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 Jade nodded, smiling. “As I said what you had there was fine work, just a shows that you have just fished school. It takes time to see beyond the teaching, but what I saw there is proof that you are willing to. That is what I was wanting. Now then we will be doing some jumping in the belt itself. We are going there to make use of the changles it presents. This will not be a sweep, but a full scouting exersize. So all of you think of it and start getting ready. I want to see trick flying, both ship and the fighters.” There were more nods than groans, so most had been expecting her to put them through their paces. Then they were all well trained and would know that there was going to be a war soon, even if they weren’t seeing just how big it was. “At some point we will be joined by another flier wing, made of Pirates. They will be a part of the crew, so will be treated as such. Like I said I do not expect formal discipline from you nor will I ask it of them. No salutes or standing for officers, names are fine in place of titles. You are going to have to be more flexible. Should this prove to much for you no one will fault if you leave, you can of course take the night just as those that left before the flight. I am not easy to work with and that is well known.”
One of the others said. “For the record I and four others are more than willing to talk to any that leave today about places, even if it means inventing some. None of you will find it hard to find a spot on the base. That you made it this long in Bolt’s means you are worth your place.” He lowered his voice a bit and turned to Jade. “Good to see you here and with the right tags. Past time you had them General. About time they made you stop ducking out of command. You have some even before the flight? Just what did you ask them to do? I thought that everyone would make it one trip. Al and Vic have done amazing with building them. I am not in the leas joking about those that walk being wanted. They all have sold reputations. Even Rex when sober was worthy. Just he was no longer sober. I do hope they can get him clean. We need good navigators more than ever.”
Jade said. “One answer to that is to open it up to nonservice members. However that is going to be hard on a number of crews. That was why we lost three and will likely be the reason others leave. I meant it. I will have flight wings made up of Pirates and word has all ready been sent out that I will let any qualified try, no matter their home planet.” He coughed a bit. “In fact I am going to ask someone from Earth to come try a run with my engineering crew. She will have a bit to learn, but will pick it fast and has a true talent. Glade Romannisty Douangas is my Second in command.” There were a few shocked looks on hearing Glade’s full name as his family was well know for the crimes a number of them had done, and Hoton, his home world, was not in the alliance. “That is why three found it to much. It is going to rub a few wrong that I will have those not fit to serve as officers, or wing leaders. I told them when they presented my tags, but it didn’t change their minds about them. For all I am not going to keep any on my ship in the dark about what we are doing. No matter the code of the mission. So yes more will be leaving. Not all are going to be able to accept what I expect them to.”
He shook his head. “I have sent word to nonservice schools in the alliance that I have openings in Navigation, but to open outside if it. That I can’t agree to. I couldn’t serve on your ship. Then we both knew that long ago, before either of was even thinking of being Captains that we had no place being on the crew. Still. Yes we knew Glade would be on your team, but that. I had best worn my folks tonight.”
Jade nodded. “Then they are already set to yell about me. Or I should say are yelling. Will is at our house, I have declared him family. That stands even though the illegal ban order has been rescinded now that he is out of hiding. They would have been called as He was hand delivered the notice. The full Council is coming here by the end of the week, all promotions are going to be done formally. So yes best see they are ready.” That had a few groan. The transport docked and they made their way across the station to Metal and were soon underway.
The patrol was uneventful, but there had been some fun flying, and they returned with two added wings not the one she had expected. Jade waited until they were back in the unit’s changing area. “Now you have a taste of what I expect from the Bolts. That was an easy run, most will not be easy. No one will look down on you if you leave. What we were doing out there is top flying on most other ships. A lot would never have opened that much. By the end of the week we will be fully open every trip. The next ship will do more and lag less. So yes it is going to be a lot to ask of you. I will fault no one for finding it to much risk to fly like that.” She knew some didn’t like to be remained of just what the Supers could do and they had been, for all it had just been the lower edges of it. The wing had pushed more, but they were all used to flying full as Vic had seen they did so at least once a week. Al had not been able to push as much not having the rank to set his routes. She fully understood, there were reasons behind the regulations, but there had to be some that could handle the full abilities of the ships as well.
A few shook their heads and started cleaning out their locker. “I can take the non-service members. But opening the ship up, and placing an Earthling in engineering? No, that is to far. They don’t have the slightest idea of what a slip drive even is! And you. No thanks.” The others nodded.
Jade said. “That is fine, I understand both the fear of someone that will be learning and of going fully. I don’t want you to stay if you are not comfortable. I expect that a few will be gone each time these first few days as you find that my plans are not what you want. There is nothing wrong with that. I am going to be asking for things not normally done. We will often face more danger than other ships just because I will be doing things they are not. Going places few can. You all need to look at that and think it over before giving any oaths. And yes once we are set I will be asking you to give me a loyalty oath if you wish to stay as a part of the crew. Just because we will be doing those things that should not be talked of. We will take the long missions, so think of that as well. I will do my best to see that there is a week here every two months, but if things get bad. Well missions come first.”
One was looking a bit torn. “I don’t mind the full access, but  I am not sure about letting outsiders. I mean some don’t have the tec and are going to be playing catch up.”
Jade said. “I will not be staying on Metal, but the one I plan on turning her over to will be using her fully. So if you wish to wait and see about a place with that crew you are welcome to. There will be some overlap as we will help them learn the ship. I am not sure when they will get here or how many openings there are. It is a fresh team, and this will be a first out of school posting. However they will be able to handle the ship before we transfer to ours. You will have to talk to them about their plans as far as the length of the missions, but they will be seeing more action as well.” She did wonder what Mathuwe would think, but she wanted Metal in the hands of someone that would use her as she was meant to be used, not limit her.
He nodded. “I will wait then, if you don’t mind.”
Jade smiled. “By all means, as long as you are willing to you are welcome. I do not mean to forced any to go just don’t want any staying that are not comfortable with what they will be asked to do. If I feel that you are not up to your job I will tell you directly, but at this time I do not know you any of you well enough to judge. You all have the right to ask for anything you feel you should know. You will access to the details of the mission, no matter your rank. Now then what do you want to know? What question do you have?” They just looked at her she shrugged and said. “Well when you have them ask as long as we are not in the middle of a battle I will do my best to answer any of you. Do not stand on formality it will only irritate me to be talked to indirectly.” She turned to go.
Al said. “Go to her just as you have been to me. She means it and when you come to me with things not related to the bridge I will just send you to Sis or Glade. Sis they are just trying to believe that you mean they will be flying fully. Most want to but never expected it to be possible.”
Jade nodded. “I want us working border zones but don’t care what stretch at this time. Any of you have a preference let Al or I know.” That had them look again. “I ranked just so I could set my route for patrols, most don’t both but I have always been picky about it. We will not be going out for longer runs this week, but might be making two runs a day soon. With a ground break between them. The second run is optional, it will be happening to help the crew taking over learn the ship. However, that is not yet set.”
The navigator said. “Cap, I want to stay on the ship, but I am not the one you need in the command. I am fine as assistant but I am not going to be able to keep up when we get to the finner jumps. I will in time learn what I need to, but I would slow you down to much. However I do know someone that with a few lessons from Herny will be able to do what you need. They would never pass a service exam, as one of their legs is gone from mid thigh, and one arm is shorter than the other. However they are otherwise fit and have been cleared to work on a ship, for all it is just a cargo ship that they have been able to get a place on, it is waste of talent. I can have them here in the morning if you are willing.”
Jade said. “By all means have them come. Rick what time will you be here? You will be better able to get them a fit flight suite. I one something decent, not what supply would coble up.”
Rick said. “Have them here an hour early and we will have something that will do for this time and better ones will be waiting when we get back. Mul has Garachen on stand by, your orders get front line. Don’t worry all the team here is getting new suits. First thing I did was get the sizes. He was most upset to learn that you were using stander issue even just on local runs.”
Jade shook her head but was smiling. “I expected that when I saw you were with the wing. I knew that he would be demanding a full accounting of what we were useing so he could see it fixed. Never mind that it all temporary, and the other ship will be fully up to his expectation. Go right ahead. Guys if you don’t like the fit of your suits, let him get your measurements, rather than use the size. Truly he would much rather do that than use the sizes if you will let him. Just think how much you can shock people by telling them that you  use custom made Blegen grade flight suites just for patrols. Not many here can say that and it be true, so take this chance. Now I am going to go change. Al, Glade will be coming back to the house. So you might want to stay here and avoid a bit of the yelling.”
Albert smiled. “As tempting as it I don’t know that I can. Besides someone needs to be able to explain to the others just why Fred is having a fit.” Jade laughed and went to the changing room. Al turned to the others. “Yes I know, but she is letting the boys see to her and Glade will see that she does. Yes she is pushing a bit, but not to much. Two runs are going to be a bit hard, but the ground brake in between makes it safe. Long runs are on hold until after the oaths are fully set. Yes she meant we will be making full use of the ship. She is one of the few that flyes Wagoner, and yes we will at some point. Likely we will take most of the unused jump points at some point. A lot of the rules will get set aside on ship, include those about no fly zones. We will be going into the forbidding areas. Not just looking at them wanting to like we have this past year. They stopped trying to prevent it once she proved she could solo in Metal. You can check the test yourselves. The route went though two condemned areas. So yes you will be expected to go places thought to dangerous for ships to be. Also she heard everything I did. So stop acting like you don’t have questions and start asking them. I won’t do this next time.”