A Liberty Story

[Sunset Glow]

The Secondary Fleet

As a primary bomber pilot, Sandra, or "Recruit Rivers" as she was usually addressed, was assigned to the primary bomber squad onboard the Mississippi scheduled for active duty. Her primary assignments were small time tasks within the sector usually leading to the Beaumonet debris field where nefarious organisations were trying to stir trouble.

However, her assignments lead her through out the entire sector as well and as secondary assignment she was scheduled to be ready on call for support should the primary fleet be operating in the sector.

It had not been three weeks of service when the first big emergency assigment occurred, an unlawful base was build in the California system and all available forces from the primary and secondary fleet were requested as assistance.

This was when Recruit Rivers had her first taste of real comat experience, the brief skirmishes in Texas with the Rheinland forces being small in comparison. it was also where recruit rivers had her first recorded and confirmed victories over enemy ace craft.


This performance did not go unnoticed by Commodore Caruthers and after some more time and more small time missions in Texas he decided to ask recruit Rivers to his office for a chat.

**The door notice went off**

"Come in." The commodore responded and a moment later the door opened and recruit Rivers was coming in.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" She addressed the commodore.

"Yes. Please, take a seat." He motioned to one of the seats.

Sandra accepted the invitation and seated herself but remained silent.

"I have been following your progress lately, recruit and I like what I see." The commodore continueing noticing the recruit's silence. "In fact, I know of some people who might like it as well." And now he gave her a chance to respond.

"Sir...?" Of course the recruit was a bit uncertain was not catching on just yet.

"You have been assigned to the secondary fleet, recruit. Our job is to take care of everything the primary fleet cannot handle due to time and personal constraints." He paused again, letting the recruit catch up at her own pace.

"Is my performance behind your expectations, sir?" She asked fearing the worst.

"Oh no.." The commodore responde with a smile, knowing all too well how recruits tick. "On the contrary, recruit. I have been wondering if you ever considered serving in the primary fleet."

The recruit responded with ponderous silence, it was obvious she hadn't considered it yet.

The commodore continued. "Your performance records surpass what is needed for our duties significantly, and the primary fleet might find they could use a pilot like you."

More silence was the response from the recruit.

So the commodore continued. "It is just an observation, recruit and whether you decide to look into it further is entirely up to you. We are glad to have you in the secondary fleet, but if you decide to look into joining the primary fleet you have my blessings, recruit."

"I will have to give it some thought, sir, I .... haven't considered it yet." She stated the obvious. "But I thank you, sir, and I am glad, I feel honored."

The commodore chuckled having expected such a response. "Don't thank me just yet, recruit. Service in the primary fleet is also more straining and demanding than your current service." He paused a moment then continued. "Give it some thought and once you make up your mind do let me know."

The recruit nodded. "Thank you, sir. I will."

"Good." The commodore nodded. "That would be all then, dismissed, recruit."

Sandra stood up and exited the commodore's office. From this day she would give this suggestion consideration, but mostly whenever she had time to think as often, just like in this moment, she was summoned to the briefing room.