((USS Toulon))

Patch and Murdock now found themselves sitting in the cockpit of the Volga class Toulon. After returning with Ayres, they had both been able to grab a bite to eat and a full nights sleep. Pacelli had reported to the pilots ready room the next day and found he was assigned to one of the CSAR runabouts that would be on standby in shuttle bay 2(the Runabout Bay as it was quickly becoming known as). Each time the full squadron of 16 Immortals launched, 2 runabouts would be on standby ready to scramble as CSAR and recovery vessels as a part of the auxiliary flight crews SOP. Each time a Flight element of 4-15 Immortals sortied, a single runabout would be on standby for the task. any of the runabouts could serve the role adequately, but the speed and smaller target profile of the Volga class vessels made them almost ideal for the role. The fact that they only required a flight crew of 2 opposed to the Arrows or the New Atlantics that were much larger and required flight crews of atleast 3 if not 4 in combat situations.

He wasn’t surprised to note that Murdock had placed his name on the co-pilots roster pool again, the kid seamed eager, so he grabbed him as a co-pilot. Since there were only 8 full time auxiliary craft pilots aboard aside from the fighter pilots, a pool of off duty officers and crew with flight qualifications was used to provide co-pilots or even pilots if a massive deployment of runabouts and shuttles was ever needed.

“I would like to thank you again for allowing me the chance to fly the Valkyrie yesterday Lt. Paccelli. I very much enjoyed the experience even if it was only for a few hours, in a formation. I do have some preliminary feedback for alterations to the cockpit and the sub-light impulse assembly to create better ergonomics and functionality respectively.” Murdock said as they sat and watched the Valkyries launching out of the mouth of Bay 1 right next to where they’re vessel was parked.

Paccelli’s eyebrows flicked up for a second. The Benzites were known for their audacious recommendations, but this was quick, even for them.

“Maybe get a few more hours in the cockpit of one before you start sending memo’s about changing stuff…just a word from the wise on that one.”

“Oh Indeed, I plan to re-evaluate my conceptions the next time I get a chance…so, what can we expect our role to be in this mission sir, so I can better prepare myself for what’s to come.”

“It’s combat Murdock, ain’t no way to tell. We might sit here for a few hours with nothing to do, and not even launch. Or we could be out there flying through a dogfight on our way to rescue a pukot from a dawned fighter 30 seconds from now.” Just then, a pair of Immortals performed one of the first attacks on the Pilgrim attack shipping several dozen miles away, but still clearly visible from their seats in the cockpit of the Toulon, which itself was placed eight near the shuttle bay doors, ‘engine primed, systems online, butts in seats’ as the standby role was described in training.

“Monitor the comms, if any of the Valkyries get in trouble, then it’s likely we might get the call shortly thereafter.” Patch gave the Benzite something to do.

As one of 2 Sr Auxiliary Pilots aboard Paccelli wasn’t technically in any sort of leadership position, though his role did have him playing a role in building flight roster and serving a mentor and trainer for less experienced pilots. It was all a part of a sick joke that someone’s friend in the Personnel HQ was playing on Patch to get back at him for his indiscretions. All he ever wanted to be was a fighter pilot, and the second time he got busted, someone decided that maybe taking a break from Valkyrie’s and Aspera’s would temper him.

The more ironic fact was that before being busted the second time he had actually gotten to the stage in his career where he had actually been looking forward to moving into Wing Commander or flight school Head Instructors billet. He’d still get his stick time, just less of it, in exchange for being able to help mold and guide the next generation of pilots coming up through the system.

After several minutes of silence between him and Murdock, Patch heard a radio call that could signal trouble for one of the Valkyries.

“This is 15, I got a starboard engine flareout.” the young pilot had just we’ve himself in between 2 Pilgrim attack ships. His wingman, Immortals 16 quickly dispatched one of the attack ships.

As the pilot of 15 dodged a few white-green beams from the remaining attack ship that sensed weakness and angled to get behind the underpowered Valkyrie. “Dammit, there goes my port impulse, shutting down…going for a hot restart!”

“No! You fucking idiot, vent you engine compartment, if you overheated em you’ll blow you’re ignition hub if you hot start.” Patch said aggravated at the rookie mistake.”

“Engines won’t restart, I’m getting nothing here. 16, get this guy off me!” The pilot of 15 said as he started taking accurate fire to his rear ventral quarter.

“On it.” 16 replied.

“Get ready Murdock, we’ll probably be going to tow him back soon.” Patch said.

After another 20 seconds, he started muttering “Come on, lets go, get us moving Launch Control.”

Another few seconds passed and then the calm final came. “Toulon prepare to launch on recovery flight, you’ll be towing Immortal 15 back.”

“Yeah, no shit we’ve been fucking listening.” He said as he tapped the final few buttons arming the ships weapons and bringing the runabout up to full power, he opened the comm channel to reply to the Launch Control.

“This is Toulon, we are prepared for launch, target confirmed, requesting launch clearance.” he said in the calm measured tone that he always used over comms regardless of the situation or how he was actually feeling.

And agonizing 4 seconds elapse while launch control confirmed that his launch lane was clear.

“Request granted, you’ll have a Flight of Immortals crossing over top of you just after launch, be aware.”

Patch zoomed the runabout out of the ‘barn’ and flew on an almost direct path to the stricken Valkyrie 15,  we’ve out of the path of an element of Valkyries that were making an attack run on one of the Pilgrims moved freighters. He took a few potshots at the freighter with the lateral 2 phaser arrays that could get a firing solution, and launched a micro torp at a passing attack ship. ‘One of the last ones that’s still flying, well done Immortals, making quick work of the these fools’ Patch thought to himself.

“Immortal 15, this is the Toulon, we’ll be engaging out tractor beam to begin the tow in roughly 15 seconds. Hand tight, we’re coming for you.”

As few seconds before Patch was about to order Murdock to engage the tractor beam, the damaged Pilgrim attack ship that 16 had shot up spans back to life and began firing at both 15 and the Toulon with focused beams of green and white.

“Mutha…returning fire.” Patch locked into the Pilgrim ship that was only slightly larger than the Toulon with the forward phasers and both micro torpedo tubes and fired.

“Forward shield at 87% percent and holding.” Murdock added.

The pilot of 15 adeptly used his RCS thrusters to line him up for a shot and helped the Toulon finish off their quarry with his own phasers.

“Thanks Toulon actual, I owe you a drink.”

“Faget about it 15. Standby for tractor. And we’re gonna beam you out of there just in case any more of these hulls decide to come back from the deal.” Patch said through the comms.

“Lock on with the tractor beam and engage Murdock. I’ll beam the pilot out. Sanchez, check ‘em out when we beam him over just to be sure.” Patch said. Sanchez was a med tech assigned to serve as the flight medic that always rode a CSAR Bird.