One Pilot to Another

Posted on Wed Oct 28th, 2009 @ 5:42pm by Lieutenant Commander Mark Anderson & Lieutenant JG David Solomon

Mission: They Arrive on Tuesday...
Location: Ship's Corridor ~ Deck 3, USS Endeavour
Timeline: MD07, 0920

ON: [[Ship's Corridor ~ Deck 3, USS Endeavour, MD07, 0920]]

Mark made his way along the corridor, eyes focused entirely on the PADD in his hand. He was currently returning from a visit with the dockmaster about yet another list of materials that had not arrived. It was his third visit to the dockmaster since arriving. The first time had simply been a social call. Mark had wanted to introduce himself and meet the woman he'd be coordinating with for the final touches of the Endeavour's construction leading up to launch. The second time he'd dropped by, he'd been trying to track down a shipment of scientific equipment that had ended up on the Melbourne instead of the Endeavour, as it was supposed to.

Rounding a bend, Mark looked up and smiled as he passed two young crewmen headed the opposite direction. They seemed deep in conversation, but they both smiled back when they noticed the first officer. He continued on, hoping that this would be his last time having to make a visit in person. The meeting had gone well, but he could tell that the dockmaster was getting just as frustrated with these misdirected shipments as he was. She was doing the best she could, under the circumstances, and he knew that. It was difficult to track down where the problem was occurring though, in all the last minute shuffling to prepare the Endeavour for launch.

Dave had just arrived on the Endeavour that morning. He was still getting his bearings aboard the magnificent vessel. The Endeavour's layout was similar to the Victory's, but there were some startling differences. As he made his way down the corridor, he saw the ship's executive officer, Lieutenant Commander Mark Anderson. "Hello Sir." Dave said to Mark, as he came with in earshot.

Mark looked up again from the PADD to see a young lieutenant approaching him. He recognized the young man's face from the numerous personnel files he had been receiving since his arrival aboard the Endeavour. It took him a moment to connect the name to the face, then he replied, "Mr. Solomon. Welcome aboard. Are you finding the Endeavour to your liking?"

"Yes sir, thank you sir." Dave said, standing at attention, "If I may say so sir, it is an honour to serve with you, and to serve on such a magnificent vessel."

"It's alright, lieutenant," Mark said, holding up his hand, "This isn't an inspection...you can relax."

"Thank you sir." Dave said, relaxing a little.

"Walk with me, Mr. Solomon," Mark told him, starting down the corridor in the direction the young man had been headed.

Dave followed him and asked, "Where are we going?"

With a shrug, Mark replied, "I assumed you were heading this direction, so I figured we'd continue that way." He nodded to another crewmember headed the opposite direction before lowering his PADD to his side. "Have you had a chance to settle in yet, lieutenant," Mark asked, trying to spark some casual conversation.

"Not really sir, just enough to throw my bags in side my quarters." Dave said in response, "I was headed toward the bridge, to see where I will be spending a lot of my time."

"I'm afraid there isn't much for our flight department to be doing in drydock," Mark said as they approached a nearby turbolift access, "Aside from shuttle piloting and preparation of the navigational systems. I should know." The doors to the lift opened and Mark stood to one side to allow the occupants of the car to disembark before he entered. Once Solomon had joined him and the lift doors had closed, he said, "Bridge." The computer chirped in reply and the lift began its ascent toward the Endeavour's command center, only a short two decks above their current position.

"Well, sir I'm anxious to get into the action... I have had the privilege of only being assigned to Sovereign Class Starships and I love the design of them, the controls are as smooth as a silk glove.. My father told me how sluggish the old Ambassadors were.." Dave said to Mark, a little misty eyed.

"I've flown my fair share of starships, both in the simulator and out in the field," Mark said, knowing full well what the young pilot was feeling, "I must say, though I haven't had the privilege of piloting a Sovereign-class, if she's anything like the Intrepid's, she'll be just fine."

"They're much more advanced than Intrepids sir. Sovereigns have the most advanced interfaces that Starfleet currenty has in service." Dave responded, "At the Academy, I flew a Constellation class during a training exercise, the reaction time was definitely off."

Though he didn't know how much he liked being told the Intrepids were antiquated, Mark was aware that each pilot had their own preferences. The lift slowed to a halt and the doors parted to reveal the bridge, busy as usual as personnel moved about working on getting things ready for the upcoming launch.

"Well, lieutenant, here's your stop," Mark said, motioning to the new helmsman, "Feel free to take a look around."

"Thank you sir. It is an honor to meet you in person." Dave said, extending his hand.

"The pleasure was all mine, lieutenant," Mark replied, shaking the young man's hand firmly. He watched as Solomon stepped out onto the bridge and looked around. The doors to the lift closed, cutting off his view of the Endeavour's command center. Mark sighed and glanced down at his PADD. The discussion had been a welcome reprieve from the bore of paperwork, but it was time to get back to the grindstone.

"Deck 2," Mark ordered, causing the lift to come to life and begin its descent. Hopefully, they would be ready for departure on schedule. Maybe then, Mr. Solomon and his department would have something to do.

OFF

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Lieutenant Commander Mark Anderson
Executive Officer
USS Endeavour

&

Lieutenant Junior Grade David Solomon
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Endeavour NCC-86105