Gabatrix: The Cipra Campaign

Chapter 6: Operation Desert Shrike Part 2

"I'm telling you, Chief. He shouldn't be flying!" yelled one of the female pilots.

"Based off of what?" Chief Buziba commented. "The UHN choose to have him a part of this mission."

The hangar of the UHN Gladiator was busy with activity. Every F-170 Falcon was placed onto the catapult launchers. Maintenance crews and ordinance officers were giving final inspections to ensure that every fighter craft was ready to fly. The hangar's location was near the starboard top deck. It was, more or less, one sizeable closed runaway where the main elevator would lower down into. It was connected to the outside top landing platform. There was just enough room for aircraft to hover or be moved through the central runaway inside. There, they could be placed back onto the launch tube for repairs, refueling, and reloading. The sounds were littered, with people making announcements for anything important. Moving and operating machinery could also be heard as the chief discussed to another pilot. She didn't seem to be happy as her eyes were set on Dean. He was not that far as he was fully dressed in his combat flight suit. He appeared to be checking to ensure that the size proportions of the uniform were correct. The red and blue uniform looked similar to the red and blue jumpsuits but had extra padding and pockets for various parts and survival gear.

"You didn't answer me, Petty Officer Chao," Buziba scolded her. "What's your issue with Petty Officer Dean?"

She pointed at him. "He's fucking stoned. You want to have that in the air?"

"He was already checked by the corpsman. He's fine."

"The corpsman barely looked at him! He just gave a brief check on his eyes and gave the go-ahead for him to go."

"I don't have time for this shit!" Buziba told her. "The ship is going to make the jump to Cipra in half an hour."

"He's a danger to all of us," Chao pressed on with her onslaught towards Dean. "He was the same person that almost collided with....."

"I'm getting sick and tired of hearing about that damned incident report that all of you are bringing up," the chief interrupted her. "I just checked his profile and record. Anything dealing with that event has been expunged. He served his time and has a good record as a fighter pilot. Hell, whatever makes him have the record that he has, then I'll fucking have what he's having."

Chao was unimpressed. Her face showed her displeasure as they were nearing their fighters. Dean had the furthest set of walking to make. His face was that of content as he looked at the aircraft. It was unknown if he could overhear the conversation with the Chief and Chao.

"Your protest is noted," Buziba told her. "But my decision is final. Not having him out there grounds one of my fighters in my squadron. We need every single pilot right now, just the same as every able-bodied marine that can pick up a gun or drive a damn vehicle. Next time, place your protest towards the UHN for putting him in. Is that clear?"

Chao stopped as she reached her fighter. "Clear, Chief.....perfectly."

Buziba gave the nod to her. "Good luck out there. Let's get Cipra back."

His tone was severe but understanding towards the other pilot. She understood as she walked up to her aircraft. She got onto the stairs as she was heading towards the platform that would take her to the open canopy of the plane. The chief almost shook his head and yelled out Dean's name. It echoed inside as they were near the end of the two left most aircraft.

"Petty Officer Dean!" Buziba yelled out. His voice was enough to grab Dean's attention. He paused in his walk and approached him.

"Hey.....what is it that you need, Chief?" Dean replied in his laid-back and doped attitude.