Arrival

Posted on Mon Apr 9th, 2018 @ 1:30pm by Captain Michelle Bartlett & Warrant Officer Koh Otassu

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4

With a flash, the enormous Ascension class carrier dropped out of warp, dwarfing the already massive Sovereign class USS Wellington. The sleek, top of the line ship lazily coasted to a halt, opening hailing frequencies. "This is Rear Admiral Donahue onboard USS Diana to USS Wellington."

"Go ahead." Michelle said from her spot on the bridge, awaiting the away team's return.

The viewscreen was filled with an aged and weathered yet smiling human male face. "Rear Admiral Jonathan Donahue of SF R&D. Pleasure to meet you, Captain Bartlett."

"You as well, sir." Michelle replied. "How can we assist you?"

"I'll not waste too much of your time and get right down to business, Captain. I'm heading a skunk works project, code name KD56. We're putting the final touches on our latest development, the modular heavy fighter Gryphon. Your ship has been selected to receive eight of these new fighters, along with support equipment, data files, optional load out packages and crew. These will replace your existing fighter wing, to be transferred to the Diana, with the exception of your blink fighter and its support equipment and crew." Donahue explained. "These Gryphons will be delivered along with crew trained on these ships, led by Lieutenant Commander Jack Carver who will take over as wing commander onboard your vessel." Donahue explained, motioning with his hand.

At the motion another officer, this one considerably younger and with tussled hair and a neatly trimmed mustache and beard, standing a few inches taller than the Admiral. "Captain." he simply gave a nod, standing at ease.

Michelle nodded to the gentleman. "Mr. Carver. A pleasure to meet you. Your men will be coming aboard by the sounds of it?"

"Yes Ma'am." Carver responded. "With your permission, I'd like to fly my wing over immediately and present my transfer papers personally. Support equipment will be beamed over as your old fighter wing vacates the fighter bay and space is cleared."

Michelle nodded in agreement. "I don't see a problem with that. Things seem to have stabilized enough in the sector now that we can do so. Not that they can really harm us anyway. But I'll explain that once you're presenting your papers. I'll look forward to recieving them and I'll try and look up a bit of information on your team. Our last fighter squadron was mostly reassigned, and... well... there's been a lot of other things going on. Which I shall explain at the same time."

"Have they now." mused Donahue. "Seems like my data was out of date. Typical. No matter. Mister Carver, you have your orders."

The LtCmdr turned to Donahue and gave a salute, which the Admiral answered. At that Carver headed off screen.

It wasn't long, only a few minutes, until eight sleek, powerful and brand new heavy fighters emerged from one of the launch bay doors on Diana. They looked the business, mean and angry with sweeping wings. They were marked 1 throug 8 on one wing, and each had a word or short phrase written on the other wing. "Bad News". "Hunter". "Animus". "Diplomacy". "Leopard". "No Mercy". "Judgment". "Reaper".

The small group held formation and position off of Wellington's aft, outside the hangar bay doors. "USS Wellington, this is Lieutenant Commander Jack 'Hammerhead' Carver, commanding Black Sheep squadron, requesting landing clearance for eight craft, sixteen crew."

"Clearance to land granted." Came the reply. "Main Fighter Bay is open."

"Thank you Wellington. Carver out." Permission thus granted, the eight craft lazily accelerated, spreading out from their formation to make their way inside their new ship with their brand new craft.

Ensign Laro opened the Fighter Bay doors where the previous fighters had been. It had been awfully empty the last couple days, and although it was short notice, she was sure they'd get things back in order.

All the action on the deck caused a certain pair of ears to perk. Just finishing up some routine TLC on his Blink Fighter, the pilot looked up and over at the new craft that were making their way to the deck. Sure did look more like proper fighter craft to his eyes than the last batch.

"Looks like your new squad just arrived." the Bajoran said to Koh.

"Good to." Koh said with a smirk, "I wasn't looking forward to being the only pilot here." he gave a chuckle.

The eight new fighters made their way to the various designated landing spots. They weren't significantly bigger than Wellington's previous fighters so they fit in the old parking spaces just fine. As the ships settled and powered down, cockpits opened, crew emerged. Two per ship - a pilot and a weapons specialist. Black Sheep 1, call sign Bad News, took up the lead craft spot.

Lieutenant Commander Jack 'Hammerhead' Carver emerged from Bad News, took off his flight helmet and looked around, making sure his entire group had landed safely. As all other crew assembled Jack approached the only other crew in the fighter bay, two Ensigns, a Bajoran and a race he didn't recognize. As he walked his gaze fell on the blink fighter and he slowed his pace, letting out a low whistle.

Putting two and two together and seeing that the ensign from an unknown race was wearing a slightly different flight suit he surmised that that was the sleek black craft's pilot. "That your bird? Looks very impressive. Curious to see what she can do." he addressed Koh. "Jack Carver, ship's new wing commander. Pleasure to meet you, ensign, ensign. Do either of you know if the captain's coming down? Or will I have to go up to meet her?"

"Koh Otassu, callsign 'Ghost'. Pleasure to meet you too sir." the Ts'usugi said with a nod, "And this is the Ichiga class Blink Fighter, class One." he motioned to his bird, as Carver called it. "I'm working with Engineering and Operations to ensure a clean maintenance and holoroom proxy at the moment. We don't exactly use the same energy systems as the Federation does, so there's a filter in the works. Normally it's an external device, but Renee in Engineering is working on an internalized filter that won't impede performance."

He gently placed a hand on the hull of his craft. "As for the Captain, I honestly couldn't say. My advise would be to head up, and if the Captain heads here while you're gone, I'll comm you."

"She's probably on the bridge. Or she was last I heard anyway." Laro replied.

"Makes sense. Thanks Ensign." Jack replied to Laro. Koh got a nod and a smile. "Good to meet you, Koh Otasso. Feel free to mingle with my crew, just don't expect answers about the ships, they're still under an NDA until we get fully settled in." And with that he made his way to the turbolift that would take him to the bridge. Once there he stepped inside and cleared his throat.

Michelle heard the throat clearing, and turned her head to see the orange-collared officer standing at the door. "Mr. Carver. Welcome aboard." she said.

He stood at attention, giving a nod. "Thank you Captain. Here are my transfer orders and those of my crew." as he offered her a padd. "And here are the details on the Gryphon fighters. You will be asked to agree to an NDA before the contents will become available to you, and your engineering crew will have to agree to an NDA as well before being allowed access. They're still confidential."

Michelle nodded. "As you were." she added before signing the orders and reviewing the specs. "Of course. I'll have it sent to my First Officer, and the Senior Staff as well as Engineering." she said, looking over the Gryphon specs. "Without giving away too much, it looks like you've a lot to do."

He stood at text book at ease pose after being tld to. He preferred to err on the side of caution and protocol while he still was getting a feel of other officers. "I do. With your permission, I'd like to get to it, Ma'am. It's good to be on board, and I look forward to serving as your CAG."

"Of course." Michelle said. "Your regular quarters has been cleaned out and we'll make sure your men are assigned." she added. "We're happy to have you." she said, hoping there wouldn't be the near soap opera levels of drama with these pilots there was with the last ones.

"Thank you, captain." he offered. "I will have my wing at full readiness for action in about an hour, should we be needed." he added, waiting to be dismissed.

"I look forward to it. That will be all. Thank you, Mr. Carver." Michelle replied.

"Ma'am." he gave a nod, then turned around and went back into the turbolift. Lots of work to do!

==END==

Captain Michelle Bartlett
Commanding Officer
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Commander Jack Carver
Commander, Aerospace Group
USS Wellington

Ensign Laro Adel
Chief Support Craft Pilot
USS Wellington

Ensign Koh Otassu
Fighter Pilot
USS Wellington