Finding the Pilot
Posted on Wed Nov 14th, 2012 @ 6:40pm by Commander Brian Ratchford & Lieutenant JG Erica De'Havean
Mission:
Reindeer Games
Location: Starbase 332, Shuttlebay 31
As Ratchford's search for the bridge staff he hoped to have with him on the Jackal continued, he found himself exiting the turbolift into one of the stations many cavernous shuttlebays - Shuttlebay 31, to be precise - and found himself in awe of its size. Brian had been aboard some large starships in his days, and had visited some of the shuttle facilities on Federation land-based bases, but the shuttlebays of the stardock-type station were on a completely different scale. Thankfully, there was a petty officer near the turbolift exit who he was able to have point him in the direction of the officer he had come to track down.
"Ensign De'Havean?" the commander called out, as he approached the region of the shuttlebay that the Petty Officer had indicated.
Erica looked up towards the voice that interrupted her conversations with several other shuttle pilots. Seeing it was a Senior Officer, A Lieutenant Commander, got her curiosity perked. Normally they summoned mere ensigns to them, instead of roaming the vast Starbase 332 for them.
"Yes Sir? That would be me." As the rest of the pilots scattered while Erica came to a loose position of attention, "You need me to ferry you to Archa four?" Looking him over as he was was approaching her and the shuttle she was standing next to.
"No, thank you," Brian responded, holding his hand up to politely reinforce the answer. "I'll be commanding the USS Jackal in a battle simulation against the Carthage in a couple of days time. I understand that you're the ship's usual helmsman?"
Erica nods slowly confirming his understanding, ears perking up immediately. "I am, sir. What you need to know about the Jackal?" Moving over to a workstation next to her assigned shuttle when she's not dealing with the Jackal out on patrol. "How come Commander Von isn't in command?" Looking at him with curiosity.
"Commander Von will be in command of the Carthage instead," Ratchford responded, following the pilot to get out of the way of the other personnel moving about their duties. "I'll be in command of the Jackal to try and remove any sense of predictability during the battle drills, and as it is the smaller ship, it made sense for it to be the one commanded by the less familiar officer," he explained, thinking back to explaining his reasoning for recommending he take the Jackal to the station's captain earlier in the day. "That last bit is part of why I'm down here," he continued. "I understand that most of the crew will be used to serving under Commanders Von or Prax, or Captain Gunning, and I just wanted to give you the chance to let me know whether you would have any issues serving under me for this assignment temporarily. It won't reflect on your record badly if you turn the assignment down, but as we will all be unfamiliar with each other, I would like to make sure that my bridge staff will be comfortable flying under my command."
Erica looked at him, "That is my kitten to fly!" Look hardening into a glare, "none flies the Jackal except me, sir. I don't fly it. The Jackal don't leave port. As long as it ain't that Hippy Captain, I'm fine with whomever commands her." Eyes sparkled with anticipation of once more flying a warship. "What's the mission?" Turning to face him fully, giving him once over look as she was finished with her Shuttle Duties, giving him her full attention.
"I'm running some battle readiness exercises to help prepare the station's crew for any more encounters with the Sojourners," the commander responded, a little surprised by the almost vehemence the pilot showed at the idea of someone else piloting the Defiant-class ship. "Since the last encounter proved that they have access to at least one Excelsior-class vessel, Commander Von is going to be portraying the part of the Sojourners in our little exercise, and it will be our job to engage them and stop their 'threat' from continuing."
Erica listened with ears perked. "I'll go and get the Jackal prepped and pre-flighted. Expected time of departure?" Her tail swept back and forth behind her in anticipation of once again in taking the Jackal out and this time in mock aggression against another ship. She grabbed a PADD And sent a text message to her shuttle department head that her services were needed elsewhere for the next few days as her primary job piloting the Jackal called her away from the shuttle department.
"We're likely to have a couple of days yet before we depart," the Commander responded, pleased that his pilot was showing such an eager attitude to getting to work aboard the little ship again. "But so long as your other duties don't interfere, I'd like you to keep the ship prepped and ready to go as soon as we're given the green light."
Erica nodded, "Yes Sirrrr.." with a slight purrr. "They whont interfer with my primary flight duties with Jackal." Pausing briefly in midstep, "is there anything else?" Half turned to look at him.
"No, that'll be all Ensign," Brian responded with a smile. "Thank you," he said, sincerely, not just as a common courtesy for the conversation, but for being one of the first of his temporary bridge crew that he could gladfully confirm. He'd read her record, and he was certain that he would be able to make use of her piloting skills during the war games.
Lt. Commander Brian Ratchford
Temporary Commanding Officer
USS Jackal
&
Ensign Erica De'Havean [P: Akiashiro]
Chief Helmsman & Shuttle Craft Pilot
USS Jackal & Starbase 332
