Cole did as the CO commanded and opened a hailing frequency to Oriskany. That way Captain Adonis would be able to communicate directly with Captain Harris on the Main Viewscreen.

Lt. JG Mitchell: Hailing frequency open, Captain.

He remained at his post and awaited any other orders to come his way while the CO addressed Oriskany's CO.
_________________
Lieutenant Cole S. Mitchell
Chief Operations Officer, USS Whitestar

The Captain cleared his throat, and began the communication to Oriskany announcing Whitestar's arrival.

Capt Adonis: This is Captain Treasar T. Adonis of the USS Whitestar, we've come to transfer officers and assist with the security of this area.

While Treasar waited on a response from Oriskany he announced to the transferring officers aboard that they needed to get ready.

Capt Adonis: Will the following officers please get ready to transfer over to Oriskany. LtCmdr Zachary Mitchell, Lt. Dragana Jovic, Lt. JG Ajay Centares, and Ensign Michaelangelo Boffi. Report to Transporter Room 2 when you're ready to depart. Captain out.

Afterwards the CO just waited on hearing back from Oriskany. They were supposed to be sending over their new XO and he was anxiously waiting on the arrival of LtCmdr Reich.
_________________
Captain Treasar T. Adonis
Commanding Officer, USS Whitestar

Cole saw that Captain Harris was answering the CO's hail and he immediately put her on the Main Viewscreen for Captain Adonis. An attractive woman in her forties appeared on the screen aboard her starship's Bridge, seated next to her XO.

Capt Harris: Hello there Captain, Katy Harris here. There's been a change in the transfer of XO's, Commander Ashborn will be beaming over to become your new XO and Commander Reich will be remaining here as my XO. Admiral Arayuss made the change personally.

Cole looked to Captain Adonis to see his reaction to what Captain Harris had just told him. He had heard of Commander Ashborn before, but he could not place where it was or what it regarded.
_________________
Lieutenant Cole S. Mitchell
Chief Operations Officer, USS Whitestar

Treasar sat there and thought a moment before replying to Capt Harris about Reich staying aboard Oriskany, and Ashborn transferring to Whitestar.

Capt Adonis: That doesn't present any problems here Captain. I'm sure Commander Ashborn will do just fine. I am planning on launching the 58th Squadron to assist us both with securing this region. That way there's less chance of a unwelcomed surprise.

The CO waited on Capt Harris to respond regarding the launching of the Hammerheads. If she thought it was a bad idea, now would be the time to voice her opinion.
_________________
Captain Treasar T. Adonis
Commanding Officer, USS Whitestar

As Skonch listened in on the coversation between Capt Adonis and Capt Harris, he knew his time as Acting Executive Officer was coming to an end. He rose got up out of the XO's chair and returned to the Science Station as the conversation continued.

Capt Harris: I think that's an excellent idea, Captain. With their sensors assisting both of ours we'll get larger and more detailed coverage around all these abandoned vessels. That way if whoever deposited them here returns, we won't be surprised.

Skonch looked towards the CO and spoke.

Lt. Commander Skonch: Captain, shall I inform Colonel Carrera to launch the squadron?

As he waited on the Captain's response, he readied the companel on the Science Station to call the Colonel immediately he was given the word.
_________________
Commander Skonch
Chief Science Officer, USS Whitestar

The Captain nodded to LtCmdr Skonch as he responded to his inquiry. Despite Treasar's early impression of the Science Officer's ability to be an XO, Skonch actually turned out to do a pretty good job.

Capt Adonis: Absolutely, Mr. Skonch. Get those starfighters launched immediately. Afterwards, go to the Transporter Room and escort Commander Ashborn to his quarters, and then to the Bridge.

Treasar looked back to Capt Harris on the Main Viewscreen and finished his conversation with Oriskany's CO.

Capt Adonis: The 58th Squadron will be launching momentarily, Captain. My Science Officer has provided them with an efficient means of making the most with our sensor net. As soon as they're launched and their sensors are tied into the Whitestar's, we'll add Oriskany's sensors to boost the net to increase it's size. We'll be beaming the officers over as soon as they're ready. Whitestar out.

The CO nodded his head to the Communications Officer to close the channel between the two Starships. Treasar was pleased that Cmdr Ashborn would be aboard Whitestar soon. Even though LtCmdr Skonch was efficient, he was still inexperienced as an XO. Capt Adonis knew of Chase's career history and was pleased to be getting a well experienced XO.
_________________
Captain Treasar T. Adonis
Commanding Officer, USS Whitestar

Skonch tapped the companel at the Science Station and called out to Colonel Carrera.

Lt. Commander Skonch: Skonch to Colonel Carrera. Starfighter departure has been authorized by the Captain. Launch when ready.

He waited on a response from the Colonel. Skonch did not like to assume somebody got a message and then close the com-line before hearing a confirmation.
_________________
Commander Skonch
Chief Science Officer, USS Whitestar

Marine Recreation Area - Deck 10

When Rafo heard LtCmdr Skonch give the clearance for launch, he cleared his throat and addressed the Marines.

Lt. Colonel Carrera: All right Marines, listen up! It's launch time! Get to your starfighters and launch when ready. Shane, keep an eye on the kids.

He was still slightly worried about sending the 58th Squadron into an unknown situation. Rafo had seen way too many deaths of young pilots because of the unknown surprises the universe can throw at them. If there was a God in the cosmos, the Colonel hoped he heard the silent prayer that was said for their safe return.
_________________
Lt. Colonel Rafael L. Carrera
Marine Detachment Wing Commander, USS Whitestar

Shane nodded to LtCol Carrera before turning to the rest of the squadron and pointing towards the doorway.

MCpt Vansen: Let's move out! Get in your Hammerhead and sound off when you're ready to launch!

She ran down the corridor with the other members of the squadron right on her tail. They ran together straight to the Shuttlebay, and each of them climbed the ladders and dropped into the cockpits of their SA-43X's. Shane switched all the power systems on and closed her canopy when she secured her helmet. Shane was ready to launch, and announced it.

MCpt Vansen: Wildcards! This is Queen of Hearts, I'm ready to launch!

A few moments later, she heard the others.

1Lt. Wang: This is Joker, color me ready!

1Lt. Damphousse: Ace of Spades here, ready to launch Captain.

1Lt. West: King of Clubs, ready to launch!

Then there was silence. Shane wondered what Hawkes was doing now. If he was playing another game on the navigation computer in his SA-43X Shane was going to kick his ass!

MCpt Vansen: Queen of Hearts to Jack of Diamonds! What the hell are you doing? Playing with yourself? Get ready to launch, dipshit!

Shane impatiently waited on Hawkes to respond. He was notorious for goofing around. If Cooper wasn't such a fantastic pilot, she would've thrown him out of an airlock by now.
_________________
Marine Captain Shane A. Vansen
Deputy Detachment Wing Commander, USS Whitestar

Shuttlebay 1 - Deck 9

Cooper moved quickly up the ladder to his SA-43X and got into the pilot's seat. He quickly put on his helmet and powered up the fighter, closing the canopy.

1Lt. Hawkes: Jack of Diamonds here, all ready to go.

Hawkes then began humming to himself a catchy little tune.
_________________
1st Lieutenant Cooper Hawkes
58th Squadron SFMC Pilot, USS Whitestar