First Day

Posted on Wed Mar 24th, 2021 @ 3:24am by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Shuttlebay
1264 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

The Six Cadets waited in the shuttlebay. They looked at each other and spoke. Not knowing why they were there. Cadet Vais looked at Cadet Allen. "Eric? Do you know why we're here."

"Not a clue, the orders said for us to report to the Elysium, and so we did." Allen noted.

Kalasi also spoke. "Here I thought we were going to be expelled." The Bajoran noted. "And here I thought I was going to be able to leave and return to Bajor before the Liberation Festival."

Marianna spoke. "I didn't do anything!"

"Says the peta'Q who sleeps with almost half the campus." Kay'Vek suddenly barked. Almost every one of them had some kind of problem.

T'Venn spoke up. "Will you be quiet. You blatant outbursts of Emotion is ruining my concentration."

Eric spoke again. "T'Venn, we're not Vulcan Borg like you."

Jessica walked in and kept quiet for a moment as they carried on. She folded her arms and kept quiet for a few moments. These six pilot cadets were on the list of cadets that weren't going to make it. She didn't want the ones that were going to make it. These six were exceptionally skilled. "Cadets! Usually when a ranking officer is in your presence, you immediately stand at attention." The Cadets did so.

Jessica spoke. "Welcome to Starfighter School."

"Are you Kidding?" Marianna noted. "I thought I was going to be..."

"Expelled?" Jessica finished. "Yes, all of you were. But now we're going to throw you cadets a curve. You're not getting expelled." Jess noted. "Instead, you're getting assigned to an instructor that can handle you lot. I've studied everything about you six hotshots. Your skills at piloting and tactical operations are above the norm, there's just problems with the six of you."

Jessica walked across them. "McDonnal.... The Academy is not your nightlife. You're too much like James T. Kirk when he was busy dating."

Jess continued. "Kay'Vek... Your dedication to the Federation is admirable. But there are times that you will learn when a phaser is needed and when it's not."

"van Allen. You've been in the academy lockup more times that Tom Paris has." Jess mentioned.

"T'Venn. We're indeed not Borg. This is Starfleet, not the Kohlinar Monastery." Jess examined.

"Vaden. I don't know where to begin with that Bajoran chip on your shoulder." Jess noted.

"And Vais...." Jessica looked at her. "Little Ms. Perfect who cannot keep her telepathy to herself."

Vais spoke. "Wait a minute. Why am I on the Expelled list? My grades are perfect. My conduct is perfect."

"And that is why you're going to be expelled, Vais. Starfleet is not looking for Mary Sues." Jess mentioned.

"Now, Get over here." Jess sat on a crate near her fighter and opened an ice chest. Pulling out a coke and popping the cap.

"Why are you troubling with us, Commander?" van Allen stated.

Jess responded. "Because the Elysium Academy does not expel cadets. Ninety percent of our cadets become Starfleet Officers. Unlike the main campus. That place is for the officers becoming shuttlecraft pilots and other various forms of knuckledraggers. After one year here, you will not be the same. Our XO should be here soon, He's our squadron commander. I suggest you show him more respect than you show me."

Gary arrived at the shuttlebay. Jess had already informed him of the six cadets that were waiting for him. All were exceptional pilots but less than exceptional in other aspects of a cadet's life. He stepped through the entrance of the shuttlebay and walked towards Jess, As he did he cast an appraising eye on the six but made no comment. Arriving at Jess's side, he finally spoke. "This them?" He inquired.

"Yep." Jess noted. "Alright kids. Let me tell you about myself. My name is Lt. Commander Jessica Vaii. I'm one of the finest Combat Fighter Pilots, and instructors, in the United Federation of Planets. Chances are, I've trained one of your previous instructors. Now I could have picked the best of the best. The first thing you're going to learn about me real quick is I do not brag. If I say I'm good. I back it up. The next thing you will know about me is I have two loves. The first is the United Federation of Planets. Now, you've already had the standard Shuttlecraft evaluation at the San Francisco Campus. And you've already learned quite a lot about piloting a shuttlecraft or a starship. That means precisely zilch to me. Let me explain the difference between a shuttle and a fighter." Jessica gestured them to follow her.

"This is a United Federation of Planets F-187 Valkyrie Space Superiority Fighter. That means you will feel every bit of inertia this vicious machine can inflict on a mortal body. It doesn't matter if you are Human or Klingon. This is not a shuttle. With a shuttlecraft, the computer does most of the piloting, and you plot courses and manuvers using a control panel. These birds have flight sticks. Furthermore, they have higher output inertial dampenors, but if you make the mistake of putting yourselves into G Induced Loss of Consciousness, your fighter will hit the first thing it runs into and you will die." Jess emphasized. "Now, my curriculum is unusual. You are going to learn the lessons of those who came before you. Next week, I will place you in the capable hands of Baron von Richtoffen on the holodeck. Listen to what he tells you." Jess mentioned. "Oh yes, Choices have consequences with me. Unlike the San Francisco campus. I get very creative with how I kick ass, but if you listen to me; I will make you all into a superior grade of Starfleet Officer."

Jess followed up. "You are about to become some of the finest pilots in the Federation."

Eric spoke. "Yeah, and are you going to teach us? You're probably full of hot air... Sir..." Jess walked up and looked Eric in the eyes. "van Allen... You've excelled in your studies, but the reason you're here with me is the lip you give a superior officer. Why are you in starfleet, instead of piloting a freighter?"

"I want to become the best." Eric noted.

"Pay attention Cadet. You're being taught by the best, and I can prove it any day. I'm not bluffing, as I'm that good. Ask Commander Taylor over there. I currently reign supreme on this ship as the best fighter pilot here." Jess noted.

Gary nodded at Jess's words. "You want to be the best cadet? Takes more than words, takes determination, hard work and more hard work, hours of studying not just the manual but of flight time as well. Commander Vaii is the best fighter on the ship. I'm number two and frankly....." Gary pushed himself off the wall. "I don't think you can do it. I think you talk big but it's all an act. Nothing is going to be given to you. You wash out here, you can forget ever being a fighter pilot. You'll be consigned to shuttles and freighters." He walked to where Jess and van Allen stood. "Tomorrow you'll meet the Baron and that is your first step. If I were you. I'd keep my mouth shut and listen."

"Who's the Baron?" Shaleena noted?

Jessica spoke. "He's a better pilot that I am. If you can fly the kind of fighter he flew. You'll earn quite a bit of respect points from me."

"I wish you all luck...your going to need it." Gary noted.