Matt Black - Book 1 of Re-Forge

Magic Matt

Matt received the 'all green' from his XO indicating Defender was ready to depart the space dock. Then, Defender's AI announced an urgent incoming presidential comms for Matt.

Matt placed his coffee cup back in its holder and ordered: "Delay departure, XO... Defender, I'll receive this call in my duty office."

Matt headed for his duty office and then answered the call. President Omar's smiling face appeared on his desk holovid, and Matt said: "Greetings Mr. President, how may I help you?"

Omar said: "Captain Black, we need to speak privately, are you alone?"

Matt replied: "Yes Sir, I'm in my duty office."

Omar became informal, saying: "Matt, there is an important change to your mission. You are to disconnect from the space dock and take Defender into Earth orbit. Once there, you will send a shuttle down to the Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran. Your EVA team will await the President of the Eastern Alliance and his delegation. Please transport them to the Luna city VIP terminal. Your official orders will come through as soon as I can organise the Luna Council. Do you have any questions?"

Matt replied: "Yes Sir; will there be any security problems as a result of Defender maintaining a relative orbit above Iran for the mission timeframe?"

Omar said: "Good question, hold one second." The seconds ticked by as Matt waited for a reply. Then Omar said: "I can now confirm that permission for Defender to be in that orbit will be approved by the time you leave the dock."

Matt said: "Mr. President, we were ready to depart for Defender's shakedown cruise anyway, so this mission will be a good test of our operating capability."

Omar smiled and said: "Thank you, Matt, and good luck." He broke the connection. Alone in his office, Omar wanted to leap with joy.

Omar drafted revised orders for Defender's new mission and thought: "I knew there was still hope for stopping this tragic situation escalating out of control." Immediately after forewarning Matt, Omar set the ball rolling for an Eastern Alliance Presidential visit.

Matt read up on the 'draft' orders he received a short time later via the Defence comms net and then absorbed the protocols for ship operations corresponding to the updated mission parameters.

As he read, Matts crew took the opportunity to review their pre-flight checks. Matt wanted to give the crew time to get the work done without having the boss breathing down their necks, but he had delayed long enough. It was time to get going. With an agile leap, Matt rose from the two-seater lounge in his office, and entered the Bridge.

Matt ordered: "Pay attention people." As he claimed his chair

He said: "We are about to receive a formal mission update."

As if on cue, Defender said: "A command package has arrived, Captain."

Matt opened the digital communication on his chair monitor and said: "Defender, relay these orders to each senior officer's station." Then he said: "Team, organise your teams for the new mission."

Then to Sharon, Matt said: "Commander Aziz; you will join the EVA team for this mission as you may need to translate. XO, you will lead the team and take five marines in full combat armour."

Josh and Sharon answered: "Eye, Captain."

The crew took their flight stations, and Matt said: "XO, initiate the revised launch protocols. Set a course for Earth orbit and maintain station keeping over Iran." Matt watched his control panel lights turn green, one by one, as all stations indicated readiness.