“The simulation is now ready for you,” the officer said, coming up to PO1 Echelon.
Echelon had been chosen to perform in a gunnery simulation aboard the
Atrus. He had been in simulations before but never gunnery. It would be a unique experience for Echelon had never done something of the sort before. He had researched a little before the simulation, but he was anxious to see how well he would do.
Echelon wanted to learn the gunnery skill because it appealed to him. Gunnery could be considered perhaps one of the most important parts of battling in space. You can have defense, and you can have communications, but without weapons, you wouldn't destroy anything.
He got out of his chair and proceeded toward the large box in the middle of the room. He passed another man who was exiting the simulator, and he walked up the ramp and inside. The room was small, compared to what it was on the outside. There was seat in the middle with a control panel in front, and there were several screens resembling viewports.
Echelon sat himself down and buckled up. One of the simulation techs wished Echelon luck and closed the door. A moment later the screens booted up, showing the depths of (simulated) space. He checked his control panel and noticed he was on the starboard side of a CR-90, and was controlling some quad-laser cannons. Then he noticed on the map, that there were 3 craft coming towards him! A quick look out the view port confirmed the fact, and they were X-Wings!
They were coming close now, and Echelon carefully aimed. When he believed he could hit one, he fired. Right as his finger clicked the trigger, the X-Wings broke off to the sides avoiding his shots. He held the trigger and followed one with a trail of bolts, but it was too fast.
He cursed but then regained his composure.
This is going to be harder than I thought...They flew up, and out of his firing range, but the sensors confirmed that they were still there. One came around in his view, but it was travelling too fast, and his bolts flew behind it. Another one came around right in front of him, but he still couldn't seem to hit it.
Suddenly, one flew right in front of him, travelling along side the ship.
I’ll have to adjust my aim to his speed!He followed the X-Wing with his barrels, making slight adjustments for speed. He pressed the trigger. Several bolts flew out in rapid succession, the first few missing but every other one slamming into the X-Wing, sending sparks and debris in every direction. The X-Wing began to spiral, but then exploded into a powerful fire ball.
Hey! I did it! One down, two to go!The two seemed to regroup, and they travelled out beyond the ship before turning around for another attack run. This time, Echelon was sure he’d hit one. He aimed, but then realized they were too far out. It wouldn’t be likely that he would hit one. Suddenly, the ship, his ship, began to move slightly and the X-Wings were out of his vision, but it was only a moment later that they flew right above Echelon.
He pulled his turret toward the X-Wings and quickly fired a round of bolts, but the starfighters suddenly turned, and his bolts missed completely. The X-Wings came around to his side again, and this time, he wouldn't let one get away! Following them with his barrels, he held the trigger, and slowly his stream of plasma caught up with one. The ship exploded on impact, and Echelon silently cheered himself on.
He had read manuals on Gunnery, and he learned how the system worked, but even then, it was difficult for him. Though it was sort of like flying a TIE ship except that you were stationary. So far, the experience had been challenging, but fun. Echelon had picked up on things quickly in the past, but it was good to have to work for something.
Just one more...I can do this...The lone X-Wing pulled around and moved toward the port side of the ship. Then without warning, the CR-90 turned 180 degrees so Echelon would have a better firing position.
I can’t lose this chance!The X-Wing was travelling away now, realizing that Echelon could hit it. Echelon realized he would have to act fast before it got out of his range. He carefully aimed the turret. His hands were shaking slightly and his mouth was dry from excitement. The X-Wing was getting far away now! He needed to fire!
ClickHe pressed and held the trigger. A stream of charged particles raced torward his enemy, and they were not to be stopped! Each of the bolts, in immediate succession, raced into the X-Wing’s backside. The ship’s engine ignited, and it exploded into a brilliant mass of technicolored light.
Echelon smiled as the system went off, and the simulation ended. He stepped out of the craft, and returned to his daily duties.
I wonder if I should consider a transfer into gunner?- OOC:
- Word Count: 675. For the gunnery skill. I realized that maybe Echelon wouldn’t be the only gunner aboard the ship, but lets say they all got infected, turned into zombies, and died. I also hoped I didn’t godmod on this. I was afraid I did, but otherwise, I hope this works.
[This message has been edited by
Echelon
(edited January 31, 2012
12:27:48 AM)]
