New Commander Old Fighters

Posted on Fri Jul 18th, 2025 @ 5:10am by Major Kett V'Laass & Captain George Charles [Reece] & 2nd Lieutenant Slarth [Reece]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Elysium-Deck 35-CAG's Office
Timeline: (A few weeks back)
956 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Kett Stepped into the CAG's office for the first time. Well first time standing on the other side of the desk. He tossed his bomber jacket onto a small sofa. The room had a Earth 19th century vibe to it, with a wooden desk and fake leather arm chair behind said desk. Behind the desk the rear wall was one large screen of transparent aluminium and looked down to the flight deck below, where crew and mechanics buzzed like bees around the various starfighters. Another wall was taken up by a large touch screen LCARS display and other computer banks, monitoring the activity on the dedicated flight deck and its personal and craft. The door chime pulled him from his reverie and the Major said "enter."

The door slid open and two pilots wearing the Starfleet Marine flightsuits, stepped inside and snapped to attention, saluting Kett smartly. One of the pilots was a male, Betazoid, by the looks of his eyes, and the other, was a shorter Ferengi woman. "Congrats on your promotion, Kett...I mean, Sir." George said with a grin. Until two days ago, the two of them were the same rank. Though George had been leading the Flying Tigers for a while, the decision as to who would fill the recently vacant department head slot, had come down to a few different exam scores. Kett had soundly beaten George on the exam, so both Commodore Lalor-Richardson, and Colonel Naxea had moved the Vulcan into the role, putting George into the assistant spot.

"Hmmmmm" said the vulcan thoughtfully "I suppose I will have to get use to the whole sir thing." Though he waved it away with an uncharacteristic, Vulcan, gesture of his hand. "Thank you for your support George. It is Valued and appreciated" said the Vulcan sincerely though with a typical lack of feeling or emotion in his voice.

George nodded and grinned. "Hey, you earned the top spot fair and square. We all are here to protect the ship and our family. I have no doubt that you'll do great."

Tink nodded and echoed George's claim with a big grin of her own.

"Thank you both" said the Vulcan as he gestured for them to both sit down as he straightened out his uniform and took a seat behind the oak desk. "and you are correct, protection of this vessel and its crew is our umber one priority. To that effect, what suggestions do we have improving efficiency and relation combat readiness?"

George sat down, followed by Slarth, who spoke up first, her soprano voice a bit faster than normal, due to her nerves. "Well, Sir, given that while we have the ability to replicate shuttles and starfighters...we still don't have the manpower to put up a proper screen, should the need arise. Perhaps, to help fill any gaps that come up in the future, all of the flight crews need to be crossed trained, to fly anything, at any time?"

George glanced over at his friend and R.E.O., then back at Kett. "She's got a point, Sir. While we aren't a full-sized carrier, we are hurting for pilots. Having everyone comfortable with flying any kind of mission would be a prudent move."

"Indeed. An excellent point. I would like all Type 11, Type 9 Shuttle and runabout pilots crossed trained to use our Gryphons and Valkyries. Addtionally, lets have our own pilots begin cross training on our own fighter craft" Kett scratched his beard throughfully. "I will start a proposal to Lieutenant Colonel Naxea about getting some of her officers on flight trainning....If we are here for the long haul, we need to consider attrition. "

George considered what he had just heard, then replied. "It's one thing to do cross training with our own personnel, Sir. It's quite another to bring regular fleet personnel down into Marine Country and train em to be fighter pilots. We're a totally different breed."

Kett raised one eyebrow. "I am not requesting personnel from fleet, I am requesting them from the Marine barracks officer pool. We don't know how long we are going to be out here. Logically we need to at least begin conversations on starting a training programme for future pilots."

George nodded thoughtfully, then responded. "There are fourteen Marine cadets currently in training in the annex. I'm sure we could start with them. Of course, you'd still need to discuss it with the Colonel."

"Indeed" responded Kett raising one eyebrow again. "I have MET the Colonel face to face. It will be an interesting Conversation"

George grinned slightly as he nodded again. "I'm sre she would agree to the request, hiven our current predicament."

"And it would help make our unit stronger and more dangerous in a conflict," Slarth added as she looked between George and Kett.

Kett leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together thoughtfully. "These are difficult, challenging times for the USS Elysium and its crew. Far from home and with no Starfleet to support it, we have to do what we must to survive out here so far from home. Logic will inform survival. Our craft must be stronger and more dangerous."

George nodded in agreement as he replied. "We could start doing some simulations, see about designing new craft, or at least better equipment to load onto the birds we currently have. We do have an industrial replicator up in the main shuttlebay, after all. Provided we can spare the raw material, we could start building something as soon as the simulations and designs are completed."

Kett nodded in agreement. "An excellent suggestion. With these options available to us we can create a sustainable and robust fighter support group for the USS Elysium"