Eric Olafson Midshipman Vol 4 Part 31 DECK 54
- 2 years ago
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Three days had passed since the Admiral had made me Acting Captain. I had spent the entire time so far, sitting in the Captain’s office pouring over technical specs of the Devastator and past log entries. The Devastator became a nightmare. She was so big. The elongated elliptical disc shaped main hull had a huge box shaped segment at the aft. It was there were the conventional engines, the reactors and engineering was. But there were also alien engines and an energy source called Trans-spatial Energy syphon. All its details were classified beyond even my level.
Another rectangular narrow hull segment was placed in the middle of the elliptical disc wrapped around it like an equatorial ring. The ships main batteries and weapon systems were mounted in or on that hull extension. One hundred Exo Load Translocator turrets, topside and 100 keel side. Thousands of smaller cannons, projectors, Sniper turrets and TL Rotary cannons could be extended and brought to bear. That was far from the end of the Devastator offensive weapon list: Planet Terminator Missile launchers, Loki torpedo tubes from the standard type II all the way to the legendary supersized Warhammer torpedo launchers pointing in every conceivable direction. Twelve revolving fighter accellerators on each side could be extended to launch Wolfcraft fighters.
The Devi carried two hundred Squadrons.To the fighter contingent came fivehundred Thor Gun Boats, a fleet of fifty one thousand meter Super Cruisers, dozens of corvettes, hundreds of destroyers. A fleet of armed shuttles of any possible size and all this was only the start of the list of auxiliary craft this behemoth could launch. While studying the specs, I learned that the bow section of the elliptical main hull was able to split into three pie shaped autonomous operating and heavily armed Super battle ships. According to the log, it had been done only four times since the Devi was a Union ship, and only once in battle.
One thing was certain she was named correctly, the destruction and military might this ship could dish out, was devastating indeed.
Her shielding and armor was equally impressive. With all her size she was as faster than all but the latest Attikan battle ships.
Raw specs looked simple on the read out before me but the numbers and the details made my head spin. To all this came a standard crew of 264,000 plus 80,000 Marines, Crew management alone, was a mammoth task. The daily log entries of the Command section alone were hundreds of pages long.
I felt like a Silver flicker hatchling swimming above a Tri Eight Tyranno, trying to find a place to really start. This was way out of my league. What kind of test was this? What unexpected situation could possibly compare with that? I also still could hear his warning. If I gave up or botched it, I would never become a Captain. That he had a lot to say in those matters was beyond doubt.
The whole situation seemed so surreal to me and I wondered if I had been shot by the Marines after all and this was some sort of after death dream.
The Door chime announced a visitor and I told the Computronic to open the door. Harris came in and said. “Captain, you are up for three days now. You look like a walking corpse. You must find some rest. I vacated my quarters, they are yours.”
“No need Mr. Harris, this is a temporary thing and I don’t want to inconvenience you more than you already are. I will use the couch here in the Captain’s office. It can be converted to a bed.”
“Very well Sir, but do find some sleep.”
“There is so much I have to read and digest and I haven’t even scratched the surface, not that I know where to start.”
“Don’t lose yourself in details for now. That comes much later and that’s what a long career, experience and command school is for. For now I would suggest you stay on top of the big picture and leave the details to others. You are the captain and you can delegate. You have a senior staff and that is what they are there for.”
“Thank you Mr. Harris. I will lie down in a minute. Please have me woke up no later than 0800 hrs.”
“That won’t be enough sleep Sir.”
“It has to do.”
“Very well then, good night Sir.”
I felt a bit groggy as the Computronic woke me.” Sir it is 0800 and you wished to be woken.”
“Thank you.”
It wasn’t a dream I was really here and even a cold shower didn’t change reality. When I came out of the Auto Dresser I noticed I had Captains gold on my sleeves. I glanced at myself in a mirror and deep down past all the confusion and fear of failure I felt pride.
I stepped on the Bridge and a Marine barked. “Captain on the Bridge.”
Harris was nowhere to be seen, but every duty station was occupied by high ranking officers and Senior Enlisted. A Lt Commander, humanoid and female rose from the Command seat and said. “Good Morning Captain. Re-supply and crew transfers are on schedule. Maintenance operations will be completed at 11:00 hrs. tomorrow.”
“Thank you. I take the Conn now.”
A dark skinned Human sitting at the Communications station turned from his station. “Don’t worry kid. We run the show. The best thing to do is give one of us the Conn and go back into your office and everything will be fine.”
“Lieutenant, are you addressing me?” I asked.
“Of course. You’re the kid around here. The old man did that once or twice before. It never works out, one Ensign ran crying of the bridge and the other had to be removed by force because he became insane with delusions of power. It’s just friendly advice. This is way over your head.”
“I tried to overlook your first remarks, Lieutenant. But I cannot let you get away with this sort of talk on my bridge.”
“Your bridge, kid? You’re a snot nosed little want to be officer who happened to run in the big man who likes to play games. Get a hold...”
I interrupted him. “Computronic file this verbal interchange I had with Lt. Carrows stamps it evidence and alert security on the bridge.”
“Yes Captain” Responded the Machine.
Like on every Union ship bridge, any word spoken was recorded and added to the log entries.
To the Lt I said. “You are to vacate this station and you are confined to quarters until further notice and charges are finalized. I did not ask for this but by Odin I will not tolerate any insubordination. You are free to file a complaint with Fleet command. You are free to challenge me off duty, but now get of my bridge or I have you dragged to the brig, your choice.”
Two Marines appeared at my side.
Carrows got up. “You won’t be Captain forever and I get you for this.”
“It seems you won’t be a Lieutenant for much longer if you keep piling charges. Threatening a superior officer is the most serious of them all.”
“Superior Officer?”
“Marines remove him and place him under arrest.”
The Marines escorted the man out.
I took a deep breath walked up the ramp and addressed the rest. “Anyone else shares the opinion or views of Lt. Carrows?”
There was silence.
So I said. “Yes, I was a midshipman only three days ago. Yes it is a temporary assignment, but an assignment it is and I will complete it until recalled, removed or re assigned.
“Each of you, I am sure has earned the privilege to be on the senior staff of the most famous ship there is. To be here, you worked hard and accumulated lots of experience.
“For reasons I cannot fathom I was put in charge, but in charge I am. I want to rely on your experience, skills and knowledge to make this work. I need to be able to trust each of you to do your job in a manner that is becoming of the uniform we all wear. As soon as we lift off, I must rely on you to do your duty and to execute orders given. So if anyone holds similar opinions as the man that just left the bridge please leave the bridge now.
“No record of it will be kept or the decision held against you, but I ask you to leave now. Anyone that stays and displays any sort of insubordination from this moment forward will be removed. Anyone wanting to discuss an order given or refuses to do what is asked, you are warned. I will take any necessary action to restore order on the bridge. Please do not take my age or my previous rank for as a sign for lack of resolve.”
I paused then said. “Now is the time to leave Ladies and Gentlemen, or stay and serve.”
It was quiet but the female Lt. Commander stepped forward, saluted and said. “I am staying Captain Olafson.”
Now all the remaining officers stood up from their stations, saluted. An Officer from the Auxiliary Fleet Management board started clapping and they all joined. I raised my hand and motioned for silence. “Thank you for this vote of confidence and I am proud to serve with you. Now please return to your stations and proceed with the daily tasks at hand.”
I went to the Command seat and sat down. As soon as I leaned back into the pseudo leather I felt right as rain.
I observed two Officers argue with each other, they did it subdued and quietly but still their gestures and body language was clear. They were standing near the Elevator platform to CC.
“May I inquire about the nature of your disagreement? “I said as one of them turned and looked my way.
They both approached. “Sir, we are not really arguing, Lt. Bernhard has a problem he thinks you can help and I told him that this is a problem for Supply, perhaps for the XO, but nothing to bother the Captain with, Sir.” He hurried to ad. “Any Captain, Sir. I would have said the same if Captain Harris was sitting there.”
“No one should think any problem is beneath me. So what is the problem, Mr. Bernhard?”
“Well Sir, the Devi isn’t the kind of ship that makes planet fall all too often and so when we do all supplies we need should be here. Yet we are short 5,000 Loki torpedoes and 6,000 TL Kilo loads. That doesn’t seem much Sir, but when we need them I don’t want to explain to the Old Man we are short.”
“I see.”
“Now I wondered if you, the Captain that is, call Portside Logistics. That was the argument.”
“Comm. Get me Portside Logistics please.”
“Aye Sir, one moment.”
It didn’t take long and the bony face of a Skuhl appeared. He sounded angry as he barked.” Don’t you see I am busy, that flying black hole sitting above us is sucking every last speck of supplies out of my warehouses.”
“I am Captain Olafson of the USS Devastator, that flying black Hole you just mentioned. My staff just informed me that there are shortages in munitions, namely Loki torpedoes and Translocator bombs.”
“Captain ... who?” He turned his head to the side someone else seemed talking to him and then he said. “Sorry Sir, I was just informed that there is a new acting Captain commanding the Devi.” He intoned the acting in a stretched manner, with a clearly sarcastic message. Then he added.” Even if the Immortal himself would call, I am a Logistics officer and not a magician. I can’t conjure up what isn’t there. The next supply convoy is due in nine days.”
“Mr. Logistics Officer. I will have the supply orders checked. The Devi did not arrive out of schedule. That she would be here at the third was known for at least a year. That means someone at Logistics either ordered the wrong amount or has dispensed munitions allocated for the Devi to other ships. Given the nature of the missing supplies I am sure NAVINT will also look into that.”
He did not look happy even for a Skuhl, who always had a very serious facial expression.” Captain Sir, maybe I can place a System wide order. I am confident we can draw from depots at Arsenal II and VI and have the Devi fully stocked by tomorrow night.”
“Maybe you should consider a career change. Looks like you are a Magician after all. Captain Olafson out.”
The Officer next to me said. “Sir, that was brilliant.”
“Don’t thank me to early Lieutenant. I really want those lists checked and it seems you’re the one doing it. Don’t make a big fuss if it really was just an error, but raise hell and NAVINT if they are missing.”
“Aye Sir.”
The two left and I saw a Yeoman bringing Coffee to several duty stations and I sighed to myself. “What would I give for a Coffee and a sandwich.”
“I got you Coffee right here. What kind of sandwich do you want, Sir?”
I turned and Harris held a cup of coffee under my nose.
“Any kind of fish sandwich will be fine. Tuna would be great.”
Harris waved at that Yeoman and said. “Get a big platter with Tuna sandwiches up here on the double.”
To me he said. “I liked your speech to the bridge crew.”
“Well I had to do something.”
“What do you want to do with Carrows?”
“What would be your suggestion?”
“I would hit him with the book. Full Court martial. We can’t have anyone threaten Officers.”
“I like to investigate this and make sure it was not another test by Admiral Stahl. I would not put it past him to have this Officer act that way. I like a written statement by Lt. Carrows on my desk by tonight and I like to talk to his immediate supervisor.”
Harris raised an eyebrow.” Yes Sir.”
Then he plunged into the XO seat. “Believe it or not, I just learned something from you. The way you dealt with that Logistics Officer had style.
“It’s the same story on Nilfeheim, Sir. Whenever Shortsummer is about to begin and everyone want their boats ready, the equipment dealer is always short, only to manage to get the requested things anyway when you offered more money or threatened him to cut his head off. Father always opted for the second solution.”
The sandwiches came and I wolfed them down like a starving Tyranno. Realizing I hadn’t really eaten anything in days.
The next day found me better rested. I had slept deep and dreamless. As I stepped up the Command balcony, the officer manning the conn. got up and said.
“Captain, Sir. We have a takeoff window for 1312.”
All Crew was on board and accounted for, Cargo transfer operations where completed and all hatches and airlocks were secured. The Devastator was ready and so was I.
“Engineering complete final spaceworthiness check.”
After engineering acknowledged the order, the chief engineer responded five minutes later. “All board show green.”
“Very well, Chief.” I responded and then I said.”Helm go to zero grav. Keep station. Retract landing gear and report when ready.”
“Tactical activate shields, stand by on Tractors to repulse any objects in our flight path.”
“Standing by on tractors, Shields are up.”
“Sound General quarters.”
“Captain. Landing gear is in. We are at zero grav keeping station.”
“Aft grav to minus 1 stern grav to minus 3. OPS switch Main viewer to Port Cams.”
The view screen switched to a visual senor mounted to the Port control tower. The Devastator disc was slowly standing up at one end, pointing the bow section into the sky, while her aft section was still just above ground, when this enormous disc was at 90 degrees I said. “Stern grav to zero. Aft Grav to minus 4.”
“Stern Grav Zero Aft at minus 4.”
The devastator was slowly rising into the sky and due to its size already half in the cloud cover. The Port Cam followed the moving ship and after more than an hour of snail pace ascent the ships aft also disappeared in the clouds.
“Main Viewer to standard. Aft grav to minus eight.”
After over three hours we passed the last traces of atmosphere and had reached space.
“Stand down from General Quarters. Tactical shields down secure tractors.”
“Helm take us out heading zero-zero-zero. Ahead slow.”
Harris handed me a PDD in clipboard mode. “These are our cruise orders Sir. We are to deploy to the Glavan Sector and suppress pirate activity.”
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Sif was again a prisoner, this time not in a dungeon, but a well-lit, holding cell at the local police station. She had found out that she was on Perryton, a Union world and the place she had escaped was called the Church of Darkness. She had been charged with multiple homicides and Califerm dealing. Her Nilfeheim leathers and the sword had been confiscated and she wore a plastic coverall like the other prisoners to her left and right. She was told her parents were notified what made her cry...
The last thing I remembered was the stinging prick into my neck and then a nauseating spinning sensation that dragged me into nothingness. I was supposed to perform an Orbital assault jump as part of the final challenge and to win the Reagan trophy for the Devastator. My friends and I equipped with heavy battle suits had boarded a Drop ship. Strapped into the drop rack, my suit malfunctioned and nothing worked. At first I believed I was dead, but I felt still nauseas and I opened my eyes....
Even though I had little medical knowledge, my time serving in the Devi’s sick bay and getting basic med training at the Academy I was helping with the triage of wounded and somehow remembered Dr. Dwyer my old Nilfeheim doctor as I derma-patched an eleven year old’s scrape wounds he had suffered falling while running and hiding inside an service crawl. The Casualty numbers were depressing. “943 dead among them many civilians and 1532 wounded of which more than 500 were very critical. Over...
The Vanderstraat nebulae was even more spectacular than I thought it would be. Every shade of red from deepest violet to the brightest orange glowed from the recent Super Nova in the ring shaped nebula and transforming the eternal night of space in something so beautiful that no one looking at it could be completely atheistic, at least in my opinion. OPS was a very demanding post and I had to keep my all my concentration at the tasks at hand and there were many. OPS was short for ship...
Harris sat on a couch not far from Stahl who was behind his old desk. Captain Zezz was there and the Admiral of the Fleet. Not in person, but via Holo-Presence. Harris was sipping on a bottle of beer. “He is doing a fine job and he did put the pieces together about you putting Carrows on the bridge for a reason.” “He did? What was his decision?” “If in doubt, go by the book and the book says court martial. Those were his words.” The old Admiral of the fleet was sitting on a chair that...
He remembered the last moments of his life quite vividly. They had led him up to the scaffold, after they had removed all his rank insignia. Commander Stone before him actually collapsed and the marines had to drag him to his spot on the scaffold. It took all his will power not to do the same and set one foot before the other. The solemn beat of the drums stopped and the Executioner asked him if he had any last words. He had none, the night before he had written a letter to his son Swybin and...
We reached Tabernacle 12 with next to empty tanks. We were expected and landing controls took over. The small planet looked very much like a dirty snow ball. Its own sun was nothing more than a bright star and its next planetary neighbor was almost eight light minutes removed. The landing beam guided us towards a crater and at its center was a set of large iris doors that opened for us. As soon as we had landed, Marines in heavy Destroyer Suits surrounded our ship. At least twenty Cerberus...
Here I was treated like a part of the crew. Aboard the Hyperion the only difference between enlisted personnel and officers was more or less only the rank pin on your collar. Captain Zezz treaded and acted the same around the lowest First Class Starman as he did around his bridge officers. He told jokes with them, participated in games and on board sporting events and most unusual. The ship used only one mess hall. Officers and enlisted ate in the same place. There wasn’t even a specific...
Pluribus was even more crowded and busier during Union week than usual. Egill had returned from Nilfeheim only a few days ago. He stood nor far from the Northern door and entrance into the Sphere of the Assembly, it was entrance he always used. From there it was only a short elevator ride to the Alcove of Planet Nilfeheim. The assembly sphere was a complete ball on the insie and only from the outside it appeared like a huge dome, meeting the ground at its equator. The outside area all around...
The commandant of the Newport Academy stood on the open balcony of his office, his hands wrapped around the railing. As it was his habit at this time of day he watched his Cadets run in cadence at the exercise yard. It was an exceptional well trained bunch this time and they would only need a little of his special brand of help to win the trophy this year. He was a short man, especially to Venusian standards, since natives of this Sol system planet tended to grow taller than the average...
The ‘American Spirit’ was nothing I expected a space ship to look from the inside. It was more like a luxurious villa, complete with garden, swimming pool and green lawn. We stepped through a glass sliding door under a blue sky with a single yellow sun and on the green plant surface he called grass, was a table with umbrella and a few garden chairs. Rolling hills with forests in the distance. “All simulated of course,” Alex explained. “The walls are actually only 30 meters from us, but I...
Sif woke, despite the sleep inducer that had been placed over her head. More out of instinct she rolled of the bed she was on and removed herself from the dazing and sleep causing Neuro-feed rays. Her mind instantly cleared up and she remembered.In her dreams she thought she felt a probing mind searching for her. In her dreams, Egill had not forgotten about her. But what would the old man say if he saw her like that? It was better he would never see her and besides those were only dreams of a...
Riding the Ammutherathi through the air made me feel, certain that I had ridden something big before, maybe in a dream. There was nothing to ride on Nilfeheim except Fangsnappers. While I was standing in the stirrups I received instructions through an ear peace. Where to go and what to do. The beast was at least thirty meters long and had two enormous set of leathery wings underneath tough looking skin were rock hard muscles worked these huge wings in a fantastic display of raw natural...
A week had passed since the big event on Pluribus and Union Week was over. I did spend a very strange and special night at the Saran compound, emerging myself in a dark and not openly discussed aspect of Saran society and culture, but I did learn a lot and I had been my female self. But I was glad we were back on the ship. While I enjoyed meeting my family and thrilled to see Narth again, the big party was not really my cup of tea.And what happened at the Orgie were memories for a different...
The Bowels It could have been any Maltyrian but I was certain it was Galmy. At the same as I said her name I realized she would not recognize me. She still had these inhuman big eyes and that translucent complexion. Her hair was the same midnight black as I remembered. She said. “You know me, Captain... ?” Her eyes scanned over my uniform blouse looking for my name tag. “Captain Olafson?” She was out of uniform so I could not see what rank she had attained since I seen her last. “Yes I...
The best day in my life was when I turned seven and I could go to Union school being away from the Burg and away from my father was like breathing lighter air. Everyone had to go to Union school. That was Union Law and it superseded local law. Union school was such a long part of our society that it too became an Old Tradition and therefore was good. At school I learned that Nilfeheim was a Water-World and that we all originally came from a Planet named Earth and settled here long time...
It was the last hour of our last school day. Mr. Walters handed out the final grades and said.” This is the last time I am doing this for you. When you return next year, a new teacher will try to pound some knowledge into your thick skulls. I am going to be transferred to another school, still on Nilfeheim but they thought I be best suited to try my hand on the even wilder Neo Vikings of the South Pole.” He then shook everyone’s hand and said a few words to everyone. When he reached me he...
I went down the narrow stair case to find out if there was a God living in the Old Man’s basement. Now I had reached the bottom of the narrow stair case and it expanded into a large natural grotto. The old man had a very large, and from the looks of it a natural Sub Pen under his rock. It was cold and moist and without my light it would have been pitch dark. There was no god and no mystery down here. At least there wasn’t any more garbage either. I did for a moment see a movement in the water...
Mr.Flensburger was now gone for a week and we had a new teacher. Mr. Walters was his name and he was much different to the jovial and gentle Mr. Flensburger. He was stern and had a no nonsense approach. This Monday morning, right by the main doors I saw Yngve Lofdahl waiting for me. He had a busted; bleeding lip and his left eye was swelling. Like me he was wearing a fur vest over a linen tunic that reached halfway to the knees, linen breeches and boots. Usually he always looked like he wore...
(List of Characters) Eric Olafson – A teenage Neo Viking leaves his home world for the first time. To travel and eventually to join the Union Navy Elena Olafson – technically a cousin to Eric, but since she was adopted by Eric’s father, she is now known as his sister. Isegrim Olafson – The current clan chief of the Olafson clan, and Eric’s father Lothar Olafson – Eric’s half brother The Ancient – aka Elkhart the Keeper. An old man claiming to have forgotten to die. Officially he is the...
I was still as tired as a Tyranno during Longnight when the lights came on and a voice barked via the PA system: “0400 hours Cadets rise and shine. 0430 is Breakfast. At 0500 you will receive your first class in the Elbhard Auditorium.” And we found ourselves in said Auditorium at that time an hour later. Clean, fed and still tired. Again I tried to find a place in the back, so I could perhaps close my eyes for few moments. The Pan Saran Officer was already there. “Good Morning Class.” We...