Carrier Operations (Part 2)

Posted on Sat Nov 30th, 2024 @ 6:38pm by Captain Maho Takahashi & Captain Koko Kaga & Lieutenant JG Jane Sinclair & Lieutenant Karen Kujo 'Union Jane' & Lieutenant Alisha Reno & Lieutenant JG Mia ‘Banshee’ Amaro
Edited on on Sat Nov 30th, 2024 @ 6:39pm

1,443 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Captains and Contraband

Previously, on Star Trek: Myogi:

"Welcome aboard the Kaga, you three." She said sternly. "Which one of you is Lieutenant Reno?"

Alisha stepped forward in the uniform that her pilots had helped her put together and came to attention, "That would be me, Captain Kaga." She had a very neutral look on her face, the less to give away.

Koko nodded.

"Welcome aboard, Lieutenant." She said. "I hope this little excursion will help give you some pointers on how to effectively run Starfighter operations on the Myogi."

"I'm sure it will, ma'am." Alisha agreed, "We may not be a full-up carrier on Myogi, but coordinating flight operations is critical no matter how many craft are involved. I'm also working on becoming fully flight capable on all of the fighters I can, best to become familiar with their capabilities."

Koko nodded.

"An admirable goal, but there's more to running a carrier than just flying the fighters themselves." She said. "A fighter wing is only as good as the shipboard support staff to go along with them, and that's what you're here to learn today. We're by no means an Armitage dreadnought supercarrier, but the Cheyenne has enough to teach the basics of carrier operations."

And now, the continuation:

Koko then beckoned for the three lieutenants to follow her. She had a packed itinerary for them, and continuing to shoot the breeze in the transporter room would eat into that time.

Alisha gestured to Mia and Karen to stick behind them as she stayed up maybe a quarter-step behind the Kaga's Captain, Kaga. That made her smile a bit, the coincidence of the ship and Captain's names being identical, but she was sure tat the Captain had really pushed for this ship intentionally. "We only have a handful of dedicated personnel aboard Myogi for fighter operations, but Engineering does lend us their people whenever ewe need them for some reason or another."

"My advice, Lieutenant, is to recruit some dedicated ground support staff:" Koko responded. "Engineers can certainly help, yes, and we do take advantage of it here on Kaga while in non-combat operations. However, in combat situations, engineers will be required elsewhere, and that's where our dedicated deck mechanics take over. Because there's nothing more critical than getting a damaged fighter back in the air, and if that's not possible, moving them off the deck so that other fighters can return efficiently."

Koko turned her head as she walked.

"I also understand that it's harder to justify for the Project Jomo New Orleans class, given how few fighters you guys can carry." She added. "In my opinion, Miyahara shouldn't have put Starfighters on those ships at all if they could only carry a comically little amount."

"On the bright side, it makes it easier for me to keep all my ducks in a row," Karen grinned.

---

The Kaga's pilot briefing room was akin to a small theater, with seats on either side of an aisle, and at the front of the room was a small stage and a roll down projector screen. Though this wasn't the room's only purpose, as the space also doubled as the Kaga's chapel, and the pilots were known to host movie nights here:

Gathered at present were 20 of the Kaga's 36 total pilots. They had been gathered to be briefed on the training exercise that the Kaga would be undertaking jointly with the Rheuysian Self-Defense Force, and the pilots had been chatting until the doors to the briefing room swooshed open, and Captain Kaga stepped through. The hush that fell over the pilots as she entered with her three guests from the Myogi showed that the Kaga's captain commanded their respect.

Koko took her spot at the front of the room, and turned to face the pilots. Her hands clasped behind her back:

"As I'm sure many of you are anticipating, we were scheduled to be conducting joint combat training exercises with the Rheuysian Self-Defense Force: Gives us something new and interesting to shoot at." She said with a smug grin. "However, what was planned has changed: I'd like to introduce you to Lieutenant Alisha Reno, Lieutenant Karen Kujo, and Lieutenant JG Mia Amaro, all from the USS Myogi: Lieutenant Reno will be staying shipside to learn more about our operations as a carrier, but Lieutenants Kujo and Amaro will be joining you in the air in two spare Valkyries. Now, the Rheuysians have still promised us joint four on four fighter training exercises, so to that extent, I'll need two volunteers:"

Immediately, a hand shot up. The hand belonged to a woman with long multicolored red, white, and blue hair:

"I'll do it." The woman stepped forward. "Lieutenant Dakota Meadows:" She introduced herself to the Myogi officers. "Callsign; 'Sodak'."

"Lieutenant Meadows here is one of our top pilots, so you'll be in good hands:" Koko turned to the rest of the gathered pilots. "Any other volunteers?"

Another woman stood and stepped forward, this one tall, with long blonde hair. "Lieutenant junior grade Philippa, or Pippa, Williams. Callsign 'Chaser'."

Mia stepped forward and gave a grin that was wide and knowing, "Banshee," She introduced herself, "Give me the chance and I'll show you why I got that name." She gave the two volunteer pilots a wink.

Dakota smirked.

"If you look into the Vulcan meaning behind the name 'Sodak,' my actions in the cockpit will make much more sense." She said.

"Um... Is it something the Vulcans drink when they're thirsty?" Karen pondered.

"Sodak was a legendary Vulcan warrior." Dakota explained. "One of the last great Vulcan heroes prior to Surak's reforms."

"Alright, ladies; enough nickname flexing." Koko butted in. "It's not a step in the TSUNDERE process."

Karen burst out laughing. "Tsundere??? Who came up with that acronym?"

Without speaking, Koko indicated one of several posters lining the walls of the briefing room. The poster prominently displayed Captain Taiga Aisaka on the left hand side, while to the right of her was the main text body of the poster:

Think TSUNDERE!

Take
Steps
Unequivocally
Necessary to
Deploy
Effectively, and
Return
Efficiently

"Well, that explains a lot," Karen remarked.

"I can't stand them personality-wise, but they sure lend themselves quite nicely to a memorable motto." Captain Kaga said with a smile.

"Quite right," Pippa observed. "Follow the motto, without following the personality type, and you'll come home alive with the mission goals achieved." She looked to the pilots and guest deck officer that were visiting. "I was hoping your helmswoman would be here too. Shame."

"I'm sure we can arrange a rendezvous with her at some point." Mia said with a suggestive tone, earning a sharp glance from Alisha, "But it's all about what helps make us efficient and effective, isn't it? I suppose we can wait for the celebration until we return, though."

"In the meantime." Koko piped up. "Meadows, Williams, I'd suggest you two start prepping your fighters. The deck crew have already prepped two spare Valkyries for Kujo and Amaro."

Koko then turned to Alisha.

"Reno, you'll be staying behind on board while the pilots go out and train." She explained. "Don't worry, we'll have just as much fun here on board as the pilots will out there."

"I umm..." Alisha started as she began to fight a mental war within her head. She needed all of the flight time she could get at this point just to try to stay within a light year of Mia and Karen, but there were other things that needed doing as well. "It may be-"

It was Mia that came to the rescue in the moment of indecision, "It'll be fine, Jem, it's only a flight out there and the Valkyrie's a different beast than what you've been flyin'. Keep an eye on us and we'll show you what they can do, 'aight?"

Alisha gave Mia a smile and nod, "Right. Happy hunting Banshee." She then gave that same professional smile to Koko, "I look forward to seeing what trouble we can get into without my pilots around, ma'am, and I'm sure that there's going to be a lot to learn on this end as well."

Satisfied that the issue appeared to be resolved, Koko turned to address the rest of the gathered pilots.

"Everyone else should maintain combat readiness:" She said. "I will ensure that you all will receive an update on the postponed joint training exercise. Dismissed."

To be continued...

 

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