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(3.21) Paperwork and Duties
Paperwork and Duties
Somewhere within the Outer Rim
ISA Ka-riss-ah
Ubaah stood outside the door to the conference room looking down at his data pad. It had chimed two times already reminding him he was due to his first Department Head meeting. It was not something he was looking forward to. The idea of being the Carissa's Executive Officer was great when it was just the group. Now there was literally a full crew of nearly a thousand men and women who looked up to him. Within the past few days he had been bombarded with questions and requests that would drive any man crazy. Seeing how they had slipped in to hyperspace, it was time for him to get a better grip of his job on the ship. He did some research about the role of the executive officer and found out that he hosts Department Head meetings and briefs the Captain on the results of these meetings. He was to be the eyes and ears of the Captain to the crew.
It seemed like a good idea at the time, still he was worried about messing it up. The Azgards didn't trust the Jedi and he knew that many of the group didn't trust them. He took a deep breath while he checked his ISA uniform. He really like the way he looked in it. The blacks and dark shades of gray really brought his own red tint out. He found out during his research that the Knights of Carissa's Galaxy wore decorative cords called Laniards worn around the right shoulder and connected to a plate just over the right breast. They reflected the Knight's training and experience. He discovered that his level was a bluish cord with a bronze plate. It did make for a sharp uniform and he couldn't help but enjoy the way he looked in it with the red armband with gold “ISA” letters on it. He nodded to his reflection and made that last step towards the door and it hissed open.
Ubaah looked around the room and the first thing he noticed was that nearly all the Azgards were also dressed in ISA uniforms as well. Colonel Kaleb Ward and Commander Cho Mercer were the only two that were still dressed in their normal Azgard uniforms. Ubaah nodded to them as he walked it. Someone snapped, “XO on Deck!” and on that note, all of the Azgards leaped from their chairs and stood at attention with a unified, “SIR!” Ubaah noticed that Oktra was not dressed in any uniform nor did she leap to her feet. He was not sure how to address this as he was not in the military either. He just waved his hand at them, “please be seated” he said as he continued to walk over to his chair. 'This is going to be a long meeting' he thought as he placed his items at the head of the table. He took one more look around as he took his seat.
To Ubaah's right sat Colonel Ward, the ship's lesion between the group and their Azgard crew. His job aboard the ship was to ensure that the Azgards follow their orders and duties to the ship as well ensure that there is no misunderstanding that could cause conflict. Ubaah had his doubts about Ward and his reasons for being on the ship. He knew that Ward was a spy for the Republic and knew that this man couldn't be completely trusted. However the Captain had chosen to keep him aboard. It wasn't like Ward was disrespectful or anything. Ward actually went out of his way to show his respect and his friendship toward the group. Call it a gut feeling or something, however Ubaah still had those doubts about Ward and just couldn't completely trust him.
The other side of Colonel Ward was Lieutenant Commander Noa Furey. He was the Senior Weapon's officer of the ship and Tactical Officer. Even towards Ubaah, this man's stare summoned fears. There was something about the way he looked at a person that seemed to rip open a person's soul and bare it all out for Furey's inspection. Furey was a quiet man, only speaking when he had something of importance to say. His mannerism really set Ubaah and the others back. Ubaah had inquired when he first saw Lt Commander Furey how he got his face so badly burned. He was told that when the Firecrest was blown from the sky over Brentaal, Furey had faced fuel fires to rescue wounded from the dying ship. His nearly dead body was found within the wreckage three days later. His body is now more metal than biological. Ubaah looked in to the man's eyes and could see the untold pain that he must be suffering from the wounds of his emotions. Still Ubaah could feel the man's rage just under the surface.
On the other side of Lt Commander Furey sat Lieutenant Oktra Koo'lya. Well one would not be able to tell what her rank was being she wore her normal Scrapper clothes. He made a point to have a conversation with her about this. But he knew that she was trustworthy and worth her weight being aboard the ship. As their Chief Engineer she knew more about the ship than anyone else aboard. Her long hours and focus on getting Carissa fully repaired proved her loyalty and devotion to the ship. However, it would be her attitude that he just knew in his heart that would cause him the most problems. Still she was someone he knew how she would react and that made dealing with her easy for him. 'Still she will need to play by the same rules we all have to play' he thought as he took a note in his data pad.
Across the table from her sat, Commander Cho Mercer. The only man that held equal rank as Ubaah. Commander Mercer's role on the ship was that of Commander of Air Group Operations, or CAG Ops. He had the duty of making sure all the new pilots aboard the ship were fully trained on the new types of fighters and other craft they had aboard Carissa. It was no easy task as these fighters were completely different than anything else they had ever seen. Mercer was a good Officer and level headed. He came with high recommendations and wealth of experience. By far, he was both the oldest and more awarded member of the Crew. Ubaah had a chance to share a drink with the man the week before. Ubaah found Mercer to be open, friendly and knowledgeable about a wide range of fighter combat. Ubaah was surprised to learn that Mercer had actually taught at the Republic Naval Academy for Star Fighter Combat. It was by chance that he was on an inspection tour above Brentaal, when he was entered in to the Order of the Rose. Ubaah knew that the ship's over all protection would fall to Mercer and his pilots when push came to shove. 'We will be in good hands' Ubaah thought as he shifted his gaze to the next officer.
Next to Commander Mercer sat Lieutenant Jaster Heartman. Lt Heartman was the ship's navigator and acting Chief of Operations. It was his hard work along with help from Carissa and Daz which allowed them to help plot a course that should bring them to the planet that Daz had seen in his vision. Normally the Senior Navigator would take up the role of Chief of Operations, however, the Captain has yet to fill that position. Ubaah felt that it would be a good idea to feel out Lt Heartman if he was being considered for the role. Ubaah nodded as he sized the young officer up. Over all, Lt Heartman seemed allot like himself, silent and observant. Lt Heartman was the youngest member of the crew, just celebrating his eighteenth birthday. While for the group he might be young, among the Azgards warriors start their training as early as twelve or even ten in Fiolla Heartman's case. Lt Heartman is a whiz when it comes to Navigation. 'There is much to see about the young man' Uhaab thought as he moved to the next officer.
Next to Lieutenant Heartman sat Marine Captain (In naval rank: Lieutenant) Brea Heartman. This broad woman was from the same warrior house as the man sitting next to her, however they couldn't be more different. She was the ship's Marine Commander, and a fierce looking woman. Her hair was in a crew cut and there was simply nothing appealing in regard to looking at her. As Ubaah sized her up, he imagined her more like a holovid wrestler. He could swear that her muscles were larger then his. She wore her sleeves rolled up as she proudly sat with her arms laying on the table for all to see. About her arms were a number of tattoos that reflected her exploits or to instill fear in those who she fought. He couldn't help notice the large hammer next to her. He had not had the chance to meet her in private and was grateful for that. He couldn't help but notice how she displayed the large tattoo of a red rose up her right forearm. He knew that every one of the Azgard on board had one. But most took to hiding them in shame. She wore hers for all to see as if she was proud of it. He wondered if this was something of a culture gesture or maybe he was looking too deep in to it. Once more he made a note to look it up.
At the head of the table across from him sat Shalla Heartman. She was very reserved and didn't look up from her datapad. He couldn't help but noticed how the other warriors seemed to pay her completely with disregard. He knew that she as a member of the Rose, but so were the rest of them. Could be that she was a lower cast? 'No, Oktra is of the Tech Cast in their eyes and they treat her with respect' he thought then added. 'There has to be a reason why they don't respect her' he choose to conclude his thoughts as he knew he had to get this meeting under way. “Okay every one. This is our first meeting so lets try not to hit be with every little problem you have. We will have plenty of time to address each issue. So lets take this slowly and steady” Ubaah said to the group.
It was Lt Commander Furey was the first to raise his hand. Once Ubaah nodded at him, he started. “Combat training. My Gun Crews are slow to respond and their aim is terrible. I would like to increase the number of combat drills we run from one every day, to three maybe four depending on how they improve. This will have an impact on the ship as for these drills to be run we need to pull the gun crews, shift power reserves for target practice, and sound general quarters. This will cause other departments to undergo some stress but nothing that we can endure for the greater good.” Ubaah took down some notes on his data pad as he nodded, “Also Sir, shields. This ship has no shields. Can we link up with a repair tender and get some added to the defensive systems of the ship?” Lt Commander Furey added at the end.
Ubaah looked up at the two requests, “I will have to take the added drills to the Captain. I am not against them. But because they affect all levels of the ship. He has to give his okay first” Ubaah explained. He knew a bit about the shield situation from a conversation with Oktra a few weeks ago. However, he felt it best to let her explain. “Lieutenant Oktra could you please explain why we don't have or need shields” he requested of her.
Lt. Oktra nodded as she turned her attention to Lt. Commander Furey, “Carissa was designed to pump most of her energy in to the weapon systems during combat. Based on my calculations, she could push as much as sixty percent of her overall energy output directly in to her weapons' grid. The remaining forty percent would left for maneuvering, life support and other vital ship functions. During combat, all other non-essential systems will be powered down. Even if we could skim enough energy from the vital functions to power a shield grid that would cover Carissa, there wouldn't be enough power to support it during a prolonged combat.” She said respectful, to Ubaah's surprise. She took a moment then continued, “Don't worry about protection. From what I can tell, her armor belt is solid. The armor that was used to build it, is twenty times more dense than the best I have ever seen. Not to mention that her average belt line is four to five times thicker than what normal ships her size would have.
“She also has a thicker belt over key areas that is as much as nine to time times thicker than other ships of her size. Also, while it would do us little good against Turbo Laser Cannons based on their design, she has this energy redirection grid. From what I gather, it is designed to redirect pure energy from impact away from the ship or channel it in to her own reserve banks. I am not completed reading up on them. But it does seem promising against pure energy based weapons.” Oktra concluded her briefing and nodded. Then as an after thought she looked back to Lt. Commander Furey, “If you do run those extra drills, I would like my Damage control teams to join along. It would help them on reaction times and working as teams. As it stands now, they are having problems getting around and getting a feel for the ship as a whole.”
Lt. Commander Furey nodded to the request, “That would be very helpful Lieutenant. Yes your teams can join mine in the drills. I think we can actually sit down and plan out some high profile drills to push their combined training. And thank you for the explanation of the shields issue” he said respectful and then turned his attention back to Ubaah. With a nod he accepted that his turn was over.
Commander Mercer brought up his hand next. Ubaah nodded for him to make his statement. “The fighters aboard are remarkable. Training is going to take much longer then I had first thought. They are finding it hard to learn the systems and controls even before they are ready to leave the flight bays. The simulator function of the fighters are helping a lot however my warriors need real flight time. When time comes, we will need to be in real space to train. Its hard enough to train in a new craft. But to do so in such an unfamiliar location is not wise. When we can spend at least a whole twenty four hours in real space. Let me know ahead of time so we can plan for it and take the opportunity to further our training. Also, I have noticed some talent going to waste. Lieutenant Angelique Heartman is the young warrior I am speaking of. I have seen her poking around the fighters. Her interest is there, but lack of commitment and focus. I think if forced in to the role, she would do very well. I am willing to take her under my wing as my wingman to train her” he offered then frowned a bit as he realized that there were going to be issues. “That is, if Operations is willing to let her go.”
Marine Captain Brea Heartman spoke up out of turn, “No Heartman should ever serve under a Mercer! Your request would have been laughed out of any pure Azgardian meeting. Don't you dare take advantage of their lack of understanding of your House's lack or honor or courage.” She spat at Commander Mercer with disdain. She turned to face Ubaah, “Sir, with all do respect, We are fortunate that we have been cursed with only few Mercers aboard this fine ship. See their House insignia” she said pointing the the patch on the man's arm. “Allow me to tell you what it means. See in the upper right hand corner, the House that never charged. See the line that runs from upper left to lower right, the line never crossed. The background color of yellow is the color their House turned in the face of the enemy. You can not allow a Heartman to serve under such a cowardly House. It would be a slap in the face to her and our entire House.
Shalla raised her head from her datapad, “Sir, there is.....”
Brea whipped her head in a death gaze at Shalla, “How dare you speak at this meeting, Uegnet!....”
“This IS my meeting and I will hear what everyone has to say” snapped Ubaah. His anger rose as he knew this meeting was just heating up. He turned to Commander Mercer, “I will have to speak to the Captain about that. We will see what the Captain has to say about this.” He waved a hand at Brea to silence any further complaints. He was surprised to see her let go her issues but could tell she hated the idea of it. Still she held both her tongue and her anger is check.
Oktra spoke up out of turn, “if you are speaking to the Captain about crew assignments, please let him know that I would like to promote Tech Arin Ward to Ensign and assign her as my Assistant Chief Engineer. She smart, fast on her feet, and has shown a great deal of thinking out of the box which is fundamental in working on Carissa's systems. I know my man is good, but he lacks the leadership that she has and I need him down in Engineering with me. I want her duty position to be on the Bridge for now on. This way she can translate what is going on for you guys. And let me know why you are pushing my engines and ship.”
Ubaah nodded at Oktra's request and took more notes, “I will pass this on to him as well.” His attention was drawn by Lt. Brea Heartman's hand in the air. He sighed as he nodded.
“I would like to bring up the issue about non-warriors carrying weapons. This is a fundamental law of our people.” Brea said looking right at Oktra's side arms.
Oktra grinned, “Any time you think you can take them from me. You are free to try Freakinstine.” She leaned back in her chair with a hand on her large heavy blaster.
Ubaah sighed as he lowered his head, 'this is going to be a long meeting!'
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Captain's Log 01-0002
Somewhere outbound Rim Worlds
ISA Ka-riss-ah
“It has been a whole week in route to Daz's world. It is hard to get used to this reddish chaotic space that is the upper levels of Hyperspace. I had the rare opportunity this week to witness another ship in hyperspace. It was amazing to see it so far below us and so slow. Carissa pointed out to us that distance and size is not relative in hyperspace. This misunderstanding is a key reason why ships get lost in hyperspace. She said that once a ship ventures off the marker beacons, that they can become lost. Those ships who rely on Hyperspace gates to reenter real space are at the greatest of risk. We traveled along the same route as the other ship for nearly two hours. It was fascinating to watch us slowly over take the ship and pass it. By the end of the two hours it was a distant mark on our sensors, but not a distant memory to me.
“This week has seen some surprising developments in both the crew and in my personal relationship with Carissa. I have to admit, Ubaah has been doing a really good job as my number one. I don't know what I would have done without him. I am learning more about the Azgards and Mia everyday. There is just so much to report in this Captain's log. I have decided to number my logs so I will have an easier time retrieving them for later review. I am naming this one, zero one, for the first mission we have been on as an official mission. Zero, zero, zero two, being my second log for this mission. I will have Carissa update my last log to show this as well. I will name that one, zero one, zero zero zero one.
“Spoony had something truly surprising to report. Something that I had to personally look in to. While heading through a section of crew quarters, he stumbled upon a fight between two Azgard warriors. According to Spoony he was prevented by a number of on lookers from breaking up the fight. They were cheering on this brutal fight as the two combatants seemed to be attempting to kill each other. I read the medical report after the fight and was shocked at the damage the two dealt to each other. Nearing the end of the fight when it was clear that one was going to win. The fight was finally broken up by the other warrior spectators. Spoony said that three of the spectators of the fight gave ruling over the fight and asked the loser if he accepted it. This was a quote I actually pulled from Carissa's own monitors.
“Yes, I accept it.” *coughing and spitting* “The top bunk is yours”
“I could not believe my ears or what I read in Spoony's report. At the end of the fight, the winner helped the loser to the medical bay. I had to talk to both Shalla and Colonel Ward about this. Both told me that this was normal behavior among warriors. This was how they settled disputes between warriors, clans, or even among Warrior Houses. Both assured me that neither of the two combatants would intentionally kill the other warrior. However while Colonel Ward didn't come out and say or admit it, Shalla did. She said that there are times when warriors can and do die in these, 'Honor battles.' She explained that once the Honor Battle is over, what ever issue that caused the battle in the first place is considered settled and over. I am finding that Shalla is becoming a great source of knowledge about her people. I don't like the idea of these Honor Battles, but the sense that something is settle once and for all does sound appealing. Sometimes, I wonder if maybe some of us should enter a Honor Battle to settle strife within our own ranks.
“Speaking of settling strife. Daz dropped a report on my desk the other day about something that he personally had witnessed. He was very upset over the situation and it seemed to disturb him deeply. He said that while he was walking across the Fight Deck, a group of Azgard warriors, Marines I think according to what Daz described, walked the opposite direction of him. As Daz moved through the group, one of the Warriors shouldered Daz causing him to be pushed back and nearly knocked him over. The Marine Captain Brea Heartman, saw the incident and took it upon herself to handle the issue personally. She had her Marines grab the offending Warrior and place him under arrest. There was a lot of yelling as the man was brought before some kind of trial of witnesses.
“According to Daz, he was brought to witness what was about to happen. Forced to watch as the Warrior was stripped of his top and tied spread between two fighters. The Marine Commander whipped the Warrior forty times, ripping the man's back to shreds. Daz said his first reaction was to interfere however he choose to allow it to happen. I think Daz made the right choice at the time. If anyone needs to do something its me. She then turned to the rest of the Warriors there and warned them of what would happen if another Warrior showed any disrespect to Daz or any other member of our group. I was going to speak to the Marine Commander about this, however, Ubaah told me a bit about her. I am torn by what she did and the intent of what she meant to show. I don't know if what she did was all that wrong. Her Warrior was in the wrong by the way he treated Daz. I do have to speak to her about this. This is my ship and as Shalla said, I have to show them that I am a strong leader. If not, they will not follow me in battle.
“Ubaah's first department head meeting was eventful. *laughs* A lot of good came out of it, and I already know that there is going to be some strife on some issues. Ubaah told me about a possible issue that could appraise between the Warriors of Heartman and a few warriors from the House of Mercer. According to what Shalla informed him about their past. During the last great war that Azgard was involved in for the Republic. The House of Mercer was tasked with supporting the House of Heartman. During the grueling three week battle for control of a key world. House Mercer's warriors were unable to hold the line and caused a number of elite units from House Heartman to be trapped behind enemy lines and slaughtered. It was because of do or die mentality of House Heartman that ended up winning the day. However, despite the heroic victory that is now sung about among all Warrior Houses. There is an amazing amount of bad blood between the two houses. House Heartman seems to seek opportunities to slight House Mercer when ever possible.
“The Azgard Warriors are breed for battle and competition. The compete at very young ages to become warriors, then they compete for duty assignments. The Warrior Houses compete between each other over resources and honor. By winning in these battles and competitions, they win honor for both their Warrior Houses, Clans (subfamilies within a Warrior House) and for themselves. The end result according to Shalla is a world of very able very determined warriors. This desire for competition makes them strong warriors. But this is not Azgard or one of their ships. Oktra flatly refused to give up her weapons and this is something that all the Warrior Houses aboard agree must happen. To them, there is no reason for a tech to carry a weapon. Colonel Ward said that we can not just make her a Warrior. It would be disrespectful to the other Warriors. Even Shalla agrees on this point. I have managed to buy myself some time to deal with this issue.
“But I know it is going to be a tricky issue for me. Being a fringer myself, I understand the importance of everyone aboard knowing how to use and employ weapons. I think what ever solution that I find, I will need the support of key Warriors aboard, namely Marine Captain Brea Heartman and Lieutenant Commander Noa Furey. Both of these warriors are the most influential warriors aboard the ship. The Warrior House of Heartman currently holds control of the Council of Warriors back on Azgard and the Warrior House of Furey has a reputation of being fierce and brave warriors. Both Warriors carry tons of respect and honor with the other warriors aboard. Talking with Shalla gave me a key that I could use in dealing with them. Politics within Azgard always hinge on the greater good of the culture and victory in battle.
“I was walking through the crew quarters yesterday looking for the Tech that Oktra wanted to promote. I know Oktra enough to know she already thought about it deeply. But before I just signed off on it, I wanted to take some time to talk to her. As I was walking, I was brought to one of the mess halls by the sounds of singing and music. I watched them from the doorway singing loudly banging their metal mugs against the metal tables causing a loud roar of rhythm. I even saw the two fighting warriors that Spoony had talked to me about singing, arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder. Each held their mugs held high as they sang. They all seemed so full of hope and promise. I couldn't understand what they were singing, so I had Carissa translate it for me.
'Children Of Demons I Command You To Fly
Ride Up From Hell Into The Sky
With Blood In Our Voices We Ride
We'll Fight Until We Win
Or We'll Fight Until We Die'
“This was the chorus of their song. There is something to be told in those words. I want to sit down next week with Shalla and see what more I can learn about the Order of the Rose. Also, I heard that Shalla is being treated differently, disrespected by the warriors aboard. According the Ubaah, she is called, 'Unfit' in her native language. I asked Colonel Ward about it. He politely said that he was unaware of what is going on. I could tell he was lying to me about this. What is it that I am missing about her that offends them so much. What could be hiding in her history to warrant this behavior from them. I thought I knew it all all from her files. I asked her about it, and she told me that it was nothing of importance, and to let it go. I tried to push but she avoided further questions about this issue.
“The last week with Carissa has been much like dealing with Shalla. I don't know if it was part of her programming or if she developed this. But when I attempted to talk to her about what happened last week after dinner. She deflected the topic by saying it was merely a line of faulty code. Oh my god, just like a woman. The entire week has been just like. While she did her duties flawlessly, she seemed to be more distant on a personal level. Finally I had managed to have her over for dinner and cornered her on the subject. What she told me caused me to become even more surprised.
“She told me that she lied to me. When she brought me in to her mind, she said she did it before with her former Captain. The truth was, she never even tried that before. She said the reason why she lied, was because she didn't want to cause me to fear or concern. And she so deeply wanted to connect with me on a level she never had with anyone else before. She said, she was having problems with some of her higher level programs. She claimed that ever since the first time we had met she was having problems controlling her emotional subroutines. What she was describing to me seemed so much like love though she could not identify it nor would she admit to it.
“She claimed that strong emotion such as love and hate were programmed out of her subroutines. It was some kind of safety protocol designed to prevent her line to be able to over ride their own protocols. She said she never experienced such problems with her subroutines. She suggested that the problem might be in some of the damaged nodes. I was also able to get her to open up about her son and his death. The story she told was one of tragedy and heroes. Despite having nearly all his crew killed and badly damaged, he was able to ram a chaos ship that was going to attack her. His final words to her were, 'Go Mother, run and survive for us all.'
“There is still so much I have to learn. I am lucky to have those around me to turn to for advice. When I sit in the command chair, it feels right. I have been considering something that I dare not tell anyone. I have only confided it to Carissa. Once we have stopped the Chaos once and for all, I am thinking of asking Warlord Raynar to accept Carissa and I as members of his Warrior House. Or I might see if I we can transfer to the Republic Navy. Carissa is a beautiful ship but she needs massive amounts of support to function normally. The kind of support that I know I can not provide out in the fringe. My only problem with joining the Republic Navy is that I won't have a choice as who they assign to us. At least with Warlord Raynar, I know I can trust him to give me a word on who comes aboard. I mean to speak with Visst about this later once I am sure of what I want to do.”
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