The Lonely Mountain - Part Two

Posted on Sun Feb 23rd, 2020 @ 8:56pm by Fleet Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Jillian "Phoenix" Sullivan

Mission: Mission 4: Flashover
Location: Promenade - Starbase 400
Timeline: 1215Hrs - October 11th, 2388

Phoenix braced herself as she folded her arms in front of her. Usually, when lines like that were thrown to Jillian, it meant there was something else the Federation wanted of hers. Naturally, such a pattern brought up a dubious stare. "Go on..."

"Let's go for a walk...." she turned as the security troops came running. "In here.." she called. "I will be along presently to give my statement."

"Very well sir..." and with that the three men went to work, cleaning the mess as Torilla departed with the Major. "I read your file ... but first, how do you wish to be addressed?" she inquired.

"Phoenix," the hotheaded woman answered shortly.

"I see. Anyway... Have you ever considered serving as something other than a pilot..?" she inquired. "I need someone capable to serve as my first officer..."

"Hold the phone," Phoenix waved her hand and laughed at the other woman, causing passersby to stop and stare at her obnoxious laugh. "I ain't command material. I ain't even a volunteer in this monkey tree. I'm drafted - which means I don't retire, I can't retire unless the UFP president says I earned it. So my only out is if I die in the line of duty... So you're either space sick, or you're crazy to even offer."

Yamaguchi chuckled softly. "Well let's see.... aren't command material, says you and not me." she responded as she ticked off the point on her fingers. "as for me being space sick or downright crazy... " she mealy shrugged. "Well I have been accused of worse in my time.... besides I wanted to run the thought past you before I go see the Admiral about it... " she explained.

"I train kids to inflict more damage in a fighter, than a capital ship can in the same battle," Phoenix pointed out grimly. "Why in the seven hells do you think I'm right for your banana mobile?"

"Because I want someone as unusual as possible in the right seat, next to me.... my capital ship is at best a light cruiser more than anything else..." she explained. "If the Admiral had given me the Pegasus, I'd still be asking you."

"I don't think you know what you're asking," Phoenix returned very shortly. "But I'm a fighter pilot. I do best with a fighter in the mix."

"Maybe... but I do know this, Starfighters don't have starship grade weapons," she responded. "A squadron of a dozen fighters will hurt a capital ship but you won't kill it." she slipped her pike into one of her pockets. "But I would personally like to see your squadron go head to head with the Venator, would be an excellent test of my ship...."

"Squadrons," Phoenix corrected.

"My husband likes the phrase, 'Put your money where your mouth is..'

"The problem with fleeters is that you're arrogant in thinking size matters. You don't understand what starfighters are made for nor their true capability, and if you have seen the individual kill sheet of mine, you'd of, known I've assisted in taking out a Galar Class capital ship." Phoenix popped her neck in disbelief. "I can put my money where my mouth is because I do know how to take down a capital ship with a full wing of fighters. That's why I'm the CAG, that's why I'm a Major, and that's why I'm here - I kill things your capital ships are too large to maneuver properly around."

"My arrogance... I find such things amusing." she sighed softly. "Major, you forget that I did read your file and I also read over your kill list... Impressive may I add.," she responded. "But the fight is often uncertain until you meet." she then shrugged. "With a full wing... either that's seventy-two or a hundred and forty four.. " she then shrugged. "and size does matter but let us not argue... it is beneath us... we're officers and we're supposed to set an example, most of the time... but Major... How many of your Starfighters and pilots would you trade to take out my Capital ship?" she inquired. "How about a Task Force?..."

"I don't give a damn about setting examples," Phoenix stated blandly. "Twenty percent loss is considered acceptable, and that's generally where my losses lay. Also, consider, I've trained Top Gun pilots in advanced combat. I've run various training missions on taking down many types of capital ships. I've planned real ops for the same purpose, so consider for a moment, that while you are the station's strategic ops officer, that you do not know how to utilize fighters - I do."

"Major. I see you have an interesting way of doing things...but yeah... your right." Yamaguchi responded evenly as she crossed her arms across her chest as she sighed. "I don't know what I'm asking..." she sighed softly. "Well anyway... I have to go.... been fun and all..." she smiled.

"What, exactly, did you want me to do as your XO?" Phoenix finally prodded. She wasn't personable, and she knew being personable was sort of a requirement for XO.

Yamaguchi raised an eyebrow as she had only gotten two feet from the other woman when she made her statement, something Torilla was surprised about. "Well, I'm new to command... and you are not since you command a Wing with a dozen squadrons," she responded. "I want someone who has command experience for my Exec rather than a Lieutenant half my age," she explained.

"Command is about making the tough calls and accepting that when people die under your command, that they saved a lot of lives," Phoenix pointed out soberly. "You probably won't like my perspective of warfare, but I'll XO for you if you are seeking to learn things fleet academy don't teach."

Torilla raised an eyebrow. "Indeed Major... And what exactly would your perspective on warfare be.... so we have no misunderstandings... Besides... I may yet surprise you." the larger woman smiled, clearly interested as she turned back to the Major.

"I tend to cheat when I can't win fairly," Phoenix noted wryly.

Torilla smiled as she chuckled very softly. "As it should be.... after all, what good is the victory if your enemies are not dead at your feet?" she commented.