The Exercise was over, the mass debriefings done, grades submitted and disseminated, reports filed, proficiency ratings confirmed, Carver’s final duty as the Director of Field Training for Starfleet Training Command was complete. And true to his word, Carver’s boss had asked him what assignment he’d prefer next at the end of their subspace call. Tyrone told him he wanted the CO slot of the newly formed Trenton Squadron, and by the next morning, the transfer orders were sitting in a message on his terminal.
After catching a quick breakfast and studying up some more on the current situation in the Hodian Belt and the mission they were about to be sent on, Carver opened a comms channel.
“Hey, sir, thanks for letting me work range control for the training.” LCdr Lucas Paccelli smiled on the screen. Tyrone had used Paccelli and a few other officers to help fly the range control vessels and serve as observers and graders for the Tranquil Dawn exercise over the past week.
“You did great, we had no accidents and you got some great footage and holoprints of the action for posterity.” Carver had known Paccelli for nearly a decade. Unlike some other senior officers who had a disdain for the pilot’s candor and trusting style of leadership, he had always appreciated Lucas’ ability to train people and quickly adapt to any given scenario. In fact he had always thought that if there was ever to be an encyclopedia entry for the term ‘can do attitude’ Paccelli’s portrait would belong right next to it.
“Yeah, it was fun. You broke up the monotony of being a passenger for over a month en route to take over the Eos fighter Wing without anything to do.”
“Enh, no sweat, Patches.”
“So what’s up?” Paccelli sensed it was more than just his old pal wanting to follow up on the training.
“Well it’s actually about that new assignment you’re heading to. I’ve actually just been given command of the Trenton Squadron and I’m looking to put together a small staff to help run it and our portion of the mission to the Hodian Belt.”
“Congrats sir, those pirates, smugglers and illegal miners in the Belt don’t stand a chance with you on the case.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence, but, uh, yeah, I’d like to reassign you as my Chief of Staff and Strategic Operations Officer… I promise you’ll still have opportunities to get some cockpit time here and there.” Carver knew how to entice the man.
Paccelli made a face and appeared deep in thought as his gaze momentarily drifted away from the screen. It was true he had taken the transfer from the Victory to Eos to try and get back in the saddle in terms of flying high performance fighters again. But at the same time he had been going through a phase where he was starting to look beyond his time on the flightline. Ever since the conversation he had with the Benzite, Ensign Murdoc while on their furst mission. That had ended with them recovering Captain Ayres and had then testified as a ‘subject matter expert’ on the performance of the Valkyrie the Farragut’s former CO had been flying, he realized something. If he was already a subject matter expert, what did he have left to prove? Besides, it was an understrength Wing anyway, and he knew they already had several experienced jocks there.
“Hmmm, truth be told, as the times gone on I’ve been starting to actually prefer shipboard life or mid-range missions in a runabout.” Luke chuckled.
“Even better, so, want the job?”
“Fuck it, it was a rinky dink little Wing anyway. Sure Ty, count me in.” Paccelli replied with his New Yorker accent.
Carver snorted at the man’s guileless unrepentant response, “Well alright then, first briefings at 1600h today, Trenton, Conference Room One.”
“Sounds good sir, I’ll be there.”
“And hey, maybe try to not punch or otherwise assault any of your fellow officers while your on my staff, okay?” Carver could help himself.
Pacceli snickered, “Roger that, my tower buzzing, bar brawling days are a thing of the past sir. Scouts honor.”
“Thanks Patches, see ya then.”
Several hours later Carver walked into the Trenton’s primary conference room followed by Captain Wong. Several of the officers in attendance came to attention and the Klingons stood out of respect. The Commander of the Malem conspicuously remained seated at his chair at the far end of the 12 seat, curved table.
“At ease everyone. I’m sure you all have a lot to do before we head off to the Hodian Belt. So I’ll try to make this quick.” Tyrone dropped a few padds on the table and had a seat and the head of the table opposite the Reman as Wong had a seat next to him.
Carver waited for the others to be seated. Aside from the ship COs he had invited Colonel Prax, Sub-Commander Viran, Commander Fields, Commander Aruin, and LCdr Pacceli to attend the briefing as he would be assigning each of them roles on his staff. In all cases aside from Paccelli, the officers would be ‘dual hatting’ and serving on his staff in addition to their current duties, and Paccelli would be ‘dual hatting’ by holding two positions on his staff.
“For those of you who I haven’t met yet, I’m Captain Carver, I’ll be the CO for the joint, Trenton Squadron. I’m looking forward to working with all of you. First, I’ll introduce the Squadron staff. I’ve chosen Captain Wong to serve as my 2IC, as the CO of the squadron’s flagship it’s a natural fit. Commander Aruin will be our JAG counsel and my Diplomatic Advisor. Commander Fields is going to be our liaison with the other federation agencies we’ll be working alongside. With Captain Y’garns permission I’ve asked Colonel Prax to head our ground operations as needed. Commander Paccelli will be my Chief of Staff and the Squadron Strategic Operations Officer. And Captain… Apologies, Sub-Commander Viran will be the Squadron Intelligence Coordinator.” Carver corrected himself as Virans permanent transfer to the Republic Navy had only been authorized the day before.
“I’ve scheduled another briefing tomorrow with the representatives from the Federation Security, Trade and Stabilization Mission to the Doradus sector, but before then I’d like to begin preparing some preliminary plans. Colonel Prax I’d like you to look into ways for us to potentially support the Federation Provosts detachment in the Delta Hodia system, Starfleet is receiving near daily requests for us to assist them.”
Prax turned briefly to Y’garn beside him who simply nodded, as they had obviously discussed some contingencies before attending the meeting.
“I will have something prepared by tomorrow. But we have 360 warriors aboard the Vor’nak, some of whom we could certainly make available for security and constabulary operations of that type.”
“Excellent. Now, Sub-Commander, I’d like you to work with Patches, uh, Commander Paccelli and develop an Intel brief with all the current information about the situation in the Belt for tomorrow’s meetings.” Carver would have to get used to being in the field again as he’d spent much of the past decade in offices with a more casual atmosphere than would be appropriate for a deployed squadron in the fleet.
Viran nodded and Luke added an, “Aye sir.”
“Cdr Aruin, I need you to work up a SITREP about the various factions and entities operations in and around the Belt, and specifically focused on diplomatic strategies and outreach we could begin as we’re en route to Eos.”
“Gladly sir.”
“Alright, that’s all I got. Questions?… Dismissed.” Carver stood as did the others and the room quickly started to empty.
“You keep ripping through briefings that quickly, I suspect you’ll make friends fast sir.” Wong said as an aside before heading back to his bridge.
