USS Pennsylvania

[STSF Jumper 0]

On board the USS Pennsylvania...

 

It was a typical work day on the USS Pennsylvania, and most of the crew was collectively buzzing about getting geared up and ready to depart from their current outer planetary patrol course for what would be the location of their new mission: Alpha Quadrant, Starbase 17.

 

Or to be more specific, the ship and crew would be traveling to do some work within the sector and space surrounding the starbase.

 

Jagrissa ‘Jumper’ Honor-Scar, commander of the air group for the USS Pennsylvania was currently located in her small office set off the main hanger deck of the Prometheus class ship, perusing the current orders overall as well as her more specific direct orders. The transmitted information packet, shown on her desktop computer screen in blue lettering on a black background, contained the original memo from Fleet Command to the Pennsylvania’s command staff for reference as well as her direct orders from the ships XO and her direct superior.

 

= = Wireless, Comm Relay J412 = =

= = USS Pennsylvania, Command Staff = =

= =Effective Immediately= =

 

Captain Cross, Commander Makhoi: The Pennsylvania is to proceed to Starbase 17 and aid the local authorities there. The local base security personnel are to perform searches of any and all civilian ships intending to dock at the starbase. Any civilian ships are to be delayed and searched before making full berthing dock at the orbital berths. Regulation procedures are to be followed at all times.

 

If at such time regulatory procedures and warnings have been exhausted and ignored, you have authorization to use force to elicit compliance from the civilian contingents.

 

- Admiral Mark Mkory, Starfleet Command Operations

 

= = End Transmittal = =

 

= = USS Pennsylvania Inter-Ship Transmittal = =

= = Honor-Scar, Lieutenant Commander Jagrissa, CAG = =

 

Commander Honor-Scar: Your air wing will be deployed on regular patrols within the Starbase 17 sector, so please draw up the appropriate flight rotation accordingly.

 

Per the above orders and effective immediately, you are to order and give your pilots authorization to surround and detain any civilian ships that refuse to cooperate or obey with the above mission parameters as will be carried out by Starbase 17 security personnel.

 

You are authorized to use force against any civilian or contractor vessel to elicit compliance when regulations, warnings, and negotiations have been exhausted.

 

- Commander Leo Makhoi, Executive Officer, USS Pennsylvania

 

= = End Inter-Ship Transmittal = =

 

To be completely honest the tawny-orange furred Caitian senior pilot was not…kosher -- she believed that was the terminology used by some of her Human crewmates -- with her current orders.

 

Jumper had at one time been a bit of a rogue officer. Nothing necessarily mutinous, and she had really never questioned any orders or such that came on down the line or caused any problems beyond disciplinary infractions. But, the feline’s wild and feral nature had kept her at the ensign and utility pilot junior grade ranks for a few years, holding her back from any possibility of promotion or advancement within the piloting field.

 

This however, was an unusual situation, and she felt the old rogue officer coming out with some questions. Sometimes, being a so called rogue could work in your favor, depending on the situation and if the predilection was used in tandem with a good dose of common sense.

 

She had spotted the ships executive officer on the hanger deck when she had come on shift a little while ago. As was his custom, Makhoi always did a tour of the decks just prior to the start of any sort of new mission or assignment. Honor-Scar wouldn’t be pursuing her line of questioning from an official standpoint or anything, so she much rather preferred to approach the Exec in a low key and one on one public conversation regarding the current orders.

 

The Cait left the confines of her office, and gave a short whistle to announce her approach; she called his name out over the busy work din usually engendered by the bustling hanger deck crew as she walked towards the light skinned male. “Commander Makhoi!”

 

Leo Makhoi was a half Human and Rihan male whose family had defected to the Federation over one hundred years ago. During the intervening time period, the Makhoi family had comported themselves well within the Federation standard lifestyle and eventually the familial generations on down the line had found their way into either the Federation Merchant Marine or the Starfleet. Makhoi had been with the USS Pennsylvania for fourteen years, and eight of those had been spent as the ship’s executive officer.

 

Honor-Scar felt, well, honored for the time that she served with him; she still credited Leo with taking a chance on a certain post rebellious -- and maturing -- utility pilot those fourteen years ago who had recently transferred to the Penn by upping her rank and position when no one else would have. As such, the now forty two year old Jagrissa was put into a line piloting position to move up the command track, and move up she did to eventually take on the spot of ship’s CAG. With no disrespect intended toward the ships captain, Leo was the reason the Cait officer now found herself in the position that she did today, and he was a natural born leader and kept the daily workings running smoothly for the ship.

 

As the shorter felinoid officer approached and entered into his personal space, the muscular and lean Makhoi cocked his head slightly to one side in a welcoming gesture. “Jagrissa?”

 

“Sir, I just received my cut of the orders, regarding my air wing … we’re authorized to shoot on civilians if the sweep warnings are ignored? Commander, I need to be honest here…I’m not entirely sure I’m comfortable giving my flight jocks that sort of clearance. I know some of the less desirable cargo haulers out that way can get ornery, but these orders are just shy of overkill…literally.”

 

“Commander Honor-Scar. Direct fire on the civilian cargo vessels would of course be the last measure resort, but it really isn’t your place to question those orders.”

 

Jumper puffed out in anger: her tail and neck ruff fur flared, her claws popped out. She had always had a temper, and the only other member of the family that had always had an even shorter fuse then her was Mrrett JoNs, a cousin currently serving as the executive officer on a Prometheus class sister ship, the USS Agincourt.

 

Then, with most of his facial expression remaining grim and stern, Leo winked at her. It was short and quick, but there was no mistaking the gesture.

 

And that statement would be PA Exec code for “we’ll all talk more later and keep it on the down low”…which meant that the Captain and probably everyone else on the senior staff wasn’t entirely sure regarding the orders either. So, that meant that Makhoi and the Captain were going to do some more digging in the meantime and before the ship arrived at the 17 perimeter to see if there was a further explanation -- if any -- behind the orders.

 

Honor-Scar calmed down in stages with her fur slowly settling, and flipped a curious ear back in a physical response to go along with her verbal one. “…you and the Captain feel about the same Commander?”

 

“Damn straight Lieutenant Commander. Problem is that these orders came directly from Admiral Mkory, passed along on all through the official channels. Starfleet’s buttoning up the perimeter bases, which is fine in light of recent events, and I’d go so far as to say we’re just shy of a full on lockdown.”

 

“Is this all a reaction from the home front to the Soltan threat? Has to be?”

 

“That’s a good guess, and it’s logical. But, our orders are primarily aimed at the civilian and contractor transport ships...it’s also possible ‘Frisco ‘Fleet Command got some word through the channels another sort of threat is looming, that would explain the non military targets.”

 

“It could still be Soltan related though.”

 

 

“Aye. I’m not denying that. Look, Jumper, give the standing orders to your fighter jocks for now. Also tell them to use their own judgment, that sort of thing. Orders are orders, but we’ve never made it a habit of firing on innocent traders…let’s play it by ear,” the Half-Rihan tapped at one of his own pointed ones, “see what the 17 situation is all about, and go from there. There may very well be some sort of underlying defense concern manifesting among the civilian population that isn’t public knowledge yet.”

 

“Understood Sir. And thank you for your time.”

 

“Anytime Commander. Carry on and get your flight jocks ready. I think they’re going to earn their pay this mission out…”