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operations within the nebula. Long-range sensors were virtually useless, and even shortrange scans
required more time, more power, and more computer interpolation than usual, which made for many
extra problems.
But the conditions also helped hide Victory from detection, as Eisen had explained during the original
briefing. The Kilrathi maintained a network of detection buoys around the planet and near most of the
jump points, but away from those the Terran carrier was able to avoid contact from everything except an
extremely close pass by enemy ships. It was almost as good, Eisen maintained, as mounting a cloaking
device aboard the ship.
On the other hand, the sensor limitations cut both ways. Blair was forced to double patrols again just to
sweep nearby space for Kilrathi shipping. It required some skillful flying to penetrate the web of detection
buoys to put fighters close enough to Ariel I to conduct the surveys Headquarters needed. Over the
course of nearly two weeks, the flight wing operated at peak capacity, almost without let-up, and the
strain inevitably took its toll on people and equipment alike.
Blair could only hope that ship and crew were up to the job.
Flight Control, TCS Victory Ariel System
Blair came out of the elevator next to Flight Control and nearly ran into Rachel Coriolis. She was
clutching a personal data pad in one hand and a half-disassembled control module in the other, walking
briskly with an air of distracted urgency. As she caught sight of Blair she made a face.
Can t talk now, skipper, she said, hardly slowing her pace at all. All you fighter jocks were so
damned eager to draw recon work. Well, now you got it, and that means us common techies have to
bust our asses to keep you flying.
Okay, okay, Chief, he said, holding up one hand. On behalf of the entire wing, I apologize. Next time
HQ gives us an assignment, I ll tell Ñem to clear it with you first.
She grinned as she dodged past him and into the lift. Maybe if us techs had a say in things you hot-shots
wouldn t always be getting in so much trouble.
The doors snapped shut, and Blair turned back to the entrance to Flight Control.
There were only routine patrols out now no survey missions, so the chamber was manned at minimal
levels. The relative calm in the room was a stark contrast to the scene visible through the windows
overlooking the hangar deck, where technicians and fighter crews were hard at work on maintenance,
repairs, and mission prep for the next batch of launches, scheduled to begin shortly. The bustle of activity
would have been a scene of utter confusion to the uninitiated, but Blair recognized the order and purpose
underlying the chaos. It was the dance of the deck, the almost rhythmic cycle that made any pilot s heart
beat just a little bit faster.
He became aware of another figure standing by the windows, intently watching. It was Cobra, wearing
her flight suit and carrying a helmet under one arm. Blair was surprised to note her smile. It transformed
her entirely, changing her customary bitter moodiness into a genuine look of enthusiasm and anticipation.
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About time, he heard her say softly, as if to herself. About time we showed Ñem.
Lieutenant, he said quietly.
She looked at him. Sir?
I don t recall ever seeing that before, he said. When she looked confused he continued with a grin.
That smile on your face. It looks good. Suits you.
The wolfish smile reappeared. It s good to be in their back yard for a change. I can almost smell Ñem,
Colonel. And with any kind of luck, I ll get a couple of them in my sights sometime soon . . .
He raised an eyebrow. Well, being on the offensive seems to have helped bring you out of your shell,
I d say.
Scuttlebutt says we re here to scout the cats out for a real attack. That HQ has a weapon that ll blast
them to hell, where they belong. I want to be here for the kill. I didn t become a pilot just to baby-sit
bases and such.
Blair frowned He supposed the spread of rumors about the Behemoth project was almost inevitable.
Nothing stayed secret on a ship in space for very long it seemed, despite the best efforts of Confed
security. He wondered if Rollins had been leaking information, or if this story started somewhere else.
At any rate, at least this rumor was having a more positive effect on morale than some of the earlier
ones.
Look, Cobra, I m glad to see that smile, I really am, Blair told her. But you ve got to be pumped on
every mission, not just the ones you like.
Point taken, Colonel, she said slowly. The smile had faded now. Well, I guess I d better get down to
the launch bay. I m up in fifteen . . .
After she left, Blair frowned at his own reflection in the window. For some reason he could never find
the right things to say when talking to Lieutenant Buckley. Why couldn t he have allowed her to enjoy her
newfound enthusiasm for Victory s current operation? Instead, he d managed to deflate her just when it
seemed she was ready to start letting down the barriers which kept her apart from the rest of the wing.
Sometimes he wondered if he would ever really get a handle on his job.
Flight Wing Rec Room, TCS Victory Ariel System
Pull up a chair, Colonel, and join me. I ll stand you to the first round.
Acknowledging Vagabond s greeting with a nod and a smile, Blair took the chair opposite him.
Lieutenant Chang played with the inevitable deck of cards in front of him, and if the continual cycle of
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