Howdy, Flyboy

Posted on 01 Aug 2018 @ 10:22am by Lieutenant Junior Grade Geneviève "Jenny" Lassonde (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War)

Mission: Ne Me'e Laua Na Paio - Heroes & Villains
Location: Wing Commander’s office, module H, USS Devonshire
Timeline: 1435, 16 Jan 2389

Jenny jogged down the unfamiliar corridor, glancing nervously back at the map displayed on her PADD. It said the office would be coming up on her left, and sure enough, a door came into view, she breathed a sigh of relief and hoped the wing commander would excuse a few minutes of delay. She had been sent over to the Devonshire to help set up some joint maneuvers between the two “air groups”. The meeting with Flight Captain Corso, commander of a force just over six times the size of her own, was set for 1430 precisely. Jenny had even taken care to arrive early, to allow her some time to find her way around the ship.

Her plan had fallen apart however when she passed through the main hangar. There, lined up in front of her were two squadrons of gleaming smallcraft, overcome with excitement she couldn't stop herself and had spent several precious minutes studying one of the javelins parked on the flight deck. She’d made up a bit of time by jogging the rest of the way, but she was still late. Okay, she would just have to own up to it and hope to be admonished that there would be time to go over the fighters later.

Lost in thought, it wasn’t until Jenny was making her last few steps toward the doorway that she noticed it was standing open. Curious, she called out “Captain Corso?” No response so far. She stuck her head in and found the small office unoccupied, there was a desk, a few chairs, and a couple of storage racks. The seat behind the desk had an overcoat draped over its back, and on the desk there was a disorganized pile of PADDs leaning against the console. The desk’s surface was dotted with coffee stains, and a collection of empty drinks containers covered one end, waiting to be put back into the replicator. On one wall there was an ornate unit banner for the Black Eagles squadron, but nothing for the other squadron or the wing itself, and on the opposite wall was a large printout of the fighter maintenance schedule. ‘Very sloppy’ Jenny thought to herself.

Leo was making his way to his office, and noticed someone was investigating his workspace from the doorway, blonde, different build, not somebody he recognized straight away. “Ah, you must be Lieutenant Le Monde no?”

“Um, it’s Lassonde actually” Jenny countered meekly, cheeks coloring at having been caught snooping.

“My mistake” Leo offered as he brushed casually past her. He swept into the office and sat down, putting his feet up on the desk. “So, war games at last.” He said, eyes lighting up. “What do you think we ought to play at? Ambush? Area Denial? Asset Protection? Maybe we should just have a battle royale, wouldn’t that be great?” He looked expectantly to Jenny.

“... Captain Corso, I think it would be best if we at least continued to operate as units.” Jenny countered, still a little off balance, this situation was positively surreal. “Our goal is to acquire useful real world experience.”

“Have it your way then” Leo made a dismissive gesture with his hand as he spoke. “We can do some basic aggressor/defender exercises. That means search and destroy, and maybe we could… by the way what do you fly?”

He seriously didn’t know? Had he done any preparation for this? Jenny crossed her arms and responded. “My unit is outfitted with valkyries.”

“Huh, multirole fighters” Leo remarked, the disdain was clear in his voice. “I guess we can work with that. So, for the first exercise, we can have the Dev’s Eagle squadron set up in the debris and the Redeemers, with you backing them up, should have a fair enough chance as the aggressors.”

“Captain” Jenny said sharply, the irritation showing plainly on her face. “I say that the first day should be ship vs. ship, that would give both crews the chance to study asymmetric warfare.” ‘And give me the chance to show this arrogant greaseball a thing or two for underestimating us’ Jenny added to herself.

“Suit yourself I guess” Leo replied trying not to smirk, if she wanted to dig her own grave, he wasn’t about to stop her. “Hunting some guerillas might be interesting.”

“Done!” The weight of the 5 vs. 32 conflict she’d just signed on for not quite sinking in yet.

“Now, Lieutenant do you have any ideas for day two?” Leo asked nonchalantly. He wondered what other buttons this flygirl had to push.

Jenny groaned inwardly, and began trying to rein in her temper, this was going to be a looong meeting.

[OFF]

CAPT Leo Corso, Wing Commander, USS Devonshire

LT. jg Jenny Lassonde, Flight Leader, USS Hawaii