All Aboard
Three days later the Riker was finally in the G'renll system. Almost instantly they were greeted by a communication from the Palau.
"This is the TCS Palau," came the voice of the communications officer aboard the Palau. "Please identify yourself."
"This is Captain Nathan Barnes of the TCS Riker," said Barnes into his COMM. "We are here to deliver fourteen ships and seven pilots."
"That's an affirmative, Captain," said the communications officer. "We're ready when you are."
"Thank you, Palau," said Captain Barnes. "Helm, move us into docking range."
"Aye, sir," said the helmsman. With that the helmsman began piloting the Riker into a docking orbit with the Palau.
Meanwhile, down in the rec room, the members of Omega Squadron were looking out the window staring at the Palau in amazement. "She's big," said one of the female pilots.
"By my estimate," began another pilot. "She's one and a half times the size of a standard carrier."
Tracer whistled his astonishment. "That's big," he said.
"Indeed," spoke the Wing Commander. "Okay, let's stop staring and get to work. Pack your gear, get suited up, and begin your pre-flight sequences. I want us to be able to launch once we are fully docked."
A few groans went up among the pilots, but they set about their task with speed and efficiency. Most of them had had the foresight to pack their second ship with their gear soon after they had departed the space station so that they had very little preparations to actually take care of. As a result, they were all in their respective cockpits waiting to launch by the time the Riker had finished its docking maneuvers.
"Omega Squadron to the Bridge," began the Wing Commander. "Permission to take out the first set of fighters."
"Permission granted," came the voice of Captain Barnes.
"Thank you, Captain," said the Wing Commander. "Okay everyone, go for launch."
With that they all flew out of the hangar bay, got into formation, and flew towards the stern of the Palau. After they passed the Palau by about 4000 meters they swung around and came to face the Palau. "This is Omega Squadron requesting permission to land," spoke the Wing Commander.
"This is the Palau," said the Palau's communications officer. "Permission granted."
"Thank you," said the Wing Commander. "Okay everyone, time to dock. Stay in formation until we reach 1500 meters."
The rest of the squadron signaled their acknowledgement. Silently they guided their fighters into one of the hangar bays of the Palau. Once landed they got out and strode over to one of the cargo shuttles that had come over from the Riker delivering ordinance for the Cobras. They had made arrangements with the pilot of the shuttle to take them back to the Riker so that they could get their second set of Cobras over to the Palau. They all sat down and waited for the shuttle to take off. Tracer removed his helmet and popped a stick of gum in his mouth. They waited patiently for the shuttle to return to the Riker. Their trip was almost over, and though none of them would admit it aloud, they were nervous about what was to come.
When they finally got back to the hangar bay of the Riker, they made their good-byes to the crew and jumped into their second set of Cobras. Once seated, the Wing Commander requested permission to disembark. Once they had the green light for launch they headed out and repeated their in-formation flyby of the Palau. After turning about again, the Wing Commander again requested permission to land. Once that too was granted again they flew into the hangar bay.
Safely landed in the hangar bar, they began the shutdown process for their Cobras. Once that was done, the low sound of their cockpit hatches opening could be heard. They removed their helmets and looked around. They all noticed that the hangar bay of the Palau was neater and busier than the spaceport they had been stationed at. Silently they all climbed from their cockpits and retrieved their gear.
On the Bridge, Commander Patricia Drake was looking at a monitor. The display on the monitor showed the Omega Squadron unpacking their gear. She felt that it was time to introduce herself to the Omega Squadron and make it crystal clear as to what was expected of them.
To be continued…
