Stroke of Luck - Part One

Posted on Fri Mar 6th, 2020 @ 9:19pm by Lieutenant Colonel John "Hammer" Burgoyne & Commander Rachael Falanner & Lieutenant Commander Calliope Pravdin-Burgoyne & Fleet Captain Torilla Yamaguchi

Mission: Mission 67: In The Service of Life and the Living
Location: USS Courageous - Marine Messhall
Timeline: 0900Hrs - March 10th, 2392

Lt Colonel John Burgoyne regarded the large PADD before him, it was a design for a new up armored Federation argo variant that he was adding armor to and now he was working on the engine design, what helped however was that he had a dozen other people assisting him with this effort, the first generation of new gun trucks was already in the works and he was getting a head start on the second generation already, this one would have a larger gun then the first generation and look more like a tank then the new vehicle that was already being produced. Meanwhile Lieutenant Pravdin came over with a glass in her hand which she placed before him. "Here you go." she said with her soft spoken english accent.

"Whats this for?"

"Its raktajino. You can't go wrong with Klingon coffee.." she smiled. "Hows it going?"

"I think I finished with the engine.. I'm going to ask the engineering guys to take a look and see if they can't incorporate it into the prototype they are starting to put together the parts in cargo bay four.. You think the skipper is alright with this?"

"Captain Yamaguchi is about as subtle as a bull in a candy store. That woman has no filter... If she wants it gone, she'll tell you right out.." Pravdin then grinned at her husband. "It could be worse right?"

"That woman is scary and that is saying a lot."

Rachael Falanner came over. "Hey John. What do you got for me?"

Burgoyne smiled. "Allo Rachael.. My new engine design.. I'd like an engineer's touch... You okay with that?" as he handed her one of the PADD's he had on the table before him.

"Of course. I just want to be able to drive this thing... Speaking of.. you still not got a name yet?"

"I was thinking of Paladin or Swingfire." he responded. "No...call it the Wolf for now."

Falannar smiled. "Alright the Wolf she is then..." as she jotted down notes on the PADD, while the door to the messhall opened and in came Torilla Yamaguchi. Someone screamed "Attention on deck!"

Yamaguchi stopped walking as she frowned. "As you were... I do hate that little bit of naval tradition." as her eyes sought out the offender, finding him moments later. "El Tee.. I'd very much appreciate it if you didn't do that again... It makes me feel unwelcome."

"Ummm Yessir."

"Good..." before Pravdin nodded to her. "Morning skipper.." she greeted Yamaguchi in a friendly and jovial tone. "Hey Calliope.." she sighed. "What am I interrupting?"

Burgoyne smiled. "Well I was looking at designing a new vehicle for Federation uses, We don't have any tanks so I'm basically designing a tank destroyer slash gun carriage..."

"Ahh so thats what Javier was commenting about earlier. " Yamaguchi smiled. "Nice. I'm going to assume that the uneducated among us will be able to drive this thing?"

"Absolutely, I want everyone to be able to drive and use this thing, even with no formal training."

"Excellent. Just for that reason alone, you are free to develop this idea however you wish and since we're between assignments, I'll put all of the resources of Courageous behind you. I only ask one thing in return?"

"Whats that skipper?" Burgoyne responded, a smile playing at his lips.

"I wanna be first to fire the gun."

"Skipper... You can count on having that particular honor."

"Thank you... Right. I'll leave you guys to it." and with that Yamaguchi turned and departed.

Pravdin sat down at the table as Falannar came back moments later. "Hey John, Your engine design is good... but with your approval I made a couple of additions of my own. They are marked in red.." as she handed the PADD back to him.

Burgoyne accepted the PADD as he gave her modifications the once over, the fact that she gave him the option to approve or delete as he felt best was an added measure of respect. "Approved. I like it. Alright Lets build one of these engines and mate it to the chassis.."

"Alright.. I'll go see my guys." and with that Falannar turned and departed, PADD in hand.

Pravdin regarded her husband. "What about the gun?"

"Thats my big stumbling block..." Burgoyne commented evenly. "I could use an Akurian gun... But I'm not sure if the two technologies are compatible?."

"Well...Why not go and find out husband of mine?" Pravdin grinned at him as the smaller woman indicated the door. "Go hang out with some Akurians and inquire about it... I am sure they won't bite."

"I'll do that.." and with that he rose to his feet, he lifted the PADD in front of him on the table before he departed.