intenance robies need fixing the work's done
by human specialists or other specialized robies.
They're not on board. Eventually, this fleet is
going to be in a sad predicament: nav equipment
will go down with no way to get 'em back on line."

"How are you on fixing nav robots, Adari," Brad
smiled.

"I get by."

"Put that in your report, too." Brad turned to
Kumiko and nodded.

"Guns, power packs, tracking and fire-control
systems in fair shape. Ordnance controllers and
gunners are a breed apart, especially when they're
taking care of their own, and even when working
conditions are tight. They normally do most of
their own maintenance. The guns are modern, and
there's a good supply of ready-to-install chargers.
Ship commanders exercise their gun crews frequently,
and many have been on the raids, so they have ops
experience that the UIPS Space Force lacks. As
far as armaments go, this fleet will be a powerful
adversary in any confrontation."

"Sounds encouraging," Brad said wryly. "When
you prepare your report, just tell it like it is. A bit
of good news would be welcome." Motioning to Hodak,
he added with a tight grin, "Last, but not least,
what's the situation on structures, facilities,
energy sources, and general logistical support."

Hodak, leaning against the wall, rubbed his bald
spot and frowned.

"I ain't happy at all," he said. "As I told you on
the Dragon, maintenance training of ships' crews
is sloppy, and standards are either just not there
or obsolete. We're working on the ops and logistical
support checklists but they're still far from
compatible with facilities and installed systems.
These guys operate by the seat-of-their-pants.
What's more, ship's structural and power plant
robies are down for maintenance half the time
and spare parts are a mess. That also applies
to surface shops and equipment.

"When ships are taken out of the line for repair,
the process is too damn long, mostly because of
the marginal and nonstandard support equipment.
We got a real problem here, Brad. The sooner we
get on it the better."

Brad leveled a finger at Hodak.

"I want you to include in your report a way to
update direct support from surface shops. If we're
going to do ourselves any good on this rim rock
one thing we can't afford is a fleet that can't stand
up to a confrontation with the Inner Region. I'm not
about to be hauled back to that tin can Guardian
Station to face escape charges. I don't t