EXETERRPG: (1 - 0804) ACFO, Lt. JG Clint “Weatherman” Hale and SO, Ens(SG) Gabriella De Luca

[Mark Howard]

Mission: Space was cool before it mattered

Day: 1

Stardate: 2446.04.25

(USS Exeter - Shuttle Bay 1 - ACFO, Lt. JG Clint “Weatherman” Hale and
Science Officer, Ensign SG Gabriella De Luca - 0804)

As he disembarked from the Armstrong, Clint did his best to try and soak it
all in. While he had accompanied the survey team as their pilot, he was
actually an Exeter transfer. He had been assigned to Exeter as an ACFO,
specifically for support craft, specifically for the Cheron. This was his
second duty posting since he graduated from the academy in 2445. The first
being on Mars and being a member of the famed Red Dragons, started by the
Exeter’s own Trip Williams. However, his time as a fighter jockey ended
when the Fighter wing on Mars got a request for someone to fill the ACFO
position in charge of Support craft on the Exeter, vacated when Trinity
Frost became CFO and Olympia Noctis was reassigned to fly for the
Diplomatic Corps. A quick recommendation from his commanding officer in the
Red Dragons, and the Weatherman left the red planet for a Nebula in the ass
crack of the alpha quadrant. The brass deemed it fit to have him be the one
to deliver the first shuttle carrying the survey team, since he had to make
his way to the Exeter anyways. Still, by his surprise, he was able to run
into an old Academy buddy, the ever charming Gabriella De Luca.

“So, here to do some science or just take in the view?” Clint said to Bella
as he grabbed his bag from the floor of the cargo bay.

Grabbing her bag, containing only a few items that she’d need for the next
couple of weeks, and threw it over her shoulder. “I wish it was just
sightseeing, no its all sciencing. I’m part of the team that the Admiral
has sent.”

“Well I gathered that, I figured I was the only new transfer since I had
two bags compared to the rest of you.” Clint said with as smile as he
groaned to pick up the second bag. “So what exactly are you sciencing?”

“No clue to be honest, I got the summons and was on the next shuttle out.
Adam is so mad at me.” She referred to her fiance, who she loved dearly,
though was occasionally, ‘hard work.’ “I’m actually glad to be here,
routine was kind of getting to me since the last project finished. It’s
great to be a part of something again, even if its a ways from home.”

“I mean we could have smuggled Adam in hidden in the transporter buffer.
He’d be a lot more quiet that way.” Clint said with a laugh.

Laughing gently she continued “You transferred in? Know much about the
Flight Ops staff?”

“Not really, there was some overlap with them on Mars after I graduated and
got posted to the fighter wing. But I never really interacted much with
them. They had more than enough on their plate. They didn’t need to babysit
the brand new baby pilots.”

“I get that, smaller unit here though, tend to work a lot tighter, I don’t
know anyone on the science team names is all. I’m sure all will be well.”

“Yeah, as long as they don’t bite.” He said with a laugh.

“So, mind me asking, why a transfer to Flight Ops on a starship rather than
staying on Mars, wouldn’t you be a squad leader by now?”

“Are you kidding, no way! The days of newbies dominating that are over.
Since they started beefing up the infrastructure and getting the best of
the best out there, you’ve got to have at least 3 years experience and be a
Lieutenant Senior grade to get that gig. And there is a long line of
qualified people I’d have to beat out. It’s very hard to go From Red Dragon
12 to Red Dragon 2 or 1, if people aren’t being shipped out.”

“Makes sense. Elsewhere though, must be less competitive, a climbdown from
Mars I know.” She answered.

“Sure the remote bases, I could have slotted in quicker, but there were no
openings, ya know. Besides, this one came with the extra pip, so I took it.
Plus with the Cheron on board, a Hybrid fighter/shuttle runabout, built
with Romulan and Federation tech, I mean, it is a good opportunity.”


“Not that I know much about that, but it sounds like quite the draw. The
tech that is suddenly possible from those links is amazing.”


“Plus, it gets me as far away from Lizzie as possible, dump me because you
decide that Vulcan engineer you met on Mars Base is enticing, then come
crawling back a month later because he is too emotionally distant. Yeah no
thanks. I’ll pass. But mainly, the promotion. It’s a career move. Might not
be able to get back to Mars with it, but the next fighter base they open,
well, they’ll fill key roles with Lieutenants, even junior grade, before
they get to ensigns.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right ship if you want a stamp on your resume.
This is the one that went to Andromeda. Bloody Andromeda. The tech bods are
still trying to compile all the data that they brought back, let alone
study it.”

“Well can’t get any further away from my ex than a different galaxy.” Clint
said laughing, “what about you, how’s everything going for you, Miss
special Survey Corp for Starfleet.”

“For myself, I’m not sure. Early days I know, but I like the…feel of
things, life at home is routine, stuck in a moment day to day. Which is
nice, and a comfort. But even looking out that window…” She pointed “and
seeing the expanse of a nebula that from Earth is barely a smudge to the
eye…I dunno, there’s a pull that I’ve never felt before.”

“The unknown. The unexpected challenge. Far from the comforts of home. You
can learn more about yourself and who you want to be out here.”

"Yeah. I'm starting to feel it." Bella admitted with a sigh.

“So, Adam, how are things going there? Settle on a date yet?”

"Mid July. His parents have arranged a castle in Scotland, which will be
nice. He just needs to relax a bit. Like we're together but not joined at
the hip you know?"

“Ah, I guess he is a Klingon.” Clint said with a laugh. “Get it, a cling
on.”

Gabriella laughed. "So any significant others in your life. Since
whatshername tried to come crawling back?"

“Nope. Crash and burn once, and that’s enough for a while. Lizzie has kind
of taken the joy of relationships away for a while. I need to just focus on
the important things first. Romance can wait”

"That's fair." She said. "These things take time, I'm told." She shrugged.
"So you meeting up with your section chief? Straight into the action?"

“Eventually, but my itinerary says I have until 1400 hours to settle in. I
don’t need to science, so I don’t have to get to work right away.”

"Probably. I need to check in with the CSO and then the Commander." She
pointed to Commander Bracken's retreating form.

“Yup, don’t want to piss off your boss. Especially an Admiral’s daughter.”

"Got to wonder if that's how she became a Commander so fast. Still, that
being said I heard a few things about this ship. 'Getting in harms way'. "

“Well it's easier to advance in times of action and combat than in
peacetime. But she has had her share of bad luck. Hopefully the Weatherman
can figure out a forecast of rainbows and sunshine.” He said referring to
himself cockily in the third person as a joke.

“Well I hope you do, you deserve it.

“So do you know where you might be going after y’all finish here?”

“Honestly not sure, I mean, working on this kind of project could open
doors back at Fleet Science for me, early days, sure, but you never know.
Failing that I can springboard off this and get a research post somewhere
on earth, stick by home.”

"And make nerd babies with Adam." Clint said with a chuckle.


“I’d better head, unpack and catch up with either of my superiors.” she
winked. “Later in the bar if you’re not on shift?”

"See Yeah then string bean. See ya then."

(Reply none)

(Posted by Mark and Will)
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