LtCmdr Azura Ada - Chekov's HALO jump
Azura Ada
((Shuttle Craft, Orbit Above Eastern Asia, Earth, Sol, UFP))
Azura had perhaps two of the funniest afflictions for someone with a naval career: she gets heinously seasick--a problem with poorly calibrated inertial dampers or fishing trips alike--and a fear of heights. The latter of which was recently exacerbated by the last mission. Even after it was all said and done, she had recurring dreams of leaping off the hull of the de-orbiting derelict. The flames licking over the edges, her heart pounding, her fingers broken... and the pit of fear that nestled deep inside her, eating her inside out. Jumping out in the the void in free fall, fragile, and helpless. In some versions of the dreams she burnt up as she descended. In others, she smacked into the ground. Once, she learned to fly and set down gently.
One morning, it hit her--she needed to have a positive experience with heights and with falling. As the team was debating next steps on the derelict, a HALO jump was considered. Maybe there was something to that? Separately, she needed to get to know her shipmates better, and to have some fun. Part of moving on in her life meant establishing herself on the Chin'toka. It wasn't just the new place she slept and worked, it was home, and she needed to start treating it like one.
One brainstorming session, one light conversation (followed by some friendly convincing), plus a few searches on the 'net, and she was sitting in a civilian shuttlecraft high over East Asia with Is'Kah. Zha was seemingly just as vexed by Azura at the whole ordeal.
Is’Kah: Why did I agree to this, Azura? I hate flying so much that it was one of the two classes I barely passed in the Academy.
Azura was re-checking her harness and suit, and she laughed sheepishly at the remark.
Ada: I know how and why I convinced you to join me, but I can't account for your decision. Maybe it was me telling you "conquering our fears together will build camaraderie and friendship"? That's what got me into it, I liked that line. I hope it's true.
Is’Kah: We could have just beamed down and walked into the club, but, noooo, you talked me into leaping out at 120 kilometers above East Asia, then going dancing.
Ada: Girl, do you have any idea how hot we're going to look skydiving into the club?
Azura turned and posed for Is'Kah. Combining a skydiving and clubbing outfit into one look was a bit of a challenge, but Azura thought it worked out well enough as both could benefit from a mostly skintight fit. She had on a bodysuit that artfully utilized panels of opaque and sheer fabric to obscure and entice in turn, with black, lavender, and dusty pink outlining and emphasizing her figure. She accessorized with a cropped white denim jacket. On her feet were mid-calf "combat" boots with a heel that pushed her to 1.8m tall. Overall, it was a colorful outfit and meant to contrast with jewel tones of the Starfleet uniform. Her curly red hair was tied back in a ponytail and she even did a full face of makeup, with a black lip. Hoop earrings dangled from her ears, and she had a few jangly bracelets on her wrists. She looked like trouble.
But now, almost all of that was obscured by the suits they had to wear to keep them from asphyxiating and/or burning up on reentry. But she smirked at the thought of landing at the rooftop bar of the club, stepping out of the suit, and casually ordering a drink like nothing happened.
A red light started flashing, signifying it was time to depressurize the hold. Is'Kah seemed less enthused but locked zhen helmet into place and Azura did the same with her own. They checked each other's suits and harnesses one last time before the hold was fully depressurized.
Is’Kah: Do you want to go first?
The jump door opened, revealing to them the scope and gravity of their stunt. Earth curved away from them in the twlight uncaring and listless.
Ada: What if we go together?
Is'Kah: ?
Azura offered her left hand to the zhen, and steadied herself with her right, grasping the handle next to the open door.
She thought about doing a countdown, but that only built anticipation.
Ada: Ready?
Is'Kah: ?
And out they went, falling in such a strange way. She could feel the acceleration in her gut, but the low wind resistance from the thin atmosphere obscured how fast they were already moving.
Ada: Whoo! ::she laughed:: They say it gets easier to stomach when you hit terminal velocity. But this is kinda fun already??
Is'Kah: ?
((OOC: checked with Is'Kah about jumping out together :) ))
-- Lt Commander Azura Ada Specialist Science Officer USS Chin'toka IDIC team member ASDB team member C239510LD0 (she/her, character) (she/her, writer) “For the wise person looks into space and knows there are no limited dimensions." --Zhuangzi