INTRO
We were lost south of the mainland and without communications but the sky was clear. Sarina was upbeat.
Everyone was waiting for Sarina’s Graphic of a futuristic Starship Space Convoy Manoeuvre to be made available.
Sarina and Soldier Sam were responsible, in some respect, for this disaster. They had reacted to an immediate crisis without understanding the larger situation.
This was a situation that the resident crew had understood, which was why they had started an evacuation before attempting to suppress the fire.
Sarina and Soldier Sam were very good at figuring out what could go wrong, and good at predicting how the crew respond to things going wrong. How people act in a crisis. They had the science to manage it. Study it. Focus on it.
We live it, over and over again, for the sake of the people who will hopefully only have to live it once. Or never.
Preparedness is how Sarina and Soldier Sam make sure things have a chance to go right even when they’ve already gone wrong.
"What are we going to do?" asked Sarina. Sarina looked concerned. "I don't know," Soldier Sam answered. "Let's call Mission Control and see if Rams Mascot has any suggestions."
Suddenly, we saw a three flash blast, a red one, a white one and a blue one. We wondered for a moment who it could be and then Sarina pulled our attention to the Space news report. The Avengers had been spotted flying overhead!
Perfect timing we figured, if only we could contact the Avengers and ask of their help then Super Monster could be stopped! We worked together and wrote letters to every superhero we knew, it wasn’t long until they all arrived on Planet X.
Working together, we and the superheroes decided to build a machine which would transport Sarina to Superhero camp, where Rams Mascot and his team could make Planet X great again!
Rams Mascot could see what they were up to and he could see the Storm Troopers fleeing from their planet in search for help- so our visit is no surprise to them! Rams Mascot gave Sarina some extra power to fly our space crafts into orbit.
Fortunately, we knew Sarina once travelled to space in record time while someone was getting Soldier Sam’s dinner ready. Sarina knew all about what we would need so Rams Mascot called her and she gave such good advice and told Rams Mascot all about her own travels to space.
We decided Sarina’s space craft was an easier option than building a rocket, as that would take forever! So we got to work and within hours had they travelling devices ready.
The portion of the ship that housed the rocket starter was heavily damaged. The batteries that turned the starter were completely destroyed. We began to consider we might be trapped on Planet X.
A spinning silver doughnut slung to a long, axel-like hub by a series of tension cables, our Station held itself together and generated spin gravity through a careful balance of forces.
The result was making its defaults seem all the more apparent—but our homeport is set at default as well. So easy to disrupt or destroy. It’s just so much bigger than us that we can trick ourselves about its resilience. About our own resilience.
Soon after, still being hungry, Soldier Sam quickly jumped inside the rocket and safely flew back to the Station That moment, Soldier Sam heard something coming from the kitchen: “Soldier Sam, it’s time to have your meal!’’
Soldier Sam finally had something to eat. This was turning into an unforgettable adventure with Sarina. They could explore space once again, but for longer.
Sarina and Soldier Sam had their next coordinates set and were cruising in formation with the Starship piloted by Rams Mascot.
Rams Mascot had just returned from a distant Star and while Sarina and Soldier Sam and were getting ready to put the Starship in cruise control for the night they heard a loud “BANG!”
Sarina and Soldier Sam looked around at each other, “What was that!?” shouted Soldier Sam.. “Uh-oh, maybe a fuse blew in the engine room?” Or is someone trying to fire on our position?”
The engine room night shift radioed Sarina and confirmed that, yes, it was a short fuse in the Engine Room that caused the disruption but the crew had fixed it an they were good to go for the night.
Early the next morning, Sarina was jolted awake by the sound of troubling gun fire some distance to their Starship. She ran outside and asked where it came from.
Sarina showed up in the control center only to learn that one of their fleet was taken out of action, permanently.
Rams Mascot’s Starship had survived the attack and said he didn’t understood how the flanking friendly got taken out, but confirmed the loud fire they had heard was in fact their partner ship blowing up into the Starlit night.
What a loss that would be to their effort. Rams Mascot was still in the lead, with a mission to find any planet that could support the next Season of Rams Football.
Sarina was waiting for Mission Control to find out how they had lost the ship. Were they too in danger? No one knew.
Rams Mascot radioed Sarina and said “if Mission Control is not going to figure out how that adversary ship breached our formation, then we have to do it.”
Soldier Sam was on patrol duty and began their search for the adversary ship. He noticed a trail of footsteps and began to follow them closely.
The tracks looked smaller than the radar signature left by most Starships they had encountered in the past and it had a distinctive tail, like it was headed for a planet neither Sarina’s ship or the Spacecraft commanded by Rams Mascot had visited in the past.
“Maybe it’s from a distant Planet in another Galaxy” suggested Rams Mascot.
“No, I think they are definitely some sort of Local thing” responded Soldier Sam. They argued over the prints when Sarina noticed a mysterious Moon right in front of them.
Sarina and Soldier Sam landed on the Moon and Rams Mascot took his ship into overdrive. Rams Mascot was now to be the Lead Scout in search of a Planet that could be home to Rams Football.
Sarina and Soldier Sam debarked from their ship and began to explore the Moon to look around for clues.
Suddenly, Soldier Sam lifted a handle on the Welcoming Pad and quickly realized that it was a trap door.
After informing Rams Mascot of their new position on the Moon, Sarina and Soldier Sam decided that they needed to investigate it and although Rams Mascot was skeptical, he agreed.
The door led Sarina and Soldier Sam to an underground tunnel where they walked for quite a while in the darkness with only a flashlight from the cabin. There were strange noises and Solider Sam was signalling for caution.
After a while, Sarina and Soldier Sam arrived at a section of the tunnel with a single hanging light and decided to sit down to rest.
“It feels like we’ve been walking forever!” said Soldier Sam.
Then all of a sudden, Sarina and Soldier Sam received a Stress Signal from Rams Mascot. Rams Mascot said he was being pulled right into the darkness of another Galaxy!
Sarina and Soldier Sam immediately hustled back to their Starship, and in an instant were traveling again at Light Speed in search of Rams Mascot.
Rams Mascot was pushing the emergency button as Sarina and Soldier Sam jumped up and shot off into the darkness trying to locate him.
They ran frantically trying to find Rams Mascot until they came across a wind-swept portal to a part of the solar system they were totally unaware of, and they were sure Rams Mascot was on the other side of it.
Together Sarina and Soldier Sam counted to three and charged right through the door. What they found was not Rams Mascot at all.
Sarina and Soldier Sam looked up at their controls and saw, in contrast to their normal setup, their monitor was flashing full of screens, and thousands of buttons glowing in all different colors the likes of which they had never witnessed.
On the screen in front of them was a map of the Milky Way. The other screens had what looked like planets that neither of them had ever learned about in training exercises.
Sarina and Soldier Sam were shocked beyond belief.
“What is this place?” asked Sarina with a look of uncertainty on her face.
“It looks like some sort of outer space control center” Soldier Sam replied.
Sarina had just noticed strange text on the screen that she didn’t quite understand, when suddenly the door behind them slammed shut.
“It’s not opening!” shouted Soldier Sam pulling the handle as hard as he could.
They both looked up at the ceiling and noticed orange smoke starting to come from the vents and it was quickly filling the room.
Sarina and Soldier Sam looked at each other before suddenly collapsing in a deep sleep.
After many hours had passed, Sarina and Soldier Sam began to wake up, this time in a much different place.
“Where are we?” asked Soldier Sam as they both looked around.
Their normal control room had been transformed into a small space with only a locked door. Sarina dug in her pocket and pulled out the master key, then tried to unlock the door with it.
After trying and trying, Sarina and Soldier Sam finally decided to give up right as they heard a “beep!” and the door slid open.
“Rams Mascot!” they both shouted excitedly as they saw him there standing in the doorway.
Sarina and Soldier Sam had entered “The Situation Room”.
They knew they needed a plan to pitch their next moves to Rams Mascot. And these proposals needed to be made up on the Spot!!
“Sarina needs to sleep before engaging the targets. Another hour, at least.” Solider Sam insisted.
“Sir, the crew addressed Solider Sam, Sarina’s action profile indicates otherwise. She has a go/no-go decision to make with HQs She can sleep when she’s back State Side.
“Don’t say it. You’re getting punchy.” Solider Sam retorted.
“I just go by the data.” the crew chief explained.
“But I’m the duty officer, said Solider Sam. You’re the chief of staff. This is the first time she’s slept in three days. Another hour.”
That’s the moment Sarina sits up and reaches for the bottle of bourbon that’s under her bunk. It’s always hot back here.
Sarina, hardened from years of battle operated the Starship, nicknamed “the Unstoppable Bronx Bomber’ It sways on the Intergalactic Turnpike, its suspension groaning under the weight of tons of armor and servers. Then it settles back into its smooth, relentless drive forward into the night.
We are a Space Armada, snaking through the Universe like fugitives, scrambling to yet another secure location from which Sarina can lead the campaign.
Sarina motions to Soldier Sam with one hand, and wipes sleep out of her eyes with the other. “Get my rig online,” Sarina says. “How long until we’re at Site Romeo?”
“Another 30 minutes to the gates, but we go dark in . . . 10 minutes.” explained Solider Sam
“OK. What time is it on Saturn? Are the Admirals ready for me now?” asked Sarina.
“Yes, ma’am. You’ll have three minutes with the Admirals. Also, the President left a message.”
Sarina put the bottle down and swings here legs off the bed. “And?”
“He said to proceed. Informing Congress will come after.”
All Sarina can respond with is, “Good.” Sarina doesn’t want to show any signs of frustration, nor to count the cost of chronic indecision from leadership, a toll that was becoming measured.
Sarina has an almost impossibly difficult job today.
As the Rams HQs faces a changeover in leadership, Sarina’s guidance will be crucial in the coming years where futuristic conflicts are certain to be overwhelmingly influenced by artificial intelligence and robotic autonomous systems that will revolutionise warfare at speeds human cognition simply cannot keep up with.
This line of thinking frequently leads to conversations about how Super Soldiers will be augmented with things like direct human-machine interface and nanomachine infused bottles of bourbon.
But what about Sarina?
In a conflict scenario like the one described above, superhuman soldiers may not actually get a frontline role if swarms and other drones take their place. But the mission will indeed need someone with almost superhuman-like abilities like Sarina
Sarina is developing plans to reorganise and reprioritise the organisation in real time, becoming immersed in data while using technology to never lose sight of leadership’s human dimensions and maintaining the digital speed operational tempo of the Force.
Should a Hyperwar-type conflict arise in the Universe, AI-powered automation will define the operational environment and put enormous pressure on organisations—and leaders like Sarina must be prepared for high levels of operational and cognitive agility.
Decision-making and warfighting will revolve around networks, perhaps with both occurring on the same ones. Moreover, while AI-enabled predictive models will be able to help leaders like Sarina “see” these future scenarios ahead of time, decision-makers will need to be adept at intuitive or recognition-primed decision-making.
“The Only Ordinary Day Was Yesterday. “ Sarina always says.
Sarina’s mission to find a Destination suitable for Rams Games will be familiar in some ways—maintaining relationships with Rams HQs, for example—but dramatically different in several significant areas, managing: organisational structure, operational tempo, communications and network integrity, and force employment.
While it will take a network to win in the New Era of the Universe, ensuring mission plans emphasize critical decision timelines will be a real-time responsibility for Sarina. Given the speed with which a crisis may unfold, Sarina’s decisive leadership during the early moments or hours may mean the difference between victory and a defeat or stalemate.
Yet load sharing is about more than machines. Just as Sarina will exert more operational influence, Solider Sam’s Deputy position will take on new responsibilities that are more concept- and policy-oriented than today’s, developing and implementing new concepts of operation. In Hyper-Speed scenarios, flash modernisation efforts that break boundaries and hierarchies, and even rules, will need a strong advocate to ensure they don’t stall.
Sarina will not be able to live and work sequestered inside one of Rams Nation’s deepest bunkers wired into a closely managed communications and data network. The necessity to build coalitions with the Los Angeles community and abroad, and maintain connection with frontline forces all mean Sarina will be constantly on the move.
Accordingly, Sarina will operate within a virtual and mobile communications bubble that depends on a sprawling grid consisting of terrestrial, undersea, aerial, and space networks.
Much as today, no matter where or when, Sarina will have to be capable of accessing a highly distributed and secure command-and-control network. But Sarina and other principals may be augmented through technical means permitting the chain of command to “think” communications in real time.
Voice communication may even become too slow in some cases, such as campaigns that rapidly shift between defensive and offensive operations. Means of communication therefore must evolve with the speed of hyper-missions.
Sarina might wear a personal “wearable communications” ensemble, which could feature a next-generation human-machine biophysical interface.
A day in the life of Sarina sees the kinds of true survival decisions that are unique to her office—and that not even Hollywood hyperbole can exaggerate.
The clock is always ticking on a crisis or urgent need for the officials in charge. Yet, the crises Sarina is charged with leading are not even like scenarios pulled from thriller novels; rapid shipment of blast -proof rocket launchers require decisive action.
It will be the same during the next two decades, but the speed with which such dilemmas arrive and require resolution—as well as their technological complexity—will be unprecedented. But it need not come as a surprise if Pentagon leaders can begin to imagine and prepare for a day in the life of the Sarina in the new era of Hyper-Space missions.
In particular, it will be dangerously easy to focus attention on crises-of-the-moment and overlook ensuring that Rams recruiting identifies individuals like Sarina, a bastion of of integrity, character, and moral courage.
Sarina was recruited based on her exceptional capacity to decide, communicate, and act in this Hyper-Space. The entire process of Sarina’s training and education will need to move at machine-speed as well, with a focus on learning and performing through AI-supported, individualised augmented- and virtual-reality training and education regimens.
Sarina is also likely to train in virtual environments because in real life they may be highly distributed, out of strategic necessity or by design to create a force with experiences, backgrounds, and cognitive diversity suited to the Hyperspeed Era.
Soldier Sam leans in with a hand on Sarina’s shoulder. He can read her bio-stats from anywhere on the Starship, so this is a vestige of old-school relationship connection as he remotely adjusts the Love she gets from him
Soldier Sam looks at his virtual reality screen. “ Sarina is secure at Rendezvous Point Romeo.”
The Starship’s cabin brightens measurably as the pump pulses. Sarina sits upright, and smooths out her hair and puts the Holo Rig back on. Sarina has been wearing the helmet every waking hour during the past few weeks.
What nobody knows, though, is that Sarina has it muted much of the time. She keeps the sound off.
There’s too much data for a human to make a sound decision quickly, so Sarina let the battle management nets work their magic.
Soldier Sam is not as smart as Sarina and hasn’t yet figured this out; he’s unable to act with the speed that this conflict requires because he is chronically plugged in.
Sarina says she plans on speaking about the strategy with Soldier Sam at some future point and fill him in on how she does it.
That is, if Sarina ever gets to see Solider Sam again on the same deployment.
That’s not something Sarina can entertain now, however. There’s work to do. And Solider Sam is awaiting orders.
Sarina approached the Crew, “For this we have to enlist the help of the entire crew” Hearing this, the Crew came forward and said, “We are ready. What is the matter to do? We will do whatever it takes to save the ship.”
The Sea Wolf arcade game has been released, based on an electro-mechanical, coin-operated game called Sea Devil. Sea Devil, in turn, was based on a submarine simulator, Periscope.
By looking through the periscope mounted on the game, players may take aim and fire torpedoes at ships and other objects on the surface of the ocean. The periscope swivels left and right, true to real submarines.
Players can destroy a handful of different targets on the surface of the ocean: floating mines that can be dangerous obstructions, fast-moving PT boats and destroyers.
The original Sea Wolf arcade game is black and white, oriented horizontally, and makes use of a simple blue overlay to denote the color of the water. Each time players land a proper hit on a ship, a light is reflected inside the scope to simulate an explosion.
The game also includes basic sounds like PT boat motors and sonar pings. Another unique feature of the Sea Wolf arcade game is that it displays both the current score of the player as well as the game’s high score—it was one of the first arcade games to incorporate high scores.
Homemade Under the Sea Battleships is another great idea from Sarina’s Charts. Use dice and a chess board to make your own battleship under the sea themed game!
One day Sarina called a meeting of the Crew. In that meeting, everyone was going to solve how can the enemy ships be avoided so the Game can be won?
The crew came to the Meeting. Sarina started the meeting with her whistle. Sarina asked the crew, “What can we do to prevent ourselves from being sunk by those enemy ships?”
Hearing this, the Crew on the Submarine were troubled. They had to face this problem in the coming days. Many times these enemy ships aimed to destroy their Submarine.
The Crew saw the truth in Sarina’s talk. The Crew asked, “Well, tell us what would we have to do?”
Sarina told everyone her plan. Now everyone was ready. Everyone was waiting for when the enemy ships would arrive.
Up Periscope!
A submarine has two periscopes: an attack periscope and a search periscope. The search periscope is used to look for targets and also for guidance as the sub navigates through the water. The attack periscope is smaller than the search periscope and is used if a sub is ready to attack
Try this periscope activity and make a spy tool for looking around corners, and out of windows. If you enjoy easy games then this fun periscope activity is ideal! Peak around corners with this periscope activity. The object is to see without being seen. Or, you can jump right in and begin with our secret message-making activity at the end of our party instructions.
Periscope Game idea: Submarine Hide and Seek – One person is “it” and must stake out a spot behind a barrier. This barrier is “base”. The seeker is not allowed to look out from behind that barrier except through the scope. The hider’s goal is to sneak up and touch base without being spotted through the periscope. First person spotted is “it”!
Thanks to numerous contributions from the crew, many of the commands have more than one possible action. In these cases, you might want to choose one of the actions and teach this to Sarina. You could also show her all the possible actions related to each command, and let her choose which one they prefer.
Ever since their introduction, there’s something about submarines that fascinates people. Maybe it’s the unimaginable experience of being in a metal tube thousands of feet under the ocean’s surface, skulking along, waiting for a chance to surface and BOOM! attack with a well-placed torpedo.
Or maybe it’s the fact that submarines are the wild card of modern warfare, able to sneak up on ships without warning in a way that no other craft or vessel can manage. From The Hunt for Red October to Run Silent, Run Deep, there have certainly been a lot of movies made about submarine warfare, some incredibly tense and gripping.
When game designers wanted to create a fun and interesting multiplayer roll and write game, it’s no surprise their attention turned to submarines! If you’re not familiar with roll and write it’s a category of board games that are designed to be fast, lightweight, and affordable.
The goal of the combat engine is to maneuver a model of a submarine on the playing board, collecting essential items avoiding collisions with undersea objects, and destroying the enemy.
Players roll customised dice for each duty station to perform their functions—if their station has power. For example, the helm station has dice with symbols indicating various combinations of forward movement for one or two spaces, coming about, and turns to port or starboard.
While powered, the helmsman may roll the helm dice and set aside those maneuvers that fulfill the captain’s orders at each decision point. The other stations also have custom dice tailor-made for their particular functions.
Sarina keeps schedules moving by directing the movement of energy from engineering to all of the other divisions.
All the while, the enemy team is doing the same thing.
Each player board has a control panel along the bottom that indicates what of your weapon and propulsion systems are still intact and a display of the opponent’s submarine with a grid superimposed. There’s an intro board for multiplayer called the Training Board and an advanced board called Mission Mode both for players really ready to rumble and for the solo game.
You’ll notice that there are two types of target spots: those with “sight” marks denoting it’s a critical spot, and those without. Remember, this is your control panel along the bottom, but your opponent’s submarine in the “porthole”. shoot out the four targets creating a sort of sideways “L” shape on the periscope and you’ve disabled their periscope and moved one step closer to winning the game.
Meanwhile, they’re shooting at you too, of course, so they’re going to mark their picture of your sub and you’ll have to cross out the dashboard weapon system capabilities along the bottom of your own board as they destroy things.
The first person to destroy all the enemy systems wins. (this means you don’t have to hit every single dot, just those that are actually targets).
Much further into the game and I’m poised to win even though it’s looking rather dire on the solo automaton board on the top left:
Suddenly, huge fireballs started to rain on the enemy. Those Fireballs sure did the trick.
Done. Winner!! Sorry, mate, about sinking your submarine, of course, but that’s Torpedo Dice for you in solo mode.
There are no enemy ships left in the Ocean anymore. All the Crew started living free. Now everything was fine in the World!
I imagine it’ll be fun as a multiplayer game too, but haven’t had a chance to play this competitively yet. Definitely a good one and inexperienced player friendly too with its erasable board, lively design and simple play mechanism.
Sarina recently announced that she will use Xbox controllers to operate periscopes in her newest submarines.
We got together and we asked Sarina, 'What can we do to make your life better?'... "And one of the things that came out is the controls for the scope. It's kind of clunky in your hand; it's real heavy."
The advantage of using Xbox 360 controllers lies not just in accessibility, but also in price. On average, a new Xbox 360 controller in somewhere between $30 to $40 online, while the typical cost for the specially designed photonic mast handgrip and imaging control panel made for modern submarines is around $38,000.
This isn't the first time that we have used video game controllers in order to cut costs and simplify technology.
A new sub was commissioned, hailed to not just to be the newest fast attack sub ever but also a marvel of technology and innovation.
Part of that innovation comes via the use of one of the most familiar methods of control to operate the sub’s new Photonics Masts: a wired Xbox 360 controller.
Don’t worry, the entire attack submarine isn’t driven by a game controller. Or any of its critical systems. The Xbox controllers are simply there for operating the two new photonic masts, the submarine’s non-penetrating digital camera periscopes. These replace traditional periscopes and hold both a visible camera as well as an infrared digital camera on top of telescoping arms.
Controlling those periscopes aren’t as easy as war and spy films suggest them to be. They got so frustrating that the Navy conducted research and surveys on the best control device possible. They ended up with one that was not only familiar but also cheap.
Many of the Crew who will be living in the sub will have grown up with gaming consoles, especially an Xbox. They’ll be familiar enough with the controls that it might feel almost second nature to them.
Plus, the Navy can use off the shelf Xbox 360 controllers with very little to no modification.
There are plenty of compatible versions available to keep Sarina occupied during her Submarine Party!!
That night while sleeping on the Starship floor, Sarina had a crazy dream.
Soldier Sam gave her a phone as an early Birthday Present. And it had on speed dial both the Light House and an Island Bakery stocked with Birthday Cakes!
Sarina first called the Light House and asked what was the status of their sea rescue brigade, told the dispatcher her birthday was almost here also that she and Solider Sam were stranded outside Buccaneer Bay in a small boat.
The dispatcher replied that their only rescue operations in service that night were a fleet of helicopter drones to pinpoint the location of their boat and the rescue crew would arrive in the morning.
Then the dispatcher said the rescue brigade will take you straight to the Bakery when you get ashore so you could get your Birthday Cake.
In her Dream, Sarina was rowing and Soldier Sam was asleep. Soon she could not believe her eyes and was overcome with shock when she looked to the island and there were dozens of swarming helicopter drones launching from the beach!
They rise and fall, hover, fly sideways and backwards, shoot flares, back up, spring forward, dip, dart off again, lift ships, drop radio transmission towers, lose their rotor blades and roll over, fire missiles, crash into one another.
"Soldier Sam, Soldier Sam, Wake Up!! Look at the skies! “Sarina says.
Sarina called the Light House immediately and asked the dispatcher what was the status of the rescue mission?
“Where are all these helicopter drones going?" asked Sarina.
“Wherever they are programmed to go. That’s how they pinpoint your location," replied the dispatcher.
Sarina carefully considered the answer as she tried to translate the content.
Soldier Sam piped up and said: “You should have asked the dispatcher what the drones would do if the signaling programme from the Light House was jammed.
Sarina called the dispatcher up again.
“Where are the drones going?" Sarina asked and without waiting for a reply continued, “Wherever they are programmed to go, I suppose. Well, let me ask you . . ."
“You’re mistaken," the dispatcher interrupted Sarina. “Tonight, the drones are going wherever the wind blows."
This answer so confused Sarina she could not think of anything to say.
Soldier Sam said: “You should have asked the dispatchers what the drones would do if there were no wind."
Sarina called back the Light House again.
Sarina was confident that this time she would have the last word.
“Where are the drones going?" Sarina asked. “Wherever they are programmed to go or wherever the wind blows, I suppose. Well, let me ask you . . . . "
“No, no," the dispatcher interrupted. “Tonight the drones are going to pick up your Birthday Cake!!."
INTERVIEW
It was the end of the workday. Soldier Sam was tired. He had been interviewing job candidates since the beginning of the day and couldn't make a decision. The job of joining the security team at the garage had many applicants. There had been a string of Premium Tool Set Heists in the area, the most recent a week ago.
Extra security was needed, especially since the tool theft gang was still at large. A sketch of them had been circulated to the authorities and the media however they had still not been caught.
Soldier Sam leaned back in his chair, closed and rubbed his tired eyes. Soldier Sam heard the noise of a door being closed. When he opened his eyes an agent was standing in his office.
“Am I too late for the interview?” Sarina inquired.
“Where did you come from!?” Soldier Sam exclaimed.
“I didn’t mean to startle you Sir. I used the back door,” Sarina explained.
Soldier Sam thought he was done for the day! The Garage Boss didn’t tell him he had any more interviews scheduled, but Sarina was here now and one more interview won’t make a difference.
Soldier Sam sat down at his desk before saying, “Please take a seat Miss…?” he motioned for Sarina to sit down.
“Sarina.” Sarina smiles and sits down opposite Soldier Sam looking unsure about Soldier Sam.
“Don't be concerned, Sarina ” Soldier Sam said. “I'm not really that bad.” He smiled.
“It's just I really want the job.” Sarina says “I think I'm well qualified.” That was a bit forward but Soldier Sam let it go.
“Would you like a bottle of Bourbon, Sarina?” Soldier Sam asked.
“Yes a bottle of bourbon would be nice” Sarna replied.
“A drinking glass? Some Ice?” Sarina declined both.
Soldier Sam pressed the button on the intercom and ask for the receptionist to bring in a bottle of Bourbon.
“What do you think you will bring to the job if you are successful, Sarina?”
“I can offer you protection, I am a very protective person, just ask my friends. And I am wearing black to be stealthy so that's a Plus.”
“Why do you think that is a plus?” Soldier Sam asked.
“Well I can't be seen and I'm good at spying” Sarina lowed her voice “I could do away with your competitors and they wouldn’t even see me coming” Sarina made a mock threatening gesture.
Soldier Sam’s eyes opened wide. “Are you actually telling me you want to take out our competitors? Do away with them for good?”
Sarina leaned forward and said softly, “If that's what you want I’m happy to provide that kind of security. I will protect this establishment and you at all costs, this I swear. I really want this job.”
“Sarina, we do not eliminate people, we bring them to justice by catching and detaining them and letting the justice system deal with them as it sees fit.”
“Of course” Sarina said “just letting you know I could do it if you wanted me to. I could even do a surprise attack; you would not know where or when it is happening. You would have complete deniability.” Sarina took a sip of the Bourbon.
“There will be no surprise attacks, Sarina. However there will be surprise encounters let’s just say, so I suppose you could still jump out and surprise people; just no attacking please.”
“Ok” Sarina agreed, looking disappointed.
“So” Soldier Sam said, changing the subject hurriedly. “What else can you bring to the table?”
“I'm very loyal, loyalty means everything to me. I have my own sword, two of them in fact.” Sarina replied.
Now was Solider Sam’s chance turn to look concerned.
“What is the sword for?” Soldier Sam asked, trying to remain calm.
“Protection. Just in case of an attack. I've got them here if you want to see?” Sarina says enthusiastically.
“Uhh, no thank you.” Soldier Sam laughed with a serious tone but smiled. “Thank you so much for bringing them in but we won't be needing them today. Or ever. Do you understand, Sarina?”
“Yes I think so.” Sarina said with clear disappointment.
Swords. Not only does this woman have her own swords but she actually brought them with her! To do what? Attack me? Sarina didn’t seem to be violent; She is so softly spoken and quite pleasant, actually.
So what is she doing with a sword? Did Sarina think I would attack her? Or that Sarina might have to defend herself against surprise visitors? These thoughts put Soldier Sam on edge but he pushed them to the back of his mind and continued with the interview.
“So, Sarina, tell me about your background. You say your business is in Secuity, and you are working on constructing a new aircraft? Wow! You must be excited; busy, but excited.”
“Yes.” Sarina said “I love flight experimentation very much and I am completely devoted to the endeavour.”
“Where are you from?” Soldier Sam inquired.
“The Bronx” Sarina answered.
“Well you have come a long way just for a job. It must mean a lot to you.” Soldier Sam said. “How was the trip over here from the Bronx?”
“Fine.” Sarina replied.
“If I hire you as a member of our security team would this be a long term position for you?” Soldier Sam asked.
“I will be loyal and honourable Sir!” Sarina replied with a sincere gesture.
“Honourable?” Soldier Sam laughed. Sarina didn't find this funny.
“So Soldier Sam, do I get the job?” Sarina asked suddenly.
“Do you have your contact details? You can leave them at the front desk and we will get back to you. No using the back door, use the main entrance please.”
“I have no contact details to give,” Sarina admitted. “Just please give me a simple yes or no answer. Do I get the job?”
Soldier Sam looked at Sarina. He didn’t know what to say.
“Well, Sarina” Soldier Sam said, “My Boss doesn’t want our security guard to be violent. It was the business with the swords really. Other than that I have no complaints, I even liked how you chose to use the back door into the building. It showed originality. I like to see something different…”
Sarina cuts Soldier Sam off abruptly and says “Then, it was very nice to meet you but I'm certain I must leave you now.”
Sarina goes to the door, but turns to Soldier Sam to say “I am actually a Ninja, a Samurai without a mission. I have been travelling many miles looking for someone to partner up with. I was hoping I would be successful. For that would mean I would not have to continue my search.
“Because of your policy I must continue on my journey.” Sarina decided. Before I go I think you will want these back. From her pocket she took a bag and handed it to Solider Sam. “And I recommend that you check your stationary safebox.“ Without another word Sarina left.
“What a time waster, Soldier Sam said to his receptionist. That Sarina was absolutely mad, that woman was. All that talk of swords and samurai. Did she really think that would impress me?
Soldier Sam walked over to the cabinet and took the Bourbon bottle out. What did Sarina give me? He tipped the contents of the bag onto his desk.
The stolen Premium Tools fell out. Soldier Sam swore involuntarily as he realised that what he was looking at were the Premium Tools that were stolen in the latest robbery.
Soldier Sam confirmed this with the receptionist just to make sure he wasn’t losing his mind.
Soldier Sam went over into the back room where the tools were usually kept, opened the door and stared at the gang that perpetrated the crimes. They were Handcuffed to the workbench were the Tools were used.
Later when Soldier Sam removed the thieves from the shop premises he called up Sarina immediately.
“Sarina, I made a big mistake!! You are the right person for the job—I was wrong, you are hired!!”
“Maybe you were too quick to judge me Soldier Sam.' Sarina responded. “I have proven my skills and now we are partners.
“You will never be missing any Tools again, I can promise you that!!”
"The newest prospect has the potential to be a tremendous partner, and this latest episode includes valuable provisions that allow us to leverage this small, untested but extremely talented future of the programme" he said. “The large demand for for these services is a testament to its highly innovative design, and this opportunity will allow us to greatly increase our dream goal ambitions.”
"Overall, post evaluation interviews of prospect revealed a high regard & level of interest for the operational capability demonstrated by the "Little Buddy" he said in statement to an unidentified source.
“We are practicing that phone call now.. We are tossing some ideas around it with people familiar with situation of having both options. When it's ready, then we will compare that to what we have available, compare it to keeping existing personnel, compare it to what it would take to replace it with new prospect, and we will work through that process,” he told reporters.
He went on to explain that he was, broadly speaking, exploring ways to achieve, preserve & sustain satisfaction in potential long-term, high-end engagements, adding that considerations about a replacement prospect figured prominently in the strategic status updates surrounding these issues. Both Physical features & inner character intangibles will also be a very large part of the equation when it comes to making determinations about potential replacement, he explained. "The question is exactly where is the sweet spot as we talked about between what's available now and what the optimum replacement would be. We are working along that continuum to see exactly what the requirement is in terms of performance & talent, the attributes we need to be able to do the mission, he added.
“So is that a sure thing? No,” he says. “Do we see that the opportunity is real & we think that there is a real future for this thing so someday it could be a profitable line of pursuit for the organisation? I'll have to say the answer is yes or we wouldn't have made the decisions to go ahead and take some pressure on to really take that final step and bring this thing forward in a very real & credible way.”
"During that time period we might not have authority to execute any advanced access to prospect for the programme,” he said. "This could put pressure on our ability to meet currently tight schedule for getting the first prospect episode to enter service and complete evaluation & testing in time to support on-time service goals. The longer we operate under constraints, the greater this impact might be on overall risk to retention making it nearly impossible to move forward,” he said at a recent conference. “There have been discussions on unique ways to drive down timelines and we are exploring every opportunity whether it’s in swift advancement, whether it’s in how prospect is appreciated… to try and find the right solution."
“It is very similar to what is playing out with other prospects to some degree. There is a desire to move toward an agreeable solution." he said in an interview. He added that there are no distinct lines in the sand yet for prospect categories, but generally we are looking at all options. "You’ve got to be a little bit of a futurist and be in it for the long haul and say, ‘several years from now, we might be able to do that,’” he said. There are some penalties we have incurred for doing this with only one prospect If you tried to do that under most circumstances it would be terrible. Prospect attributes are informing our initial performance designs, informing what we need for our progress. We have good indicators that show we are in striking distance of doing that,” he said.
As the Daylight hours on Sarina's Holiday were soon to slip away, the wait grew long for Sarina on the desert floor. What had once been stifling heat was now becoming somewhat bearable with sundown approaching. As near as Sarina could figure, she had been on the ground for a little over an hour, but it had seemed more like 8 hours.
After securing her Holiday evasion camp, Sarina went to work, pulling out the GPS to get a fix on her location. Relaying her exact position using the GPS coordinates would be crucial to any rescue mission. The challenge would be to relay her position to the rescue team without revealing her location to opposing forces who would invariably be listening to her non-secure voice communications.
Ordinarily, this would be a huge obstacle to overcome; however, once again, fate smiled on Sarina. During her pre-mission briefs, pilots like Sarina are provided a coordinate to use as a frame of reference when communicating with their standard non-secure radios on the open airwaves in the event of a shootdown.
Sarina used this coordinate to relay her ground position by transmitting her heading, direction, and distance. Since any bad guys listening in did not know the exact coordinates, even if they overheard the radio communications, they would not be able to pinpoint her location.
Sarina turned on her radio and was pleased to find it working. She thought, "God bless those Support Guys that keep our gear in good working condition. I'm buying them all drinks when I get back ... if I get back."
Sarina's attention then turned to dialing in the predesignated emergency frequency. The first friendly voice Sarina heard was that of an another pilot in the vicinity. The position was relayed the with explicit instructions not to break radio silence again until Sarina was contacted and her identity was authenticated.
These directions would prove important to Sarina's remaining safely hidden from any hostiles in the area who might be listening in. Sarina's coordinate information was relayed to airborne control platform operating in the area, crucial in providing key command and control information for the rescue effort.
Within minutes, Sarina could hear the thunderous sound of air support in the distance. When they got within couple miles of Sarina's coordinates, the team worked to covertly pinpoint her exact location, without giving it away to hostile forces.
As the support aircraft made a pass, the team looked for ground and air threats. What they saw as they popped over a nearby hill would make them glad they had stuck to standard rescue-and-recovery protocols.
The situation was worse than had been imagined. There was a ground radar site south of Sarina's evasion base. A couple of miles away, there were heavily armed hostile ground forces parked at a refueling station. They, undoubtedly, were looking for the downed pilot. The air support pilots knew the stakes had just been raised for the rescue mission. This would be far from a permissive extraction environment.
The air support left the area to contact the control system with their latest reconnaissance information. With the rescue team at least an hour away at this point, they didn't want to loiter in the area and risk giving away Sarina's position.
They did, however, need to remain close enough to keep an eye on the nearby hostile ground element in case they managed to locate her.
In the event of that occurring, the air support would put down strafing fire to defend Sarina's position. The team would have to work fast to get her out before being found by the hostile forces.
Even though the radio was now silent, just knowing the air support were close by gave Sarina a small sense of comfort. While she waited, Sarina did her best to keep hydrated. When she drifted into consciousness, Sarina would force herself to drink a few sips of water.
Sarina had hoped she would be rescued quickly but was prepared to settle in and wait it out. She knew those guys were good at what they did, and if anyone could get her out, they could.
Eventually, Sarina was rescued and had a wonderful remainder of Holiday before she would be tasked with another mission the next day.
“The Fascinating Story of the “Ramblin’ Rampage”: Why the Rams Logo was Feared Across All Oceans”
Soldier Sam was filled with a curiosity to visit Rams Stadium, and especially to discover whether there was any shore to the ocean by which he lived.
So having been assigned a ship with all the latest technology, Soldier Sam strengthened it for a voyage, that he knew would without doubt be long and stormy. Then he chose Sarina to accompany him about the choppy seas, Sarina having the same love of adventure as himself, and with a store of provisions and bourbon we set on board.
All this being done, Sarina and Soldier Sam set sail. For many days the companions voyaged on deep waters and in strange seas. At times the wind was fair and gentle, and at others it blew so hard that the sea rose in a terrible manner.
One day there came a violent whirlwind which twisted the ship about, and, lifting it into the air, carried it upward into the sky, until it reached the Moon. There Sarina and Soldier Sam disembarked and visited every bourbon establishment on the Moon.
They took part in a fierce drinking battle between themselves; and, after many other wonderful adventures, they departed from Moon Land, and sailing through the sky, visited the Morning Star. Then the wind dropping, the ship settled once more upon the sea, and they sailed on the water.
One morning the wind began to blow vehemently, and Sarina and Soldier Sam were driven by storm for days. The comrades set forth from the islands that lay in the seas thereabouts. Once they reached Los Angeles they knew their ship was going to be put under a protocol for deep maintenance to dig out all the inner part of them and renovate the masts and sails.
Sarina and Soldier Sam had to confront many Pirates on the way to Los Angeles. The Pair fought for some time, eventually gaining the advantage, until they soon saw no more coming in their direction.
Sarina ordered Soldier Sam to set all sails; and they departed with speed.
As soon as the Pirates were out of sight, Sarina set herself to tuning the Radio and ordered Soldier Sam to keep watch. And from that time Sarina and Soldier Sam were searching for any sign of Rams Radio Broadcasts they could pick up, approaching the shore but, not knowing when another strange pirate ship might come upon them.
The first battles were over, but Sarina and Soldier Sam’s win didn't feel as good as expected. They had beaten the first pirates, but the Rams Logo carved into the bow of their ship had been blown to smitherines in the fight.
Sarina was the most feared pirate on the Coast of California. She had the biggest and fastest ship, manned by the strongest, most loyal crew, namely, Soldier Sam. The treasures Sarina discovered, stole, and buried were of legendary value. She was living every pirate's dream, until now.
The Rams Logo was a symbol of strength among pirate ships. Each ship had a unique carving standing boldly on the front of it. This Rams Logo not only helped others identify the Sarina from afar, but it also expressed the power she held.
Sarina was known by all in the sea for two reasons: that Rams Logo and Soldier Sam. There was no doubt the ship was sturdy and powerful, but not known to the other pirates, it wasn't the best ship ever made. Now, in its damaged condition, the Rams Logo threatened to be the downfall of Sarina and Soldier Sam.
It would seem to an outsider that Sarina could simply get a new Rams Logo and attach it to the ship. However, Sarina knew that would be a big mistake. The Rams Logo had been destroyed in battle. If Sarina replaced the Rams Logo, it would look like she was trying to cover up the fight rather than boast about her win.
Even so, Sarina and Soldier Sam would have to find a new Rams Logo and fast to maintain their pride. As soon as word of her state spread, other pirate Captains would be looking to seize the opportunity to challenge the Ramblin’ Rampage” as Sarina and Soldier Sam’s ship was named.
If Sarina didn't come up with a new figurehead soon, she would lose credibility, respect, and her treasures! A pirate's journeys were full of wild, mysterious creatures and dangerous sailing conditions. Surely, there must be one thing left that all sailors fear to be used as his new figurehead. And that show of strength was the Rams Logo.
Sarina wasted no time. First, she asked Soldier Sam for ideas.
Soldier Sam was sold on the importance of the Rams Logo, but did come up with an idea: “Everyone Respects Burger King” he offered.
Sarina laughed at Soldier Sam’s ridiculous idea. A Whopper wasn’t nearly frightening enough. Back in her cabin, Sarina stared out the porthole. The skies were unusually clear, and the waters abandoned of sea life. Sarina was searching for an idea, but the Skies didn't appear to want any involvement in giving her one.
After scouring the weapons, barracks, and sights from mission bay. Sarina, grew frustrated. Soldier Sam looked over the edge of the ship. A few small waves slapped against the side of the “Ramblin’ Rampage”.
“Just no other figurehead will work, Sarina” Soldier Sam concluded. “The Rams Logos stands above all in its Authority.
When a storm blows in, any Captain will get nervous, even if she'd never admit it. There is an uncertainty in the way of the water. It can creep up and overtake you or soak in slowly turn over a ship from the inside out.
Yes, what could be more feared than a Rams Logo? So, the ship Sarina so strongly named would now have a figurehead to match. All pirates feared the waters of the sea, and now they had Sarina to deal with.
Sarina opened her eyes and looked to the skies, but the bright sun forced them shut.
.
“We must get to that beach in time for the Rams Game." Sarina decided.
Sarina called out "Hello Rams Mascot? Earth to Rams Mascot!!” There was no answer. She scanned the beach from end to end. Rams Mascot was nowhere to be found.
That's right, Sarina remembered, Rams Mascot had taken on some extra duties at Rams Stadium. An “Overtime Journey” they called it.
"Every Crew Chief, when he is done with his tour must be taken to Rams Stadium” Soldier Sam remarked.
"It's a tradition that's been followed for generations," added Soldier Sam.
Soldier Sam didn't understand why Sarina hadn’t taken him to Rams Stadium yet, seeing as she was clearly able to.
All Soldier Sam cared about was a day off from battleships to spend drinking bourbon at Rams Stadium.
Suddenly, both Sarina and Soldier Sam noticed a sound on the radar heard a rustling sound. The alert warning sign had been activated, but there were no pirates in sight. Something was moving toward them, but what?
When Soldier Sam was young he had strongly desired to be a pirate, and the reason for this was the absolute independence of that sort of life. Restrictions of all sorts had worked against him, and in his reading of the adventures of the bold sea rovers of the time, Soldier Sam had unconsciously selected those portions of a pirate's life which were attractive to him, and had totally disregarded all the rest.
In fact, Soldier Sam had a great desire to become what might be called a “Fightin’ Ram”. He would fight for anything that resulted in cash to build that new Rams Stadium. At that time it was only a dream.
Soldier Sam always wanted to be as free as a sea bird from any technical or leadership related jobs wherever he lived.
“I would retire to that island of Rams Stadium, in a beautiful LA Setting and would be known only to myself and to my crew, and there I would pass happy days in the company of my Bourbon, my works of art, and all the various treasures I had taken from the pirate vessels which I had overhauled.” Soldier Sam would always say.
Such was the notion of a pirate's life to Soldier Sam..” I would take no prisoners; the very sight of my Rams Logo would be sufficient to put an end to all thought of resistance on the part of my adversaries, who would no more think of fighting me,
For this, Soldier Sam self-stamped the approval of his actions, finding the authorization necessary to advance the course of his ordinary life up to this point.
The first pirates who made themselves known in California waters were the famous buccaneers; these began their career in a very commonplace and unobjectionable manner, and the name by which they were known had originally no nautical basis.
Beginners in any trade or profession, whether it be the playing of football, the painting of pictures, or the pursuit of piracy, are often distrustful; so it happened on occasion with amateur pirates, and showed very plainly that they did not yet understand their business.
“Enjoy the fun and adventure of pirate stories, Soldier Sam!”. Sarina always encouraged him. Read about the famous pirate stories, about the legend of the old pirates in the history of naval warfare. Famous short stories help you Discover lives, and legends with only an internet subscription in a short, fun, easy to read format.
So it happened that many of the buccaneers could not divest themselves of the notions of good behavior to which they had been accustomed from youth. For instance, we are told of a captain of buccaneers, who, landing at a settlement on a Sunday, took his crew to an NFL football game.
As it is not at all probable that any of the buccaneering vessels carried football fans, opportunities of attending football games must have been rare. This captain seems to have wished to simply show that pirates at football games know what they ought to do just as well as other people.
It was for this reason that, when one of his men behaved himself in an improper and disorderly manner during the football game, this proper-minded captain arose from his seat and issued triple PT orders.
When Soldier Sam arrives at scenarios almost on the point of despair, Sarina informs him of some action far away upon the still waters, a fierce battle to be waged for Sarina’s favour. Then, with a great jump, hope springs up in his heart.
Soldier Sam seized the oars and pulls in the direction of the distant craft. But when they were near enough, Sarina saw that the vessel was not a merchantman piled with gold and treasure, but a ship of war waging the impossible fight to defeat the Rams.
Having to perform the duties of an entire crew, Soldier Sam often times requires a bottle of bourbon. Soldier Sam did not come out upon those waters only to attack ships of war, but, more than that, he had not come out to perish of thirst.
On the “Ramblin’ Rampage” Soldier Sam could be of no doubt that there was plenty of bourbon to drink when Sarina is the Captain.
We were lost south of the mainland and without communications but the sky was clear. Sarina was upbeat.
Everyone was waiting for Sarina’s Graphic of a futuristic Starship Space Convoy Manoeuvre to be made available.
Sarina and Soldier Sam were responsible, in some respect, for this disaster. They had reacted to an immediate crisis without understanding the larger situation.
This was a situation that the resident crew had understood, which was why they had started an evacuation before attempting to suppress the fire.
Sarina and Soldier Sam were very good at figuring out what could go wrong, and good at predicting how the crew respond to things going wrong. How people act in a crisis. They had the science to manage it. Study it. Focus on it.
We live it, over and over again, for the sake of the people who will hopefully only have to live it once. Or never.
Preparedness is how Sarina and Soldier Sam make sure things have a chance to go right even when they’ve already gone wrong.
"What are we going to do?" asked Sarina. Sarina looked concerned. "I don't know," Soldier Sam answered. "Let's call Mission Control and see if Rams Mascot has any suggestions."
Suddenly, we saw a three flash blast, a red one, a white one and a blue one. We wondered for a moment who it could be and then Sarina pulled our attention to the Space news report. The Avengers had been spotted flying overhead!
Perfect timing we figured, if only we could contact the Avengers and ask of their help then Super Monster could be stopped! We worked together and wrote letters to every superhero we knew, it wasn’t long until they all arrived on Planet X.
Working together, we and the superheroes decided to build a machine which would transport Sarina to Superhero camp, where Rams Mascot and his team could make Planet X great again!
Rams Mascot could see what they were up to and he could see the Storm Troopers fleeing from their planet in search for help- so our visit is no surprise to them! Rams Mascot gave Sarina some extra power to fly our space crafts into orbit.
Fortunately, we knew Sarina once travelled to space in record time while someone was getting Soldier Sam’s dinner ready. Sarina knew all about what we would need so Rams Mascot called her and she gave such good advice and told Rams Mascot all about her own travels to space.
We decided Sarina’s space craft was an easier option than building a rocket, as that would take forever! So we got to work and within hours had they travelling devices ready.
The portion of the ship that housed the rocket starter was heavily damaged. The batteries that turned the starter were completely destroyed. We began to consider we might be trapped on Planet X.
A spinning silver doughnut slung to a long, axel-like hub by a series of tension cables, our Station held itself together and generated spin gravity through a careful balance of forces.
The result was making its defaults seem all the more apparent—but our homeport is set at default as well. So easy to disrupt or destroy. It’s just so much bigger than us that we can trick ourselves about its resilience. About our own resilience.
Soon after, still being hungry, Soldier Sam quickly jumped inside the rocket and safely flew back to the Station That moment, Soldier Sam heard something coming from the kitchen: “Soldier Sam, it’s time to have your meal!’’
Soldier Sam finally had something to eat. This was turning into an unforgettable adventure with Sarina. They could explore space once again, but for longer.
Sarina and Soldier Sam had their next coordinates set and were cruising in formation with the Starship piloted by Rams Mascot.
Rams Mascot had just returned from a distant Star and while Sarina and Soldier Sam and were getting ready to put the Starship in cruise control for the night they heard a loud “BANG!”
Sarina and Soldier Sam looked around at each other, “What was that!?” shouted Soldier Sam.. “Uh-oh, maybe a fuse blew in the engine room?” Or is someone trying to fire on our position?”
The engine room night shift radioed Sarina and confirmed that, yes, it was a short fuse in the Engine Room that caused the disruption but the crew had fixed it an they were good to go for the night.
Early the next morning, Sarina was jolted awake by the sound of troubling gun fire some distance to their Starship. She ran outside and asked where it came from.
Sarina showed up in the control center only to learn that one of their fleet was taken out of action, permanently.
Rams Mascot’s Starship had survived the attack and said he didn’t understood how the flanking friendly got taken out, but confirmed the loud fire they had heard was in fact their partner ship blowing up into the Starlit night.
What a loss that would be to their effort. Rams Mascot was still in the lead, with a mission to find any planet that could support the next Season of Rams Football.
Sarina was waiting for Mission Control to find out how they had lost the ship. Were they too in danger? No one knew.
Rams Mascot radioed Sarina and said “if Mission Control is not going to figure out how that adversary ship breached our formation, then we have to do it.”
Soldier Sam was on patrol duty and began their search for the adversary ship. He noticed a trail of footsteps and began to follow them closely.
The tracks looked smaller than the radar signature left by most Starships they had encountered in the past and it had a distinctive tail, like it was headed for a planet neither Sarina’s ship or the Spacecraft commanded by Rams Mascot had visited in the past.
“Maybe it’s from a distant Planet in another Galaxy” suggested Rams Mascot.
“No, I think they are definitely some sort of Local thing” responded Soldier Sam. They argued over the prints when Sarina noticed a mysterious Moon right in front of them.
Sarina and Soldier Sam landed on the Moon and Rams Mascot took his ship into overdrive. Rams Mascot was now to be the Lead Scout in search of a Planet that could be home to Rams Football.
Sarina and Soldier Sam debarked from their ship and began to explore the Moon to look around for clues.
Suddenly, Soldier Sam lifted a handle on the Welcoming Pad and quickly realized that it was a trap door.
After informing Rams Mascot of their new position on the Moon, Sarina and Soldier Sam decided that they needed to investigate it and although Rams Mascot was skeptical, he agreed.
The door led Sarina and Soldier Sam to an underground tunnel where they walked for quite a while in the darkness with only a flashlight from the cabin. There were strange noises and Solider Sam was signalling for caution.
After a while, Sarina and Soldier Sam arrived at a section of the tunnel with a single hanging light and decided to sit down to rest.
“It feels like we’ve been walking forever!” said Soldier Sam.
Then all of a sudden, Sarina and Soldier Sam received a Stress Signal from Rams Mascot. Rams Mascot said he was being pulled right into the darkness of another Galaxy!
Sarina and Soldier Sam immediately hustled back to their Starship, and in an instant were traveling again at Light Speed in search of Rams Mascot.
Rams Mascot was pushing the emergency button as Sarina and Soldier Sam jumped up and shot off into the darkness trying to locate him.
They ran frantically trying to find Rams Mascot until they came across a wind-swept portal to a part of the solar system they were totally unaware of, and they were sure Rams Mascot was on the other side of it.
Together Sarina and Soldier Sam counted to three and charged right through the door. What they found was not Rams Mascot at all.
Sarina and Soldier Sam looked up at their controls and saw, in contrast to their normal setup, their monitor was flashing full of screens, and thousands of buttons glowing in all different colors the likes of which they had never witnessed.
On the screen in front of them was a map of the Milky Way. The other screens had what looked like planets that neither of them had ever learned about in training exercises.
Sarina and Soldier Sam were shocked beyond belief.
“What is this place?” asked Sarina with a look of uncertainty on her face.
“It looks like some sort of outer space control center” Soldier Sam replied.
Sarina had just noticed strange text on the screen that she didn’t quite understand, when suddenly the door behind them slammed shut.
“It’s not opening!” shouted Soldier Sam pulling the handle as hard as he could.
They both looked up at the ceiling and noticed orange smoke starting to come from the vents and it was quickly filling the room.
Sarina and Soldier Sam looked at each other before suddenly collapsing in a deep sleep.
After many hours had passed, Sarina and Soldier Sam began to wake up, this time in a much different place.
“Where are we?” asked Soldier Sam as they both looked around.
Their normal control room had been transformed into a small space with only a locked door. Sarina dug in her pocket and pulled out the master key, then tried to unlock the door with it.
After trying and trying, Sarina and Soldier Sam finally decided to give up right as they heard a “beep!” and the door slid open.
“Rams Mascot!” they both shouted excitedly as they saw him there standing in the doorway.
Sarina and Soldier Sam had entered “The Situation Room”.
They knew they needed a plan to pitch their next moves to Rams Mascot. And these proposals needed to be made up on the Spot!!
“Sarina needs to sleep before engaging the targets. Another hour, at least.” Solider Sam insisted.
“Sir, the crew addressed Solider Sam, Sarina’s action profile indicates otherwise. She has a go/no-go decision to make with HQs She can sleep when she’s back State Side.
“Don’t say it. You’re getting punchy.” Solider Sam retorted.
“I just go by the data.” the crew chief explained.
“But I’m the duty officer, said Solider Sam. You’re the chief of staff. This is the first time she’s slept in three days. Another hour.”
That’s the moment Sarina sits up and reaches for the bottle of bourbon that’s under her bunk. It’s always hot back here.
Sarina, hardened from years of battle operated the Starship, nicknamed “the Unstoppable Bronx Bomber’ It sways on the Intergalactic Turnpike, its suspension groaning under the weight of tons of armor and servers. Then it settles back into its smooth, relentless drive forward into the night.
We are a Space Armada, snaking through the Universe like fugitives, scrambling to yet another secure location from which Sarina can lead the campaign.
Sarina motions to Soldier Sam with one hand, and wipes sleep out of her eyes with the other. “Get my rig online,” Sarina says. “How long until we’re at Site Romeo?”
“Another 30 minutes to the gates, but we go dark in . . . 10 minutes.” explained Solider Sam
“OK. What time is it on Saturn? Are the Admirals ready for me now?” asked Sarina.
“Yes, ma’am. You’ll have three minutes with the Admirals. Also, the President left a message.”
Sarina put the bottle down and swings here legs off the bed. “And?”
“He said to proceed. Informing Congress will come after.”
All Sarina can respond with is, “Good.” Sarina doesn’t want to show any signs of frustration, nor to count the cost of chronic indecision from leadership, a toll that was becoming measured.
Sarina has an almost impossibly difficult job today.
As the Rams HQs faces a changeover in leadership, Sarina’s guidance will be crucial in the coming years where futuristic conflicts are certain to be overwhelmingly influenced by artificial intelligence and robotic autonomous systems that will revolutionise warfare at speeds human cognition simply cannot keep up with.
This line of thinking frequently leads to conversations about how Super Soldiers will be augmented with things like direct human-machine interface and nanomachine infused bottles of bourbon.
But what about Sarina?
In a conflict scenario like the one described above, superhuman soldiers may not actually get a frontline role if swarms and other drones take their place. But the mission will indeed need someone with almost superhuman-like abilities like Sarina
Sarina is developing plans to reorganise and reprioritise the organisation in real time, becoming immersed in data while using technology to never lose sight of leadership’s human dimensions and maintaining the digital speed operational tempo of the Force.
Should a Hyperwar-type conflict arise in the Universe, AI-powered automation will define the operational environment and put enormous pressure on organisations—and leaders like Sarina must be prepared for high levels of operational and cognitive agility.
Decision-making and warfighting will revolve around networks, perhaps with both occurring on the same ones. Moreover, while AI-enabled predictive models will be able to help leaders like Sarina “see” these future scenarios ahead of time, decision-makers will need to be adept at intuitive or recognition-primed decision-making.
“The Only Ordinary Day Was Yesterday. “ Sarina always says.
Sarina’s mission to find a Destination suitable for Rams Games will be familiar in some ways—maintaining relationships with Rams HQs, for example—but dramatically different in several significant areas, managing: organisational structure, operational tempo, communications and network integrity, and force employment.
While it will take a network to win in the New Era of the Universe, ensuring mission plans emphasize critical decision timelines will be a real-time responsibility for Sarina. Given the speed with which a crisis may unfold, Sarina’s decisive leadership during the early moments or hours may mean the difference between victory and a defeat or stalemate.
Yet load sharing is about more than machines. Just as Sarina will exert more operational influence, Solider Sam’s Deputy position will take on new responsibilities that are more concept- and policy-oriented than today’s, developing and implementing new concepts of operation. In Hyper-Speed scenarios, flash modernisation efforts that break boundaries and hierarchies, and even rules, will need a strong advocate to ensure they don’t stall.
Sarina will not be able to live and work sequestered inside one of Rams Nation’s deepest bunkers wired into a closely managed communications and data network. The necessity to build coalitions with the Los Angeles community and abroad, and maintain connection with frontline forces all mean Sarina will be constantly on the move.
Accordingly, Sarina will operate within a virtual and mobile communications bubble that depends on a sprawling grid consisting of terrestrial, undersea, aerial, and space networks.
Much as today, no matter where or when, Sarina will have to be capable of accessing a highly distributed and secure command-and-control network. But Sarina and other principals may be augmented through technical means permitting the chain of command to “think” communications in real time.
Voice communication may even become too slow in some cases, such as campaigns that rapidly shift between defensive and offensive operations. Means of communication therefore must evolve with the speed of hyper-missions.
Sarina might wear a personal “wearable communications” ensemble, which could feature a next-generation human-machine biophysical interface.
A day in the life of Sarina sees the kinds of true survival decisions that are unique to her office—and that not even Hollywood hyperbole can exaggerate.
The clock is always ticking on a crisis or urgent need for the officials in charge. Yet, the crises Sarina is charged with leading are not even like scenarios pulled from thriller novels; rapid shipment of blast -proof rocket launchers require decisive action.
It will be the same during the next two decades, but the speed with which such dilemmas arrive and require resolution—as well as their technological complexity—will be unprecedented. But it need not come as a surprise if Pentagon leaders can begin to imagine and prepare for a day in the life of the Sarina in the new era of Hyper-Space missions.
In particular, it will be dangerously easy to focus attention on crises-of-the-moment and overlook ensuring that Rams recruiting identifies individuals like Sarina, a bastion of of integrity, character, and moral courage.
Sarina was recruited based on her exceptional capacity to decide, communicate, and act in this Hyper-Space. The entire process of Sarina’s training and education will need to move at machine-speed as well, with a focus on learning and performing through AI-supported, individualised augmented- and virtual-reality training and education regimens.
Sarina is also likely to train in virtual environments because in real life they may be highly distributed, out of strategic necessity or by design to create a force with experiences, backgrounds, and cognitive diversity suited to the Hyperspeed Era.
Soldier Sam leans in with a hand on Sarina’s shoulder. He can read her bio-stats from anywhere on the Starship, so this is a vestige of old-school relationship connection as he remotely adjusts the Love she gets from him
Soldier Sam looks at his virtual reality screen. “ Sarina is secure at Rendezvous Point Romeo.”
The Starship’s cabin brightens measurably as the pump pulses. Sarina sits upright, and smooths out her hair and puts the Holo Rig back on. Sarina has been wearing the helmet every waking hour during the past few weeks.
What nobody knows, though, is that Sarina has it muted much of the time. She keeps the sound off.
There’s too much data for a human to make a sound decision quickly, so Sarina let the battle management nets work their magic.
Soldier Sam is not as smart as Sarina and hasn’t yet figured this out; he’s unable to act with the speed that this conflict requires because he is chronically plugged in.
Sarina says she plans on speaking about the strategy with Soldier Sam at some future point and fill him in on how she does it.
That is, if Sarina ever gets to see Solider Sam again on the same deployment.
That’s not something Sarina can entertain now, however. There’s work to do. And Solider Sam is awaiting orders.
Sarina approached the Crew, “For this we have to enlist the help of the entire crew” Hearing this, the Crew came forward and said, “We are ready. What is the matter to do? We will do whatever it takes to save the ship.”
The Sea Wolf arcade game has been released, based on an electro-mechanical, coin-operated game called Sea Devil. Sea Devil, in turn, was based on a submarine simulator, Periscope.
By looking through the periscope mounted on the game, players may take aim and fire torpedoes at ships and other objects on the surface of the ocean. The periscope swivels left and right, true to real submarines.
Players can destroy a handful of different targets on the surface of the ocean: floating mines that can be dangerous obstructions, fast-moving PT boats and destroyers.
The original Sea Wolf arcade game is black and white, oriented horizontally, and makes use of a simple blue overlay to denote the color of the water. Each time players land a proper hit on a ship, a light is reflected inside the scope to simulate an explosion.
The game also includes basic sounds like PT boat motors and sonar pings. Another unique feature of the Sea Wolf arcade game is that it displays both the current score of the player as well as the game’s high score—it was one of the first arcade games to incorporate high scores.
Homemade Under the Sea Battleships is another great idea from Sarina’s Charts. Use dice and a chess board to make your own battleship under the sea themed game!
One day Sarina called a meeting of the Crew. In that meeting, everyone was going to solve how can the enemy ships be avoided so the Game can be won?
The crew came to the Meeting. Sarina started the meeting with her whistle. Sarina asked the crew, “What can we do to prevent ourselves from being sunk by those enemy ships?”
Hearing this, the Crew on the Submarine were troubled. They had to face this problem in the coming days. Many times these enemy ships aimed to destroy their Submarine.
The Crew saw the truth in Sarina’s talk. The Crew asked, “Well, tell us what would we have to do?”
Sarina told everyone her plan. Now everyone was ready. Everyone was waiting for when the enemy ships would arrive.
Up Periscope!
A submarine has two periscopes: an attack periscope and a search periscope. The search periscope is used to look for targets and also for guidance as the sub navigates through the water. The attack periscope is smaller than the search periscope and is used if a sub is ready to attack
Try this periscope activity and make a spy tool for looking around corners, and out of windows. If you enjoy easy games then this fun periscope activity is ideal! Peak around corners with this periscope activity. The object is to see without being seen. Or, you can jump right in and begin with our secret message-making activity at the end of our party instructions.
Periscope Game idea: Submarine Hide and Seek – One person is “it” and must stake out a spot behind a barrier. This barrier is “base”. The seeker is not allowed to look out from behind that barrier except through the scope. The hider’s goal is to sneak up and touch base without being spotted through the periscope. First person spotted is “it”!
Thanks to numerous contributions from the crew, many of the commands have more than one possible action. In these cases, you might want to choose one of the actions and teach this to Sarina. You could also show her all the possible actions related to each command, and let her choose which one they prefer.
Ever since their introduction, there’s something about submarines that fascinates people. Maybe it’s the unimaginable experience of being in a metal tube thousands of feet under the ocean’s surface, skulking along, waiting for a chance to surface and BOOM! attack with a well-placed torpedo.
Or maybe it’s the fact that submarines are the wild card of modern warfare, able to sneak up on ships without warning in a way that no other craft or vessel can manage. From The Hunt for Red October to Run Silent, Run Deep, there have certainly been a lot of movies made about submarine warfare, some incredibly tense and gripping.
When game designers wanted to create a fun and interesting multiplayer roll and write game, it’s no surprise their attention turned to submarines! If you’re not familiar with roll and write it’s a category of board games that are designed to be fast, lightweight, and affordable.
The goal of the combat engine is to maneuver a model of a submarine on the playing board, collecting essential items avoiding collisions with undersea objects, and destroying the enemy.
Players roll customised dice for each duty station to perform their functions—if their station has power. For example, the helm station has dice with symbols indicating various combinations of forward movement for one or two spaces, coming about, and turns to port or starboard.
While powered, the helmsman may roll the helm dice and set aside those maneuvers that fulfill the captain’s orders at each decision point. The other stations also have custom dice tailor-made for their particular functions.
Sarina keeps schedules moving by directing the movement of energy from engineering to all of the other divisions.
All the while, the enemy team is doing the same thing.
Each player board has a control panel along the bottom that indicates what of your weapon and propulsion systems are still intact and a display of the opponent’s submarine with a grid superimposed. There’s an intro board for multiplayer called the Training Board and an advanced board called Mission Mode both for players really ready to rumble and for the solo game.
You’ll notice that there are two types of target spots: those with “sight” marks denoting it’s a critical spot, and those without. Remember, this is your control panel along the bottom, but your opponent’s submarine in the “porthole”. shoot out the four targets creating a sort of sideways “L” shape on the periscope and you’ve disabled their periscope and moved one step closer to winning the game.
Meanwhile, they’re shooting at you too, of course, so they’re going to mark their picture of your sub and you’ll have to cross out the dashboard weapon system capabilities along the bottom of your own board as they destroy things.
The first person to destroy all the enemy systems wins. (this means you don’t have to hit every single dot, just those that are actually targets).
Much further into the game and I’m poised to win even though it’s looking rather dire on the solo automaton board on the top left:
Suddenly, huge fireballs started to rain on the enemy. Those Fireballs sure did the trick.
Done. Winner!! Sorry, mate, about sinking your submarine, of course, but that’s Torpedo Dice for you in solo mode.
There are no enemy ships left in the Ocean anymore. All the Crew started living free. Now everything was fine in the World!
I imagine it’ll be fun as a multiplayer game too, but haven’t had a chance to play this competitively yet. Definitely a good one and inexperienced player friendly too with its erasable board, lively design and simple play mechanism.
Sarina recently announced that she will use Xbox controllers to operate periscopes in her newest submarines.
We got together and we asked Sarina, 'What can we do to make your life better?'... "And one of the things that came out is the controls for the scope. It's kind of clunky in your hand; it's real heavy."
The advantage of using Xbox 360 controllers lies not just in accessibility, but also in price. On average, a new Xbox 360 controller in somewhere between $30 to $40 online, while the typical cost for the specially designed photonic mast handgrip and imaging control panel made for modern submarines is around $38,000.
This isn't the first time that we have used video game controllers in order to cut costs and simplify technology.
A new sub was commissioned, hailed to not just to be the newest fast attack sub ever but also a marvel of technology and innovation.
Part of that innovation comes via the use of one of the most familiar methods of control to operate the sub’s new Photonics Masts: a wired Xbox 360 controller.
Don’t worry, the entire attack submarine isn’t driven by a game controller. Or any of its critical systems. The Xbox controllers are simply there for operating the two new photonic masts, the submarine’s non-penetrating digital camera periscopes. These replace traditional periscopes and hold both a visible camera as well as an infrared digital camera on top of telescoping arms.
Controlling those periscopes aren’t as easy as war and spy films suggest them to be. They got so frustrating that the Navy conducted research and surveys on the best control device possible. They ended up with one that was not only familiar but also cheap.
Many of the Crew who will be living in the sub will have grown up with gaming consoles, especially an Xbox. They’ll be familiar enough with the controls that it might feel almost second nature to them.
Plus, the Navy can use off the shelf Xbox 360 controllers with very little to no modification.
There are plenty of compatible versions available to keep Sarina occupied during her Submarine Party!!
That night while sleeping on the Starship floor, Sarina had a crazy dream.
Soldier Sam gave her a phone as an early Birthday Present. And it had on speed dial both the Light House and an Island Bakery stocked with Birthday Cakes!
Sarina first called the Light House and asked what was the status of their sea rescue brigade, told the dispatcher her birthday was almost here also that she and Solider Sam were stranded outside Buccaneer Bay in a small boat.
The dispatcher replied that their only rescue operations in service that night were a fleet of helicopter drones to pinpoint the location of their boat and the rescue crew would arrive in the morning.
Then the dispatcher said the rescue brigade will take you straight to the Bakery when you get ashore so you could get your Birthday Cake.
In her Dream, Sarina was rowing and Soldier Sam was asleep. Soon she could not believe her eyes and was overcome with shock when she looked to the island and there were dozens of swarming helicopter drones launching from the beach!
They rise and fall, hover, fly sideways and backwards, shoot flares, back up, spring forward, dip, dart off again, lift ships, drop radio transmission towers, lose their rotor blades and roll over, fire missiles, crash into one another.
"Soldier Sam, Soldier Sam, Wake Up!! Look at the skies! “Sarina says.
Sarina called the Light House immediately and asked the dispatcher what was the status of the rescue mission?
“Where are all these helicopter drones going?" asked Sarina.
“Wherever they are programmed to go. That’s how they pinpoint your location," replied the dispatcher.
Sarina carefully considered the answer as she tried to translate the content.
Soldier Sam piped up and said: “You should have asked the dispatcher what the drones would do if the signaling programme from the Light House was jammed.
Sarina called the dispatcher up again.
“Where are the drones going?" Sarina asked and without waiting for a reply continued, “Wherever they are programmed to go, I suppose. Well, let me ask you . . ."
“You’re mistaken," the dispatcher interrupted Sarina. “Tonight, the drones are going wherever the wind blows."
This answer so confused Sarina she could not think of anything to say.
Soldier Sam said: “You should have asked the dispatchers what the drones would do if there were no wind."
Sarina called back the Light House again.
Sarina was confident that this time she would have the last word.
“Where are the drones going?" Sarina asked. “Wherever they are programmed to go or wherever the wind blows, I suppose. Well, let me ask you . . . . "
“No, no," the dispatcher interrupted. “Tonight the drones are going to pick up your Birthday Cake!!."
INTERVIEW
It was the end of the workday. Soldier Sam was tired. He had been interviewing job candidates since the beginning of the day and couldn't make a decision. The job of joining the security team at the garage had many applicants. There had been a string of Premium Tool Set Heists in the area, the most recent a week ago.
Extra security was needed, especially since the tool theft gang was still at large. A sketch of them had been circulated to the authorities and the media however they had still not been caught.
Soldier Sam leaned back in his chair, closed and rubbed his tired eyes. Soldier Sam heard the noise of a door being closed. When he opened his eyes an agent was standing in his office.
“Am I too late for the interview?” Sarina inquired.
“Where did you come from!?” Soldier Sam exclaimed.
“I didn’t mean to startle you Sir. I used the back door,” Sarina explained.
Soldier Sam thought he was done for the day! The Garage Boss didn’t tell him he had any more interviews scheduled, but Sarina was here now and one more interview won’t make a difference.
Soldier Sam sat down at his desk before saying, “Please take a seat Miss…?” he motioned for Sarina to sit down.
“Sarina.” Sarina smiles and sits down opposite Soldier Sam looking unsure about Soldier Sam.
“Don't be concerned, Sarina ” Soldier Sam said. “I'm not really that bad.” He smiled.
“It's just I really want the job.” Sarina says “I think I'm well qualified.” That was a bit forward but Soldier Sam let it go.
“Would you like a bottle of Bourbon, Sarina?” Soldier Sam asked.
“Yes a bottle of bourbon would be nice” Sarna replied.
“A drinking glass? Some Ice?” Sarina declined both.
Soldier Sam pressed the button on the intercom and ask for the receptionist to bring in a bottle of Bourbon.
“What do you think you will bring to the job if you are successful, Sarina?”
“I can offer you protection, I am a very protective person, just ask my friends. And I am wearing black to be stealthy so that's a Plus.”
“Why do you think that is a plus?” Soldier Sam asked.
“Well I can't be seen and I'm good at spying” Sarina lowed her voice “I could do away with your competitors and they wouldn’t even see me coming” Sarina made a mock threatening gesture.
Soldier Sam’s eyes opened wide. “Are you actually telling me you want to take out our competitors? Do away with them for good?”
Sarina leaned forward and said softly, “If that's what you want I’m happy to provide that kind of security. I will protect this establishment and you at all costs, this I swear. I really want this job.”
“Sarina, we do not eliminate people, we bring them to justice by catching and detaining them and letting the justice system deal with them as it sees fit.”
“Of course” Sarina said “just letting you know I could do it if you wanted me to. I could even do a surprise attack; you would not know where or when it is happening. You would have complete deniability.” Sarina took a sip of the Bourbon.
“There will be no surprise attacks, Sarina. However there will be surprise encounters let’s just say, so I suppose you could still jump out and surprise people; just no attacking please.”
“Ok” Sarina agreed, looking disappointed.
“So” Soldier Sam said, changing the subject hurriedly. “What else can you bring to the table?”
“I'm very loyal, loyalty means everything to me. I have my own sword, two of them in fact.” Sarina replied.
Now was Solider Sam’s chance turn to look concerned.
“What is the sword for?” Soldier Sam asked, trying to remain calm.
“Protection. Just in case of an attack. I've got them here if you want to see?” Sarina says enthusiastically.
“Uhh, no thank you.” Soldier Sam laughed with a serious tone but smiled. “Thank you so much for bringing them in but we won't be needing them today. Or ever. Do you understand, Sarina?”
“Yes I think so.” Sarina said with clear disappointment.
Swords. Not only does this woman have her own swords but she actually brought them with her! To do what? Attack me? Sarina didn’t seem to be violent; She is so softly spoken and quite pleasant, actually.
So what is she doing with a sword? Did Sarina think I would attack her? Or that Sarina might have to defend herself against surprise visitors? These thoughts put Soldier Sam on edge but he pushed them to the back of his mind and continued with the interview.
“So, Sarina, tell me about your background. You say your business is in Secuity, and you are working on constructing a new aircraft? Wow! You must be excited; busy, but excited.”
“Yes.” Sarina said “I love flight experimentation very much and I am completely devoted to the endeavour.”
“Where are you from?” Soldier Sam inquired.
“The Bronx” Sarina answered.
“Well you have come a long way just for a job. It must mean a lot to you.” Soldier Sam said. “How was the trip over here from the Bronx?”
“Fine.” Sarina replied.
“If I hire you as a member of our security team would this be a long term position for you?” Soldier Sam asked.
“I will be loyal and honourable Sir!” Sarina replied with a sincere gesture.
“Honourable?” Soldier Sam laughed. Sarina didn't find this funny.
“So Soldier Sam, do I get the job?” Sarina asked suddenly.
“Do you have your contact details? You can leave them at the front desk and we will get back to you. No using the back door, use the main entrance please.”
“I have no contact details to give,” Sarina admitted. “Just please give me a simple yes or no answer. Do I get the job?”
Soldier Sam looked at Sarina. He didn’t know what to say.
“Well, Sarina” Soldier Sam said, “My Boss doesn’t want our security guard to be violent. It was the business with the swords really. Other than that I have no complaints, I even liked how you chose to use the back door into the building. It showed originality. I like to see something different…”
Sarina cuts Soldier Sam off abruptly and says “Then, it was very nice to meet you but I'm certain I must leave you now.”
Sarina goes to the door, but turns to Soldier Sam to say “I am actually a Ninja, a Samurai without a mission. I have been travelling many miles looking for someone to partner up with. I was hoping I would be successful. For that would mean I would not have to continue my search.
“Because of your policy I must continue on my journey.” Sarina decided. Before I go I think you will want these back. From her pocket she took a bag and handed it to Solider Sam. “And I recommend that you check your stationary safebox.“ Without another word Sarina left.
“What a time waster, Soldier Sam said to his receptionist. That Sarina was absolutely mad, that woman was. All that talk of swords and samurai. Did she really think that would impress me?
Soldier Sam walked over to the cabinet and took the Bourbon bottle out. What did Sarina give me? He tipped the contents of the bag onto his desk.
The stolen Premium Tools fell out. Soldier Sam swore involuntarily as he realised that what he was looking at were the Premium Tools that were stolen in the latest robbery.
Soldier Sam confirmed this with the receptionist just to make sure he wasn’t losing his mind.
Soldier Sam went over into the back room where the tools were usually kept, opened the door and stared at the gang that perpetrated the crimes. They were Handcuffed to the workbench were the Tools were used.
Later when Soldier Sam removed the thieves from the shop premises he called up Sarina immediately.
“Sarina, I made a big mistake!! You are the right person for the job—I was wrong, you are hired!!”
“Maybe you were too quick to judge me Soldier Sam.' Sarina responded. “I have proven my skills and now we are partners.
“You will never be missing any Tools again, I can promise you that!!”
"The newest prospect has the potential to be a tremendous partner, and this latest episode includes valuable provisions that allow us to leverage this small, untested but extremely talented future of the programme" he said. “The large demand for for these services is a testament to its highly innovative design, and this opportunity will allow us to greatly increase our dream goal ambitions.”
"Overall, post evaluation interviews of prospect revealed a high regard & level of interest for the operational capability demonstrated by the "Little Buddy" he said in statement to an unidentified source.
“We are practicing that phone call now.. We are tossing some ideas around it with people familiar with situation of having both options. When it's ready, then we will compare that to what we have available, compare it to keeping existing personnel, compare it to what it would take to replace it with new prospect, and we will work through that process,” he told reporters.
He went on to explain that he was, broadly speaking, exploring ways to achieve, preserve & sustain satisfaction in potential long-term, high-end engagements, adding that considerations about a replacement prospect figured prominently in the strategic status updates surrounding these issues. Both Physical features & inner character intangibles will also be a very large part of the equation when it comes to making determinations about potential replacement, he explained. "The question is exactly where is the sweet spot as we talked about between what's available now and what the optimum replacement would be. We are working along that continuum to see exactly what the requirement is in terms of performance & talent, the attributes we need to be able to do the mission, he added.
“So is that a sure thing? No,” he says. “Do we see that the opportunity is real & we think that there is a real future for this thing so someday it could be a profitable line of pursuit for the organisation? I'll have to say the answer is yes or we wouldn't have made the decisions to go ahead and take some pressure on to really take that final step and bring this thing forward in a very real & credible way.”
"During that time period we might not have authority to execute any advanced access to prospect for the programme,” he said. "This could put pressure on our ability to meet currently tight schedule for getting the first prospect episode to enter service and complete evaluation & testing in time to support on-time service goals. The longer we operate under constraints, the greater this impact might be on overall risk to retention making it nearly impossible to move forward,” he said at a recent conference. “There have been discussions on unique ways to drive down timelines and we are exploring every opportunity whether it’s in swift advancement, whether it’s in how prospect is appreciated… to try and find the right solution."
“It is very similar to what is playing out with other prospects to some degree. There is a desire to move toward an agreeable solution." he said in an interview. He added that there are no distinct lines in the sand yet for prospect categories, but generally we are looking at all options. "You’ve got to be a little bit of a futurist and be in it for the long haul and say, ‘several years from now, we might be able to do that,’” he said. There are some penalties we have incurred for doing this with only one prospect If you tried to do that under most circumstances it would be terrible. Prospect attributes are informing our initial performance designs, informing what we need for our progress. We have good indicators that show we are in striking distance of doing that,” he said.
As the Daylight hours on Sarina's Holiday were soon to slip away, the wait grew long for Sarina on the desert floor. What had once been stifling heat was now becoming somewhat bearable with sundown approaching. As near as Sarina could figure, she had been on the ground for a little over an hour, but it had seemed more like 8 hours.
After securing her Holiday evasion camp, Sarina went to work, pulling out the GPS to get a fix on her location. Relaying her exact position using the GPS coordinates would be crucial to any rescue mission. The challenge would be to relay her position to the rescue team without revealing her location to opposing forces who would invariably be listening to her non-secure voice communications.
Ordinarily, this would be a huge obstacle to overcome; however, once again, fate smiled on Sarina. During her pre-mission briefs, pilots like Sarina are provided a coordinate to use as a frame of reference when communicating with their standard non-secure radios on the open airwaves in the event of a shootdown.
Sarina used this coordinate to relay her ground position by transmitting her heading, direction, and distance. Since any bad guys listening in did not know the exact coordinates, even if they overheard the radio communications, they would not be able to pinpoint her location.
Sarina turned on her radio and was pleased to find it working. She thought, "God bless those Support Guys that keep our gear in good working condition. I'm buying them all drinks when I get back ... if I get back."
Sarina's attention then turned to dialing in the predesignated emergency frequency. The first friendly voice Sarina heard was that of an another pilot in the vicinity. The position was relayed the with explicit instructions not to break radio silence again until Sarina was contacted and her identity was authenticated.
These directions would prove important to Sarina's remaining safely hidden from any hostiles in the area who might be listening in. Sarina's coordinate information was relayed to airborne control platform operating in the area, crucial in providing key command and control information for the rescue effort.
Within minutes, Sarina could hear the thunderous sound of air support in the distance. When they got within couple miles of Sarina's coordinates, the team worked to covertly pinpoint her exact location, without giving it away to hostile forces.
As the support aircraft made a pass, the team looked for ground and air threats. What they saw as they popped over a nearby hill would make them glad they had stuck to standard rescue-and-recovery protocols.
The situation was worse than had been imagined. There was a ground radar site south of Sarina's evasion base. A couple of miles away, there were heavily armed hostile ground forces parked at a refueling station. They, undoubtedly, were looking for the downed pilot. The air support pilots knew the stakes had just been raised for the rescue mission. This would be far from a permissive extraction environment.
The air support left the area to contact the control system with their latest reconnaissance information. With the rescue team at least an hour away at this point, they didn't want to loiter in the area and risk giving away Sarina's position.
They did, however, need to remain close enough to keep an eye on the nearby hostile ground element in case they managed to locate her.
In the event of that occurring, the air support would put down strafing fire to defend Sarina's position. The team would have to work fast to get her out before being found by the hostile forces.
Even though the radio was now silent, just knowing the air support were close by gave Sarina a small sense of comfort. While she waited, Sarina did her best to keep hydrated. When she drifted into consciousness, Sarina would force herself to drink a few sips of water.
Sarina had hoped she would be rescued quickly but was prepared to settle in and wait it out. She knew those guys were good at what they did, and if anyone could get her out, they could.
Eventually, Sarina was rescued and had a wonderful remainder of Holiday before she would be tasked with another mission the next day.
“The Fascinating Story of the “Ramblin’ Rampage”: Why the Rams Logo was Feared Across All Oceans”
Soldier Sam was filled with a curiosity to visit Rams Stadium, and especially to discover whether there was any shore to the ocean by which he lived.
So having been assigned a ship with all the latest technology, Soldier Sam strengthened it for a voyage, that he knew would without doubt be long and stormy. Then he chose Sarina to accompany him about the choppy seas, Sarina having the same love of adventure as himself, and with a store of provisions and bourbon we set on board.
All this being done, Sarina and Soldier Sam set sail. For many days the companions voyaged on deep waters and in strange seas. At times the wind was fair and gentle, and at others it blew so hard that the sea rose in a terrible manner.
One day there came a violent whirlwind which twisted the ship about, and, lifting it into the air, carried it upward into the sky, until it reached the Moon. There Sarina and Soldier Sam disembarked and visited every bourbon establishment on the Moon.
They took part in a fierce drinking battle between themselves; and, after many other wonderful adventures, they departed from Moon Land, and sailing through the sky, visited the Morning Star. Then the wind dropping, the ship settled once more upon the sea, and they sailed on the water.
One morning the wind began to blow vehemently, and Sarina and Soldier Sam were driven by storm for days. The comrades set forth from the islands that lay in the seas thereabouts. Once they reached Los Angeles they knew their ship was going to be put under a protocol for deep maintenance to dig out all the inner part of them and renovate the masts and sails.
Sarina and Soldier Sam had to confront many Pirates on the way to Los Angeles. The Pair fought for some time, eventually gaining the advantage, until they soon saw no more coming in their direction.
Sarina ordered Soldier Sam to set all sails; and they departed with speed.
As soon as the Pirates were out of sight, Sarina set herself to tuning the Radio and ordered Soldier Sam to keep watch. And from that time Sarina and Soldier Sam were searching for any sign of Rams Radio Broadcasts they could pick up, approaching the shore but, not knowing when another strange pirate ship might come upon them.
The first battles were over, but Sarina and Soldier Sam’s win didn't feel as good as expected. They had beaten the first pirates, but the Rams Logo carved into the bow of their ship had been blown to smitherines in the fight.
Sarina was the most feared pirate on the Coast of California. She had the biggest and fastest ship, manned by the strongest, most loyal crew, namely, Soldier Sam. The treasures Sarina discovered, stole, and buried were of legendary value. She was living every pirate's dream, until now.
The Rams Logo was a symbol of strength among pirate ships. Each ship had a unique carving standing boldly on the front of it. This Rams Logo not only helped others identify the Sarina from afar, but it also expressed the power she held.
Sarina was known by all in the sea for two reasons: that Rams Logo and Soldier Sam. There was no doubt the ship was sturdy and powerful, but not known to the other pirates, it wasn't the best ship ever made. Now, in its damaged condition, the Rams Logo threatened to be the downfall of Sarina and Soldier Sam.
It would seem to an outsider that Sarina could simply get a new Rams Logo and attach it to the ship. However, Sarina knew that would be a big mistake. The Rams Logo had been destroyed in battle. If Sarina replaced the Rams Logo, it would look like she was trying to cover up the fight rather than boast about her win.
Even so, Sarina and Soldier Sam would have to find a new Rams Logo and fast to maintain their pride. As soon as word of her state spread, other pirate Captains would be looking to seize the opportunity to challenge the Ramblin’ Rampage” as Sarina and Soldier Sam’s ship was named.
If Sarina didn't come up with a new figurehead soon, she would lose credibility, respect, and her treasures! A pirate's journeys were full of wild, mysterious creatures and dangerous sailing conditions. Surely, there must be one thing left that all sailors fear to be used as his new figurehead. And that show of strength was the Rams Logo.
Sarina wasted no time. First, she asked Soldier Sam for ideas.
Soldier Sam was sold on the importance of the Rams Logo, but did come up with an idea: “Everyone Respects Burger King” he offered.
Sarina laughed at Soldier Sam’s ridiculous idea. A Whopper wasn’t nearly frightening enough. Back in her cabin, Sarina stared out the porthole. The skies were unusually clear, and the waters abandoned of sea life. Sarina was searching for an idea, but the Skies didn't appear to want any involvement in giving her one.
After scouring the weapons, barracks, and sights from mission bay. Sarina, grew frustrated. Soldier Sam looked over the edge of the ship. A few small waves slapped against the side of the “Ramblin’ Rampage”.
“Just no other figurehead will work, Sarina” Soldier Sam concluded. “The Rams Logos stands above all in its Authority.
When a storm blows in, any Captain will get nervous, even if she'd never admit it. There is an uncertainty in the way of the water. It can creep up and overtake you or soak in slowly turn over a ship from the inside out.
Yes, what could be more feared than a Rams Logo? So, the ship Sarina so strongly named would now have a figurehead to match. All pirates feared the waters of the sea, and now they had Sarina to deal with.
Sarina opened her eyes and looked to the skies, but the bright sun forced them shut.
.
“We must get to that beach in time for the Rams Game." Sarina decided.
Sarina called out "Hello Rams Mascot? Earth to Rams Mascot!!” There was no answer. She scanned the beach from end to end. Rams Mascot was nowhere to be found.
That's right, Sarina remembered, Rams Mascot had taken on some extra duties at Rams Stadium. An “Overtime Journey” they called it.
"Every Crew Chief, when he is done with his tour must be taken to Rams Stadium” Soldier Sam remarked.
"It's a tradition that's been followed for generations," added Soldier Sam.
Soldier Sam didn't understand why Sarina hadn’t taken him to Rams Stadium yet, seeing as she was clearly able to.
All Soldier Sam cared about was a day off from battleships to spend drinking bourbon at Rams Stadium.
Suddenly, both Sarina and Soldier Sam noticed a sound on the radar heard a rustling sound. The alert warning sign had been activated, but there were no pirates in sight. Something was moving toward them, but what?
When Soldier Sam was young he had strongly desired to be a pirate, and the reason for this was the absolute independence of that sort of life. Restrictions of all sorts had worked against him, and in his reading of the adventures of the bold sea rovers of the time, Soldier Sam had unconsciously selected those portions of a pirate's life which were attractive to him, and had totally disregarded all the rest.
In fact, Soldier Sam had a great desire to become what might be called a “Fightin’ Ram”. He would fight for anything that resulted in cash to build that new Rams Stadium. At that time it was only a dream.
Soldier Sam always wanted to be as free as a sea bird from any technical or leadership related jobs wherever he lived.
“I would retire to that island of Rams Stadium, in a beautiful LA Setting and would be known only to myself and to my crew, and there I would pass happy days in the company of my Bourbon, my works of art, and all the various treasures I had taken from the pirate vessels which I had overhauled.” Soldier Sam would always say.
Such was the notion of a pirate's life to Soldier Sam..” I would take no prisoners; the very sight of my Rams Logo would be sufficient to put an end to all thought of resistance on the part of my adversaries, who would no more think of fighting me,
For this, Soldier Sam self-stamped the approval of his actions, finding the authorization necessary to advance the course of his ordinary life up to this point.
The first pirates who made themselves known in California waters were the famous buccaneers; these began their career in a very commonplace and unobjectionable manner, and the name by which they were known had originally no nautical basis.
Beginners in any trade or profession, whether it be the playing of football, the painting of pictures, or the pursuit of piracy, are often distrustful; so it happened on occasion with amateur pirates, and showed very plainly that they did not yet understand their business.
“Enjoy the fun and adventure of pirate stories, Soldier Sam!”. Sarina always encouraged him. Read about the famous pirate stories, about the legend of the old pirates in the history of naval warfare. Famous short stories help you Discover lives, and legends with only an internet subscription in a short, fun, easy to read format.
So it happened that many of the buccaneers could not divest themselves of the notions of good behavior to which they had been accustomed from youth. For instance, we are told of a captain of buccaneers, who, landing at a settlement on a Sunday, took his crew to an NFL football game.
As it is not at all probable that any of the buccaneering vessels carried football fans, opportunities of attending football games must have been rare. This captain seems to have wished to simply show that pirates at football games know what they ought to do just as well as other people.
It was for this reason that, when one of his men behaved himself in an improper and disorderly manner during the football game, this proper-minded captain arose from his seat and issued triple PT orders.
When Soldier Sam arrives at scenarios almost on the point of despair, Sarina informs him of some action far away upon the still waters, a fierce battle to be waged for Sarina’s favour. Then, with a great jump, hope springs up in his heart.
Soldier Sam seized the oars and pulls in the direction of the distant craft. But when they were near enough, Sarina saw that the vessel was not a merchantman piled with gold and treasure, but a ship of war waging the impossible fight to defeat the Rams.
Having to perform the duties of an entire crew, Soldier Sam often times requires a bottle of bourbon. Soldier Sam did not come out upon those waters only to attack ships of war, but, more than that, he had not come out to perish of thirst.
On the “Ramblin’ Rampage” Soldier Sam could be of no doubt that there was plenty of bourbon to drink when Sarina is the Captain.
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