An Executive Decision

Posted on Tue Feb 23rd, 2010 @ 12:47pm by Captain Alexander Gunning

Mission: Commissioned
Location: Antares Fleet Yards
Timeline: 6 Days To Boarding - 1200

[ON]

She glimmered in the light of the dry dock as workbees flitted around her, pulling bulkheads apart and replacing them as part of the structural system test. The ship's completion was running about three days behind schedule but the new commanding officer had already been assured by Lieutenant Commander K'Sette that the ship would be ready for shakedown within the next twenty-four hours.

In the meantime Gunning had managed to get himself a set of quarters on Antares Station which overlooked the hull of the USS Jackal. Since his last assignment was the now decommissioned USS Heath he had previously assumed that command would give him another ship which was merely waiting to die. He had no idea that they had something far more interesting in store.

His crew shortlist had changed significantly since he was on the runabout en route to Antares. The surprise nature of his new assigment meant that he now had to think about crewmembers who would be better suited to living and working in confined spaces with a smaller crew. There were so few people willing to take on such an assignment when compared to the luxury afforded in times of peace aboard Sovereign Project vessels such as the Ark Royal and the Langport.

His eyes fell on his shortlist for Executive Officer. Perhaps the most important role he would need to pick. He slowly guided his finger down the list. Lieutenant Harrison... Lieutenant Commander Jackson... Lieutenant Layton... Lieutenant M'Ola... Lieutenant Commander N'ovv They were all good officers and he had served with them all during his service but they all seemed to be lacking something. He needed someone who could double up a position. Layton was on his list as an Operations officer. Not quite right, he thought. Most of the Operational roles on a Defiant class could be incorporated into science, so she was pretty much out.

His gaze drifted lazily down the list until one image flashed into his memory. A six-foot, cocky German running through the corridor of the USS Galaxy almost seven years ago now. He'd almost knocked him out of the way at the time. He had been on his way to the bridge after the Red Alert klaxon had sounded. As Executive Officer he was in a mad rush to get to his place at the Captain's side but he had not counted on the fighter wing being in a rush to get to their stations.

"Dietrich Reinhart," he muttered quietly, "I wonder what he's been doing."

He clicked through to the man's personnel file. He had been second officer on an Excelsior class. USS Carthage operating out of Starbase 386. He perused further. Multiple decorations, fast-track promotions and made second officer, all in a relatively short period. He was currently without an assignment but was on his way to Deep Space Nine from Starbase 375. Gunning wondered if he would remember him.

Only one way to find out, he thought before tapping his communicator. "Lieutenant D'Lex; I want Lieutenant Commander Dietrich Reinhart's runabout diverted here. Can you do that for me?"

The reply came quickly. D'Lex had been assigned as personnel officer and quartermaster for the duration of the Jackal's commissioning. He was young and all too eager to help the Commander in any way. "Aye, sir. What should I tell him?"

"Tell him he's been reassigned. No more information."

"Aye, sir." The Lieutenant replied. "D'Lex out."

[OFF]

Commander Alex Gunning
Commanding Officer
USS Jackal [NCC-79083]