Some fresh air
Posted on 30 Nov 2025 @ 2:31pm by Ensign Ryan Collingway
Edited on on 30 Nov 2025 @ 2:34pm
501 words; about a 3 minute read
Mission:
The Displaced
Location: Shuttle bay 3
Timeline: Morning
-----Shuttle Bay 3-----
Ryan went into the shuttle bay to return some equipment he had used for a repair job on Deck 6, when he noticed an oddity. A single pilot was in an open shuttlecraft, doing pre-checks. Curiosity prompted him to enter it. "Morning."
"Good morning, Ensign. Something you need?" A cheery voice returned. "Vel Zodeil, navigation."
"Ensign Ryan Collingway, engineering. I was just curious if the Captain had cleared things for a mission." He had heard rumors that the aliens had spoken to some members of the crew.
"Nope, but we have a minor problem. A few asteroids are headed in the path of the alien ship. I'm going to break them down before they scratch up against our shields." She paused. "Want to tag along?"
Ryan didn't have anything pressing in his schedule. "I have nothing immediately that needs to be done. Sure." With a little bit of eagerness he went into the co-pilot seat.
Vel completed the prechecks, and received permission to depart. A few seconds later the shuttle lifted up from the ground.
"So how come the ship can't shoot the asteroids?" Ryan wondered.
"Weeell, it can," Vel admitted. "But why use a phaser when a scalpel works instead?" The shuttlepod departed the ship. "Besides, it's nice to get some fresh air every now and then."
"Space doesn't-"
"You know what I mean." After a few minutes they approached one of two asteroids. "Care to do the honors?"
"Really?" Ryan hadn't fired from a shuttle before. Not unless you counted the drills from the academy.
"Sure. All yours."
Ryan fired at the asteroid, which broke off into several smaller chunks. Technically space had no sound either, but there was enough stimulated sounds from the shuttle to make it seem like there was.
"Nice. Let's take care of the other one."
A few more minutes, and the job was done. Ryan eyed the alien ship in the distance. He could see some of the damage in the hull, damage he might soon be in charge of fixing.
"Let's take the scenic way back," Vel said, interested as well. They flew closer to the alien ship to get a good look at it. The ship was even more elegant up close. They both studied it for a moment.
"Think there's anything dangerous in there?" Ryan wondered.
"Why? You expecting any?" Vel said.
"Just the pattern lately," Ryan said, thinking of the Newton and Tarvik 3.
Vel chuckled. "Not every mission is bad, Ensign."
"I guess you're right." Ryan had one last look at the ship. It seemed fragile. Defenseless. And he had done something to protect it. True, it was a small thing and barely noteworthy in their day-to-day tasks. But he had done it, nevertheless.
"I know I'm right," Vel returned with a smile. "Mission accomplished. Let's head on home."
"Sounds good." Ryan flashed her a look of gratitude. "Thank you for this."
"Anytime."
Ensign Ryan Collingway
Engineering Officer
USA Arawyn
Vel Zodeil (NPC)
Helm Officer apb Ryan Collingway
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