Episode Fourteen: Know Thy Neighbour

[Azalea "De" Andre]

0901
USS Mason
Bridge

The team had now been on the ship for about a total of two weeks. They had been enduring rough training, hours upon hours of hardly any sleep with instructors yelling into their ears. Azalea's ears were ranging from the endless words echoing through her brain. Not knowing how much more she could take, the young cadet had no problems sleeping during duration of this training, but the worse part was it wasn't over yet. Not only that, the cadets were now in charge of the bridge. Sure the instructors were near by in case anything went wrong, but the pressure weighed heavily on their shoulders. The tension thick that you could cut it with a knife.

Taking as seat as the Lieutenant Pow left the Cadets alone, Azalea took a deep breath, placing her hands on the controls and keeping an eye an screens. With headphones placed upon her head, the young cadet's ears were in tuned with anything that could go wrong. What could go wrong? They had been training for a long time now. Plus, the instructors were all near by. Hearing a transmission come through, the young brunette signaled for the aircraft to land, going to press the current button. Though as she did, the ship jerked suddenly. Grabbing the quickest thing she could to for stability, the young master sergeant grabbed the edge of the desk, but as she did, her hand grazed over a small button; one that would signal the aircraft to come in for landing though now was not the time. The ship was rocking too much for anything to land or be stable right now.

Azalea's eyes widen seeing the mistake she had made. This is not good. This is not good at all! the young female thought to herself knowing that everything was too rocky right now. "Um guys? Minor problem. The ship is now entering rocky waters and I kind of pressed the wrong button!" she called out to the rest of her teammates, pulling off her headphones. Great just great! Of course out of all the cadets, I had to be the one to screw things up. Now to fix this before anyone notices, she thought trying to come down the thoughts swarming inside the brain but it was too late. She had made a mistake and now they all had to work together to fix. And if they didn't do something soon, that plane was going to come in for a landing when it should circle around and wait.

<tag everyone>

[Kenith Simmons]

OOC: We're actually on a missile destroyer, not the aircraft carrier anymore though by 'aircraft' you could mean a helicopter, which can land on the rear deck

0901
USS Mason
Bridge



From his position at the SONAR / RADAR console, Kenith listened into his earphones as the active sonar mounted underneath the ship pinged the surrounding waters for objects. So far all he was receiving was pings from the rest of the carrier group, who were continuing along their plotted course across the ocean toward the training exercise. Somewhere under these waters was two US submarines, but either they were out of range or running silent. The SONAR system did frustrate Kenith; listening for active pings of the sound waves against foreign objects and watching the flat two-dimension monitor seemed pointless; he'd much rather reply on his own eyes and ears than sound waves to detect enemy threats.

The ship began to gently rock in the waves, something which Kenith failed to notice during his intense concentration at listening into the ear phones, and it was only when De spoke that he tuned back in to the real world. "Um guys? Minor problem. The ship is now entering rocky waters and I kind of pressed the wrong button!" Removing his ear phones, Kenith crossed the bridge to where she stood, and looked out the across the oceans.

She was correct, the ocean had gotten choppy all of a sudden; who ever was meant to be watching the weather was doing a terrible job! Having some previous sailing experience in his youth, Kenith did know a little about the laws of the sea, and hoped the same principals which applied to a two person sail boat still applied to a 155m war ship. "Suggest we bring the ship to a bearing of 183," Kenith said, looking over the whether charts - heading directly into the wind was the safest option, and much wiser than allowing the rising waves to crash into the side of the ship, risking capsize.

< Tag Cadets >

[Matthew "Mattie" Redding]

0901
USS Mason
Bridge

"Hey Kenny is there anything you don't know?" Mattie said before giving out some directions. "Az I'm gonna need you to stay sharp from now on, this isn't your fault. It could have happened to any of us..." He smirked and placed his headphone around his neck his hands on his hips. Matt walked over to Michael and talked to him CO to XO, "Ok here is what I think sir, I think we should pretty much let Simmons take the lead. I have no boating experience and I don't know if do. Just a thought..." He shrugged it off walking back to his station.

<Tag Everyone>

[Azalea "De" Andre]

OOC: I didn't know, sorry! This is why I like the Academy. I learn along with my cadet.

0901
USS Mason
Bridge

Azalea just nodded her head listening to Kenny, then to Mattie. The young cadet usually was sharp and observant. Seeing the little things that people overlooked, and remembering the little things, were her specialty. "Yeah but of course it had to be me," mutter under her breath, rolling her neck then looked back at screen.

The ship was now definitely entering choppy waters. The reason no one had really experienced seasickness was because the waters had been smooth till now. The cadet moved back in her seat, grasping her stomach. This weather was not agreeing with her. Though everyone else seemed fine, her stomach was telling her differently. "I'll be right back," stating then got up making a mad dash for the door and the nearest restroom, no matter how small they were.

Why me? Why does it seem these things happen to me? First the fear at flight school and now seasickness, the cadet master sergeant thought locking the door to the bathroom behind her and kneeling over the small toilet. This was going to be a long next few hours.


<Tag Anyone>

[Kenith Simmons]

0902
USS Mason
Bridge

Kenith's minimal sailing experience seemed to impress his CO. "Hey Kenny is there anything you don't know?" Redding asked. "Boy Scout Sir..." Kenith replied, not looking up from the weather chart he was trying to interpret. While he had sailed before it was mostly on lakes and rivers, not open waters, so he was only applying what little he knew to the situation at hand. "Ok here is what I think sir," Mattie said, allowing Kenith to step up to the helm. "I think we should pretty much let Simmons take the lead. I have no boating experience and I don't know if do. Just a thought..."

Having the console, Kenith adjusted the cruisers course, bringing her on a bearing of 183 and directly into the wind. The rising waves crashed over the bow of the vessel, washing the deck, but not nearly threatening to roll the ship as they once had. Going straight into the wind also reduced the cross winds which had previously threatened to capsize the multi-million dollar ship.

"I'll be right back," De said, hurrying off the deck not looking too well; maybe the sea sickness and the rough waves had gotten the best of her. Turning back to him console, Kenith continued to make small adjustments to the ships course, trying to steer the quickest path through the storm. "Can someone get back on those charts, try and find me a path outa' this?"

< Tag Cadets >

[Michael "Shorty" Long]

0902
USS Mason (DDG-87)
Bridge

Michael still with his headset at the communications console started to experience the rough seas when his Second in Command approached him and asked "Ok here is what I think sir, I think we should pretty much let Simmons take the lead. I have no boating experience and I don't know if do. Just a thought..." after Mattie left and went back to his post Michael thought about it "Hmm it does seem like a good idea seeing that Kenith does have some experience" after motioning to the regular communications officer to take over while he went over to discuss it with his XO.

Michael finally made it across to where his XO was sitting by holding on to things on the way across to the station, when he got there Michael said "Now let's discuss this properly, I think it is a good idea but if need be he will have to give back control of the team, Plus one of us will be still in charge as a second, What do you think??" When he finished speaking he held on to the console desk as he could feel the sea getting rougher, obviously making De seasick he heard her say "I'll be back" before moving towards the door "Poor girl" Michael thought to himself

<Tag Mattie, cadets>

OOC: Could you check the locker room as there seems to be some confusion on who is CO and XO..

[Azalea "De" Andre]

0903
USS Mason (DDG-87)
Bridge

Azalea sat on the floor of the tiny bathroom, with her head buried into her hands. Could she feel the ship rolling beneath her as the waves tossed the ship from side to side. I have to get back out there. Sick or not, my team needs me, thinking to herself knowing it is what had to be done. With eyes closed, the young cadet pushed herself up and rested hands on the sink. Turning the water to the coldest it could go, she splashed some water on her face and sip a little, rinsing her mouth of the after taste.

Slowly, the young woman made her way back to where the rest of the guys were waiting just in time to hear Kenith say he needed help. She could feel most of the eyes on her but didn't care. Sure now with a paler face and probably weaker, the team might keep a closer eye on her but this cadet had a job to do. Taking a seat beside Kenith, and swallowing anything that might be creeping back up, she took a deep breath. "What do you need Kenith? Tell me what to do and I'll do it," saying to him knowing that there would be time to sleep, and recover later.


<Tag Kenith, anyone>

[Kenith Simmons]

0903
USS Mason
Bridge

At the control - and unassisted - Kenith was applying what little sailing knowledge he had to his plotting of the course of the missile destroyer. The winds were swinging around from all directions, changing and moving quicker than he could keep up with, rouge waves crashing over the sides of the ship and threatened to roll the vessel. With the safety of not only the cadets but a multi-million dollar ship at his inexperienced hands, Kenith's concentration was fixed on the wild sea in front of him.

Azalea returned from her sea sickness departure, and was the first of the cadets to offer Kenith some assistance. "What do you need Kenith? Tell me what to do and I'll do it," she asked. Kenith smiled, glad to know someone was actually on his team for this one. Without turning he pointed to a whether console a few screens to his right. "Whether chart... watch the wind... speed and direction... changes a lot... need to know where to point her..." Kenith replied in between the waves the ship was riding.

Around him, cadets seemed to be milling. "Should probably get on the horn to the carrier," Kenith said, to no one in particular. "Also need to find out if we've got any damage from the storm...." Maybe someone would get the hint.

< Tag Cadets >

[Azalea "De" Andre]

0904
USS Mason
Bridge

Azalea was listening to Kenith or at least trying to. The fact that her stomach was turning every which way made it hard to focus completely on the cadet airman. Swallowing down everything she could, the cadet nodded taking a seat beside Kenith and tried her best to focus on the charts. She already knew what the weather was; it was causing this ship to go side to side, making it impossible to read anything.

"The winds," Azalea started to say but then stopped, taking a breath feeling dizzy, then re focused, "The winds are picking up speed of 50 knots, changing their direction and heading west. The ship so far is has no immediate damage; seems to be holding up well, that is if we get her to safety soon. With the way these winds are picking up, we could capsize at any moment." The young woman pulled her eyes away from the charts and closed them taking a few deep breaths. The more focused on the charts she was, the more twisted her stomach became. I don't know how much more of this I can handle but I have to keep going, thinking deeply. With a shake of her head forcing back another wave of dizziness, the cadet master sergeant reopened her eyes and went back to manning the charts for a fellow team member.


<tag everyone>

[Matthew "Mattie" Redding]

0904
USS Mason
Bridge

Matt sighed and positioned himself over De's shoulder, "To reduce capsizing we turn the ship so that it is facing west." He got up and checked the maps to see how far they were from land. "Is there a little island or something around here were we could dock till this thing blows over?" Mattie rubbed his chin, "Kenny how bout you look for that cause I suck with maps... Mike can you take over for De for a minute I need to talk to her."

<Tag Michael and Kenith>

Matt motioned for Azalea to join him outside the room for a minute. "So not to be an ass but you look horrible. Can you handle all this or do you want to go lie down? We won't think any less of you and just because you happened to press the button that caused this or wasn't paying attention on something doesn't mean we are gonna be mad at ya." He smiled.

<Tag Az>

[Azalea "De" Andre]

0905
USS Mason
Bridge


Azalea just sat in her chair staring out into space while Mattie talked to Simmons and Long. Sweat started rolling down her face from how much the weather was effecting her. Hearing Redding's voice, the cadet just nodded getting up and following him out into the hall. The young female barely could stand resting against the wall behind. Hardly any of his voice registered as he asked if she could go on.

First she glared at him playfully, giving him a look while shaking her head, then sighed and started to speak. "Really I'm fine, I can do this," said then almost collapsed to the ground as a wave of dizziness consumed her. Just as the young cadet was about to catch herself, the ship rocked to the side sending her flying against Mattie. Azalea closed her eyes feeling things come up from the stomach but swallowed it all, then realized she was still against Mattie. "Er, sorry about that," muttered moving from him and closing her eyes once more as a strong wave of nausea passed through. "I'll be fine. I need to pass this Mattie. I need to make it through." If he didn't understand she didn't care and would still push hard. Even if she was about to pass out, this female would continue on. Quitting was never an option.


<Tag Mattie>

[Kenith Simmons]

0905
USS Mason
Bridge

At his side, De read to Kenith the information being displayed on the weather console. "The winds are picking up speed of 50 knots, changing their direction and heading west. The ship so far is has no immediate damage; seems to be holding up well, that is if we get her to safety soon. With the way these winds are picking up, we could capsize at any moment." Taking it in, Simmonds could only draw away enough attention from this piloting of the vessel to manage a nod.

Bringing the ship onto a western bearing, The Mason bore headlong into the oncoming waves, and a glimmer of light appeared from an opening in the storm clouds. An exit, a clear path, a way out of this mess. Gunning the engines and keeping the cruiser steady, Kenith dove straight for sweet freedom, riding out the rough waves one at a time. The ship moaned and groaned from the turbulence, creaked as waves crashed over the sides and onto the deck, but slowly but surely fought it ways back into open and calm waters.

Flicking on the ship's auto-pilot and leaning back in the chair, Kenith stretched out his arms above his head. "Link up with the fleet, or anyone up for taking her back in for another surf?"

< Tag Cadets >

[Michael "Shorty" Long]

0905-0906
USS Mason
Bridge

Michael sent over the radio a message to the Aircraft carrier and asked "What was their status during the storm??" Through his headset Michael heard that "everything is clear over here no damage taken here on the carrier" Michael had also put it on speaker in the bridge so all the cadets could hear that everything was clear then Michael thanked the Carrier's Captain and signed off as well as the speaker.. Then Michael contacted engineering and asked for a damage report.. So far.. "There is no visible damage yet but if something comes up we will let you know right away" was the reply he heard then taking his headset off again and the regular radio operator moved into position Michael again make his way to Kenith and leaned up against the console desk and said "as you have heard all is good over at the carrier... And I have just checked in with engineering and there is no visible damage at the moment but they will let us know if there is" Michael had to hold on tight to the console so he won't fall over..

"The winds are picking up speed of 50 knots, changing their direction and heading west. The ship so far is has no immediate damage; seems to be holding up well, that is if we get her to safety soon. With the way these winds are picking up, we could capsize at any moment." Kenith said and Michael though "Thank goodness this is almost over" then he noticed that the auto-pilot was switched on and that the ship was on a course back to the fleet..

<Tag Cadets>

OOC: Sorry for the delay I got caught up with some RL things

[Kenith Simmons]

0906
USS Mason
Bridge

With the cruiser now on smooth and calmer waters, the autopilot took full control of the steering, and brought the ship on a return bearing to the rest of the carrier strike group. In the far horizon, the outline of friendly ships could be made out, and behind them, the wild storm continued to brew, heading further out to sea. For the time being, everything was clear and safe. "As you have heard all is good over at the carrier... And I have just checked in with engineering and there is no visible damage at the moment but they will let us know if there is," Michael informed the cadets. After making a final check of the controls, Kenith stood down, allowing the full time helmsman to return to his post.

Lieutenant Pow stepped forward into the center of the bridge, and congratulated all the cadets. "A great display of skill, communication and team work under difficult circumstances," she declared with pride. "What ever they're training you lot for, you'll be well equipped," she added, obviously not fully briefed on the Stargate program, but not foolish enough to assume a group of Marine, Air Force and Army cadets on a Naval destroyer wasn't just another day at the office. She led the cadets off the bridge and down below deck. "Your flight back to solid group leaves at 1300 tomorrow, until then sit back and enjoy the rest of the voyage!" Kenith flopped down at a table in the commissary, too tired to even consider eating, and thanking his lucky stars he'd never enlisted for the navy...

< End of Episode >