fanfic_name = And Thunder Rolls

chapter = 6

author = Adam Scott

Rating = AP

Type = Alternative Universe

fanfic = Chapter - 6 - The return of Skull-1



        When I get to the ready room, Max and Miriya were there. Max was briefing Miriya's squadron on the upcoming patrol. I try to slip in and not disrupt the meeting but I wasn't quick enough. One of the younger pilots, Sergeant Georgia Tipps, spotted me and called attention on deck. The entire room stood up, reeking havoc with papers and patrol books flying everywhere. I quickly said "At Ease" too allow Max to continue the briefing. He was surprised to see me there and it took him a few moments to regain his composure. Once the room was settled he continued. It was a general brief, nothing special to watch out for except that there would be a lot of heavy traffic between the SDF-3, the Garfish and its sister ship the Sturgeon. They were both getting their fold systems replaced and the parts were being manufactured on board the SDF-3.



        The patrol was going to be a standard sweep in a large elliptical orbit around the fleet. The Red Griffins would be joined by two other squadrons from the Tokugawa and Ikazuchi on this patrol, which in effect, would cover three sides of the fleet at one time. The Griffins were going to be the only Alpha squadron. The other two are old fashion Valkyries. There only four squadrons of Alpha's and two Betas to date. The internal manufacturing process was taking longer than expected. We still had to rely on the older but dependable Valkyries for now and the few Tomahawk destroids we had brought along.



        Max concluded the briefing and dismissed the pilots to their planes. They scurry out to the hanger and Max lingers, as does Miriya, to see what it is I needed. I slowly walk up to the front of the room. "What can I help you with Skipper?" Max chimes in. "Well Max, I was wondering if there would be room for one more on the flight?" I ask, grinning. Max looks puzzled for a moment then it dawns on him as to whom I'm suggesting. "Sure Skipper, I think we could fit you in. You wouldn't mind would you Miriya?" Miriya was taken by surprise by the question; she was still trying to figure out who I was talking about when Max posed it to her. "Ah . . . sure, we would love to have you come along." She said with a tone of uncertainty. My presence in the squadron meant that Miriya would no longer be in charge. Command of the squadron would default to me. "Don't worry Miriya, it isn't because of you that I 'm going. I just need to fly tonight and secondly, I want to be around if Edwards tries anything." I say to reassure her. Her expression changes to one of shock and anger, I should have left out the last part. She knew of the opposition to her assignment as group leader by Edwards but had never thought that he was that opposed to it. I add "just call it a hunch, but everything will be alright". Her face softened a little at the statement, but the Zentraedi warrior in her alive and well. She wouldn't stand for any thing out of the ordinary.



        We head for the hanger bay's, there I put on my flight suit and head for one of the red Alphas. I am suddenly stopped by the Crew Chief "Ah, sorry sir, but the one over there is yours" as he points to a black plane with painted white & yellow highlights that was parked in the very back of the hanger. At that point Max, who had been following me, let's out a chuckle. I turn around to figure out what is so funny. He answers while still laughing "I knew that I couldn't keep you out of plane so DR. Lang and I had one made just for you." I start to laugh with him and so does the Chief, who had just realized that I had no idea that the plane was there. Max pats me on the shoulder and leads me towards the new aircraft. "She fly's just fine Skipper", Max say's as if reading my thoughts, "I took her out just this morning, before the fold." As we approach the plane I notice the faint gleam of gold flake mixed into the yellow paint, which would glimmer in the sunlight. The tail rudders had a tarp across them, hiding the insignia.



        It was the first and probably only VFA-6K (K for command). It had all the command features of the officers B variant, the same engines and almost the speed of the C variant and it had two seats like the D version. I walk around her, looking intently at the lines of her build. Every inch of her was a work of art, a beauty to behold. After a slow and methodical walk around I climb up into the cockpit. The controls were exactly as I envisioned them, smooth, simple and easily accessible. I ran my hand over every inch of the console, memorizing each switch and position. Locating the ones I would need in an emergency. If there was a problem I would need to know where they were with out looking. Then the Chief had his crew fire her up. The engines came to life, not with a roar but a steady hum of power and confidence. The console flickered to life. In addition to the normal B variant Tac-net and displays I had an additional HUD that displayed fleet position and alignment, just like the Holo-screen in CIC. Emblazoned in the middle of the control console was the call sign for this ship, "Skull - 1".  Max had given up the call sign of his ship to give it to this one. His ship was now called "Skull - 2". I look over towards Max at the discovery. He was grinning from ear to ear. I was speechless, My "Skull - 1" had been dismantled to use as a base prototype for the new Alpha's. I hadn't flown a Veritech since that day, only the Mockingbird. Max had always wanted to fly the "Skull - 1" but never had the opportunity too, and now that he had his own "Skull - 1" he had given up the call sign for me. Max gives a sign to the Crew Chief. He pulls a cord and the tarp comes off the tail. Bold white tail fins are revealed with glossy black skull and crossbones embossed on the surface. There was no other plane like it in the fleet, nor there ever another. Max clips off a smart salute and heads for his own plane. The deck crew clears away the chocks from my wheels and signals me to pull forward. I increase the throttle slowly, unsure of just how much power the new engines could contain. It was smooth and controlled. Then the deck officer motioned for me to turn my wheel to pull in line with the rest of the squadron waiting to take off.



        Each plane, in turn, took off from the launch bays. Soon it was my turn. Miriya catapulted her Red Griffin - 1 from CAT 1 in to the darkness followed closely by Max in the Skull-2 from CAT 2.  I roll the brand new Skull-1 into position on CAT 3. I feel the front wheel lock into the shuttle of the magnetic catapult. The launch officer directs me through the final checks of my plane and then, satisfied, gives the thumbs up to raise the blast shield. I go to full throttle, the power of the engines begins to rock and vibrate the deck of the launch bay. At last the signal is given. The same signal that every naval pilot gives before launch. A quick salute and thumbs up to indicate "I'm ready to go". The launch officer returns the salute and dives for the deck. The catapult throws my plane forward pressing me back into the seat. As soon as I'm clear of the SDF-3 I radio into the CIC. "This is Admiral Hunter in Command Skull-1 ready for position check". There was dead silence on the comm. I knew they were there, I had heard them confirm with the rest of the squadron. A timid female voice came across the line "Confirm sir, go to point Delta Nine Zero". I acknowledge her quickly; I didn't want her to start crying. The CIC duty officer must have stepped out and had left a young ensign in charge. Secondly, No one had expected me to be flying tonight.



        I bank the craft towards the grid point. The only external light was coming from the various ships of the fleet. Otherwise it was pitch black with a back drop of distant stars. Even our own sun wasn't more than a bright spot at this distance. I join up with Max at the rendezvous. He and I were flying separate from the other squadrons. We were in the most powerful planes in the fleet and were experienced enough that we could handle just about anything thrown at us. Max lines up on my wing and we take our first loop around the fleet of ninety-seven ships. Each revolution we take a higher zenith relative to the fleet until we are circling around the middle. Then we reverse the pattern until we return to our original grid point. We repeat this routine for a couple of hours following a few minuets behind Miriya and the Red Griffins. Then it was time for the next set of squadrons to take over. The entire time I had been itching to see just what this plane could do. As soon as we were relieved I get clearance to go independent. Max decides to join me and we change course to head away from the fleet. I radio Max and tell him to go to full throttle. I jam the throttle forward and I'm slammed back into the seat. The acceleration is amazing. Then I go into some high speed maneuvers. I just about lose it on one turn. I hit almost nine G's. It was amazing to experience. The old Valkyries could never do that in space. The best I had ever got was seven G's and that was in a Super-Valk. Max had been practicing since that flight with me in the mockingbird and was keeping up quite nicely. I slow down a little and think my way through the transformation to guardian mode. These new planes are so much more agile and powerful. I continue my flocking for a few minutes more then transform to battleoid mode. This was different. Instead of being in the chest of the robot I was in the back. I knew this is where I was supposed to be, I had designed it. But it still felt strange. My low fuel warning came on so I took her back to F mode. Max and I headed back to the SDF-3. Landing in the same bays we took off from. I pull her into the same spot she was originally in and shut her down.



      I open the canopy to applause. Miriyas' entire squadron had remained on the flight deck to watch the show. Most were former Zentraedi Quadrono and had an appreciation for great flying skills. The rest of her squad were young human females and were just impressed by the show in general. I take a bow and climb out the plane.



      As soon as my feet hit the deck I feel the big, powerful hand of General Reinhart on my shoulder. He had watched the show as well. He had heard of how well I could fly but had never seen it. I spin around to face him, his face, as stoic as ever. His only words were this, "Now I know why Gloval chose you." He shakes my hand firmly, turns and heads back to CIC. I try to thank him but he is already gone. The rest of the crew in the hanger collapse in around me in congratulatory praise. I work my way through the crowd and turn my plane over to the crew chief.



      I seem to float back to my quarters. It's quiet on the streets of Westport. It is early morning and most of the civilians are still asleep. There is the occasional soldier or sailor, making their way to duty. I'm at peace again. Flying is the only thing that has ever achieved that for me.



      As I approach my quarters I notice a bit of commotion. There are medical personnel hurrying about. I suddenly think of Lisa. I run towards our door. It's open and Lisa is being carried out on a stretcher. Jo is there holding Roy and crying. I immediately ask what is happening. The only answer the medics can give me is "The Admiral is very ill". This wasn't the answer I was hoping for. I turn to Jo who, through the tears, gives me a better answer. "Rick", she says through sobs, "sissy got up to see where you were. She was worried about you. She said that she wasn't feeling well but had to find you. I told her to try CIC first but she was delirious. She insisted on going out to find you. Then she passed out. I couldn't wake her up." Then Jo broke down again. She stood there, in the doorway to our quarters holding Roy, sobbing.



        I stood there in shock, unsure of what to do or where to go. I felt the world close in around me. I felt my knees give way beneath me and I saw myself fall to the floor.





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