Righteous Reign
Page 34
"Aye sir. I'll be aboard in an hour." I respond.
I shuttled back to the Shenzhen. In my office, I called in Savign who was off-duty and asleep, in her quarters. I began emptying the office safe of those items that would come with me; and, boxed up the few personal items that graced the desk and walls.
"Lt. Commander Savign reporting as ordered, sir." She is at attention, when she snaps out the statement.
"Relax Commander; and, please take a seat. I have news for you." I tell her.
"What's happening?" She asks quietly as she closes the door and sits in a chair opposite me; examining the box on my desk, inquiringly.
"I've been re-assigned. I will be the new Captain of the Carrier Loki. She's brand new; and I suspect, needs the same kind of shake-down we did for the Shenzhen." I explain to her.
"Congratulations, sir. So, who's been transferred to replace you, sir?" Savign asks.
"Theatre had a couple of candidates to take over; but, I made a recommendation and gave them all the reasons it should take precedence." I answer coyly.
"So, who will take over the Shenzhen, sir." She prods.
"Savign, if you agree to take it, you will be promoted to Commander and assigned as the Captain of the Shenzhen, this afternoon. Do you want it?" I ask.
"Yes sir, of course; but, I've only been an Executive Officer a year. Usually people move to a master's position after two to four years as XO." She has incredulity in her voice.
"That's true; but, you know the ship and her crew. You have participated in a couple of pretty tense tactical situations. Some execs don't get that much experience in three years. And, the crew is already loyal to you. You won't have to prove yourself to them. Day to day, you just have to use what you already know; and, have done. In tactical situations, you will have to draw on those two incidents, service history and your own intelligence. You will do just fine, Savign." I offer.
"Thanks for the confidence, sir. I will accept the promotion and assignment." Savign responds.
I immediately prepare a message to Admiral Nichols.
Memo
To: Admiral Steven Nichols Commander Theatre Nine
From: Captain Kurt Brubacher Commander ESS Shenzhen
Re: Pending Command Changes ESS Shenzhen
Date: October 3, 2255
Admiral,
I have advised Lt. Commander Savign of the impending changes; and, advised her of the offer to promote her to Commander and assign her as Captain of the Shenzhen. She has accepted. Written confirmation will be received, shortly.
Kurt Brubacher Captain
"Savign, you have to prepare a memo to Admiral Nichols accepting the offer, immediately. Copy me on it. Make sure you thank him for showing confidence in you and relay the fact that the promotion was discussed with me. The changes will take place this afternoon. You will be advised of timing.
I will take command of the Loki; as you take command of the Shenzhen; but, I will be temporarily located on the Midgard. I have also been accepted to the War College; so, I will be travelling between Midgard, Asgard and Valhalla to get a head start on all the courses. They want me to finish the program quickly. It seems they have plans for me and want a star on my collar, in a year. You may not discuss that with anyone. And, you may not discuss the moves with anyone until the Shenzhen receives the formal announcement from Admiral Nichols.' I finish as I see the Loki exit a jump point one hundred thousand kilometers to the starboard side of the Midgard. 'I better get a move on. My new boss just arrived.' I tell her as I point out the window. 'Once you receive the official announcement from Theatre Nine, you can begin moving in to this office. You will need to recommend an executive officer. Admiral Nichols will want to do that promotion and re-assignment, at the same time. Other ones that ripple from that one can be handled in the field. Once you have his authorization, you will be able to do them, yourself. The appropriate rank insignia is in that safe. I will send you the combination in a memo. The first time you open it, you should change it to one you will remember. Command codes will change at the handoff during the ceremony, this afternoon. You will be allowed to have up to fifty representatives from the Shenzhen present for the ceremonies. I suggest, all of shift one, two, three and five's bridge crews; since, four will be on duty then. You should also invite all the department heads. That way, there is no doubt in any of your senior command that, you are the boss, now. Don't forget the memo to Nichols. It should be the first thing. You're dismissed, Captain." I sum up with a smile.
"Thank you, sir. I'll get right on it." She responds as she rises, salutes and leaves my office.
The enunciator on my pad tells me I have a message. It is a copy of the memo from Savign. I direct it to my internal system and face the darkest wall; so, I can read it clearly.
Memo
From: Lt. Commander Savign Executive Officer ESS Shenzhen
To: Admiral Stephen Nichols Theatre Nine Commander
Re: Your offer of Promotion and Assignment as Master of the ESS Shenzhen
C.C. Captain Kurt Brubacher Commander ESS Shenzhen
Date: October 3, 2255
Sir,
Captain Kurt Brubacher relayed your kind offer to me, this morning. I accept the promotion to the level five rank of Commander and the assignment as the Captain of the ESS Shenzhen, with humility. I am surprised at the confidence shown in me by all concerned; considering, the limited time I have been an Executive Officer. I will not let any of you down and will try to make you proud of me. Your confidence is appreciated.
I would like to recommend the promotion of Lieutenant Eugenia Volpe to the rank of Lt. Commander assigned as Executive Officer of the Shenzhen to fill the vacancy created by my promotion. The Lieutenant has been First Officer on shift one under Captain Brubacher for a year; and, has worked closely with me on personnel issues of her shift. She is uniquely qualified to fill the position and has the confidence and loyalty of the entire crew. I will forward recommendations to you for other openings created as a ripple from these moves; after, examining the service listings of available personnel.
Lt. Commander Savign
My system announces other messages, immediately after I finish reading the Savign's. Through the transparent walls I can see Savign finishing a discussion with Volpe. Volpe goes back to his station and begins composing a message. He is probably sending his acceptance to Admiral Nichols.
Memo
From: Admiral Stephen Nichols Theatre Nine Commander
To: Lt. Commander Savign Executive Officer ESS Shenzhen
C.C. Captain Kurt Brubacher
Re: Promotion to Master of the Shenzhen
Date: October 3, 2255
Savign,
I am happy you are accepting the promotion and position offered you; and, I am sure you will do very well in the job. Your career has been outstanding, to this point; so, there is no reason to believe otherwise.
I am also accepting your recommendation for Lt. Volpe. Please, feel free to make the offer to her, once you have received the memo announcing your pending promotion.
Congratulations
Admiral Stephen Nichols
Memo
From: Admiral Stephen Nichols Theatre Nine Commander
To: all officers and crew ESS Shenzhen, Theatre Nine Fleet Commanders, Mobile Fifth Command
C.C. Captain Kurt Brubacher
Re: Master of the ESS Shenzhen
Date: October 3, 2255
All,
Please be advised that effective this day, at sixteen hundred hours, Captain Kurt Brubacher will be reassigned.
Lt. Commander Savign, currently Executive Officer of the Shenzhen, will be promoted to the rank of Commander and will be assigned as Captain of the Shenzhen, at that time. The promotion ceremony will take place at sixteen hundred hours in the amphitheater aboard the Midgard.
Congratulations to Lt. Commander Savign.
Admiral Stephen Nichols
Memo
From: Admiral Stephen Nichols Theatr
e Nine Commander
To: all officers and crew ESS Shenzhen, Theatre Nine Fleet Commanders, Mobile Fifth Command
C.C. Lt. Commander Savign, Captain Kurt Brubacher
Re: Executive Officer ESS Shenzhen
Date: October 3, 2255
All,
Please be advised that Lieutenant Eugenia Volpe, currently ESS Shenzhen’s Second Officer and First Shift First Officer, will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and will be assigned as Executive Officer of the Shenzhen.
The ceremony will take place in the amphitheater of the Midgard at sixteen hundred hours.
Congratulation Lt. Volpe.
Admiral Stephen Nichols
At eleven hundred, as I am packing up the belongings in my quarters, my system chimes again.
Memo
From: Admiral Stephen Nichols Theatre Nine Commander
To: all officers and crew ESS Loki, all officers and crew ESS Shenzhen, Vice Admiral Helena Leeds Commander Phoenix Fleet, Mobile Fifth Command
C.C. Captain Kurt Brubacher
Re: Assignment of Master of the ESS Loki
Date: October 3, 2255
All,
Please be advised that Captain Kurt Brubacher, currently Master of the ESS Shenzhen, will be reassigned as the Commander of the ESS Loki. The Loki is a Carrier class vessel; so, this is by no means a lateral move. Captain Brubacher has commanded the Shenzhen for a year. It is one of our autonomous frigates; and, he has been exposed to some very serious tactical situations. Captain Brubacher has been awarded several commendations, over the time of his career; including the OESA order of Merit.
Captain Brubacher will spend the first two weeks of his assignment aboard the Midgard getting an intense start on War College Programs. He has been accepted to the Academy War College program; and, will be eligible for promotion to Flag Ranks, after successful completion.
Reassignment and transfer of command of the Loki to Captain Brubacher will take place in the amphitheater of the Midgard at sixteen hundred hours.
Congratulations Captain Brubacher.
Admiral Stephen Nichols
Memo
From: Admiral Stephen Nichols Theatre Nine Commander
To: Captain Kurt Brubacher
Re: Pending reassignment
Date: October 3, 2255
Kurt,
Please shuttle over to the Midgard, at your earliest convenience for a meeting with me and Vice Admiral Leeds. I would like to do the formal introductions; so, the two of you know each other before she officially assigns you the Loki.
Stephen Nichols.
As it happens, I am done packing, when the last message comes in; so, I call in my steward. I ask him to ship two of the bags to the Midgard and the rest of the boxes and bags to the Loki. Then I head to the shuttle bay.
"Captain Brubacher reporting, as requested, sir." I am at attention as I bark out the announcement.
"Relax Kurt and take a seat. This is Vice Admiral Helena Leeds of Phoenix Fleet." He directs a hand in her direction.
She is a mid-thirties tall medium colored beauty who wears a flag uniform very well. Confidence exudes from her regal bearing.
"It's an honor to meet you Admiral Leeds." I respond with my hand out to her.
"It's my honor too, Captain. You have an impressive record." She answers as she returns a warm, firm and very dry handshake.
"Thank you, sir. I only hope I will fuel your confidence in me. I would not like to let you, Admiral Nichols or Admiral Bryant down, ever." I respond.
"Don't worry, Captain. I'm sure you'll do just fine. Things are still a little fluid in Phoenix. They're also still changing in the OESA. Expansion isn't complete, yet. Fifth has taken a lot of people; and many Fleets are short staffed throughout the entire service. I am sure there will be a need for your tactical skills at a Flag level soon enough.
I want to tell you right now that, there is still no Commander for your Group. Loki Group is running under the direct control of the Task Force One Commander and me. Since, Loki is my flag vessel, it is seldom without a Flag presence; but, it is a lot of extra work for the two of us. I am seeking someone to fill the spot; but, we're pretty diluted, right now. If it isn't inhabited when you finish the War College program, I will include you in the considerations. Just don't screw up in the meantime. That would throw a wrench in the whole idea.
I will tell you now that, though I have never met you, Admirals Bryant and Nichols speak highly of your service over your ten-year history; so, I am confident you will do well." She finishes with a smile.
"Thank you, Admiral. I will try to earn those compliments, in your eyes, too." I respond.
"Very good, Captain. I think we know where we stand. I will be transferring your Command Codes in the sixteen hundred ceremony; but, you need to meet with your Exec and senior staff, now. They need to know the plan for the next couple of weeks." Leeds replies.
"Your dismissed, Captain." Nichols says as he rises.
I rise. "If you'll excuse me, Admirals?" I turn and leave the room.
I shuttle over to the Loki. I am received as if I am already ensconced as the Master. My executive is a Deltan. This is a familiar situation.
"Captain Brubacher, I am Commander Elasima." The young man offers a salute with the introduction.
"I am Captain Kurt Brubacher, Commander Elasima. May I have permission to come aboard?" I respond with the formalities.
"Permission granted; and, welcome Captain."
We head to the Captain's office, first. It is much larger and more elegantly finished the one on the Shenzhen. It has quite a large conversation area with two couches, two arm chairs and a coffee table surrounding an area rug, at the end of the room opposite the desk. It also enjoys a couple of large viewing ports.
"What do your friends call you Commander?" I ask.
" They call me El, sir."
"You may call me Kurt when we are in private. May I call you El?" I ask my Exec.
"Yes Kurt. That would be fine." He responds.
"El, how far along are you on field testing and shake down of the Loki?" I ask.
"On what, sir? We have not done any field testing or shakedown, Kurt. No one has even suggested it. Is that the testing to ensure the Loki is safe and dependable?" The exec asks.
“Yes, it is known as proofing the ship; and, involves intensive static testing and repairs; followed by, progressively more demanding cruises. The idea is to prove the ship is sound at conditions well beyond her normal use. That way, we will know she is safe for standard operations and can be demanded to do more, in a pinch. No vessel is to be put into service without the proofing – it’s part of OESA Rules and Regulations.” I explain.
“Admiral Leeds must have wanted to hold off until you came.” El sounded defensive.
"Well, I'm going to be away for the first two weeks of my assignment; so, you will be doing the initial testing. Based on what we found on the Shenzhen; and what Admiral Nichols found with some of the carriers, I have created a plan. I will let Admiral Leeds know you are acting under my orders. Testing and shakedown can take five to eight weeks, with repairs. You will run the first two weeks. The crew might hate you, afterwards. It's the most labor intensive part of the whole process. Ten days in, you will take the ship to one of a selection of planets I have included. You will give the crew a rotating three-day leave. Then you will return the ship to the Midgard running at point two during your jump. That excursion will be the first shakedown; but, the crew will be happy with the rotating leave.
You must follow the plan closely. There are many things to watch. We don't want to have a flaw that causes the Loki to blow up in space. We want to find the problems. Don't let people make up fake ones; but, the more you find the better. There are twenty-two million moving and operating parts in this ship. Anyone could be faulty. The plan explains what to watch, at what times. You need to break up responsibility for parts of the plan. Use only those senior officers you are sure you can trust. If you
aren't sure of one, use someone more junior that, you know can handle it and record that in your logs. Your personnel records should reflect the operation intently. When I come aboard in a couple of weeks we should know who is capable and who is not. I don't want to leave someone in charge of a bridge watch; if, they are incapable of handling it. I only trust you; because, your appointment was determined by Admirals Leeds and Nichols; and, I trust them. But others may have gotten to positions they don't deserve. This is a new ship with a new crew. The crew is part of the testing and shakedown. It and the ship must operate as a unit, after this. I will also be asking Admiral Leeds to temporarily move her flag. If something goes wrong, we don't want a Senior Admiral aboard. Are you up for it, El?" I finish.
"Yes Kurt. I can handle it." He responds confidently.
"Good. Then, let's get the rest of the senior team in here. And, see if you can have someone get the box marked office from my quarters and bring it here. I'll start moving in now." I say.
"Yes, Captain. If you'll excuse me. I'll have everyone here in half an hour. The box will be up here forthwith." El responds.
"Dismissed!" I snap.
I spend the next five minutes looking over the office and enjoying the spectacle of the surrounding space; before, being interrupted by a steward.
"...The box you requested, Captain." The attendant stands at attention in the door.
"Bring it in. Are you my steward?" I ask.
"Yes sir, I am Leading Crewman David Angstrom; and I am one of two of your day shift stewards. You have six in all - two in each of three shifts." The Crewman responds.
"Can you keep a secret, crewman?" I ask.