Robotech: Rise of the Shadow
Chapter 21: Rivalry
Captain Vince Grant sat quietly in the rear of the ready room, listening intently to the brief being given by Commander Scott Bernard. The brief was going well, by any measurable standard. The two teams that were pulled together, each with a Sterling in command, were listening to the details provided by the mission commander with interest.
Lieutenant Commander Maia Sterling and the pilots of her Skull Squadron sat on one end of the ready room. Maia Sterling's pilots were surrounding her in what could be considered a protective cocoon of their leader. On the other end of the ready room were Major Dana Sterling and the soldiers of her 15th Squadron, the soldiers similarly positioned around their commander.
Sitting in between the two units were Lieutenant Commander Belmont, Sera, and Ariel. The three seemed to be aware of the fact they were the unspoken boundary by their uneasiness. The captain could not blame them.
Grant had noticed that neither Dana or Maia Sterling had so much looked into the direction of the other during Bernard's brief. It was an interesting fact that illustrated the chasm between the siblings. As Bernard's brief drew to a close, he knew he would have to serve as the bridge to bring these two distinctively different units together and help their respective commanders form a bond that should have always been in place.
Commander Bernard stepped aside as he finished his brief, allowing Vince Grant to take the center of the stage near the podium. He took a long moment and looked at each of the young soldiers on the Skull Squadron's side and the grizzled veterans on the side of the 15th Squadron.
Finally, he spoke. Not about the mission.
Instead, he said, "Everyone stand up." The assembled soldiers complied. "Now, I want the following sitting order from left to right, starting with Commander Bernard. Next, Major Sterling, followed by Lieutenant Commander Sterling and then Lieutenant Commander Belmont. After that, everyone sit according to seniority. I don't want any fussing, back talking, or fighting. Am I understood?"
Reluctantly, the soldiers complied with their orders from the Captain. He could see many of them grumbling as they moved seats. However, he focused on the sisters. They sat next to each other, though neither saying anything to the other.
Grant knew he could fix that fact as well. "Alright, I'm Captain Vince Grant, commanding officer of the Ark Angel and your echelon commander for this mission," he said as he stepped off the stage and went to each soldier, shaking each hand with a warm smile. "Now, to introduce you to your command staff for this mission. Each officer will follow my lead and shake the hand of each member of this team. First, Commander Scott Bernard, mission commander." He waited until Bernard had shaken the last hand of the soldiers. "Next, Major Dana Sterling, the executive officer for this mission." A faint smile crossed his lips as he watched the sisters reluctantly shake hands, though neither made eye contact.
"Lieutenant Commander Maia Sterling, the operations officer and commander of the fighter escort for this mission," he said next as he watched Maia do the same. This time, Maia made eye contact with her sibling. Good, he thought. Progress was being made slowly. "Finally, Lieutenant Command Lance Belmont, intelligence officer. He is accompanied by Sera and Ariel of the Invid. Now, we have no more secrets between us. I will get to my point."
He returned to the stage and stood next to the podium. "This mission is critical, as Commander Bernard described. You were selected for your ability to fight, your adaptive capability in the face of extreme adversity, and tactical expertise in unconventional warfare. In truth, I hand selected each of you, with the blessing of Admiral Hunter. Skull Squadron has the most experience fighting the Haydonites. This is why I wanted Commander Sterling and her team along. They know how to fight this new, determined enemy. The 15th Armored Tactical Assault Corps was selected for penetration, intelligence gathering, and sabotaging expertise. These are your strengths people. My intention is for Commander Bernard to use them to deal a crippling blow to the Haydonites and buy us more time to refit and field a new fleet. However, as Commander Bernard pointed out, we don't have an accurate idea or reliable intelligence indicating where the Haydonite fleet or a base of operations is located. That is where our Invid friends, Ariel and Sera will come into play. We know the Haydonites are the ancient enemies of the Invid and perhaps the Invid can tell us where to find the Haydonite fleet or perhaps a base."
Grant took a breath and paused to see how the soldiers were digesting the condensed version of the brief. "Once you locate the Haydonites, we will see if this modified shadow technology actually works. If it does, than phase one of the mission will be a success. If not, do know that I have full faith in your ability to survive, evade, resist, and escape. In either event, you are to immediately fold back to the rally point for retrieval. Doctor Nichols ensures me that you have a eighty-six point three percent chance of success of remaining undetectable with any Haydonite encounter."
Grant came to attention and saluted the soldiers. "Good luck. We depart in eighteen hours. Say good bye to your love ones. Remember, this mission is classified top secret," he concluded.
Doctor Nichols stood next to the hatch of the Horizont when Commander Bernard realized he was waiting to speak to him. From Bernard's perspective, the engineer had seen better days. The normally crisp uniform and cape were wrinkled and dirty. The engineer's hair was unkempt and layered with must be grease.
Bernard knew Doctor Nichols had worked nearly around the clock for the last few days to ensure the Horizont. The effort was about to be tested.
"Commander," Doctor Nichols greeted. "I wanted you to understand that many of the systems have been reworked. My crews have done what they could to secure all the hatches. However, this vessel isn't exactly combat ready. A good rattle and you may loose several key systems."
The commander offered the engineer a reassuring smile as he began to look over the craft. "I'm sure everything will work out fine, Doctor. I don't plan on getting into any scrapes. If your theory is correct and the systems work like you predict, they will never know we are there."
Nodding slightly and approvingly, Bernard could tell Louis Nichols had concerns. His thoroughness was legendary. Doctor Nichols was not one for allowing a system to go untested for every conceivable possibility.
"Don't worry, Doctor. My team and these craft will be fine," Bernard reassured him. It was the only thing he could do for the doubting doctor.
"Then she is all yours, Commander," Nichols finally said as he slowly walked away, leaving Scott Bernard alone with the modified ship.
The commander took a deep breath as he slowly began to inspect the ship that will carry his team into harm's way. He had completed the external inspection when he heard a familiar voice call his name from the hatch.
"Scott, you worried about this mission, aren't you?" Lancer asked.
Scott looked up and saw his friend's head and long purple locks hanging out of the hatch. "Yeah. The Sterling sisters seem to have some bad blood between them, which seems to be effecting their soldiers. Did you see how they sat in the briefing room until Captain Grant made them all change seating?"
"Yeah, what do you expect? Major Sterling was left on Earth when the Pioneer mission started. Maia was born during the Pioneer mission, like you and I," Lancer explained. "It is called jealousy, Scott. It is completely expected."
Bernard's featured hardened as he frowned disapprovingly. He did not like the tension that was being brought to his command. Like many in the military, he liked good order and discipline. At the moment, two of his senior staff officers were acting like spoiled brats with the way they were treating each other.
"If this jealousy issue gets in the way of this mission or the safety of anyone on this mission, I will probably courts-martial the both of them," Scott said. "They need to direct their anger toward our common enemy, the Haydonites. Not each other."
"Well," Lancer began. "It is not that easy, Scott. Sometimes, siblings can feud for years without some form of resolution."
"It better end soon, Lancer," the commander retorted.
"Look, you will get them to find a common ground. I know you will. After all, you brought Lunk, Annie, Rook, Rand, Ariel and I together to become a family," Lancer reminded. "We did not turn out that bad. Lunk came to terms with his past. Rook and Rand realized they were in love. Annie found a home. Ariel…Well, she and Sera followed their hearts and stayed with us. All because you provided us those opportunities and led us to become better than what we were."
Bernard nodded slightly as he looked over to his friend, realizing Lancer was right. "So, you are saying I should lock to the two of them in a room and let them resolve their difference before allowing them out?" he asked jokingly.
"Two women enter. One woman leave. I remember a song similar to that," Lancer said. "Now, help me close these panels."
Bernard smirked as Lancer's head disappeared inside the shuttle. Reluctantly, he pulled himself up into the shuttle, muttering, "Where's Lunk when I need him?"