Lt. JG Ollie Bergmen - F for Failure
CPT Arianus
(( Type-17 Argo Transport “Atlas”, Designated Flight Training Ground, Space around Risa ))
Time seemed to freeze as their microjump propelled them a quarter of a light year ahead. The faint echoes of warp engines faded into the distance. One moment, they saw the asteroid as a tiny, faraway dot, and in the next heartbeat, they found themselves right there - the probe slowly passed to their port side as the asteroid drifted below them, now in close proximity.
Ollie seemed happy; everything went well and all, but that happiness was not meant to last. The probe disappeared from view, yet not from reality, as the device struck their sideboard hull, duranium scratching against duranium. A horrible sound spread throughout the ship and sounded like it would never end. But did. Instruments stood silent, the probe plunged into the dark, lonely expanse of space, and now there was silence.
Syrex: Hitting the probe isn’t a challenge, Bergmen. In fact, it’s something most people discourage.
The silence was pierced by the doctor's voice while they waited for the computer's response. Yet, the ship seemed resolute in ignoring the reality that it had just collided with its own probe.
Bergmen monitored the ECAM screen on his console, checking for any warnings, advice, or analyses, but nothing appeared. For the ship, it felt similar to a bird strike—unpleasant yet ignorable, as long as there was no damage or fire.
Bergmen: Sorry, ma’am. That wasn't in the plan. The ship looks good; it’s probably nothing but scratched paint.
oO It certainly didn't sound like that, though… Oo
The doctor responded to that reassurance with greater sternness in her gaze than before.
Syrex: Thus, concludes the maneuverer portion of this exam. Please prepare to hold a geosynchronous orbit with Risa at an altitude of one-hundred and forty kilometres.
Bergmen: Aye, ma’am.
Lieutenant Bergmen quickly activated the impulse engines, aligning their flight path with the planet's arrival vector. He cautiously monitored the ECAM, checking engine performance, system energy draw, and control response, still unsure if everything was functioning properly.
Syrex: Geosynchronous with the co-ordinates Latitude 51.899° N and Longitude -1.153° W.
Bergmen nodded in acknowledgment as the shuttle glided gracefully towards geosynchronous orbit.
Syrex: Please proceed when ready.
Ollie's problem was that he wasn't definitely ready. While executing the maneuver, he noticed a discrepancy between the inputs of the front and rear RCS, which he quickly attempted to correct. However, the shuttle responded unexpectedly, starting to lose rear traction despite his efforts.
Though the growing discrepancy indicated a potential issue, it didn’t seem urgent, as no errors were still displayed on the computer screens. Bergmen idled the impulse engine and ceased relying on front RCS thrust for adjustments - a more instinctual reaction than a deliberate action, yet it slightly improved their lateral drift toward the planet.
Bergmen: There is a problem in our controls, ma’am. Our rear port RCS does not seem to produce enough thrust to compensate for the maneuver. Running test now.
Syrex: Response
Ollie checked the instruments one final time, evaluating each RCS individually before glancing back at the viewport. The computer found what he suspected. He sensed the tension in his body begin to lessen as he acknowledged his limits and accepted that he couldn’t finish the final task. Despite this, he still hoped that it didn't signify a failure on the test, although he suspected it probably did.
oO There would always be another try. Oo
He swiftly modified all RCS inputs to steady their rotation and position, carefully boosting the impulse thrust to break free from the planet’s gravity and enter open space. Leaving the orbit, he decreased their acceleration and handed over the controls to the doctor.
Bergmen: We cannot safely continue the test, ma’am, and we need to return to Artemis to assess the damage. ::looks at Alyndra:: Your shuttle, ma’am.
Syrex: Response
TAG/TBC
–
Lieutenant JG Ollie Bergmen
Operations Officer
U.S.S. Artemis-A
A240009JC1