Flotilla
Posted on 05 Apr 2021 @ 7:22pm by Captain Corvus DeHavilland & Commander Thaddeus Zayne
Mission:
M2 - Sanctuary
Location: Docking Bay
Timeline: MD03 - 0948HRS
1724 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure
The lift doors swished open to reveal a nearly full lift car, but only one person stepped out and without another word to those left behind in the car. Captain Corvus DeHavilland hurried from the lift, a woman on a mission as the lift doors closed behind her and the others on board went on their way after their brief delay to ferry the Captain. Quite possibly her favorite thing about being the Captain - the lift always went where she wanted first. But that wasn’t on her mind at the moment. What was on her mind was the flotilla of vessels that had just dropped out of Warp and had moved directly towards the station. They’d been unexpected, but that didn’t meant that they weren’t supposed to be there.
The lift deposited her just outside of Docking Bay Control, the section of the station that directly managed the vessels coming in and out of the massive docking bay. They managed the berthings and kept track of the progress of each vessel, reporting that up to the CIC through their direct link. It was one of the groups of senior staff that Corvus didn’t have in her direct sight day in and day out. Not unless she made the trek down here.
Docking Bay Control was situated at the top of the expansive interior of the ‘mushroom’ that was OC. It was curiously designed in that the room itself had slanted viewports that looked down into the station from above so that they could see all of the ships, and formed a giant circle so that one could traverse the circumference of the station and have a visual on all of the vessels. The last time she’d really been here had been when they had just got power back online to witness the first of the damaged vessels successfully docking. Since then, she’d simply been too occupied with all else to come and inspect herself. Not that they needed her, the staff here was more than capable and she had read all of their reports, as she had with every department.
This section was heavily restricted for access, but the doors opened without issue when she touched the security panel and she walked in to see a bustling hub of activity. She looked to the left, expecting to see the Dock Master standing before the massive holographic table that showed an exact replica of the inside of the Starbase, but instead saw Commander Zayne standing there with his arms folded and his lips pursed. He looked over curiously as she came in and then perked up.
“Captain,” he nodded.
Corvus wasn't sure whether she should be impressed or a little bit scared that Zayne was quite so on the ball. She felt a genuine pang of sympathy for Calliope knowing that even if she could sort out her personal issues, Thaddeus was proving to be the proverbial Everest she’d had to climb to prove herself more capable. As she had been lately, she tried to put that out of her head immediately. She reminded herself that she had to give Thaddeus a clear field in which to operate. She couldn’t let Calliope’s legacy cloud that.
“Any idea what’s going on?” Corvus asked, joining him at the table.
“No,” he replied as they watched a trio of star fighters streak past, escorting one of the last transport tugs to its berth. The ‘SFMC’ logo was stenciled on their fuselages, making the question even more perplexing. “I haven’t sent for the fighters we discussed yet,” he added by way of clarification. “But them being here isn’t such a big deal. It's the fact that there’s so many of them.”
“I’m not familiar with those container types either,” Corvus offered, leaning closer to look at the holographic representations of them and then walking towards the glass to look out herself. Thaddeus followed as she continued to shake her head. She finally turned back to a Petty Officer manning a small terminal. “Petty Officer…?”
“Mambello,” the dark-skinned woman replied politely.
“Petty Officer Mambello, can you tell me what is in those cargo containers?” Corvus asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” the woman answered in a thick Swahili accent. “C3ASAR, Chieftain, Stryker, Coyote, Bandit…” she trailed off, “I’m sorry, Captain. But these name’s mean nothing to me, I can’t explain…”
“I can,” Thaddeus chimed in. “They’re Marine equipment. Vehicles,” he clarified. “I’m just not sure why we’d have so many being delivered…” he said, looking over the Petty Officer’s shoulder as politely as he could to read the unit counts. He glanced up at Corvus, “We have this stations contingent and the reserve units already in the Marine cargo bays,” he shook his head.
“There is one Wallace-class vessel, Captain. Perhaps there is someone aboard who can explain?” Mambello offered, pointing to the left, “Docking Bay two.”
“Let’s hope so,” Corvus nodded, cocking her head towards the door for Zayne to follow. “Thank you, Petty Officer,” she said, following her first officer out the way they’d come and back into the lift for the short ride down.
The two of them rode in silence for the quick jaunt down a couple of levels and then DeHavilland led the way off the lift and along the wide corridors that led to the various docking arms. Here there was a central promenade and collection area where those offloading could find out where other ships were berthed, arrange for transport or just sit and relax in the lounge facilities there while waiting for another vessel. It was meant so that the traveller moving through the station didn’t have to go and find respite in the Promenade decks below. They could just sit and wait.
Corvus took the corridor that led to docking bay two, walking now along the windowed bulkhead looking into open space. The vessel’s nose dominated the viewport while its port side was latched to the docking hatch. But as they approached, the hatch was already open and it looked as if the occupants had disembarked already.
“That’s the Devil Dog,” Thaddeus offered as he took a second look out of the windows after seeing the ship’s crew was already off. “… shit,” he mumbled, turning back to Corvus.
She frowned back at him, suddenly wary, “W-.”
“Whole Marine Division wasn’t bloody good enough? Had to go and take a Fleet Command?” A voice asked sarcastically from behind her, a voice that she felt sure she recognized. That Scottish brogue seemed familiar. “Good to see you alive, Thaddeus. Thought we’d lost you there,” it continued as a dark-haired man walked smartly past Corvus and offered his hand to Zayne.
He was an older man, with a few flecks of gray in his brown hair, about the same height as Corvus. Unlike her and Thaddeus, he was in the Marine utility uniform complete with web gear and sidearm. But where she had golden pips, this man had stars. After he shook hands with Thad firmly, he turned to face Corvus and tucked his thumbs into his belt as he looked her over. “Captain,” he grunted.
“Major General MacTaryn,” Corvus perked up, “It’s a surprise to see you here,” she said honestly.
“Good. Means my Marines know how to keep their mouths shut,” he nodded appreciatively. “You’ll keep it that way until I can drop in on the one’s already here. They’ll not be expecting me.”
She nodded, “Your secret’s safe with me, sir. But… why exactly are you here and with so much equipment? I believe I read Captain Finn’s reports to indicate we had all the Marine equipment we need on station. Mr. Zayne just confirmed that as well.”
MacTaryn nodded, “You have the equipment to support the armored company and the other ground elements that will be housed here on Obsidian Command,” he replied gruffly, “I’ve brought the marines and equipment for Cerastes, the training facility we’re deploying on the planet. We’ll be starting that process tomorrow. Assuming no trouble with the locals.”
Thaddeus lifted his chin in sudden understand and Corvus let out a small sigh of relief. She was worried that there was something more substantial going on on her station that she wasn’t aware of. More brass making moves without telling her. Thankfully this set of brass was going down to the planet. Well, at least his focus would hopefully be. She wasn’t sure if MacTaryn was the type to go down with them or watch from on high. A stray thought in the back of her head made her think he’d be with them.
“How can we help?” Corvus tried to offer a warm smile. “Without the Marines you sent to buoy engineering and security, we’d have never repelled the boarding parties. If there’s anything we can do to help, I’ll make sure it’s done.”
“Thank you, Captain,” MacTaryn offered solemnly. “After I’ve done my surprise inspection, I’ll want to have a word with Doctor Mazur, and meet with any of my marines still in the Infirmary. I’d also like to see the memorial wall and pay my respects to those that won’t be returning to Falkirk.”
“Of course,” she agreed. “Anything you need, sir.”
“Anything?” He asked, smirking wickedly.
Corvus swallowed nervously, but nodded. “Anything, sir.”
“How about a site-to-site transport into the Marine decks. Nothing like a bit of shock and awe,” he grinned. “For two. You’ll come along as well. I’d like you to be there.”
“O… of course,” she replied, not quite understanding why she needed to be there. She tapped her commbadge, “DeHavilland to Chief Roslin.”
“Roslin here, Captain,” the transporter Chief answered.
“Chief, I need a site-to-site transport for myself and Major General MacTaryn here with me,” she said, “Drop us…”
“Right square in the middle of the Marine barracks,” MacTaryn ordered for her. “Right where the most of the lads are.”
”Aye, sir. Ready to engage,” he answered.
MacTaryn looked at Corvus and grinned impishly, “Energize.”
