Joint Log SG Aegis & Creek Dog & Pony Show (Part 2)

[Crash Calestorm 0]

Dog & Pony Show

A Command Staff Joint Production

Part Two

 

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Key:

Red - Captain Chirakis Kirel, CO Sky Harbor Aegis

Purple - Captain Ashton Calestorm, CO USS Comanche Creek

Green - Commander Audraya Wesley, XO USS Comanche Creek

Gold - Commander Left Ear JoNs, ASEC Sky Harbor Aegis

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The shuttle Teach’s ramp deployed and a sizable heavily-armed security team appeared, their eyes scanning USS Comanche Creek’s bay, assessing every possible threat before descending to their assigned positions encircling the craft. From her shadowed vantage just inside the hatch, Kirel made her own assessment, still unsure of the authenticity of their captain’s claim.

 

That time travel was possible and often misused for illicit gain had led to laws against unauthorized time travel and temporal contamination. Time travel in itself was not the issue here. But to jump 129 years and land in a totally different time line seemed absurd. Moreover, there was no record of a “First Threat Response Border Patrol” in that era, and the woman claiming to be USS Comanche Creek’s captain was recorded as a well-known, highly decorated fighter pilot and instructor who had died a in a freak training accident.

 

Then again, their story was somewhat plausible. The star going nova, the destruction of Romulus in their time line, and the ever-present taunting rift in space-time that refused to disappear....

 

But for them to suddenly appear here, currently the most vulnerable area of the quadrant, in the midst of Rihan crisis, surrounded by the most advanced technology available - the Revenge, the USS Missouri, and the Aegean - in a ship claiming to be Federation?

 

Revenge’s Tellerite Security Chief, GW, turned towards the open hatch. “Area secure, Commodore,” he snorted.

 

Her tactical instincts satisfied, Kirel moved out of the shadows, paused at the top of the ramp, assumed a command posture and began a measured descent as personnel in the bay came to rigid attention.

 

Accompanying Captain Chirakis, Commander Left Ear JoNs immediately settled into her role of personal guard; keen eyes taking in personnel, the hanger, any movement that might or could endanger her charge. She maintained a precise two step distance behind and to the right of Chirakis.

 

As she descended, the conspicuous absence of certain species seemed to confirm Calestorm’s claim... and validate Roberts’ cautionary measures. The Klingon security officers had remained aboard the Revenge, since it might create a misunderstanding. History had, of course, indicated a cold war between the Federation and the Klingon and Romulan Empires, and given Calestorm’s initial reaction to SubCommander tr’Jeth Dabi, it was best to err on the side of caution.

 

JoNs paused slightly as she set a paw on the deck plating; the falter was minor, more of an assessment as she spotted something interesting - another Caitian. Halfway down the receiving line, a golden furred female stood. She was a youngster. The felines eyed one another across the distance, surprised at the unexpectedness of it all. The only indication of the silent exchange was that both tails went a bit...excitable.

 

It was silly for JoNs to think that there were no Caits serving 126 years ago in the Federation Starfleet...she just wasn’t expecting to see a fellow comrade on this antique ship...and take a look at those fighters...

 

Even though she’d flown starfighters as per her SEC duties, Left Ear had never been quote “nuts about piloting” unquote. To her, it was all part of the job. But, stretched down either side of the launch deck were some of the most beautiful antique fighters she’d only ever spotted at museums or on archival footage. Was that an F-14 Tomcat? The Tomcats had been phased out well over seventy years ago as Starfleet designers and engineers had started moving towards what became the modern Peregrine fighter classes. Wow...

 

Crash hadn’t been this nervous in a good long while; as the boarding ramp deployed from the shuttle, she felt her heart skip a beat. The Comanche Creek had really jumped forward in time from 2259 to 2387. And there was a 24th century shuttle sitting smack dab on her hanger deck; the lines of the vehicle were more streamlined, but she was pleased to note that shuttle designs hadn’t changed drastically in the past century or so.

 

Her neck, shoulder and back muscles bunched painfully with a stress reaction. 126 years is a big jump to make...I gotta get my people back to where we belong...

 

The middle aged officer eyed the younger officer as the woman made her way towards the receiving line. Tall, slender. Dark hair, kept short. Some sort of scarring on the bridge of her nose. Uniform was black with gray padding on shoulders. A mock turtleneck undertunic designated position, division. No sleeve stripes; what could be her rank showed on one side of the collar, as well as the insignia of Starfleet Intelligence...the division symbol had not changed much. Interesting.

 

Noting the considerable tension in the ship’s commanding officer, Kirel softened her expression as she approached. “Captain Chirakis Kirel, commanding officer of Sky Harbor Aegis. I thank you for your invitation.”

 

Left Ear stood at formal parade rest at Chirakis’ elbow as the introductions deployed at warp speed.

 

“Captain Calestorm, CO of the USS Comanche Creek. My second in command, Commander Audraya Wesley. On behalf of my senior officers and crew, we welcome you.” The tall and lean woman offered a hand to Captain Chirakis, short silver-white hair a contrast to the black dress uniform.

 

She received the proffered hand in a firm shake. “Commander Wesley.” Her expression bore all the requisites of an Orion welcome, minus the air of deja vu that threatened to surface. The commander’s resemblance to Mr. Roberts’ wife was, to put it mildly, uncanny. In actuality, they could have been twins.

 

Audraya gave a curt nod, before offering her hand. “Captain.”

 

Commander JoNs spoke when introduced, her purring tone formal; she offered a paw and a welcome to the Human commanding officer and Orion executive officer in turn.

 

Crash was on her best behavior, all formal spit and polish. Her smile was all teeth and brilliant, welcoming. “Captain Chirakis, ah’d like to formally present my senior officers and crew...”

 

(TBC in the 01.09.12 USS Comanche Creek Sim...)