Welcome to Star Trek Simulation Forum

Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to contribute to this site by submitting your own content or replying to existing content. You'll be able to customize your profile, receive reputation points as a reward for submitting content, while also communicating with other members via your own private inbox, plus much more! This message will be removed once you have signed in.

Sign in to follow this  
Followers 0
STSF_Scooter

A Frank Discussion

Audraya moved briskly through the halls of Starfleet Command avoiding, with long-practiced ease, those who neglected to move out of her way fast enough. She also easily avoided, or rather ignored, the longing look of some of her male counterparts.

 

Between knocking Admiral Barnett to the floor with a swift right cross, and earning her place (with her fists) as a member of VMF-214, she believed in merit, not sexual prowess, unlike others in her family. Granted, there was that one incident involving Lt. Xiao when the Ark Royal put into Risa for shore leave, but what happens on Risa, stays on Risa.

 

Audraya paused long enough to adjust her uniform and strip off her landing party jacket, before entering the Chief of Starfleet Border Patrol’s outer office. “I have an appointment with Admiral Coyote,” she said to the yeoman seated at the desk.

 

“If you would have a seat…” the suggestion came tersely.

 

“Commander Wesley.”

 

“Of course, Commander.”

 

Rear Admiral Shauna Coyote was currently buried, almost literally, by about a dozen or so electronic report slates that littered her desktop, the maroon red coloring of the electronic recording devices contrasting sharply with the glossy black finish of her ebony wood desk. The FTR project lead’s office was located behind her yeoman’s desk are, and the entry way door to the posh office was currently closed.

 

Coyote finished the paragraph she was reading, some sort of muckity muck regarding the warp nacelle injectors for the Comanche Creek -- she was a former navigator and pilot, not a grease jock -- and finally accepted defeat when her eyes glazed over for the third time in as many sentences. She blew a breath out of her mouth to remove a strand of dark auburn hair from her direct line of site and tossed the data slate into the ‘to be read’ bin on her desk and swiped a hand at the intercom mounted on the right of her desktop.

 

“Yeoman, has my eleven o’clock appointment arrived? Commander Wesley?”

 

The assistant's reply was prim and proper and sounded a bit tinny over the office to office wireless lines. “Aye sir. Shall I send her in?”

 

“By all means send the Commander in. Coyote out.”

 

It was a knee jerk reaction thanks to all those years serving on the ships. Shauna knew that there was no reason to say ‘Coyote out’ within an administrative office setting, but old habits die hard apparently.

 

The yeoman looked at Audraya. “The Admiral will see you now, Commander.”

 

Audraya nodded as she stood, and crossed to the door. “Angels and ministers of grace defend us,” she muttered, since every time she’d been called before flag rank officers, it was usually in regards to some incident she was involved in. The door slid open, and Audraya walked into the Admiral’s office.

 

She took in the scene, one of organized chaos, with data slates all over the Admiral’s desk, some on the floor, and even a couple in a wastepaper basket. “Commander Audraya Wesley, reporting as ordered Admiral,” she announced, tossing up and holding her salute.

 

Coyote wasted no time, and slid easily into the official pleasantries. “Welcome, at ease, and have a seat Commander. I’m sure you have questions if not curiosity regarding your promotion and new assignment posting?”

 

Relaxing slightly, Audraya sat in the rich leather seat, but remained at the position of attention. “Yes, ma’am; I do. If I may speak candidly, Admiral, why me? I did nothing to merit the promotion at the Battle of Vulcan, except survive. And that was more a fluke of my battle station. I’m sure you’ve seen my record, ma’am. If nothing, I’ve been a disciplinary case ever since Starship Tactics with Admiral Barrett, when I slugged the arrogant son of a bitch for propositioning me. And I’m sure Colonel Laird put some choice derogatory comments while I served on Munda with the Black Sheep…”

 

A little smile tugged at the corners of the older Human woman’s mouth at the younger Orion’s candidness. “Actually Commander Audraya, one of the reasons I chose you for promotion and as a candidate for the XO position on the Comanche Creek is because of that so called ability to think with your fists.”

 

The admiral continued speaking as she reshuffled a couple of the data slates out of her way. “I need a particular breed of officer that is capable of both taking care of themselves and carrying forth the protection ideals of the Starfleet out on the frontier space. You fit that bill, Commander, as does the woman who will be serving as your Captain.”

 

“And, to be honest, I saw in your file that you served with the VMF 214 Black Sheep starfighter group? The Comanche Creek crew’s call sign, as you’ve no doubt read, will be the SBP 214 Black Sheep for the border patrol ship designation…I think it’s a nice little bit of tradition to have an XO who has time served as a Black Sheep…don’t you agree?”

 

Audraya nodded. "Indeed Admiral. I'm glad that you have the confidence in my skills to be selected for this assignment." I just hope I can live up to your expectations Admiral. "When will the ship and crew be ready?"

 

“The protection program has been in the implementation phase for a couple of years now Commander. We had the prep work and busy work in place already, and the ship was due to launch this year. I’ll be honest though -- Nero afforded us an opportunity to kick the FTR program into high gear, although of course I wish the circumstances were different. The Comanche Creek will launch in the next couple of months. Senior crew, including Captain Calestorm, are starting to rotate over and set themselves up in their assigned quarters, so please feel free to move into your new home so to speak if you desire to do so.”

 

The rear admiral paused, and then continued speaking to Commander Wesley. “I knew your sponsor, Bob Wesley. He was a good man…a good leader. I’m sorry to hear he was lost at the Battle of Vulcan. We lost a lot of good officers in the black above the planet as they tried to protect the Vulcan people…but we’ll be carrying on their work with the First Threat Response program Commander. And as I said, I need people who can make this program work in practice.”

 

Then, a good natured smirk lightened across Coyote’s features. “I know I was a bit aggressive with my personnel recruiting for the ship, and I’m sure it’s a bit of a shock for you to suddenly find out one day you’ve not only been promoted but are slated to take on an XO position?”

 

Audraya nodded. "I know Fa...aw hell. I used to kid Captain Wesley, and call him 'Father', especially around his family. He took it in great stride. Starfleet lost a great tactician over Vulcan. And, yes Ma'am, it was a shock to wake up in the hospital after taking a nap and finding out you're not only now a full commander, but first officer of a new ship.

 

"And, with your permission, Admiral, I'd like to head over to Uniform Sales and the base exchange and replace what was lost on the Entente."

 

“Permission granted Commander. And, if you happen to run into any issues replacing your belongings and equipment? Direct any complaints to me.”

 

“Of course, Admiral.”

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!


Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.


Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  
Followers 0