Major Jack "Blackjack" McCain walked through Olympus' Main Terminal, his shore bag at his side as the station's personnel and visitors bustled around him. He walked up to the military entry and scanned his ID, "Good morning Major. USS Discovery is docked at gate M01." the receptionist said in a cheery tone only one who had too much coffee and rest could. Jack gave her his thanks and continued to the military foyer, he had little sleep the last few days and his energy shot is wearing off.
Jack McCain has the unenvied position of being a replacement, Henry was a good man and had been Jack's best friend and wingman before the SF, and he had gotten a slot on the first advanced officer's training class for squadron leaders. Jack got a slot in the second. The advanced course is designed to pass only the very best zero-g pilots and it was grueling, 9 hour days of study alternating with 12 hour days of flight training both in and out of atmo, and Jack graduated only 48 hours ago.
He barely got his gold wings before he got the news of Henry being shot down and killed and his reassignment to be his friends replacement so the first 4 squadrons go active on-time. 'Damn bureaucrats', he thought darkly as he made his way to a food stall that served coffee, he still haven't had a chance to really process this new twist for his life. 'But when does God let me have a say in the course of my life?' He mused; military life is one of service, you literally sign your rights away, and only get most back after boot. Unlike the other three senior officers of his unit, he signed up in the waning year of the last of the so called Terror Wars and NATO signed the armistice with the Meccan Islamic Caliphate six months after his deployment, fairly easy work for a fighter jock, mostly escort missions for the cargo birds landing supplies and mail to the various FOBs in and out of country. So when the October Strike scattered the ISS across half the globe the Pentagon quietly recruited pilots for advance exoatmospheric training, and Jack jumped on the opportunity. 3 years later and he's walking through Olympus Station munching on a sausage McMuffin and sipping passable reconstituted freeze-dried coffee.
As he neared the dock ground crews and cargo pallets bustled around loading the supplies, "Well they are really scraping the barrel if a frak-up like you are here." Jack stops and sees Kaze emerge from behind a stack of crates. Jack scratches his head as he retorts, "Well this outfit has a crazy as frak like you Kaze. Guess the higher-ups thought I'll fit in." They both smirk before they chuckle and claps arms, "Good to see you Jack." Jack sighed, "Yea you too Kaze, to bad it was under these circumstances." Kaze's eyes turn sad, "Yea, no one wants to be a K.I.A. replacement, but it's good it's you and not some greenie from Edwards." Jack smiles as he pat's Kaze's shoulder, "True that. Care to show me the ship? I'm hella jet-lagged and need some rack time." Kaze's face brightens, "Sure, this way Blackjack."
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Discovery sits in the shipyard, dozens of worker mechs float around the hull removing damaged hull plates and welding new sections over the exposed inner hull service space and pressure hull underneath the piping and wiring. Others replacing sensors and exterior lighting burned away by the battle. A refit ship is docked to the near by axillary docking port.
Weapons roll by Nolan in the main hanger of Discovery as he approaches Dave McGuire, the ship's weapons officer. "How's it coming?" McGuire salutes, "Almost fully stocked sir. Just loading field repair gear and two more nukes." Nolan smiles, "Excellent work chief, let me know when everything is stowed." McGuire gives a serious "Aye Sir!" as a petty officer approaches Nolan, "Message from SolComm sir." Nolan takes a breath, "I'll take it in my ready room," as he salutes the comm officer.
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The screen in Nolan's ready room comes to life as he enters the room revealing to stoic image of Admiral West. "James. I presume you can guess why I'm calling." Nolan straighten his back, "Yes sir."
"Well I pulled a lot of strings for you and I got your mission approved. But James the condition is you bring Marduk in alive, understand me?" West speak sternly. "Yes sir. Thank you sir." West gave a amused grunt, "I sent up Blackjack to put your flight back at 100, he should be checking in as we speak. Along with a prototype assault breacher that Skunkworks and Groom Lake are itching to test out along with a Delta team and pilots." James nodded, "I'll send down a shuttle down then to make room."
"Good. Also send down unnecessary scientists and civilian personnel with it."
"With due respect sir. I'll need the scientists here, I'll send down most of the civilian press instead." Nolan interjected. "What for?" West replied with a raised eyebrow. Nolan took a breath, "We'll need to determine how they got hyper-drive capabilities, and a few press to shore up morale. I'm sure congress is threatening to court-martial me, and we both know it'll be a PR nightmare if the mission doesn't get approved, sir." West leans back in his chair contemplating Nolan's reasoning. "Very well." West stares into Nolan's eyes, "But, if you lose congress will string both of us up." Nolan stared back with determination, "I won't lose sir." West relaxed a bit, "God's speed then, and good hunting captain." West taps his console and the connection end, leaving a rotating Space Force logo. Nolan gave a deep breath and walked back onto the bridge.
Nolan strolled on the bridge in "Commander" mode, his back was straight, hands clasped behind his back, and eyes gazing upon his bridge with a calm and steely gaze. "Commander." Halsey Stood at attention, "Aye sir." Nolan walked down to the captain's chair where his first officer was sitting, "What is the status of the ship?" Halsey glanced at his tablet, "The last of the crew is aboard. We are fully stocked and combat ready." Nolan nodded in approval, "Very well. Send a shuttle down to Edwards with the reporters, except the Military Press, and GNN. And warm up the reactors, we ship out in four hours."
"Aye sir." Halsey replies enthusiastically.