Part I Roller-coaster Shuttle Ride

Posted on Thu May 29th, 2025 @ 2:30am by Lieutenant Xavier & Commander Grace Vetur

1,189 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Various

ON:

Xavier had moved the Lime House shuttle into the bay of the Ontario. He'd use it to take the CO and a station rep to the ship that would bring crew to the station and the Ontario their nurse. He could have used an Ontario shuttle but he wanted to show the Commander Vetur the modifications he'd lovingly made to the shuttle in hopes of doing that here as well. It was all safety related so he had no doubt the CO would approve but he always would side with caution. Better to ask for permission then forgiveness, the opposite of what most people did.

The station HR rep and other pilot were already in the shuttle and Xavier waited outside the shuttle for the CO

"Hello," Grace said, coming up to the group and addressed those she had yet to meet. "I'm Grace Vetur. Nice to meet you." Then, to Xavier, she added, "Ready when you are."

"We are ready to depart." He pointed to the two others. "This is Major Roznen station HR and Ensign Waters, co-pilot from the station. Inside we have a couple of engineers that will stay on the medical ship to help them get operational." He motioned to the shuttle. "After you Ma'am."

"Thank you." Grace nodded and boarded the shuttle, finding a seat where she could have a good view outside. For this first flight, she'd let the others choose who was up front with Xavier. she was content to feel the shuttle's movements.

Just as she'd sat down something nudged her leg. There before her was a small Raven with intense blue eyes. It gave a small bow. Xavier walked up. "Ah, this is Phobos."

"Hello, Phobos." Grace gave the raven a half bow. "I hear you are the navigator."

The bird tilted its head and then settled in on the seat next to the Captain. Xavier sighed. "I think he likes you Ma'am." He motioned to the chair. "May I show you one of the improvements I made to the shuttle chairs that I will replicate on our shuttles with your permission?"

"Good. I like him." She wasn't so sure all her crew would feel the same, but she'd deal with that when it came up. "Yes. You have my permission to demonstrate your changes."

He gave a nod. "Excellent." He called over the co pilot and had him sit in the chair across from the Captain. He tapped a button on the chair and a roller-coaster like restraint harness snapped out with a series of clicks. "This is a state of the art harness that is equipped with a bio monitoring system. It allows each chair to be suspended in its own little bubble of gravity and oxygen so that we can cut it from the rest of the shuttle. The chair and occupants are safe and the extra power save is shuttled to the engines for quick get away during a tense situation. The chairs also have, within the head rest, a helmet that allows you to see the surroundings with small probes that are microscopic in size and can be launched at a moments notice. I have also increased the engine power which you will see demonstrated when we launch. It will cut our trip to the ship from 12 hours there and back to 8 hours both ways. There will be no shifts in cabin pressure of the shuttle and the occupants won't feel it. " He paused to take a breath. "I also have a holo projector that can launch and create a diversion of up to 5 duplicate shuttles that transmit same readings as the main and can be used to confuse pursuers if we are attempting to get away."

"I can see where that could come in handy for those who go into combat situations," Grace said. "Have you shared this with the corps of engineers?"

"Actually no. My previous captain just said make the adjustments you see fit. I could speak to the Chief Engineer. She is a fascinating woman who instantly knew that Ontario had an Alpha male spirit. I shall write it up and send it to yourself, the XO, and her." He paused. "If that is alright, I mean." Suddenly an insecurity took hold.

"That's fine. I think the new engineer will be fascinated with your ideas, as will Yiv. As you have seen, the ship can use a little help, as can the shuttles."

He shook his head. "The ship is amazing. He's very energetic and he likes his people." He looked around as everyone took their seats. "Shall we be off then?"

"Indeed." The new pilot's enthusiasm was contagious and Grace was pleased that he was already fond of the ship.

They closed up the shuttle and leapt out of the shuttle bay, first flying slowly and then jumping to warp when they were a short distance away from the station. Phobos, the Raven, kept his vigil by the captain cawing every now and then to ensure he would get some head scratches.

Grace's gaze was mostly on the front window, but she also kept glancing at Xavier and Phobos. The raven was not only well-behaved, he seemed genuinely fond of the pilot and she found it charming.

The flight towards the broken medical ship was indeed cut in half by Xavier's upgrades but the closer they got to it the more and more it appeared that the ship was not broken but had been through a fight. Xavier turned back. "Captain, can you come up to the flight area?" He motioned to the co-pilot who stepped away vacating the seat for the CO.

The commander waited for the seat to be vacated before sitting down next to Xavier. "What do we have now?"

He pointed. "It appears the USS Tegan did not just breakdown." The medical ship they were approaching that seemed dead in the water had scorch marks. "Phaser fire. They were in a fight." He tapped a few commands. "The CO is sending a message...." He looked to the Commander. She was the CO after all.

"What does the message say?" Hearing about the phaser fire made Grace go from passenger to commander.

He tapped a few buttons. "We're cleared for shuttle bay five, all other bays were destroyed. The Captain has...to speak with you." His hands flew over the console. "I've scanned the ship. All crew and passengers match the manifest."

The co-pilot stepped forward. "Why don't you ask him how he knows? Those rosters are restricted."

Xavier sighed. "Really?"

The co pilot smiled. "Mr. Pretty eyes there knows a lot more then how to fly a ship." He gave the Commander a wink.

Xavier bristled. "Shall we go in Ma'am?"

"No. Keep your distance. Why won't he talk with me directly? Why ask for us to land in the only shuttle bay not damaged?" She shook her head. "I need more assurances than that. Scan the ship. How old is that damage?"


To Be Continued...

Commander Grace Vetur
Commanding Officer
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

 

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