"Newbies" by Lieutenant jg T'Kang Chief Tactical Officer - USS Tempest Lieutenant jg T'Kang waited with crossed arms on the bridge. He'd instructed both cadet Borns and Soran to meet him at the tactical station at 0800 to begin their orientation and training of the Tempest's tactical systems. The Klingon had purposely arrived a half hour early to load up the simulation and see how punctual the Cadets would be. He was satisfied when they both arrived together, and early. "15 minutes early, not bad." T'Kang complimented in a tone that would make it hard to perceive it that way. Moving aside the Klingon motioned with his hand indicating one of the Cadets should take the station and begin the training. Borns ran a standard level 2 diagnostic of Tactical before reporting "Ready". T'Kang let out a little smile knowing the simulation he'd loaded. He was going to enjoy putting these newbies through their paces. "Activate the Tactical training simulation program Delta3." ordered the Klingon. Borns adjusted his console bringing it to ready status. Immediately two unidentified ships appeared on his scanning screen. "What do you do here?" the Lieutenant asked crossing his arms expectantly. "Report to the acting captain and await his orders." Borns answered. "And if the captain isn't in command at the time?" T'Kang asked. "Report to the XO..." Borns filled in casually. "Good. Now scan the ships..." T'Kang asked, glancing over to Cadet Soran to see that he was following along. The scanning reports came back to Borns, indicating the two ships' armor, shields and weapons status. The Cadet glanced over to the Lieutenant and motioned to the readings, indicating he had the information. "Now you know they're armed and weapons powered to ready. . . . and not to mention they're on a direct course to us, what do you do now?" T'Kang asked in a bassy voice, his arms still crossed as if he were unimpressed thus far. "They aren't in firing range yet and we don't know their actual intentions, so no emergency situation, we wait for the *in command's* orders." Cadet Borns replied. T'Kang turned and looked directly at Cadet Soran, "Do you concur Cadet?" Jacques was a little surprised at the Lieutenant's sudden redirection of questioning towards him. "I. . . I believe I do concur sir." T'Kang's eyes narrowed slightly. "And how would you report that to your Captain Cadet?" Jacques glanced over to Bask briefly before looking at the Lieutenant, "I'd say; Captain, enemy vessels not yet in firing range sir!" Cadet Soran recited as if he was calling out to the Captain. T'Kang's eyes rolled upwards as he shook his head. "That is very good Cadet. But let me ask you this. . . . What do you suppose the Captain's first question is going to be in response to that statement?" Again Soran looked to Borns before answering. "Um, how long before they will be in weapon's range?" "Precisely." T'Kang replied uncoiling his arms. Turning to Cadet Borns, he asked, "Do you know why the Captain wants to know that Mister Borns?" Bask nodded, "To determine if the ship is in immediate danger. To help decide what alert status to signal and how to react." T'Kang gave a satisfied nod. "That is correct. As Tactical officers, it is important to anticipate the information your commander will need to make a sound tactical decision of the situation. In many cases, you might even recommend a course of action based on the data you observe from your station. In a battle, there is not enough time to carry on a lengthy conversation. Your reports should be short and to the point, giving the Captain what he needs to know to make the right decisions." the Klingon instructed. "Now, let's get a reading on the enemy vessels current speed and calculate the time before they reach weapons range." Cadet born tapped his console and read his findings, "Enemy ships are approaching at half impulse. At their present distance, they will reach weapons range in two minutes." T'Kang nodded. "Very good Cadet." Turning to face Soran, the Klingon added, "Mister Soran, what if the enemy increases it's speed to *full* impulse? How long will it be then?" Jacques looked at the tactical monitor and then at T'Kang, "One minute?" T'Kang inhaled. "Are you asking me?, or telling me Cadet?!" the Klingon bellowed. "One minute sir!" Soran said louder. T'Kang gave a nod. "Good. Now, with this information, how would you report to the Captain?" "Captain, two enemy vessels approaching on an intercept course. Weapons and defensive systems are active. They will be in weapons range in two minutes at present speed, one minute if they increase to full impulse." Soran explained. "Very good Cadet." T'Kang nodded. Turning to Borns he jogged his chin, "Given this report, what would you recommend the Captain do Cadet?" "Call a yellow alert, and try to hail the two vessels to establish their intent sir." Borns explained. "Why a yellow alert? Why not red? You saw that if they increase in speed, they could be in weapons range in about a minute. . . ." T'Kang questioned. "Yes sir. But they haven't increased their speed yet. Given they are not yet a direct threat, yellow alert seems more appropriate of a response until we know more of their intentions." Borns explained. "Very well. Resume simulation." T'Kang called out. The two cadets watched as the enemy ships continued to close within weapons range. "Let's assume the Captain concurs with you and orders a yellow alert. He then asks that you hail the vessels. Show me how you would do that." T'Kang asked. Borns took a short step to the communications panel and activated a hail. T'Kang watched as he tied in all frequencies and the universal translator. "Cadet Soran, what is that Cadet Borns is doing?" "He's sending out the signal on all channels and splicing in the universal translator to insure the widest possibility of making contact with the unidentified enemy vessels sir." Soran replied with a bit more confidence than he had earlier. "Very good Cadet." T'Kang nodded. "Is there a reply Mister Borns?" "Negative sir. No response." Bask replied. "Recommended course of action?" T'Kang asked. "Raise shields. Continue to attempt to contact the unidentified vessels and maintain yellow alert." Borns explained. Turning, T'Kang asked, "Do you agree Soran?" "Identification of the approaching vessels might be tactically wise at this point. They should be near enough to get a more clear scan on their configuration." Jacques explained. "That's thinking like a tactical officer Cadet. Carry out the scans to try and id the ships." T'Kang instructed. Borns adjusted long range scanners. "They are Confederation ships sir. Still no response from our hails. switching to Starfleet frequencies." the Cadet explained. "Cadet Soran, since these are our own ships, shouldn't we lower our shields as a sign of good faith?" the Klingon asked. "Negative sir. Starfleet protocols state shields should be maintained whenever we are approached by an unidentified ship." Jacques answered. "But you heard Cadet Borns identify them. They are Starfleet vessels. Do you have their names yet Cadet?" T'Kang beckoned of Borns. "The Hera and the Fidel Castro sir." Bask replied. "You see, both ships belong to the Confederation." T'Kang tested. "That doesn't matter sir." Soran said with confidence, "Since communication has not been established with the other vessels to confirm their identity, or their intent, we must proceed as if they were unidentified ships until their intentions are made clear to us. They could be stolen vessels, or mutineers for all we know." T'Kang nodded sagely. It looked like the Tempest would have two very fine Tactical officers to add to the crew. "Excellent Cadet. Now, let's resume the simulation. . . ." OOC: Cadet Soran, are you there? If you want to jump in here, don't be shy. Cadet Borns, nice job on your log. Be sure you both complete your Academy quiz and mail it back to your instructors soon as you can.