Captain Michele Winters - Snakes, Gators and Wasps Oh My

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((Gator Deck – Quarter Deck, Deck 12, USS Octavia E. Butler))

 

 

Michele unfolded her arms and knelt down beside the unit as it sat within, he case and gently removed it. It was far lighter than it looked. She was starting to see the draw to it. Even if their other equipment was disabled this, in it’s dormant mode could then be brought out as a backup or used to facilitate the entire operation.

 

Winters: (placing the unit back in the case and standing) I love it, but before I approve it for use, I want to see it on the range and in action.

 

Xaivis: ::Smiling:: I thought you’d never ask.

 

Michele nodded and smiled at the Lieutenant. This was going to be an interesting addition to the teams equipment load for sure.

 

Winters: Meet me on the range in 5 minutes. I want to grab something first. (smiling) Nice work Lieutenant, I like the initiative and forethought here.

 

Xaivis: Forewarned is forearmed, Captain. I’ll see you in five.

 

As Michele turned she headed back towards the weapons armory to grab a training combat drone ofher own.

((Gator Deck, Training Range, Deck 12, USS Octavia E. Butler))

 

As Michele entered the training range, Lieutenant Xaivis was already setting up the ASP. Michele walked in and tossed the training drone into the air and activated it with her wrist band. The drone came to life and took up a hovering position at the end of the range.

 

Winters: Lets see what this ASP of yours can do Lieutenant.

 

Xaivis: Okay…although it seems you already have one…I’d have offered a home cooked meal by way of welcome if I’d known.

 

Michele grinned at the enthusiastic attitude and allowed Xaivis to go to work.

 

Xaivis activated the control system, itself more like a tricorder but opening sideway like a book, a small view screen flipped up to give a live feed from the inbuilt system.

 

Xaivis: Okay, first we have a zoom, five times optical with an additional digital thirty times magnification – but you start to lose resolution about around twenty. Low-light and night options as well as thermal.

 

Winters: Ok.

 

Michele watched as Xaivis moved the drone to match to unit that Winters was controlling.

 

Xaivis: Pretty standard axis controls…you can independently alter the propulsion so if you…

 

The drone slid horizontally and span to the side to bring the front about to the pair of marines.

 

Xaivis: That does take a little practice.

 

Winters: So far I am seeing Recon and SARs potential. Can it be armed for cover support?

 

Xaivis: I did wonder how long it would be before you asked…that scanner module is an interchangeable hardpoint…and it can be equipped with a heavy phaser. They refer to that as a W-ASP or Weaponized Ariel Support Platform.

 

Winters: (placing her hands on her hips) So now the snake is a wasp. I like the implications, Lieutenant.

 

Xaivis: Don’t get too excited…the range and power are terrible, and the weight doesn’t help. They’re examining other option but for now it’s more of a command-and-control tool

 

Michele watched as Xaivis moved the ASP around and made it dance in the air. Their current tactical training drones were superior to this model but there were several things that Michele in part, liked about the unit and it’s ability.

 

Winters: Ok, so now that we have these lets start modding them to what we need on the ship. First issue I want you to overcome is the power and range issue.

 

Xaivis: response

 

Winters: My first thought would be looking at the power cells the mobile holo-emitters use. (beat) What about shielding?

 

Xaivis: response

 

Michele considered the possibilities as she continued to watch the ASP maneuver around the range.

 

Winters: (smirking) I know the engineers back in the labs try to think of everything but you and I are in the field. That changes things. What else would you modify or adapt to meet our requirements here in the field Lieutenant?

Xaivis: response

 

As Michele listened to the Lieutenant’s ideas the whoosh of the range doors behind them caught her attention and she turned sideways to see who was entering the range considering the outside indicators were on letting anyone know the range was in use. To her surprise it was not a Marine entering the room but rather Lieutenant Commander Sherlock.

 

Michele’s teeth grit together as she imagined Sherlock was probably here to throw her off the ship for her earlier actions in the XO’s office.

 

Winters: (turning back to Xaivis) Have a proposal on my desk at 08:00 tomorrow morning. I like these a lot Lieutenant. Great work securing them.

 

Xaivis: response

 

Michele turned and walked over to meet Sherlock who had halted her approach as Michele gave her junior officer directions.

 

Winters: Commander, welcome to the Gator Deck.

 

Sherlock: response

 

Winters: (holding up both hands and speaking with remorse) About earlier. I was out of line and I want you to know that was not directed at you.

 

Sherlock: response

 

Tags/TBD

 

Captain Michele Winters

Acting Chief Tactical Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

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