Meeting with the Captain

Posted on Sat May 5th, 2012 @ 2:00pm by Captain Tobias Naros & Lieutenant JG Miranda Blackfur

Mission: Episode 1.0 - "Enduring Legacy"
Location: Ready Room, USS Yorktown
Timeline: Mission Day 04, 0804 Hours

ON: [[Ready Room, USS Yorktown, Mission Day 04, 0804 Hours]]

Miranda quickly changed from the comforts of casual dress into fleet Caitian Duty Uniform, pausing to look in the mirror and adjust her hair into a loose ponytail hanging freely down her back. She smiled at the results as she grabbed her small stack of PADD's, heading out the door of her quarters to make her way up to the Ready Room attatched to the Bridge.

She walked onto the bridge with a familiar scence of being there, which she had already, very early in the morning. Her departmental meeting out of the way with her chosen as subleaders and key stuff she wanted to implement from the get go. Seeing the skeleton in port crew busy with their tasks at hand, she nodded to the duty officer as she made her way to the Captain's Office. She tapped the announcer, allowing time to give herself a quick check over.

"Enter," a voice called from within.

Miranda entered the Ready Room when accepted to do so. She came to the proper distance from the Captian's Desk. She waited till he was ready to speak.

Tobias lifted his attention away from the desktop terminal at the sound of the ready room doors and fixed his gaze upon the Catian woman now standing just inside the doorway. "Miss Blackfur, I presume," he asked with a smile, "Please...come in."

"Ayerrrr.. I'm Lieutenant Miranda Blackfur," as she approached the desk abit closer to lay down several Data-PADDs. One her orders and the other her outline for bringing additional flight department crew to include the enlisted as Helm Pilots. "Senior Flight Control Officer," she bravely continued as if she had already been chosen by the captain, who sat before her, as Chief of the Flight Department. "I've added more personnel to the helm roster, including proficient Enlistedmen, to get the necessary training as Helm Officers. Awaiting your approval." she added, knowing full well she had gotten the ball rolling already to include enlisted as helm officers.

Having spent a good majority of his own career involved in flight control operations aboard various starships, Tobias was well aware of what all went into overseeing such operations on a daily basis. A momentary glance over the PADDs was all he really needed to see the lieutenant was more than capable of backing up her words. "I see you've done your homework, lieutenant," Tobias said with a slight chuckle, "and you certainly didn't waste any time putting it to good use."

"It's taking the advantage of being able to board your new ship early before reporting in to familiarize oneself of their department. And Most people will follow those who step forward to get things rolling quickly in a decisive manner." Miranda gave the Captian a smile showing abit of her teeth, but keeping the sharp tips hidden.

"Cross-certification is a rather ambitious goal," Tobias observed, "given the amount of time it takes to accomplish such a task. Doubling up on duty assignments might give you a little extra room to work with while we're in port, but I have a feeling Starfleet won't have us sitting around for too much longer. Any thought as to how we might make such training more sustainable once we've gotten into the field?"

Miranda looked thoughtful for a minute or two to think over the question, then spoke, "There may be drop-outs from this cross training certification program once we leave port as people become more focused on their primary jobs. At least they know they had the option to advance under OJT system. Those that stick it out can cut down OJT time to what ever comfortable to them as in a self pace course. After their primary duty is done." Looking thoughtful, "I have very quailified Officers, both in bridge helm and shuttles to expand the instructor base for those that are willing learn. Besides it will be an incentive for those that want to be instructors become better knowledgeable and proficient in their profession. It'll be a win-win situation for the ship and crew. You, Captian, will have a better trained crew both in knowledge, skill and additional crew to cover shortages in at least the flight department."

She paused a second or two, then spoke again. "You wondering if this will work or not. You're looking at the example before you, wondering if I had the same opportunities I'm giving the others. Once I gotten to my first assignment in the Caitian Defense Force, my superiors did the same thing. If I've ever become a Chief of a flight department, I'd implement it right away as it is a good way to progress and become a valuable asset to what ever ship I'm assigned to, not only in leading my people, but seeing that they have the opportunity to advance also and gain respect and a positive re-enforcement from their peers, leaders and subordinates alike."

Tobias did not need to study the information on the PADDs before him to know the lieutenant would be able to support such an ambitious program. The woman's conviction was evidence unto itself. "I am impressed, Miss Blackfur," he said, slowly, "Not many officers would think of offering a program such as this for any number of reasons, not least among them the time and energy it would take to sustain it." He paused to lift one of the PADDs from those on his desk containing the summary of the lieutenant's plans for the program. "I can see you've already given thought to the matter and acted accordingly," Tobias continued, holding the PADD out for her to take, "You certainly have my blessing."

Miranda's tail gave an excited swish behind her, then fell still as she regained her composer and quelling of a soft purr. "Thank you for the confidence in the program. It'll be open to other department crews if they are interested in expanding their knowledge, learning a new skill in the flight department." She paused for the briefest seconds. "Before I forget, I noticed your flight certifications are about to expire. Even a Captain's Yatch needs a current certified pilot at it's helm," she said, eyes twinkling in merriment, "Anything else I should be aware of, before I depart."

"An paperwork error, I assure you," Tobias replied with a laugh, "though if you would care to assess my certifications for yourself, I'm sure we could find some time before departing the station to do so. Other than that...there's nothing I can think of which would need your attention at the moment."

"Well just to be sure you meet the standards, we'll go through the process at your convenience when you're not so busy with other paper work, Captain. Just give me a call when you're ready." Miranda spoke softly with an underlying purr before taking her leave, moving gracefully.

OFF

A Joint Mission Post by:

Captain Tobias Naros
Commanding Officer
USS Yorktown

and

Lieutenant JG Miranda Blackfur
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Yorktown