Chronicles of Sol: The Fall-Chapter 238 - One Ninety-Eight Glorious Return to Anchorage

August 14th, 007 SDE:

Sali shifted a little in her seat while she double-checked her diagnostics. After nearly three weeks on patrol, they were on final approach to the Anchorage Debris Field. Aside from the excitement with that first raider group not much had really happened. On the plus side, she'd logged plenty of additional flight hours on the SF-1204. The new updates were working swimmingly, and as the diagnostics were showing, the armor was holding up pretty well in the storm.

The only real worry now was running into an eddy, those things could rip a ship apart, upgraded or not. Otherwise flying in the Storm wasn't that bad, perhaps a bit bumpy at times, some of the wave fronts could get somewhat turbulent.

White spoke up, her face appearing on the hud again. "Well, seems the fleet has been busy."

Sali nodded as she noted a patrol passing their position, sensors were detecting several squadrons in flight and numerous X-1205s on station. There were also quite a few Arctics in orbit of Anchorage. "It does seem that way, we passed a DP-12.

I don't recall being here when we left."

"Look at the surface," said White.

Sali glanced at it, after a moment she noted something, "Are those... armor plates?"

"Looks like, they read as steel, not military grade titanium, look almost like flowers blooming on the surface."

"Why'd they do that?"

Eri interjected, "Power, if they have the same upgrades we do, those plates could be used to tap the storm for power. They don't need to be rated for battle, so low-cost steel would work. Cheaper on our reserves that way. Not a bad plan for supplying the Anchorage facility with power."

Sali pointed at something by the mouth of the main chasm, "Are those surface emplacements?"

Eri nodded, "Looks like it. Two meters of plating, around a turret housing, mounting three XDPC-347-C particle cannons, alongside four neighboring turrets mounting four pulsar launchers each."

"Damn, those are heavy anti-ship weapons, they'll rip most capital ships apart."

"Definitely been busy then, but I doubt all this was cheap."

"Incoming hail, we've received flight instructions. We are to remain on standby flight status for now."

Sali frowned and kept chatting not sure why as they moved further into the Anchorage gravity well. All chatter fell silent only a minute later when a familiar shape emerged from the tunnel, passing by the defensive gun mounts in a ring around the mouth.

"Looks like they finished work on the Enterprise," said Sali.

"So it does," replied White.

Eri said, "We've received docking instructions, Starboard hangar."

Sali nodded and cut the chatter, turning her plane along a flight track towards the indicated bay. Taking a moment to appreciate the strong clean lines of the Enterprise, her hull having finished repairs from her recent run in with an eddy.

No active shields, but that did not last. The starboard bay doors swung open silently while simultaneously a bay shield energized to maintain atmosphere in the bay. It shimmered in the storm, a sight of exotic beauty. Sali was happy to see it, it was nice to have an active bay shield again.

Watching the plot, she adjusted her angle to line up with the bay, and cut thrust. Letting the ship coast a bit as they drew closer to the bay. A second later, the computer alerted her that she was now in a tractor beam. She released her hands from the controls and let the Enterprise guide her into the bay. It was a smooth process and moments later she felt a slight thunk as the fighter set down on the bay.

Yet some part of her couldn't help thinking about the first time she'd been guided by tractor into the Enterprise. At the time she'd been flying a Valorian Lancer, not the SF-1204, and rather than it being a friendly guiding, she'd been captured. It was following a rather unfortunate first contact, her last captain being so stupid as to fire on the Enterprise. That entire incident had been a circus. For a moment she wondered who the other pilots at the time had been, but then she dropped the thought. It didn't really matter anymore.

Sali secured the fighter controls, locked all weapons, and then released the canopy hatch. The armored canopy split then retracted into the hull, displays and all vanishing with it. She worked her way over the side, and down the ladder to the deck plates.

She noted the familiar faces of White and Eri already there, the shuttle had landed as well. Fujiwara, Mitchel and Harris had all disembarked already. A door leading into the ship opened, and First Officer Greyman walked in. "Welcome back pilots, I hear you had some excitement."

White moved to greet him, "Commander, Sir! We are pleased to be back."

Greyman looked at Eri, "Captain wants you on the bridge, we are heading out."

Fuji came over, "Anything we need to know?"

"White, Fujiwara, get your wings in order. The Council has decided we are going on a foray into the Deep Storm, we will need you to be ready for the challenges of the area."

White blinked, while Fujiwara suddenly looked more serious, "What can you tell us about the area? How many ships do we have to work with?"

Sali noticed movement on the left and saw a familiar shape being lowered into the bay via the elevator. It was large and armored with a shape best described as a flying wedge, rounded edges and corners, the hull sloped gently. In the simulator, the thing was a lot like flying a brick, lots of power but that was all it had.

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"We are leaving four squadrons of SF-1204 behind to defend Anchorage, but we have neither the pilots nor the craft to replace them, so you'll only have six squadrons to work with. We are also leaving two Vulcans and forty shuttles behind for the Anchorage garrison."

White interjected, "We understand, we'll have a flight plan worked out."

Greyman nodded and left the hangar. "Seems things have been happening," commented Sali to herself

White turned to her, "Right, Sali now seems a good time for a quiz, what can you tell me about the CSH-1277 Vulcan?"

"The Vulcan is a combat dropship designed for hot landings. It draws its lineage from the amphibious warfare ships of old naval invasion forces and is designed with much of the same philosophy. It carries missiles, particle cannons and torpedoes to help it blow past resistance and get on the ground where it can deploy its payload of marines and heavy vehicles. It can carry a scorpion, four tanks, and a thousand marines and their equipment all at once. The Vulcan packs a real fuel guzzler of an engine though, and she's a brick in the air. All power, no grace."

"Not bad, now why would they be leaving two behind?"

"I'd guess with the armor and engine upgrades the fuel doesn't matter as much. It has almost two meters of armor on it, and twenty-four particle cannons across eight turrets. The lack of berthing might be an issue, but there is no reason we can't install some. The Vulcan could serve as a larger patrol vessel with just a little modification."

"I'd imagine you are right. I was thinking much the same," said White as she gestured to the door.

Sali noted the others had already moved on. There was plenty to be done, already.

Countryman turned as Greyman walked in, "So how'd it go?"

"I've got White and Fujiwara on task, left the needed files in their offices."

"Didn't give them much to go on did you?"

"Not particularly, but we've got a schedule to keep."

That was when Eri stepped onto the bridge, still in her flight suit. She rushed up to the helm to relieve the ensign currently flying the ship. He gave her a moment to take control before addressing her.

"Eri, set us a course for the deep storm, target area one."

"Course set, sir."

"Take us out when ready."

"Aye, sir, taking us out, one quarter sublight thrust."

Countryman waited a moment then turned back to Greyman, "Now the dull part, the waiting."

"I'm more worried about the plating holding."

"It's not like we have a better option, we need a new source of vital materials. The local materials, while useful, aren't everything we need. Most of it is just plain old iron and nickel."

"There are a few other things, but I understand the point," said Greyman. "It still doesn't change my worries about the plating."

"I have the same worries, but I can't think of anything more we can do."

Greyman chuckled, "Nor I, and we discussed the alternatives thoroughly in council."

"Yes, which is why I'm reluctant to discuss them again."

"Guess that brings us back to the dull waiting."

"So it does," said Countryman as he stood up. "Care to join me on a walk?"

"Why not?" replied Greyman as he turned towards the door. Countryman moved to follow, but not before informing Kaori that she had the bridge.

Taking the upper blast doors, they walked together down the short hall to the lift. Countryman told the computer to deposit them on the lower decks, and the lift door closed. It hummed slightly as it sped through the ship, before long the doors opened to reveal the lower markets.

Dozens of people were milling about, some with purpose others were just meandering. It seemed to be the usual kind of busy for the ship. Greyman spoke up, "So, where are we going first?"

Countryman smiled, "My favorite lounge, the matron serves the most wonderful lemonade."

The other man chuckled and followed along, "Why is it always something like that, couldn't you have mentioned something alcoholic?"

"I'm cybernetic, I can't have alcohol."

"Right, right, I forgot about that little downside."

Countryman chuckled, "I wouldn't know about that, I've gotten by quite well without alcohol."

Navigating the crowd, they passed the signs and various structures. What had once been a cargo bay had grown into what was more or less a town. Reaching a structure of prefab panels painted to look like wood, they turned towards the door. A somewhat worn sign hung over the door, The Blue Flower.

Countryman barely gave the sign a look before pushing the door open, a door that had been worn by years of use, the floor just as used. Stepping inside, he was greeted with the usual ambiance of the place. The matron was at her usual place at the counter, while the patrons were settled at the various round tables scattered around the room. All of which had a view of the stage, which was currently not in use.

The Blue Flower often offered music and dancing for entertainment, but Countryman usually came here for the food and conversation. Part of why he'd chosen this hour, he knew the stage wouldn't be in use at this hour.

Crossing the floor which had been made to look like an old worn wooden floor to fit the vibe of the place. The young lady at the counter smiled when he drew close, "Evening Captain, can I get you the usual?"

"Sounds good to me."

She turned, "Terri! An order of Fish and Chips!"

A female voice replied, "On it Mother!"

Greyman sat down next to him, "I'll have the fish and chips as well, but instead of a lemonade I'll have a beer."

"Make that two orders of Fish and Chips!"

"Understood!"

She turned back to the captain as she prepared the drinks, "So planning to stay long?"

"Just for a meal and a bit of relaxation."

"Well don't know about relaxation, but Terri's friends booked the stage, they'll be here soon," she said as she handed over their drinks.

"I see... are they going to be doing the usual acts around here?"

"Nah, I think the plan was a magic show."

"Hmm, that might be interesting." He looked at Greyman, "What do you think?"