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Slimalou · 12-23-2023, 12:04 AM,

[INS Montana Mu System]

[Image: 836dbde112c71973a0265c531e08b534.jpg]

SOURCE: INS-Montana, Fort Carthage, Omicron Mu System.

Marrok Cross entered the room with his Order escorts. It was a conference room overlooking the shipyard docks where the Montana sat docked, Order techs and engineers were already making ready to start working on the Dreadnought. Yet that was not the only thing that caught the captain's eye. Standing at the window, looking towards the Montana was Grand Admiral Michal Golanski.

“Admiral Michal Golanski, I presume.” Cross greeted the Order Admiral.

“Correct, Captain Cross.” He greeted the Insurgent, still using his title and rank despite Insurgency being no more.

“I wanted to thank you on behalf of the crew for giving us a chance. The Corsairs were a little bit of a mismatch for us. I hope such will not be the same with the Order.” The Captain added.

Slight nod of understanding from the man gazing on the battleship. Montana had seen to catch his eye in more ways than just another asset for him to command. “Investment of the Credits will be worth it. I am sure of that. You may have to face challenging decisions in your new life but at least you know what you are fighting for now.”

“I and the crew will work to make your investment worthwhile. We are really starting to start making a difference instead of throwing ourselves against a House’ seemingly unending ships and manpower.” Cross commented. “Fighting a house with so little resources, it's amazing we lasted as long as we did. To that end my people are used to working with minimal supplies. I'm sure many of us will be able to work with whatever the Order is willing to give us.”

It was the first time he would see him smiling. “Fighting insurmountable odds such as House of Liberty I will consider an experience. After all, you and your crew are alive. However I am sure you are by now aware, The Order is perpetually at war. If it’s not the Nomads, then it is Core or their lackeys or some other entity intent on snuffing us out. However, our home was founded and fortified away from the Houses because we expected that to happen. Your home now too, which you will be expected to defend.”

“Nothing we are not used to, even after getting out of Liberty and into the Omicrons there have been plenty of threats that see a lone dreadnought as an inviting target.” Cross takes a moment, as if debating if he should speak honestly. “I must admit, I was half expecting to be replaced as the Montana’s captain for an Order Captain. If that's your saying, I will be allowed to keep the command of the ship. You don’t have to worry about us being unwilling to fight and defend our new home. The Montana’s guns have lacked a target for some time now.”

“You, your bridge officers, NCO’s and staff will of course be shuffled around. Not out of some spite, however I think you will agree that you will need to learn how to operate other setpieces of Order warmachine you will find yourself fighting alongside of. In the same vein, you will need to ensure that potential replacements will be trained in smooth and effective operation of Montana's systems. In time you and your ship will be fully integrated into our fleet and doctrine. You earned the right to command already.”

“i'm relieved to hear that.” Cross nodded. “I’m sure my crew and people will be able to make the adjustment. The Corsairs were a little less… open about having us join them.”

“I am surprised they kept you alive in the position of command. You already know how they are. They do not associate with foreigners, they think us racially inferior. Perhaps your knowledge was too valuable to pass off on and just enough for them to swallow their pride.”

“Can’t say I know the Corsairs plans, Sir. I don’t know what the Corsairs were after in Liberty, but whatever plans they had are null and void now, at least for us that is. They still have a small fleet's worth of Inserections ships. Turning back to Montana however, I prepared a report of the ship now sitting in your shipyards.”

One of the Order Guards approached the Admiral and handed him a data pad. Cross spoke as the Admiral began to look at the contents of the data pad.

“That is the uptodate information on Montana and his capabilities.” Cross explained. “Points of interest for you might be the Long-Range Communication Hub, useful for monitoring and sending secure transmissions. Its hydroponic garden allows him to feed its crew without resupplying, though people do tend to complain about the lack of meat. He also has a deck promenade for crew relaxation. Although all this comes at the cost of a cargo space.”

“For armament he has four sludge secondary batteries, I am sure you are aware of their ability to rip apart hulls at close range. The rest of the weapons array are standard basic weapons that I imagine will be changed once he gets his refit. I might also add that the Montana has been outfitted with modular systems, allowing it to more efficiently replace its systems. Once they’ve been adapted to Order tech, replacing parts should be far easier.”

Admiral was a bit amused, but he kept a professional face. Montana may perhaps have ‘little’ cargohold for a ship of its class, but it still dwarfs the way more compact Osiris. He was quite pleased that now-gone builders of the ship managed to find time to create something more than a simple heavy gun platform with an engine. Perhaps a time when Insurgency wasn’t so hard pressed. His sight, and finger would go after the hangars of Montana. “Performing deep space missions may take its toll on the crew's morale so a promenade isn’t such a wasteful addition to a ship of its size. How are we standing with Montana’s fighter complement and capabilities?”

“Montana has a full wing of older Insurrectionist fighters, a few bombers but they are older than the fighters as most of the newer ones were given to the fleet fighting the Navy. The hangers themselves may need some updates to their systems but are still able to service our snub craft.” Cross replied. “The hangers are among the newer components that were installed after we arrived in the Omicrons.”

“Good. Seems like you do not like standing still for too long so I already have a task perfectly capable for your ship. While naturally Montana will remain in drydock for the work-up, I expect nonetheless for your crew to commence patrol duties. Launching, maintenance and recovery of patrol craft in Omicron Mu to be precise. WIll give your crew some time to become familiarized with Order hardware in the process.” Montana would become an extension to Carthage’s own docks effectively. “We will keep your craft operational for as long as it is economical. Acquiring spare parts or even fresh units won't be too difficult - some attempts to reproduce original blueprints are already ongoing on the black market - but you will see a good number of Order-built craft which form the mainstay in our fleet.”

Cross nodded. “I'm sure my crew will be more than happy to get off their hands and get back to work. I will instruct our hanger techs to start learning about order tech and snub craft so they can begin servicing any ships that need field repairs or anything else. I am also sure our fighter pilots will not mind spending some time in the simulator to learn the controls of Order Snub-craft, should you wish to replace the Montana’s current fighter complement.”

“Carthage’s got a full suite to introduce your pilots.” The Admiral seemed to have gotten enough answers, now turned his attention away from the ship itself to the Captain. “I had drilled you enough as-is, and you had gone through enough paperwork. Do you yourself have any questions? Given you will be joining our fleet in short order, we play open cards here.“

“Really the only question I have at the moment pertains to what Order officers will be joining the crew so I can make preparations to receive them, and make sure the crew does as well.”

“Most urgently, temporary engineer crews. We will also assign a couple of mid-command officers as well as additional fighter pilots. Stress Testing, disseminating institutional knowledge within mixed groups and operating fighter deck possibly 24-7 Terran time. It is a safe time and place to drill your crew, discover any potential shortcomings and bring them up to speed before you are thrown into fires of war.”
Cross smiled. “I think I can speak for my crew when I say I am looking forward to it.”

Captain Cross approached the Order Admiral and offered his hand to seal the deal. Grand Admiral Golanski took the former Insurrectionist captain’s hand. Meanwhile on board the Montana, the ships IFF tag was switched from INS-Montana to OCV-Montana.

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