Fleet Opening Mission: To Our Future

[Steve Malloway]

JP BETWEEN ADMs MALLOWAY AND TARGUS, and CMDR BLAKE

STARBASE THRINACIA, Merenion Nebulae Cluster
Command Deck
10.40 hours

"Commander Sage Targus, CAG USS Braveheart, reporting as ordered by Starfleet Command."

Connor took a deep breathe and turned around to see whom had annoyed the Admiral in his office. "I see you have a career death wish for that little stunt you pulled Commander." The first officer stated restrained and firmly.

Sage tried to hold back a grin as she replied. "That was no stunt, it was only chaffed flairs. As for a career death wish, I dont see it happening any time soon Commander. I am the top pilot in Starfleet and I doubt Command will be removing my flight status any time soon. Now if you would like to talk stunts or possible career enders you should consider the way that the Control Officer addressed me when I was given permission to dock my fighter. I dont know what kind of command is run here but at least in the Starfighter ranks proper respect is given to pilots."

Connor blinked at the pilots attitude. "First of all you angered an Admiral, thats never a good thing no matter your standing in Starfleet. Secondly if you had followed your flight plan and waited patiently for permission to dock the flight controller might have been friendlier Commander." The first officer replied doing his utmost best to stay calm. "Here at Thrinacia we like things done to the letter and we, especially the Admiral who you have angered, get easily frustrated with those who do not follow the rules."

"If you are concerned that I upset an Admiral then I would suggest that you look into making proper arrangements for my craft. I am sure that Admiral Targus of Starfighter Operations will be quite upset to know that one of Starfleet's most advanced prototypes is being housed like a common shuttle. And to address following the rules," she continued with an anger growing in her voice. "I would like for you to show me where the regulations state that dropping chaffing flairs is in violation of flight operations when closing in on a Starbase. I can tell you now it isnt in the regs anywhere. Now Commander unless you have anything of importance to talk about I suggest you get back to running your command and let me get back to my fighter to be sure it is secure."

Connor couldnt believe what he was hearing. "Your fighter will remain with the rest of the support craft assigned to this base. If you want to take it up with Admiral Malloway go right ahead." He began, "Admiral Targus does not run this base; Admiral Malloway and I do." Connor declared as he tried to keep himself proffessional. "Chaffing flairs are to be used if you do not have a working communications system for attracting attention and I have no doubt that such an advanced fighter would have a working communications system." He came to stand a few centimeters from the pilot. "I suggest you use it and I also suggest you exercise more patience, for the flight operations controllers are very busy the next time you are going to dock." He tapped his commbadge . =/\=Blake to Malloway. Admiral I thought you would like to meet the pilot who flared up your office.=/\= He called.

Steve walked smoothly down the corridor after having seen John outside Ornixen's quarters, stepping into one of the many turbolifts as the call came in. =/\=Malloway here.=/\= He replied after opening the link with a tap to his own badge. =/\=Yes I would like to meet the pilot. I'm on my way up to the command deck now.=/\= And with another swift move he tapped again to close the link; cutting off any response that either may have wished to voice.

As he called out for the turbolift to begin on to a new location, he turned to face the doors as they closed shut. His eyes remained fixed on the joint between each plate. Will I ever get a single moment to myself? He sighed lightly, thinking to himself. He'd been on duty now for well over 24 hours, and there was still plenty more that needed doing. Despite that, he knew that John was right; he needed a rest, and John was more than capable of taking the reins for the time-being.

As the doors opened he blinked, allowing his gaze to rest on Connor standing with another Commander dressed in the standard Starfighter department attire. "This must be them." He whispered to himself as he approached, standing beside Connor as he looked upon Sage. As she saw the Admiral approach she snapped to. "Commander." He greeted her, continuing before she could reply, his voice unruffled but slightly louder as he continued. "Mind explaining why you decided to play ring of fire outside my office window?"

"Yes Sir. I had been waiting for clearance to land my craft. The Flight Controller failed to return clearance in a timely manner as set by Starfleet Operation Policy for prototype and experimental craft. I decided that the releasing of chaffed flairs to gain the attention of the Admiral would be a safe and effective way to get the Flight Controllers to respond." She replied quickly, still snapped to. "Furthermore Sir I would like to discuss the manner in which my craft is being held. Starfleet Starfighter Operations require all prototype craft to be held in a secured hangar or under marine guard while the craft is not in operational status." She finished still snapped to attention awaiting the Admiral to reply and realize that the last time he had seen her she was just entering the Academy.

Steve chuckled somewhat, smiling at the obvious traits handed down from Father to Daughter. "You can forget your policy while onboard, Commander. Thrinacia has too much to worry about right now without sticking to time limits." He paused for a moment, considering whether or not to continue. He did. "Surely by now you've realised theres a difference between theory and actuality? In theory, yes, there should be a response within a time set down by policy. In actuality you're approaching a Starbase that has close to 50 vessels either enroute, here, or leaving - we're a busy team here right now, and unfortunately a single prototype isnt the top of our list. As for utilising your flairs outside my window; bad move. I will be in touch with your Commanding Officer, Captain Trane, to see that correct action is taken. As a superior officer you should know to act as such, and scorching my hull is not on my policy." He took in a breathe, his throat becoming dry as he continued. "Furthermore your fighter will remain under its current standing in my hangar. End of. This is my command, and I will decide what prototypes and experimental technology get what security standing... right now yours isnt my priority." He finished up knowing full-well if he knew Sage's dad, which he thought he did, this was not the end of it.

Just as Admiral Malloway finished speaking and Sage opened her mouth to reply, she overheard a request for landing, and recognized the security coding that followed it.

=/\=Flight Operations to Starfighter Tango 0, permission to land granted. Please proceed to hangar 2, section 21 delta.=/\=

"I beg your pardon, Sir, but I suggest we hold this conversation for a moment to allow for Admiral Targus to land and join us." She retorted, continuing to stand at attention.

Draco sent a single pring reply to show that he received his clearance and proceeded to his landing area. Within moments he was touching down and disembarking his craft. As he watched the cockpit close a Marine Sgt. approached and snapped to.

"Sgt. Ral Marine Security Detail Tango reporting as ordered to secure your craft, Admiral."

"At ease Sgt." Draco replied as he turned to address the young man. "I assume you will be working on a delta four security rotation?"

"Aye Sir. My orders are to stand guard and await a relief in 6 hours. All marines on this detail are fully briefed on security operations concerning your craft and detailed at Operational clearance sierra 4."

"Very well," replied Draco as he grinned a bit, "dont let me keep you from your duties." He continued as he stepped back and started to make his way to the hangar door that lead to the main corridor. As he exited the hangar Draco tapped a comm panel on the wall and called up the route to the command centre.

a few moments later

Draco approached the command centre and stopped at the doors.

"Computer recognize security access; Targus, Draco. Admiral. Dragon-Alpha-3-Tango."

The computer beeped in acceptance and the doors opened. Draco stepped in and looked around for the officer of the deck, but he was in luck; he spotted his old friend, Malloway, and hua daughter, Sage. He walked over and stopped just short of the group. "I see we are all getting to know each other!" He croaked with a grin.

Steve turned to look af Draco with a smile  taking his hand to shake it firmly once, releasing it as he spoke. "Good to see you again Draco. You coukd say we're making acquaintance again, yes. Seems your daughter is having issues understandig that on my Starbase; I make the policies. Regardless of whom or what arrives here. You know full-well yourself what my resources are concentrated around; and that is utmost priority." He glanced to Connor for a moment - a gesture of understanding towards the Gateway knowledge.

"Aye Steve, I do. I am sure that the young Commander would understand that aswell if she was inclined to have the same information that we do. Alas though, she is not so inclined. Might I suggest for the sake of purpose that we have the Cmdrs craft moved into the bay with mine?" He replied as he snapped a glare at Sage. "As for ypu Commander, I suggest that you step back and look about a bit. Some of the things in operation here are far more important than you can handle." He spouted as he turned to face Sage head on.

"Aye Sir, I will take that to mind. With permission from the Admirals I would like to return to my craft and perform some post-flight tests."

Steve watched the exchange between the Targus', squinting his