Raine’s attention is transfixed from the window of the shuttle on the view of the world below. Her attention is broken however when Iden Versio started to speak from the seat beside her, asking for her attention.
“Ms. Raine, I’m sorry to interrupt your musing but we’ll be reaching the ship soon. And I will be asking the shuttle pilot to orbit around the ship so you can see how it looks from outside.” Said Iden Versio.
Raine shifted her attention to Iden Versio and nodded at her words. Raine then sees Iden wearing her helmet and pressing her right hand to the right side of her head.
“Pilot, this is Iden Versio. Captain of the Normandy SR-2 inside the shuttle. Please arrange for an orbiting maneuver around the Normandy SR-2 at an orbital distance of five hundred meters, set the shuttle speed nice and slow there.” Said Iden Versio transmitting a radio signal from her helmet to the shuttle pilot’s cockpit.
After a pause, Raine can feel the shuttle take a sudden turn and then after a while slightly turn to the opposite direction. Eventually, Raine can see the view of Iden’s spaceship from her side of the window.
The ship looks imposing and large, Raine can see the missile pods jutting out near the engines and the command section of the plane. So this is the ship exclusively made by Lai Dai Company, the Cerberus, the ship that Mrs. Alakoni is so proud of. Raine took a picture of the ship with her Omnitool.
[http://images.contentful.com/kvd74o0q2fjg/4gu1Wxk1aMwgamOyAs2uYq/3f858c378b6a300b157a40c0d58f9498/CaracalT2CerberusRedesign_1920X1080-2.jpg]
“Ain't she a beauty Ms. Raine? I’ll miss the old Normandy but the Cerberus is too good a ship to miss using compared to the standard Tech 1 Caracal ship which is the original Normandy.” Said Iden Versio with a bittersweet tone.
Raine didn’t answer Iden immediately, instead, her attention is drawn to the older looking ship beside the Cerberus cruiser that the shuttle is orbiting around.
“I agree Ms. Iden, the Cerberus is a beautiful ship. Why is there another ship beside it though? I noticed that both ships look similar but the other one looks older and have fewer missiles and equipment attached to it compared to the Cerberus.” Asked Raine as she tilts her head curiously.
“Ah, that’s my old ship, the original Normandy, she looks lesser because that’s how it is if you are comparing a Tech 1 Standard Caracal Cruiser with a specialized Tech 2 Cerberus Heavy Assault Cruiser. And regarding your question why they look similar, it’s because the hull of the Tech 2 Cerberus is based on the hull of the Tech 1 Caracal, it is just designed and fitted with better technology. For your understanding, a Tech 2 ship is generally better in everything compared to a Tech 1 ship. Tech means technological level, you can consider that the higher the Tech level then the better the performance of a ship or an equipment it would be. Tech 1 is generally used by everyone and is pretty mundane. The Navy used a different version to Tech 1 which have a better performance as well, which you may call as Military Grade Tech 1, but the Navy version still cannot beat a Tech 2 version. Not everyone can get a Tech 2 item unless you have a very high connection with one of the Mega Corporations and each corporation controls a different exclusive Tech 2 designs so it’s a pretty big deal to get one. I have also heard rumors of Tech 3 being researched floating around but the details are top secret as I cannot get anything from my contacts.” Explained Iden as she points out from the shuttle’s window from beside Raine.
Raine nodded and paused while filing the information inside her mind, but she removed Iden’s old ship from her mind and shifted her focus towards the Cerberus ship still centered in front of her view. Curiously, her HUD display is still active from when Raine turns it on to analyze the shuttle she was boarding back in the landing pad 15 minutes ago. Raine willed the HUD to analyze the Cerberus ship in front of her and then an image of the Cerberus ship took over her whole view in front of her.
[http://i.imgur.com/kkAiC4V.jpg]
Cerberus - Caldari Tech 2 Heavy Assault Cruiser
No cruiser currently in existence can match the superiority of the Cerberus's onboard missile system. With a well-trained pilot jacked in, this fanged horror is capable of unleashing a hail of missiles to send even the most seasoned armor tankers running for cover.
Developer: Lai Dai
Moving away from their traditionally balanced all-round designs, Lai Dai has created a very specialized - and dangerous - missile boat in the Cerberus. Many have speculated that due to recent friction between Caldari mega corporations, rumors abound that Lai Dai may be looking to beef up their own police force with these missile-spewing monstrosities.
Raine blinked away the rush of information from her HUD helmet and willed the Tech 2 Cerberus information panel away from her sight. The information then minimized itself out of her sight and stays at the corner of her vision.
However, Raine noticed what the Cerberus ship looks like in the information panel HUD and what the same ship looks like in front of her are slightly different... Perhaps a different variant?
“Ms. Iden, your ship version of Cerberus looks different compared to what is in my helmet’s database. Did you request that your ship would have a different feature?” Asked Raine as she turns her head and facing Iden’s direction.
“In fact I did, I requested for the “Zero” Variant. The same taste, “Zero” armor. If the shield is gone, we would be screwed anyway so I requested the armor to be removed. On the upside this armor removal makes the “Zero” Variant possess way better agility and speed compared to your “Average” Cerberus. As a mercenary, I’d rather have the ability to quickly run away or chase down prey anyway. Let the Navy stand down their ground and fight, that’s not our job as mercenary.” Said Iden as she shrugged at the different mindset of the Navy and the mercenary.
“I’d believe it's because the boys in the Navy wants to live just like any normal person would, that’s why they kept the armor on Ms. Iden... Besides, doesn’t matter how fast you go, I can imagine a missile would have chased your ship down and hit it anyway.” Said Raine as cold sweats start to appear and she starts to have a second thought about boarding Ms. Iden’s suicidal ship.
“Ah..Ah..Ah.. You and everyone else may think that way Ms. Raine, but we’re not stupid. We have countermeasures for that. In fact, I’ll show you myself when we are already aboard the ship.” Said Iden Versio as she wiggles one of her index finger in front of Raine’s faceplate condescendingly.
Raine didn’t say anything in response to Iden's words but behind her faceplate, her expression became skeptical of Iden’s claim.
“If you say so Ms. Iden.” Replied Raine reluctantly.
Iden acknowledges Raine’s reply and returns to her seat and Raine can hear her contacting the pilot again.
“Shuttle Pilot, this is Iden Versio, we’re done here. Stop the orbiting maneuver and proceed to dock with the Normandy SR-2” Said Iden as she raised her right hand again and rest it on the right side of her helmet.
Afterward, Raine can feel the shuttle shifted towards the Normandy SR-2 and from her window, she sees the ship gradually disappearing from her view as the shuttle makes a slow and subtle maneuver to dock beside the Normandy SR-2. As the shuttle slows to a stop, Raine can hear multiple metallic sounds softly impacting the hull of the shuttle. After a few minutes, Raine can feel the shuttle shakes slightly.
“Greetings valued passengers, this is your captain speaking. I’m afraid we are stopping briefly as for State purpose we are now docked with a combat cruiser next to us for military personnel to transfer over in short order. We apologized for the inconvenience and we will soon resume our flight to Hek Station, Metropolis System, Minmatar Space. Your safety is important to us, hence we will be making another stop at a military outpost as a pair of Caldari Navy frigates will be escorting us to our destination. Thank you for flying with United Spacelines.” Announced the captain of the shuttle.
Raine stands from her seat as Iden, Kaidan, and Ron did as well. Iden leads the way out of the shuttle, followed by Kaidan, Ron, and Raine. Raine walks through the hallways of the shuttle, and then took a flight of staircase up, from there she can see rows and rows of civilian passengers ahead of her.
Since Raine is the last person of the group she can see some passengers shocked expressions as they see her small and short form fitted with military combat gear and weapon following behind the taller and more imposing form of Iden, Kaidan, and Ron. Raine can feel the weight of the stares of the passenger from behind her and can hear some passengers took pictures with their omnitool.
Thankfully their group is walking too fast so the passengers only get a glimpse of what her back looks like as they passed by the shuttle aisles, she can imagine where their attention would be drawn to if they could see her from the front. Raine proceeds to walk quicker and crossed her arms in front of her to hide her enlarged breast from view.
To Raine’s relief, after a while, she can see the front of the shuttle where a door can be seen as well as the flight attendants. The flight attendants politely greeted and say their goodbyes as their group went through and exits the door of the shuttle.
Raine then founds herself inside a lit and empty bridge, the type she used to use in the airports in her time in the distant past. Raine has to stop though as everyone in front of her is also standing still. Raine was wondering what is the holdup but before she can ask, the opening behind her sealed and closes itself, blocking her view of the flight attendants and the shuttle. Through the sealed bridge door she can hear the shuttle door also closing, she can hear some clicks sound as the shuttle disengaged itself from the bridge and then silence as she assumed the shuttle have moved away from the bridge and continued it’s journey to Hek. True to the laws of nature, she can’t hear anything as the shuttle moved away, the adage "In outer space no one can hear you scream." still applies it seemed.
What Raine can still hear though is the sound of machinery surrounding the bridge as the length of the bridge contracted itself to return to the Normandy SR-2. When the bridge stopped moving, she can hear the sound of a door unsealing itself ahead of her, but unfortunately she’s not able to see anything past the back of the person in front of her due to her short stature. Before she knows it, the person in front of her moved again and she can see the interior of the Normandy SR-2 as Iden, Kaidan and Ron went in and step aside waiting for her.
“What are you waiting for Ms. Raine? Permission to come aboard? Well, it’s granted by myself as the commander of this vessel then.” Said Iden with mirth as she waved Raine to come in the Normandy SR-2
Hearing the encouragement, Raine slowly exits the bridge and stepping into the Normandy SR-2 dark and dimly lit halls.
“That’s a good girl Raine, now if everyone doesn't mind excusing me. I have a date with the 45th reincarnation of Sony game console.” Said Ron as he salutes and walked away to look for his quarters.
“If you don’t mind Commander Iden. I would be looking for something to eat in the mess hall as well.” Said Kaidan as well as he salutes and waits for Iden Versio's approval before he walked away looking for the mess hall.
“Well, Ms. Raine looks like it’s just the two of us girls left behind by our man to fend for ourselves.” Said Iden jokingly as she looks down at Raine’s faceplate in the gloom of the Normandy’s halls.
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that commander.” Said a suave and gentlemanly voice as a bald elderly man shows himself from behind one of the dark space behind the Normandy’s pillar.
Raine was so startled that she reflexively draws her CAR-9 Burst Scrambler Pistol and pointed it at the elderly man who suddenly appears near her. Looking beside her, she also saw that Iden Versio has also done the same and has drawn the same CAR-9 Burst Scrambler Pistol while pointing it at the head of the elderly man in front of the both of them.
“Yaaahh!” Screamed the unnamed elderly man in fear.
For a moment Raine thought that for an elderly man, he sure has a shrill and girly scream like a certain, yellow-skinned, bald, fat cartoonish American man from a TV series of her time.
“Oh Charles, you shouldn’t scare me like that. I almost shot your head off.” Said Iden as she exhales, trying to relax her wound up nerves and holstered back her Scrambler Pistol.
“Duly noted commander, now if you would please help me ask the young lady beside you to lower her pistol from pointing at me that would be much appreciated.” Said Charles comically as he still raised both his arms in a gesture of surrender.
“Oh Ms. Raine you can lower your weapon now, he’s not an enemy. His name is Charles Pressly, the navigation officer of the Normandy SR-2.” Explains Iden as she attempts to calm down Raine.
Raine sighed and holstered her weapon as well, not happy that she was startled so badly.
“Yes, Ms. Iden…” Murmured Raine.
“Now that the misunderstanding is over with... Commander Iden, may I ask where would our destination be? The ship is prepped and ready for departure.” Said Charles Pressly, the navigation officer, with relief as he lowers both of his arms and assumes a standby position.
“Hmm? Oh right, set course for Jita IV, Mr. Pressly. We would be heading for the Jita trade hub station in that system. Contact our office at that station and inform them that we will be heading back to HQ for familiarization with our new toys from Lai Dai Corporation. By the way, have Lai Dai's representatives delivered the new Tech 2 Hornet light drones and the Caldari Navy Hornet light drones on board yet?” Asked Iden as she motions for both Charles and Raine to follow in her wake through the Normandy’s hallway.
“Understood Commander, I will set a course for Jita IV immediately and would update our resident pilot that our course has been decided and have him ready on the ship’s bridge helm. And regarding the shipment of drones, we have received it from the Lai Dai representatives this morning and they have already left for the ground side not too long ago. We are waiting for your instructions on what to do with them next.” Answered Charles Pressly as he walks briskly behind Iden Versio and Raine.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“That is good, we are ready to depart then. You can go and arrange for our course and go tell Joker as well that I expect him to be on standby in the pilot seat on the bridge later. Regarding the drones in our cargo hold, I will be heading there now to instruct our mechanics to start overhauling and reprogramming the drones to our usual arrangement. I will be showing them off to our esteemed guest behind us and we will be heading to the ship’s bridge for departure.” Commanded Iden as she instructed the navigation officer on the ship's next moves.
“Very well commander, by your commands.” Acknowledged Charles Pressly as he crisply saluted at Iden Versio and splits off towards another path when their party encountered an intersection in the ship’s internal hallway, presumably to carry out the new instruction he just received.
Raine has been silently following and eavesdropping the conversation between Ms. Iden and this Charles Pressly. She does have some question on some of the term she has heard but chose to bring it up later when they have reached the hangar docks to see these “drones” she has been hearing about.
Along the way to ship’s hangar dock, Raine and Iden have been steadily encountering more and more personnel stationed within the Normandy. Everyone they passed immediately clears the way and salutes at Ms. Iden as both of them passed through, salutes which are returned by Ms. Iden.
Maybe Raine should be doing the same, and salutes them back like Ms. Raine. But on second thought even though she is on the ship, as she is not part of the crew, Raine is under the impression that she is exempt from such custom.
However, it was still funny, seeing the adverse reactions of the crews when they saw her. The men gaped and the women get depressed somehow and she’s clueless on why the women’s reaction are very much different compared to the men that she has passed.
After walking farther than she first assumed in order to reach the hangar cargo, Raine can finally see the sealed entrance to the hangar of Normandy SR-2. Raine knows that the large metallic door entrance is the entrance of the hangar since it was clearly labeled so above it. Hence with Iden leading the way, the sealed door opens automatically as both of them gets nearer to it.
After both Iden and Raine enters the cavernous hangar, Raine pauses to marvel at the rows and rows of drones roughly the size of a fighter jet inside the cavernous hangar dock of the Normandy SR-2 being manned and checked by the mechanics and technicians spread out around the hangar.
Raine approaches one of the drone nearest to her, leaving behind Ms. Iden who it seems is currently asking one of the mechanics for someone. While Ms. Iden is distracted, Raine proceeds to analyze the drone in front of her.
[http://img.itemdrop.net/eve/Incursion/Renders/2466.png]
Caldari Light Scout Drone - Hornet II
An improved version of the standard Tech 1 Hornet, compared to the Tech 1 versions the Hornet II generally have better performance across the board and significantly faster than the Tech 1 versions with better weapon output. Although more resilient material and more robust hardware and computing power also mean an increase in manufacturing cost, so utilizing these drones should be done after doing a research whether the increase in performance is really needed in carrying out the operation. As like Caldari techs in general, Hornet II dishes out kinetic damages using their equipped pair of onboard 75mm Gatling Railguns. Hornet II have a more advanced circuitry so more complex calculations can be done with Hornet II compared to the Tech 1 version. The AI of the Caldari light drones can be considered as the most lethal and the most efficient of the drone technologies available anywhere, and the AI of the Hornet II is on top of the already impressive Caldari drone list.
Raine reads the information panel of the Hornet II in front of her as provided by her helmet’s HUD. From the information provided, she can consider these drones to be the equivalent of an automated assault helicopter from her time. Although these drones are obviously meant for use in the void of space.
“Hey, everybody! Our glorious leader has returned!” Said a loud voice echoing within the hangar chamber attracting the attention of everyone, including Raine.
Raine lifted her head from the drone in front of her and looks back behind towards the direction she came from. There Raine can see someone walking towards Ms. Iden, a stocky and short looking gentleman with a long handlebar mustache, wearing mechanics outfit and most amazing of all is his left arm which is mechanical from the elbow down.
Raine raised her right arm and proceed to take a picture using her omnitool as the person in question stopped and looking at her direction.
[https://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/starcraft/images/1/10/RorySwann_SC2_Cncpt1.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/180?cb=20100717004125]
“Woah! What’s a kid doing inside my hangar eh? I will not be having her messing around with my equipment. Can someone take her out? I don’t want the kid to get hurt stubbing her toe on something here!” Said the dirty looking man as he gestured wildly towards Raine and looking at one of the more junior looking mechanics near him to get it done.
Thankfully before anyone can kick Raine out, Ms. Iden intervenes and stop them from carrying out the dirty old man’s order.
“Belay that order! Honestly, that’s our VIP client this time. It’s because of her we got a contract with one of the mega-corporation and have access to their techs in the first place.” Admonished Iden as she raised a hand to stop the younger mechanics from approaching Raine.
“Are you sure commander? She got the bling for sure but does she got the skills to use them properly? I don’t want her to hurt herself carrying those knife and gun you know.” Said the dirty old man as he approaches Raine.
Raine silently observes the short and stocky man approaching her. In her mind, she is disgruntled because the men in the hangar are looking down on her because their boss has already crossed her out as a snotty-nosed brat. Now she is brainstorming inside her mind on how she can rectify that…
Perhaps… Raine can practice her magic on the approaching man. He certainly looks strong and robust enough to take a hit. Among the spells she has at her disposal, the Lvl 10 Napalm Beat would be the most appropriate to use here as the man gets closer and closer.
Raine waits until the man is practically standing directly in front of her and when he raised his arm with the real hand attached reaching out for her, that was the moment Raine strike with her right fist.
Before the blow was struck, Raine can spot the man smirk at her attempt. She cast the spell silently the moment her fist strikes his stomach, as that’s the highest place she can reach while still delivering the power of the blow. From her fist, multiple invisible orbs lashed out and strike against the larger man stomach and with a shout, he was pushed back two meters from Raine.
While Raine is disappointed that the man did not fall down from her strike, it was still satisfying nevertheless that she managed to wipe the smirk from his face with that strike. Not only that, looking around she saw that the men and women around her are looking at her with their jaw dropped from disbelief.
“Damn girl! What did your parents feed you? I gotta know, I don’t know how you can punch me that hard. I was practically thrown back from that blow! You a dwarf behind that faceplate girlie?” Exclaimed the dirty old man as he pointed at Raine, still in her striking pose.
Raine lowers her hand to in front of her face and stands serenely while clenching and unclenching it slowly.
“I have no parents... And I can ask the same of you, I was disappointed that you didn’t fall over from that strike.” Said Raine coolly and without care.
The dirty old man sobered up at that and patted at his overall to clear up some of the grime and dust coatings.
“I feel that we get off on the wrong foot there girl, I apologize for that. My name is Rory Swann, I am the Chief Engineer of this outfit and the commander come to me when she needs some work done on our techs and equipment. And for sure I won’t fall down from that! I’m a half dwarf you see! Me mom’s a dwarf and me dad’s a human. Mom’s still alive and managing a bakery ground side but me dad’s passed away from old age. Ah, bless his old bones, it’s too bad that human life span is lesser compared to dwarfs. I was still considered a young man by dwarf standard when he passed away at the age of 90.” Said Rory Swann as he walks closer to Raine again and offered her hand at Raine as a peace offering.
Raine looks at the hand offered and with good intent also clasped his hand with both hands as his one hand is enormous compared to her own hands.
“Likewise Mr. Swann, my name is Raine Sioux and as your commander has said I am here as the client for Inferno Squad. And to answer your question, no I am not a dwarf but I won’t answer what I am as a woman have her secrets right?” Raine replied cheekily as she shakes her hands with Rory Swann and let his hand go afterward.
“Haha! Well with that kind of tits then you’re not an elf for sure! Surely you’re human!” Said Rory Swann crudely as he laughed boisterously.
“Hmm, who says they’re real? I could be an elf who’s sick of being flat chested and decided to put in a pair of water-filled balloons as the replacement. What about yourself? As a half dwarf that means since your mother is a dwarf, she would also look young and short as well right? Perhaps your father is a pedophile that’s why he goes for dwarves?” Said Raine teasing Rory Swann back.
“Whhhhh….Whaaaat!? I’ll have you know me mom was an adult by dwarf standard! She already has a proper beard and everything! She looks beautiful, full bodied, strong and makes a mean draft beer at home!” Sputtered Swann in embarrassed denial.
“Well Mr. Swann, it’s not good to feel that way about your own mother you know? Do you have a mother complex?” Said Raine in glee.
Raine have fun seeing Mr. Swann face becoming redder by the seconds and he lay down on his back against the ground and wiggle his arms and legs furiously in frustration. Raine giggled softly in glee at Swann’s frustration and so does everyone else looking at their boss defeated so badly by a little girl in his own workshop.
“Grahhh! Commander! This girl is impossible! Stop laughing and come here! Speak your mind and begone the both of you! I’ll be having me peace back and the sooner the better!” Shouted Swann in frustration as he stands abruptly and turns towards the laughing Iden Versio behind him and Raine.
“Hahahaha! Oh, Swann, this is the first time I have ever seen you so whipped. What’s the matter? You’re used to dishing it out that you can’t stand to be on the receiving end?” Laughed Iden happily.
“As if! If anything she’s cheating because she’s a little girl! I can’t hit a little girl! What will that say about me being a man hitting a little girl! ARRRGGGGGGHHH!” Screamed Swann suddenly.
“That tells me that you’re a dead man walking when you turn your back to an opponent... Just because I’m a little girl should you really be keeping your eyes off me?” Said Raine coldly as lightning arcs around her open hand and omnitool on her arm.
Swann is still standing but in pain as electricity numbed his limbs and body, but he still managed to turn his body around and face Raine again. Swann’s hair is frizzled from the electricity and his bionic arm is short circuiting and twitched now and then refusing to follow Swann’s command.
Napalm Beat!
Another wave of invisible force flies from Raine’s outstretched hand and strikes Swann’s torso, which toppled Swann to the ground again. The spell works better this time as Swann in his stunned state from the electricity coursing in his vein does not have the strength to resist the spell's effect. To everyone else though, they just saw a little girl force push their chief engineer to the ground.
Raine leisurely walked to the downed Swann and stepped on his chest just as he tried to rise up.
“Who’s the little girl now?” Said Raine as she looks down on Swann.
“Arghh me legs. I am, now could you please help me up young miss?” Groaned Swann as he gives up on preserving his dignity as he cannot go against his little girl client.
Raine removes her boot from Swann's chest and offered a hand to Swann’s face. He’s a bit heavier than she expected but managed to help Swann to stand up in the end. Raine feels that she really needs to raise her strength stat for this kind of situation.
“Ms. Iden..” Said Raine as she turns towards Iden Versio behind her. Humorously the mechanics near Iden took a step away from Iden just as Raine said her name.
“Kitty got claws, I like it.” Said Iden Versio as she whistled appreciatively, Rufus the drone hovering above Iden recorded the whole thing.
“Do what you need to do here and let us move on. I am impatient to kill something to get stronger already..” Said Raine flatly as she walks nearer to Iden followed from behind by the limping Swann.
“Hmm... As you wish Ms. Raine, hey Swann I leave it to you to reconstruct and reprogram the three Hornet II we have to ignore other drones and ships, have them to focus only on incoming missiles and rockets heading to the Normandy SR-2. As usual, take out their pair of 75mm Gatling railguns and replace them with a pair of Gatling pulse lasers from our warehouse.” Instructed Iden Versio to the slowly approaching Swann.
“Hmph, as you wish commander. What about the three Caldari Navy Hornet we have over there?” Acknowledged the grimacing Swann as he pointed to the different pattern drones farther from their current position.
Raine followed the direction Swann is pointing to and her helmet HUD analyzed the different Hornet Variant.
[http://img.itemdrop.net/eve/Rhea/Renders/31872.png]
Caldari Light Scout Drone - Caldari Navy Hornet
An improved version of the standard Tech 1 Hornets, compared to the Tech 1 versions these Caldari Navy Hornets exclusively available to the Caldari Navy have the best shield and armor around compared to other variants of Hornets. This makes the Caldari Navy Hornet slower but some feel that the tradeoff is worth it since the improved shielding and armor significantly improved the Navy variant Hornet’s staying power. As like Caldari techs in general, Hornets II dishes out kinetic damages using their equipped onboard twin railguns. The higher strength material significantly increased the cost of the Navy variant construction, as it is the cost to manufacture one of this drone is even higher than the Hornet II variant. In terms of electronics though the Hornet II have the edge in processing power.
“Have the pair of 75mm Gatling Railgun removed from the three Hornet II to be installed in each of the three Navy variants. Remove the AI chassis from all the Navy variant and replace it with a pilot configuration frame and an upgrade to the power grid to accommodate for the extra pair of 75mm Gatling Railgun. Assign me, Kaidan and Ron as the pilot for each Navy variant. And while I am at it, install an ‘arbalest’ rocket launcher for each Navy variant, take it from our warehouse. I know we have some there from our last raid.” Instructed Iden Versio to the nodding Rory Swann.
“We can do that, it will take a while though and after that, you can’t really call them drones anymore since you’re practically converting them into a one-man space fighter. What would we even call them when we deploy them in combat?” Asked Swann as he brainstorms on how best to deliver what the commander requested.
“I don’t know. Just call them TIE fighter for all I care, they do have Twin Ion Engine strapped to their back in all variants of the Hornets anyway.” Said Iden Versio with a huff at the stupid question.
“Is that what it stands for? To be honest, when I first heard the term when I was studying at the academy I thought the engine was made by Thai people. They even have a video of it...Here let me share the link to your multitool https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3acjKWekp4U .” Said Swann in confusion.
“Yes, I am quite sure of it. Now go and assemble your team to start on it already. We’re about ready to depart this system and will be setting out for Jita IV system trade hub to link up with our HQ there for R&R. So do the task on the double, all of you can rest afterward. I will be heading towards the command bridge myself with our client. Next time you see her please behave as I don’t want a repeat of the earlier accident, no matter how humorous it is. Do you understand?” Said Iden sternly.
“Yes, commander! We will do as you say!” Said Swann as he salutes stiffly.
Swann still maintains the salute even after Iden and Raine left for the command bridge. He waited until the coast is really clear before he relaxes and dropped his arm.
With a stern and red face, Swann turns around to look at all his mechanics and technicians in the hangar and glared at all of them in a smoldering death stare.
“Anybody ever mentions what happen today to anyone else or if it ever gets out to the other crew about what happen today will know how it feels to have their pubes pulled out by me claw. Kapishe?!” Shouted Swann as he threateningly open and closes the metal pincer of his left arm with an ominous click-click-click sound.
Everyone pales and can only nod their heads rapidly without uttering a sound, except the women who giggled in mirth.
“And the women will also receive the same treatment. Damn busy bodies.” Grumbled Swann as he shift eyes to the paling female mechanics and technicians under his employ.