McFate wrote:
...The crowds questions come quickly. “Can it be done? How fast is the probe? What if the trolls have more rear defenses than we anticipate? Does the Double Entandre have any fire power?”

“The Double Entandre has only one cannon. It is on a forward-fixed-mount and it shoots a wad consisting of millions of ‘smart’ projectiles designed to penetrate primary defenses. While the salvos have been proven effective when properly placed, the reload rate is very slow. In fact, we anticipate that in this quick mission, it may only possible to get one shot off and then it will be rendered useless until it can regenerate enough projectiles for a second shot. I am sorry to say that we don’t know what kind of resistance the trolls will have guarding their rear approach, for all we know they may be wide open or it may be rigged as a trap. We believe that the probe is the fastest ship in this fight but it takes a very subtle hand to make it perform to the best of its abilities. We need a driver with experience. Honestly, we have no idea how things will come out. All we can do is choose our point of penetration wisely and give it all we’ve got.” At this point Eddy pauses and scans the faces of the crowd.

“I volunteer!” Offers Daniel Boone. “No one has more flying time than me. I can shoot my way over, pull around and take them from behind.” There are lots of cheers of support, especially from his squad. If it were simply a popular vote, surely the deal would be made. After the supportive clamor finally calms down, GooRue speaks up. “As much as we all like Danny Boy, we have to make some careful considerations here. Danny is a great and deadly pilot. There is no doubt that some of his ¼ million kills were extracted from all of us present. But think here folks, Danny always shoots right up the middle, he hardly ever lets off of the trigger. We need someone who will be stealthy and operate without making himself the center of attention.” Says GooRue with a gracious smile and slight bow to Danny who is obviously disappointed yet returns a polite demur with a nod.

“How about Baron Von Zitz? He can sneak through anyone’s backdoor.” The crowd speaks up in debate. “Yea, he’s a real pain in the butt.” “The moment you get out of view he just goes down on you and drops his bombs on your base, you look back and everything is on fire.”

Says GooRue; “ Right, but this isn’t a bombing mission. This is recon. Who in Dogfight has experience in covert operations?”

“How about Porky?” Suggests McGray. “He did some covert ops during the siege of 'theDogOfDogs’. He posed as a wannabe minion and actually had some private correspondence with the ‘dalek’ troll. Come to think of it, Jackaroe was in on it too. Maybe they should pilot the probe.”

“Well, we all know they can fly a double entandre with the best of them.” Admits GooRue. “How about it guys? Senator Pork barrel? Jackaroe?”

“Sorry guys but I’m completely taken over by demands here.” Says Jackaroe, proprietor of the pub on the east bank, just south of the bridge. “As the only existing commissary, My staff and I are pulling miracles from every possible rabbit hole right now. The Jolly Roger has never tried serving all of Gretchland let alone doing it for several days; and to make matters worse, there are some who think this is an opportunity to binge on our vast cellars. Nope, I’m more useful to the cause from here, but I think the pig will be your man.”


“I’ll be your Huckleberry” Senator Pork Barrel, aka ‘Porky’ steps forward. GooRue looks him over and asks “But can you fly the Double Entandre?”

“Sirs and Mams,” addresses Porky. “I was born for this! The least I can do is stand up straight, take the helm and stick it to these trolls! I will probe the dark side of of the Gas Giants moon, where the sun never shines! They won’t see or hear me coming; but boy, won’t they be surprised when we drive our way in? What then? Do we have to blow their data centers before we shrink back to the fleet?...