[On board the VE CR-90 Gladius, Deep space patrol]

Einarr observed the Weapons officer as he demonstrated the form and function of the Corellian made AG-2G Quad laser cannon. Einarr knew to improve his knowledge on how best to repair the systems, first he would need to know how to use the system, and Weapons Officer Helmut Brunnson was willing to assist in this matter.

“As you can see, the high-volume gas feeds allow these babies to pack more punch when it comes to fending off those pesky fighters, factor in the enhanced cooling packs over here and we can keep the pressure on them so they have a harder time getting their torpedoes in range. Now the fire rate is assisted here by the splitter coupling, what that does is it disperses the beams making the targets shields work twice as hard to absorb the shot. This increases the chance that those pesky fighters will pop when hit rather than shrug and run.”

Einarr nodded as he considered the parts in question, the Weapons Officer was going into greater detail than he would for most trainee's, but the Corellian man knew that the Mon Cal wanted more than just how to fire the gun. “So how often do the Splitter couplings need replaced?” Einarr was observing the dual laser tips inset in the broad flat coupling at the end of each barrel. His gaze traveling down the barrel to the dome shaped focusing chamber, their dull sheen leading into the power cycler enshrouded in the Laser Actuator.

“Not as often as you would think lad, that cooling pipe by the chambers helps keep the guns from getting so hot the barrels crack out there under normal conditions. You still need to monitor the heat and control your fire, but the swivel mount needs greased pretty regular, and occasionally one of the Valves in the Gas feed busts a seal. That can bring the whole gun down if your not careful. Well what do you say? Want to give her a spin?”

The jaunty grin on the gunners face inspired a matching one on to grace Einarr's features. “Sure thing? We got a target?”

“We'll find something to pop a few blasts into. Now hop on up in there and strap in.” Officer Brunnson set the secondary headset over his ears, the boom microphone resting at the edge of his oiled mustache. “Dorsal turret 1 to Chief Gunnery Officer, Permission to go live for training on Petty Officer 2nd class Einarr Ghylthir.”

“Confirmed Dorsal 1, targeting drones free, should be in your view in a moment. Tell the fighter jock good luck.”

“Thank you sir, going live.” Brunnson signaled Einarr to grab the twin grips as the glowing red orbs of the targeting drones floated free in the darkness of space. Einarr worked the grips, the flexible hose moving with ridged yoke as the guns tracked on the movements in a well oiled motion. Einarr's feet pressed the foot pedals, the trundle turret rotating the guns in a 360 degree arc as he pressed the starboard, then switched to the port getting a feel for the motion.

“Gunner ready” Einarr reported as he settled into the rhythm of tracking the red orbs in their fast paced dance.

“Fire when ready.” This was all the incentive Einarr needed, his fingers squeezing the triggers. Crimson blasts of energy leapt free into the dark, the barrels retracting and resetting. His first few bursts slammed through the wake of the drones forcing Einarr to adjust his aim to lead them slightly. He worked the grips and the pedals as he adjusted and his second burst passed ahead of the small drone. A curse slipped out under his breath as he adjusted once more, his mind so used to adjusting to the motion of a fighter, forced to compensate for a relatively stable targeting platform. His third volley shattered the first drone, reducing the little AI piloted craft to small fragments as the drifted aft. Einarr adjusted as he tracked the second drone, Cassius having figured out the targeting method adjusting Einarr's aim as the next volley launched itself from the tips of the turrets barrels.  The final drone was reduced to debris, Einarr nodded as he relaxed his grip on the triggers.

“Not bad lad, your a fast learner. Little trouble at first, but you got it.” His expression of satisfaction was abruptly changed as the General Quarters klaxon sounded.

“General Quarters, General Quarters, all to their action stations. Enemy fighter patrol sighted. I repeat, enemy fighter patrol sighted.”  The announcement rang over both headsets as well as the speakers inset in the walls.

“Engage at will lad, I’ll go handle the secondary. Give me hell!” Weapons Officer Brunnson rushed from the station heading for the opposing number in the belly of the CR-.

Einarr tracked the gun in a slow arc, watching the scope as he did so, the enemy patrol split, 2 going for the belly, 3 coming for the dorsal sections. Einarr began lining the guns up on the lead fighter as it entered extreme range, holding his fire until he had a better shot so as not to spook the enemy into evading to soon. The bright flare of a proton torpedo launch registered as Einarr squeezed the trigger on his guns, his barrels tracking the fast moving torpedo. Crimson blasts leapt out in quick succession, a blast resulting from a lucky shot finding and touching off the warhead, the stream of fire continued through the debris, the rear most fighter in the formation evading into the fire by accident and deteriorating into fragments under the barrage. Einarr released the triggers as he worked the scope back onto the lead fighter, his aim adjusting to compensate for lead time as he let loose another cascade of bolts in a 2-2 pattern. The fighter turned in evasive maneuvers, forcing Einarr to compensate with a new spray pattern, the blasts passing to either side in an effort to catch the enemy X-wing in a bad turn.  The enemy pilot refused to oblige Einarr, but his wing mate was not so fortunate. The second T-65 disappeared in a flash of overloaded shields and vaporized hull plating. Einarr continued to hunt the final target, his eyes flashing to the scope as Brunnson reported his sector clear.

“Dorsal 1 to WO Brunnson, the final one is giving me some trouble, any help?”

“WO to Dorsal 1, heading your way. Got a crewman on this gun I'll be there to take over shortly.”

Einarr kept up his efforts, the enemy pilot evading death at the hands of the turret, but also unable to line up for a straight shot with the torpedo launcher. The occasional emerald blast of lasers streaked from the fighter to disappear against the shields in a burst of light. Einarr had to finish this before the New Republic fighter got enough time to line up a missile. Einarr studied the craft through the transparisteel gun port, seeking a pattern or repeated maneuver to exploit. He found it as the enemy fighter pulled off a roll followed by a loop. Einarr resumed his pattern forcing the fighter to continue its pattern of evasive maneuvers, as the fighter began its roll Einarr moved his aim quickly with the pedals and the grips to intersect his next set of shots into the projected loop. Brunnson entered the gunnery station as the fighter detonated in the fire of the laser blasts, the shot having caught it behind the cockpit when the shields failed.

“Well done lad, good show. That poor bastard never knew what hit it!” Brunnson rushed forward to pat Einarr heavily on the back in congratulations. The Mon cal was rocked forward by the over enthusiastic show of support, but his hands released the grips and he started unbuckling the harness as the usually gunner entered behind the weapons officer and prepared to take his duty station.

“I give all credit to the training sir, thank you for showing me the gun.” Einarr turned to the officer taking his spot in the seat. “And thank you as well sir for the loan of the gun. I think I will be sticking to the cockpit though. More flexibility.” The pair of Gunnery officers laughed heartily as Brunnson led Einarr from the weapons station and towards the quarters for a well deserved round of drink.

OOC:

OOC: 1424 words

many thanks deepsix, was holding off on any additional cert posts since it looked like the staff was getting a bit overwhelmed with RL issues so did not want to toss to many more irons in the fire for them on here.