Ensign Falt - The need... For the unexpected
Tom Cholewa
((Allahayer, Space))
Tomas sat in the rear seat of the Allahayer, grinning from ear to ear. The raw thrust of the racing shuttle had his heart pounding as he was pressed back into his seat. The feeling was exhilarating. He mentally chided himself for having been so negative about racing like this. He was a student of pre-warp cultures, and what he was currently experiencing must have been similar to that which pioneers from countless worlds had felt as there species first ventured into space. He felt a sudden surge of admiration for them and vowed to study that period of history more when he had time.
Bringing his attention back to the matter at hand the shuttle was rapidly closing on the asteroid where they were due to turn. Lieutenant Commander Qinn, monitoring from the runabout, was counting the distance on the open comline.
Qinn: =/\= Distance will be 7.5 AUs on my mark...3...2...1… Mark =/\=
He felt his smile widen as the Captain increased speed.
Any: =/\= Response =/\=
Qinn: =/\= We have company, I believe. I’m detecting what seems to be a small probe, running parallel to the Allahayer. It’s trying, and failing, to match the Allahayer’s acceleration.=/\=
Tomas pulled up the external sensors.
Falt: =/\= I have it but I can’t make out much, the Allahayer’s sensors are optimized for navigation. I’m not picking up any life signs so a drone of some sort? =/\=
Oddas: =/\= What can we find out about it? =/\=
Any: =/\= Response =/\=
There was a short pause.
Qinn: =/\= The top users of this kind of drone happen to be small, independent, mining concerns, and News Agencies. If it can catch you, you might be in the news, Captain.=/\=
Stelek: =/\= It is possible they are heading toward the asteroid, though Lightside Station is supposed to have the lane clear for us. =/\=
Any: =/\= Response =/\=
Qinn: =/\= The flight path of the probe is well clear of yours, Captain, they’re just looking, so far. Would you like me to wave them off?=/\=
Tomas’ initial ambivalence to racing shuttles had been replaced by an adrenaline fueled desire to go even faster.
Falt: =/\= I say we give them a big show sir. Let’s show them what the Allahayer can really do =/\=
Oddas: =/\= Let them watch, notify us if they come any closer relatively. Give me a final status for the turn. =/\=
Stelek:=/\= Understood. =/\=
Quinn/Deveaux: =/\= Responses =/\=
Tomas looked up, he could just make out the asteroid over the top of the Captain's EV suit. Going back to his readouts he checked on the probe.
Falt: =/\= The probe is maintaining it's trajectory but is falling behind us slightly, we'll comfortably reach the asteroid and make the turn before it catches us =/\=
Oddas: =/\= Understood=/\=
All: =/\= Response =/\=
Tomas braced his EV suit as firmly as he could in the cramped space.
Oddas: =/\= Executing now. =/\=
Tomas felt himself compress under the high g-forces as the Captain exectued the turn. He realised he hadn't needed to brace as he was being pinned into his seat regardless. For a brief moment he was enjoying himself.
Stelek: =/\= Aria! Captain! A ship just took off from the surface of the asteroid, evasive maneuvers! =/\=
Tomas checked his sensors. The angle of the Allahayer's turn put the asteroid directionally above them.
Falt: =/\= Confirmed, bearing 49 mark 76. Distance 8 kilometers and closing. Current course has it within 50 meters of the Allahayer in 12 seconds. =/\=
Tomas gulped, that was too close for comfort. The Captain clearly agreed as she pitched the Allahayer into a hard evasive maneuver.
Oddas: =/\= Response =/\=
Falt: =/\= They're compensating, distance 5 kilometers =/\=
Oddas/Any: =/\= Response =/\=
Falt: =/\= Distance 2 kilometers =/\=
Any: =/\= Response =/\=
As Tomas prepared himself for the possible impact he looked up and caught sight of the ship careering toward them, it had a familiar design.
oO Are they, Ferengi... Oo
TAG/TBC
Ensign Tomas Falt
Science Officer
USS Juneau, NX-99801
J239807TF2
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