The Arrow and the Lead

Posted on Thu Mar 21st, 2019 @ 6:22pm by Lieutenant MacKenzie Jordan & Staff Warrant Officer Victor Ward
Edited on on Wed Apr 10th, 2019 @ 5:35am

Mission: The Team Assembles
Location: USS Polaris Shuttlebay; STAT Lounge
Timeline: Mission Day 2 at 1610

"USS Polaris, this is USS Solar Eclipse, requesting docking clearance," said Staff Warrant Officer Victor Ward into his Runabout's comm system. He had never had the opportunity to pilot an Arrow-class, but during the flight from Starbase 72 to Starbase 514, at which the Polaris was docked, he was able to fully familiarize himself with the design. It was a beautiful ship, and he counted his blessings that in addition to being Technical Lead for this new STAT team, he was a Flight Specialist as well. That meant that he might be able to fly one of these runabouts fairly often.

"Clearance granted, Eclipse," said a voice over the comm system that Victor didn't recognize and would probably never meet. "Main shuttlebay doors are open."

Victor had been spending most of his time flying based on sensors, and had barely looked at the viewport the entire journey from 72. But he stole a glance out towards his new ship and was in awe.

He always loved the design of the Excelsior-class. When it was first launched, it was smooth lines when ships were boxy and ungainly. It was also the standard by which almost all subsequent designs were derived. And it was beautiful.

He took the Eclipse towards the shuttlebay and set it down gently. He shut down the systems and checked to make sure everything was in order. Through the viewport he saw a single man standing alone, waiting. Red uniform. Tall. Young. Probably the STAT leader here to talk to him. He went to the hatch and stepped out into his new home, leaving the bags behind for now.

He walked up to the officer and stood at attention. "Staff Warrant Officer Victor Ward, reporting for duty, sir."

Watching the Arrow-class runabout glide into the shuttlebay brought a smile to MacKenzie's face. He enjoyed flying, but it wasn't until several years previous that he'd been able to transfer into Flight Control and have his primary responsibility be at the helm.

"Nice to meet you," he said in response to the Warrant Officer. "Lieutenant MacKenzie Jordan. How was the trip?" His demeanor was casual, with contrasted some with Ward's standing at attention.

Victor noticed his superior's more relaxed stance and attitude and smiled. It had been ingrained in him to start off formally, but he had immense respect for anyone who decided that it wasn't important as long as the work got done. So, despite the lack of explicit prompt, he stood at ease and looked Lieutenant Jordan in the eye. "It was good, sir, thank you. Very smooth." He stepped to the side and stood so he could see both the runabout and MacKenzie. "I had never flown an Arrow-class before, but they handle very well. I assume though that we'll be modifying the hell out of them for STAT work, eh?"

"One of the great things about the Arrows, like the Danube, is the modular design. We've already got some modules in storage for us. So we'll have plenty of options," he replied. "We've got three of them, you know?"

“I’d heard,” Victor answered. “I read the general mission profile on my way over. My team will be installing the modules?”

"Yeah. We'll probably keep one with the standard load out. Maybe keep one configured for scientific survey. What do you think?"

“Makes sense,” Victor agreed. “The third could have more of an operational and repair configuration. Improved tractor beam, maybe some external manipulator arms and cutting and welding tools. Supplies and provisions for engineers to make EVA repairs. Think a super-powered work bee.”

Jordan smiled. "You've got ideas. I like that." He turned to flag down a shuttle tech. "Can you get it moved to the STAT hanger Thanks."

He looked back to Ward. "Let's head to the team workspace," he said, starting towards the door. "Tell me about yourself."

Victor walked alongside his superior out toward the workspace. “Well, I’ve been serving aboard starships or orbital facilities in some way or another since ‘62. Specialized in shuttles and transporters. Getting people from A to B. Near the end of the Cardassian war, my job was to make sure peacekeepers could get down to planets and back up again. Then spent a lot of time in support labs, machining parts. Was the Chief Engineer’s Mate on Thunderchild during the Dominion War. Went to Warrant Officer school and then spent the last six years on USS Saturn, still mostly in the support lab, the Shuttlebay, or the Transporter room.”

"Nice," Jordan replied simply. They walked on, in silence, until they arrived at the suite of compartments that had been reconfigured as workspace for the team. "Welcome to the STAT Suite," he offered as they entered. They were met with the small lounge space for the team. It was very basic: a replicator, two small tables, a couch, and a rectangular coffee table. "Have a seat. Anything from the replicator?"

"Just a coffee, please. No cream or sugar." Victor looked around the lounge, seeing the amenities it offered, which he assumed were reserved for the STAT only. He saw corridors leading to the different operational areas, which he hoped to get a tour of when they were finished. For now, he found a seat on the couch. "What about you, sir?" he asked his superior at the replicator. "What's your background?"

"Coffee, black unsweetened," he instructed the replicator. The device simmered into existence Ward's coffee. "Altair water, room temperature," he said next, getting his own beverage.

He carried the drinks to the couch and handed the coffee to Ward. "Operations mostly," he finally answered. "I started in computer security and moved to running the Ops console after a few years. Managed to transfer to flight control. I'd always wanted to pilot a starship. That..." He paused, opting not to disclose that portion of his career. "Most recently I was Computer Officer on the Valley Forge." He took a long drink of his water.

Victor noticed the pause, but chose not to pursue it. It either wasn't important or was above his classification level. "Valley Forge is a good ship," Victor said, nodding. "So what more can you tell me about this team, sir? How many of us are there? What sort of missions do you envision for us? And how do we tie into the chain of command of the Polaris?"

"We don't," Jordan said, setting down his glass. "Tie into the Polaris chain of command. We operate independently. I'll remain in regular contact with Commander Vadosia for the purpose of coordinating the Polaris' missions with our own. If they're heading the same direction as we are, might as well take advantage of the amenities longer."

"We're spec'd for team of eighteen," he continued. "Two command, four technical specialists, three operational specialists, four scientific specialists, two security specialists, two flight specialists, and a medical specialist. With both you and my deputy filling two billets, that puts us at sixteen strong."

Victor nodded as he sipped his coffee again. “Well, sir, I’ll be honest. I’ve been doing this for twenty-seven years and have always been impressed by the STAT program. Independent units of scientists, engineers, and operators solving technical problems their own way, led by fellow scientists, engineers, and operators. I dare say this is the kind of assignment I was built for. I won’t let you down.”

"Good to know," Jordan said, his awkward smile showing in his eyes as well as his mouth. "You should go get settled. I'm sure we'll get orders soon enough."

"Yes, sir, thank you." Victor downed the last of his coffee and returned the cup to the replicator. He found directions to the quarters he was assigned and went there right away. When he saw them, he was immensely happy; these were the first private quarters he'd ever been assigned. He had a private bedroom attached to a shared common area on Saturn, but this was true privacy. A shuttlebay attendant had already brought his bags over.

His first impression of Lieutenant Jordan was mostly positive. Young, but smart and experienced, and very friendly. He seemed to understand the value his experts brought to the table. Of course, he'd seen young officers have leadership and authority rush to their heads. He hoped this would not be the case with the Lieutenant, but he still needed to prepare himself for the possibility. But for now, he was fine to lie down in his private room and rest a bit. As he drifted into sleep, not even out of his uniform, his mind danced with ideas on how to modify the runabouts.