“About a week, but we could grow more than one at a time once we get the mixture right. It could take us up to a month to accomplish that.”
“Can temporary circuits be used if there's no replacement?”
“Some of the left over terminals from the automation could stand in, but reaction times would go down dramatically. That's why we had a few seconds of blackout when we were struck by a nuclear warhead, some of our systems had to reset.”
“All right, keep that set up as a backup plan. How is everything else going down there?”
“Very good. Everyone's putting in a lot of hard work and it's showing. We've started using ergranian metals for several different fabrication processes since the reactors are turning out more every day. Some is being cycled into mass materializers to enhance fighter armour, we have an amount earmarked as a supply for future repairs and I've even managed to fashion a few high yield torpedoes based on Sol Defence blueprints. We'll have to keep them disarmed until the last minute, they're well beyond what any port allows within striking distance. I only made them because of your specific request, Captain.”
“Are they all code keyed?”
“Aye, it takes two codes and active biological scans to arm them from any command station.”
“Good, thank you Chief. I hope we never need to use them. How is life for your staff?” Captain Valance asked, trying to change to a lighter topic.
“We're finally concentrating on the wormhole generator and getting settled in to the lower berths. Most of the engineering and maintenance people are pretty happy, the bunks are a whole step above what they're used to on other ships from what I gather and the junior officers know they'll be getting better quarters as soon as those billets are cleared.”
“How long do you think it'll be before we have the wormhole systems up?”
“Without the right parts it'll take a month. We need to find people qualified to machine the parts to specification or buy them. It'll be hard to find parts for this ship in any port. In the meantime we have everything wired so we can test any temporary components we manage to complete. With any luck we can get it generating micro-wormholes for communications but I wouldn't expect more.”
“We'll make finding qualified craftspeople a top priority and I'll keep working a plan that could get us a replacement system,” Captain Valance reassured.
“I know, it's the first priority with the engineering staff. Anyone who has machined parts is to look over the schematics for the parts we need. I'm hoping that a few of them will have the skill, but I know none of them have the experience. My maintenance people are working on the rest of the ship. We finally got the main communications array repaired. Now we're moving on to making the living sections of the ship more habitable. There's everything from backed up waste disposal units to damaged deck plating. The more the maintenance people repair, the more damage they find, but we're getting a handle on it.”
“How is tactical?” Jake asked.
Agameg Price smiled and leaned forward on the conference table. “Very well. Everyone is in advanced training and a few are even double specializing in communications. My teams have very high scores in simulations and are working well with gunnery and heavy weapon teams.” He looked to Frost then.
He looked back at him.
“I think that's your queue.” Stephanie whispered from across the table.
“Ah, aye. We're workin' with tactical quick, that's a fact. My loadin' teams are up to speed, only three simulated injuries this week an' my gunnery crews 'ave things down pretty smooth. New recruits are fittin' in pretty well, only one in three wash out.”
“One in three?” Laura asked, quietly surprised.
“Aye, we show 'em a simulation replay that went completely wrong for one of our gunners. After tellin' all the recruits it's the real deal when they first see it some of 'em actually run outta the room.”
“What happened in the replay?”
“Well, a turret gets brought down for reloadin', a mechanic goes into the chamber ta realign the load belt, so he's right in there, then the loaders emergency handle gets caught on the magazine. The gunner doesn't give anyone a chance ta get clear afore he raises the turret back into firin' position and he dinna see the mechanic crawl into the forward servicin' chamber. He takes his first shot, the mechanic gets fried and mulched, the explosive rounds headed into the chamber detonate, kill the gunner, an' since the armoured loader is still too close, caught on the magazine as he is, he gets his arm and shoulder blown clean off, leavin' the loadin' crewman inside a right mess. I left the simulation runnin' since it was a good fire, explosion and rescue drill.”
“Did anyone survive that in simulation?”
Frost chuckled and shook his head. “No, but the medical team managed to keep the loader kinda livin', or what was left of him, on a sub deck. Seein' that's what gets most of the squirmers tossin' their breakfast 'cross the deck. I 'ave the newbies who made it clean it up.”
“Could that actually happen?” Asked Liam.
“Aye, if the gunner isn't payin' enough attention and doesn't check the status of his rig before chargin' up. I've never seen it personally, thank the powers.”
“Here's hoping you never do.” Captain Valance said with finality. “What happens to a lot of the recruits who can't stomach your test?”
“A few 'ave come back, most of the rest get sent to maintenance or to the flight deck dependin' on their qualifications. I don't think Angelo minds.” He grinned at the Deck Chief.
Angelo Vercelli smiled back and nodded. “No washouts here Captain. After they see the man eaters up top they're usually glad to get in with the grunts below. We've had a couple accidents but nothing major thanks to the vacsuits we're set up with. I've seen one hold up a whole engine pod when it came down on one of my people's legs.”
“That's what they're for,” Stephanie commented. “Fashion is reserved for off duty.”
“I hear ya. Anyway, we've just pumped out and assembled our eleventh Uriel fighter and our fourteenth Ramiel interceptor.”
“How are our pilots doing?”
“All nineteen of them are fine, but we're still very short. Ashley's a practical star in sims, but in all honesty she's not ready for teaching.”
“I know, she's a gifted pilot but not experienced enough to lead. I'd like to take control of the SSG until we find someone better,” Alice volunteered.
“Sorry, what does SSG mean?” asked Panloo, the night pilot for the Triton. She was standing in for Ashley since she was her direct subordinate.
“Space Superiority Group, sorry, I've spent so much time in the dogfight sims lately that I forget not everyone is steeped in the lingo.”
Panloo covered her pink nose with her long, white furred paws and laughed in soft squeaks. “That's all right. I prefer infantry simulations. Under fictional conditions that sort of thing can be a great deal of fun.”
“I think it's a good idea for you to take over training, I hope we manage to get a few more pilots in the next recruitment trip.” Captain Valance said to Alice. “As long as it's temporary, I still want you on the bridge.”
“Oh, it's temporary. I wouldn't give up night watch command, in fact, I'll be doing both at the same time. There's time to fill during my shifts right now so I'll program in the round the clock regimen for anyone in training and fly short patrols before and after my shift.”
“Just don't wear yourself thin. Keep it down to a combined twelve hours on duty a day.”
“Don't worry, Captain, I'll keep my head on straight.”
Stephanie nodded and started her report when she was sure the exchange was finished. “We're on patrols, watch and training in security. The Intelligence team is still backlogged but they're getting better at prioritizing. There's really not much to report other than the new recruits are doing well in drills. Even the washouts we're getting from Chief Frost are turning out to be decent grunts,” she said, not so much as glancing at Frost. “Oh, and the pay grade structure has boosted morale for the most part. Now that everyone knows that extra qualifications and good performance will directly affect their pay there has been a big improvement overall.”
“Anything new on our vigilante?”
“Only verification that his first victim was a West Keeper. She kept to herself, came aboard with Wheeler's Regent Galactic crew and used every opportunity to use a personal comm unit to contact the Order of Eden. No one
