Hop, Skip, and a Jump

Posted on Thu Feb 4th, 2010 @ 3:54am by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Commander Earlond

Mission: Episode 1.1 - "Now Boarding"
Location: Shuttlecraft Mitchell
Timeline: MD02, 1330

ON: [[Shuttlecraft Mitchell, MD02, 1330]]

The doors to the Tethys’ shuttlebay slid open, allowing Iluvar and Aris (NPC) to enter the bay side-by-side. Each of them had a travelbag slung over their shoulder. It didn’t take Iluvar long to find their pilot waiting near a type-8 shuttlecraft dubbed the Mitchell. The shuttle stood out immediately because of the registry and name Pandora emblazoned on its hull, contrasting the surrounding craft of the Tethys.

“Good afternoon, lieutenant,” Iluvar said as he approached the shuttle, “This is my son, Aris. He will be coming with us.”

“Hi,” Aris said with an eager smile.

"Hello," Drake (NPC) said amiably. "How are you today, sirs?"

"Well enough," Iluvar replied, taking a look around the bay, realizing that it would be the last time he saw the Tethys for some time. Aris seemed to know what Iluvar was thinking and spoke up.

"How come we're flying to the Pandora," he asked, looking at Lexon, "I thought we could just beam over."

"Why use those boring transporters?" Drake asked. "Flying's much more fun. Besides, this way we'll get a nice good look at both ships. Say, do you want to pilot us over?"

"I don't know how to fly," Aris admitted, shaking his head. As neat as it was to get to fly on a starship or in a shuttlecraft, Aris had never really felt a desire to learn how to actually pilot a craft. Maybe it was his Ba'ku heritage, but Aris still believed that there was such a thing as too much technology. That's why he preferred actual books over PADDs. It seemed that Iluvar felt that way too, at least some of the time. Whenever he and Iluvar spent time together, it was usually something recreational on the holodeck.

Drake shrugged. "Have it your way," he said. "All ready to go, then?"

"I believe we are all set," Iluvar said, putting a hand on Aris' shoulder and motioning for Lexon to lead the way. It was often said that a journey of a thousand miles began with the first step and that often, the first step was the hardest. Today, it felt like he was about to embark on such a journey and the first step was to board the shuttle.

Leading the way aboard, Drake quickly took his seat at the front of the shuttle and powered up the systems. "All ready here," he said.

Iluvar took a seat in the copilot's chair, placing his travel bag on his lap. Meanwhile, Aris found a place on the bench in the back to sit. He watched as the ramp slowly raised until it sealed shut. The shuttle began to hum as systems powered up in preparation for departure. Glancing over toward Lexon, Iluvar said, "Take us out."

"Aye, sir," Drake said. His hands flew over the controls, and after receiving final clearance he raised the shuttle off of the deck. For a moment, he considered blasting full-power out of the bay, but then decided a Rear Admiral deserved more diginity. Still, he took it a little faster than normal.

Glancing around as the shuttle emerged out into open space, Iluvar could see the frame of the station below them and the stars out ahead. They were facing away from the planet at the moment, so he could not see the shipyards or the planet's surface, though he knew both were there.

Making a slight course correction, Drake made a slow pass around the Tethys, circling her bow. "She's a beautiful ship, sir," he commented. "She must have served you well."

"Indeed, she did," Iluvar said, taking one last look at the magnificent vessel. He did not turn when he felt Aris' hand on his shoulder, but realized that the boy was also looking at the Tethys, which had been his home, as they went past. "She's been through a lot," Iluvar continued, "Just like her crew. I'm sure that, when she's done with her refit, she'll serve another crew and another captain just as well."

"Maybe that Commander Earlond of yours, hmm?" Drake said. "I heard he might be up for a command of his own soon."

Iluvar quirked an eyebrow. He had not heard that Earlond had been offered a command, but then...it wasn't his place to know every detail of his officers' lives. It would be an ironic twist, were Earlond to receive command of the Tethys.

"It would be ironic," Drake said with a chuckle. "But as far as I know, he still doesn't want to leave your command."

This time, it was Aris who gave Lexon a surprised look. Iluvar hadn't said anything in reply to the man's earlier comment about Earlond. Letting it go, Aris continued to watch out the window as they passed over the Tethys and out into open space again.

"Coming up on the Pandora," Drake announced. "Take a look." He banked the shuttle as they now circled the Pandora's bow, giving them all a good view from the viewports.

Aris' eyes widened in awe. He had never seen a Luna-class starship before and was amazed at the beauty of the Pandora's hull. There was something about the way the ship looked that made Aris feel good. The Tethys had been a great home, but it always felt like they were on the edge of a fight all the time. Now that Aris had seen the Pandora, he felt like this ship was built to explore.

Similar feelings had developed within Iluvar when he got his first actual glimpse of his new command. In some ways, it was similar to the first time he had laid eyes on the Tethys at Utopia Planetia, but in some ways...it was different. The Tethys was a fast, powerful ship built for tactical superiority. While Iluvar felt it was important to be able to defend oneself, violence should be a last resort. Their purpose out here was to explore and Iluvar now realized that the Pandora was going to help him be an explorer again.

"I'm more of a military man myself," Drake said. "But I can see why you like her. She's definitely got that old get-out-there-and-explore attitude about her."

The man had done it again...or maybe Aris was just imagining it. Iluvar didn't seem to mind or notice because he didn't say anything. As the shuttle arced over the top of the saucer, Aris could see where the bridge was as well as a large object that Iluvar had told him was a sensor pod that allowed the Pandora to conduct more detailed scans at a greater distance than most other starships.

"Sure you don't want to fly for a while?" Drake asked Aris. "Never hurts to just try."

Aris shook his head, too busy taking in the beautiful sight of the Pandora as they passed over her in the drydock. Iluvar smiled and, without taking his eyes off the ship, said, "It's alright, lieutenant. Part of Aris' heritage comes from a culture that has rejected technology in favor of a simpler existence. To be honest, the Federation could learn a lot from that. When it comes down to it, though, I find it best not to push."

"Of course," Drake said. "My apologies. We've received docking clearance. Standing by."

Father and son watched as the shuttle descended down the spine of the Luna-class starship until it came to the end of the extended runway aft of the shuttlebay doors. Slowly, the Mitchell rotated so that it was facing the shuttlebay. Once the shuttle was lined up, it slipped along the runway and through the atmospheric forcefield that shielded the open door. Iluvar felt a gentle jolt as the shuttle touched down on the deck. Outside the viewport, he could see a crewman in services gold standing to one side, waiting.

"No need to apologize lieutenant," Iluvar said with a smile, "Your piloting was flawless. Thank you for the ride, I quite enjoyed it."

"Anytime, sir," Drake said. "Enjoy your time settling in." Finishing the power down, he opened the hatch and stood as Iluvar departed.

The shuttle's ramp touched down on the deck and Iluvar got to his feet, nodding politely to Lexon before following Aris out into the bay. As soon as they were clear of the shuttle, the crewman in services gold stepped forward.

"Welcome aboard the Pandora, sir," the man said, trying to make a good impression, "I trust your flight was enjoyable?"

"Indeed it was," Iluvar replied.

"I've been asked to show you to your quarters, sir," the man continued, explaining his purpose for being there, "They are deck..."

Iluvar held up his hand, causing the crewman to pause. With a smile, he said, "Deck 2, yes. I am aware. We shall not keep you, crewman. You may carry on with your regular duties." The young man looked torn as to whether or not he should push the matter or take the opportunity to depart. In the end, he chose the latter, looking quite relieved.

"Why did you do that," Aris asked as the two of them exited the bay into the corridor.

"Because," Iluvar said with a twinkle in his eye, "Where's the fun in forcing a nervous crewman to lead us around? Don't you think we can find it ourselves?"

"I guess so," Aris replied with a smile. With that, the two of them set off in search of their quarters.

OFF

A JP by

Lieutenant Drake Lexon (NPC)
Shuttle/Runabout Pilot
USS Pandora
Played by: Cmdr. Earlond

and

Aris Ibanya (NPC)
Crew Family Member
USS Pandora

Played by

Rear Admiral Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora