Lt JG Tess Evinrude - But I'm just the wheelman!

[Tess Evinrude]

((Shuttlebay 1 Maintenance Bay, Deck 9, USS Ronin))

Preflight complete, Tess stood by the rear loading ramp of the old Type 4 shuttle he'd secured from an abandoned freighter. The little ship had remarkably few flight hours, though some components were in need of age-induced maintenance and had required service or replacing. He still hadn't thought of a name for it, and was staring absent-mindedly at the starboard side, pondering that exact topic.

Taj'el: Lieutenant Evinrude, did you have a moment?

Evinrude: Hm? ::A look of recognition as his mind switched gears.:: Oh, hello again Taj'el! You...need a ride?

Taj’el took a step back and gave a subtle shake of the head, followed by a slight nod. Evinrude blinked but otherwise kept his face passive, giving the Vulcan a chance to explain their conflicting gestures. After all, communication-linked head movements across cultures varied wildly.

Taj'el: Yes I am in need of your assistance.

After a moment's hesitation, Tess simply nodded and waited for further information.

Taj’el: Did you construct this? You mentioned a test flight earlier.

Evinrude: ::A fleeting smile.:: No, no. This old thing would have been new back when our primary cruiser was the Constellation class. It was Federation surplus, acquired by a free trader. That ship...well, it was a ghost ship when we found it. A plague took the crew.

He realized that he was painting a rather grim picture.

Evinrude: It's been thoroughly decontaminated, and I've been replacing a few components that were due for age-related maintenance. The test flight is just to confirm that all systems are green.

It was hard to say if Taj'el was affected by the story or not, but they asked a logical question.

Taj’el: Is it currently available, and safe to descend to the surface?

Evinrude: ::With a confident nod.:: Yes to both!

The Vulcan hesitated a moment, but seemed to make up their mind.

Taj’el: Then, if you are capable, we should proceed to the surface. I intended to gather samples of underwater plant life.

Tess' eyes widened in mild surprise, but he smiled at the idea.

Evinrude: Oh! Well, I don't have a flight path in mind for this outing. Go ahead and send your destination coordinates to my PADD, and I'll work up an approach.

The ops officer unclipped a small PADD from his thigh and held it up in a needless "here it is" gesture. He had moved just inside the rear ramp of the shuttle and knelt down by an access panel when Taj'el spoke up again.

Taj’el: Was there anything I could do to assist with the prelaunch preparations? My piloting skills were limited; however, I am proficient with checklists.

Tess turned to look at them as Taj’el knelt beside him, eyes intently studying what he was tinkering with.

Evinrude: Actually, that would speed things along. The Type 4's preflight checklist is essentially the same as a Type 6, and similar to our Type 9's...minus some systems. Here, this is a list of what I've replaced...definitely double check my work on these components, and then just walk through a standard preflight.

He smiled and handed them his PADD, pushing away a momentary twinge of possessiveness.This was his pet project, sure, but it was Starfleet equipment and Taj'el was a Starfleet officer. He knew they'd treat his antique craft with care and respect.

Evinrude: Once I finish with this hydraulic filter and button up the panel, I'll join you.

((Brief timeskip - Type 4 shuttle, 12000 meters altitude and descending - Logali IV))

The still-unnamed shuttle was performing admirably. Though a brush with a storm cell near Taj'el's requested destination had thrown the pair some gnarly turbulence, the shuttle's inertial dampeners

Evinrude: So you think the storm will move clear of your sample area?

Taj'el: Response

Tess nodded, one eye on the atmospheric and meteorological data readout.

Evinrude: Are there any other places here on Logali that have what you're looking for?

He realized he hadn't yet learned just what it was Taj'el was studying, only that samples would be involved.

Taj'el: Response 

Evinrude: That's...fascinating! ::He said earnestly.:: And potentially time consuming? When should I pick you up? ::A beat.:: Assuming you don't have other plans.

Perhaps they intended to transport to another facility here on Logali IV, but Evinrude had planned to spend some time flying around in-atmo. It wouldn't be an inconvenience to circle back, assuming the Type 4 didn't encounter any issues.

Hands on the controls, he leaned to the side for a better view out the side-facing viewport, catching a breathtaking glimpse of the surface now that the storm cell was behind them.

oO Flying is such a great way to familiarize oneself with a planet... Oo

Taj'el: Response

[Tags/TBC]

--

Lieutenant J.G. Tess Evinrude

[he/him]

Operations Officer

USS Ronin

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