Triumphant's New Fighter Pilot

Posted on Fri Jan 25, 2019 @ 6:01pm by Lieutenant JG Logan Hunter & Ensign Kenneth Henderson

Mission: On Slippery Ground
Location: CAG's Office
Timeline: MD01 || 1100 hours

Kenneth was not in the primary meeting with the rest of the senior staff. He was a low ranking junior officer, an ensign straight out of the academy. He was still trying to find his way around the USS Triumphant, when he heard the USS Victorious was going to launch. The Victorious mission was suppose to be simple, however Ken knew, any time you had to enter the badlands, nothing was simple. And to expect the unexpected.

Ken was in the hanger bay mess hall, a small room close by the ship. The idea was the pilot could get some nutrition before or after their mission. The room was created out of convenience to the pilots and not for practical reason. After he finished his meal, he walked over to the CAG's office, and rang the doorbell.

Logan was still getting used to his new position as Commander of the Air Wing. It wasn't easy trying to manage one of the largest departments aboard a dedicated Starfleet carrier, especially with the shortages he was faced with.

Logan looked at the door. He wasn't expecting anyone, but he would be grateful for the momentary break. "Come in."

Kenneth walked into the office, and walked over to the desk area, and snapped to the position of Attention. "Ensign Kenneth Henderson, reporting for duty and requesting permission to speak to the CAG." Ken called out in a strong solid tone. He had yet to meet the CAG, and he wanted to get this underway. He was itching to get behind the cockpit of the Valkyrie Class Fighter.

Logan didn't recognize the man, but assumed he was the replacement pilot that had boarded prior to departure. He rose from his seat and extended his right hand over the desk. "Welcome aboard Ensign Henderson. I'm Lieutenant j.g. Hunter, the Acting CAG."

"It's an honor to meet you sir." Kenneth said, wanting to ask the CAG about some rumors he had heard, about this man's flight skills. Kenneth knew he could learn a lot from this man.

Logan gestured to the only other chair in the small office after shaking hands with Kenneth. "Please, have a seat."

Kenneth took a seat, and wondered to himself, why he was the acting CAG. But that was a question for another time. "Thank you sir, its an honor to be here. Looking forward to working with you and the other fighter pilots."

Logan sat back down. His expression attentive. "Well, tell me about yourself. What fighters are you qualified? What do you like to do in your down time?"

"Valkyrie Class certified, and the Volga Class Runabout. I have some experience with the Eagle Class, but most of my studies was in those two ships, but I have flown almost every small craft the academy had." Kenneth said, trying to sound modest with his answer. He paused for a moment then went on. "As far as my down time, sports, exercising, visiting art galleries from other cultural places."

Logan looked at his terminal display as he brought up a listing of the operational Valkyrie squadron officer assignments. "I think, for the moment, I will have you fly as my wingman. Your Tactical Systems Officer will be Ensign Dana Parker." He turned back to Kenneth. "Any questions you have at the moment? Much rather get any thing you need cleared up."

"I hope you can keep up sir, I tend to push the throttle hard, and agile with the controls." Kenneth teased with a big grin. He expected to hear the CAG say something about careless and wreckless flying spill. He got a few talks during his academy days. But he believed its harder for the enemy to target lock you, if you are constantly on the go.

Logan couldn't help but grin at Kenneth's statement. It wasn't too long ago that he had been the pilot fresh out of flight school eager to prove himself. He had made decisions that the former CAG had called him out on and rightfully so. "Get your fighter and flight team back in one piece is my main concern. How you accomplish that will be an ongoing discussion you will have throughout your career."

Kenneth tried not to smile at the comment. It was sort of funny. He was little arrogant and young, and he knew what the CAG was saying was important. But he was a certified pilot, in his eyes, no one was more important than his crew. Without them, there is no him. "Understood Sir."

"Sir, how long till we can take our fighters out?" Kenneth asked hoping for a mission, and not a holodeck simulation. He hated spending a lot of time in a simulator. He would prefer to fly in deep space.

Logan could tell Kenneth was eager to prove himself. It was the same for every Starfleet aviator, heck, every Starfleet officer coming out of the Academy. He gave the man a small half smile. "You will go into the CAP rotation soon, plus training flights. As for flying a hot mission though, that will be up to the Triumphant's senior leadership."

"Just as long as they know I am willing and eager sir." Kenneth said, hoping that the CAG would pass along his request. He was happy to hear that he would be put on rotation. He did not mind the simulation trainings, but there was something special about being in space. No simulator could recreate it.

Logan queried the database to find an unassigned Valkyrie. He made the necessary changes in the system before looking up at the newest pilot. "You're all set with a fighter assignment. Go get into a flight suit and we'll get you a check flight done. Dismissed."

Kenneth tried to contain his grin, as he snapped to the position of attention. "Yes sir." He simply said, as he started to do an about face to leave the office, as he got the door he heard the CAG call for him.

"Oh, one more thing Ensign. What is your callsign? So I can have the plane Captain stencil it on for you."

"Gryphon, sir." Kenneth said with a big grin on his face, as he walked out of the office.