Running Blind

Posted on Mon Dec 21st, 2015 @ 3:50pm by Lieutenant JG Talia "Phoenix" Richards & 1st Lieutenant Leroy Mangalia & Ensign Wilfred (Wedge) Miles & Ensign Boregard (Bojay) McKay

1,129 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Of Gods and Men
Location: Gekkaro V and Gekkaro IV's moon
Timeline: First two shifts

ON

Wedge had the sensors focused on the Lead ship, it was heading out. Angling slightly during atmospheric entry he kept a steady hand upon the controls. THis is where even the modern equipment had a moment of communications black out while the ship fought the friction of entering the upper stratosphere. THe decent angle allowed for the fighter to glide down using the resistance of the atmosphere to slow the speed and he momentary passing through the protective Ozone layers keeping the vacuum and radiation of space away from the planet surface.

A few minor adjustments more and the heat dispated and he was in the higher part of teh sky where air is thinnest and his gravity controls were coming into use to help with the glide path towards the landing area.

"Bojay here, on approach and slowing." He would really like getting a wiff of real fresh air, the aboreum is nice but nothing matches a real planet's air for a man kept too long in space.

"Wedge, Phoenix, go ahead and land. I'm going to take first watch on if the Calypso comes in or the Captain radio's in for us." Leroy took a high orbit, his scanners actively sweeping the sector, or as far as they could go.

"Got it," Phoenix said, taking a look at the planet before landing near Bojay. She loved to fly, but it would be nice to get out of her bird and stretch her legs.

Wedge had the final decent; the systems were giving him the information, Wedge realized he was now the lead bird as far as landing goes. He started charting things; scanning the surrounding area for a place out of the way so the landings would not be so well observed as they came in for landings.

"There is an open field..." Wedge lowered his gear to give some resistance, he noted the water source near by and enough open space for the flight. "I have a landing area picked and heading down towards it. Use my transponder as a lock for landing area." He transmit.

The flare just before touching down.

Phoenix gave him enough time to land and then came to a rest a few yards away. She carefully secured her fighter and hopped out, happy to stand on earth. She walked around a bit, keeping her bird in sight, while she had a quick look around.

Bojay used the thrusters just before landing; kicking up the minimal dust before touching down. The canopy popped open and Bojay clambered out onto Terra Firma.

"Well now that we are organized..." He placed his helmet back in his fighter. "what do we do?"

"Eat, get some sleep, then one of us spells the boss so he can sleep," Phoenix said. She'd come back from her walk to greet Bojay and touch base with him. "I'll take the second shift if you don't mind."

"Bojay smiled and looked over at Wedge. "My Partner is a real guy for not being above to wind down so I vote he takes first watch and I'll take third." Bojay nod. "I could use a little sleep, I usually just put a sleeping bag under the wing and get a few winks, you, or would you like some help setting up your camp?" He asked with a genuine expression.

"I'm good, thanks," Phoenix replied. "I have a bedroll."

-Space-

Leroy watched the spinning orb of a planet that the Commodore was on, wondering exactly where. His orders had been to stay away from the planet, just in case anyone spotted him, or if there was a technologically advanced species on the planet that was hiding, he wouldn't get shot down. Looking out to where the Calypso had gone, he wondered if Yui was alright. Opening a channel specific to her, he knew he was going to get no where, and just shook his head then closed it.

Looking down at his own control panel, he figured a way to keep his fighters energy as high as possible, without sacrificing anything too important. Cutting off the artificial gravity, the running lights, and keeping the internal air at a brisk sixty five degree's, it wouldn't be too hard to keep the fighters energy reserves at a level that would allow him to defend himself if it was needed.

As the artificial gravity cut out, he felt his body bump against the five point restraint system, making him smile. Unclicking it, he started to lightly float in the small compartment of his ship as his sensors swept the area.

***

Twelve hours after her first contact, Sam again reached out to the fighters. "York to starfighters."

It was Phoenix' turn at patrol and she was flying close enough to the planet to get the signal. "Phoenix here," she said.

"Anything to report?" Sam asked.

"Nothing. We saw the Calypso leave the system, but have seen nothing since. We're on the next planet, taking turns at patrol," Phoenix said.

"Spartacus and Hale have been taken prisoner. They're safe enough for now. We're investigating the temple and the village. We are safe enough for now. Report back in twelve hours. York out."

"Do you need us to come help?" Phoenix asked.

"Negative," Sam said. "There is no immediate danger. Stay away for now. If I don't check in, then come looking. York out."

Phoenix relayed the information to the others and pulled back to continue her patrol.

=^= Guess that I am next up in the rotation?" Bojay said. =^= I will get the coordinates and flight path set up to switch with you Phoenix. =^= He smiled. =^= BUt first let me pack an extra lunch; and down load a good book. =^=

"As long as you don't lose track of what's going on while you read," Phoenix teased.

"And don't go overboard trying to read the Encyclopedia Britanica or something Bojay. I don't need you going brain dead from sensory overload." Picking up his knife he tested the edge before looking for his honing kit. "But you may want to make sure your weapon and tools are clean as well."

"A good detective style so to put me in the mood." Bojay joked. "I am as worried as the rest of you, I will not let the Commodore down. Besides, it is just like flying, mostly boredom broken by moments of sheer terror." He laughed.

"It's those moments of sheer terror that worry me," Phoenix teased. "One ship missing is more than enough, thank you very much."

24 hours, so far, so good. Phoenix hoped they could keep it up.

____
OFF

Master Sergeant Leroy Mangalia
Flight Leader

Ensign Wilfred (Wedge) Miles
Fighter Pilot

Ensign Boregard (Bojay) McKay
Fighter Pilot

Ensign Talia "Phoenix" Richards
Fighter Pilot

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

 

RSS Feed