Introductions

Posted on Thu Aug 26, 2021 @ 12:38am by Lieutenant Jaro Antos

Mission: Mission 1R - Vigilance Be Our Shield
Location: Pilot Ready Room
Timeline: M1D1 - 1430 Hours

[Flight Ops – Briefing Room]

Antos was in the front of a small briefing room that was filled with over twenty humanoids of various races and ranks seated in four ascending rows of seats arched out in a semi-circle away from where he was standing. He knew this was the full complement of the flight team on board the Hornet…well most of them anyway. They had to keep some personnel on the Bridge and the shuttlebay.

The men and women in front of him were a mixture of commissioned and non-commissioned officers – pilots, technicians, specialists and other deck hands. He had already started reading up on their personnel files. He hoped to, in time, learn all their names and get to know them.

To his immediate right was Chief Petty Officer Jazmine Best, his aide de camp of sorts until a formal assistant was chosen. She had managed to lead the flight team so far and had done so quite capably. Antos had it in mind to ask her to be his adjunct, but that would have to be a conversation for another time.

Antos had called this meeting to introduce himself to the team upon the recommendation of Chief Petty Officer Best. This was going to be the group of individuals that he was now responsible for by virtue of his new role as department head of the ship’s flight team.

He knew from the briefing he had received so far from the Chief Petty Officer that several of the flight team had been with the ship since its shakedown cruise but some of them were new, only just arriving a day or two before Antos.

“Lieutenant Antos meet the finest flight crew in the fleet,” the Chief Petty Officer stated. “Everyone, say hello to the new boss.”

“Hello to the new boss,” came a series of responses from the gathered personnel before him followed by snickering laughter.

Jazmine rolled her eyes in feigned frustration as she brushed a strand of her long black hair from her face and tucked it behind her hair, exposing more prominently the large gold hoop earrings she had on each ear. “Why do you guys always have to be such dorks?” she shot back with an exasperated sigh though it was followed afterwards with a smile.

“As you can see sir,” the Chief continued as she faced Antos, “our flight team likes to joke around.”

Antos smiled at the Chief before stepping forward and facing the team. “Nothing wrong with humour Chief.” He paused, completing a visual scan of the room to glance at his team with a quiet but commanding confidence that came from years of experience. “I’ll keep this brief as I know we have several hours of important work ahead of us. I am Lieutenant Jaro Antos, the new Chief Flight Control Officer. I’ll save the lengthy introductions for later as I hope to get to know you all better over the course of our time together.

“Suffice it to say, I have had years of flight experience not only as a starship pilot but also as a combat fighter pilot. I hold a level five certification and have proficiencies with multiple spacecrafts and aircrafts…including fixed wing aircrafts. And yes, I did say fixed wing aircrafts.

“It is my honour and privilege to be assigned to head this team.”

“The Chief has told me nothing but good things about you,” he paused and grinned mischievously, “so let’s hope you don’t prove her wrong.”

A hand shot up from a female Bolian Ensign.

“This better be a serious question Rika,” Jazmine chimed in, “or so help me god,”

Rika grinned. “Serious question Chief,” she replied. “Scouts honour.”

“Then ask,” the Chief responded.

“A couple of us were wondering if the Lieutenant will be taking part in the periodical flight test.”

“Flight test?” Antos asked surprised but intrigued by the prospect. He was a naturally competitive man, even more so as a pilot and was always eager for the opportunity to test his skills against colleagues.

The Chief looked at Antos. “I knew there was something I forgot to fill you in on sir.” She paused before continuing, “It’s a new ship and new crew… I had this idea of having the pilots jostle for position. Same for the technician although Chief ch’Thranne is handling that. Chuck it up to my tough Academic training or maybe…” and she glanced at the personnel assembled, although Antos noticed her gaze was directed more specifically to the section where the pilots were seated. “Maybe, I just like being a pain in your collective asses.”

“And what a collection of fine asses they are, if I do say so myself,” chimed in Rika without missing a bit. The room burst out in a chorus of laughter and hoots. Antos simply smiled happy to see his staff in good spirits. He was also quickly learning about his subordinates. He now knew for one that the joker of the group appeared to be Rika.

“Can it Rika,” the Chief shot back although her face indicated she was trying to stifle a laugh.

She turned to Antos and continued. “With help from the Crew Chief and Flight Ops Chief, we will be organizing periodical simulations for our pilots and deckhands that will assess and reinforce a variety of mission required skills in various environments. The thinking is the more they practice in simulated and/or realistic settings, the more they will stay frosty. To keep it interesting and provide enough incentive, the top three pilots and top three deckhands get their choice of duty rotations and bragging rights.”

“Interesting,” Antos responded, truly intrigued by the idea. “How often will these tests happen?” he asked.

“We are thinking twice a year – the ship’s missions permitting of course. We were supposed to start now but I suspect the evacuation mission is going to require all hands on deck so the Chiefs and I will come back to you on our proposal and recommendation on when we should start.”

Antos nodded.

“So what do you say el tee,” Rika chimed in. “Are you joining us and maybe learn a few things from the best pilots in the fleet.”

“Hopefully not from you Rika after that abysmal performance with the simple task of taxing a shuttle into the bay,” the Chief retorted.

This brought a chorus laughter from everyone gathered much to the chagrin of Rika. “You all just wait. I’m going to claim the top Ace title.”

“Anyway,” the Chief jumped in before someone else could respond. “Not to worry though sir, it should not interfere with normal duties.”

“Fine by me,” Antos replied. “In fact,” he said, his gaze squarely directed at Rika, “make sure you put my name in the rotation Chief.” He glanced back out at the rest of the team. “Someone has to actually live up to the title of best in the fleet after all.”

This drew another approving chorus of hoots and laughter.

“Done,” Chief Best announced slightly surprised by Antos’ decision. She turned her attention to the collective group. “Now, with introductions out of the way, get back to work the lot of you. No more slacking off. I expect you all to make the el tee feel welcome, but make sure you do it on your own time. Dismissed.”

With that, the men and women began leaving the room but not before each of them either shook Antos’ hand, nodded or patted his back with a variation of ‘welcome aboard’.

Antos smiled politely at all of them. It seemed every hour he spent on this ship increased his love of the ship and crew. He hoped he would be able to fit in well with this seemingly tight knit group of people. From what he had seen so far, he saw no reason why that would not be the case.

“Lieutenant,” Chief Petty Officer ch’Thranne called. Antos recognized him as the Crew Chief who was responsible for the various technicians that serviced the fleet of auxiliary crafts. “If you’ve got some time, I can give you a quick run through of the main shuttle bay, including an exciting shuttle project we’ve been working on.”

“I’m all yours,” Antos replied.

“That’s what she said,” Rika stated, which was followed by a chorus of laughter from everyone still gathered.

“What?” Antos asked bemused. “Did I miss something?”

“Inside joke sir,” muttered the Andorian patting Antos on the back as he led him out of the room. “Inside joke. I guarantee you’ll get it soon enough.”