Battlecraft (2006) Read Online Free PDF

the pair of control yokes for manipulating the variable-pitch airscrews, as well as the foot pedals used for the rudders. The throttle was to the right of the sticks. "What about the rest of the ordnance? Who's the designer?"
    "That'd be me, sir," Veronica said. "It's all installed and the technicians have returned to their home stations. I'll operate it all from my position at the chain gun." She took them out to the deck and pointed to two weapons wings that had been added to the sides of the cabin. Each held three pods. "The first is a Penguin antiship missile," Veronica explained. "An AIM-9L antiaircraft missile is mounted on the second, and the third sports a seven-round 2.75-inch rocket launcher. All this is aimed inside by me from my station. I have combination radar and laser target-acquisition systems. I also spew out chaff and flares to throw off incoming enemy ordnance when appropriate."
    "This was all done pretty fast," Brannigan remarked. "When we arrived here on the eighth, this was pretty much an empty shell."
    "We've been working around the clock, sir," Veronica explained. "And a lot of this weaponry and equipment comes in kit form."
    "I'd like to meet the two crewmen," Brannigan said.
    "Aye, aye, sir."
    The two sailors left their tasks when summoned and formed up as directed by the female JG. Brannigan walked up to them, stopping in front of the first. "Name and duties."
    The sailor, a short blond man with intelligent eyes, presented himself. "Petty Officer First Class Paul Watkins, sir. I'll act as the helmsman as well as assist Lieutenant Rivers to navigate, maintain charts, and plot courses."
    "Very well, Watkins." As Watkins stepped back, Brannigan turned his eyes on the second sailor, who was a kid with a happy-go-lucky expression on his face. "And you?"
    "Sir, I am Petty Officer Second Class Bobby Lee Atwill," he responded in a marked Southern accent. He was covered with grease and oil, and was as short as Watkins but darker and more easygoing in appearance. "I'm the turbine system technician. I run and fix our engine."
    "Have you developed a rapport with it as of yet?" Brannigan asked.
    "Yes, sir," Atwill answered. "I sure have. What we have here is the Argentine Poder-Ventaja system. The DuBose guys helped design it, so they got with me and we took her apart and slapped her back together." He shrugged. "Well, not completely apart, but enough that I got to know her really good."
    "What's your opinion of the power plant?" Brannigan asked.
    "Cap'n, I'd marry her if I could," Atwill said.
    Brannigan grinned at the kid's obvious enthusiasm. "I don't think Navy regulations permit that, Atwill, but you can go steady with her if you want. Is she ready for a trial run?"
    "Gimme a couple of hours more, sir," Atwill said. "There's some last-minute tuning to do."
    Brannigan checked his watch and glanced over at Veronica Rivers. "Let's take her out at fourteen hundred hours. Will we be able to play war with her?"
    "Can do, Captain," she answered.
    .
    1400 H0URS LOCAL
    BRANNIGAN , Cruiser, and Lieutenant Veronica Rivers situated themselves in the cabin, each taking their respective positions, while Atwill went aft into the small engine compartment. Veronica prepared herself for a simulated fire mission with the weapons system. Brannigan settled into his chair directly behind Watkins, who sat eagerly in the helmsman position.
    "Let's take her out," Brannigan said. He picked up the intercom. "Engine room, what's your status."
    "Everything is a go, sir," Atwill replied.
    "All right then," Brannigan said. "Watkins, show us your stuff."
    "Aye, aye, sir!" The helmsman hit the starter, and the strong vibrations from the gas-turbine engine could be felt as it kicked to life.
    "Left full rudder," Brannigan said. "Ahead one third."
    "Left full rudder," Watkins said. "Ahead one third, aye, sir." He manipulated the transmission and clutch levers to engage the airscrew and lift fan. He turned rudder and airscrews for a port turn