Crineal Chronicles 1: In Hera's Service (27 page)

“I
assume you gave them the usual welcome speech, Sir?” she inquired.

“Yes,
the ‘I’ll eat you for breakfast and you really need to transfer out now’
routine.”

“Muscovy
and Staller cornered the pilot officers and some of the younger lieutenants in
the pilots mess.” Strieger groaned. “I didn’t hear what they were saying, but
I’ve never seen pilots look more scared.”

“Are
you sure we can’t transfer that pair, Sir?” Strieger asked plaintively.

“Sorry,
Major, but apart from being damned good pilots, and I’ll deny I said that if
you tell them, they also give me an easy starting point when something shady is
going on in the flight group. I can almost always guarantee they have a hand in
it somewhere. And they are brave beyond belief. Who else would have the guts to
start a pool on how many times a day I was getting laid?” Crineal chuckled.

Jolienze
looked startled. “Oh, you heard about that then?”

“Nothing
gets past my faithful XO here,” he nodded at Strieger. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re
here early, Major. I was thinking that the best way to reform Ares is to keep
your existing pilots in place and then use a mix of the replacement pilots and
pilots from our existing squadrons to make up the numbers. That way we can
spread the real rookies out across the wings without leaving you with an overly
large number of untested pilots. If there’s anyone you need moved out of Ares,
just let me know.”

“Sounds
like a good way to move forward, Sir, and no, there’s no one I want
transferred,” Jolienze replied. At this point the other squadron leaders
started to arrive.

Once
everyone was settled, Crineal started. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s good to see
you all safely back from leave and looking ready to tackle our next
assignments.” That brought a few groans from around the table and he smiled.
“First up we need to get Ares Squadron to the point where Major Jolienze can
start molding it into shape again.” Several officers gave sympathetic nods to
Jolienze. “About half of our replacements are either straight from the academy
or have no combat experience. I’d like to spread these pilots amongst the other
eleven Squadrons. Hera Squadron will take two of them, and we’ll allocate the
rest amongst you all. Major Jolienze? How many flight leaders will you need?”

“I
think four, Sir. I’d like to give Lieutenant Morana a try in one of those
slots,” Jolienze replied after a moment’s consideration.

Crineal
nodded. “Alright, let’s see who we have from the replacements that might fit
and then the rest of you can figure out who you’re prepared to give up,” he
said with a smile.

Two
hours later Crineal felt that they had made the best assignments they could but
he would have to see how it panned out. “Ok, now that’s done let me bring you
up to date on the next week’s operations. We’ve been ordered to hold here at
Sol. We’re waiting on some scouting reports. The admiral has decided that
rather than sit on our butts and be bored, the strike force will do an outer
system sweep. We’ll be running patrols and seeing what we can find. What
happens after that will depend on those reports. Major Jolienze, Ares Squadron
will be off the patrol roster until you tell me you think you’re ready. I’m
still on restricted duties, so Hera will be flying with one pilot short for a
week or so. Major Strieger will take over the squadron in my enforced absence.
You should all have the sweep plan on your data pads. Hera will take the first
patrol tomorrow. Colonel Effarian, I’d like you to relieve the major with
Athena.” The colonel nodded. “I’ll post the rest of the assignments to your in-boxes.
We’re not expecting trouble, but being in Earth orbit has proven that the
rebels still want to contest it. So make sure your pilots are ready for
anything. That’s it for the moment. Does anyone have any issues they want to
raise?”

Major
Quenna spoke up. “Do we have any idea what those rebels were doing when they
ambushed you, Sir?”

“Not
so far, Major. I’ve talked it over with the admiral and we’ve not managed to
come up with anything sensible. As soon as we have something I’ll let you all
know. Anything else? No? Then I’ll let you people go and round up your newbies.
Major Strieger? If you’ll stay we may as well have our two fledglings in here
for a chat.”

“Yes,
Sir. I’ll message them now,” she told him as the others left.

“I
was thinking. Put Saphya in charge of Delta whilst I’m out. See how she does.”
Strieger nodded her acceptance of his suggestion.

Five
minutes later the door comm chimed, announcing the arrival of the two pilot
officers. Crineal did a quick calculation about the distance from either their
quarters or the mess hall and the time taken to arrive here. My, they are enthusiastic,
he thought, having calculated an impressive turn of speed. Major Strieger
activated the door panel using her data-pad and the two pilot officers marched
in as if they were on the parade ground. They stood to attention in front of
the two senior officers and saluted crisply.

“Pilot
Officer Hartmann reporting as ordered, Sir, Ma’am,” said the male pilot.
Hartmann was almost painfully thin, with close cropped black hair and a long,
pointed nose which dominated his face. In contrast, his fellow pilot was better
proportioned with straight mid-length dark brown hair. Gyrenne’s face looked
like she was always fighting to keep a smile from appearing and it made her
look continually happy

“Pilot
Officer Gyrenne reporting as ordered,” the young woman’s high-pitched voice almost
breaking as she finished.

Crineal
returned their salutes. “At ease, Pilot Officers.” If they relaxed at all then
Crineal couldn’t tell. “Take a seat both of you.” He waited whilst they each
took a chair and managed to still be at attention whilst seated. “I see you
were at the academy together. Same class?”

“Yes,
Sir,” the two replied in chorus.

“Well,
welcome to Hera Squadron. You’ll find it’s somewhat different from the academy.
Major Strieger here is my second in command, although she really does all the
hard work of running the squadron.” Strieger snorted softly. “So tell me a
little about yourselves. Who was the best out of you at the Academy?”

They
both looked straight ahead for a moment before Hartmann shifted a little and
spoke. “Pilot Officer Gyrenne was three places ahead of me, Sir. She had me
beat hands down in the tactical class.”

Crineal
looked at Gyrenne. “Is that so? How good were you, Pilot Officer?”

Gyrenne
sat for a moment before replying. “The tutors thought I showed some promise,
Sir.”

Hartmann
gathered his courage. “With respect, Sir, Gyrenne finished top of the class. Hers
was the third highest score in Academy history. Just behind you and Lord
Sar’Clax, Sir.”

Crineal
laughed. “I’m surprised that no one has beaten us yet. I’m sure we weren’t that
good.”

“Sir,
several of your engagements whilst flying with Lord Sar’Clax are required
reading,” Gyrenne protested at his modesty.

“I
hope to see you put your talents into action, Pilot Officer. And what was Pilot
Officer Hartmann good at?”

“He’s
a pretty good pilot, Sir. I couldn’t stay on his tail long enough to kill him
most times,” she replied without hesitation.

Crineal
nodded. “I’m sure you’re both aware that you have a lot to learn. We’ll try to
hone your strengths and fix your weaknesses. If you have any concerns about
either professional or personal matters, then please talk to your flight
leaders, Major Strieger or me. Don’t let a problem get out of hand because
you’re sure you can deal with it. I’m pretty certain that the major and I have
heard almost every way a pilot can get into a mess by now.” He gave them both
stern looks.

“Yes,
Sir,” they chorused again.

“Good.
Hartmann, you’re assigned to Alpha Flight under Captain Naralat. Gyrenne you’re
headed to Gamma Flight, Captain Olinini is your flight leader. Any questions?”

“No,
Sir,” came the immediate dual reply.

“Then
you’re both dismissed. I suggest you go and report to your flight leaders.” The
two stood and saluted before marching out in unison.

“Major,
were we ever that young?” he asked with a sigh.

“I
certainly hope not, Sir. Now let’s get you back to your quarters so that I can
organize tomorrow’s patrol without having to worry about getting a report that
you’ve been found collapsed in a corridor somewhere.” Strieger looked at him
sternly and assisted Crineal to his feet.

They
arrived back at his quarters where Strieger insisted on helping him through the
door. Cyndora jumped up as they entered, concern showing on her face.

“Cyndora,
could you help me with him. He’s far too heavy.” Strieger said, a little out of
breath.

“Yes,
Ma’am. May I ask what he’s been doing,” she said, giving Crineal both stern and
worried looks.

“Oh,
the usual, not following the doctors’ orders, overdoing things. You know.”

“Yes,
Ma’am, all too well,” she replied as they got him onto the sofa. “Don’t worry,
Ma’am, I’ll see to him now.” To Crineal the last bit sounded more like a
threat.

Major
Strieger smiled at Cyndora. “I know as an assistant you’re required to serve the
general without question, but I’m sure that a resourceful young lady like
yourself will be able to make her feelings known.”

“Of
course, Ma’am, I know I’ll be able to come up with something. If I’m having
difficulties could I contact you for support?” she asked with an equally sweet
smile.

“I’ll
provide any help I can, Cyndy. I can call you Cyndy?”

 The
redhead nodded her assent. “I’d like it very much if you called me Cyndy,
Ma’am.”

“Just
comm me. I know I’ll be able to find some pilots to help you.” They stood
staring down balefully at the general.

Crineal
held up his hands. “Ok, Ok, I’ll behave, I promise”

“I’ll
believe that when I see it,” muttered Strieger. Cyndora nodded in agreement.
“I’ll leave him to you then, Cyndy. Call if you need anything.”

“Will
do, Ma’am,” she said as Strieger turned and left. Cyndora moved her attention
back to Crineal. “You’re an idiot, Crin. What were you thinking?” She helped to
wrestle his boots off.

“I
know. I didn’t think I’d be this weak. I promised the major that I’d work from
here for the next few days. I need to build my strength back a bit. I guess.”

Cyndora
looked at him sternly and then bent to give him a kiss. “You need to take care,
Sweetie.” Her worried look gave him more pause than any amount of scolding
would.

“I
will, I promise. I thought I should hold a dinner party in a couple of days,”
he said, trying to change the subject. “I’ve not held one since before arriving
back in Earth orbit.”

“Sounds
good, just make sure you rest during the day so as not to be over-strained,
though.”

“I
will. Maybe in three days. That would put it between patrols. Let’s see, I owe
Strieger a dinner. Would you like it if I invited Feldea?” Crineal asked
thoughtfully.

“That
would be great, I can catch up with her then,” she beamed at him.

“Hmmm…
Saphya would be good, too. She’s due up and you already met her.  Hmm… I think
I’ll invite one of the new pilots as well. That will round it out nicely.” He
looked at her. “And Cyndy?”

“I
know, Crin, wear the hostess outfit,” she finished for him with a smile.

“Oh
yes, that, but although I want you to serve food I also want you to eat with us
and not act like a waitress.”

“Are
you sure? Won’t it cause problems?” She looked worried.

“With
who? Strieger, Fel and Saphy already know you and the new pilot officer won’t
say boo to a goose. Right now he salutes if someone even mentions my name,” he
reassured her. “Then you can sit and just chat with Fel and whoever else you
want.”

“Thanks,
Sweetie. I like the major, too. She looks out for you.” Cyndora kissed him
again.

“She
likes you, too.” He looked up into her eyes. “And I like you just a little bit,
as well,” Crineal said, his own eyes a sparkling blue, pulling her down to him
for a more thorough kiss. Cyndora snuggled up to him to return the attention
and Crineal started to feel much better.

Crineal
spent the next day in his quarters as he had promised, apart from accompanying
Cyndora to the gym. He sat on the sofa with his feet up working through his
data pad, all the while watching the ongoing reports of Hera Squadron’s patrol.
Cyndora took an hour to go and visit her friends in the rec dorms and Crineal
sent out the dinner invites. She came back to relate the news that assaults on recreation
assistants were now almost nonexistent and the people in the rec dorm had asked
that Cyndora pass on their thanks to him. After the trial of Del’Tarim no one
was going to risk hurting an assistant apparently. He sighed with relief when
Hera finally landed after a quiet patrol with no mishaps. Not that he had any
doubts in Strieger’s abilities. He just worried when he wasn’t there. Thinking
about it, he realized it was kind of silly. There were eleven other squadrons
that went out regularly without him. Why should it be different for Hera? He
shrugged to himself. Hera was his squadron and he felt the ties to it just a
little more closely. With his pilots safely down he turned off his data pad and
settled down for a little nap before dinner.