Unlike the Hermes ( or most ESN vessels ).. There wasn't a 'Morris's Shed". Instead there was   a small , overhanging bank of offices about  the Hanger Dec. Offices  for  Merchendise  in coming and out going... Supply Officers.... Office for  Repairs.. and  of course, Personnel office.

   Entering the  Personnel office , Missy sees  a couple folks  working on Computers  , One Lad  with an Ear Set looks up, She wears the   Uniform of  an EMS Ensign...May I Help You?

   "Yes, I am Missella Gordova, I know I'm early but I wished to check in.  I have an interview with the PIC for head deck engineer."

  The woman smiled a bit  as she  tapped something out on a  computer, she also had  2 vidboards  going..

  ...well?  You ahve a  50-50 chance on getting the job now.... Pirates  from the  Hillite sysetm hit  a convoy of  two transports  and a Tortugan Destoyer..the Destoyer  was damaged  and Limped  away.. but the transports  were captured and Flow to Gamma Quad. One of the Men up for that job was aboard the transports,

 then she   winked,..there's another  cute  fella who came a bit early as well. Used to work on Olympus and  esscaped... he seems to know his stuff....and the ladies!

In reply to missy (msg # 11):

    Missy rolls her eyes. "Sometimes I wonder how do your males get any work done when they are so busy thinking about lubricating their axles."

  The woman's   smile  vanished for a second, but popped up again, through  years of practice...well?  Ms Gordova?  It is  a Long  war for  all of us.....

  Have a seat.  The other fellow should  Be  done  with is interview soon, If you do not  want to wait for a call back?

     Missy blushes a little at the insinuation "Sorry, the courting practices of my people are rather subtle.  The females tend to be the ones who drive the relationships.  I've had some misunderstandings with human males who are looking for one night stands.  Those are impossible with my people even though we tend to be quite social."  at the offer to wait and have the interview immediately, "I might as well wait.  No need to prolong the process.  Who ever gets the job needs all the time they can get to settle in and learn the team."

  Missy waits.. there are  some   magazines..some of the older one s haw  pics and stories of the delta Fllet..some of the newer ones have 'profiles' on the  movers and Shakers on the 'bad guy's  side.

  Lady V  is  in a few of them... Bluggard  is  another, though he seems to have been around for a while, he has recently  been made the EST  poster  boy.

 The  Door Opens , a  tall , well built fellow  comes out of the Office , Laughing. He shakes the hand of an older fellow with glasses. The fellow has  a  dark blue  suit on

  As the tall fellow  leave, the  secretary says  something to the Little fellow   who turns with surprise and sees Missy.

  well? that was  luck...  Why don't you come in  I am  Nicky Cist... I do the  hireing, firing  and all that..

.........

 Once they get inside, he asks  if she has a disc.

     Missy [being Missy] had done her research on what would be needed for the job interview.  She would have gotten anything she  could pull together that would help her get the job.  If bringing a disk was something that was commonly, or even occasionally required, then she would have it including in what she brought.  There would naturally be a portfolio of satisfied customers, list of vehicles she upgraded restored and maintained, online courses and qualifications she finished, and letters of recommendation detailing her diligence work-ethics and character.

     She hands over the information. "Thank you for seeing me on short notice Mr Cist.  As I said while waiting, the sooner we can get the right person in this position, the better.  They say war waits only on opportunity, and often not even that."

  The  fellow  Nods  and Motions to the Coffee machine. There are some  soda drinks in the little fridge there.....

 His face was a cold  mask as he slipped into his Business form.  His  chin rested on his  hand one   finger  tapping on his cheek, while hi right had  scrolled and  clicked.

 Now and then he  would ask,..so?... Smaller  maintenice  place.... more or less family owned....

 ...no service?....but.. worked on Fuji?..hmmmmm.....

 ..ever work on fighters...bombers....?  Shuttles.....

 at each question, his  eyes  would shift to her  for an answer.

    Missy hoped this man wasn't locked in the good-l-boy club.  She had to compete with the charm of the previous man yet represent her business side and show she could be the boss.  "Less family owned and more me owned.  If i didn't do well, I went under.  My business thrived.  I dealt with the parts buying, finances, overhead, and time management of myself and multiple employees.  I know how to keep people moving and still turn out a quality job, yet I am a civilian and am used to working with civilian techs, laborors, and contractors.  I rebuilt an amphibous demon fighter bomber from the ground up to perform better than newer ESN vessels in it's weight class.  I personally maintained that vessel through multiple mercenary missions.  I have rebuilt and modified multiple civilian aerospace shuttles including one currently docked on this ship.  I know what it is to have the life of someone I care about riding on my work, so I won't compromise the lives of our pilots to look good."   

  The Fellow  nodded  as she  spoke, he  Keep clicking through the Disc Info.

    When he was finished, he  took the  disc out, replaced it in the folder and handed her  her Information back.

    He clasped his hands on the Desk,  looking at something  else on the  screen, he  double  clicked  again, then clasped his hands again, as his  eyes moved like a robot reading  and darting about as he looked at the split screen.

   Beginning slowly......we had one of  finest Tech Minds in The Black , on his way here..before he was taken... according the Chip Masters... he is dead...or...at very least, they took his arm... You and the   Fellow who Just left..Eddie Brick? are... in a way....a tie? he shakes his head slowly.

  ..He is  EX ESN..normally  that's a auto  sign up.... he worked on Olympus, and then Fuji..Upperhangers on both... his down fall, is he  was never in charge....

  ..you lck the intense backround of  working on ESN fighters and shuttles... were   an hour or so too long..might mean  the difference in many.many lives.....

 Turning his head to her, he regards her with a honest, but stern look,..The Felrites have the  Z-90.. it handles   thier  repairs and  such, and takes on some of ours.... The Occui have the   O-14.. its larger, and they take a good portion  of  aircraft that  are  suffering from heavy damage, but are still considered salvageable.... That brings  us to  out own ...LG-01T.... The ESN's hope is that we  can take on the heavy load  so the repairs  can be made, and aircraft be put back into service Faster...

 ..needles to say, our backers what to turn a profit....Unless Hack disappears from  leading the Delta Fleet.. we could be washed out of the fleet and have to attach ourselves to Carrier/stations , to get sub contract work... it will pay the bills..but out backers  want a return....

   he begins to tap something out on his Vidboard ...a few moments Later the Tall, god looking Fellow enters, a smile on his face.....You called, Nicky?

 The older fellow pointed to Missy,..This is Ms Gordova.... and this  Is Eddie Brick....

 Eddie  smiled and Offered his hand,..so nice to meet you!.. You'er out of Fuji?... Right?... saw that oddball aircraft on the hangerDec, could see its markings though..so? you are here for the Job as well?

  Nicky leans  back  in his  chair, one  hand on the arm, his elbow up.. the other hand  holding his chin,...we have two slots Opened...Eddie..one  for the Chief  DEC Tech (CDT )... and  one  for  the assistant ..( ADT )... we are going to have to settle this.. in a contest, of sorts.... Winner will the CDT.. the loser will be the ADT or..may walk away  and we will have to promote someone from the ranks.....IF..either or you...or both of you do not wish to do the Contest... then you can walk out  now, and   the LG-01T will have to  get more responses....

  Eddie   shrugs  and dazzles his smile,... I do not see why not?... what is the Contest....

  Nicky turns to  Missy,..first..we  must see what Ms Gordova thinks?

Missy looks over the fellow.  Her eyes a little flinty as the trace of human blood in her fires up at the thought of competition. "I imagine it has to do with skill Mr. Brick.  I accept."

    Her thoughts are racing, Bo had spoken about spies placing themselves in the ESN.  It was a little more than a coincidence that they had a really big fish in line for the job and his transport just happened to be taken while other ships in his group made it through.  She needed to get the job, just in case this guy was a plant.

   Nicky stood  and smiled,..good...good..now....this test?.. is..for all intent and purpose a free ride for the Company....The Delta Fleet goes through Fighters like water...sadly..at least half of them take thier pilots with them..

 he frowns   at the thought, gives his head a shake....any way?.... we have  some  fighters being  ferried over  by  The Tyr and One from the  Hermes.....These are real jobs.... real epopel are going to fly them into ...real battle... neither of you will be paid  for this...contest.. you will have a team of 3 Flight crew working with you..I will have thier  Names drawn right before the Contest starts..

 ..From what I understand, Ms Gordova has someone on the Hermes, she'll take that fighter..... Eddie will take  the Fighter  from the Tyr... I won't lie to you... the creds we save, not paying you for this contest..won't hurt the ship a bit....But it will be intense...

 ..The First ship done..will be  the winner... it will then  be taken out by a LG  test pilot... if it checks out... you'll keep the job..... if it is  found faulty?... then  the 2nd  ship will be tested..if  it checks out..that person will be rewarded.... I asked around the fleet.. the battle damage for tese two aircraft would take an average crew 8 hours to repar.... I don't  want Average.... the More repairs  we can make..the more creds we can make... if we cannot make it  in the fleet on our own... Hack my decide to  constript the LG and fill it  full of ESN  folks... meet me on the Hanger  deck  in 6 hours....if you need a rest..or food, or both.. go the  th RecDec  see what they have for you...

    "Yes" she says sadly, "I had someone on the Hermes ".

      Missy picked up a bite to eat and grabbed some sleep on the Albatross and showed up 10 minutes ahead of time with her Hermes spanner set.  If she can see the fighter, she starts looking up the specks on her data pad and figuring out what might need work.

  The  Fighters  sat in berths, about  20 yards  apart...

  Both showed signs of lazer scortches  and  rips  over the bodies and wings. One  was missing a skid,  held up by a manaual swing  crane

  The other  was missing the cock pit, whoever  flew this one 'Podded out'..and the   rest  was brought back to be  repaired., Both had   damage to the wings, knocking out  some of the weapons Pilot's names hand been  snadbalsted off, the tail fins  still had  Numbers but  could not be seen from the taped off lines.

 4 guards watched over the  fighters, keeping people away from them two hover  chests  sat on the Dec, but  each  aircraft was  well as  2 pair of Hyper and Hyrdro  drivers...a welder and Melder sat by each as well.

 ................................

  In the Morning, Nicky was dressed in a orange  jumpsuit. making him look oddly out of place

  Two  crews of  Tech waited.. 4 people each crew.. men and women mix.

   Nicky begins,..now?..... I have to point out, the battle  damage is a bit different.. but only in a few  ways.... the average estimate from techs from 15 ESN cruises say 7 hours..... The  Tech ships  say 8..... I would like to see that  time   cut...and the prize is  a CDT.... the runner up ADT.... unless, neither of you make the 8 hours....then?  I'll just have to search a bit longer, and you two can take a job as a dec techs, if you want... this may seem a bit..'under the gun'..but... when we start getting   fighters in here, that have to be repaired 'yesterday'.. you will understand....

  ..So?... Ms Gordova?... these are your Techs... and the Fighters  with the  missing skid is yours..... Eddie... the  pod-out is yours..... get yourself  ready...lets see what you folks can do...

  there were ropes to keep  people away from the area... no excuses  for traffic,ect....

  Looks at the  Ships Clock.....starting  in ...3.......2......1..... GO!

  The crews  worked hard..and well... Though   Brick and his  team were going to have to install a new Cockpit Pod... it may not be any worse, they the  missing skid, and the   manual swing  crane that had to hold the  other fight up.


 Nicky walked back and forth  with a  paper cup of coffee as he watched both groups.

    Missy was all over the fighter she was working on.  While the pod was a click into place the skid had created some  internal structural damage and had to be hand machined.

    She had the team do the opening while she booted up info on the structural stats and crammed on the internal structure.  Missy cursed when she saw the stress marks on the frame.  It isn't miss shaped but she had seen this kind of damage before.  The structure would likely hold out for the test but wouldn't be combat ready for more than two missions. "Crap, I'm not going to win this one."  she fumed, but immediately pulled it together and got to work. At least we can make sure the next pilot doesn't suffer for a lax job."  She told her crew.

    She works hard and fast and double checks for other hidden damage and takes no breaks.  Anyone watching her would know she was giving her best but with a couple of other problems that popped up it came in just under the deadline.  She thanked her team.  It seems they did pretty well for working under a new crew-chief.

     Missy grabs a drink and sits down cross legged by her job looking at the offending skid, new and shinny.  She doesn't need to look up.  She knows where she stands. "Well, it was worth the try."  She says to Nicky when he walks up behind her.

  Nicky  looked over the  Machines... two pilots ( test pilots) were standing behind Him...You both did  damn good.... 7:37.. 7:48....  But..now lets  see  what the fly boys think..eh?

 Eddie came over, he didn't have Much  dirt or grease, as he 'pointed ' the way most of the time, and what  work he did, was  with a Hyper  driver.

  ..not  bad....  I had some  trouble with the Pod locks?... but  at least the   aircraft stood on its own..

  The Pilot  in Eddie's aircraft began to  taxi for ward.. the tail  fin said the  aircraft was from the  Hera.

 When  Missy's  came out of the berth... she saw a  beat up  Number 19 on the tail fin...

  which, of course  would be  fried off by the blasters  to  be factory painted  to return to the next ship that needed an aircraft.

 they both slipped out into the Black.... fleet fighters   held  psotions to keep traffic out of a 50 mile  space  for them to test the machines...

   "Good job Eddie."  Missy said clasping his arm and shaking his hand, "It looks like you probably got the job."

   [Of course she seemed oblivious to the fact she just got his hand and arm greasy.]

   ...Thank You Ms Gordova... Eddie Looked at his Hand  and  gave a slight  frown, but he brightened as he begin to clean it off,..Not to worry Missy.. I imagine your hands  will get  ..very greasy..working for me..

    Nickey was looking  over the  shoulder of a pretty Young COM Tech who has a split screen of the two aircraft.

  ....Ok...Mike...Allie?..Pod out...   the shuttle  will recover you and the   fighters...

  Eddie's smile  vanished,..You are having them Pod Out?

 Nickey watched the screens  as he nodded,..its the last chance a pilot has..most times..... he snaps his fingers  with  looking away from the screen,..they are gone, just like that.... but..in the few cvhances they have to Pod Out... it might make the difference in Life and death..and? if the Fleet has to bring in a new pilot

  Allie..in the '19' craft.. Podded out, the Pod moving up and away and the lights  came on for her to be found...

 Mike .... wasn't ...Lets go  mike..been a long  day.....

  The Fighter  turned towards the  LG and made its way back.

 ..Mike!..Dammit....answer me... Ellie... why isn't he  answering.

 the  girl shrugged her  shoulders,..don't  Know,  Nickey....  I sent him him COMs.... they are going through....

 Nickey was Made  and  he called  two LG-SEC troopers over...unless he has a damn good  reason.. I want he locked up in jail...

  ..Brig...Sir.. its called a brig....

 he looked up at the broadshouldered   SGT. ( so was  Ellie!)..whatever!.. Just...lock him up for... for....

 ..Failure to follow instructions...Sir?

 yeah!..that's a good one..that one...

  The  fighters  Glided in, Nickey and  SGT Saur, His  Trooper and Ellie  approached the fighter... Mike  was pounding on the Cockpit.. they couldn't hear him, but his red  faces  and  flashes of gritted teeth  said he was less then happy.

 ..what the 8 hells.... Get that Cockpit open!

    Missy looked at Eddie with a raised eyebrow, "You didn't check it yourself did you?"  She sighs and rolls her eyes  "Any job that is attached to your name needs to be inspected by you.  AND you need to know everything involved.  If there are new systems you don't understand get a factory rep in to show you And your team the ropes.  They love giving free lessons.  It means more money for their company down the road."

 Eddie   frowned at the  techs  using  Hydro drivers to get the  Cockpit  pod loose.yeah...that was it... i..um..didn't  double check...

 Once the Pilot  Got out , he   threw his helmet in the direction of  Brick.what the 9 hells  was  that?.... the  whole pod shut  down when i  tried to Pod out!.... if it wasn't  for  auto pilot..  who the  9 hells knows where i could have hit!

 Nickey was talking to the foreman,who looed towards Brick and Missy  and Nodded.   then the over head, controlled  crane  polled over and the   clamps came down.. Eddie looked at his  boots ( which were really, really shiny)

 The foreman and one of the crew climbed up and hook the pod eye hooks as   the others   used the Hyper drivers to separate  the Pod from the explosive  ejects...

 when  the time  came to lifr the Pod.. Nickey , slowly  climbed up  and wathed.. the Foreman operated the   crave control..lifting it up slowly.... Nickey shouted....STOP!

 The foreman handed the control to one of his crew and He  and Nickey looked inside the Guts of the  Dart...most of the  Pod was plug and go.. they could  see the belts in the front that fed that Gatling Cannon the  controls to the wing weapons and controls..thrusters..everything... But one box  was diffe3rant from all the rest... a manual  hand pulled  lever  that tripped the  charges, that  ejected the pod... one  thick wire  was  twisted into a knot and taped.. this  gave the signal  that ...yes..there is power...so no red Lights would show.... sadly.. the failsafe, not just for pilots..but  for people working on the fighters... was, if there was a malfunction in and Pod control..it would shut  all control to the fighter  down, except  auto pilot... The pilot would be trapped in his   fighter, unless  he was lucky enough to come across a  ship with a hanger dec.

Zac Fry, the foreman ( EMS)  Popped his head  out from under the dangling Pod. Which one of you Dumbasses did this?  I could get two naked, drunk Mulls  , in mating season, that could do a better job then this! The fury in  Zac's voice  couldn't be missed.

  Nickey  sat on the rim  next to Zac,..I haven't   did any work on anything bigger then an aircar..... I do know ... by the book..every engine and almost every system that the ESN  uses.... This is one thing i know.... you can't wire something like that...in a vessel build for combat.... Eddie...why?

 Brick looked a bit  embarrassed  as he turned  from  Nickey to Missy..to the foreman,...you said?  this was supposed to be like a combat situation ...right ?... get the machine up and ready, because they need it  he looks around , nodding his head, ...You tell me a fighter Pilot cares if he can Pod out? that's only for noncombat times....90% of those  folks  get fried when they get hit.

 ..I saved 15 minutes by making ehr 'good to go..'

  Zac  tried scramble out of the   pod, but it was too tight.

 Nicky shook his head...Not good , Brick.....  This is the ES BLOODY N.... There isn't a Hanger Dec officer out there , that doesn't know more then you'll learn if you libe  200 more years... thier  crews  will see something like..they'll report it...if we're Lucky.. we get a call from the Hera... he motions to the Tail fin number  and  sign.....or the  Tyr ?.,.... If  we're not Lucky we Get  a COM from Rivets of the gods be damned Hermes.... and right behind him  will be Captain Morris... and right  behind him  will be Oilver  Gods  be damned Hack.... we will lose  contracts.. the fleet will lose pilots... and  i'm betting  they make  a charge for sabotage stick!

 he leans a bit   forward  as  Zac finally  gets out with help of a crewmember, he whacks aside the woman's  hands  after he puts his soft cover back on...Glaring   at Brick from the rim...But you know what is really  scary..Mr  Brick?.....  he  says in a start stage whisper,.. the WC of the gods be damned  Delta fleet..find out  that his pilots  died..or went to  battle in some drunken Mull rigged   fighter.....'cause.... you don't want a visit from him....

 Eddie   started to Laugh.....the WC? what... Shadow?  the  poster boy for  joining the  ESN fighter Corps The  guy is a Vid hero....

   "And a good if ruthless man by what my brother had to say.  Bo Jagger podded out on an earlier mission for the Hermes and went on to die getting Shadow off an alien moon." She looks at Nickey, "Do I really have to have this guy working under me?"

  Nicky say on the  Rim... his hands clasped, his  feet bumping against the   fighter, like a kid on  a porch swing.

  Zac shook his head,..Look,  Nicky... I'm  EMS..we got..what?  Have the Crew ESN.. the rest are workin' civies... If he stays as th ADT... whose  gonna wanna take orders from him? And? Its like you said... sooner or later..whether   patching them up..or  doing  checks... the  Cap shop  crews  will find something like this..and  this ain't no Mistake..9 hells... Rivets would space  the guy...and Hack would let him...

  Nicky Nodded his head as he thought

 what?..wait..Comon..i did what you asked?  who the 9 hells  has a test pilot ,Pod out of the gods be damned  aircraft? Had you not done that? You'd never had known...

 Nicky shakes his  head this time and says,...sorry.. Brick.... get your things.. get of our  boat.....

 ...Ms  Gordova.... You'll find your  quarters on the Officer's Dec... Ellie should have you name lit up, by the time you get there...Now..everyone go get something to eat, and rest..'cept you Brick... get off the ship...

 Brick  threw the  towel down on the dec..he glared  at  Missy and the Others  and walked towards the  rooms they were using  to stay...

  Ellie giggles.....he walks   kinda cute, when he's  mad...

   Missy watched him walk off. "Are you sure we shouldn't detain him to make sure he is who he says he is?  It's kinda suspicious that the biggest competitor got taken in route and I'd hate to see him get away if he was here to make trouble."

   She looks at the leads and shrugs, "For that matter you should look at my background a little more closely.  Porcine are a little harder to impersonate but it's still a remote possibility."