A Symphony of Fire and Frost - Part Two

Posted on Mon Feb 24th, 2020 @ 4:58pm by Commander Siaxx Warfield & Fleet Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Jillian "Phoenix" Sullivan

Mission: Mission 14: Rage Rage Rage Against the Dying of the Light
Location: Various Locations - Starbase 400
Timeline: 1910Hrs - June 2nd, 2390

"Can Federation ships use these weapons?" Torilla inquired. "or is it just fighters only?"

"Yes.... But it is dangerous to store ion particles in any form, on small ships and postings. If the ship hull ruptures or the ordinance casing is compromised, then the ion particles can neutralize anything with electrical output within a fifty meter radius - though the yield of the torpedo itself could mean an even larger exposure radius." Phoenix cleared her throat and looked about just to make sure no civilians were around for this sort of conversation. "Storing them in even mini torpedo form, on a ship, poses a great risk as a result. A massive base like this, however, can shutdown the areas effected, if an ordinance accident happens of this caliber. Thus the only craft that uses the new weapon, is a fighter capable of bombardments, but also wicked fast to outrun."

Torilla likewise glanced around. "They sound potent." as a small smile crossed her lips as she looked at the other two women. "Will they try engineering a version for ships?"

"Ships can use them. But it is storing them that proves problematic. If for instance, your Prometheus suffered a massive hit and breached the ordinance storage, it'd render your ship off-line and give the enemy a free target at a lot of lives. Adrift without help. Fighters only risk the lives of the pilot and their reel." Phoenix gave a sympathetic frown to the taller woman. "It's a nice weapon, but it has a lot of risks. In this case, storing the warheads on big ships with big crews is far more dangerous than allowing fighters to wield them."

"For now." Torilla responded. "I'm sure someone will figure something out...." as a smile slowly graced her lips. "and if I know my husband and I know exactly how he thinks.... he's probably working on it right now."

"I may let you reel for me once or twice in battle if you really want to fire off one of those torpedoes," Phoenix winked at Torilla. "Have to be a good aim, and handle the operations of the fighter though. A lot of shield strategy being used, now they the wing is going to shield trios."

Torilla nodded as she didn't smile. "A weapon like that.... its only useful on one fighter design and no ships can carry them." she paused. "you not think something's off with that?"

"In all honesty? No," Phoenix answered with honesty. "Each unit has a specific function in Starfleet, and her auxiliary armed branches. Starfleet vessels are primarily an exploration function with combat ability. Marines serve as the backbone of planetary, ground defense. By giving fighters this weapon, you're giving more credence for Starfighters in what their role has always been, compared to other branches - Air superiority and support, at a far cheaper price tag than building a capitol ship."

Torilla listened to the other woman talk as she nodded her head. "You do make an excellent point." she commented evenly. "I wish Starfighter Command was its own branch of Starfleet, same as the Navy and Marines with your own uniforms and rank style system..." she paused. "but that's just me talking." she paused. "Besides... its nice to see that someone cares about Starfighters on base and is more then just a cardboard cutout... you know what I mean?"

"I do. A shame your kids aint into fly'n. I'd sneak them simulator time," Phoenix snickered.

Torilla raised an eyebrow. "Actually... she is... she's just terrified of you."
the larger woman smiled.

"Then I'm doing my job," Phoenix smirked. "Mark of a good leader is to be able to unite your subordinates... In my case, most my pilots detest me. And they use that as a bonding point, to work well as a cohesive unit."

Torilla nodded. "Fair enough... my approach is different but.... that said.. I am not you and I don't fly.." she sighed softly. "At least... I never tried.."

"It aint for every one," Phoenix agreed. "But if your kid wants to fly, this is the program for her. You gotta talk to her about facing her fears though. Otherwise she'll washout of flight school if she isn't prepared for the challenges."

Torilla nodded her head. "I'll do that... I train her in martial arts and the fears of getting her ass kicked on a almost nightly basis anyway... this will be no different."

"I'll have the Junior Flight Cadet quartermaster requisition her the standard red and navy blue BDUs then. Along with her flight books," Phoenix offered gently.

Torilla smiled warmly at the smaller woman. "Thank you. I greatly appreciate that.... how long before this program of yours can be implemented?" she inquired. "I'd like to see how it does.."

"Probably a month. We are trying to hire a retired combat pilot, before we start. And it will be mandatory Junior Flight Cadets are in their uniforms during regular classroom hours, as well as flight school hours. I'll also lecture every Friday and be one of the flight team/war game exercise judges. But I wont really be active since it is technically a sub-civilian organization," Phoenix suggested. "We are outfitting them with a pilot's ready room to use as a classroom. And they'll have special communication badges that'll operate like ours. Only they'll be tied to the civilian communications network."

Torilla smiled. "Nice... sounds like you have it all figured out... asides from the retired pilot.." she then paused as she raised an eyebrow. "Well Rachael does like to fly. She's often in shuttle programs as those are the best she can get... she claims the civilian ones leave her feeling bored.... she can't feel the fighter, or so she says."

"She'll get to fly a downgraded rogue class fighter, once she completes basic flight combat then," Phoenix winked. "That's at least six months away though."

Torilla smiled. "She's been flying older Peregrines but.. its sim time only..." she paused. "I'll need to ask her how many hours... I know its at least two hundred or so."

"It'll still be six months... I don't want to approve cadet officer leadership ranks or cadet commands until the entire unit have had time to work together," Phoenix cautioned.

"As it should be. Rachael is flying fighters that are old and outdated anyway." Torilla explained. "I look at it that she has enough to help her identify how a fighter works and the like... but the real skills... she's still only thirteen." the larger woman commented. "and how she handles it is up to her... I will not get involved.."

Siaxx raised an eyebrow as she regarded Torilla. "Why not?"

"Because Siaxx... the true test is how we deal with the unknown and the unexpected, Rachael can't be prepared to face every challenge that comes her way and its how she learns that will define her, what she was... what she is... and what she will one day become."

"Parents bailing their kids out of trouble at every turn does nothing but make the kid dependent on them - never knowing what they can handle," Phoenix added.

Torilla nodded. "Exactly... it was the same with Beth and Gabriel..." as she gently ran a hand over her abdomen. "and this one when its due."

"You're lucky. Aryssa thinks she can handle herself," Phoenix noted with a roll of her eyes.

"That's because I teach my children to think with their intellect and not their emotions." she explained. "Plus they are Psionic... and I can only shudder to think what Aryssa would have been like had she been psionic.."

"Maybe I ought ta put her in the program," Phoenix thought aloud. "...Would probably get a fist in the face when I tell her... But she could benefit from it."

Torilla raised an eyebrow. "Mmm... I'd never have thought of that." she admitted. "but then... my children have never given me cause for such drastic action." she paused. "are you sure this is a wise idea... she might turn out to be a total disaster."

"Having not been a parent before, I aint really sure of a lot of things," Phoenix spoke with a sigh.

"Don't trouble yourself about it.... so long as she knows you're there and that you're going to be there... then things might turn out okay.... but nobody told her you were her mother for a very long time... they lied to her... she will be angry about that..."