The Varman Incursions by Harcourt Tendhall
6 April 2021 { Science fiction }
If you let it, it can mess with your head. Living on a Supercarrier is weird. Day and night don’t exist; it’s just one shift after another. Working in the docking bays, seeing nothing between you and the rest of the universe, can throw you, but you get used to it. They insist we evacuate the bay for landings and take-off, just in case we lose atmosphere when craft pass through the force field, but I reckon the risk is tiny.
Mind you, life here has its moments. Mostly, it’s just the humdrum of regular fighter patrols going out and doing their rounds, but there’s been an increase in skirmishes lately. We lost two on my last shift, and when I signed on this morning, I heard there’d been a full alert, with ten fighters scrambled. Eight made it back, but they took out six Varman Exterminators. They went after their cruiser, but it made the jump to light speed just before they reached it.
I can’t get this fuel cell to re-charge properly, so I’ll take my break before I give it one last try.
‘How’s it going with that fuel cell, Jane?’
I glanced up at Captain Beaufort; he’s an ugly sod, but we all love him. No longer on active duty, because of injury; he’s the head man in this docking bay.
‘It’s not responding, Cap. I’m taking my break now. I’m going to give it one last try when I come back, then send it down to Maintenance.’
‘Just send it down, anyway. We ain’t got time to mess around since things livened up around here. Give it to the droid.’
‘Okay,’ I replied, then turned to the droid carrier, ‘Charlie 5, take this fuel cell to Maintenance.’
‘Thanks, Jane. Take your break but get back pronto. Things could get lively again. We don’t need delays in getting the fighters launched.’
‘Will do, Cap.’ I headed to the canteen.
Geoff was at the dispenser when I walked in. ‘Hi Geoff, grab me a bacon sandwich, please,’ I said. ‘Do you want a coffee?’
‘Thanks, Jane. Cappuccino, please, and don’t forget the sprinkles.’
Geoff’s a good guy. I met him at the Academy. He was top in his technician’s course when I was taking my pilot’s course. We had a bit of a fling, but nothing came of it. After that, he became a better friend.
As we sat down, I asked him, ‘Did you hear about the alert?’
‘I was there, doing a double shift. Sharon had thrown a sickie, so I offered to cover. After this, I’m off to bed. They’ve reorganised the shifts, so I’m on when you’re off from now on. At first, I thought our guys were taking a beating. The first four fighters back all had damage, but nothing serious. It was only after they’d docked that news filtered down from Comms that we’d taken out six of theirs. I just feel so sorry for the guys who didn’t make it back.’
‘Yeah. I wish I could have a pop at them. I was top in Marksmanship at the Academy but flunked the Psych and missed the grade in Applied Maths.’
‘I remember how frustrated you were. You’d have thought they’d have taken your father’s death into consideration, given the circumstances. I bet you’d pass with flying colours today.’
‘Hmm, maybe, Geoff, but there’s no second chance. Never mind, at least we’re doing our bit; keeping them flying. Right, I’d better get back and let you get some well-earned rest. It could all kick off again any time.’
As I walked back, I thought about that time. Dad was a Squadron Leader and had over 50 kills. We thought he was invincible, and I was desperate to follow him. It wouldn’t have been so bad if he’d just bought it in battle, but to die on a desolate moon, rescuing one of his pilots, was not what he’d have wanted. The news broke just before my Psych, and I’d taken it badly. Who wouldn’t? The request to delay had been rejected. It still pisses me off, but I took my anger out during the Marksmanship Evaluation. 97% accuracy and no hits on my craft. I got wasted afterwards, so when I took Applied Maths two days later, I wasn’t in a good place.
‘Jane, follow me, please.’
It was Captain Beaufort. What the hell was this about? I’d only just walked into the bay. I followed him to his office, surprised to see Squadron Leader McGovern there.
‘First Technician Saunders, Sir,’ said Cap.
‘Thank you, Beaumont. Now, Saunders, because of the increased Varman activity, we’ve been assessing our resources. Relief pilots are scarce out here, and the journey time from Earth means we need to look at who we have on board. I’ve checked your history, and it seems you’d be an excellent candidate for a second assessment. How do you feel about taking the exams again?’
Who-hoo! My eyes lit up, and I struggled to contain my delight ‘I’d be honoured, Sir.’
‘Good. You’ve got the next two shifts off to brush up on your Maths. Report to the Simulator Bay in two hours for your Marksmanship Eval,’ he said and, looking at his notes, added, ‘although it may be academic, given your score last time. However, we must be certain you’re up to scratch if we send you out there. You’re Psych Evaluation will be in 24 hours, so make sure you get some sleep; it pays to be well rested. That’s the important one.’
‘Thank you, Sir, I won’t let you down.’
‘Okay, Jane, check that Droid delivered the fuel cell to Maintenance, clear your bench and sign off. Oh, and best of luck,’ Cap said with a smile.
‘Thanks, Cap,’ I replied, saluted Squadron Leader McGovern, and left the office.
I was floating on air as I crossed the Docking Bay. Not literally, the simulated gravity is excellent on a Supercarrier. Another chance. Wow! I thought the best I could hope for was Gunner on a Cruiser. My heart was pounding, and I wanted to tell Geoff, but he was probably asleep by now. I settled on blurting it out to Sandra, who worked next to me. We hugged each other and danced around for a minute. I had just finished clearing my bench as Cap walked over.
‘Don’t let me down, Jane. I knew your Dad and about your situation. That’s why I suggested you to Squadron Leader McGovern. He’s a good man. If you pass, you couldn’t be in better hands. Now, be off with you and don’t let me see you back in here without your wings.’
I grinned at him, gave him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek.
Stepping back, he said gruffly, ‘Get out of here before I change my mind,’ then chuckled.
I left, determined to heed his words. Back in my cabin, I showered and changed. I still had forty minutes before I needed to leave for the Simulator Bay, so I loaded up Starships on my screen and got some practice in. It’s simple, compared to the simulator, but at least the 3D is passable, and the speed isn’t too bad.
* * *
The Marksmanship couldn’t have gone better. 98% accuracy and only one minor hit on my left tail fin. What really pleased me was my Psych. So smooth; I was calm throughout and applied logical reasoning where required. I didn’t feel any stress during the questioning, even when they asked me about Dad and my last Psych. I came out feeling so good; it made it much easier to focus on my Maths revision. That exam was the tough one, but I’d avoided any major pitfalls. I thought I’d done enough to get a strong pass.
Twelve hours later, there I was, sat in my cabin, waiting for the call. The marking is automatic, so results are available almost instantly, but not to me. There’s a Board, made up of the two Squadron Leaders, the Commodore of our Supercarrier and the Chief Psychiatrist. They review the exam results, evals and our personal records, before making their decisions. There’s no ceremony out here. You just get a call to see your Squadron Leader, who gives you the result. It’s ten hours since I finished the Maths exam and I’m nervous. Then the message pinged up—go to Squadron Leader McGovern’s office immediately. I did.
‘You asked to see me, Sir?’
‘Yes, Saunders. I’m pleased to tell you you’ve passed.’
He held out his hand. I went to shake it, but then realised it held two sets of wings. I took them and saluted.
‘You’d better get along to the Quartermaster and collect your new uniform. You’re on patrol in eleven hours.’
* * *
My Rookie Patrol
I met Geoff in the Exercise Zone. This ship is so big, it even has a couple of tennis courts, as well as a swimming pool and gym. We went into the bar to relax for an hour before I turned in. I needed to sleep well before my first patrol, but I was still buzzing. They don’t serve alcohol on board but serve drinks specially formulated to help you relax. I had a couple, whereas Geoff, who was going on shift, had something neutral.
‘I thought you might take a caffeine hit.’
‘No. If I do, I’ll have to keep drinking caffeine drinks for the entire shift and I’d be wiped out by the end. Our team will prepare the fighters for your first patrol, so I’ll be in your docking bay to wave you off at the end of my shift. So, have you got your wings sewn on your uniform yet?’
‘First thing I did after collecting it. I had a helmet fitting while I was there. It looks great with my initials on. It looks just like Dad’s, except his was a bit battered the last time I saw it. The new thought functions are brilliant. I had a go in their simulator, just to make sure everything was working. Almost instantaneous reactions from your craft just give you the edge. I can’t wait to try it out for real.’
‘Be careful what you wish for, it could get hot out there.’
‘Yes, I know. I’d be happy to get a couple of quiet patrols under my belt first.’
We chatted for a while before Geoff went on shift, and I hit the sack.
Next morning, it surprised me how relaxed I felt over breakfast. I think I’d slept well. Geoff was obviously still on shift, so I sat on my own. I was just finishing when a guy in a pilot’s uniform came over.
‘Hi, Jane, isn’t it? Jane Saunders?’
He was about fifteen years older than me, slim and quite good looking for an older man.
‘Rick Denton. I served with your father. I recognise you from the funeral, but we didn’t actually meet.’
‘Hi, Rick. Nice to meet you.’
We shook hands.
‘I’ll be on patrol with you today. I just wanted to introduce myself and wish you good luck.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Chances are it’ll be a quiet shift. These incursions never last long. They always take far more losses than we do and run away with their tails between their legs, so they never last longer than two or three shifts. There’s been no action reported so far and we’re due to swap patrols in an hour.’
‘Right. That’s good news, I guess. Just so long as they’re not saving themselves for me.’
‘I don’t think it works like that, Jane.’ He said with a grin. ‘Are you ready for the briefing?’
‘Yeah.’
I finished my coffee, and we walked to the briefing room next to the docking bay. Rick told me how much he looked up to and admired my Dad and that he’d keep an eye on me today. He seems a genuine guy, and it’s always good to know someone’s got your back.
We assembled in the briefing room and Squadron Leader McGovern marched in.
‘Pay attention, please. I want to introduce you to Jane Saunders, who joins us today with the call sign Red Six. She has a marksman’s excellent grade and top results all round, so will make an excellent addition to the team. Welcome aboard, Saunders.’
They all looked round at me, smiling, thumbs up, and all that.
‘Okay, we’re going out in standard delta formation. Two groups of four, assemble on the starboard side, aft of the Supercarrier.’
‘That’s the pointy bit at the front,’ whispered a Welsh voice behind me, just a little too loud.
‘That’s enough, Jones. Let’s not recount your first patrol, shall we?’
Everyone chuckled. Jones sat back quietly.
‘We’ll be patrolling route B, so we’ll fly on auto unless there’s a need to break formation or route. Should that need arise, you break on my command, not before. It’s probably going to be a quiet one this time, but keep your eyes peeled and sensors on maximum range. Right, let’s get out there.’
We all stood and saluted, then made our way to the docking bay.
As we walked down, Rick said, ‘I’m Red Four, Jones is Red Two. He’s the joker in the pack, but he’s a sound guy and a top flier.’
Squadron Leader McGovern paused ahead, waited until we caught him up, then walked alongside us.
He said, ‘Saunders, I want you on my port wing today. Red Three will take your place in the other group.’
‘Yes, Sir.’
We entered the loading dock, and I walked up to my fighter. Geoff appeared from the other side and held the ladder, confirming he was my ground crew today.
‘Good luck, Jane. Not that you’ll need it. I hope it’s a quiet one, but if not, just kick their asses.’
‘Thanks, Geoff,’ I said, taking a deep breath and climbing the ladder.
As I lowered myself into the cockpit and nestled into my seat, he appeared on the ladder and held the straps of my seatbelt for me. He lowered them over my shoulders, and I put my helmet on, fastening it to my flight suit, before snapping shut the buckles on my seatbelt. The craft came alive. I checked all the instruments and controls and gave Geoff the thumbs up. He mirrored my signal, descended the ladder, and carried it away.
‘Red Six ready for take-off,’ I said, and waited for about ten seconds. It seemed like ten minutes.
‘Red Six cleared for take-off. Good luck out there,’ said the voice of Carrier Command.
I lifted the fighter off the deck and eased along the loading dock and through the force field. I’m out, on patrol for the first time. Wow! I can’t believe it, I’m finally going to live my dream out here, on the edge of the Solar System, with Pluto close by. Wasting no time, I flew over the carrier and joined Red One off his port wing. Red Two was already there and gave me a smile as Red Four joined us.
‘Enter Patrol Route B into your flight navigator and acknowledge.’
‘Red Six, Patrol Route B loaded,’ I said and listened to the rest of them acknowledge.
‘On my mark, initiate. Two, one, mark.’
We glided away from the carrier in perfect formation. For the next hour, we travelled at half speed and saw nothing, then automatically altered course ninety degrees to port. After another fifteen minutes, we turned ninety degrees vertical, fifteen minutes, ninety degrees port, ninety degrees starboard roll. This put us back on course for the carrier, but fifteen minutes to port and vertical of her. It was from this sector that all incursions had occurred.
We had been travelling on this steady course for around twenty minutes when I spotted a slight flash of light to starboard, only a glint.
‘Red One, intruder off starboard side, forty degrees,’ I barked into my transmitter.
‘Copy that, Red Six, well spotted. Red Flight, switch to manual but maintain course. Await my command.’
We all did. I reckoned what I’d seen was a Varman cruiser about thirty minutes away, or one of their exterminators only ten minutes away. All eyes were looking in that direction or scanning instruments. I glanced above and to port just in time to see three exterminators approaching at full speed, maybe one minute away.
‘Red One, three exterminators, port-side forty degrees elevation.’
‘Copy that, Red Six. Red Flight, break on my mark.’
Another wait as I watched them approach. All three were side by side on a slight pitch from our plane. Our tactic of waiting until they are just outside range often tricks them into believing they have the element of surprise.
‘Three, two, one, break break break.’
On the first ‘break’, I rolled to port, pitched up and lit the afterburners, heading straight for them. Our guns outranged them, giving me about ten seconds of fire before the need to take evasive action. Red Two was on my starboard side, just behind.
‘Red Six, I have their starboard craft,’ Rick said.
‘Copy Red Two, I have their centre,’ I replied.
‘Copy Red Six, I have their port,’ said Squadron Leader McGovern.
I looked to port; he was there, just behind me. I targeted in on them and, as the screen flashed from red to green, I hit the trigger. I took out their leader, then hit reverse thrust, dropping in a stall, before hitting the afterburner again and climbing into a vertical loop. As I did, I saw tracer passing beneath me, followed by another of their exterminators, flashing beneath me. At the top of my loop, I rolled one-eighty degrees and dropped over and on course for the exterminator, lined it in my sights, and on green I hit the trigger, taking it out. I looked starboard, nothing in sight, turned sharply, checked all round but could only see our fighters and debris. I rolled one-eighty and checked all round again—same result.
‘Red One to Red Flight, reform with me to resume Patrol Route B.’
‘What about their cruiser, Sir?’ I asked.
‘They jumped to light speed moments after you took out that fourth Exterminator, Red Six.’
‘Wow, they don’t hang around long, do they?’
‘Ha ha. Not when we’re on their tail, they don’t,’ said Jones.
‘Okay Flight, less chit-chat. Resume Patrol Route B on my mark. Two, one, mark.’
We all cruised on in formation again, keeping a sharp lookout in case they tried a second sortie.
‘Red Six, that was a textbook move on my break, back there,’ said Squadron Leader McGovern. ‘You were fast off the mark and kept your head. Good shooting. I liked your evasive tactics. If you had simply peeled off, the fourth exterminator would have got you, but you reversed things against him and took another good kill. Not bad for your first patrol; your Dad would have been proud of you.’
I heard the others cheer, and my heart swelled.
‘Thank you, Sir. Just employed my training and practice.’
I bit my lip to stop a tear. There was no time for sentiment out here. I needed to keep my concentration. We completed the rest of our patrol without further disruption, and I was glad to get back to the Supercarrier. I was tiring by now. The adrenalin used in battle drains your energy. I needed a shower, some food, and a long sleep.
On landing in the docking bay, I was disappointed Greg wasn’t there, but, of course, his shift ended as we took off, so he could be anywhere, or asleep. As I walked away, Rick jogged up to me and gave me a hug.
‘You did brilliantly out there today. Two hits on your first patrol. That doesn’t happen every day. In fact, that just doesn’t happen. Welcome to the squadron, we’ll all feel safer out there, flying with you.’
‘Thanks, Rick. That means a lot to me.’
I was glad to end my first patrol, elated to bag two hits, but needed to rest. I knew I was going to sleep well.
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