Pilot's Briefing

Posted on Sun Apr 21st, 2024 @ 10:28am by Avalon [ADMIN NPC] & Commander Kyle Reece & Captain George Charles [Reece] & Captain Addison 'Rico' Leyton & 2nd Lieutenant Slarth [Reece]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: USS Elysium, Starfighter's Ready Room
Timeline: MD 9 / 0934 hours
1295 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

~ON~

First Lieutenant Sonja "Comanche" Redcloud entered the pilot's ready room, a few moments after she heard the announcement from Commander Reece. As she sat down, her wingman, Second Lieutenant Donovan "Banshee" O'Callaghan leaned over. "You know what this is about?"

"You mean other than being in Slaver territory?" She responded with a question and a raised eyebrow.

"Well, yeah, obviously other than that, Comanche." The young Irishman chuckled.

A slim female human pilot slid into a chair in the ready room. Elana 'Ghost' Flanagan had been fresh out of the academy when she had been assigned to the Elysium. She was quiet and didn't speak much unless needed.

The next two to arrive were George and Slarth. While George hadn't yet been given his medical clearance to fly yet. As one of the senior pilots aboard, he was still required to be present. As George was asked a question from one of the junior pilots, Slarth saw her friend and roommate, and moved to sit next to her. "Hi, Elly," she said quietly. "You got up and out pretty early this morning."

"Hmm spent time in the simulator" Elena replied to her room mate. "And I didn't want to wake you."

The young female Ferengi grinned softly. "That's very considerate of you. I'll have to repay the favor." She thought for a moment, then said, "Tell you what, once this craziness is done, I'll cook us dinner."

"Hmm no tube worms though." Elena smiled.

Captain Addison 'Rico' Leyton entered with her Weapons Officer Thumper limping behind her. "Come on, Gimpy," she teased her Weapons Officer.

"Kiss my ass," Thumper replied with a grin.

Addison spotted George and pointed in his direction. "Look, you can hang out with the other Gimpy. Maybe even start a Gimpy club," she chuckled.

"Oh, that's it. When I am cleared for flight, I am sooo playing my Footloose playlist," Thumper threatened playfully.

George, overhearing his friend's comments, smirked as he turned and address Addison. "Keep it up, Rico. I'll be back in my bird soon, and showing you why I'm the CAG and your my wingman." He gave her a friendly wink, then added, "And don't think I haven't heard about you trying to poach my REO, either." He chuckled softly as he finished speaking.

"Because someone has to make sure you don't get killed,* Addison replied, grinning as she took a seat with Thumper sitting down next to her.

Before George could respond, the door hissed open again, and the large frame of the Elysium's Chief Tactical Officer entered the compartment. "Everyone, please take your seats and we will begin. He moved to the front of the room and stopped behind the lectern.

Elena sat up a bit straighter in her chair. She waved her roommate to sit and they watched the Chief of Tactical.

George and Tink moved to their seats, then gave their undivided attention to Commander Reece.

Rico and Thumper stopped talking and turned their attention to the CTO.

Once everyone was seated and quiet, Kyle took in a deep breath, then began. "Good Morning, members of the 45th Tactical Wing. If you don't know who I am, allow me to introduce myself. I am Commander Kyle Reece. I am the Chief Tactical Officer for the Elysium and, until he recovers, the acting X-O for the ship as well."

"Now," he paused to press the control to lower the room's lights and activate the holoprojector. "As you know, an away team was sent down to the surface of the planet a few hours ago. In that time, we have detected a checkerbox pattern to the way the Thaih'ea scan their space. Avalon?" He called out to the ship's A.I. "Show them, please."

The AI appeared and a holo map appeared. "As requested Commander."

"Thank you," Kyle replied as he continued. "As you can see, there is a window of barely three point two seconds where the scans refresh. Not enough time for anything as large as Elysium to get by without being seen, but starfighters could do it." He paused beat before continuing.

"Now, a plan had been made to deploy several probes, that are being modified to look like the Elysium to sensors. Once the Commodore gives the word, each one will fire off into different directions at high warp. The hope is, it'll give us the time we need to warp to the planet, get our people out, and haul ass out of here."

He inhaled a breath, then released it before continuing. "Here is the sticky part, and it's where you all come in. If the probes all launch from here, then the Thaih'ea will have a starting point to look. Want I am going to ask of each of you will be very dangerous. I'm only going to take volunteers for this mission. If you don't feel up to it, I'll understand, and no marks will be put in your files. I just need a show of hands on who here feels that they are ready."

George looked at Tink and they both nodded and raised their hands in unison.

"Come on, Rico. We got this," Thumper gently elbowed Addison.

"You sure you're up for it?" Addison asked.

"Hell yes," Thumper replied.

"We're in," Addison stated, raising her hand.

After all the flight teams raised their hands, Kyle grinned proudly. "Excellent. When the time comes, Gryphon pilots, each of you are going to launch with two probes mounted to your craft. Your primary mission will be to provide cover to both the ship and the away team's shuttle. Once the shuttle is back aboard, launch the probes on different vectors, then get your asses back on board. Valkyrie pilot's, you will be tasked with protecting the Gryphons and the shuttle. Any questions?"

Elena shook her head, as she considered getting her ship ready.

George and Tink both shook their heads.

Rico and Thumper both shook their heads.

Seeing as no one had anything to ask or add to the conversation, Kyle nodded. "Very well. Carry on with your duties, and stand ready for a launch order to come down any time now. Dismissed."

As the pilots started to leave, Kyle stepped from behind the podium. George, a moment please." He stepped off to the side and waited for the recovering pilot to join him.

George looked at Reece, then Tink and the others. "Go on ahead, I'll catch up to you guys." He then moved over to where the large Tac Chief was standing. "Yes, Sir?"

Kyle lowered his voice to a friendly, but concerned tone. "I haven't seen any paperwork yet about your status, George. Has medical cleared you yet?"

George sighed and shook his head. "No Sir. Not yet."

Kyle nodded thoughtfully, the replied. "In that case, I want you overseeing the entire flight Ops mission. I have a feeling that things are going to get very busy, very quickly, and my focus will need to be on the ship herself. With you watching things down here, I feel i will be better able to keep the rest of us safe. Can I count on you to do this?

George straightened up as best he could and nodded proudly. "Yes, Sir!"

Kyle smiled and nodded. "Good man. I'll relay the orders to you and you send them out to the pilots. Also, any issues, you send directly to me, understood?"

George nodded again as he replied. "Aye, Sir! I won't let you down."

"I know you won't," Kyle replied with a grin. "Now. Get to work. Once Commander S'hib has those probes modified, I'll have them.sent down her so you can get them on the starfighters."

George nodded again, as both men left the briefing room.

~OFF~

 

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