Tour

Posted on Sun Dec 1st, 2024 @ 8:00pm by Captain Kett V'Laass & Captain Gary Taylor
Edited on on Sun Dec 1st, 2024 @ 11:02pm

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Deck 36-Drop Hanger Level 2
Timeline: Current
963 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Marine Captain Ket, had pulled the short straw in giving one of the Command Staff a tour around one of the USS Elysium's replacement Gryphon Fighter Bomber fighter craft. The USS Elysium had six Gryphon Fighter/Bombers and twelve Valkyrie Space Superiority Fighters. Or at least it did. The last few months had taken a toll on the ship, its personnel and its recourses. Including the number of star fighters due to combat excursion.

The Wing Commander was, perhaps on purpose to avoid the brass themselves, flying CAP in the immediate air space around the giant USS Elysium. Tensions where rising with a nearby vessel making contact. So Ket, assumed the Commander would want a brief tour. The Arrow shaped Gryphon space fighter sat in the secondary hanger bay above it was a small airlock. Below it was a lift to raise the gryphon up through the airlock onto the main hanger if needed. But here on the secondary hanger, where maintenance and repairs where done, the Gryphon sat ideally with fuel umbilical's and coolant lines. It fighter had been built from spare parts and wrecks of other craft. It looked almost brand new.

Gary stood in the secondary hanger bay. It had been a long time since he had been down here, and he still missed it. He gazed at the massive fighter bomber, and it was truly an impressive sight. It sat idly as fuel was pumped into it as well as coolant. Its appearance made it appear swift, and he had no doubt it was. It was a dual threat. it could protect the Elysium or if needed deliver bombs to enemy targets or ships. Looking around he didn't see anyone, so he decided on a closer look of the craft. Taking the lift down to the craft he got out and walked over to it. "You are a beauty." He said softly as he walked around the craft, examining it from all sides and angles. His hand running across the cool, sleek metal of the craft. "Yes, a real beauty." As he continued his inspection.

"Thank you Sir" Responded the Vulcan, talking in the familiar emotionless Vulcan tone as he stepped out from behind the Gryphon fighter craft. "The ship is as well" this was Ket's attempt at Terran Humour. Something in his career that he had never quite got the grips of. But had been told by the wing commander that it was a good way to break the ice. What ever that meant.

Gary turned at the voice and smiled. "Ah, I can see that captain, well cared for. You continue to do that, and she will always get you home." He paused for a beat before continuing. "Captain Gary Taylor at your service. Former CAG for the Elysium." He announced as he patted the side of the fighter-bomber.

"Indeed?" queried the Vulcan unaware of the Captains piloting background but was secretly thankful to himself that an experienced pilot made up part of the command structure. This was re-assuring, as sometimes old school starfleet types did not really know how to utilse the fighter compliments of their starships. "What did you fly sir?"

Gary nodded, "Yes indeed." He answered as he continued to walk around the Gryphon. He stopped and looked at the Vulcan. "I flew the Valkyrie fighter. An outstanding ship. Highly maneuverable, fast and carried quite a wallop. If you've never flown one. I highly recommend in get yourself strapped into the cockpit and take one out so you can see just what it is capable of. Yoy will be glad you did."

The Vulcan nodded thoughtfully as he listened to the Captain. Ket had never flown the Valkyrie space superiority fighter outside of a holodeck simulation. "When the opportunity presents itself Captain I will certainly endeavour to try." Get waved a gesturing hand towards the Gryphon "Does our Gryphon meet with your satisfaction sir?"

Gary looked the craft over thoughtfully before answering. After a few seconds ticked by he nodded, "I would say it does, From the outward appearance it projects an image of both speed and power. Capable of carrying out any assignment handed to it. It has a don't mess with attitude." He finished. "Do you know the capabilities of the craft off hand?" He questioned Ket.

"No Sir" responded Ket with a lack of feeling. "I do not." Ket stroked his beard thoughtfully. "My last combat tour was flying the old Peregrine Fighter Bomber during the Dominion War. The next time I found myself in the cockpit they had replaced the Peregrine with the Gryphon and we were thrown into another galaxy."

"It is okay. I was just curious." Gary replies. He looks at Ket as he says the last fighter he flew was the Peregrine fighter Bomber. "I think I can safely say the Gryphon is a significant upgrade over the Peregrine even has good and dependable as it was. I will be interested to hear your opinion on the Gryphon after you've flown it a few times."

"Most certainly Sir" responded the Vulcan straightening his stance in respect to his superior officer. "I will give a full report"

Gary nodded, "Excellent. I look forward to reading your report and getting your take on the capabilities of the ship. its strengths and any weakness it may have. Along with any areas we can improve on." He finished.

Ket nodded politely and smartly to his superior officer sir "Yes sir." Ket was giving some serious consideration to fighter modifications. Given the Elysium's current location there was a limit to resources and efficiencies had to be made.

Gary nodded, "Excellent. I won't keep you any longer. Carry on." Gary finished as he turned to leave the hanger bay, Ket and the Gryphon.