“I see you have had to make extensive modifications to take us aboard,” said Gerard, changing the subject.

“Yes we have," answered Hauser, "and frankly, these modifications have not all been to the liking of our crew. In order to carry the shuttle that will insert you, we have been forced to remove our main armament, the external missile launchers and internal salve capacity. This leaves us with only one class-one 37mm beam system. However we believe the integrity and effectiveness of our cloaking system has been preserved. Since we are on an intelligence gathering operation, I believe that is of paramount importance." The Kapitän eyed his tactical officer, who seemed annoyed by the whole turn of events.

“Excuse me Kapitän but this seems to be as good a time as any to let you know something.” The Chief Engineer cleared his throat.

“What?”

“I’ll tell him”, said Hrabek. "Well, Sir, giving up all our missile armament didn’t sit well with anyone, you especially. However orders were orders. We made all the modifications required and as you know took on the shuttle. However, we have also retained two of the missiles.”

“Two of the missiles? And what do you plan on doing with them?”

“The Chief has devised a way to mount them under the sensor array energy transfer cowlings. The shop devised a quick mounting scheme. We’ve got an interface right into the targeting computer. Unfortunately, they can't be launched in the standard fashion. We’ll have to drop them off before they execute launch burn. But we’re positive they will function normally after that.”

“And you authorized this Hrabek?”

“It was my idea, Sir. I take full responsibility for this.”

“Fleet would go berserk if they found out.”

“And they will, Sir, as soon as they notice the two K-22 missiles missing from the salvo packs.”

The Kapitän pondered this for a moment. It was impossible to gauge his reaction. They staff prepared for the worst.

“Very well, excellent work, Leutnant, Chief. Well Leutnant Boch. It looks like we haven’t been so neutered as we’d expected. no?"

“No Herr Kapitän, it doesn’t." Braun appeared somewhat relieved. "There is one problem however. The K-22 is designed to be fired in Salvoes. Now I’ve got two lone missiles, nominal yield 2 kilotons. There is no internal ECM built into the K-22. We’ll need to get very close to ensure effectiveness.”

“That’s your job to figure out Braun. Look on the bright side. You’re better off than you were ten minutes ago, nicht wahr?”

“Yes, Herr Kapitän!”

The Kapitän noticed Gerard’s interest in the conversation. “You must understand, Major. No one on this ship is at all pleased at the turn of events which have led us here.” His face grew solemn. Several weeks ago we stood by helpless as all our komrades were butchered by the invaders. We hid cloaked again as further devastation was wrought on Röt Hafen by these same aliens. The entire crew has been waiting for its time to exact vengeance for these atrocities. Now, instead of taking part in the impending fleet action against the Kra’Vak, we find ourselves with yet another mission of hide and seek. It’s frustrating for all of us, regardless of how vital this mission is. We want to fight.”

“I understand completely, Sir.”

“Leutnant Waldek. Does the cat have your tongue? You have been quiet. Is there something wrong with the dinner our steward has provided?”

Waldek shot to attention in her seat. “Nein, Herr Kapitän. Dinner was most excellent. It’s just that...I have been reviewing the proposed mission profile for the insertion and I find it most... well I feel that its been hastily put together and frankly we’ll be pushing the operational envelop of my craft.”

“That’s your concern Leutnant. I expect you to make any adjustments you can within the mission parameters, to be able to accomplish the insertion.”

“Yes Kapitän, I’m working on that,” she frowned.

“Very well... ladies and gentlemen, I believe we need to get back to work. Hrabek how long until our next jump?”

“We are making another jump at 0215, Herr Kapitän.”

“Well then, there is a lot to accomplish before then. Off to work.”

After the mess broke up, Charlie returned to the team room. Gerard stayed and pulled Waldek aside and held out his hand. “Leutnant, I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you earlier. Tom Gerard.”

“Sandra Waldek. Tell me Major, are you the one that came up with this insertion plan?”

“No, we were handed that just before we came on board. Is it a problem?"

"Yes it’s a big problem. For one thing, the plan takes into account that we’re using a Junkers 22 mod C shuttle. However I have mod B. It is rated for 15% less power output, using the older mod engines. Whoever wrote the insertion plan left very little power tolerance in the event of a change. This puts me in a bind."

“Yes, that seems indicative of the way this entire operation has been cobbled together at the last minute. However, it is something we’re accustomed to.”

“Well maybe you are used to it by I am not." Gerard saw her face flushed with anger, which only made her more attractive in his eyes. Not that he let on. He needed to keep this strictly business.

“Whoa whoa,” he held up his hand. ”Leutnant, let me suggest that you get with our Sergeant Mellor. He’s the primary jumpmaster on this operation and he’s got a lot of experience in these matters. Between the two of you, I’m sure you can modify the plan to make it work. I have every confidence in the two of you. One way or another we’ve got to make this drop.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Fine come with me and we’ll get to work.”

Charlie sat alone in one of the storage bays cleaning his L7A4 assault rifle. He was alone in the room save for containers of equipment and supplies. Life on a ship was naturally cramped, and adding 946 to the Kohl’s compliment didn’t help the matter. Charlie had been on the go since that call to is house way back when. Running a team takes a lot out of a person. He had to be den mother, cheerleader, diplomat, professor, and a dozen other roles all rolled into one. His people-tolerance meter was pegged, and he needed to be alone for a while.

Not that things weren't going well. The mission prep had come along just fine. Miner had gotten the KiK33 fixed, all equipment was up, the team was ready and in good spirits, and the insertion plan was almost done. The odd thing was that for the first time what worried him was not the mission prep or who was fucking up on the team, or what officer would screw up their mission. No. What worried him for the first time was the hought of dying. Of not coming back. It was pretty clear that having a newborn son changed his perspective drastically. He knew this would happen, which is why he had waited until the end of his career to be a father. Dammit! He was one month out from retirement, and he had allowed his thoughts to turn to those family and easy living. Then the Army had come by and fucked him.

Charlie knew his feeling of melancholy would dissipate as soon as he stepped into the interface shuttle. Once they went to work he would be all business. But damn how he felt now! One of the constant hardships of soldiering was separation from loved ones, and now it came to roost on Charlie’s shoulders like a ten-ton weight, adding to his other worries.

“Hey Chuck.” Charlie jumped at the voice, and he found Ken Mellor standing in the hatchway, hands in his pockets.

“Hey Kenny.”

“What’s up?”

“Ahh, just had to get some solitude for a while. It’s the usual “I’m sick of you fucks” part of the mission.”

“I hear ya. Missin’ the family?”

“You know it.”

“Me too. You know yesterday was Joey’s birthday.”

Charlie looked up from his weapon. “No shit? Too bad you couldn’t be there.”

Ken changed the subject. “So how do you think the guys are doing?”

“They’re doing well, maybe a little abnormal stress, but they’ll be ready. Gerard’s doing ok also.”

“Yeah I like him, he lets the NCOs run their own business."

“We’ve definitely worse officers.”

“Yeah, remember Chen?”

Charlie laughed."Gawd what a fuck up. Typical Sandhurst dickhead."

“I’d say the only weird thing is the idea of fighting real aliens. I think that has the guys a little freaked out. I mean, it’s one thing fighting other humans…”

“But there is something elementally frightening about an unknown species."

“Exactly.”

“Well we’ll just have to kill one of these Kra’Vak as quickly as possible to show that they’re not invincible.”

“Hey, look what time it is.”

Charlie looked at his watch. “Almost time for he final transit.” He started putting together his weapon, which had been clean before he even started. “Go get the guys policed up and ready. After transit we’ll start gearing up. I’ll be along in a second.”

“OK, see ya in a few.”