Operation: Pacifica,  All Aboard!
by Fleet Commander Samhain, Doberman Empire


 Elektra glided into the Doberman Fleet Yards about halfway through
  the loading process.  The hustle and bustle as Samhain stepped from the
  electric blue sports car was nearly tenfold what it normally was in
  preparation for the coming mission.  Samhain surveyed the activity, nodded
  and smiled briefly at the progress, then turned and headed for the nearest
  barracks.  "I should be in uniform.  I'll see you at the briefing at 1200
  hours, CP."



...




 At approximately 11:15 a petty officer hustled over to Samhain
  where he was standing in a guardhouse and watching the last of the gear get
  stowed aboard the final two transport ships, the _Augustus Ceasar_ and the
  _Sea Spider_.  Everything was going smoothly so far and he hoped it would
  stay that way... somehow, though, he knew it wouldn't.  These Operations
  were never quite as easy as they looked like they'd be.


 "Everything's aboard sir.  Here's the completed checklist along
  with notes of where everything is stored.  Right behind the list are the
  crew listings for the ships."


 Samhain scanned down the inventory list, mentally checking off the
  name of each TARAV driver, then flipped to the crew listings without closer
  inspection.  "Thanks... Announce that we'll be having a briefing in the main
  auditorium in 45 minutes," he mused as he scanned down the crew listings.
  He looked closely at the listing for the _Freedom_ and noticed that his sole
  carrier for the mission was sorely undermanned in some key positions; more
  specifically he needed pilots and an airboss.  He furrowed his brow,
  pondering how he was going to fill the holes.  He stared off into space, a
  wry grin slowly spreading across his face.  "Dismissed."


 As the Petty Officer hurried off to double check his own gear,
  Samhain headed for the Officer's club... he had a helluva pilot to find.



...




 Samhain stepped through the door into the Officer's club, his eyes
  instantly adjusting to the dim, smoky room.  His objective was easy to
  spot... he was over in the corner playing poker with a few of the local
  officers.


 "I call," said one of the officers, adding a few more chips to the
  massive pile in the center of the table.


        His solitary opponent leaned back in his chair, saying, "Oh,
  you do, do ya?  And I thought I could relieve you of even more Mickey-D's
  rations." He straightened up as he continued, "Well, let's see 'em. Caller
  drops his pants first."


        The Lieutenant smiled as he laid down his cards. "Three
  fours."


        "Hrm. Pretty good," observed the challenger, "but I'm not
  sure that it can top this." And with that, he showed the ace of clubs and an
  eight, slowly pushing the other cards into view one at a time. First the ace
  of diamonds, then the ace of hearts, and finally the ace of spades.  "Now,"
  he said. "Isn't that a daisy?"


 "Admiral J-Rock, ya old Dog!  Shame on you, taking advantage of my
  men like that!" laughed Samhain heartily as J-Rock raked in his winnings and
  the men hoo-ahhed at the winning hand.


 The lieutenant's jaw nearly dropped open.  "J-Rock?!?!?  I've been
  playing poker with J-Rock?!?!"


 Now the sailors at the table howled with laughter, clearly in on
  what had been going on all along.


 "The same," smiled JR broadly.  "Now, Sam, what can I *possibly* do
  for you?"


 "I thought you'd never ask!" grinned Samhain.  "I need you to
  gather up some people from the mission group for a flight group on board the
  _Freedom_.  Think you can handle that?"


 "Oh, I think I can manage.  Deal me out, gentlemen. I have some
  work to take care of."



...




 The Operation group gathered in auditorium for the pre-departure
  briefing.  Samhain stepped to the podium and thumped on the mic for
  attention before beginning.



		
	



	
		




 "OK everyone, we're getting ready to head out of here.  Three hours
  from now--at 1500 hours--the fleet will leave port and we'll all be on our
  way.  That should give everyone approximately 2 hours to get settled in
  before we leave.  Now, before we get to all the nitty-gritty details of
  where everyone is and what they'll be doing, I have a couple brief
  announcements to make.  First, if Trooper Aphrodite would come forward for a
  moment, please..." He paused briefly as a bewildered Aphrodite made her way
  forward from the rear of the auditorium.  When she got to the stage, he
  resumed.  "Trooper Aphrodite, it's been brought to my attention that you're
  due for a promotion," smiled Samhain warmly.  "Kneel."  As Aphrodite knelt
  down before him, Samhain laid his hand on her right shoulder and continued.
  "For your continuous dedication and loyal service to the Empire, I hereby
  promote you to the rank of Warrior, complete with all the rights,
  responsibilities, and privileges therein.  You shall now be known as Warrior
  Persephone of the Doberman Empire!"  With a brief flourish, he pulled an
  officer's sword and some new rank insignia out from under the podium and
  turned back to his officer.  "Arise, Warrior Persephone.  Continue to serve
  Grimace and the Empire with faith and honor and the glory will be yours!"
  He bowed deeply, had the gesture returned, then handed her the official
  indications of her new rank and status.  "Congratulations," he said, shaking
  her hand firmly as the auditorium thundered with applause.


 After the applause died down and Persephone had returned to her
  seat, Samhain resumed.  "Now, on to all those gory little details that none
  of you really want to know but need to hear anyway..."




......




 Two hours later, the Doberman Fleet set sail for the island of
  Pacifica and whatever awaited it there.




"All Aboard,"
Copyright 1996
David R. Hibbs