Ensign Meris - Good Intentions, Closed Doors
Meris/Brian
(( Main Shuttlebay - Deck 11, USS Artemis-A ))
Meris was pleased to finally be meeting Lieutenant Vailani. They'd heard so much about the Lieutenant - some good and some not so good - that they felt like they already knew them. And to have Ollie Bergmen there was an added bonus. Meris found the Lieutenant JG to be absolutely adorable, and he had a cute tushie to boot.
Entering the shuttlecraft Kerynitis, they spotted the Lieutenant sitting at the Science Station. The Bajoran turned towards them as they entered.
Meris: Lieutenant, a pleasure to meet you. ::nodding:: I understand I've been asked to report here to test a shuttle... however, if you might allow me a moment, I'd like to first present you with this.
As Meris handed the data PADD to Lieutenant Vailani, the woman's brow knit until the creases in her forehead kissed at her nasal ridges. But despite Vailani's apparent misgivings, she accepted the data PADD all the same.
Vailani: What is this, Ensign?
Meris: It is the assignment that Lieutenant K’Wara passed on to me yesterday during Alpha shift. The Lieutenant indicated you wanted experienced pilots to evaluate the post-maintenance requests for testing from the Deep Space 224 engineers. I have reviewed those requests and determined that 78% can be satisfied without delaying our departure from Deep Space 224 or impacting our subsequent mission timeline.
Vailani set the PADD down and crossed her arms, giving Meris a scowl.
oO Is she not going to review it? I worked hard on that... Oo
Meris: I have fully annotated and collated my findings, along with an in-depth breakdown of how I reached each conclusion. I believe you will find the analysis thorough and complete.
The Lieutenant was now tapping her foot, and Meris decided they better wrap things up.
Meris: And... if I may say so, Lieutenant, I am honored you would place this level of trust in a newly assigned pilot before even meeting me. I will work to earn that trust, and I will not allow the faith you have shown in me to be misplaced. ::with a resolute nod of the head::
The J’naii then cleared their throat. Recalling Doctor Bancroft's advice, they prepared to launch into a stanza from 'Lady Kijalt, Her Heart Open'. However, before they got out the first notes, the Operations Chief began speaking.
Vailani: I appreciate that you've taken on completing the report, however I think given this is your second day out of the academy we should refrain from describing you as an experienced pilot ::side eyes Tamio:: and, frankly, I'm impressed by the extent of your hubris, Ensign. If it wasn't so dangerous. It's the kind of thing that will make you think that, all alone, you are the chosen one. Let me correct you of that notion. You aren't special, Meris. None of us are. Not on this ship. The moment we think we are, we get ourselves and others killed. You are here because you graduated from the finest, most excellent academy in the known galaxy. You should be proud of that achievement - you earned that. But do not be mistaken, you haven't earned my trust or faith. Yet. This is the moment you start to really learn. Right here, right now.
Meris tilted their head to the side and listened to what Vailani was saying. Of course, the Lieutenant was right, and Meris had not intended to describe themself as an experienced pilot - rather it was the epitaph they thought Vailani had given them, as communicated by Tamio K'Wara. As Vailani began to address the Lieutenant and gave the Cygnian Meris’ findings, the J’naii looked their way too with a neutral expression.
Vailani: Lt K'Wara, I want you to review the findings as instructed.
K’Wara: Unfortunately, the Artemis doesn’t have many experienced helmsmen to speak of, Chief, and while I am one, I haven’t been behind a helm console for close to a decade - and never on a Luna-class vessel. I’ll be happy to look through Ensign Meris’ findings to give a more experienced once-over, as was always my intent, but since Meris is the one who’s going to be performing a majority of those maneuvers, I figured it reasonable to find out which ones they think they can actually perform.
Ollie, who seemed to think it was a good idea to be somewhere else at the moment, bid a hasty retreat.
Bergmen: I will file our flight plan with Flight Ops and log my preflight checklist. ::resolute nod::
Vailani: Lt K'Wara, I understand that you were an exam proctor, and a very good one from what I've read in your file. I feel a gentle reminder is in order. This isn't the academy, and if I think a teachable moment is required, I'll say so. Otherwise, I expect my orders to be fulfilled exactly as asked. Things will be better that way. For everyone.
K’Wara: Roger that, Chief.
Meris wasn't sure Vailani's words were intended for them, but they felt it was better safe than sorry. The Lieutenant certainly couldn't fault someone for agreeing with them - could they?
Meris: ::flatly:: Aye, Lieutenant.
Vailani turned back to the science station and started to input the parameters required for the requested scans from DS224. Meris remained standing in the middle of the shuttle, waiting for direction. Shortly, Bergmen returned.
Bergmen: The flight plan for the test flight has been submitted and approved. The shuttle was fully refueled yesterday after returning to the dock, and my preflight visual and system inspection did not find any problems to report, so you can do yours. Traffic is clean. We can line up for departure whenever you are ready in the next thirty, Ensign.
Meris nodded. It was good to know that the deuterium canisters aboard the shuttle had been freshly replenished.
Meris: Excellent. Thank you, Lieutenant Bergmen. ::still standing in the middle of the shuttle::
Bergmen: Traffic Control informed me that our departure window is in the next thirty minutes; just report for line-up and go. Traffic clear during. After that, they have medprio two in and two out; those would push us to be fifth in line to wait as lowprio flyop, ma’am. ::to K’Wara:: Sir.
K’Wara: Makes sense. A spontaneous test flight hardly takes precedence over medical departures. ::to Meris:: The navigational computer has completed the stress test. I’ll check on impulse engine power flow and fail-safes.
Meris: Then I shall begin my pre-flight... ::glancing at Vailani, they waited a beat for any objection, and then turned and headed out the rear of the shuttlecraft. Even in the twenty-fourth century, a visual inspection was still the primary starting point for any pilot's pre-flight check.
Bergmen: Response
K’Wara: ::to Chief Vailani:: All reads green, Sir. ::to Bergmen:: How about on your end?
Bergmen: Response
K’Wara: Well. ::smiles widely:: Sounds like we’re ready then.
The J’naii reentered the shuttlecraft and moved to the helm controls. They took their seat and began going through their checklist.
Vailani: Ensign Meris, please take us out.
Meris: One moment, Lieutenant. I am not yet satisfied... ::eyes scanning::
K'Wara/Vailani/Bergmen: Response
Meris reviewed the automated system checks and pre-flight checks that both Bergmen and K’Wara had performed, as well as those completed by the ship's onboard computer. Their eyes quickly scanned down the list: inertial dampeners, reaction control thrusters, impulse and warp engines, deuterium fuel levels, fusion reactor output, structural integrity field, and shield generators were all operating within normal parameters. A few moments later they were ready to go. They gave a satisfied nod.
Meris: ::to Vailani:: Now we are ready. Starting engine startup sequence.
There was a slight change in pitch as the engines began to spool up to optimal levels. At the same time, the rear hatch on the shuttle automatically began to close. Soon there was a familiar rumbling beneath them all.
Meris: =/\= Kerynitis to Shuttlebay Operations. Requesting departure. =/\=
Through the cockpit windows, the shuttlebay stirred to life. A whooping alarm sounded and flashed over the bay doors, and the deck crew moved away from their craft as the shuttlebay doors began to open, replaced by a neon-blue forcefield that separated them from the void of space. A technician gave them a thumbs-up and then stepped away.
Shuttle Ops: =/\= Kerynitis. This is Shuttlebay Operations. You may depart when ready. =/\=
The corner of Meris' mouth twitched ever so slightly as they laid their hands on the helm's attitude controls. With a gentle tap, they pitched the nose up ever so slightly, and the shuttle lifted smoothly, gliding towards the threshold. It passed through the containment field, the forcefield shimmering where it came in contact with the edges of the craft, before sealing once again behind them.
Meris: ::satisfied:: We are clear of the Artemis.
Gently, they applied thrust, the Kerynitis increasing speed slightly as it flew along the Artemis' nacelles until it passed beyond the aft-most portions of its mothership.
K’Wara/Bergmen: Response
Vailani: Flight plan adjusted for subspace distortion, alteration to the plan sent to DS224. We have four locations to scan. They've been experiencing subspace distortional drifts around the station. A natural phenomenon, as you all will know, this area of space is unique for its celestial anomalies. The scientists on the station need more data to figure out its origins - which is what we're going to get them.
Meris: Aye, Lieutenant.
K’Wara/Bergmen: Response
Vailani: We should start with the farthest-away coordinates first.
Meris: Setting course. ::tapping controls::
K’Wara/Bergmen: Response
Tags/TBC
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Ensign Meris
Helm Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240207M14