Chapter 6
Hangar bay one
Steinbeck, Emerson, Colbert, and Booker walked into the bay with Bruce and Selina right behind them.
"Well here we are kids," Emerson said.
Bruce and Selina looked on in amazement at the amount of fighters present. There were twenty Space Hornets and eight Sawsharks parked on both sides of the bay with the launchway in the middle.
"So this is the Space Hornet, huh?" Selina asked as she approached one of the jets.
"It sure is Cat. The best form of F/A-18 ever produced," Steinbeck replied.
"The U.S. Navy in our dimension also flies F/A-18s, but none like this," Bruce said.
"I take it that the U.S. military on your Earth has yet to reach our level of technology?"
"In terms of having space fighters and intergalactic warships, we're not even close and neither is any other country. I actually find that to be a good thing."
"Why's that?" Steinbeck asked.
"From what I read in the conference room, the nations on your Earth no longer fight amongst themselves. Interstate wars still pop up periodically on mine."
"It's a lot easier get to get along with your neighbors when they are just as worried about giant monsters and hostile aliens as you are."
"It seems like people only unite when there are disasters and bigger bad guys to deal with," Bruce replied then went to the Space Hornet Selina was looking at.
"Why is this engine bigger than the other two?"
"That one is the rocket booster, Cat. It's what we use when we're leaving a planets atmosphere. We go up to a certain altitude then kick it on and let it propel us the rest of the way."
"What is it like climbing up into space in this thing, Commander Emerson?" Selina asked.
"It's the second most exhilarating thing you can do in a space fighter. The first one being engaging in interstellar combat with a Borgan fleet."
"Borgans?"
"They're a very hostile alien race, Selina. I read up on them while I was in the conference room. They launched two invasion attempts against Earth in the year 2095 with the goal of doing to it what they've done to other planets."
"Let me guess, conquering and pillaging resources?"
"Yes, and the file also said that whenever they finish strip mining a planet, they would exterminate the remaining locals which they used as slaves. Thankfully Earth was able to repel both attempts."
"And then they built up forces to take the fight to them?"
"Yeah and along with any other bad guy that pops out of the woodwork, Cat," Colbert said.
"Erin, the amount of missiles on this plane is quite impressive," Bruce commented.
"As a rule of thumb, a space fighter is supposed to be a heavy hitter. And with a payload of two Sidewinders, eighteen ERAAMs and twelve Megalodon missiles, plus a gun and a dual beam cannon, this fighter is a heavy hitter in every shape of the word," Steinbeck said.
"What kind of name is ERAAM?" Selina asked.
Bruce was just about to answer but Selina raised her hand and told him that she wanted to hear it from Captain Steinbeck.
"It stands for Extended Range Air to Air Missile, It's a successor to the AMRAAM which the fighters back in your dimension probably still use. You can hit an enemy fighter from well over a hundred miles with this thing and when she leaves the rail, she flies like a bullet."
"Impressive, and what do the Megalodons do?"
"Turn alien ships into fireballs," Steinbeck replied.
"Excuse me, Captain. But do you mind if I sit in the cockpit?"
"Knock yourself out, Bruce."
Selina quickly scrambled over and got in front of Bruce before he could get to the boarding ladder.
"I call the front seat, B."
"Why?"
"Because ladies first and you'll get a kiss if you stop whining about it."
Selina made her way up the ladder and hopped in while Bruce relegated himself to the back seat.
"These seats are quite comfortable and your ejection handles are in the perfect spot," Bruce said referring to the fact that they were just above his shoulders.
"Is there any chance we can take this thing for a joyride?" Selina asked with a smile.
"We could give you two a ride if the chance presents itself."
"That would be awesome, Erin," Bruce said.
"Hey B, I got a challenge for you."
"What is it?"
"A race from the back of the hangar bay to the bay doors."
"What do I get if I win?"
"You'll get kissed twice."
That promise was more than enough to make Bruce get out of the cockpit and Selina quickly followed
"Alright guys, me and Bruce about to have a little race?"
"I hate to put your race on hold, Cat. But Admiral Roberts wants to see me and you two on the bridge right away. It's about our mission to the planet.
"It sounds like we're almost there," Bruce commented then they got moving.
Shortly after leaving the hangar, Selina spun around and grabbed Bruce by the lapels of his shirt then kissed him squarely on the lips.
"Let's keep moving kids. Don't want to keep the boss waiting," Steinbeck said with a slight smile on his face.
