To Gain Some Experience

Posted on Thu Feb 2nd, 2023 @ 9:30am by Captain Temperance Harding & Ensign Bart Ramsey

Mission: Mission 3: Mirrored Troubles
Location: USS Endurance | Captain's Ready Room

ON

Harding surveyed the PADD in her hand. It held the service record summary of the officer before her. A graduate of the Academy, Ramsey had acquitted himself well, academically, though his ability to put those theories into practice had been less than spectacular. The kid's instructors had left a number of comments. "Your first posting, here, yes?"

Bart Ramsey sat, his back rigid as steel. It was one thing to have a meeting with the Captain - he had met her once, when he had come aboard with a dozen other junior officers. It was something else entirely to have a one-on-one, and to have one's service record ripped through. "Yes, Ma'am. I requested assignment to a Carrier. Since the Fleet is decommissioning the Lexington-class ships, a Nebula was the only thing available, and here I am."

Harding made a face at the mention of the Lexington. It was still a thorn in her foot. Just as she was looking at a command - even if it was a Starship command, rather than the CAG slot she had expected - the Admiralty had decided to mothball the dedicated Carrier Air Arm of the Fleet. Never mind the fact that the Lexington could hold more actual fighters, never mind the fact that the Nebula was a Cruiser, with a Flight Deck bolted to the top. At least they weren't being turned into razor blades. "You never thought of flying?" She asked, curious.

Ramsey's eyes went slightly wide at the notion. "N-no, ma'am. Well, yes." He took a moment to collect himself. "That is, I never quite had the reflexes for flight combat. I was just too slow. So, I switched into logistics and administration."

"I see." Harding did feel for the kid. Every year, the Academy's flight school dropped a number of students. Roughly two, or three, for every student who made it through. It was a tough discipline, requiring the very best. Even from hot-shot eighteen year olds. All of whom had dancing images in their minds of the shiny silver flight wings. Harding herself still had hers. Unable to wear them - her FitRep had taken her off flight status - she had had them mounted in a glass case along with the wall sign that had hung outside her quarters on the 'Invincible'. Name, rank, and call sign. Hers was, and she still considered it to be, 'Panther'.

Looking at the young officer, Harding came to a conclusion. "Ensign, we have an Away Team heading over to the wreck we stumbled upon." It was common knowledge already, scuttlebutt having worked overtime in this case. "Commander Valentine is the team commander. I'm assigning you to be the Commander's assistant. Listen to her, see how the team operates. Time for some practical learning, in the field, as it were "

Already wide-eyed, Ramsey went even wider. It was a mix of surprise, excitement, and a tinge of fear. "Really? I mean, for real?" He let his excitement overide his professionalism. Clearing his throat, the young Ensign sat a little straighter, his voice a fraction deeper. Unknowingly trying to sound older, more experienced. "Thank you, Captain. I won't let you down."

"See that you don't, Mister Ramsey." Harding replied, trying hard to contain her amusement.

OFF



ENS Bart Ramsey
Junior Officer