Righteous Reign
Page 48
We have recently seen this vessel during a Fleet inspection. This is a Carrier sized vessel without the island. She is in fine condition. And, we have been shown plans by the yard of what could be accomplished, in such a short time. Because of its large open spaces, this ship can actually handle the refit for quarters, messes and offices much better than a retired Carrier class vessel would. Supply vessels are full FTL capable; so, she would be a valuable addition to your team.
The current crew would not transfer with the craft. All vessel staffing would be your Command's responsibility, at your Command's expense. The ship would be delivered by a skeleton crew that would require return transport.
We have examined the vessel's service and maintenance records. It has a pretty standard looking history and has had no major difficulties in the recent past. It carries adequate repair stocks and has an experienced engineering team, looking after it, at this time.
Of course the SCFS3589 would retain her registry number but, would need to be rechristened. We suggest the ESS Examiner a fitting name unique to her purpose. We assume you will accept this compromise; so, we have written the appropriate orders to the Fleet and Yard. Unless we receive a negative response from you, we will continue targeting delivery of the vessel to you by Friday August 7, 2257.
Fleet Admiral David Williamson C&C OESA
Fleet Admiral William Stephenson C&C OESA
I decided to respond even though I was accepting the plan and the response is not required.
MEMO
From: Admiral K Brubacher OESA Inspector
To: Fleet Admiral David Williamson C&C OESA
Fleet Admiral William Stephenson C&C OESA
C.C. Admiral G. Bryant Commander Fifth Mobile RAC
Re: Inspector General Branch - Facilities
Date: July 16, 2257
Admirals,
Though, you didn't require this response, I thought it wise to write and confirm my desire to accept the plan you outlined for Inspector General Branch Facilities. I will be happy to accept the refitted vessel registry number SCS3589, under the conditions you outlined.
I am very happy with the fact, you found a way to reduce this Commands overall costs. More than that, the improved timeline will make everyone's life here a lot easier. I am sure Admiral Bryant will appreciate it, too.
I will look forward to receiving the "Examiner" Friday August 7, 2257; and, will participate in the return of the skeleton crew. Thank you.
Admiral K. Brubacher
I call in the senior team and show them all the memo; asking Roh to post it. I suggest we all go for a drink. I contact Helena and invite her on the grounds I have great news. We all have a little too much.
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Today, when the new ship arrives, we'll have a christening ceremony; then, I'll install the crew We've scraped together. Roh and the HR team helped a lot. We looked at all the non-supply vessel crews and made lists of XO and Second Officers that might want a change. We did the same with Deputy Department Commanders. In the end, there were nearly five hundred officers’ files harvested from all the Fleets. I went through those myself. We would only need ninety-two from the most senior to the most junior officers; because a lot of departments were already staffed in the existing command. The ninety-two were to handle all the Bridge, Engineering and Medical operations and the Captain and Exec positions. I would make inquiries to two hundred and reduce it from the ones that accepted. At the same time, we compile nearly two thousand files of various non-comms and enlisted specialists that could handle the ship's systems by department; and, sifted those down to one thousand to fill the positions throughout the vessel. We would need four hundred eighty in those ranks. Once more, we inquired of all those looking for six hundred to respond favorably. The best were always those with issues caused by a marriage or seeking a promotion. From the responses, I whittled my choices for Captain to two and offered one the Captaincy of the ship; holding the other applicant in reserve. But Lt. Commander Shane MacDonald responded favorably; so, that job was done. He was close by in Auriga Fleet; so, we made the move quickly. Then, we included him in the exec choices. Both were included in the choices for second, third, fourth officers, engineering chief and medical chief. That team worked together to select the rest of their administration. They all worked with human resources to fill the squads and platoons that would operate the vessel’s systems.
At present, they are all waiting in their quarters, the mess halls and the pub for a call that will come when the ship exits its jump. We will gather at the docking port; Christen the vessel the Examiner; Go aboard and man the stations. Finally, on the bridge, we will have a dedication ceremony, as we hang the registry plaque on a bridge wall. The captain will record the event in his ship's log. I will record it in mine; and, it will all be official. Then, we will take about an hour tour of our new Examiner. We'll notify the Inspector General Branch that the Examiner and crew is departing with the Inspector General aboard. Then we'll ask the Valhalla for permission to undock and depart. The Captain will open the sealed orders I generated; and we will leave for the space dock at Rigil.
Since the day I accepted the plan, things have really popped. Both remote investigations finished. There were no major difficulties with either Fleet. Both were cited for minor protocol violations. The Commander of Antlia Fleet, Vice Admiral V.S. Bandera, had an official reprimand added to his personnel file by me, for failing to comply with a duly issued lawful order as outlined in the OESA regulations. This would be good for us. He would be pissed off and spread it around. The damage to his career would motivate others to comply without hesitation. We also continued on the breakneck pace to come up to full capability. As of today, we had the full complement of marines, the command staff was at eighty percent; and, the ship's compliment was complete. Right now, the Inspector General Branch staff was at seventy-five hundred sixty-four; including me. Once the two teams made it back, we spent three days pouring over their notes and accounts to modify and streamline our protocol and processes. In the last couple of days, I had visited everyone promoting the idea of getting packed up. We would move to the Examiner; as soon as, it arrives, from the shipyard.
Helena and I spent time with George. George told me it was my decision; but, he would support the Examiner moving in tandem with the Loki; as long as, we stayed out of the way during patrols. He advised Helena that, he still wanted to keep her Fleet and Auriga close. The Emperor was still a regular visitor; and he wanted the extra support in case someone tried to attack.
My system enunciator chimes. I check the message and see our new ship just popped into our local. I navigate my system and tap; sending the crew of the ship the notification; and, triggering an automated public address announcement. Then, I say good-bye to the senior staff and head for the docking bay. I officially take command of the vessel from the pilot. When SCS3589 is christened ESS Examiner, we go aboard. On the bridge we do the dedication and hang the brass plaque. Then, with everyone in tow, I blindly lead the tour of our new ship. We are stunned. She's like a hotel. Something like the cruise ships that used to sail Earth oceans. The Examiner seems almost opulent; and quarters and facilities are much more spacious then I had envisioned. There are a couple of odd nooks on each level; probably caused by refitting a supply vessel to be a personnel carrier. But overall, the yard did a great job.
"Captain, here are your orders." I say officiously as I tap my pad.
He reads. His head snaps back as he smiles.
"Are you kidding, sir?" He asked.
"It is no joke Commander MacDonald. We are treating the trip to Rigil as the second last leg of a shakedown. The trip back will be the last leg. Follow those orders precisely, Captain." I said.
"Aye... Aye, Admiral." He barks.
"Engineering - environmental and recycling to one hundred percent.
Ion Propulsion to ready. AMPE to ready. Helm - all thruster to the ready. Navigation set station keep
ing. Bow thrusters to one hundred - Ion propulsion to sixty percent until notified.' He checks a chronometer and waits for two minutes. 'IPE and bow thruster off at my command. Off! Starboard and Port thrusters at one hundred on my command. On!' again he watches the chronometers. 'Helm watch for any drift. Thrusters off! Bow and aft thrusters to one hundred at my command. ON' he watches the chronometer. 'Helm watch for drift, again. Thrusters OFF! Starboard bow thrusters to fifty, aft port thrusters to fifty. On! Helm call out angle of rotation." He orders.
The helm begins calling as the ship rotates; noting every five-degrees deflection. At eighty-five the Captain interrupts.
"All stop!' He barks and seems to be feeling the drift. "Thruster to my command. Port bow and starboard aft thrusters fifty percent two second burst on my command. Thrusters now! All thrusters to station keeping.' He waits for the ship to fully stop. 'What's are current heading, helm?"
"Zero nine zero degrees, declination zero, sir." The helm calls out.
"Helm, set course for Wolf 359. Propulsion IPE and AMPE engines zero to twenty percent C ramp thirty minutes. Set Casimir field for one and a half million kilometers out at one hundred percent. IPE off when we cross the threshold." The Captain finished his order.
The delivery pilot steps forward and begins to protest.
"Don't panic, Lt. Commander. We'll have you back to the yard on time.
We cross the jump point.
"IPE off. Helm, I'm sending a stabilizer program that will run for a couple of minutes. Engage it right away.' The captain is watching the chronometer. The ship begins to tilt first one way; then back; then, the other way; then, back. Propulsion AMPE to twenty-two percent C.' He watches the chronometer again. 'Propulsion - AMPE to twenty-five percent C. Engineering, I need a recording of all system readings since launch and for the rest of the trip to Wolf 359. Helm and propulsion - steady as she goes to Wolf 359." He leans back into his chair on the command station. Sir, I read your manuals on testing and shakedown. This is really great." He says with a smile.
"Yes, but, this is not really the whole deal. This ship was already in service. We're just proofing because it's new to us. I'd like to know if, we're going to have any issues. But, she looks pretty good, so far. And, she sure is a pretty little thing.' I finished with a smile. 'Pilot, we'll do Wolf in three day eighteen hours instead of four and a half. We'll stop at Wolf to do some tests. Then we'll do Wolf to Rigil in one day instead of one day eighteen hours. Total trip time will be five days seven hours; including stopping for the tests. Normal trip time from 61V to Rigil is five days. Do you think you can handle a seven-hour delay? We'll do the trip back direct in two and a half days instead of five; after stopping for a day to finish the testing on the shuttles. Commander MacDonald, can you have an officer do a survey of your crew’s reaction to their quarters in about another hour. We need to know about ventilation, environment and bathroom systems." I finish.
"Aye Admiral." The Captain responded.
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Today I'm issuing an order for the entire team to move from Valhalla to Examiner. Everything went well on the trip to Rigil and back. The shuttles were impressive. They can take thirty-five each and have births and a small lounge / cafeteria / mess. We took them up to thirty-five percent; which surprised all of us. Shuttles are usually governed at twenty-five percent. I ran all the results through the Failure Fault and Finite Analysis software. The ship should be fine. The COS has all the cabin assignments ready. We won't be completely moved over until late tomorrow. But, we'll restart investigative operations from there, then.
MEMO
From: Admiral K. Brubacher Inspector General
To: all personnel Inspector General Branch
C.C. Admiral G. Bryant Commander Mobile Fifth RAC
Re: Inspector General Branch - Facilities
Date: August 16, 2257
All,
I have the pleasure to inform you that our new "home" the Examiner, docked at the Valhalla, has passed all tests and inspections; and is ready for you to embark.
Please have all your belongings moved over as quickly as possible. This goes for quarters and offices.
We must all be thankful to Admiral Bryant for his hospitality; and, his generosity in providing shelter for us, until we received the Examiner. It has put a strain on Mobile Fifth RAC resources and personnel. We are grateful.
You can access a map of the ship on our site. It will show you where your quarters and offices are. The doors of all quarters have a small identification plaque on each; and all office spaces are properly labeled. Both apartments and offices are furnished. You are asked to move only personal belongings and work materials.
Personnel of the marine contingent are asked to double check for weapons. Do not leave any behind.
Admiral Kurt Brubacher
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We're on our way to park in open space between Procyon, Sirius and DX Cancer. The three stars are officially positioned in two different constellations; but, are serviced by Quadrant Two, Theatre Three Commands. Cancer Fleet is centered at DX; while Canes Minor is centered at Procyon: and Canes Major Fleet is at Sirius. I cut the investigation orders and wrote the team orders, a few minutes ago. We will conduct three investigations, at the same time; holding one large shuttle in reserve; in case, we need to provide additional support to one of the teams. Though they are considered "friendly forces" in our quest, I must execute our operations judicially; and, must maintain the appearance of fairness and neutrality.
OESA INSPECTOR GENERAL BRANCH
WARRANT OF GENERAL INVESTIGATION AND AUDIT Order Number IGB257-0803
Cancer Fleet
Att.: Vice Admiral Sestinas Commander Cancer Fleet
You are advised that, on this date, August 20, 2257 this warrant has been generated ordering the investigation of all aspects of the Cancer Fleet. You are ordered and required to comply with all persons of the investigating team, as compelled by statute and described in OESA Rules and Regulations. Further you are ordered and required to avail all facilities, information systems and data storage devices and make available all personnel that are part of your Command and / or any of its sub-commands.
This order was generated July 20, 2257 by,
Admiral Kurt Brubacher
OESA Inspector General
Note: a copy of this order has been posted to the office of the OESA C&C
OESA INSPECTOR GENERAL BRANCH
WARRANT OF GENERAL INVESTIGATION AND AUDIT Order Number IGB257-0804
Canis Major Fleet
Att.: Vice Admiral R. Bolingbrook Commander Canis Major Fleet
You are advised that, on this date, August 20, 2257 this warrant has been generated ordering the investigation of all aspects of the Canis Major Fleet. You are ordered and required to comply with all persons of the investigating team, as compelled by statute and described in OESA Rules and Regulations. Further you are ordered and required to avail all facilities, information systems and data storage devices and make available all personnel that are part of your Command and / or any of its sub-commands.
This order was generated July 20, 2257 by,
Admiral Kurt Brubacher
OESA Inspector General
Note: a copy of this order has been posted to the office of the OESA C&C
OESA INSPECTOR GENERAL BRANCH
WARRANT OF GENERAL INVESTIGATION AND AUDIT Order Number IGB257-0805
Canis Minor Fleet
Att.: Vice Admiral Gigantean Commander Canis Minor Fleet
You are advised that, on this date, August 20, 2257 this warrant has been generated ordering the investigation of all aspects of the Canis Minor Fleet. You are ordered and required to comply with all persons of the investigating team, as compelled by statute and described in OESA Rules and Regulations. Further you are ordered and required to avail all facilities, information systems and data storag
e devices and make available all personnel that are part of your Command and / or any of its sub-commands.
This order was generated July 20, 2257 by,
Admiral Kurt Brubacher
OESA Inspector General
Note: a copy of this order has been posted to the office of the OESA C&C
MEMO
From: Adm. K. Brubacher Inspector General
To: Lt. Colonel C. Sparks Commander I.S.I.E. Department Inspector General Branch
C.C. Admiral G.Bryant Commander Fifth Mobile RAC, Rear Admiral Rohkea Sielu Chief of Staff Inspector General Branch, Office of the OESA C&C
Re: General Investigations and Audits
Date: Aug. 20, 2257
Colonel Sparks,
You will find three Investigation Warrants attached. One is for Cancer Fleet. The second is for Canis Major Fleet. And, the third warrent is for Canis Minor Fleet. You will need a team of two forensic personnel from each of, Accounting, Human Resources, Legal, Engineering, Communications, Weapons, Logistics disciplines, eight armed infantry soldiers to support a squad comprised of three criminal investigators, two intelligence agents and three enforcment officers for each investigation. You are authorized to requisition the use of a thirty-five person shuttle craft and their crew for each of these operations. Handheld conventional / lasar weapons are authorized; but, should empoy rubber bullets for conventional use and minimum setting for the lasar operations. Use of deadly force is not authorized; except in defense of your teams.