Ever Learning

[Kallah Ramson 0]

Lt. Ramson stepped quickly into the mission briefing room where her pilots and crew were just filing in. Alpha squad followed closely behind, still wearing their flight suits having landed just moments ago. Kallah set her own helmet under the podium and turned to see that everyone was here. "Our attempt to rescue the child were unsuccessful but we have gained more intelligence on the Boganarty technology and tactics."

 

She pulled up a summery of the battle onto the main display. "Alpha squad engaged in precision strikes on the ships aft port quarter. This should have dropped their shields within several minutes... but it didn't." The summery slid over to a side panel and detailed scans of their target ship faded into view. "Lesson one: these people are wreckless and insane. Review of scans show we dropped their port shield to 23% after three passes. They then ramped up their generator output 5 times any conceivable safety limits." Energy patterns overlaying the ship began to glow brightly around the mentioned sections. "Further scans show this ruptured 2 EPS lines in that area and flooded the aft section with radiation." More visual patterns representing the spreading radiation, EPS explosions, and other data washed across the ship schematic. "You will notices several green indicators in the aft section. Those would be of the crew. There seems to be no regard for individual safety."

 

Kallah took a moment to let the furrowed brows of the gathered pilots and deckcrews settle. "Five minutes more into the engagement and the port shield generators failed completely. But still, the port section WAS shielded. Lesson Two: They may not think long term but they do think quick. Scans now show that they extended their starboard and dorsal shields over our target area. This allowed them the time to reach their reenforcements before we could eliminate their shielding. They also dropped their aft cargo section and escaped in a command module which we could not outrun. Again, scans show this module overtaxed it's engines to achieve this speed."

 

The main display board went blank. "Now we must prepare for the next engagement. The facts are, through all of their tricks and extreme measures we are the better equipped and trained force. Their targeting systems are sloppy and rely on wide dispersal to score hits. They so far seem to prefer heavy damage output to range. They are brawlers and thugs in style... if not more."

 

Kallah smiled. "Here is the plan. We will begin throwing out our own tricks. This is why I've called the deckcrew in here as well. Starting as soon as this briefing is over Gamma squad will be outfitted with the Crispin-Stealth system. Pilots, read up on it. It's limitations are clear but it's potential in this situation is as equally clear. Deckcrews, have those fighters ready as soon as possible. This is asking a lot. And, I have more to ask. Two runnabouts will be equipped with the optional torp roll bar and loaded with long range strike missiles. They're role will be to harass targets from well outside their own firing ranges. Runnabout pilots are ordered to engage at distance but flee any close combat unless otherwise instructed. Epsilon and Zeta squads will likewise be loaded with long range torpedoes as well as a mixture of other ordinances. Your jobs is to be ready for anything. If I need a gravimetric charge I want you to have it ready for us. If I need the kitchen sink...have it!"

 

Looking once more across the faces of her assembled crew, "We will face this enemy with our training and resolve at it's fullest. When the beast roars... put an arrow in it's mouth. When the thug grapples your comrade... but a knife in it's back. When the berserkers charge... let the shield wall hold firm. We are one force united in a singular purpose and chaos can not stand against such."

 

"Dismissed."