Space Odyssey: Spectre-Chapter 413: Maiden Voyage

Chapter 413: Maiden Voyage
An hour later a holographic projection of him was appearing in the hangars in front of soldiers that were gathered in columns. Just as they had been trained to do. Before the projection appeared they were staying in formation but were talking loosely as they got familiar with each other.
But after the projection appeared they all stood at attention. While Jace was still on the Wolfsbane’s bridge. He could see them all through security footage of each hangar and some of the logistics officers in the rooms they were in when the projection appeared. It only appeared after the hangar doors almost completely closed.
"Welcome to The Wolfsbane. The new destroyer class military vessel of the Cerberus Mobile Response Unit. Now normally there would be far more fanfare and celebration for an event like this. But we are a unit that responds to emergencies and one has arisen. Now I will make this short."
"There are several rules and regulations that are unique to this unit. Mostly because I have been given permission and autonomy to do just whatever the hell I want. But those have been sent to your communication devices. Now a few points of clarification. Challenges can only be to your direct superior, but they are suspended until after this first operation."
"Division classifications versus squads and teams, my unit is divided in two different ways. The first are the Divisions that are used for training something specific ranging from mech piloting to logistics. The second are the squads and teams that are a mix of several different divisions. The only time the training division will be applied in combat is when the entire unit including the Wolfsbane is in the thick of it."
"Now then, I have sent specific squads and teams situational information for whether they are part of the boarding party or landing party. If you are either of these teams then move to the appropriate hangar or area to begin getting ready. Everyone else will be receiving orders from Captain Solisa as to your station. Now you have roughly twenty four hours until arrival at our destination, make them count. Dismissed!"
The hologram ended and Jace sighed as he looked at the screens. Watching as the people who were standing at attention began checking their devices. After a minute of watching them, Jace began walking toward the war room that all of the team and squad leaders that are going to be part of the landing or boarding party should be going to.
He had to brief them on the specifics of their mission once the Wave Rider core activated. It was for security purposes because once they were underway it was next to impossible to receive or send signals or messages without specialized equipment. Equipment they had but also closely monitored on the bridge.
Jace arrived at the same time as Captain Tyler and Specialist Gorund Velwrench. They were arguing about the mech design. They were not any format or style that Tyler had seen. Gorund was explaining the specifications since he was given early access to see it and prepare the appropriate gear and ammunition.
"I am not saying the design is bad. But it is not built like any mech I have seen before." Tyler declared as the door opened and they walked inside. The doors were automated to read clearance level from a person’s designated communication device.
Gorund followed behind him and grunted out, "then just say it is unique. Especially since you have not attempted to use it. Besides the Walker class mechs have a similar design set up. It is just your personal Knight class mech that is unique. From what I understand they put a lot of thought into those designs. Especially since they are the first mechs that the Vexical Engineers have ever designed and made."
"Yeah but-" Tyler turned around and began walking backwards but quickly saluted and stood at attention. "Major Jace." Gorund spun around and saluted as well.
"At ease Captain Tyler and Specialist Velwrench. I suggest you test the mech in a simulation first. Then you will make adjustments if it is needed. But from what I understand your new Knight mech was designed with space and zero gravity combat in mind. Fortunately for this operation you will not be needing it, so you can do that after." Jace told him as he took off his cap and walked past him to the center of the room. There were chairs going up to the edge of the room on a slope. Sort of like an amphitheater.
Once he was in the center of the room Solisa appeared. "You are getting a communication request from General Isaiah." She informed him as a shaking green symbol appeared. "What do you want to do?"
"Send it through to this station. I doubt we will talk about anything classified." Jace answered as he stepped back so there was enough room for an additional hologram.
A moment later a hologram of General Isaiah appeared except he was now sporting a new scar on his face. It appeared to be a cut going up and down that just barely missed his right eye. It was clearly still receiving treatment so it must have happened within the last few weeks.
"Major Jace, I reached out to wish you the best of luck on your first operation and the Wolfbane’s maiden voyage. In addition, I wanted to request that your unit keeps an eye on the Circle of Yuri front. Those human vampire subspecies are rather difficult to deal with." General Isaiah bowed his head slightly as he spoke.
It sounded like General Isaiah had already realized that the Cerberus Mobile Response Unit is able to have its pick of operations that it can do in its down time. But Jace also knew that his unit will have to iron out the kinks in their armor after this operation. So he could not freely offer support.
"If there is an emergency situation then we will move in to assist. But we will not have as much down time as some people might suspect. We are an untested and barely trained unit that was thrown together within the last month." Jace explains with a slight bow of his own head.
General Isaiah frowned clearly and made an almost inaudible growl in response. "As long as you keep in mind where you can help. I suppose that is all you can do. Especially since a primary asset like yourself belongs in the field as much as possible."
"Which is something that I plan to do. But only after we are properly trained and operating at complete capacity. Now if that was all..." Jace answered with a growl of his own. He was not going to risk his unit just because some other people felt like rushing them.
General Isaiah sighed after a moment and nodded. "Very well. In addition I wanted to warn you that you should make yourself as invaluable as possible to the Victorium Military and the Victorium as a whole. It would be best for your image." He then looked to the side and waved his hand. Ending the communication and the hologram of him dissipated.
His last sentence was clearly a warning. General Isaiah knew something that he did not. But either he was not comfortable disclosing the information over an open and unsecure channel or he was not allowed to disclose the specific information. He was thinking the latter, because the whole conversation felt off. General Isaiah would have requested his assistance through the proper channels if he really needed help. Instead he asked in such a way that it would be optional for Jace.
He would have to make inquiries when he returned. But for now he would focus on the operation at hand. It would not be good to have himself distracted by the future, especially since this was Cerberus Mobile Response Unit’s first mission and Wolfsbane’s maiden voyage. He had to keep an eye on the situation in front of him so he could adjust as needed.
"Was that all Solisa?" Jace asked the floating otter hologram with a captain’s cap.
"Affirmative. I will join you for the official briefing. I will give additional intel from the Xenar records as needed." She then spun in a circle and disappeared.
Jace nodded his head and raised his hand upward and slew of information began appearing. He began organizing quickly into a presentation and briefing he could give. He could feel a slight tremor that would be imperceptible to most species as the Wave Rider core activated and they were underway.
He looked around the room and noticed they were still missing one or two people. They were running behind. He pulled up their locations. He found one was almost here while the other had either gotten distracted or had not realized they needed to be here for the briefing. Jace sent a message to the man...er the thing, and they quickly looked at their communication device on the security monitor before they quickly began running through the ship.