Thad was just passing through security when a gray and black missile leaped towards him. Taz landed in outstretched arms, his buzzing purr reverberating deep into Thad's bones. Thad felt delicate arms wrap around his neck and enfold him in a strong hug.

"Taz! How the heck did you get out?" The answer came huffing up to them. Jennifer Yuki paused a minute to catch her breath, then commenced with the explanation.

"Your little beastie there was putting up such a racket that I couldn't sleep. Worried that something was terribly wrong, I went over and opened your door to see what all the commotion was about. Before I had it open even half way, Taz here is out it like a needleer round. He made straight for the main door and went out into the night. I of course gave chase. The little bugger can really move when he wants to. At a guess, I think he was very upset because you snuck out on him."

"Oh Taz! I'm sorry, I thought you would still be asleep and there was this message…" Words failed Thad when he saw and felt the hurt he had caused his cat. After a few seconds of letting the message sink in, Taz recommenced his purr and poured forgiveness into their link. Thad gripped his companion in a tight bear hug, tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm so sorry buddy, I didn't think… How could I have done such a thing? Trust me, this will NEVER happen again, that’s a promise!" The group started towards the barracks. Once inside, Thad turned to Jennifer with a serious expression on his face. "Jen, there is something I just have to tell somebody about. I know that I can trust you to keep a secret. Its just to be for me to handle all by myself." Thad went into the entire story of the mysterious communiqu�, the old lady, ONI and Cerberus Corporation. Jen remained silent through it all.

"Well, looks like you really stepped into it this time sir! What do you plan to do?"

"Take her up on her offer, just like the spook told me to. But I want you to come with me. I need someone I know and trust to be there to back me up. I don't know the exact way she is going to get me back into space, but I'll find some way to get you there with me. That is of course if you want to. Do you?"

"Of course silly! You think you could tell me this intriguing tail and then expect me to sit on the sidelines? Heck no, in for a penny, in for a pound!"

Relief flooded through Thad. A part of him had been very worried that she would say no. "Thanks Jen, it really means a lot to hear you say that." A hint of redness rose on Jennifer's cheeks.

"Well you don't have to make such a big deal about it. Friends look out for each other, and you sure need someone right now."

"All the same, thank you. You have no idea how much you friendship means to me." Turning a deeper shade of red, Jennifer covered it by turning towards the door.

"I need to get some shut eye, early shift and all. You just rest easy knowing old Jen's got your back." And with that she hurriedly made her exit. Thad snickered at that. Old Jen was only 24 standard years old. Thanks to prolong, she looked barely 17. Thanks to Manpower, Thad looked only 22 himself. Looks were deceiving though. Prolong extends the human life span and slows the aging process so that ages of 200 years or more are commonplace. Because Thad had been grown, he appeared 22 when he was actually only 16 years old. Manpower had used various means to program his mind so it was as developed and as filled with knowledge as an adult was. Because of his superior intellect, he had also learned a lot of things since his escape. Despite all this, Thad had a hard time dealing with others emotions. He could function in society, yet many of the subtleties of group dynamics were lost on him. Thad had never been a child and so had had a lot less time to study other humans and their reactions.

This had caused him to seem distant and aloof all through his days at Saganami Island Academy. All of his instructors had thought he would make a fine officer one day, but his class mates had been unable to draw him as much as they wanted to. He had come across as cold towards them simply because he was unsure how to respond. He had many talents, but dealing with people was not one of them. He could command them, and feel compassion for them, but he was unable to communicate feelings effectively.

CHAPTER 10 [Tilley Base, one week later]

Major Sterling had contacted him only a few days later with a line he could use to reach him. At that time, Thad said that if ONI wanted his cooperation they would have to guarantee that Lt. Jennifer Yuki would be assigned to where ever he was. Sterling had done some hemming and hawing over that, but in the end agreed. That fact let Thad know just how valuable he was. ONI was really desperate to keep him on side if they caved in to his demand so easily.

One week to the day after his meeting with the Cerberus woman, she made contact again but in a more obtuse fashion. Thad was called in to Admiral McAllister's office. McAllister looked slightly annoyed with Thad when he entered.

"Mister Armstrong… would you kindly explain why you didn't give me at least a heads up on this?"

"Sir?" Thad replied, genuinely perplexed.

"Don't play dumb with me mister. You went out and requested a transfer to the Grayson Navy! Now I know that the Star Kingdom has been loaning officers and enlisted personnel to Grayson, but I thought you liked it here!"

Thad had to think fast. That witch hadn't even left him a message since that night, and now she springs this on him! He could bet that she was really enjoying toying with him like this. "Sir, the opportunity came up recently and I had to take advantage of it ASAP. I'm sorry if I offended you. I really did like it here, it's just…"

"Its not a command position and a dead end career wise, I know, I know!" the admiral finished for him. "I sometimes wish I could relive my youth and go back into space on the command deck of a ship, so I know firsthand your desire." The admiral chuckled to himself, then stared into Thad's eyes. "I like you Lt. Cmdr., and can see you are a fine example of a Queens Officer, despite what your record says. That is why I give my full endorsement to your request. Someone with your drive and skill deserves to be out there fighting the Peeps, not forced behind a desk. It has been a pleasure to serve with you, even if our time together has been brief. Now go out there and kick some Peep but for me!"

"Sir, yes Sir!" Thad said in a voice that would have done his instructors at Saganami Island proud. He saluted Admiral McAllister smartly. The admiral returned the salute.

"You are dismissed… Captain!" on his last word the admiral broke into a grin.

Thad got through half of his about face when the words struck home. Turning around much more sloppily, he gazed at the admiral open mouthed.

"Excuse me sir… but did you just call me Captain?"

"Yes son, I did. As part and parcel of your transfer to Grayson service, you have received a promotion to the rank of Captain in the GSN. Congratulations!" the admiral extended his hand, and Thad shook it mechanically. He had only wanted to go back into space. This was almost more than he had bargained for. To be placed into a foreign, albeit allied, navy was a shock. The bigger shock was that the Graysons had bumped him up from Lt. Cmdr. to a full Captain. He had heard that they were short on personnel with command experience, but to bump him up to Captain must have taken some pull.

Thad walked out of McAllister's office in a dreamlike state. Taz was preening on his shoulder the whole way back to their quarters. Thad could tell that he thought his human's promotion was a great idea. While Thad himself had some doubts, he had chosen this path and could not walk away from it now. When he entered his quarters, his com terminal was beeping at him. He pressed the activation button and Major Sterling's smiling face appeared on the screen.

"Congratulations Mr. Armstrong. Before you say anything, I have already put a rush on getting Lt. Yuki assigned to the GSN as well. This little stunt has allowed us to find a few more Cerberus plants in the military. We won't act on them yet because we don't want to tip our hand, but you can bet they are under the microscope now. I have taken the liberty of forwarding to you 'your' request for transfer and its reply. You should find your next command to be quite interesting, I think. But then you are going to find that out for yourself in a few weeks anyway, so I won't spoil the surprise! I'll be in touch with your new contact on Grayson shortly after you arrive there. Till then, bon voyage!"

[Two weeks later, Grayson orbit, Blackbird shipyards main station]

Thad looked out the armourplast portal at the insane amount of activity in the space that made up the Blackbird shipyards. He had never seen such a sprawling facility before. Sure some bases back in the Manticore system were more massive constructs, with dozens of capital ships under construction at any one time. Yet they were no where near as spread out as Blackbird Yard. As far as he could see, hulls hung in various states of completion. The sheer scale of the undertaking was underlined when he saw the size of the humans working on the nearby ships. They looked like gnats buzzing around an elephant as they moved from place to place on the mountain of metal and armor that would become a ship of the wall.

Thad tugged down the blue on blue uniform, still thinking that it didn't look right on him. And this weird hat, a 'ball cap' they called it, was even more alien. How he longed for the beret of Manticore. His motions nearly dislodged his cat from his place on Thad's shoulder. An annoyed bleek told Thad to stop squirming.

"Sorry bud." Thad apologized. A disdainful sniff answered him.

"You should listen to him. You look like a little kid in dress cloths when you squirm like that." Jen teased form beside him. She looked even better in her Grayson uniform than she did in her Manticoran one, and knew it. The pips on her collar said that she was a Lt. Cmdr. in the GSN.

"Geepers, stereo scolding!" Upon seeing that Jen was about to start up again Thad said, "Ok, ok, I'll stop squirming! Sheesh! Let's just find our way to the boat bay, shall we. It wouldn't do for us to be late the first day on the job now would it?"

After boarding the pinnace, they sat down and watched as dozens of hulls flashed by the portals. Finally they came up to their final destination, located in a remote and isolated part of the yard. The pinnace pilot took them on a leisurely cruse around their new ship. The GSN battlecruiser Warspite's gleaming white, 880,735-ton bulk loomed in front of them. She was a brand new ship, not even totally finished yet. Her port broadside gravitic and lidar arrays had yet to be installed. Four graser mounts still had to be put in, and she was missing half her fore alpha nodes as well. Thad noticed something else too, she had fewer missile tubes than a battlecruiser should mount, and her aft hammerhead was odd looking. Thad couldn't place his finger on exactly what was wrong with it, just that it didn't look normal.

The pinnace completed its tour and proceeded into the cavernous boat bay. As was custom, Thad exited the pinnace first because he was the ranking officer aboard. A Grayson marine detachment snapped to attention with a barked command from their squad leader. In front of him his new first officer, Cmdr. Julius Custer GSN, came to attention as well. The bosun's pipes stilled all activity in the bay. Cmdr. Custer saluted, and Thad returned it with equal correctness.

"Permission to come aboard?" Thad asked, as until he formally assumed command he was a guest on Custer's ship.

"Permission granted." Came the reply in a deep baritone. The man was short, but then most Graysons were. He was a full inch and a half below Thad's six feet. He had golden hair paired with a broad nose. He was in excellent physical shape and looked the part of a wrestler. His steel gray eyes cast a measured look at his new captain, then shifted to the treecat perched on his shoulder. "May I escort you to the bridge sir?"

"Of course Commander, lead the way."

Julius Custer led Thad and Jennifer out of the bay and into the intaship car. Once the doors had closed, Julius let out a deep breath. Turning towards them, he smiled.

"I don't know about you two, but every time I do something official like that, I'm worried I'll say the wrong thing and make an ass out of myself." Cmdr. Custer smiled impishly. Extending his hand first to Thad, then Jen, he said, "Let me take this opportunity to welcome you both… correction you three aboard the Warspite."

"Thank you Commander." Taz also bleeked his thanks from Thad's shoulder.

"Thanks Sir." Jennifer Yuki replied.

"I have some questions regarding the condition of the ship, but they can wait until after I have assumed command."

"Of course Sir. I know the Warspite looks bad now, but you'll be pleasantly surprised by our special modifications. I guarantee it!" Just then the lift chimed that they were approaching their destination. Seconds later, the doors opened to reveal the spacious bridge. To the left side of the captain's chair was a rather large holo tank. Just beside that was tactical. Directly in front of his chair were the astrogation and helm consoles. To the right were damage control, communications, and backup terminals. All stations faced the captain's chair. Repeaters of every bridge station surrounded the chair itself, allowing the captain access to pertinent information instantly.

Thad made his way up to the side of his chair. Standing Taz on the floor beside him, he depressed the intership com button. At the sound of the musical tone, everyone on the ship stopped what they were doing and listened. Thad's scarred face appeared ship wide on every com screen. Waiting a for a second, he commenced reading his orders.

"From Admiral Honor Harrington, Grayson Space Navy," he read in his melodious voice, "to Captain Thaddeus Armstrong, Grayson Space Navy, Forty-Sixth Day, Tenth Month, Year Three Hundred and Twenty After Landing. Sir: You are hereby directed and required to proceed aboard The Protector's Starship Warspite, BC-Six-Two, there to take upon the duties and responsibilities of commanding officer in service of The Tester, and of Grayson. Fail in God's service at your peril. By order of High Admiral Wesley Matthews, for Protector of the Faith, Benjamin IX."

Thad switched off the com. The orders had been the same in format ever since Grayson commissioned its first warship. By simply saying them, Thad had placed every man and woman on the ship under his authority. The Warspite was his now, and it felt good to be in command again.

The Grayson Navy had been pitifully small when Manticore first made contact with Grayson. Their largest ship was only the size of a cruiser, and a single modern light cruiser could have smashed Grayson's entire navy. Since then though, they had grown by leaps and bounds. They now marshaled the third largest fleet in the sector, behind only the PRH and Manticoran navies. The Grayson Navy had acquitted itself quite well in battle, and had successfully drove off multiple Peep attacks. The most recent of witch was done under 'The Salamander' herself, Admiral Honor Harrington. Scuttlebutt said that she would be shipping out under Manticoran flag soon. Thad regretted that, he had hoped to learn much from such a skilled commander. But alas, it was not meant to be.

"Exec, I would like to hold a dinner this evening. I would request that all senior officers be there please."

"Aye Sir."

"Now about those special modifications…"

"Of course Captain. As you no doubt know, the Warspite's missile broadside is a few launchers short of the norm, and her aft hammerhead looks odd. This is because she is a prototype vessel, an entirely new way of designing warships. The fruits of project Ghost Rider were designed into her from the outset. Allow me to fill you in on project Ghost Rider."

"As you know, normal missiles are about 15 meters long, have a maximum powered engagement range of 6,750,000 kilometers, and a terminal velocity of 75,000 KPS. The specs of Ghost Rider missiles, on the other hand, are gonna blow your mind. Though they are almost 31 meters in length, they contain three separate drives. These can be activated at any power level and any time. The tactical flexibility this gives us allows for a max powered engagement envelope of over 65,000,000 kilometers, with a terminal velocity of 0.81 light speed! Or you could use the first two stages to boost the missile, coast it to a programmed attack area, then kick in the last drive and use it for terminal attack maneuvers at a full 92,000 Gs. That mode gives our weapons unheard of reach and striking power."

"But the new missiles are not the best goodie that BuWeps has given us to play with. The after hammerhead looks odd for a very good reason. It is designed to allow missile pods, stored internally, to leave the ship. Your standard battlecruiser mounts around 35 missile tubes. We, on the other hand, carry 250 missile pods with 8 Ghost Rider missiles each. We can fire a salvo of six every 12 seconds. The Warspite has over 2000 missiles and can put 240 missiles per minute into space from the pods alone. If you add the internal launchers, you get an extra 30 Ghost Rider missiles per broadside. That weight of fire combined with the missiles capabilities make us more than a match for even a squadron of battlecruisers."

"Unfortunately, we are currently not allowed to utilize Ghost Riders full capabilities. BuShips is hurriedly building not just more battlecruisers like us, but full on superdreadnoughts of the same basic design. Once sufficient number are built, we are gonna smash the Peeps once and for all! But until then, our true capabilities must be kept secret."

"Complimenting all that impressive armament, our defensive systems have been given a boost as well. Our EW drones are of the latest design. They are generations ahead of anything used before, capable of both intense active and subtle passive jamming. They are also capable of imitating our sensor signature exactly. Some missiles in each broadside are EW platforms, engaging in both ECM and ECCM activities. They fly out with the salvo, either showing up as five missiles or engaging in active jamming. They can even interpret data gathered on the ECM of a target, and change the salvos pen aids in mid flight, greatly increasing the chance of a hit. Our new internal compensators, based on Grayson design I might add, allow us to pull the acceleration previously available only to cruisers. And best of all, we can now close the exposed fore and rear of our wedge. The prototype bow and stern walls effectively halt all maneuvering and acceleration when they're in use. But that disadvantage is far outweighed by the added protection that they offer."

Thad just stared at Commander Custer as his mind raced to grasp the enormity of what he had just been told. Once these systems came on line in a true fleet of the wall, the war was all but won. Once seemingly impregnable systems would become mere targets. When you had the power to send hundreds of thousands of missiles at the enemy from well beyond a range that he could respond back…

"My God…"

quote:

---

"From Admiral Honor Harrington, Grayson Space Navy," he read in his melodious voice, "to Captain Thaddeus Armstrong, Grayson Space Navy, Forty-Sixth Day, Tenth Month, Year Three Hundred and Twenty After Landing. Sir: You are hereby directed and required to proceed aboard The Protector's Starship Warspite, BC-Six-Two, there to take upon the duties and responsibilities of commanding officer in service of The Tester, and of Grayson. Fail in God's service at your peril. By order of High Admiral Wesley Matthews, for Protector of the Faith, Benjamin IX."

---

All in all, this is all right. It follows the Manticoran format a little too close to the hilt than the Graysons would IMO, but that isn't my really nitpicky thing.

My really nitpicky thing...the date. You quote the date in the Manticoran format, while the Graysons use the old Georgian calendar. In FIE, Honor has difficulty translating the Manticoran calendar into the one the Graysons use, which is the same as ours. So, it would be better if you used something like 28 September 40--, instead of AL.

I have two general story lines, one involving Manpower coming to get rid of Thad, the other involving fundimentalists and primarily ground combat on the planet of Masada (series fans should know all about Those disagreeable indivduals)

I'm leaning more towards the second myself as its events are directly influenced by events in this epp. and it happens only a short while later, but I am willing to leave it up to anone reading this fic.

CHAPTER 11 [GSN Warspite, Black Bird Yards dry-dock]

"Well XO, you have given me quite a bit to take in. I had no idea that we could even DO things like this, let alone have them already in production on near finished hulls."

"And a good thing you didn't too cause if you knew about it, chances are very good that the Peeps would as well!"

"Point taken. Well, using these new systems in the wargames scheduled for after our space trials should be very interesting."

"Aye Sir, but we can only use them to full effect in simulated attacks on the rest of our squadron. Only they currently have clearance to even know of their existence. As far as everyone else knows we are just a normal, innocent, little BC. By the time we finish our space trials there should be another two Warspite class BCs and three Ghost Rider equipped Star Knight class refits online to join us. Once they arrive, we will become Task Force 55, under the command of Admiral Bruce Cole. Admiral Cole may seem rather young for his appointment, but he is very good at his job. I have personally seen him in action, and will go into battle with him anytime. He knows his stuff backward and forewords and is very creative tactically."

"We are also supposed to receive some cruisers and destroyers as screening elements. It is hoped that within a month two more Warspite class BCs will be finished and can join our squadron. Within five months, the first SDs based on our design will be finished. They are scheduled to join up with Admiral White Haven at Trevor's Star as part of Eighth Fleet. Task Force 55 may or may not be going with them, the brass still hasn't decided."

"Thank you for the update as to our situation Commander. It looks like the next few months should be very busy. Since that is the case, I think I had better settle in now. I would like a report on what's left to be installed and how long the yard dogs think it will take on my desk by this evening. I'll see you this evening for the working dinner, six o'clock sharp."

"I'll be there Captain, and you'll receive the report ASAP." Thad merely nodded in reply. Stooping, Taz scrambled up Thad's shoulder. His 8.5-kilogram bulk was lightened by the fact that the Warspite was kept at 1 G, not the 1.35 G of Sphinx. Thad was thankful for that. Though he was very strong, his muscles had yet to adapt to carrying the extra weight around all day.

As he made his way towards the lift, Thad mulled over why Cerberus wanted him here. He was still thinking hard when he approached his quarters. The honor guard at the door stiffened to attention. Thad returned the salute then made to enter his new home. Stopping just inside the door, sheer size of the quarters shocked him. When he had been a middie on his first cruise, he had bunked with many people in a large room. As an Ensign, he had shared a closet sized room with another Junior Officer. Once he got his first command, he thought that his personal quarters were huge. Smaller warships just don't have the room to build large quarters. But even his room on the Victory was tiny compared to this.

Perplexed as to why the door wouldn't close, the sentry looked around the corner to see what was wrong. Seeing his Captain staring wide eyed around the room, a knowing smile appeared on his face. Without thinking, he opened his mouth. "Sir, if you think this is large, you should see the Admirals Quarters! They're almost indecently big!"

Realizing that he had an audience, Thad spun around, his face bright crimson. The sentry was sure he had said too much, and prepared himself for a verbal beating. It never came. Instead, he got laughter. When he spun around, Thad had seen the marine wince and cast his eyes downward. The look on his face was so comical, Thad lost what little self conscious anger had welled up inside him. On hearing the burst of laughter, the guard stared at his captain again braced at attention.

Once Thad had sufficiently recovered from the laughing spell to speak, he let the sentry off the hook. Clasping him on the shoulder, he said, "You know Sergeant, I just might do that." On seeing the shocked look cross the guard's face Thad almost fell into another fit of laughter, but managed to restrain himself. The sergeant made his escape as quickly as he could, not wanting to embarrass himself further in front of his new captain. Thad turned and began a survey of his new home.

Next to the far wall was a desk, apparently made from genuine ironwood. On his desk was a terminal, part com system, part computer. There was a high backed, navy blue leather chair behind it. Some kind soul had also installed a perch behind the desk for Taz. Two smaller chairs were placed in front of the desk. To his left was a large video screen. It could be used for either entertainment or communications. There was a comfortable looking sofa along the opposite wall and another chair beside the door. Thad made his way through the room and into the adjoining bedchamber.

Lying on his bed were two skinsuits, his and a much smaller one. Thad felt relief flood through him as he examined both suits. He had worried that Taz's skinsuit might have been damaged or lost. Very few places sold skinsuits for treecats, and even fewer places sold them. Thad shuddered to think what could happen if Taz was left unprotected in a battle situation. That skinsuit was one of the first things Thaddeus had purchased on Sphinx. Bob Roberts had been thoughtful enough to tell him about a store in Tinnian that sold them. Thad had spent many of his off-hours at Tilley Base's zero G tank, teaching Taz how to use the thrusters on his suit. Taz had been a quick study and was soon jetting circles and loops around his less agile companion.

On the small nightstand beside the bed was a small com terminal and Taz's frisbee. Thad had learned firsthand just what Jennifer had meant when she warned him. The side of his head was still slightly tender from where the speeding disk had struck. Thad's reaction had been just a second to slow, and his noggin had paid the price. Taz had found the whole episode hilarious, even more so when Thad had tried to peg him in return. The cat was just to quick though, and Thad had finally relented to being more watchful in their future games.

In his closet were his spare uniforms, and his few civilian cloths were stored in a chest on the shelf. Thad was just finishing his inspection when the door chimed.

"Enter" A woman strode in, the stripes on her sleeves indicating she was a Master Chief. Her chocolate brown eyes complimented her graying brown hair up in a bun. She was very motherly looking, with a quick smile and warm eyes. Master Chief Leona Gibbons stared up at her charge with a practiced eye. At five foot three, and 160 pounds she maintained quite an athletic figure, despite her apparent age.

"I trust you have found everything to be in order sir?" She asked in a rich soprano.

Thad looked down at his steward, "Yes Master Chief, everything looks great."

"Please Sir, call me Leona."

"Alright, but only if you call me Thad" Leona made a noncommittal grunt, then turned to the treecat on Thad's shoulder. "Allow me to introduce my little companion here. Leona, meet Taz. Taz, Leona." Taz preened on Thad's shoulder.

Leona reached into her pocket and produced a stalk of celery. Taz was in heaven when she gave it to him, his purring nearly vibrating him loose from Thad's shoulder.

"You sure know how to get into his good books." Thad teased. Leona merely smiled and patted Taz's head as he munched nosily on his celery.

"Dinner shall be ready for you and your senior staff at six Sir. If you need anything before then, don't hesitate to com me."

"Of course Leona, thank you."

"Your welcome Sir." With that, Leona left, stopping momentarily by Thad's desk to organize his message chips. Thad walked over and sat down in his desk chair, putting his feet up on the desk. Taz jumped up to his perch and yawned lazily. Thad couldn't blame him, he felt like taking a quick nap himself. But duty called in the form of his com messages. Most were congratulatory messages, some from the fellow captains that would eventually make up Task Force 55. One was from Admiral Bruce Cole himself. He answered these rapidly enough. It was the last two that sparked his interest. One was from Major Sterling, the other was from an anonymous author. The last one could be from only one source, Cerberus. Thad opened it.

A plain text message came up on his screen. It said that he needed only to be near a certain set of coordinates in the Grayson system when he took the Warspite out for her space trials. No other information was given, which irritated the hell out of Thad. That Cerberus woman seemed to go out of her way to be cryptic. Thad felt anger rise in him. An annoyed bleek came from behind Thad. Taz didn't like it when his human's emotions turned ugly.

"Sorry bud, didn't mean to disturb ya." A huff was all the reply he got as Taz sprawled out to nap again. Staring at the short message wasn't helping his mood, so Thad closed it and opened Major Sterling's. His smiling head appeared on the screen.

"Hello Thad, I trust your trip was uneventful? So, how do you like your new ship? Didn't I tell you she was special? Anyway, down to business… Your contact is the commanding officer of your marine detachment, a certain Colonel Linus van Yurgen. You are to follow his instructions as if they were mine in relation to your actions concerning Cerberus. Don't let us down, we really need someone on the inside of their organization! I'll be in touch."

[That evening, captain's dining room, GSN Warspite]

Everyone was on time. Thad would have been surprised if that weren't the case. From what he had seen so far, everyone on board was competent and good at his or her job. This was understandable given the fact that the Warspite was a classified project and only those deemed most trustworthy and best at their job would be assigned. Thad looked around the table at his officers. Cmdr. Custer sat at the opposite end of the oval table. To her right sat the ships chief engineer, Cmdr. Julia Santos. Cmdr. Santos was a severe looking individual with a reputation of driving her crews hard. Yet she drove herself even harder and had a reputation as an amazing engineer. Thad hoped that the mostly male Grayson engineering personnel would accept her. Their aversion to women doing 'man's work' had mostly been obliterated by Admiral Honor Harrington, yet a few diehards still clung to their beliefs. Lt. Cmdr. Fillipe Escobar, the ship's astrogator was next. He was a slight individual, with a timid demeanor to match. Jennifer, his tactical officer sat beside Escobar.

Beside Jen sat Col. Linus van Yurgen. He looked like he could rip through a bulkhead with his bear hands. A strong jaw and perpetual five o'clock shadow framed his wrinkled face. His salt and pepper hair was shaved down to stubble. Bushy eyebrows almost hid his deep blue eyes. He was build like a bear, and was said to fight like one as well. Yet, provided you did your job well, he acted more like a father than his crusty exterior would lead you to believe. His muscles were barely hidden beneath his spotless green and black Royal Manticoran Marine Corps uniform. The majority of the Warspite's marines were Manticoran, despite her being a Grayson ship. This was because there just weren't enough Grayson marines to go around.

The ship's doctor, Surgeon Commander Viola Romanoff, sat across from Col. van Yurgen. She had an oval face framed by brown curls. Her graceful carriage complimented her petit features. Lt. George Humphry, the ships supply officer sat beside her. He was rumored to be a miracle worker in getting whatever you needed. His eyes looked out from behind a red mop of hair. He was short, even for a Grayson, at only four feet. George's slight build merely accentuated his height. At only 20 standard years of age, he was also the youngest person present. This only served to heighten his nervous personality. Beside him was the communication officer, Lt. Cmdr. Xaiver St.Laurence. Although he was only 4 years older than George, Xavier exuded a competence and authority far beyond his years. He was on the fast track to his own command if he kept doing such a professional job. His curly blond hair accentuated his fair complexion and very pale blue eyes.

Having completed the meal, most of his officers were covertly studying him. Some were more entranced by the treecat seated beside him. Thad felt good about this group. They seemed to get along and work well together. There was a very strong sense of esprit de corps filling the room. Thad waited until the dishes were cleared before he started the business part of the dinner.

"Exec, fill us in on the extent of work left to be done and when we can commence space trials."

"Well, according to the yard dogs, we should be ready to go by the end of the week. About four or five days, depending on weather anything unforeseen pops up. The installation of our port lidar and gravitic arrays was finished today. Our alpha nodes should be installed by Thursday along with three of the graser mounts. By late Friday everything else should be installed and the armor plating all welded on." Custer explained.

"Excellent. Lt. Humphry, how are we set for supplies?" Thad was positive that the Lt. jumped when he heard his name. Yet he spoke in an even, calm voice.

"Everything looks good sir. Weaponry and powered armor has been delivered to the armory for Col. van Yurgen and his marines. The medical bay is fully stocked, our ships weapons and spares are fully stocked. We're sitting pretty Sir."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Weaps, how are we looking?"

"I managed to run through a few drills earlier today Sir. Though the crews are a little rusty, they actually are not to bad."

"Once we get out of dry-dock, I want that rust to disappear."

"We won't let you down Sir."

"I have no doubt about that Lt. Cmdr. Col. van Yurgen, how are your marines doing?"

"No need to worry about us Sir. We have been training in the ships gym daily. We even got a chance to play war with some of the other marine companies here in Grayson. Needless to say, we sent them home with their tails between their legs!"

"Glad to hear it Colonel. Anything happening in medical?"

"Nothing sir. Oh the odd bump and scrape, but nothing major. The crew is very healthy Captain."

Thad nodded his agreement. "What about engineering?"

"Everything looks good so far sir. We'll be able to tell more once we start space trials though. All three fusion plants are running at 75% capacity without any problems. Once all of our alpha nodes are installed, I can't wait to get out and stretch the Warspite's legs."

http://www.movie-trailers.com/weber/Honorpedia/honorpedia.html

CHAPTER 12 [Command deck GSN Warspite, Saturday morning]

The Warspite slowly extricated itself from the dry-dock's super structure using her reaction thrusters. She was unable to bring up her impeller wedge because it would extensively damage, if not outright destroy the dock. Once she had put enough distance between herself and the dock, she brought up her impeller wedge for the first time. The power was gradually ramped up until the wedge was operating at full strength. Gauges indicated that 100% power was reached, and there were a lot of slaps on the back and handshakes across the ship. It was even more exuberant in engineering. Thad's voice and approving smile came over the com system.

"Well, it looks like congratulations are in order! To the yard dogs, Commander Santos, and the entire engineering staff, you have done excellent work. I am sure I speak for the entire crew when I say well done people!" Cheers erupted from the engineering crew at that. Thad had activated two way voice communications, so he just smiled and waited for it to die down. "Now, lets stretch her legs. I want max output from all three fusion plants in five minutes."

The Warspite wedge accelerated her faster and faster through the darkness of space. It didn't take her long to reach her maximum safe n-space velocity of 0.83 c. Her new compensators allowed her to pull an accel curve that previously only heavy cruisers were able to. Thad had to admit it, Manticore was learning allot from the Graysons. Their compensator design, though bulkier and more archaic than its Manticoran counterparts, had allowed for greater acceleration on a class for class basis. Manticoran tecs had taken it and updated the design with state of the art components then miniaturized it so that it would fit into all current ships.

"Bridge, this is engineering. You have max power on all three plants. All systems in the green and there hasn't been even a flutter in the mag bottles."

"Very good Miss Santos, very good indeed. How does the compensator look?"

"Purring like a treecat in a celery patch Skipper!"

Taz laughed from his custom accel couch behind Thad's right shoulder. "Excellent!" Thad cut the link and strode over to the astrogation console. "Mr. Escobar, would you be so kind as to plot a elliptical course that will take us through the outer system and back to Grayson orbit, initial bearing…" Thad checked his helm repeater, "351 mark 43, speed 0.5c"

"Course computed and laid in Sir."

"Thank you. Helm, execute course correction."

"Aye Sir, turning to bearing 351 mark 43. Decelerating to 1/2 light speed."

"Miss Yuki, I think that this is a good a time as any to test our preparedness. Sound battlestations, I want to see how much rust is left."

"Sure thing Skipper." Jen said with a gleam of excitement in her eye. This would be an excellent opportunity to show just how far her department had come. Thad had other ideas. He wanted his ship to be as ready as it could for whatever was coming.

[That same time, in hyperspace, near Grayson]

The merchantman's captain paced like a caged animal on his bridge. Why his superiors had thought that criminals could be trusted to be honest in their dealings was beyond him. At least they had found out about their duplicity before it had ruined the mission. He had been notified by the Director herself that his 'escort' had developed less than friendly attitudes. The director had told him that he could expect to be attacked as they had gotten wind of just what he was carrying.

His escort felt that they could take both the payment and the cargo and run. The Director had then said that he should modify his course so that it would lead him closer to Grayson. It was just a small change, as his final destination was near by anyway. His sensors told him that his escort was moving to a wider dispersal, one that allowed them to get clean shots past his Warshawski sails. They claimed that it was just to extend sensor range, but he knew better. As he approached the coordinates the director had specified, he did the only thing that might guarantee the missions success.

"Helm, emergency translation to n-space!"

"Yes Sir!" was the helmsman's relieved answer. The entire crew had been notified as to what was happening. The helmsman was only too happy to be doing something to get away from the trouble coming.

The three pirate cruisers escorting the merchie were caught unprepared and began crash translations of their own. One was even able to get off a couple of lucky laser shots that slashed into the unprotected flank of the merchie.

The massive sails of the merchantman shimmered as they bled energy.

"Com, begin transmitting an mayday. Tell them we are under attack by pirates and request immediate assistance. Engineering, get those sails stowed and our impeller and sidewalls up right now. We surprised our three 'friends' but they should be on us again momentarily. Damage report!"

"Sensors are heavily damaged Sir, and it looks like fusion one is beginning to destabilize. Recommend that we shut it down before it blows."

The captain of the merchie swore under his breath. "Do it! ETA of the nearest help? We are running out of time here people!"

[That same time, on GSN Warspite]

Jennifer Yuki stared at her plot as a new contact appeared. "Captain, sensors detect a hyper footprint bearing 619 mark 08. Range 1,00,040 kilometers."

"Do you have an ID yet? I thought that we were supposed to be well away from standard shipping lanes."

"ID coming up as the cargo ship HMS Styx, registry No. 239978…"

"Sir," Lt. Cmdr. Xaiver interrupted, "we are getting a mayday from the Styx!"

"Put it on speakers!" The static filled voice of a terrified man filled the bridge.

"Mayday, mayday, mayday, this is the cargo ship HMS Styx en route to Masada. We are under attack by pirates! We request immediate assistance!"

"Message repeats sir," Xaiver said in a calm voice.

"Helm, plot an intercept course! Guns, go into stealth attack mode! Com, notify command of our actions and let the Styx know we are on the way." A chorus of Ayes told Thad that is orders were being followed. Thad thanked the regs that everyone was in their skinsuits for the Warspite's maiden voyage. Stealth attack mode made the Warspite the smallest possible sensor target yet still gave her full weapons and electronic warfare capabilities.

The Warspite had been curving back in system towards Grayson when the Styx had translated into n-space. The merchie had carried over enough speed through the hyper wall that it was now passing the Warspite and still accelerating hard. The Warspite, or any other warship for that matter, would have no trouble catching up to her though. Merchantmen had less powerful nodes and rad shielding than a warship, so they had a lower top speed and a slower rate of acceleration. Just the same, she had to be redlining her drive to get up that much speed.

"The Styx is still charging to the inner system Skipper. Sir, we now have two, make that three, new hyper footprints! Bearings 3349, 5668 mark 34, and 9932 mark 82. Ranges 1,001,000 km, 900,800 km, and 50,100 km. They are tentatively being classed as heavy cruisers. Designating them bogie one, two and three respectively." Commander Custer said through the intercom from CIC.

"Under stood XO!"

Bogie one and two were about parallel to each other to the right of the Warspite. Bogie three was much closer and almost dead astern. Because of the advanced ECM being used by the Warspite, bogie one and two missed picking her up and started after the merchie. But bogie three was to close to be fooled by even Ghost Riders bag of tricks. It sent off a missile salvo of 12 birds at Thad's ship, then began a crash deceleration to try and get out of range of the BC. Missile flight time was just over fifty seconds.

"Helm, maximum acceleration! Hold present course. Guns, weapons free! Engage incoming missiles and raise sternwall. Prep and launch both broadsides at Bogie three along with stern chase tubes."

"Aye Sir!"

Sixty five Ghost Rider missiles swarmed out of the Warspite even as she leapt ahead at 475 gravities. No ship before it would have been able to execute such an attack. The missile's drives would have burned out long before they completed the 90 degree turn, but Ghost Rider missiles had plenty of time left, even after the drastic maneuver. They streamed in like a pack of hungry wolves on the hapless pirate. The pirate captain just stared dumfounded at his plot. No missile could do what his sensors were telling him these were. He wasted precious time that he just didn’t have.

"Helm, roll…" he never even got a chance to finish his final order.

Slashing in at over 90,000 gravities with a flight time of only 8 seconds, they vaporized the pirate Cruiser before it could even get off a counter missile. Counter missiles squashed the pirate's birds well astern of the Warspite.

"Guns, roll pods. Launch Ghost Rider drones and set our ECM to max. Lock up bogies one and two but don't fire until I say." Jen nodded in response. Thad turned towards his com officer, Xaiver. "Com, open a channel to the pirates please."

"Done Skipper."

"Attention enemy vessels. This is the Grayson Warship Warspite. I strongly urge you to lock down your fire control and weapons systems. You will strike your wedge and prepare to be boarded. Failure to comply with these commands will result in your destruction. You have 10 seconds to respond." The pirates reply was to execute a turn that would take them back to the hyper limit and to fire off forty missiles at the Warspite. "So they want to be stupid eh? Well lets show them the error of their choice. Guns, launch the initial salvo at bogie one!"

Jen double-checked her firing solution, then slammed an open palm down on the large crimson button on her console. "Missiles away Skipper."

A salvo of one hundred missiles streaked away from the Warspite and bored in on Bogie one. The pirate cruiser spat counter missiles and PD lasers at the incoming storm, but they could do nothing to save the ship. Counter missiles were drawn to decoy's seeded into the salvo. Targeting sensors were nearly burned out by the massive ECM being radiated by jammer missiles. Only five of the Warspite's broadside were stopped short of the ship. Another ten struck the impenetrable bellybands of the impeller wedge. The rest streamed fore and aft to explode with hurricane force in the open throat and kilt of the wedge. A modern 8,250,000 ton superdreadnought would have been very lucky to survive such a barrage, a outdated 300,000 ton cruiser never stood an chance at all. Even as the pirate died, his missiles were either spoofed or vaped before they even reached PD laser cluster range.

Seeing its only surviving friend explode in a blinding boil of light took the fight out of the last pirate. She deactivated all active jammers, sidewalls, fire control, and weapons. Striking her wedge, her captains pleading wail came over the com.

"Please don't kill us! We have complied with your demands! Board us, lock us up, do what ever you want. Just please, please don’t kill us. We surrender, we surrender!" the terrified woman begged.

"I am sending a boarding party. If they are even looked at the wrong way, you will be destroyed. Have I made myself clear?"

"Perfectly! We won't resist, you'll see!"

"Good!" Thad cut the connection. He then pressed another button. "Col. van Yurgen, I trust you know the situation. I want you to assemble a boarding party to bring the pirate cruiser under our control."

"My boy's and girl's are boarding the pinnace as we speak Captain. They can handle some cowed pirate scum easily enough."