Fly Chat

Posted on 19 Jun 2025 @ 12:56am by Lieutenant JG Zhivise Silatuyok & Ensign Kat Walker

788 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Miranda
Location: Shuttle Bay

It wasn't part of her duty, but Zhiv enjoyed working on shuttles; it was relaxing and helped clear her mind. The top half of her uniform was pushed down around her waist, "...okay, come on, please," she muttered to the shuttle as Zhiv worked on getting the thrusters in peak efficiency, the shields, and deflector dish harmonics perfect as well.

"So close," she kept muttering as she adjusted something on her PaDD, keeping a close eye on the diagnostics.

"Hello," a familiar, kind voice spoke from nearby. The four-winged creature, the Microraptor, sat atop a nearby shuttle's port drive nacelle, curiously watching Zhiv at work. "What are you working on? If it's not too rude to ask," the creature spoke.

Zhiv jumped slightly at hearing the voice, but did not see who it belonged to. "Oh! Kat, er, sorry, Ensign Walker," she said, unsure how formal they were. "Oh, you know, just doing what comes naturally to pilots. When not flying, we gotta keep our hands busy," she said with a soft chuckle.

"I see," said the creature, even as it jumped off the nacelle, took quick flight, and shifted into the young Ensign avatar with a shimmer, landing elegantly on the deck plating. "Is it something I could help with? I am, after all, very good at calculations and simulations."

"That would be a huge help. I could use some real-time calculations, especially with the maneuvering thrusters," Zhiv said with a smile. And thanks," she added.

Kat nodded, standing next to Zhiv so she could see the PADD. She'd find it easiest to analyze the calculations and project the results holographically. Complicated line graphs, elaborate calculations, tables of results - all calculated with precision and incredible speed, all the while she didn't speak, just letting her AI core do the work, occupying several parallel threads.

Zhiv's eyes went wide as she saw the data coming through, and she was amazed at its sheer speed. "Alright, each thruster is at peak performance, but...hmm, right there," she muttered, looking at the data, "it is like when they have to work in unison, there is like a hiccup," she said, studying that particular set of data.

"I'm afraid that is not something I can help with. I don't have access to the intricacies of the Type IX's software and how it interfaces with the hardware platform," Kat offered, tilting her head slightly, looking at the sleek shuttle. "Is this normal behaviour that you are just trying to correct? Or is this faulty, abnormal behaviour that only this shuttle exhibits?"

"Not seeing anything abnormal, and what I am seeing won't affect the overall flyability and maneuverability of the shuttle," Zhiv said, scrolling back through the data, "but looks like we'll be doing some adjusting before these shuttles go out, depending on who the pilot is," she added.

"Make sure to log the changes. Are you setting up global profiles that various pilots can adjust to their liking?" Kat asked.

"Well, everything is recorded, any changes or repairs, as for profiles, those are a bit limited, but I have been working on a program to improve that, so when a pilot gets in it'lll pull up their specs, and then also allow them to make any adjustments and have those saved as well," Zhiv said still grinning loving talking about this stuff.

"Pilots love personalized profiles," Kat intoned. She stepped back, dismissing the holographic readout of various calculations now that they'd run their course, and let her gaze fall over the Type 9 shuttlecraft again. "Part of me wishes I could fly one of those sometime," the AI added.

Zhiv smiled as she allowed her fingers to run along the sleek hull. "Either piloting a fighter or a ship, there is nothing like it," Zhiv said, her fingers twitching as she itched to fly again.

"When I am out there, I feel free. Unleashed," Kat quietly offered, her avatar's gaze going over her airframe, powered on using umbilical power, in her designated parking bay. "Anyways, is there anything else I can help you with?"

"No, I think I have done enough, and I have a few other things to do, but that is going to require speaking with the other pilots," Zhiv added. Thanks for the help," she said.

"Well, alright. Good luck with your modifications, Lieutenant," Kat smiled, standing at attention and offering a salute before her avatar shimmered out of existence. On the other side of the hangar, the holographic projector built into the nose of one particular modified Valkyrie shut down.

Zhiv just smiled before turning and leaving the shuttle bay, deciding to speak with someone from ops to help develop the system to hold the other pilot's preferences.

 

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