Flying into a new posting

Posted on Tue Aug 19, 2025 @ 12:50am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Sarah Mackenzie
Edited on on Sat Sep 20, 2025 @ 6:58am

1,451 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Deep Space 5, Shuttle Bay Deck 73
Timeline: MD16 - morning

On:

Dropping out of warp, Sarah gave a sigh as she brought her runabout to a full stop in sight of the station. This was to be her new posting and for once she was actually nervous about it. This would be her first time leading an entire squadron as CAG and she was still a little unsure about her leadership skills. Most of her career she’d flown alone or in a wing under someone else’s command. Now she was the shot caller.

Bringing up the communication channels, Sarah hailed the station. “Deep space 5, this is Runabout Yarra, requesting landing permission and flight plan.”

"Runabout Yarra, this is Deep Space 5. You are cleared to land in the shuttle bay on deck 73. Sending landing protocol." It was generally standard, but with some repairs still underway, the station had to make slight alterations.

"Copy that DS5, coming in for a landing" Sarah responded as she pulled her runabout around the station and into the flow of traffic. As she flew past, she saw the damage to the station. It looked like she missed the fun. "What happened here? It looks like a fleet attacked them" she said to herself as she piloted the runabout into the directed shuttlebay.

An ensign was waiting for her when she exited her runabout. "Lieutenant Mackenzie? I'm Ensign Piper. Once you stow your gear, the commodore would like to meet with you."

Sarah blinked in surprise. Straight to a meeting with the Station CO? That didn’t usually occur. “Thank you ensign, where might I find the commodore? Should I head straight to ops?”

"Yes. Her ready room is in the command center. You can't miss it." Ensign Piper paused. "Or if you'd rather, I could take you there now and you could deal with your gear later. Up to you."

“No, that’s ok, I better report in first. Is there somewhere I can park Lucky 13” Sarah asked, pointing at the runabout.

"Long term or short term?" the ensign asked. "Short term, you can leave her there. Long term, you can keep her with the fighters and runabouts. Well, where they'll be once we get them in."

Sarah nodded, "leave her there then, I'll move her when the repairs are done. What happened anyway? I didn't get much of a brief on my way in"

"That's why the commodore wants to talk with you. She'll catch you up and tell you what's planned." Piper shrugged. "There's a lot going on right now."

Sarah cocked an eyebrow, "huh, sounds like a picked an interesting time to transfer in." she said before giving a shrug, "alright then, I better get up there. Can you point me in the direction of the closest turbolift?"

"Aye, ma'am. This way." Ensign Piper led her out of the shuttle bay and pointed to the right. "It's just down there. Deck 12."

“Thank you ensign, I think I’ll find my bearings.” Sarah said as she headed off into the station. Finding the nearest turbolift, Sarah made her way to ops.

====

T'mpest was finally getting on top of her workload. Essential repairs were done and the more cosmetic repairs were now underway. She'd met all the senior staff--or those who were already on board. And she had a solid plan for the colony on Pangaea. She switched her computer to the Starfleet login screen and stood, taking a moment to stretch before moving on to her next project.

Then she got a message from Milly that the new CAG was on her way. She replied with a thank you and moved to the center of the ready room to wait for the new arrival.

Walking through ops to the CO's office, Sarah brushed down her uniform before tapping the door chime. Time to face the boss She thought to herself as she waited for the response from within.

"Come in." As the door opened, T'mpest watched the woman enter. The way a person entered a room and presented themselves often reflected their personality. Not always, but that, too, said a lot about a person.

Stepping into the room, Sarah took a quick glance around the room before she walked over at attention on the other side of her desk, "Ma'am, Lieutenant Sarah Mackenzie reporting for duty"

"Hello, lieutenant. I'm T'mpest Michaels. Welcome to Deep Space 5." She indicated the chair opposite her desk and then a conversation area near the viewport. "Have a seat."

Relaxing her stance, Sarah took the offered seat and gave T’mpest a smile, “looks like the station has seen some action recently”

"Yes. An attack by the Cardassians and Xi'Cadians. The worst of the damage has been repaired, even though there's still some work to do. Representatives will be coming here in the near future to discuss a treaty. That's one of the reasons I want to bring back a fighter wing."

“Oh? Looking for an escort flight or just an active patrol while the dignitaries are here?” Sarah asked, trying to come up with the best way to use her new fighter wing to cover as much space as possible.

"Just having fighters about will show that we are taking steps to prevent future problems. However, I will consider an escort flight. That might impress some of the dignitaries who are a little hesitant." Right now, T'mpest just wanted to get them to agree to peace in the sector. If blaming Hydel Turvan helped the Cardassians save face, she wouldn't argue--even if she felt they were eager enough to get their hands on the station and planet.

Sarah nodded, “then I’ll get to work on a patrol rotation and an escort flight. How many ships are we expecting?”

"That is still being decided. Talk to Commander Thibideaux. We have discussed ship class and numbers, but I am waiting on a final proposal from him. I am certain he would appreciate hearing your ideas."

Sarah nodded, “I’ll be sure to do that. Do we have a designated area for the air wing or will we just use the shuttle bay?”

"You have a designated area. There may still be ongoing repairs, but the space is there. Pilots will be arriving in the next few days as well. Some fighters are also en route. That also means there is time to make any changes you or the commander deem necessary." T'mpest smiled at her new CAG. "With all the repairs, now is a good time to request upgrades. Keep that in mind."

After a moment of thought, Sarah gave a wide smile, “wonder if Starfleet would let us build some of those Star Wars fighters”

"No idea. I suggest you bring that up with Commander Thibideaux. Present me with your proposal and I will forward it to Starfleet. Then we will see what they will or will not agree to." T'mpest knew Starfleet's generosity only went so far, but they did need fighters, and they did have the Dyson Repair Yards, so there was some room to maneuver.

Sarah nodded, “alright, I’ll do that. Will there be anything else Sir?” She asked before thinking of something herself, “oh wait, the runabout I came in on. Is there a way we could keep if around? She’s seen me through many a scrape and the other pilots won’t touch her”

T'mpest nodded. "Of course. We have plenty of room. Make sure she's listed as your personal craft. We can assign it a permanent birth once you settle in." The station had a number of runabouts, shuttles, and yachts that belonged to individuals. The station could easily accommodate another one.

Sarah was actually surprised by T’mpest’s answer. She hadn’t expected it to be listed as her personal craft, but then again it did make sense. Lucky 13 was very particular about who piloted her, “um, thank you sir. I’ll be sure to get on that.”

"You are most welcome." T'mpest smiled. "And please, I prefer ma'am to sir. I have always been more scientist or diplomat than officer."

“Sorry, Ma’am” Sarah said, correcting herself, “will there be anything else?”

"Not right now, but I do want to meet with you, Commander Letsul, and Commander Thibideaux when you have plans for the fighters."

Sarah nodded, “I’ll get a few proposals together with them. If you’ll excuse me”

"Of course. Welcome aboard, lieutenant. I look forward to what you will bring to the station."

Snapping off a salute, Sarah turned and walked out to find her new haunting grounds: the Fighter bay.

A post by

Lieutenant Sarah Mackenzie
Commander Air Group (CAG)
Deep Space 5

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

 

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