first simulator run was not to his satisfaction.
Only three-fourths of them reached the target. Their hits were poor,
and less than half of them escaped. North took the Commanders of the
attack ships to the auditorium and tore into them like an angry Hashon
dog.
21 The next run they did far better. There was no question any more
that the training was a game, to be taken half-heartedly. There could
be sudden shifts of position.
22 Day by day the training grew harder and harder. North pushed his
crews relentlessly though his vision was now completely gone and he was
living in a world of total darkness. I.S. had become his eyes, and his
ears told him things that his vision missed. Day after day both North
and his crews went to bed exhausted, but day after day the simulator
runs became better and better.
23 When they got down to nine per cent losses, North was pleased. He
didn't tell his men that, but he was pleased! If they could get back
with less than ten per cent he would consider that miraculous.
The day before they were to go up to the ships, North
arranged a surprise. The wives and girlfriends of all the Officers were
brought on base, and the grounds became a gigantic party. The wives and
sweethearts didn't seem to mind that they would have to spend a week
shut up in
this installation until the news came that the mission was in progress.
Many of them knew this might be the last time they ever saw their men
alive, again.
25 Finally the Officers returned to their ships in orbit on the fringe
of The Hashon System. As the armada slowly crossed the screen of The
Morning Star, I.S. named them off, giving their class, and, what
additional weapons they carried. For instead of cargo pods, each ship
carried a full load of missile racks.