H.McNeal

[ROT13]

Battleship Norfolk, Cambridge system
"ENTER"
FO McNeal entered the office of Squadron Leader Henderson and came to attention and reported as ordered.
Henderson waved him to the visitors chair and started to study him with a stare in the eyes.
McNeal sat straight and focused on the wall behind his new commanding officer. Like you do in every military organization.

Henderson read his mind.
"This is not a normal military unit." Hard and matter-of-fact was his voice, suddenly he nodded, came around the desk and offered his hand.
"Welcome to No.156". They shook their hands. "I have 10 minutes for your welcome ceremony, of which 1 already passed. We will spend 2 more on small-talk, 6 on your setup into our current mission and in the last 60 seconds for passing you over to the hands of my quartermaster seargent.

No! From the inside, this unit was definitely not a sloppy reserve recon squadron.

"How is your brother doing?" Harold was surprised - "Well, fine. I visited him and his family 4 days ago. He is currently trying to stand up on his legs." His oldest brother was still recovering from an asteroid accident onboard HMS Scarborough, which killed almost half of the crew a year ago and put his brother into hospital since then. "You know, we were in the same officers course at Dartmouth" - "But, Sir..?" Harold was astonished "I'm sorry Sir, I don't want to be inquiring to much, but then your rank should be much higher?" He blushed red.
Henderson grinned. "That question was to be expected and I like your persistent style - getting information is our job."
"But to answer your question: yes and no." Harold was puzzled.
"YES, my rank should be group captain - NO, to keep up with the cover of this unit, I was officially demoted for refusal to obey orders and lack of disciplin"
Henderson grin was widening even more.
"So if you recently took an eye on your own personal file, you will find some harsh remarks from your former commander in it!"
Harold was shocked again. "What for? I mean .... I can't remember to do anything"
"For your and our cover! - To keep you alive on your mission. - And to keep everybody totally uninteressted into us."
Henderson shook his head "No no, nothing serious, and not with every pilot we have. That would raise to much suspicion. Trust us! Our Security officer nows perfectly what he must fake in the files, that we look totally useless for everybody."
Henderson opened the 3D space map projection. - That was the family part of his speech. - His face straightened as he started to explain the strategic and tactical situation to his new pilot.

"The corsairs have a file on you, did you know that?" Harold was suprised again.
"All in all, they seem to like you killing so many outcasts and mollys on your last assignment." That seems obvious.
"But to save you, from now on: the truth won't go into your official records anymore. From now on your flight recorder will be wiped and loaded with fabricated data, as soon as you land - anywhere and immediately!"
"And no - don't tell me it can't be done. We do it!"

"So, your next operations will be to observe the omega sector in general. That's what most of us do currently.
We want traffic patterns, trade data, movement of people and navigation updates. Further operations will bring you in contact with ground operatives and remote recon posts."
"Your survival depends on your stealth, on your obviously harmless outfit and on your reputation if close contact can't be avoided. Your reputation with the corsairs can be of further help, but you must not get too cozy with them."
Harold nodded quietly - he had not expected to be known in person to the enemy.

Henderson passed him the ROE (rules of engagement) orders sheet:
No restriction on Hessians.
No offensive against any Rheinland forces! Selfdefence only to prepare a retreat.
No battle against corsairs.
Henderon pointed to the last line.
"At least not offensively. When they are in the way - kill them - quietly - and make sure there will be no evidence left!"
Henderson leaned back and grinned again. "For all others, you can treat them as usual in our forces, ......
Harold McNeal look up. There was a but ....
".. but if they are too close to our operations and you can not mask it in any other way - kill them. Again no evidence is your top priority!"

"Ah, and before I forget. If you are in trouble - don't expect our armed forces to go to great lengths to get you out of there. If we receive a distress signal from one of our pilots it is in fact only us who are going out for assistance.
Henderson perfomed a quick look at the clock. Perfect timing. 30 sceonds left for questions.

Flying Officer McNeal had no question that yould be answered in 30 seconds and was dismissed and given into the careing hands of quartermaster seargent Cox to get him settled into the squadron.

As soon as he was alone, Commodore (his true rank) Henderson moved on to the next topic on his agenda. He was to fake the death report of a late pilot. Under no circumstances must the truth about his death be revealed.
"Hm,... why not?" An idea rose. "We will have him died in battle as McNeals flightleader against corsairs on the next mission - that will fit the boy in from his first mission on."

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Character 1: Biography of H.McNeal (BAF)
Character 2: V.Bontainer (ALG)
Character 3: Y.A.Renkov (CIV, still undecided, yet)
Character 4: P.Decker (CIV, will work in the mining business)