Red Squad

Posted on Sat Jan 18th, 2025 @ 4:33pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Lieutenant JG James Phoenix

Mission: Training Cruise
Location: USS Washington

Shran exited his ready room, a look of tempered exasperation on his face. Deanna noted that Inara had exited the captain's ready room a minute prior, and she could only assume that Inara had gone on a tangent of some sort with Shran. It was predictable considering Inara's typical misanthropy and her obvious distaste for Red Squad, and most people and groups in StarFleet it seemed. Deanna signaled Ayana and Phoenix to make their way to the turbolift as she walked over to notify Jon, who was conversing with Callie, that it was time to go.

"So Callie, what's your take on all this? An elite cadet squadron, made up of elite cadets coming onboard for a training cruise. You sense anything unusual?"

“Not really unusual” Callie shook her head. “The cadets are very self-assured, and confident. There’s some nervousness, but I don’t think it’ll hold them back.”

Deanna made her way over to the couple, "Hate to interrupt, but the captain is ready for us to go pick up the kids." She looked over at Callie, "I will have your cadet sent along with the other medical cadets to meet you in sickbay. Give you a chance to discuss things with Sam and Shon before they arrive."

Jon gave Callie's hand a soft squeeze. "See you in a bit, don't want to be late collecting the kids," He joked before looking at Deanna. "Alright, let's get this over with."

Deanna and Jon joined Shran and the others in the turbolift and headed down to the transporter room. The contingent entered the transporter room looking rather serious. "At your discretion Chief" Shran said as they entered.

"It will be just a moment sir" the Chief responded.

Deanna remained concerned about Shran's demeanor regarding these cadets and perhaps the task set before them. She would never invade the captain's thoughts, but he was putting out all sorts of thoughts and emotions that she couldn't help but pick up on. At the moment, a lot of it was regarding Inara being far too stubborn and shortsighted about something, but Deanna wasn't going to interfere about that at this moment. The transporter came to life and the standard blue hue took hold as the patterns formed into the gaggle of cadets. The cadets stood on the transporter pad looking eager and ready for whatever was coming to them.

Shran looked them over and then addressed them directly. "Cadets, welcome to the USS Washington. I am Capt Shran dh'Klar. We are looking forward to having you aboard our ship for the next few weeks and seeing how you handle yourselves. I suggest you make the best of this experience, because as of this moment, the training wheels are off. I'm told you are the cream of the crop; we shall put that to the test. This is my XO, Cmdr Grayson, and my COO Lt Cmdr Celes. They will be who directly deals with you while you are here. They will direct you to your various assignments. We will be getting underway shortly. I leave you in my officer's capable hands." With that Shran turned and exited, leaving the cadets to Jon and Deanna.

Jon looked at the cadets who still stood on the transporter pads, "Well? What are you waiting for, an invitation? Get off the pads and come down here."

Deanna hid well a chuckle. The captain had been stern, but Jon seemed to be playing at being equally as stern, perhaps like one of those drill instructors that the tactical and marines dealt with. "I will call out your name to confirm you are all here. Follow instructions to avoid getting underfoot of the officers and other personnel" Deanna stated like a doting school Marm. "Del Rio, Freud, T'Pau, congregate to the right. You will be escorted to sickbay by Lt Hillis. Krim, Sitak, Chekov, to the left. Lt Phoenix will escort you cadet Chekov down to Engineering before bringing you other two to meet with Lt Imik and Lt Hillis. Haro and Farek, you are with the Commander. He'll be taking you up to the bridge directly. And Kuzma, T'Pol, Below, you will come with me. Out of the frying pan and into the fire everyone. Welcome to the Washington." She looked to Jon to see if he had anything he wished to add. She rather hoped he did as it interested her to see how he wanted to deal with these elite cadets.

Jon looked the cadets up and down, saying nothing at first just taking them all in. Finally, he spoke, his voice deceptively calm, "Listen and listen good people. Your supposed to be the best. Well, we're going to find out if that is true. We're not here to hold your hand or babysit you. We're here to help and mentor you. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. Do not I repeat do not think you know it all because buttercups you do not. Now, let's get to work." He looked at Deanna and James, "Anything to add for our guests?"

"I suggest you make good use of your time here. You may be cadets, but aboard this ship you will be largely treated as fellow officers. For some of you, that will simply mean a lot of hard work over the next few weeks, and for others it will mean dealing with challenges you might not be prepared for. I'm afraid the time for you all to grow up has arrived" Deanna added in that calm voice she seemed to always have.

Ayana considered speaking, but instead just stood there stoically with a grin on her face. She grasped what it was the two senior officers were telling the cadets.

James decided to speak up. "I know this is supposed to be a training and evaluation cruise for you, but if you don't know something, don't hesitate to ask. I'd rather you ask than running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I should also emphasize what our senior officers are saying. "This isn't the academy. In Starfleet Academy the worst that can usually happen under normal circumstances is that you fail, or at worst get a few scrapes. Out here you can get killed" he said coldly.

"Well said Mr. Phoenix." Jon replied before his attention landed back on the cadets. "Remember everything you have been told. If you don't, I can guarantee you won't like the alternative."

"Might I inquire what you mean by that?" questioned Farek.

"Ay dios mío" Del Rio said under her breath.

"It means Mr. Farek that you won't be alive to experience anything else." Jon answered crisply.

"Meaning the Fifteenth Rule of Acquisition would become very accurate. Understood sir" Farek responded.

James stood silent listening to the cadets' exchange, taking down mental notes for later.

"Alight, Farek and Haro. let's go to the bridge." Jon replies simply.

Following suit, James turned to the three on the left. "Chekov, Krim, Sitak, with me please."

Ayana gathered her contingent of medical personnel and escorted them out, and Deanna followed suit and gathered her people and exited. It had begun, and the cadets were now aboard.