GALAXY AT WAR - Book 2 - Probing Anthera

CHAPTER THREE - August 2172 - Moon - 34 days to go

"Fantastic, Private Travis. I'm so glad you decided to come back. That was amazing flying," Major Chamberlain gave Guy a friendly slap on his back.

"Now I want to try something else, but while I set that up, I want you to do it again."

"Yes, sir," Guy pulled his helmet back on and re-entered the simulator.

Major Chamberlain climbed the metal stairs to the control room and stopped in front of a blank screen. A sensor recognised him, and the screen lit up.

"General Bolgon's office."

The videophone flickered and Gwen Smith appeared on screen. "Hello, major. The general isn't here. Can I take a message?"

"Yes, I need 2nd Lt Bolgon here A.S.A.P."

"Where is here, major?"

"The Star Cruiser simulation room."

"I'll send him as soon as I find him, major."

He turned away from the video phone and moved a short distance to the simulation screen which showed him exactly what Guy was seeing.

"Simulate an engine problem. Let's see how he handles that," ordered Major Chamberlain. The operator started typing furiously on his keyboard.

Warning lights suddenly lit up on the Star Cruiser's dashboard and he started to spin as one of the engines cut out. Guy, thinking fast as the ground rapidly rose to meet him, cut the other engine quickly and controlled the spin while he found the fault on his engine management display. After a couple of button presses, and a slight alteration of the fuel mixture to the damaged engine, Guy tried restarting his Star Cruiser.

The thrusters glowed then went out again. The ground was now very close as Guy was rushing to meet it. He still didn't panic and twisted another dial slightly then tried the engines again. This time the thrusters glowed, and forward momentum was resumed. Guy increased to full power and pulled back on his stick just enough to level out the Star Cruiser. It was now skimming the simulated surface of Mars by only five feet.

The hostile tranchillion fighter continued to harass Guy who pulled up sharply and banked to his right. The pursuing fighter matched Guy's manoeuvre but it didn't anticipate his next move.

Guy suddenly banked in the opposite direction and cut all forward thrust. The tranchillion fighter narrowly missed Guy's Star Cruiser and almost lost control. Guy was on his opponent in an instant. He opened fire then banked away as the fighter disintegrated.

The whole control room erupted into applause at what they had just seen. Some of them were slumped over their desks, drained at how realistic that had looked.

"Sir, I've not seen flying like that since Officer Bolgon," said one technician.

"I know son, I know."

"Sir, 2nd Lt Bolgon and Michael Toddwell are here to see you," said a guard at the entrance to the simulation room.

"Send them in."

Neil walked over to Major Chamberlain and saluted. "You wanted to see me, sir."

"Yes, Neil. It's good to see you again. Hello, Michael," he nodded in Toddwell's direction. "I've got a new pilot, who I'm very excited about, and I'd like you to fly against him. He's beaten ninety percent of the challenges that I've given him. Would you mind?"

"Of course, sir. I'd love to. It's been a while since I was in one of these."

"Good. I'm keeping him occupied. I don't want him to know that it's you he's up against. Is that clear?"