Chapter 66

Somehow Lt Cdr Younger, RMN, had joined the Barge on its return to 119. McCock joined them as they tried to huddle inconspicuously in the aft of the passenger compartment of the Barge. The group consisted of Sir Henry, the Flock and Younger.

"Tell me" McCock requested in his sweetest voice "what conspiracy are you hatching today?"

"Cliff, don't pay any attention to grumbles there, he is just the Boss" Polack advised whereas Slow fronted McCock

"Stop frightening the lad, Aggy, and besides it's for our benefit."

"So? As I have heard you say, give!"

Denny made the explanation,

"I had a good look at the captured ships' 'puters to see if Younger's work could be applied. It probably can. With the arrival of the RMN missile carriers, 119 doesn't have enough surplus 'puter power; we can run our own four and possibly one or two of the "Vulcans" but not four and that is only possible because the "Vulcans" are loaded with cruise.

The 'puter surplus of the Chencons will run two of the "Vulcans" provided there are enough Keys in inventory; Hugh says there should be as that production line was not shut down.

What I was going to suggest was we top up our MCs from "Darling", send her back to Gorgipest, unload the MDMs and reload with that half load of cruise, pick up a bucket load of Keys, return via Scapa and fill up with cruise which are still in production there. Should take about four days. Meantime we introduce the "Vulcans" to the Chen ships."

"And where, pray, are you putting "Darling" now loaded with cruise?"

"With the slow squadron again so as not to mix loads" explained Denny piously.

McCock considered the proposition; certainly having an MC of cruise was attractive,

"Approved. Go to it."

"Can we introduce the 'Dungeon Dwellers' to Younger?" requested Sir Henry.

"Only if they promise not to blow up my ship's 'puters, and keep them, all of them, under control. Slow. Denny. Polack. I still have occasional nightmares about some of the things that happened with the Crypt."

"Hey!" Polack expostulated "you were part of that."

"True" admitted McCock "and now there is Henry Bollinger."

Looks of realisation spread over faces as the Flock stared at the gnome.

A life boat tentatively came out of hyper to lead the "Vulcans" back to home base.

"Diety, that man's paranoid" muttered Felix who had "Vector's" bridge at that watch and then passed the information onto Slow;

"Direct them over to Denny, Felix."

"They are already in com, Ma'am."

Over the next several days, there was much boat movement in the Chen squadron. "Darling" made her appearance two days later like a porcupine in an electrical storm as Polack described her. The Keys which gave her that appearance were gradually detached by the 'Chens' EW techs as part of the training exercises. The Chen squadron deployed out to the PRD — more habit than need — to exercise together and the slow squadron deployed to the New Harbour area for their exercises.

McCock sortied in the "Sprightly" frigate with "Shriek" in company. Captain Kowalski retrieved the LRC and fifteen ERAs and ten ABs under Ensign Holly Wilson joined "Sprightly" from Chen DD 1. Ensign Wilson was a trifle apprehensive about being detailed to attend upon the Commodore but her seniors were just confused without the concern. McCock enlightened Wilson as "Sprightly" translated into hyper,

"Over a week ago, two DDs were detached from the armada heading galactic south east presumably to find either the fleet which was sent to Renmark or the supply train. I suspect the supply train as the armada hovered over Harbouria long enough. About a third of the way back across the Orion — Perseus gap, one DD was abandoned and the second without shields has continued on its way. We are retrieving the DD. We should be alongside in five hours or so. You will detail an EVA to inspect the DD and if safe, we will join hatches, maintaining airlock integrity, and the rest of your party in hard suits will bunker it from the LRC. Captain Kowalski will join you to power up main power plant and bring up 'enviro'. If everything goes, then we'll send some victuals over and the DD will move in company back to 119. Hopefully we should be back about eight first watch. When we get back, your party will have to stay on it for some time on care and maintenance as I can't crew her. Needless to say, you will have to put up with a lot of people delving into the 'puter. Any questions?"

"No sir; I really don't know enough about the operation to even know where to start with questions."

McCock smiled at her,

"Brief your people and make sure your suit coms all function."

Polack struck the first snag,

"Harryfor, can you run some power lines over? The power plant was not shut down; they emptied the bunkers with the plant still running and I'll have to purge the fuel lines."

Holly Wilson found the second,

"Captain, the enviro master breaker has burnt out — must have happened when the plant surged from fuel depletion."

A conference decided to run the power plant and if the DD would move under her own power, to recover it to 119 with crew in hard suits. It was uncomfortable and it was six middle watch by the time the DD joined with R1 whose techs quickly replaced the burnt out breaker. A somewhat tired Ensign felt the first warmings of enviro as she dossed down, still in her hard suit, on the bridge of the DD.