the chair. The pilot suit fit him like a glove and the face mask for emergency oxygen had been carefully chosen then modified to give him a menacing appearance. It didn't do a thing for the enemy but gave him a mental reset and focus that boosted his performance.


Sitting down he flipped the switch. "Pre-flight check go!" He quickly but thoroughly cataloged the readings that came up as he dry-fired every part of the lethal machine during the preflight checks. Everything was green to go.


"Deuce ready."


He powered up the fighter smoothly as it lifted from the pad, pointed its nose to the sky down his pre-programmed launch corridor and fed it power. The fighter leapt toward the sky as he settled back with a grim smile. Things had been too quiet lately but times were looking up.


The flight took off smart and was soon heading to the engagement zone.  “Bravo lead to all, keep it tight.  We know Raid, we know Snoopy.  So lets identify them first and take out the newbie.  Then we can go 6 on one on those two.  And they know all our tricks. Hell, they invented some of them. Stay cool, stay calm and stay with your wingman.”


Spuds brought up the tail of the formation.  He watched the oncoming trio of ships approach on his sensors.  It didn’t take long, or much, to see who the unknown pilot was.  The first ship and the last ship flew in a tight formation.  The middle ship was the one.  Whoever the pilot was didn’t anticipate the formation and their reaction was a little slower.  The MKIIIs were all fitted with an AI that could connect.  Even with an inexperienced pilot it should be able to anticipate the movement between the ships.  Explanation, someone turned of their AI.


“Bravo six, to team,” he said, “I think we can see who the new flyer is.”


“Bravo lead, agreed.  Mark tango as newbie.”


The first maneuver was a simple Thatch Weave maneuver.  He watched as the leadership bunked up on the Z and the second two banked down the Z.  That would be Snoopy.  He always was an overprotective son of a… .  The last time the two of them faced he’d been left a little embarrassed.  Not that Snoopy would ever gloat.  But he just out flew him.  And of he were honest, Spuds had flown a little over confident.  That was the day he earned the name Spuds.


“Looks like Raid wants to downplay his skills,” Baron said.  “Bravo two, bravo three go mix it up with the new guy.  Bravo 5 and Bravo 6, want to mix it up with Snoopy?  Bravo two and I will keep Raid occupied till the newbie is out of action.”


Deuce as he was known or Deus Ex as he was often called gave a grim smile.


"Snake Eyes on my wing, it's time to cause a little chaos."


=^= Following you in, give 'em hell. =^=


The three enemy fighters had engaged and were attempting to chop up one and four, now that they were baited it was time for an attack. Deuce fed more power to his fighter and screamed into the center, firing on the second ship to get its attention, as its wing turned on him he threw the Mako into a "power slide" using maneuvering thrusters to change his heading against its forward momentum and fired several shots into its wings forward shields followed by gunning the engine which shot him under and past the opposing ship as Snake Eyes pounded his initial target that had been distracted by the maneuver. Vaulting clear he then reduced power.


Deuce made another power slide to the opposite side, lifted the nose of his Mako and shot above the following craft just ahead of incoming fire; he had anticipated the attack and was throwing his fighter back into full thrust even as the incoming alert was starting. The torpedoes shot past his aft as he made another run at the first target and scored three hits on the opposite side of the hull that Snake Eyes had hit. That enemy was now dangerously close to being out of the fight as the two Makos blew clear of the melee.


"More maneuverable, f… that." Deuce laughed as he circled while preparing for another attack. "A fighter is only as maneuverable as the pilot flying it."


Suddenly a noise came across their comms. Spuds looked at his Heads Up Display and followed the signal. ~Was that opera? Bad opera.~


=^=This is Knight Two, demonstrating that strategy is manoeuvres AND psychology. Anger is the shortest route to a mistake. And for those of you thinking that this is a dirty trick… remember that we are practising for war. In the real thing, the enemy won’t give a hoot about Starfleet’s rules or the Codes of Conduct. Knight Two out.=^=


Spuds could hear the chuckles from the others in Bravo.  He smiled at it himself.  “We have confirmation of the new guy.  Where did this guy learn combat, children’s entertainment videos?”


Deuce laughed behind his mask. "Sounds like my kind of pilot. Let's show him what he's dealing with. Bravo takes no prisoners."


“Hey Deuce,” Spud added, “what are these rules of which he speaks?”


"Damned if I know." Deuce replied. "There's only one rule in war, walk away alive or be carried away if they can find your body. That's the rule I stick to. General George S. Patton once said, and I quote. No poor, dumb bas*ard ever won a war by dying for his country, the objective is to make the other poor, dumb bas*ard die for his. End quote."


There was a resounding round of AMEN!


(reply Knight Squad)

(posted by Charles, Al and Tim)












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