Space Odyssey: Spectre-Chapter 69: Cleanup

"I have discovered how those metal scarecrows made it aboard. We have no breach in security, nothing was smuggled aboard our ship. However they managed to get in through an airlock. I have already sent security and engineering the damage they caused. They arrived a few minutes after Flower of Sister arrived. External hull cameras show them exiting from an airlock on their ship." Solisa explained.

"Will we have to arrest the ship crew?" Captain Cornwall asked as he looked over the information that she was sending to his datapad.

"Unlikely but I am sure you will want interviews with all people that could be involved. I will make a list. The early warning systems were disabled under fabricated orders from the Vexical Imperial family. I have found several flaws in the document that anyone with eyes could see. I believe the early warning satellite stations intentionally ignored the flaws, they have either been paid off or promised something else in return for their cooperation."

Satellite Stations are the Vexical Empire's version of an early warning system. It scan's space and picks up on the various possible forms of energy that a spacecraft can generate. Most of these satellites are unmanned but a few are manned by some unlucky members of the military. Those people in the manned satellites spend time investigating possible unreported fluctuations or doing maintenance on the unmanned satellites.

It is far more different from the deep space sensors that other countries use and a relic of the past when the Vexical Military had an overabundance of personnel. It had been adapted to the less abundant military population but it was still behind technology wise in comparison to other nation's methods.

"Make a list of the suspected satellite stations, I will send it up the chain of command. Do we know where those metal scarecrows came from?" Captain Cornwall asked Solisa with a sigh.

"You mean who made them? I have no idea. They match no recorded technology that I know about. I have a feeling your actual experts would have a better idea. So just keep the bodies for now." Solisa shared her opinion as she was truly at a loss with those things.

Solisa was originally designed for testing experimental technology but those metal scarecrows were a mix of ancient human technology mixed with pieces of technology that were too advanced for a human civilization. But to her they seemed less like people and more like tools or weapons. Each one had a different setup, so it was more like someone was testing a weapon in combat rather than an attempt at sabotage.

"Security, keep a six man security group on the remains of the metal scarecrows and the last survivor." Captain Cornwall looked to the security officer before turning to the communications officer. "I am taking an Osprey to the Flower of Sister, I am going to need a Hawks escort. While I am away no one comes on or off of Wing of Pegasus." Captain Cornwall stood up and left the room.

Salem looked around in confusion as to what she should do. It was not like she wanted to leave her post. But she felt she should be moved, although she did enjoy piloting something this large. So maybe she should just stay here until someone dismisses her.

After a few minutes there was a notification on her wrist communication device. She was being sent to the hangar bay. Salem would be flying the Captain to the Flower of Sister by the order of Solisa. That was the new ship AI that Jace brought aboard. Seems Solisa was operating on orders from the Captain.

She stood up from her seat after putting the ship in idle and sped up out of the bridge with a frown. She wanted to fly the big one for a bit longer but it should not be too big of a problem to fly the troop transport Osprey.

Osprey's were similar to Hawks but with a larger cockpit for the pilot and co-pilot as well as the reinforced cargo area where troops and personnel were held during flight. It could typically hold up to twelve people in passenger seats or with twenty people at full capacity including the standing room. There were storage areas for survival equipment, spare parts, tools, and weapon lockers. There were two variations of the Osprey: the first had the more common rear loading ramp, while the second was much rarer and had sliding doors on the side of the cargo area. On the ramp version the wings had jet engines that could switch from flight to hovering. While the sliding doors version had jet engines for flight on the rear of the craft but had hover generating technology on the wings.

The reason for the sliding doors version being so rare was because of the instability of the current hover technology that was in the market. But with what Salem heard about Jace's hoverbike technology that could change.

As Salem walked into the large open hangar bay she was not surprised by the level of activity. They had just finished a space battle they were unprepared for. So it only makes sense that they get all of the returning Hawks into complete fighting capacity while they have the chance. Especially if it was unknown that they could end up in another fight.

Salem walked to an Osprey that was unmarked and looked like it had recently come off the production line. All of the Osprey's metal plating was several different colors. Not formed in any pattern while it was located in an empty area of the hangar that was out of the way. This variation had the rear loading ramp door.

As Salem approached it she could see Captain Cornwall was standing outside talking to a pilot and a few security officers. Once she got closer she could hear their thoughts.

[Why do I have to be a co-pilot for a freshly graduated cadet?] Were the pilots thoughts who seemed more annoyed than appreciative at this chance to fly.

[We should stay on the ship. The new captain is being reckless.] One of the security officers was frowning as she approached.

[Finally, I need your help with the interrogation of Admiral Jakobs and his upper management. You getting approved flight time is the reward if you have not already figured it out.] Captain Cornwall, seemed to be the only one that knew she was listening in on their thoughts.

Salem rolled her eyes and saluted, "reporting for duty Captain." {Don't need a reward for doing my job but I am thankful for the consideration.} Salem responded mentally.

"Get on the ship Sergeant. We have places to be." The Captain instructed before walking onto the open rear ramp of the Osprey. The security seemed a mix of exasperated and frustrated while following him onto the Osprey.

Salem and her temporary copilot walked up to the cockpit. "Have you flown one of these before?" The copilot asked as she led the way.

"I have flown Osprey's in simulations and only a few times in atmospheric conditions during training." Salem explained getting a frown from the copilot, "but there is no better time to start building experience. I will be counting on you if I forget anything."

Salem's faith in her copilot caused the other women to fill a mix of embarrassment and shame as she realized the reality of Salem's words. Salem was likely the main pilot in this flight simply to build experience. It would do the copilot no good to be pessimistic about a simple flight.

As Osprey climbed into her seat she began flicking switches and pulled on the built-in headset. Usually she would hook up her Infantry Armor to a ship for communication purposes. But these headset's were hooked up for the pilot's convenience if they did not have an alternate communication link. Like her copilot who put on the headpiece she was holding this whole time.

"Testing testing testing. Can you read me…" Her copilot seemed to realize she did not know the main pilot's name.

"My name is Salem and what is yours?" Salem responded with a grin as her gauges and sensors began powering on. A bit slow for her liking but this Osprey was likely still under maintenance and unused for that reason. frёeωebɳovel.com

"My callsign is Red Baron. But you can call me Red." The copilot answered. "Sealing the rear ramp door and testing vacuum control. This will take a minute. Are systems slow for you too?"

"Affirmative Red, seems like this one came off the line malfunctioning. Make sure you run the diagnostic while I contract hangar control." Salem told her while she switched to a busy communication channel. "This Unnamed Osprey P13, requesting clearance for departure to Flower of Sister."

"P13 this is Hangar Control. You are clear for departure as soon as your checks are complete. Just warn us once you are done." A male voice responded.

"Affirmative Hangar Control." Salem answered as she started looking at the data that was popping up from Red's diagnostics. "It looks like everything necessary is operating. We are just not going to be having weapons in the case of an emergency. Otherwise the power is just slow on startup."

"Agreed. I think we are good. Sealing the ship for the vacuum of space." Red agreed.