05-13-2025, 05:39 AM
As Powl stood waiting as Commander Ameen addressed the new senior staff, he awaited his turn. He expected that his presence would be needed at the helm once again. As a skilled, highly trained and experienced pilot it was completely logical. Although Torok historically had been in just about every position in the tactical department and was proficient in each, his rank and background would naturally put him in the role of helmsman.
Learning to pilot a Steamrunner, now that is certain to be fascinating.
The turbolift doors opened to reveal a tactical officer that sat down at a station that appeared to be preflight checklists.
Must be the Chief Tactical Officer...although they aren't wearing the uniform of a department head. Although, recently promoted, neither is our Chief Science Officer due to the fact that she just found out. And our FO is also not wearing a uniform indicative of hir position aboard.
"Ensign Torok Powl," Ameen said, a hint of recognition in his voice. "Good to see you. You handled the helm of the Titania with skill, and that position demands a keen understanding of tactical applications." He paused, his gaze assessing but decisive.
Still standing at attention, Powl heard the words from Commander Ameen. "Thank you, sir."
"The Zephyr needs an Acting Chief Tactical Officer, effective immediately. That duty falls to you. Take the tactical station. Report shield status, weapons readiness, and get intimately familiar with this ship's defensive and offensive systems..."
While Powl would never allow the emotion of shock to proceed past his emotional suppression; if anyone had worked with Powl long enough they would have recognized a split second delay in the response time. Very few people would be able to see it, Commander Ameen would be among the handful of individuals that would have known him well enough to recognize the mannerisms.
"...I expect your best."
Powl stiffened slightly more and spoke in the same calm, collected, and emotionally absent tone as usual.
"Thank you, sir. I will be sure to follow your orders and meet your expectations."
With that Torok turned to the helm. His orders were to take control of tactical, and he certainly would be doing so. Briefly, he sat in order to survey the layouts and tactical manifest very briefly. He had not met any of the other tactical officers, yet.
We need a helmsman, and quickly.
Powl began quickly perusing the tactical officer manifest for a qualified candidate. It seemed there was a retired marine pilot on board. His name was Lieutenant Tom Krandall. Excellent marks as a pilot, just not a good fit for pilot fighters anymore from too many sorties that resulted in ejections at high G's and speeds. Repeats of such maneuvers are very challenging for long term on the human body, even with modern medicine.
"Everything looking good, Ensign? I'm Tom Krandall."
Powl silently stood while simultaneously logging out of the helm console. He looked at the man that bore the rank of Lieutenant and matched facial profile for the helmsman candidate for which he had selected.
It appears our new helmsman was not far away...
"Lieutenant, things are going smoothly, although moving very rapidly as we are due to be under way in short order."
Powl paused for a moment to step back from the console so as to provide a path for Lieutenant Krandall to be able to access the helm station.
Tom paused and then added in a hushed tone, "I can't seem to find the CTO. Who's in charge of Tactical?"
Until just moments ago, I also was not able to find the CTO, so that is certainly understandable. And I am not wearing the appropriate uniform due to the recent change and time constraints of not being able to make the appropriate dress code corrections.
"It is good to meet you Lieutenant Krandall. Forgive the breech of protocol, but I have just been placed in charge of tactical as Acting Chief Tactical Officer. In review of our crew manifest of our tactical department, you are the most qualified to handle to the helm. I will continue to review the rest of the staff and make more assignments from there. Yours may change, however for the time being please assume the helm station and prepare us for departure and complete your checklists."
With that Powl turned away and head directly for tactical and began checking over the entire department for readiness. According all reports the Zephyr was all green lighted, stocked, and manned. She was ready to fly, and from the appearance of the tactical manifest, the tactical department should be very capable.
"Commander Ameen, Tactical Department reads green across the board. Shields and defensive systems are ready to go. Tactical department has received assignments and are in place."
Time to learn about this ship. What are we working with?
Torok began pouring over the ship layouts, systems, components, procedures, deck plans, capabilities, weaknesses, and anything he could find on the design and specifically on the history of the Zephyr.
==Tag Ameen, Krandall, and anyone else that wants to play==
Learning to pilot a Steamrunner, now that is certain to be fascinating.
The turbolift doors opened to reveal a tactical officer that sat down at a station that appeared to be preflight checklists.
Must be the Chief Tactical Officer...although they aren't wearing the uniform of a department head. Although, recently promoted, neither is our Chief Science Officer due to the fact that she just found out. And our FO is also not wearing a uniform indicative of hir position aboard.
"Ensign Torok Powl," Ameen said, a hint of recognition in his voice. "Good to see you. You handled the helm of the Titania with skill, and that position demands a keen understanding of tactical applications." He paused, his gaze assessing but decisive.
Still standing at attention, Powl heard the words from Commander Ameen. "Thank you, sir."
"The Zephyr needs an Acting Chief Tactical Officer, effective immediately. That duty falls to you. Take the tactical station. Report shield status, weapons readiness, and get intimately familiar with this ship's defensive and offensive systems..."
While Powl would never allow the emotion of shock to proceed past his emotional suppression; if anyone had worked with Powl long enough they would have recognized a split second delay in the response time. Very few people would be able to see it, Commander Ameen would be among the handful of individuals that would have known him well enough to recognize the mannerisms.
"...I expect your best."
Powl stiffened slightly more and spoke in the same calm, collected, and emotionally absent tone as usual.
"Thank you, sir. I will be sure to follow your orders and meet your expectations."
With that Torok turned to the helm. His orders were to take control of tactical, and he certainly would be doing so. Briefly, he sat in order to survey the layouts and tactical manifest very briefly. He had not met any of the other tactical officers, yet.
We need a helmsman, and quickly.
Powl began quickly perusing the tactical officer manifest for a qualified candidate. It seemed there was a retired marine pilot on board. His name was Lieutenant Tom Krandall. Excellent marks as a pilot, just not a good fit for pilot fighters anymore from too many sorties that resulted in ejections at high G's and speeds. Repeats of such maneuvers are very challenging for long term on the human body, even with modern medicine.
"Everything looking good, Ensign? I'm Tom Krandall."
Powl silently stood while simultaneously logging out of the helm console. He looked at the man that bore the rank of Lieutenant and matched facial profile for the helmsman candidate for which he had selected.
It appears our new helmsman was not far away...
"Lieutenant, things are going smoothly, although moving very rapidly as we are due to be under way in short order."
Powl paused for a moment to step back from the console so as to provide a path for Lieutenant Krandall to be able to access the helm station.
Tom paused and then added in a hushed tone, "I can't seem to find the CTO. Who's in charge of Tactical?"
Until just moments ago, I also was not able to find the CTO, so that is certainly understandable. And I am not wearing the appropriate uniform due to the recent change and time constraints of not being able to make the appropriate dress code corrections.
"It is good to meet you Lieutenant Krandall. Forgive the breech of protocol, but I have just been placed in charge of tactical as Acting Chief Tactical Officer. In review of our crew manifest of our tactical department, you are the most qualified to handle to the helm. I will continue to review the rest of the staff and make more assignments from there. Yours may change, however for the time being please assume the helm station and prepare us for departure and complete your checklists."
With that Powl turned away and head directly for tactical and began checking over the entire department for readiness. According all reports the Zephyr was all green lighted, stocked, and manned. She was ready to fly, and from the appearance of the tactical manifest, the tactical department should be very capable.
"Commander Ameen, Tactical Department reads green across the board. Shields and defensive systems are ready to go. Tactical department has received assignments and are in place."
Time to learn about this ship. What are we working with?
Torok began pouring over the ship layouts, systems, components, procedures, deck plans, capabilities, weaknesses, and anything he could find on the design and specifically on the history of the Zephyr.
==Tag Ameen, Krandall, and anyone else that wants to play==