Captain's Wings

Posted on Wednesday 24 August 2022 @ 11:56 by Captain Melody Jones

Mission: Revelations
Location: Flight Deck - Deck 14
Timeline: MD001 1630 hrs
1864 words - 3.7 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Pete and Nick walked the flight deck with the Deck Chief Peyton Santos. The three had become almost inseparable during the repair, refit and training that had occurred while the ship was in dock. The Pheonix, and Valkyrie Class fighters were laid out in their docking stations. The Valkyrie fighter at the front had Lt Pete "Maverick" Mitchell stenciled on the hull toward the front and LtJG Nick "Goose" Bradshaw stencilled toward the rear. There was another fighter that sat next to it, one of the Pheonix Class that did not have a name stencilled on it, and that was why they were there. Pete looked at Santos. "Well Chief you have done one hell of a job getting things in order here. Thanks. Before we get the Captain down here we have to put the finishing touches. So is everything well, I know we have these new Pheonixes that the team both loves and hates."

Peyton had been walking slightly behind both the Lieutenants as they toured the now better maintained flight deck. It had taken a lot of work to get right, even longer to get the fighters back in decent shape, but her team was good and she knew they'd pull through.

"Thank you, Lieutenant, but it was a team effort. My teams did a great job and deserve the credit more than I do." She deflected from herself, that and she meant it. Praise always felt dirty to her. "The phoenix fighters are prepped and ready to fly. We've made specifically sure this one had special attention paid to it... no matter the pits feelings on the craft." She put rather diplomatically.

Nick looked around at the staff that had moved about the flight deck. "You know the squadron was supremely understaffed. We still don't have enough TSOs for all the Valkyries and the brass says they are not sending us any. As the CAG you are going to have to take care of this problem." Maverick slapped Nick on the shoulder. "Well it would seem that we are going to have to requisition some new officers and you are going to have to run a TSO school. Just like I will be running Top Gun. It is going to take a lot if we want to be the best of the best,"

As soon as he finished speaking Pete stopped dead in his track and snapped his fingers. "Hey Chief what do you think would be a good call sign for the Captain? It seems that Captain Jones wants to get her hands behind the controls of a fighter again. So I think we should give her one. That Phoenix parked right next to mine. What do you think?"

Peyton had a think... "I've always thought of her as a Mama Bear, but that might be a bit on the nose right now." she chuckled to herself. "Phoenix, maybe? Spitfire? Nova? I mean she can be quite a force of nature when she's in protection mode."

Both Goose and Maverick's ears perked up when Peyton mentioned Mama Bear and almost in unison they responded. "Perfect!" It was Pete who continued. "Lets get that stenciled to the fore of that Phoenix. Have it say Captain Melody "Mama Bear" Jones. You know what it would probably mean more if we did it ourselves." Pete began to move toward the fighter that he indicated. In no time he had a stencil made at the replicator and stood at the side of the fighter. "Hey, Chief give me a hand will ya?"

"Do you have nice writing?" Peyton asked quite seriously. "If you have lousy penmanship then you shouldn't be slopping words on there. You know how to join letters up?" she half teased.

Goose nearly busted a gut at the Chief's comments. "Yeah Maverick how is your penmanship? I'm sure it has been a long time since you had to do equipment maintenance."

Maverick smiled as he placed the stencil where it should go. "Would you two hooligans stop jerkin around and get over here to help me."

"Alright, alright." Peyton conceded. "Someone's got to make sure you know what you're doing." she added moving up towards Maverick. "You need to straighten the stencil up a bit... it's a little crooked."

Within moments the words "Captain Melody "Mama Bear" Jones had been stencilled in black lettering on the front port side of the fighter. "Right now I think it is time to get them down here and make the presentations. Chief if you would be so kind as to summon the squad." Maverick said with a boyish smile and then tapped his comm badge. "Captain Jones and Lieutenant Commander McPhee please report to the Flight Deck." For his part Goose covered the fighter with a replicated large tarp made of canvas. He made sure that it had the crest of the Starfleet Fighters Division on it.

Melody responded, "I'm on my way."

A short while later, Melody entered the flight deck, whistling to herself. "Greeting all. What can I do for you?"

Mathias arrived not long after Melody, being rather curious as to the reason for the call. Stepping into the flight deck, the tall red head, walked up to where the others were gathered. " Well, what do we have here? Looks like we've got a large mysterious package." giving a nod towards the tarp covering something or other.

"Captain on Deck!" Maverick called and the entire Squadron came to attention. "Ladies and Gentlemen it is quite the time when we get to bring someone into the fold. It is a time honored tradition that we few stick jockeys hold dear." Pete paused and turned toward the Captain. He was flanked by Goose on his left and Santos on his right. "Captain when I first came aboard you had mentioned how you wanted to fly more. Well as the Commander of the Air Group it is my job to make sure that everyone who wants time in a cockpit, gets time in a cockpit. But, when it is the Captain more is required. Remove the shroud please..." As soon as the words left Pete's mouth the sheet covering the fighter was removed. "Ladies and Gentlemen three cheers for Captain Jones code named Mama Bear." As the pilots cheered Maverick motioned toward the fighter and smiled broadly.

Melody let out a chuckle at the 'Mama Bear' written on the side of the fighter. "I'm honoured. Thank you all, please stand at ease.

Melody walked forward and placed her hand on the fighter. "Hello there beautiful." She looked back to Mitchell "I'm sure I'm not the only one who talks to their ship. Can't wait to see how she handles."

"I have in fact named each and every one of my fighters..." Pete started and then Goose chimed in. "You didn't have to fly with him when he named them after ex girlfriends. Now that was a time. He often wondered why his fighters fought him. Didn't think they like their names."

"All fighters are space worthy now ma'am. Yours was the last to be named, and we felt the name suited you." Payton smiled as her Captain. Peyton had been on board many years, but rarely interacted with anyone of substantial rank. That was always left to the previous CAG, and she was quite happy to play in the mud fixing broken things.

Mathias had a large grin at the presentation of the fighter to Captain Jones, he knew of her love for flying. He had heard from Hamish that Sansa had inherited the same passion, like her mother. "Congratulation, Captain." then to the others he said, "This is fantastic."

Melody smiled "I assume a name like the firey vixen or something similar was already taken?" she asked. While she did not object to the Mama bear, it did make her feel slightly.... Old.

"I did suggest Nova, Phoenix..." Peyton muttered to herself, but Mama Bear won out and was just fitting. "I think Mama Bear suits you ma'am. A mama bear fiercely protects her children, fights to survive and strikes fear in those that would think of attacking. We might not be your actual children but most of us who have been with you for years do feel like part of the family, one you'd kill to protect."

"The name is growing on me," Melody admitted, "Since you are right, I suppose I am the mother to the crew and to my own daughter and the newborn twins and I would protect all of you ferociously, till my dying breath so yes, It's fitting."

"And that is why it is fitting, however, haven't you noticed that mama bears are thought to be sexy too." Mathias added a brief comment. "And your husband does seem to like flirting with danger."

Melody gave Hamish a sideways glance. "Commander!" She said in mock shock, "I'm sure there's some regulation against calling your Captain sexy on duty. I'll let it slide... This time. Besides, what would your fiance think?"

"She would think me dead, if I didn't notice." giving Melody a wink. He was feeling pretty darned good, what with his wedding coming up. Then he smiled charmingly. "And you know my heart belongs to Caroline."

Goose and Maverick exchanged a look as they listened to the banter. The look spoke of how they would enjoy serving on this ship. "From what I had heard this is something that should have been done a while ago. As the CAG it is my honor. And now I must perform my other duty as CAG. That of the Ready Pilots. So "Mama Bear." What shall it be Ready 1, 2, or 3?" Maverick's question was mostly sarcastic and Goose knew it. He could not believe that Pete would be so bold as to ask that question.

Melody raised an eyebrow. "Very droll Lieutenant. Just keep my fighter in flight condition. I'm afraid duty calls. Thank you very much for the honour once again."

"Yes ma'am..." Pete said with a smile and executed a smart salute. He felt that the occasion warranted a good salute. Goose followed Maverick's lead and saluted as well. "Oh, and Captain I look forward to having you on my wing." Pete added.

Melody inclined her head in acknowledgement and added "Lieutenants" Before turning and heading for the door.

"Just one word of warning." Mathias responded, "I would think she'd been in the front." giving a bit of a wink. " I will see you later." making his exit as well.

●●●● Captain Melody "Mama Bear" Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin

>>>** Senior Chief Petty Officer Peyton Santos
Deck Chief
USS Merlin

○●● Lieutenant Commander Mathias McPhee
Executive Officer
USS Merlin

●● Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell
Chief Flight Control Officer
Commander Air Group
USS Merlin

○● Lieutenant Junior Grade Nick "Goose" Bradshaw
Tactical Systems Operator
USS Merlin