Joint Post - LtCmdr Tam, Lt Kreshkova, Lt Naledi, Ens. Kol, Ens. Merris, Saa, Sullivan, Trini - Space Race - Part I
Karen Morris
((Shuttle Hanger, Tyrian City, New Bajor))
The air was electric. Sure there were people milling around on the deck of the hanger. Some people were looking over their shuttles. Some were talking animatedly about piloting feats that they had accomplished, others were here to cheer on a particular pilot/copilot duo. But there was something unique about the buzz before a space race.
A short Bolian stood behind a podium on a slightly raised platform at one end of the hangar.
Locx: If I may have everyone’s attention! Attention everyone! Let’s all gather over here for a brief moment.
Naledi looked up at the male, they were already standing near where they wanted everyone to gather, so they simply folded their appendages and waited. oO Surely you could have told us the information ahead of time? There are too many people here Oo
Sasch peeked a head around the front of her shuttle at the noise. oO Is it zhat time already? Oo
Meris sidled up next to their co-pilot and looked up at the Xindi-Insectoid. They weren’t sure they’d ever get used to serving beside an insectoid but they did find the opportunity to be in close proximity with them fascinating. They hoped they’d get the chance to learn about their culture up close during the race and had already learned up in the preparation leading up to it.
With their fist, they gave Naledi a bump on their arm to make their presence known.
Weaving in and out of the crowd, Divya soaked up the buzz of excitement. It had her bouncing as she moved around groups of people. Their conversations were loud and animated, causing her to dodge several gestures. She looked for the shuttle Sasch had described, but was constantly distracted by watching people and listening to her strategies.
Velaan missed his Valkyrie already. It had sustained heavy damage during the incident with the Herald on the Butler and was essentially impounded at DS14 until paperwork cleared. Maybe he'd ask Trake for a few administrative tips in expediting its release. He wasn't much of a mechanic, but he could pilot or co-pilot easily, and when he'd heard the Chief mention they needed one more, he'd signed up. Everyone was decked out in fancy stylized flight suits, while he'd put on his old gold and black operations specific flight suit from the alternate version of the Thor he’d served on.
Leaning up against the shuttle, he’d waited until a red hair trill woman approached.
Saa: You must be Kol. ::grins:: Velaan Saa, Operations, and your co-pilot today.
Dazra could feel the confident smile splitting her face. She was definitely happy to be back in the cockpit where she thrived the most, but she’d never had the opportunity to be competitive in her flying. As she approached their shuttle and met the man to be her copilot, she offered him a hand to shake.
Kol: Call me Daz. Not much room in a shuttle for formality, especially in a race. Have you raced before?
Saa: A few times with some boys in the green uniforms back in the day, learned from one of the best at the time. How about you?
Kol: Only time trials. But I came in the top three in all of those. ::She grinned:: Ready to see them lose?
Saa: Oh yeah, lets leave them choking on stardust.
Trini wasn't entirely certain how she ended up here as engineer and co-pilot to Carter, but she was pretty sure it had to do with alcohol, a game of Dabo, and Carter's date with that Risian girl going terribly. Why she had to be punished for it, she didn't know, but here she was. Finishing the safety check, she turned to look at Carter.
Ekko: Are you going to actually help? ::gesturing:: Or are you going to keep gawking at your reflection?
Lieutenant Junior grade Carter Sullivan was meticulously fixing his hair in the reflection of one of the nearby shuttles. Perfectly putting it into place, with just a fraction of manufactured dishevelment.
Sullivan: Have you seen who is here? Kol, Kreshkova ::looking around:: and a few otha’ cuties ::winking at a passerby:: Gotta look good when we win and I call them over the viewer.
Her expression soured as a nearby ensign girl giggled sheepishly at Carter’s playfulness, and she made sure he witnessed the eye roll she gave him. Trini had wanted to pilot but there was still a level of trust to be earned in that. Her father’s barring of her at helm and subsequent demotion back to ensign, kept her trapped in engineering… for now.
Locx: Don’t be shy. Let’s get this shindig kicked off on the right foot!
Sasch dusted her hands on the blue jeans she opted to fly in today. Looking around for Divya, she sauntered over toward the podium with her hands tucked in her back pockets.
Meris’ flight suit stood out among the other teams. Black with green racing stripes running up the legs and arms. The patch of the Thor emblazoned proudly upon one shoulder with the crest of Starfleet on the other. Meris had even had their hair styled special for the event - slicked back with lots of product. There was no chance of an errant curl falling into their eyes during this race.
Divya headed to the front with the rest of the crowd to hear the announcements.
Saa: Guess, it’s show time.
Kol: Looks that way. I’m excited, let’s go see who we’re up against.
Dazra’s smile never wavered as the large woman led the way to the front.
Sullivan: ::Whispering:: How’s it look. Good right? Come on Ekko.
Sulli nudged her playfully. He was finally getting under her skin a little.
Ekko: Ugh, your hair looks fine.
Sullivan: ::Announcing:: We’re ready and I’m gonna come outta this thing lookin’ flawless.
Sulli looked around to make sure there were some eyes on him when he announced it to the room. A big smirk spread across his face, and he put the finishing touches on his hair.
Ekko: …I take it back ::scrunches nose:: you look like a stray targ.
Locx: Weeeeell ::The Bolian said with characteristic panache gesturing shuttles behind everyone.:: WE have a treat for you today. Four teams from the USS Thor and two of our own teams from New Bajor will be competing in the first annual New Bajor Fire and Ice Invitational. If the teams would come up to the front, we’d like to introduce you to those gathered here and those watching the race remotely.
The shuttle hangar was larger than Divya expected. When she finally spotted Sasch, there was no need to jump and wave her arms to get the pilot's attention. Her bright yellow jumpsuit was all the pilot needed to find her.
Sasch made eye contact with Divya and headed up to the front of the gathered group.
Naledi stepped forward. Seeing others in casualwear or more specifically suited racing outfits made them wonder if they should have opted for something other than their starfleet uniform. After a moment of thought, they disagreed. Starfleet uniforms were designed for versatility, even if it meant vents in engineering blew the skirt upwards like a 1930s New York film.
Beside Naledi, Meris grabbed one of their elbows and pushed the insectoid’s arm up into the air. With the J’naii’s other arm they did the same, waving to the crowd. There was no mistaking that the duo represented one of the racing teams. It was very unlike the J’naii to be so brashly forward in their demeanor but it was something racing brought out within them.
Dazra looked at each of the cameras, her excitement managing to keep that genuine smile on her face despite the publicity. Hopefully this wouldn’t bring her any trouble after it was all said and done, but surely a little fame never hurt anyone, right?
Keeping pace with Kol, he looked around, seeming to realize how public of a spectacle this was going to be. He tried not to think about what would happen if his name made it back to Betazed before Sevantha revealed his existence. Starfleet had left them to handle it and well, they both had plenty of reasons to stall making contact. Still, he played it cool, grabbing his PADD to lift up and start recording video of all the racers. Lhandon would love to see this.
Saa: Heeeey, smile everyone!
Naturally, Ekko did not cooperate and offered a curled upwards lip with a playful snarl at the Betazoid with an obscene hand gesture that brought him to quickly swing the video away from her.
Ekko: What were the stakes again, Sully?
Sullivan: If I win, You have to wingman with me until I actually have a successful date. If I lose, I have to help you with your “poetry” club antics and take the fall for you if you get caught. And if you sabotage me in any way and I find out about it, you automatically lose the bet.
Ekko: ::dreading:: Riiiiight.
Sullivan: So lets play fair alright? I’ll let my years of practically living on smaller craft do all the talking. Look, look, they’re getting started.
Sulli looked out into the area where everyone had gathered, a few holodisplays went up and the Bolian continued.
Locx: Let’s start with our first team right here from Tyrian City on New Bajor. We have Zento and Night!
The local crowd from New Bajor whistled, clapped, and cheered for their hometown heroes.
Sasch clapped out of courtesy. She could tell who the locals were going to favor.
The excitement of the crowd was up and Divya clapped, even though she didn't know who she was clapping for.
Ekko: …Man, I know a few of these guys. ::biting her bottom lip:: That guy tends to surge ahead at the last minute.
She’d grown up between DS14 and New Bajor, she’d raced these areas before, which meant maybe they had an edge with at least identifying the non-Thor crews tactics.
Meris watched the other teams for any information they could glean from their appearance or attitudes. They felt they could already sense who might and who might not be a challenge. Dutifully, they clapped for each team, while they fully intended to put them all in their place - which was, of course, behind Naledi and themself.
Saa: ::whisper to Kol:: Sounds like the Bajoran over there has some intel on the non-federation competition we can use.
Carter Sullivan was too busy attempting to get himself positioned next to Saschenka Kreshkova to come up with a retort. He couldn’t maneuver himself and ended up bumping into Naledi.
Naledi: Response
Sullivan: Uh…. sorry I thought you were.. Someone else.
Meris scowled openly at Sullivan as he bumped into their co-pilot. Holding up two fingers Meris pointed at their eyes and the pointed back at Sullivan.
oO I’ll be watching you… Oo
The cheering died as Locx announced the next batch of contestants, the visiting teams.
Locx: Next we have one of the teams from the Thor. I hear we have the Thor’s pilot in that team. Let’s hear it for Meris and Naledi!
This time, Sasch’s heart was in it. She had made the acquaintance of both of those officers and while she wasn’t going to let them win, she would definitely cheer them on.
A loud sharp whistle slipped out of Divya’s finger for two of her crewmates. She had only met this this week but they were her crew.
The J’naran helmsperson held their hands together and shook them in the air as if they were already celebrating their victory. They then turned to their much taller co-pilot and held their arms out as if they were introducing them to the crowd.
Kol: ::to Saa:: If we don’t win, it’ll definitely be that team. They’ve got that something. I’m hopeful for them… but not too hopeful; we’ll see them in second place, I’m guessing.
Dazra clapped for her shipmates as she waited for the announcer to continue.
Saa: Let everyone be blinded by victory while we show our skills and let that carry us across, trying too hard too early is definitely gonna be the rookie mistake we see the most.
Sullivan: You’re also gonna need luck Saa, I think comin’ here from another dimension was such a big ticket that your luck has run out. Me? I make my own luck.
Sullivan did have his own luck, but her hardly made it. A six pence coin from earth that had been in his family for generations. Even from before they had originally come to Boston by way of Ireland. He rubbed the six pence around his neck, but through his shirt where it remained hidden.
Velaan’s brows shot upwards at Sullivan’s remarks, a smirk touching his features, and gave a little warning tap of his temple at the former Marine. He’d remember that remark.
Naledi: Response
Locx: And next, we have another highly touted team from the Thor. Give it up for Kol and Saa!
Kol: oO Shoot- wasn’t expecting to be next! Oo
Dazra gave some appropriate smiles and waves, but she was eager to not be the center of attention for the cameras yet. At least not until she’d actually done something worth the attention. She looked to Velaan, and offered an encouraging but sympathetic smile.
Sasch had met Kol, but this Saa (who she could only guess was maybe a brother of the Counselor) was an unknown commodity to her. Still, they were compatriots from her ship, so she clapped for them.
Divya was surprised to see her fellow operations office in one of the teams, for no other reason than they had not worked together long. She was not surprised to see Dazra and give them a few whistles.
Meris recalled meeting Kol in the Auxillary Hangar Bay. They might be a solid opponent if their piloting was half as good as their engineering. Meris clapped for the duo all the same.
Saa: ::winks at the crowd putting on a sporting face:: We’ll see you all at the finish line.
Naledi: Response
Sullivan: Yeah we’ll see you there… When you get there. From behind us.
Sullivan attempted to counter Saa’s wink to the crowd but instead redirected it at most of the female members in the race. Kol, Kreshkova, and Tam. Not the smoothest move.
Ekko: ::pulling on Carter’s shoulder sleeve to reel him in:: This next pair, the Champs, they’re good and they got an ego about it.
Locx: I’ve been told that this team from New Bajor has recently taken first place in the Olypmus Mons race in the Sol system. Let’s cheer on Micho and Revet!!
Looking around at the others, Sasch kindly clapped, but more out of obligation than anything else.
Champions in the group tugged and Divya’s competitive streak. She searched from them in the crowd and clapped three times.
Ekko’s expression was one of disdain for the champs. Maybe it wasn’t very Federation of her, but she’d grown up on the circuits of New Bajor, she’d known those names back when they were racing in less legitimate places. Now she just wanted them to lose.
Ekko: Pah-sucking windbags. ::Shakes her head:: They’re mean, they’re cerebral, and they’re good with feints. I’ve seen more than a few shuttles end up hitting space rocks or colliding with space anomalies that fry their controls.
Sullivan: That doesn’t seem very sportsman like? Why are they not getting jeers? You guys don’t have heels here? Is everyone just to nice to one another?
Naledi: response
Locx: Between the green hair and the yellow jumpsuit, our next team from the Thor might as well be called lemon and lime! Let’s hear it for Kreshkova and Tam!
This time, Sasch stepped forward and raised her hand waving at the cameras. But once they were no longer focused on her, she looked over at Divya and mouthed the words, ‘lemon and lime’?
Divya stepped forward and raised her arms. She made eye contact with each of the teams as she slowly turned in a circle. When Locz moved on, she Sasch’s confusion.
Tam: Yellow and green Earth fruit. I’ll make you a delightful celebration drink with them when we win.
Meris watched Kreshkova and Divya Tam. Both senior officers, each with more years experience than some of the other pairs combined. Kreshkova was the one pilot in the group that Meris was completely certain would put up a good fight. The J’naran bumped Naledi on the elbow.
Meris: We may have to watch out for those two…
Naledi: Response
Dazra chuckled at the jokes about the color scheme, but all the same she looked to Velaan with a serious expression.
Kol: Another pair of hard workers. I admire them both, and they’re both a bit scary by reputation, but I haven’t seen them work with ships before. We shouldn’t underestimate them.
Saa: I haven’t meant Kreshkova, but I work for Chief Tam, and I’ve learned Operations is a place where a lot of pilots who wanna expand their skillsets go. ::he nods:: We’ll also need to keep an eye on the unknowns.
Sullivan: ::to Ekko:: They are certainly the hottest team out here for sure.
Locx: And last, but not least, we have our final Asgardian team of Sullivan and EEEEEkko!
Sasch hadn’t met either of these, but she hoped they would prove as she could almost hear Thor say ‘worthy opponents.’
Strangers but Asgardians warranted an enthusiastic clapping from Divya.
Realizing they were being announced, seeing so many familiar people, a realization they knew her reputation more than the Thor.
Ekko: ITS EHK-KO!!! ::grumbling:: It’s Terran.
Meris: Sullivan…
They narrowed their eyes. This was the one that Kol had said was a little too overconfident of a pilot. The J’naran had looked him up and read through his service record. As a former fight pilot he might have some tricks up his sleeve. Still they felt Sullivan’s ego would probably get the better of them. He was used to working on his own and this race would require the pilot and co-pilot to work together cohesively. Surely Meris and Naledi would have an edge there - but so might some of the others teams who’d served together aboard the Thor slightly longer than they had.
This was the one team Dazra actually grimaced at. She wasn’t sure she had anything nice to say about Sullivan specifically, so she kept her mouth shut.
Saa: Huh… ::Folding his arms leaning to Dazra:: Last I knew Sully was a marine back on the Butler, he’s pretty cocky, used to give Caras a hell of a time trying to push standards, definitely a flyboy though.
Sullivan: Look, I did that one time, he just made a stink about it. I didn’t know he was a the chief why was the chief working on my ship and not a marine engineer?
Naledi:
Locx: We’re going to give our teams some time to get into their shuttles, and we’ll pick it up as the starting line!
LtCmdr Divya Tam
Chief of Operations
USS Thor
A240104DT4
Lt Sasch Kreshkova
Mission Specialist
USS Thor
O240103SK2
Lt Naledi
Intelligence Officer
USS Thor
R240107AS3
Ens Dazra Kol
Security Officer
USS Thor, NCC-85852
A240105KF3
Ens Merris
Helmsperson
USS Thor
A240207M14
Lt Velaan Saa
PNPC of
Lieutenant Commander Sevantha Saa
Counselor | Head of Health | Second Officer
USS Thor
A240105SS2
LtJG Carter Sullivan
PNPC of
Lieutenant Morro Caras
Chief of Engineering
USS Thor
O240106MC1
Ens. Ekko Trini
PNPC of
Lieutenant Commander Sevantha Saa
Counselor | Head of Health | Second Officer
USS Thor
A240105SS2