Meeting the Blacksmith

Posted on Tue Aug 17th, 2010 @ 5:39pm by Captain Liarra Von & Lieutenant JG Jonathan Royce

Mission: Welcome to Archa IV
Location: Starbase 332 - Python Squadron Hangar
Timeline: Shoreleave Day 2 - 1400hrs

"Your training rotations are really pushing my crews, Lieutenant." Command Master Chief Robert Orley said.

"Sorry, Chief, but I'm trying to get this group into shape." Royce replied.

Orley nodded his head. "Aye, they need that, to be sure." The man put down his spanner and tricorder and closed a hatch, which magnetically sealed itself. He leaned against the sleek craft. "Ya know, Lieutenant, I've been working on these birds for a long time. And they Pythons used to be the envy of fleet, back when Commander Jack Lansing was in command. They called him Banshee. I'll tell ya, he could holler like one too. You screw up and you heard about it. But it worked. It made them the best. They could fly, and shattered records left and right."

Royce knew about Jack "Banshee" Lansing. His tactics were taught at advanced fighter school. He virtually wrote the book on sub-light BFM.

"I certainly have some big shoes to fill, don't I?"

He just nodded again. "And a bit of mopping up, if you don't mind me saying. These guys are good, but a little lacking in discipline. They've gotten a bit complacent."

"Thanks chief." Royce said sincerely. He knew that Orley wasn't being a snitch, he was genuinely concerned with the state of the squadron he served for so long. The maintenance personnel were always around. So much so that they became just part of the room, like wallpaper, and they heard and saw everything. Orley hadn't said much, but he told Royce what he needed to know.

Royce pulled a tall, thin leather bag secured with a leather strip that gathered the top and was tied in a loose knot, and handed it to Orley.

"What's this?"

"Just a little something to unwind with after you clean the emitters."

Orley pulled the cord and undid the knot, then pulled out a sapphire blue tinted bottle with a sealed cork stopper. "Capellan Whiskey, aged 20 years. Why thank you, Lieutenant. You'll have to stop by for a drink later."

"Your welcome chief. Just a small token, you take good care of our birds."

"I have a lot of help."

"Yeah, but you're the boss. You get the glory as well as the blame."

Royce knew you wanted to stay on the good side of the guy who made sure your fighter was spaceworthy and capable of winning a fight. Making him mad was like pissing on a Klingon's gagh. Everyone knew that the ship didn't belong to the pilot, it was the crew chief's, he just let the pilot use it. And he better bring it back in the same condition he took it out, or there'd be hell to pay. Besides, Orley's team was doing a bang-up job keeping up with them.

The men shook hands. Royce could hear footsteps approaching them from behind.

Lieutenant Von kept her distance from the two men, not wanting to disrupt the squadron activities. While command of the station's air group fell to Commander Reinhart, their operations fell into her realm. All Starfleet activity in the sector was coordinated by her department, and that included knowing where the various squadrons were flying, even if the station XO was in command. She only took her position this morning, but she wanted to make the most of the day, getting to know as many of the various groups she would be communicating with as possible, especially since it was a slow day in ops.

She waited near the entrance to the hanger, her head high, showing off her new red collar. After the men shook hands, she figured their business must be concluded, and approached the new squadron commander. "Lieutenant Royce, I presume," she simply stated, extending her hand. "I'm Lieutenant Liarra Von, Chief Strategic Operations officer for this sector. I know you've been here a little longer than me, but welcome aboard just the same."

Royce took the proffered hand. "Yes, ma'am." He said with a genuine smile. "Pleased to meet you, and thank you for the welcome. I've been meaning to make my way up to the command deck, but one thing or another keeps pulling me away. With Commander Reinhart away on assignment the squadron commanders have had to take up some of the slack. I'm not complaining, mind you, it's just one of those things. In fact, it's good training. Gives me a better idea of what happens above my pay grade.

"When you have some time I'd like to go over the station's scheduling. I need to make sure I have sufficient personnel for patrols, escorts, or whatever else you need my squadron for without training rotations leaving us short. I believe you're the one in charge of all that, right?"

"Well, a lot of that information will come from Commander Reinhart. As the air group commander, he'll be responsible for your personnel assignments. My responsibilities center more around coordination between the various departments for strategic functions. He is still my superior in the chain of command, so most likely what would happen is if I need your squadron for a mission or operation, I would bring it to him, and he would make the necessary assignments. I'll be the first to admit that I'm still a little new to this position. I'm sure the Commander and I will have to work some bugs out of the system." She thought a moment before continuing. "Still, I'm the station's acting executive officer in Commander Reinhart's absence. If you'd like to discuss scheduling with me, I'd be happy to talk about it."

"Thank you, sir. Can you give me an idea of what kind, if any, regular patrols Commander Gunning wants? I know he's the new commander of the station and likely has different ideas from the previous commander. I'd also like to have advanced heads-up when VIP's are expected to arrive and depart so adequate escort can be provided."

"That, Lieutenant, will fall under my area. Since we're still settling in ourselves, I'm not sure he knows all the details yet. You can be sure I'll find that out. As for when VIP's are to arrive, that information will most likely come through me. I'll make sure you and your squadron have plenty of notice."

Royce nodded his head in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Lieutenant, I appreciate that. For now, then, with your permission, I'll cycle two flights of two elements each out to 5 parsecs on 4 hour patrols, just to keep them sharp."

Royce was please with his first impression of one of his bosses. She was direct without being bossy or condescending. She was attractive too, and that didn't hurt, but it was refreshing that she didn't flaunt it like so many others. There was nothing more dangerous than a beautiful woman who knew she was, and used it.

"That sounds good to me, Lieutenant. Let me know if you need anything. My office is on Deck 13." She extended her hand again to the squadron leader. She was impressed by his work ethic, and she could already tell that they would work well together. "If you don't have any thing else at the moment, I should get back to my rounds. It was a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant. Welcome aboard."

Royce shook her hand, and was relieved that it was firm and not limp. "Thank you, Lieutenant, I'm glad to be aboard and look forward to working with you."

As she left, Royce climbed up into the cockpit of his fighter to help Orley run through the systems check, ensuring the everything was up to spec.

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Lieutenant Liarra Von
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
Starbase 332

Lieutenant JG Jonathan Royce
Squadron Leader - V/F-26 "Pythons"
Starbase 332