They also serve who they stand and wait.

Posted on Mon Apr 27th, 2020 @ 9:54am by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 3: Episode 4: Cause and Effect
Location: Squadron Briefing Room
793 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Jess walked into the briefing room with Gary. "Alright, shut your mouths and listen up." She brought the room to order and walked to the podium. "Okay, we're on a deep-space exploration assignment. One that is leaving a bad taste in my mouth. We're going into an area of space beyond Cardassian Space called the Void. Elysium actual has ordered no one to be deployed in this area." Jess noted. "Warp drive will not function in this place for some reason, and the sensor anomalies will give science a headache. Our fighters just aren't built to function here."

"So we're all grounded?"

"Not a chance. When we emerge from the other side of the void, we'll be in a place literally where no one has ever seen before. Anything can be waiting for us on the other side." Jess mentioned. "I don't like surprises, so we're going to remain operational in case things go to shit. While in the void, you're going to assist other divisions with whatever they require. Outdside of it, we're going to run periodic tachyon sweeps for our Romulan friend."

Gary leaned against a wall as Jess addressed her cadets telling them the situation and what to expect both going into the Void and exiting it. When she mentioned their Romulan friend he spoke up, "Don't underestimate her. If you do you'll be dead. She's cold and calculating looking to press any advantage she has. What I want each of you to do in addition to the other tasks you have is put yourself in her shoes, How would you go about attacking the Elysium?"

"If you find this warbird in your patrols, I want you to disengage and reform with us. I have two wings of those new bombers that came in that will be fully equipped ar all times. She won't be expecting her ass to be blown to Kingdom Come with the Gryphons. And believe me there will be no ultimatum now. She had her chance." Jess noted.

Gary nodded in agreement. "Don't be a dead hero. Commander Vaii is right. If you find her, get your ass back here pronto. We're not going to give her another chance to take us by surprise. We strike first ask questions later."

"One more thing." Jess noted. "I've been ordered to send all you in for a medical and psychological review. Including the implantation of some sort of monitoring implant. You will complete the review ASAP because I don't want my pilots grounded over a technicality. If I see anyone getting out of this, you will regret the day you've ever pissed me off for the rest of your Starfleet Careers. There are plenty of plasma conduits to scrub on this ship. Are we understood?"

"Yes, Commander."

"Anything you want to add, Commander?"

Gary shook his head, "I don't think so Jess. I think we've covered all the bases and your pilots understand the seriousness of what we're dealing with. If they don't they don't, they won't be pilots long."

"Any questions?" Jess waited while the silence filled the room. "Alright, get out of here." Jess noted as the room cleared out. "Another day, another mission, even if we're not in cockpits, Commander."

"That's true Jess." Gary noted "However you have to ride heard on these hotshots. Can't afford to lose any of them."

"Have you ever known me to do otherwise." Jess noted. "You ever heard of the Flying Tigers."

"A combat squadron during one of earth's wars. World War II I believe. Pretty good as I recall." Gary answered.

"One of the best, Gary. And they got that way because they weren't hot shots. No. What they did was fly their P-40 Warhawks above the altitude ceiling of the Mitsubishi Zero and then pounce upon their prey from above." Jess noted. "Pretty much everything we do is what the Flying Tigers once did. One of us is engaged, the wingman gets into position to pounce."

"Just make sure your pilots have the same results the original Flying Tigers had Jess and I'll be happy." Gary replied with a grin.

"I have a request to make of the Captain; why don't we continue the title. The shark nose art and all. I'm pondering making a request to Command to change our name. 'The 45th Flying Tigers.'" She noted with a smile.

"Make the request Jess. I'll back it all the way. I think it is and excellent idea. Give your pilots something to live up to." Gary pointed out with a grin.

"Not to mention that Romulan Bitch will be twice as frightened when she sees the shark nose art on our fighters.." Jess mentioned.

"One can only hope she will be Jess." Gary replied solemnly.