LT Tamio K'Wara - Unlike Anything Else

[LT Tamio K'Wara]

(( Sensor pod - USS Artemis-A ))

Trying new things was part of the allure of Frontier work, and this TOV Suit was unlike anything they had ever seen before. They looked at the helmet that Jovenan was holding in her hands, intrigued.

Jovenan: It’ll be a full-body experience. Turning your head will shift your field of vision ::rolls the helmet in her hands:: as you would expect, but the sensitivity of it is up so that you can still see behind you without breaking your neck. Use your right hand to navigate the HUD. The left hand is for the drone controls, pitch, yawn and roll. The velocity is controlled by your legs.

Full-body utilization. Tamio was slightly less apprehensive about the endeavour now that they knew that they didn’t have to stand up for the duration, so at least there was no chance of them physically losing their balance while piloting the drone itself. Now, it was all a matter of experience. With a nod, Tamio signalled Jovenan that they were ready, and she placed the helmet over their head. As they got used to the sensation, they could tell that she was testing the restraints on their arms and legs.

Jovenan: Have you ever operated anything like this?

K’Wara: Never, but it does seem very intuitive... ::flexes fingers:: Will there be a safety margin around the Ship itself? Don’t want to accidentally freak out any bridge crew manning the Yawn Watch.

Jovenan: Yes, there is. You can see the distance at the corner of your HUD at all times. At one hundred metres, the proximity alert will go off; you can’t miss it. If the drone comes closer than fifty metres, the system will automatically halt the movement and cut you off. I can also take control at any moment, so don’t do anything stupid, okay?

K’Wara: Me? Never.

They hoped the little smirk that was visible below the rim of the helmet didn’t make them seem too dishonest.

Jovenan: Okay, it’s all yours now. Subtle movements. When you’re ready, try to move the drone above the pod at 150 metres, and then adjust the drone so that you can see the ship straight ahead. Never drop below 100 metres. Got it?

K’Wara: Yes Sir.

Tamio’s dark vision was replaced with metal walls all around them, and space itself above them - a vast dark vacuum, dotted by thousands of stars and planets, just calling for them - and they felt a surge of excitement in their gut.

oO Head: field of vision, right hand: HUD navigation, left hand: drone controls, legs: velocity Oo

They looked around them as they gently pitched their left hand, pressing the drone upwards. The ascent wasn’t as smooth as they’d hoped, but the TOV suit’s controls felt a lot more sensitive than shuttle controls were. Though Tamio’s intent was to guide the drone straight up, they kept unwittingly moving it back and forth as their eyes adjusted to try and make sure that they didn’t bump into the walls.

With Jovenan’s voice in their ear - reading out instructions from outside the helmet - they eventually managed to get the drone out of the confinements of the POD itself, and now, it was free.

Jovenan: Okay, slow down, a bit more and there! Well done. Now, let’s start with something easy. You should see a bright spot at your bearing 015 mark 340. It’s one of the five targets, each emitting at different forms of electromagnetic radiation. You’ll need to find them all for me and identify the frequency. Questions?

K’Wara: No Sir. ::smiles:: Let’s get the show started.

As they pushed the probe forwards in the designed bearing, they couldn’t resist looking around them. The sheer size of space hit them square in the gut. Having learned about the sensitivity of the equipment from their attempt at exiting the POD, they barely moved their head as they inspected the space around the drone. They could practically feel the power pulsing off of the Artemis’ hull, parked in space above Ferenginar, and they saw the massive globe spinning lazily below them.

The landmasses beneath were barely visible beneath the thick cloud cover - today was a particularly rainy day - and for a brief moment, Tamio was taken with just observing the planet itself. It felt so close that if they just reached out, their fingers could skim through those clouds, like frosting.

They resisted the temptation to try, knowing that any minor flick of their fingers would send the drone careening off into the nether, before they turned their eyes back in the direction they were heading.

Jovenan: Response

K’Wara: It’s very sensitive, but I’m getting used to it. ::brief pause:: All right, let’s see here... Thermal Infrared band, 712 THz? ::brief pause:: No, wait, 712,409.

Jovenan: Response

Tamio turned their vision about, examining the Artemis next to them. Somewhere around here- They pitched the drone slightly, turning it to fly underneath the belly of the Ship, making sure to keep the safety margin in mind. They smiled as they looked up at the starboard nacelle, before refocusing their attention. There! The next target, lighting up 

K’Wara: Heading 248 mark 090. Frequency is... ::brief pause as they get closer to the target, examining it:: Ultraviolet, 32,4 PHz.

They cast their vision around them once more, looking for the next target.

K’Wara: How often is the TOV suit utilized for projects? It sounded to me that it's rare enough that on the occasion it does happen, it's a big deal.

Jovenan: Response

TAG/TBC

LT Tamio K’Wara

Chief of Operations

USS Artemis-A
A240006GS1