I Do NOT own Saber Rider or SeiJushi Bismarck, so don't sue me.
Chapter 7: Coming Along
"I think it's coming along well, April," Saber says as he types several things into a terminal. "Let's hope this all comes together quickly."
"Yeah, I know. I just hope we can end this war without it," April replies quietly.
Saber looks up and nods slightly. "Aye, but I'm sure you've heard from your father that we're losing more people everyday."
April nods. "I know. It's just that they seem to have better technology than we do."
"We've been lucky that some soldiers got one of their ships. You're bloody brilliant at reverse engineering their technology. Without you, we'd not stand a chance," Saber states matter-of-factly.
April blushes and allows him a small smile. "I wouldn't be as far as I am had you not come along. You've been a huge help at deciphering their writings," she says as she pulls herself under a piece of equipment.
Saber chuckles. "It's more like a computer language, than a language that you and I would use."
"Maybe we're not the best two examples. I know you speak what, three or four languages?" she asks. He nods slightly in reply. "I can do two easily, more if I run that encryption program you wrote," April retorts as she comes out from under a bit of machinery.
Saber nods, "Perhaps you're right. I can understand more than I can speak."
April stands up and dusts off her mechanics suit. "Are you doing anything later?" she asks a bit nervously.
Saber looks up, noticing the change in her voice. "I have a meeting with your father. He said it would run late tonight. Then I was planning on calling home and checking on my mother, if it's not too terribly late. Why?"
"Oh, I was thinking about running a few more tests and wanted to get dinner so I thought I'd invite you along in hopes of getting you to come back and help with the tests."
"I wish I could, but your father was rather insistent on this meeting," Saber states apologetically. "What kind of tests were you going to run? Maybe I can come back to help," he offers.
"Just a few more simulations. I thought it'd be helpful if there were two of us to watch more of the screens, but I'll just split the screens on the main viewer," April replies.
"Well, not knowing exactly what the meeting is about, I can't promise to come back this evening, but I'll make every effort to do so. I'm sure it would be better to have another set of eyes," he states.
"Yeah, a set that can understand what we're seeing would be nice," April says wryly. "I'll keep my fingers crossed that you can make it back. I'll see you in the morning, if nothing else."
Saber nods. "I'd best get going," he says standing up from the terminal he was working on and stretching before gathering a few items and heading towards the ramp of the ship. "See you later," he says and she waves as he leaves. He turns towards the main hub of the command center down a couple of hallways before stopping at an office door and quietly stepping inside.
"Ah, Captain Rider, are you here to see Commander Eagle?" a young woman says with a smile as Saber steps fully into the reception area.
"Aye, Ms. Elise. I have an appointment," Saber replies.
Elise nods and types something into a small computer. "He's just about ready for you. I'll let him know you're here," she replies.
"Thank you," Saber says as he takes a seat across from her.
A few minutes later, a couple of the council members step out of the commanders office, and nod to Saber, who stands up in acknowledgement of their presence. "Come on in, Captain," Commander Eagle states as the two other men go out the door.
"Yes, sir," Saber replies and enters the office.
"We are not to be disturbed until further notice," the commander tells Elise before stepping in and closing the door after him.
Saber stands at attention in front of the commander's desk, awaiting instructions.
"Have a seat, Captain," the commander says kindly. "This conversation is strictly between us."
"Yes, sir," Saber replies quietly as he takes the seat indicated.
Commander Eagle studies the young man before him for several minutes before speaking, "You have done well here, Saber. Your father should be proud of the work you've done here."
"Thank you, sir," Saber replies, waiting to see where the conversation is headed.
"We have had two more attacks. Things are getting progressively worse for our side in this fight. April says that if we had people qualified, we could use the Bismarck in battle as it is now. I would like to know if you agree with her statement of it's readiness."
Saber refuses to show his surprise at such a direct question. He sits in thought for several minutes, running the past several test runs done with the simulators and the results of those tests. After some time he nods slightly, "I think if we had two more people that could handle it, we'd be as ready as we could be," he says giving as non-committal an answer as he dares.
The commander nods. "Where do you feel you are lacking in skill set?"
Saber starts to speak several times, each time stopping himself as he mulls over his reply. "We could use a weapons specialist, and a trained pilot, sir," he replies. "April is the best we could have in terms of support and knowing the ins and outs of the ship. I fare well with the security side of it, as well as working the nav systems and communications end of things. I could serve as a weapons specialist, but it would honestly be difficult to do all of that at once. Someone specifically focused on weapons, especially blaster type weapons would be ideal. As for piloting the ship, again, we could manage, but having a dedicated pilot would free us up to focus on our strengths. Although I feel that if time was available, we should all become familiar to some extent with all of the ships abilities, in case we are ever in a bind. But to answer your initial question on whether I feel the ship is ready to be utilized, I think that until we have at least three people to run the ship, we shouldn't send it into a battle. I don't believe we could handle it well enough to do any good to anyone otherwise."
Commander Eagle listens attentively, and then nods. "Thank you for your honesty. Not many would be bold enough to speak to me so forwardly regarding a project that involves my daughter," he finally says.
"She deserves respect for what she does, sir. It is obvious that she has a brilliant mind. I respect that there are things that she will know that I simply do not. As I know things that she doesn't know that I do. We can both learn from one another. I welcome the challenge, sir."
The commander smiles, "I am glad to hear that. I know she can use the intellectual stimulation as well. Are you already committed to anything in particular tonight?"
"No, sir," he replies a bit hesitantly.
"Good, then I want you to pack a bag for a couple of days. Think of it as a mini-vacation before a little assignment I'm sending you on." The commander watches him closely for any sign of objection and seeing none, he continues, "We have had a few sightings of Outriders near Yuma. There is a popular race, the Yuma Grand Prix, going on there this weekend, so it could possibly be a target for an attack. I'd like you to go on ahead and sort of be on the lookout for any trouble. I will be sending April and the Bismarck to a small outpost we have there, so that it is ready on the chance there is an attack. I have booked you a room in the Yuma Towers, so you shouldn't have any issues with a place to stay. April will be staying on base. I am hoping you can blend in with the crowd to spot possible infiltrators or security breaches and report them to us, so we can hopefully stop any plans they have before anyone is hurt or killed. There will be other soldiers there to assist you if needed."
Saber nods. "How long until I leave, sir?" Saber asks.
"I can have a ship ready to take you in an hour."
"I'll be ready," Saber replies.
"Report back to my office when you have your things ready. I'll have someone load your horse onto the ship that you will be travelling on in the meantime."
"Thank you sir," Saber says as he stands up.
"Go on. I'll be here when you return."
Saber salutes his superior and then heads out of the office to his quarters to pack for his trip.
