//------------------------------// // Damage Assessment And Promotions // Story: The Red Sun Rises: Voyages // by The Atlantean //------------------------------// Celestia, Robinson, and Amber stood in the central area of the Flight Deck, just left of the Island. Forward of them, the survivors of USS Halyburton’s evacuation set up some tents and shelters on the Deck, as Reagan had no room for them belowdecks. Aft, repair crews were working on the foremost arresting wire. The three talked about the destroyed Island section with the Damage Control Assistant, known to the crew as the DCA. “Don’t worry, Admiral. We’ll have the Bridge repaired in no time. I have men working right now, and they’ll be joined by the ones on Three Wire as soon as it’s fixed.” The DCA seemed quite positive. Robinson’s skepticism showed through his words. “Do you have an estimate?” “Yes, sir. You can expect the Bridge to be navigationally operational in two days, with tactical systems the day after. We’ll have to cut down part of a bulkhead to replace the lost hull, but that part should be done by evening tomorrow.” “What in the Bridge is salvageable?” “Not really anything, sir. We’ll use nonessential equipment to recreate the computers and stuff.” Robinson pursed his lips. This was a good estimate and use of material. With Halyburton out of the picture with her magazine exploding half an hour after the Chinese sank the day before, they couldn’t use equipment from her. Klakring’s captain said that if any ship had to be scrapped, it would have to be the frigate. But Robinson replied that no ship would be scrapped unless she was truly unable to continue service. Until Klakring was damaged beyond repair, she would stay with the fleet. They needed all they could get. “Use all nonessential equipment from any ship. We must have the Bridge up and running by noon tomorrow, so I’ll have damage crews from the other ships, excluding Klakring, assist you. Objections?” “No, sir. We’ll do our best.” “Good. dismissed.” The DCA saluted the admiral, and walked off to coordinate repair efforts. He had to deal with damage crews from six more ships, and needed all the time he could get to prepare. Robinson turned his Air Boss. “Unfortunately, the CAG was killed when we lost the Bridge. You’re the only person qualified for the job, so I’m promoting you, Amber. You’ll have to do both positions, can I trust that it’ll be efficient and productive?” “Yes, sir. I’ll do what I can. Should I inform the other senior officers, or will you do it?” She looked shocked for a moment, but quickly recovered. “They already know. I just had to tell you.” “Well then.” She saluted him. “Permission to start immediately.” “Granted.” Celestia watched the exchange with curiosity. She didn’t know Robinson had the authority to hand someone a role at a moment’s notice. “So, where do you think we are, navigator?” Celestia wasn’t expecting that question. “Sorry, what?” “I asked if you’re ready to navigate. We lost ours yesterday, and you seem to be the only one who even remotely knows this world.” “Uh, sure. What do I do?” “Follow me.” Robinson started to head inside the carrier, but the princess stopped him. “I’ve been looking at some spellbooks in Canterlot via magic, and I think I found one that can turn me into a human, but still have my magical abilities. It’s worth a shot while I’m here, don’t you think?” “Yeah. sounds good. You might not have clothes on, though, so I’d try it inside your quarters. Go ahead; I’ll wait here.” She teleported to her quarters and cast the spell. It worked; Princess Celestia had a new form as a human female. Looking in the mirror, she realized Robinson’s suspicions were correct about her apparel. At least there was a spare uniform neatly folded in a box under the bed. She quickly dressed, doing her best to get it right. Afterwards, she teleported back up to the Flight Deck, and was relieved to see that her clothes went with her. Being with humans taught her quite a bit about their culture. The admiral laughed. “I see my assumptions were correct. Not bad for your first time putting on that uniform, Celestia.” “I tried. I’m just glad they came with me when I teleported.” “I might as well give you a tour of the ship, since you clearly can roam the halls without teleportation. Come on.” He beckoned for her to follow him. While they walked down the corridors, he told her to talk to Amber about getting civilian apparel. Only Navy personnel wore a uniform, and she wasn’t in the U.S. Navy. The two arrived in the auxiliary command room. It was equipped with several large plasma TVs that normally showed things from radar readings to live video feed relayed from tanker Super Hornets circling high above. Today, it had the lunch menu on a smaller screen, static where live video feed would be, and relayed sonar pings from the submarines. Reagan’s radar readings were there as well, along with supplies readouts. Seawater would have to be desalinated soon, and food was becoming an issue. Ammunition was high, as was JP-5 (jet fuel) and power efficiency. After a few hours in the command room, Robinson took Celestia to her quarters. She kissed him on the cheek, and walked in, closing the door behind her. He blushed slightly, not really ever experiencing that little love one feels when something like that happens until then. After all, he was a 30-year-old bachelor who never felt the need for romance; the youngest admiral, but still not married. Robinson then walked to his own quarters, and took note of the flurry he had begun to feel in his log. Slight attractions to pretty women wasn’t uncommon, but as the Captain of Reagan, it was fairly serious. He spent the night trying to forget the princess’s beauty: her voice, her eyes, her hair, her breasts… Dammit, stop thinking about something you won’t see anytime soon, you pervert, warned his consciousness. Why do you just now start feeling an attraction to women? And she’s a fucking horse at heart, you idiot. Not some hot female sailor that I tell you to keep your hands off. But don’t touch her intimately anyway. After a few hours of this self-depreciation, he finally closed his eyes. But he still dreamt of Celestia for some reason. Maybe it was because she had obviously forgotten to put on certain articles of clothing.