A New Class

Posted on Sun 29th Jan, 2017 @ 6:10am by Lieutenant Colonel Brooklyn Wellington

685 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Wrongs Darker Than Death Or Night
Location: Fighter Operations Office

Brooklyn Wellington sat behind her desk--a position she found herself in far too often. On her desk monitor was the equipment manifest for the defunct MT-102 Training Squadron--a squadron designed to train Marines, Starfleet, and Civilians in the use of shuttles, transports, and starfighters. The training craft were still stored and needed a thorough check of the craft assigned to the squadron. Her door chimed and she looked up from her monitor to the door. "Enter."

Entering, along with 2nd Lt. O'Malley was Corporal Benjamin Smith, whom she recognized as the Marine she and O'Malley rescued from the fire when a fighter exploded a few weeks ago. Corporal Smith came to attention. "Corporal Smith reporting as ordered, ma'am."

"At ease, Corporal," Wellington said with a smile and a nod. "Have a seat," she gestured to the chair in front of her desk. "O'Malley, please have a seat as well," she gestured to the sofa against the wall.

"Aye, ma'am," the two said in unison before taking their respective seats.

"Corporal Smith," Wellington began as she took a seat. "I wanted to see how you are doing. Any pains from your injuries?"

Smith shook his head. "Only minor pain but the doc thinks the pain will subside in about a week or so."

"You're also nearing the end of your tour. What are your plans, Corporal?"

Smith shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "Um, I'm not entirely sure, ma'am. I would love to stay but after the incident, my wife is literally begging me to leave the Corps and move to her family's farm on Bajor.

"Is that what you want, Corporal?" Wellington asked, leaning forward, clasping her hands together on her desk.

"No ma'am. I've never liked farming...and I would rather stay here on Vanguard but my wife says that there's no real future in Starfleet as an enlisted and I don't want to sit through 4 years of classes on Earth at Starfleet Academy to become an officer."

Wellington took a breath before responding. "Corporal, we only have one life and not a very long one at that--we're not Vulcans or El-Aurians," she grinned. "Do what makes you happy. In fact, I believe I have a solution to your problem."

"Ma'am?" Smith asked, confused.

"I'm thinking of starting up the MT-102 Training Squadron and I wanted to offer you the chance to join to see if you wanted to be a pilot."

Smith was speechless. He'd never dreamt of a chance like this--he always enjoyed going to air shows when he was a kid and was the reason he became a starfighter technician, so he could work around and on things he loved. "Um, Y--yes ma'am! I'd love to!" he said excitedly, nearly jumping out of his seat.

"And if you pass, you will be granted a commission as a Warrant Officer and a spot in one of the squadrons. I take it you accept, Corporal?"

"Yes ma'am, I accept! Thank you!"

Wellington smiled. "Good. Class will start next week. Dismissed."

Smith stood and came to attention. "Aye, ma'am." Doing an about face, he exited the office.

Rose was smiling. "He seemed excited."

Brooklyn nodded. "That he was. Now, about you."

"Wasn't me, ma'am," she held up her hands.

Brooklyn chuckled. "I wanted to talk to you about expanding your duties."

"Oh?" Rose asked, raising her eyebrows.

"O'Malley, I want you start learning about Fighter Operations during combat conditions. If a situation ever arises where I need to back up the squadrons, I need someone back here that I trust and knows how to work flight operations," Brooklyn explained.

"Oh, I'm not sure I could be of--" Rose began.

Brooklyn held up her hand. "O'Malley, you will do fine. If I didn't think you could do it, I wouldn't have asked."

"Thank you, ma'am. "I'll get to studying the procedures immediately. I won't let you down, ma'am."

"I know you won't, O'malley. You're dismissed."

O'Malley stood and came to attention. "Aye, ma'am."

Brooklyn then turned her attention back to her monitor, continuing her studying of the craft and equipment assigned to the MT-102 Training Squadron.

 

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