Sortie Partner

[LeftEar JoNs 0]

The following log takes place prior to the 04.27.12 Sim...

 

Wes Roberts: Considering I've been keeping an eye on maintenance hours for your fighters. Especially since we're at our first planet. Exuberence is one thing, Lieutenant, in any fighter pilot. Especially in combat. However, damaging fighters by ignoring the weather reports and briefings my second officer gives, will be...overly expensive. – 04.20.12 Aegis Chat

 

The Revenge

Hanger Deck

 

Commander Left Ear JoNs had never been what one would consider an excitable being, or exuberant as Mister Roberts had put it. She'd been the same during her time as Executive Officer for the USS Excalibur., as well as her current Security and piloting assignment to Aegis: no nonsense, straight arrow.

 

During her former assignment however she'd mellowed somewhat. At least enough to participate in the current betting endeavors among the pilots and ground crew; the Caitian had put in for 200 credits on the Revenge whenever this 'race between Aegean and Revenge that wasn't going to happen but really was' finally kicked off. The Cait was fairly sure Revenge would cream the Aegean, as the Humans said.

 

After making a slight detour to check out the confines of the grounded shuttle that the betting ring employed for the growing credit pool towards the Aegean and Revenge rivalry, Left Ear scampered over towards the area of the deck where the Peregrines were being prepped for the next few flight runs.

 

"Commander JoNs." A respectful tone called out to her across the expanse of the deck.

 

She half turned and spotted 'Blaze', a pilot assigned as wingman to JoNs for the next planetary sortie rotations. They jogged over and fell in step beside the brown furred Caitian. Well, in as much in step as a bi-pedal humanoid could to a four legged felinoid currently using all four limbs.

 

"Good timing Ensign." She stood upright on her hind legs as they walked together. "I'm just on my way towards our squad grouping now."

 

While she'd enjoyed and learned much from her experience as Excalibur XO, the assignment had taken a bit out of JoNs. Rather, a hobgoblin scrounger of a pirate that had taken her down with a shotgun contraption that spewed nails and metal had taken a toll on her.* She'd recovered from the wounding thanks to the ministrations of the medical staff and been cleared mentally and physically to retake a command level posting.

 

For now, the Commander was content with her assignment to SH Aegis as a permanent assistant SEC officer and an as needed fighter pilot. She enjoyed the opportunities the position afforded her to mentor the Midshipman-level and junior officers within the SEC department.

 

And, the Great Hunter Gods help her, she might even be growing a little fond of their grouch of a stiff backed and hidebound Romulan CSEC. Most had always tended to think Left Ear was a stickler, but Daise Dabi made JoNs look like a furry angel by comparison. But, the Cait enjoyed his thoroughness, the stability to discipline he required of his department as well; it was refreshing. She wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of the Romulan, mind you.

 

She waved a dark brown furred paw in a gentle, easy greeting at her fellow Security grunt. "Blaze, call me Left Ear as we're on the Hanger Deck. Are you prepared for the 2nd planetary rotation?"

 

"Aye, Sir." The younger pilot came to a halt; JoNs let the 'Sir' slide for now as protocol wasn't required just now.

 

"Lieutenant Revon informed you that we're going to be partnered up? Your Peregrine fighter all squared away?

 

Blaze nodded. "She's all set to fly as soon as we receive clearance."

 

"Interested in helping me go over my systems checks for Peregrine 14?" JoNs paused and gave a purring trill. "Lieutenant Revon authorized some extra kick to my phaser banks with a 70% increase on output."

 

"You're the Guinea Pig? Or is that…Guinea Cat?"

 

She gave the other pilot a happy, fanged smile. There was a difference between good natured teasing with the cat jokes, and the nastier jokes. "Something like that. Either way, system upgrade tests on the fighters is what we do. Want to give me an assist with checking the hard point locks?"

 

"You got it Sir."

 

"And, we also have a…direct suggestion from Mister Roberts to show more caution with regard to weather reports and patterns….and okay, I'll say it – any sort of local avian life forms…"

 

Blaze offered a respectful chuckle, as the feline Commanders encounter on the first planet canvassed by the flight recon teams had already achieved notoriety in the Revenge's pilot lounge.

 

"…and, some of our Aegis jumper jocks are getting a little excited. We're to listen closely to the Revenge's 2nd Officer with regard to reports to the aero squads. Clear on that?"

 

"Crystal, Commander."

 

"It's Left Ear," JoNs corrected gently and firmly. "If we're going to be partners for the next few hops, let's get in a habit of using the call signs? Standard protocol, Ensign."

 

Another quick nod. "You got it. Left Ear."

 

"Alright, let's start on the checks for Bird 14, shall we?"

 

(TBC in Sim)

 

* Related information can be found on the USS Excalibur section of the STSF message boards

Edited April 28, 2012 by LeftEar JoNs