Venting Frustrations

Posted on Sun Sep 18th, 2011 @ 8:47pm by Captain Liarra Von & Commander Dietrich Reinhart

Mission: The Pak'Leth Problem
Location: Ops
Timeline: Shortly after "Inbound Flight Delays "

Ops was a flurry of activity. Ships from all over the Galactic South had apparently chose today to move through Liarra's sector, giving her plenty to keep track of. She had a few dozen small transports wanting access to the station along with several freighters. The damn Pak'Leth ship required special attention since it was threatening to blow itself apart. Commodore Gunning was busy giving his tour to the new counselor, and Commander Reinhart was still on leave. And to top it all off, the Shiloh and Director of Fleet Operations himself had just recently arrived. The rumor mill told her that something was going on there, but she didn't have time to follow it up. At this exact moment, Liarra was in charge of Ops, and it seemed that everyone wanted her attention.

"Commander Von," her strategic operations officer reported from his pod. "Ops is being specifically hailed, not on the dock request channel." He checked his sensors. "It's coming from Pan-Galactic Flight 67108. They are requesting to speak directly to the officer on duty with a complaint about the holding pattern we've set them on."

Liarra sighed. "I don't really have time to deal with individual requests, Ensign. Tell them that they need to wait their turn. We are trying to get everyone docked but there is a lot of traffic."

"Aye, sir." The ensign turned back to his console, relaying the message from his superior. Liarra went back to the PADD she was working on, but was interrupted again. "Commander, it's Commander Reinhart. He would really like to speak with you."

Christ, she thinks to herself. Of course it was Dietrich. Why would it have been anyone else? Liarra stands from the command chair and walks towards the main viewer. "Put him on, Ensign."

"Good morning, Archanis Control. This is Pan-Galactic 6-7-1-0-8. I would like to know the reason for the holding pattern," the pleasant yet remarkably disgruntled voice came through the speakers. Of course, he made no mention of who he was or his position, but anyone with a gut feeling knew this person was an impatient asshole from the tone of voice.

"The reason is simple, Pan-Galactic 6-7-1-0-8," Liarra replied, deliberately making no note of the identity of the person on the other end. "I have two starships coming in that I desperately need to find a berth for: the USS Vesta and the USS Shiloh. One is carrying Commodore Quinn, the director of research and development, and the other is commanded by the chief of fleet operations himself. Perhaps you'd like to explain to Admiral Reinhart why your transport should take priority over his flagship."

Dietrich flipped the pickle switch (the communications mute). "Fuck." He slammed his hand against the bulkhead, which brought about scorns from the transport's pilots. His brother's command ship was in the approach lane and his transport was stuck idling in space until the Station got it's act together. And that other damn ship, whatever it was. He turned off the mute, "Station, tell the Admiral that the Starbase is clearing a berth for the Shiloh in the main docking bay."

Whatever the Vesta was, it obviously had priority over the rest of the Fleet transports and vessels in the area. He was being greedy, sure. "Then tell him they're waiting for the Flight 6-7-1-0-8 to make an expedited approach to the lower docking bay." The station had multiple approaches for a reason - so they can have civilian traffic and military traffic simultaneously entering and exiting the docking bays of the massive Star-dock. The Shiloh was no more than twenty-some decks in comparison to a station that was a twenty-five hundred decks. To hold all traffic for two priority arrivals was a ridiculous waste of time and energy. Whoever was on Operations Control was not making efficient use of the Archanis Approach vectors.

"Copy that, Flight 6-7-1-0-8. I'll alert the dockmaster to expedite the process." Liarra gestured to the dockmaster to make the necessary adjustments. "You'll be assigned to the lower docking bay as requested. Oh, and Dietrich, welcome home."

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Commander Dietrich Reinhart
Executive Officer
Starbase 332

Commander Liarra Von
Chief of Strategic Operations
Archanis Sector