Refresher Course

Posted on Sun Nov 1st, 2009 @ 12:18am by Lieutenant Commander Mark Anderson

Mission: They Arrive on Tuesday...
Location: Holodeck 1, USS Endeavour
Timeline: MD07, 1620

ON: [[Holodeck 1, USS Endeavour, MD07, 1620]]

So the Sovereign-class was supposed to be superior to the Intrepid's, Mark thought to himself, recalling the certainty that Mr. Solomon had made that statement with, Perhaps it's time to find out for myself. Besides, I could use a refresher before we head out. He rounded a bend in the corridor and saw the doors to holodeck one ahead. Since he had already gotten through most of what he had planned on working on for the day, he figured that there was some time in his schedule for a little simulator practice.

Coming to a stop outside the holodeck entrance, Mark reached over and activated the computer interface. "Computer, establish flight training scenario Anderson-alpha-1," he said, lowering his hand.

=^= That procedure requires more information =^= the computer replied =^=Please specify parameters. =^=

"Starship class: Sovereign, based on schematics of USS Endeavour," Mark clarified, "Standard flight training scenario, level-8." He waited as the computer processed the input and made the necessary modifications to the program. It didn't take long before the holodeck doors slid open to admit him entrance.

=^= Program complete =^= the computer announced =^= You may enter when ready. =^=

Mark smiled and stepped across the threshold into an exact replica of the bridge of the USS Endeavour. Currently, it was empty, unlike the actual bridge, though the consoles blinked and hummed in the background. Behind him, the doors slid shut and vanished from view, replaced by the master systems display on the aft bulkhead. He could feel the artificial thrum of the holographic power core through the deck plating, adding to the realism of the simulation.

Slowly, Mark passed the center command chair and descended toward the helm station to the fore of the bridge. Placing a hand on the head of the chair, he glanced down at the familiar controls of flight and navigation. While each starship, each pilot had their own preferred configuration, the basics of flight control remained the same from ship to ship. Mark slid into the chair and turned to face forward, resting his hands on the edge of the console. Taking a moment to familiarize himself with the particular configuration, he reached out and tapped a few commands into the station.

After making only a few modifications, he looked up at the main viewscreen, which showed open space ahead. The lower right-hand side of the screen was taken up by a view of the simulated planet they were orbiting. "Alright," he said to himself, "let's see what this gal can do." His hands danced expertly across the console's surface. As power was shunted to the ship's impulse engines, he watched the planet fall away. The starship broke orbit and angled toward open space. With ease borne of years of experience, Mark laid in a smooth departure angle.

The main thing Mark noticed was that there was more mass to take into account. That meant he needed more thrust to get the ship moving and it would take more to get her to turn or slow down. Adjusting for vessel size was something that all pilots spent a lot of time practicing. Then there was the difference between just straight flying and some of the more exaggerated maneuvers. Mark decided to start easy, with simple banking and pitching of the ship's orientation. From there, he moved on to some of the more elaborate maneuvers.

Being a larger class of starship, there was more mass to the Endeavour, which meant that Mark had more to take into account when performing maneuvers. Mr. Solomon had been correct in that the new command protocols did account for some of it, but it didn't mean that Mark could let the ship fly herself. Then again, many called him "old-school" for taking a more hands-on approach to piloting a starship. Most who were fresh out of the academy or basic training were relying heavily on the computer to do most of the computation. Mark preferred to use the computer as an aide, not as the sole mechanism for control.

After nearly forty-five minutes of putting the simulated Endeavour through her paces, Mark finally brought the ship to a halt. He had seen enough and the time had been well spent. Getting to his feet, Mark said, "Computer, save and end program." The bridge around him shimmered and was replaced by the familiar grid of the holodeck. He turned toward the arch as the doors slid open, revealing the corridor outside. Mark noticed two technicians in gold jumpsuits walking past. One of them turned to look as Mark emerged from the holodeck. Nodding, Mark turned and started for the nearest lift access. James (NPC) would be finishing his lessons soon and Mark wanted to make it to dinner on time tonight.

OFF

A post by

Lieutenant Commander Mark Anderson
Executive Officer
USS Endeavour