Welcome to Star Trek Simulation Forum

Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to contribute to this site by submitting your own content or replying to existing content. You'll be able to customize your profile, receive reputation points as a reward for submitting content, while also communicating with other members via your own private inbox, plus much more! This message will be removed once you have signed in.

Sign in to follow this  
Followers 0
Shalin

Now Pay Attention ...

Not many pilots on this side of the Klingon border had an opportunity to fly a Bird of Prey; most thought they were ugly deathtraps, but Shan had seen how they maneuvered. They didn't simply move through space on vectors - they flew between the stars. The fact that the ship was what it was ... that was what got Shan to volunteer for the assignment. If it had been anything else, he would've opted out. Field assignments had taken far too much out of him lately. Still - better him than a different pilot who didn't care about the Commander. As long as he stayed involved, he still had a chance to make a difference.

 

Crossing a vast bay he entered the Vulture through the lower cargo access, he went through the ship to get a feel for it before entering the bridge. It was dark, it creaked even when still, and there was a certain musk to Klingon ships that just couldn't be aired out enough - no doubt something to do with the ship's air filters. It was what it was; he'd acclimate soon enough, and then he wouldn't even notice it. Arriving on the bridge, he immediately presented himself to an officer who was clearly in charge: a somewhat older gentleman who seemed to know just where everything belonged. "Lieutenant Shan Shalin reporting: may I assume that you are Major Boothroyd?"

 

The man nodded. "We will now go over the various features built into the ship's helm and navigational system, as you will have to be extremely proficient in its use." He walked Shan to the ops station and began pointing. "This station is a self-sufficient operating center. It is possible to access and operate every system on the ship from this location. In front of you are your personal console screens. The center is your main viewer, which will always present a forward view of the ship independent of what may be shown on the main screen. Overlay screens and H.U. displays can be called up from the various system terminals depending on what tasks you are working on. To the left is your ship's systems screen, providing live detail of all major power, offensive, and defensive systems. To the right is your data display screen, which provides navigational and sensor outputs."

 

He then gestured to the terminals at either side of the operator's seat. "The left console contains primary controls for helm and ship systems. Engineering data and life support monitoring can be observed, and the transporter can be operated as well. These are the primary controls for warp drive. The right console calls up navigation, sensor, and communications functions. Helm data will be presented on the left viewscreen, while navigational data will be called up on the right. Now here are some added features ..."

 

The Major pressed a key with an inverted triangle/circle symbol. A section of console below the main screen opened up and a steering yoke on a control cylinder extended out to him. "Analog feedback controls, which will allow you a finer control of the ship's flight path under thruster or impulse power. The throttle is the lever at your right, which can signal for forward or reverse thrust. The yoke controls all three axes of motion: turn the yoke clockwise or counter-clockwise for roll, spin it leftwards or rightwards for yaw, and push in or pull out for pitch. This flight mode along with the console system transfers tactical control to a pull-down display and control system available at the Captain's chair."

 

"Now: if you find yourself in a situation where you need to take over all ship's operations, push this." A narrow finger jabbed a key with a target symbol. The yoke retracted and closed into the console while a joystick flipped up on each side of the ops chair. "The left stick takes over the yoke functions for helm - left/right for roll and forward/back for pitch. Yaw is a thumb-controlled toggle. The right joystick is your tactical control: thumb switches arms the weapons and selects between disruptor cannons and the forward torpedo launcher. A targeting display will appear on your center screen, so that you won't have to take your eyes off your display."

 

He then handed Shan a tricorder. "Commander Chilton has prepared this: a full technical and engineering database on this ship. With this, you will be able to effect any emergency repairs necessary. If you cannot repair the vessel with what we have given you, it is because the ship has been far too damaged to repair in any case. Now, Lieutenant ... do you have any questions?"

 

Shan's head was swimming. "Uh, no sir?"

 

The Major smiled. "Very good. There are several training senarios programmed in your station; I suggest you get right at it." With a friendly pat on the shoulder the Major stepped away, leaving Shan alone on the bridge with the boggling ops center.

 

He sighed. "Well - no better time than the present." Sitting himself within the station, he started running simulations. "Let's see what this thing's supposed to do."

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!


Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.


Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  
Followers 0