Chain of Command

Posted on Tue Oct 3rd, 2017 @ 9:51pm by

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: Pilots' Ready Room
Timeline: Current - June 15, 2399 - 1300 Hours

ON:

After the fiasco involving Commander Muller and Lieutenant T'Lisha Bishara, Lawson knew it was high time to call the first general meeting of all the fighter pilots - mainly to delineate the chain of command. He knew that there were some in the group who would not be happy with the way assignments had been - and would be - handed out, but things were the way they were and it would just have to be dealt with.

He leaned back in his chair and stared at the overhead for a moment before tapping his combadge.

=/\= All fighter pilots report to the Pilot's Ready Room in thirty minutes. Lawson out. =/\=

He then picked up a PADD and headed to the ready room to begin preparations for the meeting.

====== Twenty - five minutes later... ======

Lawson was sitting at the head of the table when the door opened and Muller walked in, followed almost immediately by Cooper and Del Palo. He had figured Muller would be first. Since she had served on the Pathfinder, she was almost first to everything - first to arrive at meetings, firt to volunteer for missions, whatever was happening, she was always right in the thick of it. That was why he'd had no reservations about appointing her as Alpha Squadron Leader when they had arrived aboard the Wellington.

T'Lar walked into the briefing room with T'Lisha right on her heels and took their seats and waited for the briefing to begin. She had a pretty good idea of what it was about and was prepered to answer the questions that were put to her. She could only hope that her sister would think this time before she opened her mouth.

T'Lisha took her seat next to her sister and waited. She was sure that something would be said about her and decided that it would be best not to say anything that might be construed as a mistake.

Next to arrive was Carlson, followed by MacKensie and a group of pilots that he did know yet. They had evidently had just joined the ship and he had not had time to meet each of them individually.

"Everyone have a seat and listen up..." he began. "First of all, the purpose of this meeting is to introduce myself and my staff to all of you. Some of you already know me from a previous posting. For those of you who do not, I am Commander Harold Lawson and I am the CAG of this fighter wing. Seated to my right is wing commander Lieutenant Commander Gordo Cooper, callsign 'Hot Dog'. To my left are your squadron leaders. Alpha Squadron leader is Lieutenant Commander Katrin Muller, callsign 'Cobra'. Next to her is Bravo Squadron leader Felicity MacKensie, callsign 'Ice Queen'. Two flight leaders have already been assigned, one in each squadron. There will be two more flight leaders designated at a later time and will be chosen based upon pilots' performances in simulations as well as interviews with myself, Commander Cooper, and each of the squadron leaders. Flights in each squadron are to be designated by color with each flight leader being designated 'squadron color - 1'. For instance, if the flight color is 'black', the leader is 'Black One' and each of the pilots in that flight designated 'two', 'three'...etc..." Then, turning his attention to Del Palo, he asked "Del Palo, as flight leader, what is your flight color?"

"Orange, sir..." Del Palo responded.

Then, he looked at Hawkeye. "Bishara, what do you choose for your flight color?"

"Blue, sir...", Hawkeye said quickly.

"Next item is the Chain of Command in the squadron. As CAG I am at the top of the food chain, so to speak. For those of you who don't already know, my callsign is 'Top Dog' and that's exactly what it means - I am the top dog in this fighter wing. Going down the chain in order - next is Commander Cooper. Sharing the third position are your squadron leaders, Commanders Muller with Alpha Squadron and MacKensie with Bravo Squadron. Next are the flight leaders. In all circumstances the chain of command WILL be followed. Anyone jumping the chain of command better have a damned good excuse - no, belay that - better have a damned good REASON for doing so because if they do not, they will be dealt with swiftly and most likely severely. Is that clear?" It was a rhetorical question so he did not wait for an answer. He looked down at his PADD for a moment before continuing. "I see we have a second pilot named Bishara on the manifest. A relative of yours?" he asked, addressing Hawkeye.

T'Lisha looked at him, "Yes sir, she is my older sister T'Lar", she said.

"I see," he said as he made an entry on his PADD. "In that case, you know she cannot be assigned to your flight. She will be assigned either to Lieutenant Del Palo or one of the new flights yet to be formed. Then, turning his attention to her sister, he asked "What is your callsign?"

T"Lar answered quickly "Viper, Commander", she said smoothly.

"Before we're done, are there any questions?" Lawson asked.

"Whatever squadron you assign me to sir, I will serve proudly", T'Lar stated, squeezing her sister's hand. "As far as any questions, sir, we do not have any sir", she said calmly. Looking at T'Lisha, who, she knew would say something, shook her head slightly.

In turn, he looked at the new junior pilots who shook their heads. He then queried the senior members. "Carlson?" "No." Del Palo?" "No sir." "Cooper?" "Nada." "MacKensie?" "Not at this time." He nodded slowly. "Okay, what about you, Muller?"

"No questions, skipper..." she said, then, when he was just about to turn and walk out she spoke up again. "I would like to speak to you though, Commander..." she said. Then, casting a sideways glance at T'Lisha and her sister, she added "In private."

"Very well. In that case, follow me to my office." Then, addressing the rest of the group, he said "The rest of you are dismissed."

T'Lisha walked out and waited for her sister. "What the hell was that about? I won't have Muller thinking that you are a black lamb in the group...I was going...", T'Lar cut her off.

"What is wrong with you? Don't you realize that it is common for two family members not to be placed in the same unit? For the exact reason that you and I are having this discussion. They don't want any sibling confrontations in the ranks. It isn't good for moral or staying alive, not to mention without compromising the objectives of the mission. Look sis you have to simmer down and relax. I am not going to be affected by what others think of me or the fact we are sisters. I have two jobs here and I am going to do just that. We are sisters by blood and off duty, but while on duty I am your fellow pilot and officer. You have to keep your perspective and priorities in order. I love you too much to allow you to get side tracked. Besides who knows I may be your wingman some time out there, then what? Please, T'Lisha think for gods sake, what would dad think if something happened to both of us?", she said, giving her a quick hug and kiss before leaving her for duty on the bridge.

OFF:

Commander Harold Lawson
Commander Aerospace Group (CAG)
USS Wellington

LtCommander Gordo "Hot Dog" Cooper
Assistant CAG/Wing Commander
USS Wellington

LtCommander Katrin "Cobra" Muller
Alpha Squadron Leader
USS Wellington

LtCommander Felicity "Ice Queen" MacKensie
Bravo Squadron Leader
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Roberto "Stallion" Del Palo
Orange Flight Leader
USS Wellington

Lt. T'Lisha "Hawkeye" Bishara
Flight Leader
USS Wellington

Lt. T'Lar "Viper" Bishara
Fighter Pilot
USS Wellington

Ensign Janice "Whitesnake" Carlson
Fighter Pilot
USS Wellington