"Admiral, we're being hailed by the Steadfast." Laron walked over the viewer and leaned over the console. "Good to see you to sir," he said with the stoic tone and expression of a traditional Chiss. Best to remind both his superior and his crew to expect different reactions from him, "The task force is coming online however a number of ships in the unit just came from drydock. Hyperdrive is currently not an option and won't be for another full day. I'm working on putting the crews through their paces in simulations until we can jump. Once we can, I intend on taking the task force on a patrol of the Alliance's borders starting with Borlieas and ending with Bothawui. The idea is to show Alliance strength and dedication while detering pirates and the like sir."
-- tag --
Added (21-Jan-2011, 0:34 Am)
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Laron paced the command deck of the star destroyer Cal Omas. The crews of his task force had only proven themselves to be merely competant. Laron didn't have the patience for competant. He had already shown the crews his resolve, as he had proven just a few hours before...
"Target coming within range sir. Preparing tractor beams four & five." Laron watched on one of the viewers as a lone E-Wing flew in a corkscrew pattern while trying to evade the tractor beams. He watched as the operator of tractor beam four fired off a shot and missed, followed by tractor beam five's operator catching the E-Wing and started to pull it in. However, the E-Wing fired off a pair of simulated torpedoes and dumped its cargo compartment, causing the tractor beam to lose its lock, despite the attempts of the ensign running the unit. The fighter managed to escape the tractor-beam range.
"End simulation. Good work people," Captain Cel said. Laron walked over to the tractor beam stations and said, "You two: stand up." The two operators of the tractor beams stood up and saluted. Laron saluted back and dropped down to their level. He came up to one of the young officers, a male Rodian and said, "State your name, rank, and duty station." The Rodian straitened and replied, "Ensign Vuko Deft. I am the operator of Tractor Beam Emitter Four, Admiral." Laron nodded his head, "Tell me Ensign Deft, do you usually perform so unsatisfactory during normal operations?"
"Sir?" Laron's eyes seemed to glow an even deeper red than before, "I mean do you always give up on acquiring a target lock if you fail the first time?" Deft's snout wiggled in frustration, "With all due respect sir, it's just a simulation-"
"A simulation today, yes. But tomorrow it could be a full-fledged battle. I don't require anything less from the people who serve under my command than what I require of myself. Unfortunately for you Ensign, that means I require you to shape up and do your part. Three days shore leave will be docked from your record due to general incompetance on the bridge of a star destroyer. You are dismissed to your quarters." The Rodian looked like he was going to protest but decided that it would be best if he didn't. Most wise of him.
Laron turned to the other ensign, a young Quarren female who's face tentacles were quivering with fear.
"Name, rank, and duty station." The Quarren's tentacles came to a halt and she replied, "Ensign Zwevel, operator of Tractor Beam Emitter Five sir." Laron's eyes narrowed as he asked, "What exactly happened after you acquired a lock on the target, Ensign." She relaxed a little, seeing that she wasn't going to be dressed down immediately.
"The target fired off a pair of proton torpedoes and dumped the contents of its cargo compartment. The result was the targeting computer becoming overwhelmed and we lost the lock."
"I see," Laron nodded, "And what did you do next." The Quarren took a quick breath, "I knew that with all the debris and the incoming projectiles establishing an accurate lock would be impossible. So I reset the emitter and tried to narrow the confinement beam so it would be able to bypass the debris and reaquire the lock."
"Emphasis on 'tried', Ensign. It didn't work." Ensign Zwevel's lowered slightly in shame, "That is correct sir. I take full responsibility." Laron smiled, 'I was hoping you would say that Ensign. Because the three days shore leave I took from Ensign Deft, I'm giving to you. Your tactic was actually rather brilliant, considering how fast you came up with it. A few more seconds and I believe you would have managed it. Continue the good work Ensign. I'll be sure to put this in your record." The young Quarren gave Laron her best version of a smile and saluted in eargerness. Laron returned the salute and continued down the line...
Laron smiled. Captain Cel hadn't approved of that at first. Not until she had heard Laron's reasoning. He felt that everyone should be willing to work, fight, and die comfortably with every soul in the fleet. This way, no matter what happened, they would trust each other and they'd be able to continue on. He also felt that anyone who was content with adequete needed to go. He had already requested that Ensign Deft be transfered to one of the fleet tenders, hoping that a humble setting will set him strait.
Laron continued with his pacing until Captain Cel approached him saying, "Vice Admiral? I've just received word Sir. The fleet is ready to slip on your command." Laron nodded and walked with Cel up to the forward viewport. He took a few moments to admire the view of his task force, then said, "Send the word to all ships in the task force. We are heading for Borlieas. Commence jump in three, two, one, now." Laron watched with satisfaction as the stars stretched into lines and then vanished from sight.
Added (23-Jan-2011, 12:14 PM)
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A report came in Borleias:
Third Fleet Task Force reporting in. Pirate force encountered at Pyria VI-D. Fleet suffered minor damage. Requesting crew and pilot replacements. Full list attached. Repairs expected to take approximately three days, five hours. Will remain in Pyria system until repairs are completed.
