Meeting The Captain

Posted on Sun Mar 19th, 2023 @ 10:12pm by Lieutenant Commander Ferrand Beaulieu & Captain Ethan De Havilland

1,542 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Ethics, Morals & The Prime Directive.
Location: Main Hanger Bay

Ferrand had made sure his craft and equipment was secure though he was partly annoyed at not being able to keep the craft he'd flown now for a considerable time. All in exchange for the new type of Aerospace Superiority Fighter, the Gryphon. It was by all means a far more capable craft but it was hard for a pilot to let go of something they had spent countless hours tuning and adjusting to just how it was wanted. Still though, it was done, he'd just managed to walk the small-windowed crosswalk path of the Hanger to see his old fighter taking an exit route and back to Earth.

He sighed realizing that it was done, nothing more to do, and nothing could be said to bring it back. He also knew that at some point he'd be introduced to his new craft and once again start the process of tuning and adjusting once he'd got a feel for the handling characteristics.

As he stood waiting for the Turbolift he wondered about the task that lay before him, Commander Air Group of the largest gathering of fighters a starship has ever held. In the one hand, it felt like a grand accomplishment but in the other, he hoped he was upto the task considering he was sure there were Academy instructors and pilots far more seasoned than himself that could have been picked for the position. When the doors to the lift opened he called for the Bridge hoping the route would be a lengthy one for him to collect his thoughts. In any other situation, he might be nervous about meeting the Captain but instead, he found himself deep in thought of the role he found himself in.

When the doors opened to the Bridge he stepped out and what lay before him surprised him. He was expecting a small bridge like those on other starships, circular in shape and design but this was something different entirely. He picked out the surrounding space holographic table towards the front of the room. He could see the ship in the centre of it with blue icons around it denoting all the other ships in proximity. That would prove handy, he'd have to ask about one of those for the flight control room on the hanger deck.

"Excuse me Ensign. Where is the Captain?" Ferrand asked a passing Ensign in Yellow.

"Up the stairs there, left at the level and along the path to the red doors to the rear." She spoke turning and pointing out the path to take.

"Thank you." Ferrand's French accent coming into play as he smiled in gratitude after speaking.

The Ensign continued on her way leaving Ferrand to himself and Ferrand followed the path that had been pointed out to him. He did it slowly though, taking in the views, the stations, the sheer size of the room around him. He saw the ship was big but if this was the size of the Bridge he couldn't help but wonder what other areas like Engineering was like. When he got to the red doors that were pointed out to him he could see on the door 'Captain's Ready Room' on the plate on its surface. A deep breath and a tug on his tunic he pressed the chime.

The meeting with the Colonel though brief was informative, information that he'd remember when dealing with the Colonel at later times during the course of the mission. There was a certain clarity with the Colonel that Ethan could respect, always knowing where he stood with the Marine. When the door chime sounded he was expecting it to be another officer with a handful of reports and updates, a rub of the bridge of his nose and a sigh followed. Composing himself he looked at the door. "Come."

Ferrand had noticed the slight delay but thought nothing of it as he stepped in and eyed the Captain as he closed the distance from the door to the table. "Sir, Lieutenant Commander Ferrand Beaulieu, you CAG." Ferrand introduced.

"Ah Commander, Welcome." Ethans hand out to the man. "Captain Ethan De Havilland."

Ferrand shook the Captain's hand firmly, confidently but not too hard.

"Please, sit." Ethan offered the chairs in front of him as he sat down himself. "I'm aware that this isn't exactly your routine style of assignment, the ship itself is hardly a routine design but here we are." Indeed, here he was he thought. "I read your service record, certified on multiple craft, high level shuttle pilot qualification, training instructor. So what brings you to the Dreadnought, Commander?"

Ferrand thought about his reply carefully as he didn't want to insult the Captain or his command. "I believe that the Dreadnought will provide me the change to further my abilities on a larger scale operation. By making use of the skills and abilities I've trained and developed I believe I can raise the bar when it comes to pilot abilities and standards."

"I hope so, there are a lot of eyes on this ship at the moment and while it's classification is 'Command Carrier' it is still not only the largest class in Starfleet but the expectations on its performance and crew capability will also be under close inspection." Ethan spoke knowing he too would be watched, every order inspected, every action questioned.

"Yes sir, I have been informed that my new fighter is awaiting my inspection, I was a bit surprised I was not able to keep my previous craft." Ferrand responded, hoping that his new craft would make the cut he had hopes for.

"Yes, Starfleet has made sure the ship is equipped with the latest in technology, she was a test bed prior to my taking over. We have technology even the Sovereign Class doesn't have." While it may have been a minor boast, it was however a big statement. "Being a Carrier obviously a lot of focus has been aimed towards the supporting craft, you might have noticed the bays support a range of scramble types as well as launch or recovery systems."

"I did upon my landing, yes sir." Ferrand answered as he knew he'd have to have a closer look at those systems at a later date.

"Soon the ship will get underway to a region of space that has been having issues with raiders and missing ships. My aim is to deploy the fighter wing as advanced scouts since the ship herself will be hard to hide. We don't know the size or composition of the raider threat or where they are headquartered from, that is where the fighters will come into play." Ethan paused for a moment before he continued. "We also have two Defiant class escorts on board which I plan to use as regional command and control functions ahead of the Dreadnought. I want to avoid being pulled into a situation that the Dreadnought would be at a disadvantage."

"I understand sir. I can begin training simulations once I have settled in." Knowing it would be impossible for actual flight training while at warp speeds. "Do you have a preliminary mission overview package available?"

"I will be holding a meeting with all the senior staff soon, I will brief everyone then and provide all the information that I have been given, which unfortunately isn't much." Something that slightly bothered Ethan but accepted.

"Understood Captain." Ferrand was keen for that briefing, any information that he'd be able to share with his pilots only enhanced the chances of a positive outcome.

"I don't want to hold you up though Commander, I know you have plenty to do pre-departure as do I, so unless you have any questions?"

Ferrand thought for a moment. "Yes sir, I do. You mentioned Defiant Escorts, who will command those?"

"Unsure as of yet, that will depend on the situation as it develops." Ethan replied, though wondered where the Commander was going with that question.

"Understood. If possible, I'd like to pilot my fighter. If I am to lead these pilots into a potentially dangerous situation I have to lead by the example I'd expect and be there with them. Especially on this first deployment where trust and expectations are fragile in the early times" Ferrand spoke.

Ethan could respect that outlook, do by doing himself instead of asking others to do for him. "I'll keep that in mind Commander." Ethan answered. "As I said, I can't promise anything because a situation can change rapidly, I respect that you are wanting to set and lead a good example but ideals will naturally have to come secondary to operational requirements."

"Understood Captain." Ferrand understood that notion all to well. Ideals were noble, but the operational capability and readiness of the flight came first. "I have nothing further Captain."

"Very well, dismissed Commander, we both have much to do and little time left to do it in." Ethan eyed the computer, 2 more reports, 1 urgent notification.....wonderful.

"Yes sir." Ferrand stood and with a respectful nod turned and walked out of the Ready Room. He really did have a lot to do ahead of him, and heading back to the Hanger Bay would be the start of many steps to be made.

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