Pomp and Circumstance
Posted on Thu Jan 22nd, 2015 @ 3:59pm by Commander Jordan Gunning & Lieutenant Commander Morgan Kelly & Captain Liarra Von & Lieutenant Colonel Edward Maxwell & Lieutenant JG Erica De'Havean & Lieutenant JG Allison Price
Mission:
Vagrants, Vagabonds, and Thieves
Location: USS Jackal, Main Bridge
Commander Jordan Gunning gazed glassy-eyed across the table at his Commanding Officer as she continued her update for the Commander of the Air Group, Major Edward Maxwell. The situation with the Amollan, N'Veci, and Kintarran refugees was beginning to spiral out of control and she was due to leave to Archa IV to petition them to help.
While she was off the station, Jordan was being left to keep tabs on what was happening and he was sure that this would be the last enjoyable duty he had for the next couple of days. That was, if the Captain ever got round to telling the Major.
Von finally brought her briefing to an end. In all honesty, she was getting tired of talking about all of the different ships seeking refuge on her station. She was fairly confident that the Major was tired of listening to her. "Attempts to turn them away haven't been very fruitful, and before Commander Ratchford left the station, he was quickly getting nowhere with the local government. I'm hoping that I can be more persuasive." Though if her recent attempts at diplomacy were any indication, she would have an uphill battle. "The only real good news out of the whole situation is that the rate of influx has started to die down. Reports indicate that most of the refugees have ended up wherever it is they were going. We just happened to have received a disproportionate number."
"I could have turned them away if I had permission to engage them. A few warning shots does wonders for someones ability to pay attention to what you want them to do." Ed commented as he stretched his arms over his head. "At least if things die down Blaze and I can get the training schedule put back in order again." And maybe have time to go to dinner... Ed thought to himself.
"They are a drain on our resources, but not exactly a threat. The Federation prefers to be welcoming rather than start shooting at people fleeing from our enemies. But I get your point." With that part of the briefing seemingly settled, Liarra was happy to move on to better things. "Well, I'm sure you are just as tired as I am with hearing about the refugees. I have another matter that I'd like to discuss. Tell me, Major, how familiar are you with the capabilities of a Defiant-class starship?"
"For a ship it's size, a Defiant packs quite a punch. It's about useless to me from the perspective of CAG since I can't put birds on it to be sufficient as a ferry and no way as a Carrier. What are you getting at with that question Skipper? Seems rather a strange one to ask an old fighter jockey like me."
"Here's the thing, Major. With the Montreal being assigned to the station, and Commander Ratchford moving on to his own command, the Jackal is left without a CO. With the way the Defiant-class handles, she's practically a big fighter anyway." Von leans forward to get a little closer to her CAG. "I was thinking that maybe it might be a useful tool to have in the arsenal of our fighter group. I know you can't put fighters on her, but how would you feel about leading your squadrons from the bridge of a starship?"
"Tempting thought, but the bridge of a starship doesn't have pool that Ops and FOps has. Though I could always lead a charge I suppose." He shrugged. "Let's have a look and I'll think it over."
"You being able to lead the charge was essentially what I had in mind. You wouldn't be losing the air group. The Jackal would just be another tool in your arsenal." Von leaned back and put her hands below the table. "I mentioned my idea to the Fleet brass, and they agreed. They also agreed with my request to give you this." Lifting her hand back up Liarra slid a small box across the table. "Hopefully this will help sweeten the deal, Lt. Colonel," she added with a smile.
"I knew I was on the promotion list, but I didn't expect it to be this year." Ed chuckled as he opened the box. "Appreciate it Captain." He said as he reached up to remove his gold oak leaf and replace it with the silver one in the box.
"Congratulations, Colonel," Liarra replied, taking the box along with his old rank insignia. "I suppose we should go take a look at the ship." She rose to her feet. "Shall we?"
[Some Time Later]
Morgan Kelly stood at the airlock, patiently awaiting the arrival of his new Commanding Officer. He hadn't seen Commander Ratchford before he had been reassigned and- if he was honest- he was still half expecting a call to go with him. Perhaps he hadn't made the positive impression on the Commander that he thought he had.
The First Officer of the USS Jackal had been expecting Commander Gunning to take over but rumours in the Officer's Mess suggested that he had been put in command of the USS Montreal, the new Diligent-class which had been delivered under very little fanfare.
The man who accompanied Captain Von as she stepped through the large blast doors was unfamiliar to him, but the green collar and chest piping on the neatly turned-out officer's black uniform was very familiar. His new Commanding Officer was a Marine.
Von stepped forward to stand off to the side of Kelly once the pair came to a stop at the airlock. "Colonel, this is Lieutenant Commander Morgan Kelly, the executive officer and chief tactical officer of the USS Jackal. Commander, this is Lieutenant Colonel Ed Maxwell."
"Pleasure to meet you, Commander." Ed said and offered him a friendly handshake. He wasn't much for protocols and all that nonsense in this sort of situation. "How long have you been assigned?"
"Four years, Sir." Kelly stated matter-of-factly, it failing to dawn on him that he had only recently achieved a promotion and that he wasn't exactly achieving his career goals. "Can I show you to the bridge?"
One of the benefits of the Defiant-class was that their walk to the bridge from the docking hatch took less than a minute.
"Captain on the bridge!" Kelly proclaimed as they entered, sending the assembled crew snapping to attention.
Ensign De'Havean growled softly at the interruption as she sat at attention, glancing over her shoulder as she put the simulation on pause. Halting the simulated run into hostile territory. Another "Kobayashi Maru" type of situation. Fun to run to test the crew under pressure.
Price quickly stood from her position at the engineering console. Starfleet officers didn't salute, at least not the same way as the marines. She hoped that he didn't have a problem with that.
"As you were." Ed called out as he waved them back to work. "You've all got better things to do than be interrupted by us I'm sure. What are status of the ships systems at this time?"
The young redheaded ensign wearing operations gold spoke up first. "Ensign Price, sir. There are no reported issues at this time, though most ship systems are running at minimal power. Warp and fusion reactors can be brought up to full within three minutes. Currently the Jackal is connected by umbilical to the station to conserve our fuel supplies." She wasn't really sure how much information he was wanting, so she tried to keep it to as high of a level as possible, and yet still give him a sense of the ship's readiness.
"Good, very good. Thank you Ensign." Ed nodded. "For those who haven't heard yet." He said turning slightly to address the entire bridge crew. "My name is Lieutenant Colonel Ed Maxwell. I'm the station's CAG and as of this morning the Jackal's new CO since Commander Ratchford has moved to the next step in the career ladder. No doubt I'll have something of a different style than Commander Ratchford did, but hopefully we can start working that out shortly. I've been told that this ship handle's like a fighter. Have no doubt that I intend to test that claim to it's limits."
"Meairow!" Escaped from Erica as her eyes twinkled merrily, while giving a powerful affirmative nod as her tail gave an aggressive sweep behind her. "I'll show you what this puppy can do! Let us take this for a serious spin. With the help of crew and previous Commander. We've developed the 'De'Havean Maneuver'. Toughen up the structure to handle it nicely and well within the Core's capability." She gave Ensign Price a smile, but to the uninitiated, it looked she was looking felinish smugly content. She thought to herself, ~~Maybe this CO has some guts and brains to handle the stupidity of higher ups.~~
Ed chuckled as he caught the thought coming from the Helm officer. He didn't try to listen in on anyone's thoughts, not even Blaze, but he could still pick up things that weren't shielded. "Don't worry Ensign, you'll have your chance to show me what you can make this ship do. As a matter of fact just as soon as we take care of a little business we'll be undocking from the station. I want a first hand demonstration of the ships capabilities and how feasible its going to be for me to run the fighter wing from here." He turned to look at Von with a smile. "Could I have the boxes Captain?"
"Of course, Colonel." Von handed two small boxes over to the marine, but didn't elaborate any further on their purpose.
"Thank you." He smiled and looked back to the bridge crew. "Attention to orders!" He announced. Ensign Price and Ensign De'Havean front and center." He ordered as he continued the proper protocols. "For continued meritorious service and dedication to duty Ensigns Price and De'Havean are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade with all the rights and responsibilities inherent in that rank." He said as he opened the boxes and handed them to the officers. "Congratulations Lieutenants."
Erica left her console to come forward and stand next to Price. Curious as to what was going on, even though she had a good idea. She gave an involuntary purr at receiving the promotion. She quickly pinned the half pips in place next to the one she already wore. She gave a quick salute as she returned to attention.
Allie was not quite used to the strict adherence to military protocol. Starfleet tended to be far more lax in that regard than the marines. But she followed De'Havean to the rear of the bridge to stand at attention. She was curious about the box, but not having gone through a promotion, only her graduation, she was not sure about what was to transpire. But the revelation of her new hollow pip sent both waves of relief and excitement through her. "Thank you, sir!" she said to both Maxwell and Von.
The station's commander smiled at both of the newly minted Lieutenants. "You both deserve it. You've served this ship and the station with distinction." She turned to Maxwell. "I'll leave things in your hands, Colonel. I have no doubt that this crew will give you a run for your money."
""As you were, Lieutenants." Ed nodded, dismissing the two officers. "We'll see who gives who a run for their money Skipper." Ed chuckled. "We're about to go for a little trip around the station. I want to see what this ship does before I lead a wing of fighters into the fray with her. Lieutenant Price bring the warp core to full power and ready the ship for departure. Lieutenant De'Havean notify Flight Ops that the Jackal will be disembarking the station in fifteen minutes for a brief shakedown run."
Captain Liarra Von
Commanding Officer
Starbase 332
Lieutenant Colonel Edward Maxwell
CAG, Starbase 332
CO, USS Jackal
Lieutenant Commander Morgan Kelly [NPC: Gunning]
Executive Officer
USS Jackal
Lieutenant JG Allison Price [NPC: Von]
Chief Engineer
USS Jackal
Lieutenant JG Erica De'Havean [NPC: Akiashiro]
Chief Pilot / Shuttle pilot
USS Jackal / Starbase 332
