Sarah returned to the Ironwood immediately retiring to her quarters to shower and change. She chooses one of her more spartan uniform tunics that have been tailored to fit well, she doesn't bother with any other insignia other than her rank and the ESN/Alpha fleet markers. In all she strikes an imposing figure. Choosing the white beret that Alpha fleet favors for Ship Captains she comms PO Volkov checking on the shuttle.

Arriving at the hanger bay she inspects the organized chaos. The new fighters are getting painted with nose art, minus of course the unassigned fighter. Near the shuttle LT's Mayhew and Alwuad wait patiently both in standard ESN uniforms. Boarding the shuttle they depart for the Hermes to shop for their new pilot.

--Hanger Bay-->

The Ironwood shuttle entered its hanger bay a few short moments before cast off. Sarah stepped smartly onto the Deck to the call of 'Captain on Deck'. She waved a crisp salute at the deck and then nodded to LT Mayhew. "See that our two newest crew members get established in their quarters. ENS Le-ji given our small crew while you serve aboard the Ironwood I will ensure you get flight time, training time, and a chance to compete for a place in the flight. However, when not acting in that capacity you're duties will be to function as our hanger deck chief. We do not have the space for a shed or a specific office, how you organize yourself will be up to you." Turning on her other newest fresh face and addressing both, "I expect both of you to work with and learn from both LT Mayhew and Alwuad, and I know they will mentor you well. Following cast off officers will meet at my mess for a small meal. There will be a larger gathering for all crew on the rec deck starting at the same time. Carry on."

Ben smiled, "welcome aboard, I'll take you to your quarters and give you the grand tour. He says to Longwei. "LT Alwuad will do the same for you. He adds for Le-Ji.

All over the Ironwood came the final bangs and thumps as the heavy cables were separated and the lines were reeled into the ship.

Sarah made her way to the bridge stepping in front of her command chair. "Status report" She called out and around the bridge the different sections began rattling off information in order as numbers and info scrolled on her screen. Once the reports finished she called out, "Nav plot us a course on the fleet vector." She checks her comms screen that filters ship traffic within the fleet and calls out a string of numbers and letters indicating a travel position in the formation and watched as a path appeared on her screen as the information was input. "Mr. Klattenhoff take us out." She called and the powerful engine came up from their almost non-existent background hum to a low rumble as power was fed to them.

  for the Ironwood, an 'all ships' message scrolled  across the CAptain's  screen.

  ".. Follow  current   course.. changes will follow  Board meeting.."

   Blips on the  screens  show destroyers and other  corvettes  and sloops  expanding  around the Massive  cluster that was  The Delta  Fleet. even as  support ships   drew into the middle with the Cap Ships   forming up..Delta  1  in the  Front.. Delta  2 to the starboard ,Delta  3  to the Port and Delta 4 four  as Rear guard,  The  ships  forming a Bubble around the support ships, even  as the picket  ships formed a bubble  around the Fleet

The Ironwood drifted a little back towards the rearguard with her powerful engines she could easily respond to any of the forward positions rapidly or jump up to the main body if necessary to act as a quick response force.

Once in position she begins cycling her bridge staff through dinner of the fresh fish she'd ordered as troops and sailors on the rec deck have their own surf and turf dinner.

Aboard the Ironwood things were progressing in a similar yet unique vein. On the hanger deck the pilots assisted their flight crews in adding nose art to their fighters. The two new recruits were running laps back and forth across the bay in their full pilots kit with emergency gear. Every time either Benjamin, or Allison turned around they dove for cover. Both were starting to look pretty smoked, but the abuse continued for about another hour as the last of the painting was completed.

Across the ship various different workouts and emergency tasks were being drilled as well, putting new cremates through trails and training them on emergency procedures.

Aboard the Ironwood, Sarah, sat in the Command chair. The ship held its position in formation while the bridge crew drilled emergency procedures. At the tactical station Scott Termaine sweated under the complicated scenario. He sent a series targeting commands to the different gun crews based on the current evasion pattern from his own chair LC Harrington barked commands as he guided the ship through its drill.

Sarah made a few notes on the station then triggered the enemy response. Suddenly several stations flashed red with large Xs indicating the operator had been knocked out. On other screens systems flashed red indicating damage as several enemies blinked out of existence on the boards.


After the exercise concluded Sarah compiled her notes. During the rest of the trip she'd give her assessments to each section chief who'd pass the information along to their teams. Excellent work Mr. Harrington. she says to her XO as the stations reset and revert to their correct real time data as simulation ended. Mr. Harrington, my office please. Mr. Termaine you have the con. She rose smoothly and headed to her war room. Followed by LC Harrington.

The exercise reviews had gone well and had been completed, and the Ironwood had settled in to its quiet hum of activity as the various section chiefs completed the various and never ending  list of tasks, checks, assessments, and measurements. Some stations were less busy with the actual flight than others. One of the guns was being calibrated, through tactical but that had little impact on the travel. Meanwhile Navigation and the Helm had their hands full maneuvering within the fleet, and maintaining position as the fleet traveled to its destination.

   COMs  Offcier turns to  Sarah,..Ma'am?.. Ensign  Law  from the  Hermes... he sends  is repects   and asks  you to come to the   Hermes, at ytour best  oppertunity...

Sarah nodded, "Thank you Sonya. Notify Ms Volkov, and inform the Hermes I will be joining them." She rose from her seat, "Mr. Harrington you have the con. Mr. Termaine, with me, and have..." she pauses for a moment then smiles. "Let Sgt Morin know 2 troopers should be sufficient I dont need my entire staff, and let's have Lt. Alwuad fly escort. I'm sure she'd love a chance to visit.she adds semi-cryptically. Before checking her uniform finding it sufficient and heading down to the hanger bay.

--Hermes Hanger Deck--->

<<<NEXT MORNING>>>

After returning to the Ironwood Sarah had brought her staff together for a quick update as to the general plans of the fleet, during the meeting she prompted LT Termaine to do most of the explaining and discussion of the current plan as she evaluated his ability to retain, and then direct information. In her mind he was well on the way to being an XO, and it'd be a shame to lose him, though a small part of her entertained the dream of being elevated to Captain of a heavier vessel, which would allow LC Harrington and LT Termaine to take over the small corvette and build their experience that way.

All the same her focus returned to the meeting as she forwarded the files for both LC Harrington and LT Termaine over to Admiral Hack for his review. In LC Harrington's file she recommended him for Captaincy of a corvette class vessel or as XO of a much large ship of the line. For LT Termaine her recommendation was as Chief Tactical Officer on a ship of the line or as an XO on a much smaller vessel such as a corvette.

The meeting ended quickly enough with everyone scattering to their respective sections, bunks, and other duties.

Waking early Sarah heads to the small workout area and takes care of her physical fitness and then off to the small shooting range on board. All about the ship hums with its standard levels of energy as the various watches change and the ship cycles into its 'daytime'

The Ironwood had maintained her position within the fleet as the exercise had started, though Sarah had kept her pilots out of the exercise. As small as a ship her corvette lacked the resources to cover if three of her four pilots went down, and truth be told a fighter screen of one was barely worth the life it risked.

The fleet shifted course taking it closer to the planet, rather unexpectedly. She'd expected the fleet to sit back and allow the exercise to pan out before continuing on. Around the bridge the quiet sounds and slightly canned smell of air permeated all indicative of nothing out of the ordinary. She said nothing allowing the Ironwood to shift and stay in its area of formation waiting for information, she refused to elevate the alert until she knew if it was just part of an effort to recover the down and injured pilots more quickly or if something had changed in the black.

In nearly no time after the shift started did Admiral Hack's message come through the SEC channels. Glancing over the bridge assessing everything she nods to herself, "LT Termaine, sound GENERAL QUARTERS.

NAV contact ENS Le-Ji and inform him that I want all our aircraft ready and to standby pilots at their aircraft."

Around the ship lights and alarms started flashing, bulkheads and doors that were nonessential to combat began closing and latching. Gunners ran for their gunnery station, pilots and marines scrambled into their gear either from sleep or whatever else they'd been engaged in. The status lights on the forward pulse cannons began cycling from amber standby to green as the prototype system came on line.

Down in Engineering LT Greene began the relatively short process of bringing the powerful engines into combat readiness.

As the Ironwood jumps to combat readiness Sarah sends a comm text over to the Hermes, "Hermes command, given our unique abilities we could flank around on a different vector for the main efforts, and hit the Vampic Squadron first slashing through them, generate confusion that the main efforts could capitalize on." She says explaining her idea over the secure channel.

   The Admirl's  Voice  came over the COMs,..Meet with the Teak, and  Oak, as  well as the EMS   Slayer... If  any Vampic  ship   try and  end  run... take them out , ...if they have lights on..but   run..take them out.. if they have lights  on ..make them power down..if they don't . destroy them...This is not a good  will mission..  they are in our  space... they have  not announced thie r coming..so  we owe them nothing...

"Understood sir, who will be commander for the pursuit squadron?" She says relaying the comm message to LC Harrington so he can prepare to begin to coordinate at a closer level.

 There is a Bit of a ChuckleCaptain Bornberry will be there   shortly.. she'll be in command..until  her squardon gets there  The Captain of the Slayer  will be in command.

"Understood sir," Sarah responds crisply signing off.

Once the connection is ended, she has the comms section establish a connection to the EMS Slayer for the ships Captain.

--From Hanger Deck-->

Following the send off Sarah had returned to the Ironwood, sending a message to LC(P) Harrington to call a general assembly of the Ironwood crew in the Hanger deck.

As she stepped down from the shuttle in her new Burian dress white's with the Captain's rank she could see the confusion and even some concern among the troops, within the ranks people started to buzz.  Rather than stick to protocol she held up a hand for silence and waited a few moments while the noise died down. "At ease people," she says calmly putting the formation in a relaxed position. Nearly 50 sets of eyes watched her closely waiting for an explanation and an announcement.

Nodding to LC Harrington who stepped forward with a small case Sarah began. "We have some business to attend to, first of all. It is my honor and privileged to present the very first Blue Max award to an Ironwood pilot. Lieutenant Promotable Benjamin Mayhew. Please step forward." LC Harrington opens the box with the award in it as Ben steps forward, if there was confusion at the change in his rank title he didn't show it beaming as he accepted the award.

"Next I would like to address my change in uniform. Bura is entering the war supplying troops, navy personnel, and building its own defense navy. I have accepted a role as Flag Officer of the Burian Navy, and as such will be transferring to the newly captured Vampic Heavy Cruiser the Cold Stone. Along with my move there are several promotions and some restructuring of the crew that will need to take place.

Lieutenant Commander Harrington, you are hereby promoted to Commander and given command of the Heavy Cruiser (NAME) and sister ship of the Cold Stone, if you accept.

Lieutenant Mayhew, you are hereby promoted to Lieutenant Commander and will be slotted as the Burian Fleet Wing Commander, if you accept.

Lieutenant Termaine, you are hereby promoted to Lieutenant Commander and given command of the ESN Ironwood."

Both Harrington and Mayhew looked suitably surprised then quickly stepped forward with proud looks on their faces as Sarah continued.

"The Ironwood will continue its mission in support of the Delta fleet as an official envoy from the Alpha Fleet. There will be additional shuffling and promotions as personnel are moved about making room for Burians and settlers to join and integrate into the fleet as well as working to bring experienced talent into key leadership roles within the Burian Navy. All transfers will be based on the persons decision to accept."

She pulls a small box out of her pocket that holds her old Commander Rank insignia pinning former LC Harrington with the new rank, and then her old LC rank goes to Termaine. Commander Harrington passes his rank down to LC Mayhew.

Once all the promotions are completed Sarah continues to address the assembly. "It has been an honor serving along side all of you. Captain Termaine, you have the con." she says offering him his first salute of Command.

Gathering Commander Harrington, and LC Mayhew she instruct both to contact QM and ensure they have dress uniforms for the formal ball to be hosted at the Burian palace.

In the background LC Termaine steps forward and dismisses the formation. Using the remaining time Sarah returns to her former quarters to pack and prepare for the ball.

With her belongings nearly packed, Sarah debates on wearing her dress uniform or one of Captain Si's dresses. There were benefits to both. One showed her in her official function representing her command and the Burian fleet. The dress accomplished that less but leaned more elegant than hard and professional. The decision was not easy, and there would be time to dress for official functions in either a dress, perhaps not an angel silk dress owned by Captain Si, but all the same the sharp polished dress uniform was more along Sarah's aesthetic, and would have the effect she wished for during the ball.

With everything packed in crates and boxes around her she sat at her desk one last time and pulled up the list of names and applications to serve with the Burian fleet and dug in again as they approached Bura.

    Sarah recieves  a COM  from  Rivets ,..  Captain  McKeon?   I  Dunno  know  if ye have  an escort to that  Ball thing?.. Iffin  ye don't , I'd   be 'appy to excport ya... if  ye have an escort.. maybe   we  could see  about teh Sailin' on Bura, then next day?

Sarah read the message, and smiled a little then picked up her com and replying. "I don't currently, and would happy to have you as my escort. Fair warning though I'm going in my Burian dress whites instead of a dress.

As to sailing that sounds like a plan to me." She turns back to the vidboard screen, the lists are slowly getting pared down with her intent to having at the very least either the key position or the deputy position filled within a week, and to have less than 5 options per position in the next few days.

  There is a Chuckle,..its  up to  yerself , Lassie. But turnin' dow one of Captain Si's   Angelsilk dresses, that ye  get to keep?... I think  i could  my a good hover Bike , fer one of them!

 ..Now?.. I have  ta  Come in with the board..so's you can  either meet me  at the  Palace parkign lot.. or Come  to the  Hermes  and   ride  down with us... It'll make a better show , coming in  one of them Fancy rides?

 ..'an  while  we're  at  the    place, we can ask around  fer a good sailin' place.

"I think it would be best coming with the Hermes board, it would show the unity and connection between the Burian fleet and the Delta fleet plus give a good show. It'll be good to hear about all the good sailing areas." She starts thinking about her arrangements. Perhaps while on Bura she could secure a living space planet side. It'd give her a chance to host the fleet much like Shadow and Hack did on Fuji, though it'd cost her a pretty penny. Though being a Captain had its pay benefits. Plus if she played her cards right she would be able to find living on a lake or beach allowing her to sail on days off and get away from the grind.

.. Right  then Lassie..  we'll see  you day after tomorrow, Unless yer  Comin' ta  Captain Maris partty for his    daughter... may be some heated things going on. but he rented  the   stadium.

"Might as well put on a good show. Plus it will give LC Termaine a chance to start moving into his new digs over here. Besides I'm fully packed at this point just waiting to arrive on Bura and get established on the Cold Stone once the renovations and repairs are complete."