| From: | "Paul J. Adam" <shadowtk@********.DEMON.CO.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Newcomers |
| Date: | Sun, 24 Aug 1997 18:39:35 +0100 |
>>>>>[TO: SIGANet Archive
Colonel Superman got us some backup, as promised, so we're not flying
Quiet Sky any more.
Static's been activated. No other probes, but it's pretty certain we're
being watched. Let's hope the deception plan holds.
Still beset with hardware problems. IRIS still craps out forty minutes
to an hour into every mission, and LoLite's still a piece of shit that
spews false contacts and misses real ones.
+++++begin trideo
A new aircraft is parked on the hardstanding: twin-engined, delta-
winged, painted in CAS Navy haze-grey. Bulky pods hang under each wing,
too faceted to be fuel tanks. A EF-33 Lurker, designed to flood an
enemy's radars with electronic noise. It fits in well, beside the row of
smaller MiG-57s and the strange, angular shape in Ares colours (actually
just a fancy fibreglass model, but it looks cool and gets hauled around
as if it were real). Lynch spares the Lurker a longer look, as he walks
towards the briefing room.
Inside, he takes the seat next to Lilith, who passes him a mug of
coffee. Luttwidge and Wizer arrive moments later.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you've seen our jammer support outside. The 42nd
Tactical Support Squadron have provided the aircraft: Captain Talley
flew the Lurker in that squadron for some time, and achieved an air-to-
air kill against an Aztlaner fighter in the type. Isn't that correct,
Captain Talley?"
Talley, who by fighter pilot tradition should be beaming, looks huddled
and withdrawn.
"We're abandoning Quiet Sky as too insecure." Luttwidge shoots an
acknowledging glance at Arashi. "Instead, we're going to use the Lurker
to white out every frequency the Aztlaners might be monitoring: just our
own comms will be left unsaturated. The Buzzard is listening for
electronic whispers, let's scream in their ear. We've done this before,
let's do it again: the Aztlaners shouldn't suspect a deeper motive."
Wizer takes over smoothly. "The jamming should prevent either primary or
secondary illumination of the Draw Play aircraft, whether the Buzzard
illuminates or not. Our passive sensors will be unaffected, equalising
the playing field: but the Ghost will be outnumbered eight to one."
"Neat-o." Bellman enthuses.
"We needed a callsign - since we have a pilot and EWO in the aircraft,
and either might need to communicate - and Bellman was kind enough to
offer one. I understand that in the old Star Trek, the 'Romulans' had a
device that made their warships invisible: so, the Lurker will be
codenamed 'Romulus' for this mission."
Arashi snorts with disgust, Lynch flicks a cigarette butt accurately at
the trash basket, Lilith blows a perfect smoke ring, and Talley
continues to pick at the sole of his boot.
"The Lurker will be flown by Major Todd Beamish, who will be flying the
aircraft tonight and subsequently. Do you know him, Major Talley?"
Talley shakes his head. "He joined the unit shortly after I left, and I
haven't met him, sir."
"But you will know his Electronic Warfare Officer. Captain Jacob Baker."
Lutwidge smiles. You could swear that behind the tired exterior, you saw
a moment of shock on Talley's face. "Captain Baker," Luttwidge
continues, "was Major Talley's EWO during the Austin incident."
Wizer makes a point of checking her watch. "And that, gentlemen, is it
for now. The Aztlaners are late tonight: we brief in ninety minutes. I
suggest you find something to eat in the meantime."
+++++end video]<<<<<
-- 1Lt J R W Lynch <18:32:45/08-24-58>
Strategic Intelligence Gathering Agency
