Leaving Protector

Posted on Tue 14th Aug, 2012 @ 8:32pm by Colonel Horatio Drake & Commander Paul Graves PsyD

479 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: http://sb109.sim-station.net/index.php/sim/missions/id/2
Location: Shuttlebay 21, Deck 183
Timeline: Day 1: 1443 Hours

ON:

Drake sat in the co-pilot's seat of the Danube Class Runabout in Shuttlebay 73, he had been for the past half an hour. He had reluctantly agreed to meet Graves here at 1500 Hours, he was eager and wanted to make sure everything was in order so there were no hold-ups - she was supposed to be bringing with her a Damage Control specialist from Engineering.

As he finished tapping his console, checking the pre-launch sequence completion for the fifth time, he took a look at the chronometre - 1446 Hours.

"Drake to Graves!"

"Go ahead, sir," Graves' voice echoed over the comm-channel.

"Lieutenant, where are you?" He was irritated, despite it not yet being 1500 hours. He was annoyed that Graves had volunteered himself for this mission, despite his rationale being correct for his reasons.

"I'm on my way, sir. I'll be with you shortly."

Drake sounded impatient, Paul thought as he finished filling a utility bag with supplies. He'd noticed how eager Drake had been to get onboard the mystery ship. He glanced at his chronometer and saw that he still had about 15 minutes before he was due to board. Apparently, Drake was very eager to get going. Paul shook his head and shouldered the utility bag. He left his office, taking the turbolift to the shuttle bay deck.

The deck crew directed Paul to the correct runabout. He went to it and climbed in. "Ready to depart when you are, Colonel," Paul said. He stowed his bag and took a seat.

Winchester appeared from the aft compartment of the runabout with his toolkit in hand and stood in the corner of the cockpit. "Mister Meadows is settled in the aft section," he reported. "He's a capable damage control specialist and is very familiar with the Excelsiors."

The old Marine sighed. "Don't do anything stupid, Ashton." He knew Ashton would hate him talking to him this informally in front of Graves... that's why he did it.

With that he bade his farewells and left the Runabout. When he was certain he was clear of the Shuttlebay he started the pre-launch sequence; this time for real. He was thankful that he had run the sequence previously, it had been years since he had launched a support craft from a Shuttlebay. He almost forgot the dialogue, always important between Starfleet officers.

"Starting pre-launch sequence, main power online... maneuvering thrusters online... impulse engines, coming online... bay doors opening."

"USS Coldstream to Stardock Operations," he carried on.

"Stardock Ops here, sir," a young-sounding voice replied.

"Requesting permission to depart."

"Er... that's an affirmative, sir. You are cleared for departure."

With the final clearance, the Danube Class Runabout lifted gently from her pad and shot forward into the darkest depths of space. With that they were on their way with the Federation's original and number one directive as their sole intention - to explore.

OFF:

 

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