Admiral Miles Prower was discussing the coming project with his sister, Rear Admiral Nicole Prower. Both were awaiting the arrival of Captain Edwards and his battleship. The Admiralty has raised concerns regarding the age of blueprints the Osiris was built from. Concerns stemmed to a need to upgrade the vessel, however had soon become a plan to entirely rebuild the vessel as a new warship. The Osiris was now a staple sign of the Order, and not the Navy. In addition, the Navy has been in need of replacements following casualties following the Gallic war.
The two walked along into Nicoles office, where Edwards was to meet the pair and discuss the future. "And you're sure that he'll approve of this idea? Not many captains get pleased when their hear their ships may need to be broken up. You can guess my reaction if you told me the Miasma had to be scrapped." Miles looked to his sister, taking a seat. "I'm sure it'll go over fine. I have a list of R&D agents I intend to assist me with the project, it's not a matter of if, but when we begin. Preferable, we'd like to start as quickly as possible. I'll also require the agents to be temporarily removed from duty rosters for this project, it's larger than anything we've done before.""Fine, but this arrangement can change at any time, Nicole. The Admiralty is convinced of your project but I'm still skeptical. While it may be almost finished, we're still producing replacement ships for those lost in the war, and diverting resources to projects like this isn't the easiest. I'll expect weekly reports of the advancement of the project to ensure everything is being handled properly.""Fine fine. I'll keep weekly reports prepared for the Admirals to keep everyone happy with the projects advancement." The two continued to talk, waiting for the arrival of their guest.
Captain Christopher Edwards had just docked the Akhetaten on Norfolk for a few final check-ups before the final move to Juneau. Disembarking from the old Osiris-class he ran his hand along the vessel's hull, stopping for a few seconds. He took a deep breath and turned his head back to look at it. Continuing to breathe deeply and slowly he took a few steps backwards, allowing his eyes to get a view of the whole ship. "What a beauty." He thought, his words alone not being able to describe his love for that ship. Sixteen years of his life had been aboard her - this ship is the closest he has to a home.
Seeing Rear Admiral Prower's communication truly intrigued Chris. "Full overhaul." The man kept repeating this phrase as he walked towards the shipyard's main hangar, his trusty Avenger-class waiting for him there. He let out a sigh, cleansing his mind from the thoughts momentarily - flying a ship takes a clean mind, after all.
He stepped into the Avenger and powered on the reactor, it's growling compromising the silence that filled the atmosphere. The small hangar doors opened in front of the Avenger and Christopher flew out, heading towards Juneau.
After an uneventful trip that lasted a few minutes, Chris had finally docked on Juneau and was disembarking his craft. There he was greeted by an Officer that was waiting for him and was guided to Prower's office. The Officer opened the door for him as Chris took a deep breath, straightening his torso. "Admirals." He greeted the two of them as he walked inside the office. "It's a pleasure to be here today." He continued, raising his right hand for the imminent handshakes.
Edwards kept himself back from asking questions about why he's here, waiting for the Admirals to instead start this discussion.
The two shook his hand, having him take a seat. "Captain. I'm sure you want a full explanation as to why we've brought you here. The Admiralty has raised concerns regarding the Akhetaten, and overall the age of it's design. Being built from the original Osiris schematics, makes the ships design dated, older than most battleships in service in the Navy. This has raised concerns about the ships life span and capabilities. Don't misunderstand the vessel is effective as it's designed, but the question is how long until the design begins showing it's age." Miles explained, watching over the Captain.
"We've come up with a proposed solution. Lessons from the Gallic war has shown us the effectiveness of maneuver warfare, especially when fighting an enemy with superior numbers and firepower. To this end, we've proposed a solution. Our plan is to create a new class of warship from the Akhetaten. This warship will embody the type of warfare that Liberty does best, while retaining excellent efficiency. However to proceed with this project, it also means the Akhetaten will need to be put into dock, and broken up so it can be rebuilt."
She watched for his reaction to the final sentence, wanting to see how he reacted so she can best judge how to respond next.
Christopher couldn’t say he was surprised by what the Rear Admiral told him, it was what a "full overhaul" implied, after all. Chris had been thinking of this ever since Nicole's comm arrived on his desk and had in fact accepted the overhaul as he could see for himself how Admiral Miles' concerns were very realistic - the Akhetaten would soon not be on par with the ships she had to face daily. With a new opponent in Liberty, Insurgency, and the Outcast threat growing larger with each passing day.
The man appeared to be thinking for a few seconds, appearing as though he was thinking about the overhaul itself, but he wasn't - Christopher was thinking about his crew. Judging by the Rear Admiral's words in the comm he took the entire project as something top classified until the Akhetaten was ready for the field, meaning his crew couldn't be informed by him. He sighed. "What about my crew, Admirals?" A few moments of silence followed, before he continued. "None of them know of this plan. The trip to Juneau for the Akhetaten was described to them as the typical maintenance procedure."
It quickly became obvious that Christopher had no objections to the rebuilding of the Akhetaten from the ground up, quite the opposite, in fact he was even supportive of the decision. His concerns were about the crew more than anything else, Edwards was negative towards a change of crew. And being the Captain he always was, his crew was considered equal level to him. If he knew, -they- should know. Chris shakily moved his right hand towards his face, fixing his eye-patch that.. had nothing wrong with it to fix.
"Your crew are the ones with the most first hand knowledge of operations of the Akhetaten, and as such can be considered the most knowledgeable of the vessel and it's inner workings. The project itself falls under Research and Development, which puts the project under my direct supervision. I'll be bringing in other R&D agents to assist with this endeavor, but very soon new orders will be issued. Since the project falls under R&D, you're being moved under the R&D jurisdiction alongside your crew. I believe their input will be invaluable during the construction process to make an efficient and functional Akhetaten-class prototype. If all goes well, we may be able to produce more. This conversation and project falls under a sealed orders and is classified top secret, which you and your crew will receive authorization for, as approved by the Admiralty."
Miles then leaned up in his chair. "This project is the largest undertaking R&D has made so far, and the biggest non-combat project of the Fleet. The secrecy of what we're doing is paramount, no one outside of the authorized chain of command is to know of the project. If anyone asks questions regarding this project, refer them to Nicole and she'll deal with it as fit. Make sure your crew understands this aswell. Upon project completion, you and your crew will demonstrate the new vessel to the Admiralty, a typical shakedown cruise before we authorize full return to duty. Nicole, you can handle the rest. I expect the first weekly report on my desk, Monday morning. Good day, Captain." Miles stood up, departing the room.
"My brother can be a bit stoic, he's not fully convinced, but the rest of the Admiralty is, and I have the best agents to assist with this endeavor."
The worried look faded away from Christopher's face as he heard the Rear Admiral speak. "I don't believe it's a matter of if the crew will agree or not, considering what we've been through flying the Akhetaten. She's-" Christopher paused for a few seconds, looking for the right words. "-not exactly an easy ship to fly. It's older design definitely doesn't help either. I believe it's only a matter of the crew knowing rather than -agreeing-."
"Speaking of... The Research and Development is a department that highly fits the Akhetaten, considering she sports a Laboratory, her own Research Room and intelligence teams aboard. What happens in the Akhetaten -stays- in the Akhetaten, Admirals. It has always been that way, ever since the war with Rheinland." Christopher's voice sounded reassuring as he was adamant of everything he had just stated. "Good day, Admiral." He nodded to Nicole's brother who departed the room.
"Nothing to worry about, Rear Admiral. Your brother will be convinced in time, it's only natural for him to have his doubts." The overview of the entire project that the Admiral gave him sounded like the man knew what he was doing. Christopher was rather pleased that the people who would work with him were as interested in the project's success as him.
"Akhetaten-class... Does have a nice ring to it." He mumbled, repeating the words after the Rear Admiral.
"I'll give you a couple hours to inform your crew of what will be happening and their role in assisting us with the project. We intend to begin as quickly as possible so that means starting immediately the Akhetaten will be in dock for breaking up. We'll start with the inside and work out way out, I'd advise your crew to collect any personal belongings they have aboard the vessel. I've made arrangements for such things to be stored here on Juneau until reconstruction is completed. In the mean time while you're preparing your crew and vessel for breaking up, I'll begin assembling my agents so we can go over the plan. That is all for now Captain, you are dismissed, let me know when your crew has moved their personal effects so we can begin, at times I will also interview some of them to get insight into what will be best when building the Akhetaten-class."
She let the Captain leave, smiling as he left, happy he was satisfied with the plan. She then got on the comms, reaching out to one of her agents. "Cobra, this is Nova. Return to Juneau immediately, there is a new project that requires your attention. Bring a team with you, I'll brief once you arrive." She sat back after recalling the operative, preparing her presentation, muttering to herself in the now empty office. "First big project since making those bombs those years ago. You can do this, Nicole. You're smart..."
Cobra had been restocking on Juneau when he recieved the call. His Avenger sat on the landing pad for maintenance after his latest trip to NU. Grabbing his equipment and signalling to a team of passing engineers to follow him he made his way to the Admiral's office with practiced ease. "Nova want's to see us, I haven't been provided with any information as of yet." He said to the engineering team as they turned to keep pace with him.
Navigating through the shipyard to Prower's office he made his way to the door, an officer opening it as he and the team approached. Once he arrived in the office he said "You asked to see me Admiral?" Saluting as he did so. He then stood with the engineering team awaiting further information.
"I will make sure the Akhetaten is here as quickly as possible, Ma'am. The crew will also be thoroughly informed of the entire project and it's parameters. Thank you, Rear Admiral." Christopher didn't spend much time talking overly much, he knew that he had a lot of work in front of him. He got up and saluted Prower before leaving her office.
Chris fished his PDA from one of the pockets on his suit and called the Akhetaten's XO. "Uhmen, Edwards here, Juneau is ready to receive the Akhetaten. I need you to have the ship here the soonest possible. Give me an ETA on the check-ups." He explained, walking in a fast pace towards the main hangar. "The final check-ups are almost done, Sir, the Akhetaten will be in Juneau within the next thirty minutes." The Lieutenant's familiar voice replied. Edwards nodded to her before shutting down the comm-link and putting his PDA back in his pocket.
He arrived at the hangar, pretty busy for such an hour, but it was to be expected as the engineering crews were gathering around - preparing for the Akhetaten's arrival. Roughly twenty-five minutes later, the ship slowly entered the dry-dock, docking. Christopher walked towards it and hailed Uhmen as he approached the boarding ramp. "We've got lot's to discuss, Mary, lets get on board." He said, as he rested his hand on her shoulder while they disappeared within the hull of the ship - a move that was a good indication of the friendly relationships Edwards kept with his commanding officers.
The next minutes followed with Christopher speaking in detail with his crew about the procedures that will follow and for the next few hours the Akhetaten was slowly stripped of any personal belongings of her crew members, ready to be worked on by the engineering crews.
She stood up, returning the salute. "I did, Cobra. The Admiralty has approved the latest and largest project this R&D department has ever taken. As you know we field the Akhetaten, an Osiris-class battleship. Concerns were raised about the age of the design and how much longer it would prove to be effective in combat, since unlike the Order, we haven't modernized the Navy Osiris plans. They're concerned the Osiris is reaching it's shelf life and will soon be too old to effectively face combat. The vessel is older than most warships in the Navy's arsenal at this point." She motioned for Cobra and his team to have a seat, activating a holographic display from her desk, showing a prototype ship that resembled a more Liberty looking light warship.
"Our plan is this. As of today, the Akhetaten is removed from active service and placed into R&D. After Edwards' crew is finished with collecting their personal belongings from the ship, she'll be broken up. Edwards and his crew have been assigned to our division aswell since they have the most intimate working knowledge of the Akhetaten, and building a new warship will be much easier with their input. Our goal is the completion of a prototype for the Akhetaten-class battleship, which if successful, we can produce a line of. This is the largest undertaking we've had, and so I'm calling in the best and brightest the Fleet has to offer. Other agents will be called in as needed aswell, so be prepared to work with over operatives. Any questions?"
