SODIUM:4 Gravity Read Online Free
powerful industrial corridor between Brisbane and Melbourne was now in shambles.
With only 14 months remaining before the main fleet arrival we had our work cut out for us. The fleet consisted of 18 carriers, each with a compliment of 1024 fighters, 14 Destroyers, five Cruisers and three Battleships. And then of course the 40 kilometer wide mega-ship.
Our squadron had survived to fight another day. But we had only encountered a force of 315 fighters versus the more than 18,000 fighters that were now headed Earth's way. New Defenders and ground defenses had to be built and new crews trained. It was a daunting task.
The world powers called another emergency meeting to discuss possibilities and plans for the next 14 months. Every man, woman and even children down to the age of eight were enlisted and assigned work duties and production quotas.
No one was immune from the toils of defending the planet. Many nations resorted to extreme punishment for those who were caught slacking off or not pulling their weight. One such nation offered a severe beating with a cat-a-nine-tails on the first offense with execution offered on the second. Only a handful of beatings had occurred.
There were no outcries of injustice, no protests and no lawsuits. Everyone participated or was thrown to the wolves by the society they lived in. This was for the survival of all Mankind. Everyone had skin in the game.
Within a month of the conclusion of the fighter onslaught, new recruits were lined up in the parking lot of the Adirondacks base as far as the eye could see. It was my job to train them, train them fast and train them well. The pilot training sessions lasted eight hours a day, seven days a week for 12 weeks running three shifts. The Adirondacks base would crank out over 1,000 crews by the time the main fleet arrived. The other two training locations would add another 1,500.
After the initial four weeks of training, if crews were doing well, they earned a half day break. Crews were restricted to the base during the time off, but trainers had the option of "Going into town." On our first such occurrence Randy, Raven and I headed for the local bar. Our reclamation suits would hardly be considered high fashion during any era, on that night they drew extra attention. Four locals were already well into a particular way when we entered the establishment.
We sat at a booth against the wall and quickly ordered our drinks. I had not had a real meal for months and with the nutrition fully provided for by the suits, I had no taste for the greasy fried bar food that was the normal fair.
As we waited for our drinks, the four hucksters at the bar turned around on their stools to face us. At first it was just the occasional low comment followed by snickers. The minor harassment soon turned into loud laughs and slapping knees, with a rude gesture thrown in here or there.
I had a short temper and Randy repeatedly told me to just ignore them and take it easy. But easy was not my style. When I had finally reached the point of no restraint I rose from the booth and stepped in front of the biggest fellow.
I asked if he had a problem with me and would he like to step outside. He replied that he would never hit a lady, even a he-man lady like myself. I told him he and his friends looked like an overgrown monkey and three organ grinders. It drew an angry look. I next told him his Mama was an alien. It was the lowest of the low comments a person of the day could make.
He cocked back his big drunk fist and took a swing. After four months straight in the reclamation suit, my muscles were toned and responded quickly. I was buff. I easily dodged his flying fist and countered with a punch to his solar plexus. As he quickly hunched over the next small fist came up under his chin rocking his head backwards.
I then followed with the ole knee to the groin which dropped him quickly to the floor. The first organ grinder then made his attempt at bringing my unleashed fury
With only 14 months remaining before the main fleet arrival we had our work cut out for us. The fleet consisted of 18 carriers, each with a compliment of 1024 fighters, 14 Destroyers, five Cruisers and three Battleships. And then of course the 40 kilometer wide mega-ship.
Our squadron had survived to fight another day. But we had only encountered a force of 315 fighters versus the more than 18,000 fighters that were now headed Earth's way. New Defenders and ground defenses had to be built and new crews trained. It was a daunting task.
The world powers called another emergency meeting to discuss possibilities and plans for the next 14 months. Every man, woman and even children down to the age of eight were enlisted and assigned work duties and production quotas.
No one was immune from the toils of defending the planet. Many nations resorted to extreme punishment for those who were caught slacking off or not pulling their weight. One such nation offered a severe beating with a cat-a-nine-tails on the first offense with execution offered on the second. Only a handful of beatings had occurred.
There were no outcries of injustice, no protests and no lawsuits. Everyone participated or was thrown to the wolves by the society they lived in. This was for the survival of all Mankind. Everyone had skin in the game.
Within a month of the conclusion of the fighter onslaught, new recruits were lined up in the parking lot of the Adirondacks base as far as the eye could see. It was my job to train them, train them fast and train them well. The pilot training sessions lasted eight hours a day, seven days a week for 12 weeks running three shifts. The Adirondacks base would crank out over 1,000 crews by the time the main fleet arrived. The other two training locations would add another 1,500.
After the initial four weeks of training, if crews were doing well, they earned a half day break. Crews were restricted to the base during the time off, but trainers had the option of "Going into town." On our first such occurrence Randy, Raven and I headed for the local bar. Our reclamation suits would hardly be considered high fashion during any era, on that night they drew extra attention. Four locals were already well into a particular way when we entered the establishment.
We sat at a booth against the wall and quickly ordered our drinks. I had not had a real meal for months and with the nutrition fully provided for by the suits, I had no taste for the greasy fried bar food that was the normal fair.
As we waited for our drinks, the four hucksters at the bar turned around on their stools to face us. At first it was just the occasional low comment followed by snickers. The minor harassment soon turned into loud laughs and slapping knees, with a rude gesture thrown in here or there.
I had a short temper and Randy repeatedly told me to just ignore them and take it easy. But easy was not my style. When I had finally reached the point of no restraint I rose from the booth and stepped in front of the biggest fellow.
I asked if he had a problem with me and would he like to step outside. He replied that he would never hit a lady, even a he-man lady like myself. I told him he and his friends looked like an overgrown monkey and three organ grinders. It drew an angry look. I next told him his Mama was an alien. It was the lowest of the low comments a person of the day could make.
He cocked back his big drunk fist and took a swing. After four months straight in the reclamation suit, my muscles were toned and responded quickly. I was buff. I easily dodged his flying fist and countered with a punch to his solar plexus. As he quickly hunched over the next small fist came up under his chin rocking his head backwards.
I then followed with the ole knee to the groin which dropped him quickly to the floor. The first organ grinder then made his attempt at bringing my unleashed fury
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