Interim Assignment (Subtext 14-A)

Posted on Sat Nov 15th, 2025 @ 2:08pm by Commander Irene Seya & Lieutenant JG Sakkar

931 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: How to See in the Dark
Location: Starbase 773
Timeline: MD 02, 1745

[All available pilots not currently assigned to duty stations, report to Docking Ring Seven for special assignment, immediately. Code Black.]

The communication was sent out over comm badges only to pilots of certain aptitude and security clearance. Lieutenant Sakkar, being one of several of the elite currently on Starbase 773 who received the message.

Sakkar raised an eyebrow as he sat eating a bowl of vegetable stew in a sidewalk cafe. As someone merely passing through the busy starbase, he would not have expected to be assigned a duty, especially not flight duty. "Code Black," however, indicated something urgent. There was no time to contact Ops and ascertain whether or not it was a mistake. He immediately stood and left, leaving his still-hot meal behind.

He entered the vast hangar area moments later. It was filled with rows of shuttles, fighters, and other craft, all parked neatly abreast. Maintenance personnel did their work under open maintenance panels, or hustled on their way to do the next task. No one acknowledged him. In the middle of the hangar he saw six pilots, all suited up and carrying their helmets in one hand. The senior officer, a Starfighter Commander, was briefing the others as they stood in a loose huddle around him. Sakkar approached.

The Commander was finishing whatever he was saying. "Not much to go on, so hopefully they'll fill us in more when we're on station. We'll do standard two-ship elements. Fiske, you're with me on overwatch. Lee and Gorro, you'll be high element. Darja and Jaenke, hang back to catch any squeakers. Questions?" He noticed Sakkar. "Can I help you, Lieutenant?" Every head turned to look at the Vulcan.

"Sir, I received a summon for flight duty through my commbadge," Sakkar explained. "I am reporting to receive further orders."

The Commander offered a puzzled smirk. "I think I've got everyone I need. Also, no offense, but I don't think I've seen you around before. You're not one of ours, are you?"

"No, I am transient personnel," Sakkar said. "Nevertheless, I report as ordered." He cast a glance at an runabout parked nearby. "Perhaps I can pilot a support craft. For any unexpected contingencies?"

The Commander traded a look with his deputy, who gave a noncommittal shrug. "Fine, you can back us up. Just don't get in the way if things get dicey."

"Aye, sir," Sakkar said.

Two other lieutenants in red trickled into the hangar bay as the Starfighter pilots were loading up.

"You got any idea where we are supposed to go?" One of them called out, a female, blonde, possibly human.

"An intercept mission, I surmise," Sakkar said to the woman. "Also, an emergency situation, given that all components are being assembled hastily. I am Sakkar. And you are?"

As the three pilots began to introduce themselves a tall Andorian Lieutenant Commander in operations gold appeared in the shuttle bay carrying four PADDS looking serious and commanding attention.

"Lieutenants." He stared at the three officers, seemingly disappointed. "There should be four of you," he stated dryly as he handed out the three PADDS, a sour look on his face. "Here are your temporary shuttle assignments and the transponder and communication codes for your commanding officers for your mission. You will find a rather short mission brief on your PADD, but I am told that time is of the essence and that innocent lives are at stake, so you are to follow orders now, and ask questions later."

"Is that understood?" The stations second officer looked over the three officers waiting for their affirmation as a third officer, a petite Andorian chan came running into the shuttle bay, uniform half zipped and hair in disarray.

"Sorry it took so long," the young officer called out, obviously out breath and unaware he was interrupting something. "I got here as fast as I could."

The second officer seemed even more annoyed that the late-comer was one of his own. He took a deep breath and held out the last PADD. The late officer rushed over to take it.

"Understood," Sakkar said as his eyes met those of the newcomers. "Then let us proceed with swiftness." He gave the Andorian a nod. "By your leave, sir." Then he turned and headed for his assigned ship.

His orders were off of Barisa Prime, Commander Irene Seya. After completing preflight checks and other rituals of departure, the craft set off and got clear of the starbase's traffic zone, settling into a geostationary orbit over the assigned position. Sakkar checked for the appropriate comms code and opened a channel.

[Scout shuttle Windward to special planetary team. Be advised, we are on station and await further instructions.]

"Scout Shuttle Windward, you are being assigned to covert surveillance, possible tactical assistance. Target is warehouse, we'll be sending you the coordinates over an encrypted channel," a male voice responded. "Ground support is staging now. Copy."

[Acknowledged.] Sakkar waited momentarily as the comm system decrypted the text message stating the coordinates. Then he moved quickly to task multiple sensors to that location. The telemetry was encrypted and sent back to the ground team for their analysis.

The Windward descended from orbit and into the planet's upper atmosphere, continuing its scans.

~tbc~

A mission post by:

Lieutenant J.G. Sakar
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Astrea


&

Captain Remira Johansen
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea

RSS Feed