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General Quarters has been sounded, shipmates scurry throughout the ship. I silently enter Missile Control, step in, close the door behind me, then briefly check to see that the crew is all present. As I look around I gather the feeling of each member through their facial expressions. The experienced crew members where attending to their duties with ease, while the newer individuals waited in fear for their instructions. |
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I turned to the main launch panel, and put on my headset, only to hear dead silence. This is the part I hated, the waiting, the anticipation of the known, the fear of the unknown. Then, in less than 2 minutes... |
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| Calling From: | Calling To / Response: | Communication / Response: |
|---|---|---|
| Weapons Control | Missile Launcher | Missile Launcher, aye |
| Weapons Control | Load dual salvo, weapons grade "B" and "C", grade "B" on rail "A", "C" on rail "B" | |
| Missile Launcher | Aye, loading "B" and "C" on "A" and "B"...Rails loaded, visual confirmation has been attained | |
| Weapons Control | aye...Stand by for launch | |
| Missile Launcher | Standing by... | |
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Through the silence other divisions come on line... |
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| Air Aft | Air Aft on line, we have a go | |
| Missile Plot | Missile Plot on line, we have a go | |
| Director | Director on line, we have a go | |
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...Then I call... |
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| Missile Launcher | Weapons Control | Weapons, aye |
| Missile Launcher | Launcher is green, systems are go | |
| Weapons Control | Launcher is green, aye...Stand by for the count...On my mark...5...4...3...2...1, Light 'em up! | |
| Missile Launcher | Launcher is lit... | |
And then, in less than 2 seconds you hear a load BOOM!!!, WHOOSH!!!, followed by BOOM!!! , WHOOSH!!!... |
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| Missile Launcher | Missile Launcher, Systems...Birds away, "A" and "B"!...Visual confirmation has been attained | |
| Air Aft | Air Aft, confirmed...we are tracking | |
| Missile Plot | Missile Plot, confirmed...roll correction steady | |
| Director | Director, confirmed...beam is hot | |
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...Finally, dead silence, as I wait for the next load order... |
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