Chapter 2: Preparations
Upon reading the data disc I sharply saluted the Admiral and the Larkins and made a mental list of my tasks at hand. It would seem that I would have to board a Vaygr research ship found within the sector. It is rare that we successfully capture a Vaygr ship since they prefer to scuttle before they are brought into bay and stormed with superior force. Flash backs of a rather vicious capture that I had fought in came back…
"Poor souls," I whispered remembering my fallen comrades. "Well better get on my way," I said wearily, despite my Chryo-stasis naps every once in a while I was starting to feel the effects of aging, 'hmmm how old am I,' I thought to myself? Not time to dabble in personal affairs. First stop, armory; I couldn't help but grin with anticipation as I thought of the newest weapons technology.
"Geez buddy," exclaimed the ordinance master, "why on earth would you need armor like that and a gun that heavy! You planning on jumping into an Ion barrel?" apparently this guy thought he was funny, doesn't seem like the kind of guy I'd want keeping watch over thousands of guns and ordinance, but, again, no time to toy with his mind I had a mission to do… but first, thetest fire range.
A little while later I chuckled in amusement as smeary ash lay where thirty training drones had been lively flying about in an effort to dodge my dead-eye-aim.
"Well still got it I guess," I bragged to the ordinance master who had assumed a less flattering expression of a dropped jaw and bugging eyes. 'Next to the hangar,' I thought, ever thinking about how to execute successfully this mission handed to me. Heck! If I do this right I may be able to control my own destroyer, my mouth watered at the thought.
"Ah, I see you've been busy in the Armory, Helic," yelled Admiral Rajuuk across hangar bay 13.
Damn what was it with these Ops guys and the number 13, paranoid little bastards with their black suits and the cloak and dagger… I muttered to myself about the absurdities that the Ops were known for until my wits returned and I realized I was facing the Admiral and Larkins.
"Sir," I said saluting.
"-sigh- At ease Helic," said the admiral in his usual dislike for formalities.
"I have procured weapons that I feel will be efficient for this mission, sir," I said sir with a certain mocking smile playing about my face, the admiral appreciated the joke in his stern yet casual manner.
"Well it would seem to me that you were preparing for IW III (Intergalactic War 3)," said Larkins with a certain disapproval of the obvious show of force.
"Well it's my opportunity to enjoy myself and as long as I do what the mission requires I don't think you'd deny me my fun, would you?" I said emphasizing the 'would you' in just the right way to shut him up.
"Well… erm… uhhh… no, we'll be ok just make sure the mission is done to Ops regulations…" he trailed off as my sudden look of annoyance glared at him.
"Well, I don't think I'll be doing this mission by myself, where's my team?"
"Ah! But of course," said Rajuuk taking his opportunity to cut into the little power struggle between Larkins and I. "Your team is already on board and waiting for you to assume command"
"Excellent."
"After you then," said the admiral leading Helic down the catwalk into the sleek black ship.
The ship itself seemed smaller than it was on the outside than on the inside. The engines were beautiful, a marvel of the era, they had heat dampeners and the highest efficiency for the velocity that the ship was said to travel.
"She's a beauty," I said in admiration.
"And if you play your cards right she'll be yours," said the admiral
'It's about damn time,' I thought to myself joyously.
"Well, let's not dabble any longer the Vaygr may wish to withdraw their research ship if they sense a threat from us"
"Aye sir," I said as I stepped aboard my sleek new vessel.