USS PATRIOT: Fighter Bay * Fighter Lamda * Counterstrike ("Storm Rising")

From: Nai Lara (nai_lara_at_internode.on.net)
Date: Sat Mar 01 2008 - 02:20:37 PST


“Storm Rising”
Continued from “Calm Before the Storm”

Location: USS PATRIOT
Stardate: 2422 [2.7] 0103.2100
Scene: Fighter Bay

Niala followed Catherine out of the change room, lengthening her stride 
to keep up with the hybrid who was keen to get moving. “Aren’t you 
angry?” The undercurrent of urgency was pervasive throughout the ship.

Jade finished tightening the straps on her flight suit as they walked. 
Her helmet was tucked under her arm. “No. The Captain had his reasons.” 
She replied as she entered the fighter bay and made a beeline towards 
one of them.

“Surely you could have been part of the team to try and rescue Clarkson.”

The woman paused and turned, smiling. Niala was trying to see if she was 
going to go off half-cocked again. “If I can keep the Dominion 
distracted, then I’ve done my part. I just have to hope that they do 
theirs.” Catherine threw her helmet into the cockpit and gripped onto 
the handles built into the hull of the small fighter. “Counselor, I’m 
fine. Really.” She promised as she hauled herself up.

Niala just watched as the woman smoothly climbed up the ladder and swung 
into the pilot’s seat. Tam followed her part way up as Catherine settled 
herself in, albeit, with some discomfort. “Alright, I was just 
enquiring.” She watched quizzically as the Intelligence agent began to 
flip leavers and dials, changing the indicator status lights. “You ever 
flown one of these before?” Tam asked curiously.

“I’ve flown fighters – just not this type.” Sterling jammed the helmet 
onto her head, making sure her hair fit snuggly under the seal. “They’re 
all the same.”

“Don’t let Maverick hear you say that.” Tam whistled softly.

Catherine slipped some black gloves over her hands and finished the 
pre-flight check up with a radio test. “Maverick’s down a pilot, and 
while I’m rusty, I’m better then nothing.” She pointed out. She had 
flown fighters before, Stiletto class, but that was a few years ago.

“You had better step off, Niala, I’m going to fire it up.” She warned 
the Counsellor. Niala nodded and dropped down to the deck below and 
stepped back. The fighter shuddered as the engine started, blasting hot 
air and pressure around in the immediate vicinity.

=/\=
Scene: Lamda Fighter
=/\=

A voice from the Counterstrike interrupted the gentle silence of the 
cockpit. [[All shuttles and fighters, this is the Counterstrike. Prepare 
to launch in ten.]] It was a sound off, to ensure that everyone was 
ready to move out. [[Call in.]]

The shuttles all reported, then the fighters in turn of ranking. “Lamda 
reporting in.” Catherine said calmly when her turn came up.

[[Lamda, identify yourself.]] The command was quick in coming, her voice 
being unfamiliar.

“Lieutenant Sterling-Jade.”

There was a moment of silence, and then someone else intruded on the 
airwaves.

[[What the hell are you doing?]] She didn’t need to ask that person to 
identify himself. She smiled when she realized Mav was probably hopping 
mad. He was awfully protective about his ships.

Sterling turned her head to see the Counterstrike sitting on the deck 
plates. “You needed a pilot, and I have piloted fighters. You going to 
quibble about this now?” She asked, unable to see anything through the 
polarized front viewer.

[[You’re not supposed to be out here, Lieutenant.]] Maverick growled 
softly.

Jade smiled. “There’s no reason for me not to be. Besides, I am not 
going to do a runner. I promise.”

Neither of them had time to sort this out. [[Right, you stay on my six. 
Are we understood?]] Maverick barked angrily.

“Crystal.” Jade responded in clipped tones. At least she would have the 
Counterstrike’s back.

=/\=
Scene: Counterstrike
=/\=

Kenta’s face appeared on the viewscreen at the pre-arranged scheduled 
time. {{Colonel, Commander?}} He glanced at his Executive Officer and 
the marine Commanding Officer. They both nodded in greeting.

“We’re ready to move out.” They both reported.

{{Best of luck. Kenta out.}}


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NRPG: yay! Posted!


Naomi Lara

Lt. J.G. Catherine Sterling-Jade
Intelligence Operative
USS PATRIOT

And

Commodore Teneill Danara-Bennow
Deputy Chief of Starfleet Intelligence

From HyperNews_at_youth.net 


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