08-31-2018, 06:59 AM
From: Hunter Wolff, on assignment at Pacifica Base, Bering System
To: Dieter & Emilia Wolff, Starship Design Office, Leipheim Base, Munich System
Subject: My Training & First Patrol
Encryption: None
To: Dieter & Emilia Wolff, Starship Design Office, Leipheim Base, Munich System
Subject: My Training & First Patrol
Encryption: None
Dear Mom & Dad,
I know you weren't very happy with me when I left home looking for a ship and to start piloting. I know you think the stories those pilots told me as a kid went to my head, and maybe they did, but I'm not like you. I look at an engine or a ship and I can fix it, but I just don't get the designs like you. I guess I didn't inherit the family talent, but that doesn't mean I can't make a difference for us. I know you're worried about some bounty hunter or over-eager Rheinland Military officer blowing me up, but now that I've had my first training session, I think you can relax. I'm not alone out here, I promise.
I met one of our leading officers today, a man named Stefan Morganstern. And he proceeded to tell me about how everything I'd done to get my ship set up wasn't quite right. Well, it wasn't all bad. I did a couple things right. But then we went into training simulations, and he pummeled me. He said I showed signs of the core skills of a fighter pilot, though, and that with the right training and practice and experience, I would be able to manage. He gave me a few pointers, and I practiced a bit. Managing everything that's going on in a fighter while trying to avoid projectiles and beam weapons firing at you isn't easy. It's damn scary, actually. I'm just grateful they were only simulations.
After my first simulation practice, I got paired up with a gunboat commander named Luisa. I guess they figure putting a rookie like me alongside someone with experience in the field is a god way to make sure I don't get blown up. Thankfully, they were right. While I wish I could tell you that we came across some Republican Shipping or GMG targets and showed them the vacuum of space, it was nothing that exciting. We did manage to find three transport ships that were very willing to contribute to the Unioner cause, though, after some skillful negotiations by the commander.
I mostly observed and fired warning shots, though I had a few smart things to say to the Deep Space Engineering transport pilot who was running illegal arms. He tried to convince us that because he was selling to the Junkers, that it would benefit us. Apparently, he has no idea just how much the Junkers charge us to arm our people to protect ourselves. The commander let him go, though, apparently because we'd be better off not pissing off DSE too much. They're not our primary enemy, after all. Though, a part of me still hopes the Rheinland Police caught him.
Once my patrol was over, it was a quick trip back to Pacifica. The base here is amazing, if a bit beat up. I wish I could tell you there was some great view from my room, but I'm shoved in a bunk with three other rookie pilots. I think we're right above the power plant, because the heat is unbearable. Thankfully, I only have to sleep there. I'm happy to spend every waking moment in my ship, learning her, and having her learn me. I miss you two, and I miss Sebastian. Tell him that I love him, and that his big brother will come by to see him as soon as they give me the freedom to patrol on my own.
I love you both. Please take care of yourselves, and remember that I'm doing this to try to protect you both, so you can keep doing what you love.
Love Always,
Hunter
I know you weren't very happy with me when I left home looking for a ship and to start piloting. I know you think the stories those pilots told me as a kid went to my head, and maybe they did, but I'm not like you. I look at an engine or a ship and I can fix it, but I just don't get the designs like you. I guess I didn't inherit the family talent, but that doesn't mean I can't make a difference for us. I know you're worried about some bounty hunter or over-eager Rheinland Military officer blowing me up, but now that I've had my first training session, I think you can relax. I'm not alone out here, I promise.
I met one of our leading officers today, a man named Stefan Morganstern. And he proceeded to tell me about how everything I'd done to get my ship set up wasn't quite right. Well, it wasn't all bad. I did a couple things right. But then we went into training simulations, and he pummeled me. He said I showed signs of the core skills of a fighter pilot, though, and that with the right training and practice and experience, I would be able to manage. He gave me a few pointers, and I practiced a bit. Managing everything that's going on in a fighter while trying to avoid projectiles and beam weapons firing at you isn't easy. It's damn scary, actually. I'm just grateful they were only simulations.
After my first simulation practice, I got paired up with a gunboat commander named Luisa. I guess they figure putting a rookie like me alongside someone with experience in the field is a god way to make sure I don't get blown up. Thankfully, they were right. While I wish I could tell you that we came across some Republican Shipping or GMG targets and showed them the vacuum of space, it was nothing that exciting. We did manage to find three transport ships that were very willing to contribute to the Unioner cause, though, after some skillful negotiations by the commander.
I mostly observed and fired warning shots, though I had a few smart things to say to the Deep Space Engineering transport pilot who was running illegal arms. He tried to convince us that because he was selling to the Junkers, that it would benefit us. Apparently, he has no idea just how much the Junkers charge us to arm our people to protect ourselves. The commander let him go, though, apparently because we'd be better off not pissing off DSE too much. They're not our primary enemy, after all. Though, a part of me still hopes the Rheinland Police caught him.
Once my patrol was over, it was a quick trip back to Pacifica. The base here is amazing, if a bit beat up. I wish I could tell you there was some great view from my room, but I'm shoved in a bunk with three other rookie pilots. I think we're right above the power plant, because the heat is unbearable. Thankfully, I only have to sleep there. I'm happy to spend every waking moment in my ship, learning her, and having her learn me. I miss you two, and I miss Sebastian. Tell him that I love him, and that his big brother will come by to see him as soon as they give me the freedom to patrol on my own.
I love you both. Please take care of yourselves, and remember that I'm doing this to try to protect you both, so you can keep doing what you love.
Love Always,
Hunter