Optimistic Endstate
Government Contracts
If you're stumbling upon this post for the first time, you're entering the narrative midway through its unfolding saga. Alternatively, if you've eagerly awaited the next episode, consider revisiting Chapter Index to refresh your memory.
Behind the pilot and co-pilot seats of the hybrid airship N-798 LM was a flight deck with jump seats for additional crew or VIP passengers. Even though he was physically located at the Skunk Works Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, Ranell’s avatar was virtually projected into one of the jump seats aboard the USS Alexander Mooney, one of the newest of the HORAS class warships.
“Weather report is mostly sunny with seventy percent humidity, Captain.” The navigator called out to Captain Pruitt, the pilot. “Winds northeast at fifteen knots. Ten percent chance of rain. Expected high today of eighty-five.”
It was summertime over Oahu, Hawaii. Those islands are gorgeous, Ranell could see several in the chain. He knew from previous vacations that countless tourists were sipping mai tais down along those golden beaches. He stared longingly out of the window. What a wonderful place.
“It’s almost time for your staff meeting, sir.” The voice was transmitted through the headphones he was wearing. Ranell pulled his gaze away from the islands and lowered the XR goggles over his eyes. An avatar appeared of the young man in his early twenties. He seemed energetic and professional, dressed in his olive-drab Nomex flight suit. “Did you say you needed help interfacing with the remote feed?”
“Yes, please,” Ranell replied, his hands moving up to feel the large headset that he wore. It was disorienting. “I’ve used extended reality goggles a few times before, but I’m not familiar with this type.”
“Whoa!” Ranell found himself outside, floating midair above the airship. Instinctively, he flailed his arms, making the situation worse. The terrifying sensation of falling was only relieved when his hands slammed down on the Skunk Works conference room table.
“Just sit still, Dr. Ranell,” the crewman gently chided, chuckling softly. “Don’t touch anything else. I’ll get you to the control cabin.”
Moments later, a somewhat embarrassed Ranell was sitting in what appeared to be a control room. The space was cramped. Two of the seats were occupied by real-world crewmen, and three others besides Ranell were participating in the meeting as virtually projected avatars. The walls of the ship were packed with sophisticated-looking electronic equipment.
“Welcome aboard,” Captain Pruitt began the meeting without fanfare. “Let me begin by apologizing for your limited access to the ship’s systems. You’ll notice that most of the control panels have been blocked from your view.”
Ranell looked around again and realized he couldn’t see any screens or read-outs. They’d been grayed out, edited from sight.
Choose Option 1: Learn More About Hacked US Weapons
Choose Option 2: Continue Story