Clidepp Requital Read Online Free Page A

nd , 2285 ~

    The shuttles approached low and slow, then flew at treetop level for the last twenty kilometers, using oh-gee engines for propulsion and maintaining altitude, and thrusters for attitude control. It was doubtful that the nearly silent approach would attract any attention, but the Marines in the passenger compartment had already sealed their armor and were ready to deploy the second the shuttles touched down. As the hatches were flung open, the Marines leapt out and secured the LZ while Sydnee and Weems powered down the systems and incapacitated the small ships in ways that could easily be undone, but only by someone who knew exactly which system interfaces had been disconnected.
    As Weems and Sydnee exited their shuttle, they closed and locked the hatches so no one, or no wild creature, could get inside without leaving clear evidence of the attempt. Scouts had gone on ahead, reconnoitered the area, and ascertained the absence of sentries. Informed it was safe to continue, the entire group made their way stealthily to the clearing where the fighter craft were parked.
    "The area appears to be clear," Burrows said on Com channel Two to Sydnee and Weems. "Take a look at the fighters. My people will spread out and watch for any enemy soldiers while you determine if you can fly those things. Pick the two best craft and disable the third."
    "I think that'll be unnecessary, sir," Weems said. "Look at the furthest fighter. It looks like the engine is being overhauled. There are pieces all around the ship."
    Burrows glanced towards the ship and used his right eye to select settings on the display menu inside his helmet that would lighten the image and zoom in. "That appears to be the case, Weems," he said after a few seconds. "Okay, check out the other two while I verify that third fighter isn't going anywhere soon."
    Sydnee headed towards one fighter while Weems headed towards the other.
    Opening the control pad cover on the side of the cockpit, Sydnee examined it for a second before pressing a button that the visual-translation assistant built into her helmet identified as 'hatch.' The cockpit cover slid back to give full access to the pilot and copilot seats.
    She climbed into the cockpit and immediately began studying the flight controls and instrumentation. Her helmet translator was invaluable. All she had to do was focus her attention on any relevant symbols or text. The helmet then identified wherever she was looking and translated the Yolon to Amer. From that point on, the Amer translation immediately replaced the Yolon on the inside SimageWindow in her helmet whenever she focused on that text or symbol. But there were a few controls that weren't marked at all. She sincerely hoped they didn't activate the ejection seat. There was a button marked 'eject' with a spring-hinged cover over it to prevent it from being accidently depressed. Hopefully, that was the only control for ejection.
    After just a few minutes, Sydnee believed she understood the controls well enough to take off— but controlled flight that allowed her to make a low-level pass over the rebel camp was another matter.
    "Major Burrows?" Sydnee said on Com channel Two.
    "Burrows."
    "Major, I believe I can fly this ship."
    "Well enough to make a low pass over the rebel camp?"
    "I really won't know that until I get this ship in the air and see how responsive it is, and how well I can control it."
    "Understood. Weems, how about you?"
    "I believe I can get it in the air and fly it out of here, but I don't think I should try a low-level pass until I have some flight time in it. Lt. Marcola has had flight training in the FA-SF4 Marine Fighter that I haven't had yet, and I haven't had any fighter time at all since coming to the Perry , other than simulator time."
    "Understood. Okay, Marcola, you'll do a few passes over the camp as low as you feel comfortable while Weems takes his ship up to three hundred feet and circles the camp. I'll leave two of our people