Heavy Metal part 3

I scanned over my readouts to triple-check all the systems. As I surveyed all the status indicators Dex's private comm channel began flashing as he keyed me a private message.

*how did omni authorize us on p6 this soon?*

I'd thought about this all morning, ever since I'd checked the assignments and seen that they were throwing us right back into the fire.

*unsure. guess psych profiles recommend a "get back on the horse" approach*

I couldn't see Dex's face from my vantage but I knew he was rolling his eyes.

*did you say anything to anyone? did they even consider the cherries?*

Sharpe had joined Shelob's crew to fill Parker's seat and Powell had replaced Vance Perry, our last driver. Perry had requested a transer out of Urban Armor after the last mission. They were "cherries" - neither one had ridden in the MPAC on a real patrol, neither one had seen real fire yet. They performed fine in the sims, but the sims aren't the streets.

*omni must think they're ready. are we good for go yet?*

Dex dropped it and did a quick scan of his monitors, then gave me a thumbs-up. I checked through the crew for go/no go and, after getting the go-ahead from everyone, toggled my comm channel to Ops.

"Ops this is MPAC X Nine-two-niner, all systems go and green on all boards. Requesting permission to commence patrol."

"Roger nine-two-nine. We have confirmation on all systems. Please verify tac orders."

My mind flashed back to a morning two months ago when I'd heard those exact same words. That morning I'd replied eagerly; this time I found it a lot harder to respond. Finally I forced it out through my clenched teeth:

"Tac orders: follow patrol route six. Survey and pacify as needed."

There was a long moment of silence - longer than usual - then finally Ops came back.

"Roger nine-two-niner. You are cleared for patrol."

Ops clicked off and my rear-facing monitors showed the big bay door behind us starting to crawl up and open.

"Take us out," I ordered, and Powell executed a one-point turn that faced us out into the sunlight. She glanced over her shoulder at me for confirmation and, at my nod, slid the twin joysticks forward slightly and Shelob rolled out into the day.