STF

Stopping by the Governor's Office

Posted Jan. 20, 2022, 4:35 p.m. by General Calvin Harris (Command General- Colonial Customs and Defence Authority) (Jerome Davis)

Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Stopping by the Governor’s Office

Posted by Colonel Calvin Harris (Commander Air - Space Group) in Stopping by the Governor’s Office

Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Stopping by the Governor’s Office
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Calvin had had time to settle in and he figured he might as well visit the Governor, check in and find out the exact expectations of the Colony’s Senior civilian leader. It was an obnoxiously long ride up to the man’s office and when doors opened on the lift, Harris tugged his tunic straight and walked over to the Secretary’s desk.

“Excuse me…” The Marine’s measured tenor was charming and smooth. Flashing a smile, he continued. “… I’m Colonel Calvin Harris, the incoming Commander of the Aerospace Group here at OED. Would it be possible for me to visit with the Governor for a few minutes? I just want to take a few to introduce myself and find out any immediate concerns he has.” The man’s unique south central North American accent was different than what most around OED sounded like and his uniform was immaculate… so much so, he could have fallen out of a SFMC recruitment poster.

Harris, CAG

The Receptionist, a striking Trill woman dressed in soft reds and yellows, nodded and said “One moment, Colonel.” and she pressed a few commands into the desk terminal. A few short moments later, the large ornate doors to their right swung out and open. “Governor B’tren-Hyrushi will see you, Colonel.” and she smiled at him, eyes sparkling.

Cal couldn’t help but be taken aback by the beauty at the desk. He felt his cheeks redden slightly but he simply smiled and nodded. “Thank ya Miss” His accent very clear now as he spoke. With a soft wave, Harris entered the room.

The room beyond was spacious and white. Walls of glass from the left of the doorway gave an uninterrupted view of the city as they wrapped around the far corner of the room and then continued on out of sight behind a three-quarters-high wall that extended from the far right corner of the doorway about three-quarters the length of the room. Set into the wall was a fireplace, in front of which was a large seating area with a low table surrounded by couches and chairs. In the far left corner of the glass walled room was a desk a a raised section of floor. Set at an angle with two chairs before it, the lone occupant of the room seated behind the desk looked up as the door opened.

The Marine let out a soft whistle as he entered and took in the surroundings. He had been in this very room now precisely three times and wow… did it look different from the first two visits!

The figure appeared human, save for the eyes. Terran Asian features surrounded jet black eyes. Long, black hair flowed down the back of the figure halfway to their waist. Dressed in a dark gray suit with a deep red paisley shirt under the vest, the figure stood and smiled. “Colonel… a pleasure. Please have a seat, won’t you? I am Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi, Governor of the colony.” and he held out a hand to the officer.

Hyrushi, Gov.

Harris walked over and extended his hand. “Colonel Calvin Alexander Harris....” His grip was smooth, firm, measured and confident. “… your new CAG.” As his hand was released, the Marine motioned to the room as he sat. “I love what you’ve done with the place. It was a bit bland for my tastes the last time I was here.” With a chuckle he added. “While this ain’t really my style either, Governor, I do like it! It’s like a breath of fresh air compared to stuffy Starship quarters.”

Harris, CAG

Hyrushi inclined his head.”Thank you. I was hoping for a feeling of welcome without seeming pretentious.” and the doors opened and the receptionist came in with tea and coffee. After she left (with a smile at Harris), Hyrushi poured the Marine a cup of coffee. “I am guessing coffee. My experience with the Federation Marines is somewhat one-sided, but I do recall they did like their coffee.”

Hyrushi, Governor

The Marine chuckled and gave a slight nod. “Well, it definitely has that in spades Sir.!” Harris took the offered cup. “Yes please… Thank you Governor. I really didn’t care for the stuff growing up but between the long hours at the Academy and in Grad School, combined with raising Ali… let’s just say it grew on me.”

Taking a sip, the Marine asked politely. “I know you’re likely very busy but I wanted to swing by and discuss any immediate concerns. This isn’t my first tour as CAG here at OED, so I’m rather… uniquely qualified for the role.”

Harris, CAG

Hyrushi nodded once and said “I appreciate you taking the time, Colonel. Indeed there are some… pressing matters… you may want to make a priority.” Hyrushi tapped a few commands into the desk and soon a display appeared over the desk. “This is Oed V and our orbital installations.” he said and pointed to the hologram of the planet at the center of the display designating the planet. “Or rather, this is Oed V six months ago. And this-” and he tapped a command and the display populated dozens and dozens of small red and blue dots moving in organized chaos to and from the planet, the various mining platforms, the Orbital Docking Station, and the Main Orbital Facility. “- is the normal space and air traffic at that time. A lot of traffic, but managed well enough. Now…” and he stabbed an icon with his finger, “… this is the traffic as of right now.”

The display filled almost exponentially with small red and blue dots and the chaos was positively palpable.

The veteran pilot felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up as he watched the dramatic increase in traffic. A slow whistle escaped his lips as he rose and walked around the table, carefully examining the cacophony of craft swarming around the various installations. Harris ran a hand through his hair as he bit his bottom lip deep in thought before turning and asking. “My God… that looks like a… a near three fold or better increase in traffic. What’s been your Biannual Traffic Percentage increase since then?”

“We are currently at 372% of the amount of orbital and atmospheric traffic compared to six months ago. We project that to increase by at least double over the next year. Star Fleet, who has refused multiple times to increase the traffic control detachment assigned to us, has also refused to relinquish authority over traffic control to the colony; despite us having the infrastructure ready and waiting to be utilized. As I am sure you can see, the current situation is untenable. We are already at a point of delayed docking and disembarkation, loading and unloading, and customs inspections. Your fighter wing is doing it’s best, but they are spread far too thin to be effective in the case of an incident. And to make matters worse, we have already had numerous near-collisions… it is only a matter of time until something truly tragic happens.” Hyrushi took a sip of his tea and looked at Harris with an appraising eye.

Harris had sat his cup down, both palms felt on the table as he continued to carefully take in the projection. “Ta’ tell ya da truth Governor…” Harris began, his accent once again clearly noticeable as his mind focused on more important things. “… I’m damn surprised it hasn’t already happened. A hun’red an’ twenty craft in a single wing was never… ever intended to handle this kind of commercial traffic!”

“So tell me, Colonel…” Hyrushi said somewhat quietly but with an edge that was hard to miss, “… as the new Commanding Officer of the Star Fleet Air and Space Group… and knowing that your superiors have declined numerous requests for assistance due to, and I quote, ‘logistical needs in more strategic locations’… how do you think we should handle this. And yes, I stressed ‘we’… because Star Fleet has made it abundantly clear that in this matter? We don’t matter.” Hyrushi did not hide his displeasure with those that sat billions of kilometers away making decisions that left the colony in precarious waters… but it was also clear that his displeasure was with them… not Harris.

Hyrushi, Governor

The proud Marine’s shoulders noticeably slumped as he walked back to his seat, completely forgetting his coffee, and sat back down… a long sigh escaping him as he did so. “I’d say that… if it wouldn’t put you in even more of a jam… that I resign, hell… retire… in protest.” He looked visibly shocked. “I know… from nearly twenty years in this uniform, Governor, that we ain’t got’a chance in hell of improvin’ this mess with da’ resources we currently have. It’s not a ‘tough job’, sir, it’s a goddamn logistical impossibility.”

Harris pursed his lips, clearly attacking the problem in his head. After a few highly focused moments, the Marine continued. “The lack of an established Astro-Control Service has always been Achilles for OED… even when just the platforms and the Dome. The Federation always fought the establishment of a civilian-controlled ATC network because they didn’t think the network was needed due to the limited scope of OED Trans-Atmospheric Operations. This was primarily because the Dome was a fixed location with little planned in future expansion. That…” Harris chuckled due to his own family’s responsibility in growth of OED. “… has clearly changed. To fully handle everything that’s in place now and the growth that is already in progress, OED really needs three dedicated services…” Harris raise a single hand to tick off with fingers each one as he made his list. “… an Astro-Control Service, a dedicated Customs Office, and a Colonial Navy of sorts with defensive & offensive capabilities both in the near-space of the colony supported by an aerospace force of at least MAJCOM strength… meaning roughly the size of two or three Wings. Now…” It was clear the Marine had thought about this exact problem before. “… ACS and Customs could easily function as civilian components of the Colonial Defense Force for overall management… so that would streamline logistics. The real problem you have, Governor, is getting the Federation to approve it.”

Harris, CAG

Hyrushi reached out and let himself feel the Colonel. There was no deception, no ‘tiptoeing’ around delicate diplomatic matters… the man was truthful and honest. Good. thought Hyrushi, although he allowed himself a small smile. He sat his tea down slowly and methodically and then leaned forward, looking at Harris with inscrutable ebony eyes.

“So tell me, Colonel… how would you feel a promotion?”

Hyrushi, Governor

Harris chuckled, somewhat surprised… somewhat a little nervous. “I’ve been full bird for the better part of a decade Governor. At this point in my career, I seriously doubt that will ever happen. That’s why my wife and I were planning on… whenever I leave this duty assignment, that it’ll be my last.” He looked relieved to say it aloud but also noticeably a bit sad. “I’ve been in the Corps since just before my 22nd birthday, sir. In my branch, if you don’t make Brigadier by the time you’re 40… you never will. I turned the big 4-0 last year. Promotion isn’t something they give to old pilots anymore… just comfortable pastures till they say enough is enough and hang up their wings.”

Harris, CAG

Hyrushi leaned back and steepled his fingertips together. “I am not referring to the Star Fleet Marine Corps, Colonel. They are not germaine to our situation here. What I am saying is that I have asked… repeatedly… for assistance. I have response in writing from Star Fleet and The Federation Senate that this colony’s issue… and the millions of lives attached to that issue… are not a priority. So I propose we take matters into our own hands. Now I will tell you first… this is not something you should consider lightly. But what if… and of course I am speaking hypothetically because some parts of this would be in a very legally gray area… is that we, we being you and I… simply say ‘Very well, then.’ and do it ourselves. You are a decorated aviator with a background in command and Operational organization. To say you are an expert in Space and Atmospheric Operations would be an understatement. I trust I am not mistaken in that opinion.”

“I have followed the rules, Colonel. I have asked for help. I was declined. Many… many… many times. And there is nothing that says I can’t authorize an agency to handle such matters… or even create one. And as I was always told it is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission… and… as I have the perfect candidate and no means of support from those that should do the job… I want to appoint you the Commanding General of the Colonial Customs and Defence Authority.” and he picked up his tea and took a sip, watching Harris’s face.

“Forty is the perfect age for that, I would think.”

Hyrushi, Governor

The Marine was, for the lack of any better term, gobsmacked. Leaning back, Harris blushed and seemed breathless for a moment. “I… uh… I don’t know what to say, Governor. I… I think it’s a wonderful opportunity and I would be thrilled to accept it. I would say that it would be a bit… complicated…” He chuckled, running a had through his jet black hair. “… to retire a few days into a new command. But, if you’re sending them packing anyway to takeover things in-house, the Wing would be disbanded anyway and Molly would kill me if I left straight away for a new command. So… um…” He was almost laughing now. “… I don’t really have the ability to say no to that kind of offer, Governor. I’m honored. The only thing I guess I have to say is… um… where do I sign?” Harris had a huge smile on his face as if a personal dream had just come true.

Harris

Hyrushi smiled, but remained silent. He leaned forward and tapped quickly but deliberately into the desk interface for a few minutes, and soon the replicator hummed and lights swirled into being. Hyrushi stood and walked over, retrieving a black wallet. He flipped it open and then tapped the replicator activation button again. Tis time a black box swirled into being. “Stand up, if you would please.” he said over his shoulder.

Harris rose smartly with the sharp, crisp precision a lifetime in SFMC Blue gives a person. He was excited, truly excited for the first time since they gave him the Dresden. Finally, after nearly decades of time in that uniform… it was coming to an end with an unbelievably unexpected promotion. He wondered what Molly would say… hell, he wondered what his parents would say! Today started out like any other first day… and now, now he was be back in charge of OED V Planetary Defense but in a completely new and different role.

Turning around, he walked up to Harris and handed him the wallet. Inside was a identification holo with is face and ‘Colonial Customs and Defence Authority, Command General Calvin Harris’ and a badge. “The ID is connected to the Colony Central Computer, so you are officially in the employ of the OED V Colonial Customs and Defence Authority as of midnight tonight. I would suggest that you resign your current position prior to that… just to avoid any misconceptions. Now then…” and he opened the box to reveal four silver stars on a rank pin. “I believe these are yours, General. Once you are ready to begin in earnest, let me know. We will discuss your plans. I expect to be kept apprised of your doings, General. I am a strong believer in open and and direct communication between those on my Senior staff and myself. Are we agreed?” Hyrushi asked, again with a tone that he was expecting confirmation, not discussion.

Hyrushi, Gov

“Of Course Governor.” The newly minted General said with a smile. “Will that be all?”

Gen. Harris, CCDA


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