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Post by LucianG on May 19, 2006 5:26:10 GMT -6
Later....
"Thanks, that tops me off," called Lieutenant Wendy, flying close and parallel to the shuttle as she refueled her Viper. She waited until the boom retracted and then swung away to take up her escort position once more. Lieutenant Lusitan, who had already refueled, was flying in the opposite position, vigilantly looking for enemy ships or anything else unusual.
"Course change to preprogrammed course Refuel Intersect Alpha One in two centons," called Lucian. "We'll be accelerating so JustinB and company won't have to slow down too much for us." Moments later, they swung onto the new course and the shuttle engines increased thrust as the Warriors in their Vipers began hitting their turbos periodically to match the shuttle's increasing speed. A few centons later, four blips identified as Colonial Vipers appeared on the scanner, approaching at high speed on a parallel course just a short distance away. Lucian had the group adjust course accordingly, and a short time later, as the Vipers slowed a bit, the two groups converged. With the comm set to very short range ship-to-ship, Lucian said, "Welcome, JustinB, this is your friendly neighborhood refueling company at your service. We're so glad you guys could make it!"
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Post by JustinB on May 29, 2006 6:06:16 GMT -6
"Thanks Lucian, we could use the fuel. When we get back home and after a good rest the first one is on me."
As we closed in on the shuttle, I had Captain Kris and her wingman refuel first. After they had refueled, Dolet was next. While he refueled I took another tablet that Nylah had given me. Whatever it was it was helping alot. My thoughts momentarily went back to Brie's message about us having a talk. I was wondering what it could be when a familiar voice crackelled over the comm.
"Major are you asleep over there?" It was Dolet. I seemed to have drifted a little off course. So a quick correction to the right and a little turbo I was in position to move in to take in some fuel.
"Lucian, when the fleet has rejoined together, how does it sound to see the next game of Triad and place a wager or two?"
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Post by LucianG on May 29, 2006 7:25:44 GMT -6
Lucian laughed. JustinB knew how bad Lucian was at Triad, having grown up in isolation away from first the homeworlds and then the Fleet. He'd never really had the opportunity to learn more than the basic moves. However, after having joined the Fleet, Lucian had developed an appreciation for the game, frequently watching the matches on IFB with JustinB and some of the other Warriors. What he really enjoyed was watching the matches live, being able to predict the outcomes of the games based on his knowledge of the players' relative skills and the intangibles such as the attitude of the crowd. Still, he wasn't that good.
"Sure, JustinB, let's do it in person and make it an evening. And yes, I'll be glad to contribute a few cubits to the JustinB retirement fund," he said with a laugh that was echoed by several of the others on the short-range comm.
A couple of centons later, with JustinB's ship topped off, Fallel retracted the refueling boom. "That's all, folks," said Lucian. "May the Lords be with you on your mission. See you when you get back." The pilots engaged their turbos, accelerating their Vipers forward, and they quickly faded from view as they headed for the Zeldav Noxxe. As soon as they were no longer visible, the three ships in Lucian's group changed their heading and accelerated toward their rendezvous with the Fleet.
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Post by JustinB on May 30, 2006 0:50:57 GMT -6
The refuelling shuttle disappeared from my radar. I opened up the small envelope which was in my set of orders. It contained the location of the Zeldav Noxxe. I puched in the co-ordinates into the vipers computer.
"This is Black Lead. I'm sending you the co-ordinates for the Zeldav Noxxe. We got to get their as fast as we can but with enough reserves to get her back safely to the fleet so we can get her cargo unloaded." I recieved copies from all round.
"Major, I didn't know you liked Triad. Do you think I could join you and Major Lucian at the next match?"
"Only if you bring enough cubits to fund my retirement fund Ensign." I said with half a laugh.
Making our way to the Zeldav Noxxe wasn't going to be hard, that is just as long as the cylons didn't show up.
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Post by LucianG on May 30, 2006 5:38:23 GMT -6
As they headed back to the Fleet, Lucian was smiling. It would be nice to spend an evening with friends at a good Triad game. Perhaps even dinner with a Mar-nee' and a young lady friend of JustinB....
As the shuttle neared the Fleet, the IFFs were reactivated, and Lucian extended the scanner range. There was relative safety in numbers, so if the Cylons were around, he knew they should be able to call on help from the Fleet. Lucian hoped it would never come to that again, that the Cylons would soon be left far behind, never to be seen again. Unfortunately, he was also quite skeptical that would be the case.
"I will be very glad to be home again," said Fallel, yawning.
"Me, too," replied Lucian. "Hmmm, that's strange. Fallel, take a look at this." He pointed to the scanner, where four unidentified blips were nearing the edge of the scanner range, heading outward. "I'm guessing Vipers, but it's strange that they're maneuvering like that with their IFF beacons turned off. They shouldn't have killed those this close to the Fleet anyway. Let's see if we can increase our range a bit and confirm their identify using the war book."
"Calling it up now," said Fallel. Moments later, the flickering images stopped on a Colonial Viper, with a probability rating of 92 percent. The process rapidly repeated three more times, each time giving a result between 91 and 94 percent. "They appear to be Vipers, Lucian."
"That's what I thought," noted Lucian, "but they just aren't acting like Vipers should be acting this close to the Fleet. That's really strange." He was reluctant to extend the scanner range any further since it might be picked up by patrolling Cylons. Shaking his head in frustration, he added, "Well, it looks like some hot-shots may need remedial lessons in safe near-Fleet operations, so let's retain that scan info. I'm going to check it out when we get back to the Callisto."
Moments later, he called, "Callisto, this is Shuttle Cal Rescue One and Viper escorts requesting BC approach to Beta Bay. Confirm?"
"You've got it, Cal Rescue One," came a reply that Lucian recognized as Geenie's voice. "Glad to have you guys back home. Oh! And, Major, you're supposed to report to Commander Sheba's ready room as soon as you get back, Commander's orders."
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Post by JustinB on Jun 6, 2006 1:42:53 GMT -6
After running a few computations, I worked out we would rendezvous with the Zeldav Noxxe in one centar. Luckily for the external tanks we would have enough fuel to make it their and back to the fleet. "Dolet, this is Black Lead," "Go ahead Black Lead." "I want you to take point till we rendezvous with the Zeldav Noxxe. I am going onto autopilot for thirty microns and catch a little shut eye." "Wowww, I mean copy Black Lead. Dolet couldn't believe his luck. He was given some credit for his few triumphs and to be given point was to him something important. I turned on the chronometer for thirty microns then went to sleep. When I woke up, the Zeldav Noxxe should be on the scanner. ************* Thirty Microns Later I woke up to the audible alarm. As I woke up I saw the Zeldav Noxxe on the scanner just where she should be but dead in space.
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Post by JustinB on Jun 14, 2006 2:02:18 GMT -6
Switching on my attack computer I was ready for anything. After getting taking back the lead position, I tried to contact the Zeldav Noxxe.
"Zeldav Noxxe, this is Escort Alpha do you copy?"
"Loud and Clear Escort Alpha, glad you could make it." was the reply.
"Zeldav Noxxe, say you status."
"We had experienced engine trouble. The Captain went down to help with repairs. I... The captain has relayed that we have fixed the problem. We will be under way in a Centon. With you guys flying cover we should be back at the fleet in a couple of centars."
"Roger that Zeldav Noxxe, Escort Alpha out." I then contacted the other escorts.
"Dolet, Kris and Merak. I want you to stay a hundred metrons behind the Zeldav Noxxe. I will fly on ahead and keep an eye out."
We took our positions and as soon as the Zeldav Noxxe was under way, I sent a scrambled priority message to the Callisto.
'Callisto this is Black Escort Lead, have picked up our package and on route to home base with all speed.'
Hopefully the news of our arrival would bring hope to the ships who were just about of fuel.
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Post by JustinB on Jun 25, 2006 4:09:12 GMT -6
I had only just taken up the point position font of the Zeldav Noxxe, when I received an communication from it's captain.
"Escort Lead, this is the Zeldav Noxxe."
"Go ahead Zeldav Noxxe," I replied.
"I need to speak to whoever is in charge face to face. I need to pass on some information which will be needed to be passed on to Commander Apollo or Sheba."
"Copy Zeldav Noxxe, I'll be there in a centon."
I veered my viper in an arc and a centon later I was on board the Zeldav Noxxe. As I climbed out of the cockpit I was greeted by an elderly man in a uniform.
"My name is Captain Lee and welcome aboard the mining vessel ." Zeldav Noxxe "I'm Major JustinB, Black Squadron Commanding Officer Battlestar Callisto."
"Ah yes, I have heard of you by name. You were deemed lost not long ago.Well I am happy the Lords Of Kobol have kept you safe. Please follow me Major, I have refreshments made and some important news."
I followed Captain Lee to his stateroom. When we arrived he offered me some refreshments which I tried not to scoff down.
"Since your arrival, I don't expect any more trouble, but during our mission, I believe someone was trying to sabotage the mission. There were problems in the mining operation and operations on board ship. There were some unauthorized transmissions, too, but I don't know who's been sending them or why. We finally succeeded in obtaining and refining enough tylium for a few ships, or a little bit for a number of ships, but it took a lot more effort than anyone would have ever guessed, due to the problems especially me. So I expect sabotage, but I have no evidence of it. Commanders Apollo and Sheba should be informed of this as soon as you arrive on the Callisto. Something is just not right. I thought I could trust everyone on my crew but now I am not sure."
After finishing my refreshments, I shook Captain Lee's hand and headed back to my viper. The unauthorized transmissions concerned me greatly. I climbed into my viper and when I was cleared I launched. Just as I took up my position once again, I saw something which I caught out of the corner of my eye. four ships of some type parallel to the Zeldav Noxxe at some distance.
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Post by JustinB on Jun 26, 2006 6:08:07 GMT -6
Just in case I kicked in my turbos and headed for the unidentified craft. They didn't have any kind of IFF and there presence close to the Zeldav Noxxe was worrying. As soon as I turned to investigate Dolet cam over the comm.
"Hey Major, where are you going?" he asked
"Don't worry about me Ensign, Captain Kris take over the escort until I come back."
At first the four craft stayed dead in their tracks, but the moment I tried to get a bead on them using my vipers war-book, they moved. Worse still my war-book was being jammed so I couldn't identify the craft. I pressed onwards toward them. Thing is they matched my speed and I couldn't get close enough to get a look at them. They kinda looked like vipers from long distance but how could that be. If they were colonials they wouldn't run away. I wanted to pursue them but I had to think of my fuel state. I locked in their vector heading in the computer so the experts could look at it on the Callisto or Galactica.
Resuming my front position in front of the Zeldav Noxxe, I set the course for the last centar voyage to the fleet.
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Post by JustinB on Jun 26, 2006 20:29:29 GMT -6
No sooner as were back on track to the fleet, that Dolet piped over the comm. "Major, who in hades were they?" "I don't know Dolet, but they didn't want to stick around to say hello. What bugs me is that they sent out a jamming signal when I used war-book to identify the type of craft. Funny enough they looked liked vipers at a distance." "Well I hope there is no more trouble on the way back. I can hear that tankard of ale calling my name." ******************** A CENTAR LATER As I looked ahead, I could see the fleet. It had been awhile since I saw the Callisto. "Zeldav Noxxe, this is Escort Lead. We are home, so start your refueling schedule at your leisure." "Copy Escort Lead, thanks for the company." With that it was time to land. After giving orders to my to make sure they follow decontamination procedures I called up the Callisto. "Callisto this is Black Lead at the Outer Marker. Request permission to land flight of four." "Black Lead, this is Callisto permission granted." Extending my landing gear I moved closer to the Beta Landing Bay. Taking off power I lined up dead centre. Microns later I landed and was happy to do so. For the first time in a while my mind thought of Brie and her wanting me to talk to her when I arrived. First I thought I would see Colonel Charybdis or Commander Sheba and let them know what happened on the trip. Then a meal, turbo wash and then some sleep and after I would see her.
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