Lt. Silveira: Open sails.

[btv....@sapo.pt]

((USS Artemis, deck 11, Main Shuttlebay, USS Galaktoboureko))

He realized this could be an interesting mission after all, at least they had a very competent complement. Vitor pointed to the piloting seat as he turned to Sada.

Silveira: Is there a designated pilot, or can I take the spot.

Sadar: Response

He turned and winked at the others.

Silveira: You will all be in good hands.

Vailani: Are your certifications up to date, Lieutenant?

Vitor simply nodded to Vai. Luckily she had presented herself, so he didn’t have to keep trying to get her name right. He also remembered she had left with Ana, when Niac launched the Ronin.

He shrugged and headed to the pilot’s seat.

Silveira: A type eleven I only flew… Once. But they say it’s like riding a bike.

Sadar: Response

Gnai: A bike…?

Vailani: A pedal-driven single track vehicle. :: sighs :: Hardly an assuring comparison.

Morgan: We’ve got stasis containers that should allow us to transport the samples safely back to the ship.

Sadar: Response 

Vitor laughed as he took the pilot’s position. He tapped in the controls and began the preflight checks. Luckily the procedures were on his display, so he didn’t had to force much of his memory

Silveira: The expedition leader is Doctor Sadar, any complaints should be addressed to her.

Imril: Doctor, a question not a complaint. You said you’re planning to pick up biological samples. How are we set up for storing them? 

Sadar: Response

Vitor returned his attention to the helm, going step by step on the pre-flight checks.

Although he was joking before, actually he was recalling some of these. He tried to recall when he last took a shuttle out. 

oO I think it was back at the Juneau. Oo

Imril: And how are you planning to test the targeting array?

Sadar: Response

Vitor raised his eyebrow, but kept following the pre launch protocol, as he replied. 

Silveira: We can always work on those details as we go. You all know how I like to improvise.

Gnai: Will the interference from the stellar radiation be of any concern with the testing? Or will that be determined in situ?

Vitor raised an eyebrow and turned his head. 

Now he was considering he should have read the pre mission report, instead of volunteering first. 

Sadar: Response

Vailani: We'll need to adapt the shield resonance manually to compensate for the anomalous radiation. 

Gnai: And… The study of the star, is that still set to proceed?

Definitely he needed to check one of those PADDs Sada had around, once they were on track and in cruising speed 

Sadar: Response

Imril: Response

Silveira: Cool, that means we all have something to work on.

Before he turned back to the helm he noticed Gnai was… Flashing? 

Actually this would be the first time they were working together, so he wondered what sort of reaction this was.

Gnai replied to his unvoiced question

Gnai: Thank you, sir. That’s the primary reason this decided to volunteer for this survey in the first place. It’s what this specialized in, at the Academy.

Morgan: Hopefully this mission doesn’t disappoint, then!

Sadar: Response

Vailani: :: eager :: Systems are a go for launch. Ready when you are Lieutenant. 

Vitor smiled at the returned Lieutenant and started tapping the controls. 

Silveira: Thank you Lieutenant. ::he turned to Imril with a smile:: I assume the Engineering department is ready. :: Then he winked at Sada,Gnai and Morgan.:: Buckle up and get the sensors ready. 

Imril: Response

Sadar/Morgan/Gnai: Response 

Vitor set up the helm and it really was a little like riding a bike. He tapped the commands, closing the doors and started powering up the shuttle. 

He waited for the bridge clearance, smiling and leaning slightly back, getting more comfortable. 

Vailani: The bridge has cleared us for launch, lieutenant. 

Morgan: You heard her, Vitor. Let’s get this show on the road.

Imril: Response

Sadar/Gnai: Response 

Vitor nodded and he smiled. Slowly he got the shuttle raised and smoothly they moved forward. He was careful and focused, but it was always a memorable moment when the shuttle left the bay and they were actually crossing space.

The brightness of the stars, the lighting from the Artemis, the vastitude of the black sea made him use his catch phrase as they slid away from the ship. 

Silveira: Here we go, opening sails.

Vailani/Imril: Response

Sadar/Morgan/Gnai: Response

Vitor plotted the course as navigated slowly, eyes forward and with a wide smile 

Silveira: Alright everyone this is your pilot speaking, keep your seatbelts fastened until further notice, and enjoy the ride. 

Vailani/Imril: Response

Sadar/Morgan/Gnai: Response

He speeded up the shuttle when he reached a safe distance, and made a sharp turn as he adjusted their course. 

Silveira: Get ready to warp.

Vailani/Imril: Response

Sadar/Morgan/Gnai: Response

TAGs/TBC

Lt. Vitor S. Silveira

Chief Tactical Officer

USS Artemis-A, NCC-81287

O238907VS0