New Horizons

Posted on Fri Jan 24th, 2014 @ 2:44pm by Captain Tim Williams & Lieutenant Commander Horatio Hawke & Lieutenant Commander Ciaran McIntyre
Edited on on Sat Jan 25th, 2014 @ 2:27pm

Episode: Orphans
Location: USS Highlander Evaluation Yard Facility
Timeline: MD01

Williams and his two newly-met officers - both still out of uniform - sat in the small shuttle watching the world go by as they flew. The shuttle - named the Douglas - was one of the Highlander's shuttles which Tim had taken for his own use when he found out that he wouldn't be able to stay on the ship for the duration of the evaluation. The type-8 shuttle felt cramped with the three of them inside, but it had served Tim well enough for any travelling around the planet he had needed to do over the past two months.

Hawke had been piloting, under Tim's direction, and they had just passed the outer limits of what most considered to be the city, and were flying over terrain that was less and less populated. "Head over that rise and past the security field," Tim said, pointing slightly to the left where a wide hill preventing them from seeing anything beyond it. The entire yards facility used earthworks such as this as an additional security feature, meaning that aside from in a few locations, the facility was only visible from the air.

The earthworks lay in such a way that all Mac could make out was a gleaming reflection, cracking over the hill like dawn breaking over the horizon. The shuttle pulled up over the hill, revealing the scale of the yard where a few beaten and bruised Starfleet ships lay in berths, surrounded by worker-bees and engineers. The only ship which looked spaceworthy was the one which glinted in the sun as a tide of sand lapped at the base of its landing struts. The hull plating was pristine and the lettering set perfectly on the hull. U.S.S. Highlander.

Hawke took considerable pleasure in swooping the shuttle into a high arc over the Highlander's bow and casting his professional eye over her sleek angles. He brought the shuttle around, flying at a fifty degree roll to port as he pulled back on the throttle and glided the length of the ship from bow to tail. "She's a beauty, Captain," he said, an pitch of excitement in his voice. "I've never flown an Intrepid before. I can't wait to take her out!"

"She's a hell of a ship, that's for sure." McIntyre whispered appreciatively.

"Flies like a dream too, so long as Stone's men haven't messed with my engines while they've been aboard," Tim answered. As a former engineer, he had always been very protective over the engines of his ship, and he was always very tetchy whenever anybody messed with them. "Take us down and into the shuttlebay, will you? I want to see what they've messed with so I can start putting it right."

"Aye, sir," Hawke replied, his excitement and relief at finally finding his new billet keeping a smile on his face. He tapped at his console and opened a channel to the ship. "Highlander, this is shuttle Douglas requesting permission to return to the shuttlebay. Be advised, we have Highlander Actual aboard."

It was only a moment before Hawke could see the shuttle doors roll open as he hovered the Douglas above and aft of the entrance. "Shuttle Douglas you are cleared for landing. Welcome home, Captain Williams."

"Thanks," Tim answered over the comm, not recognising the voice on the other end of the channel and wondering whether or not he should poke fun at Horatio for his sticking to regulation comm code so closely. He guessed that whoever they were on the other end of the comm, they were either one of the leftover people from Stone's team - who would likely know him by name by the amount of times he had been cursed by the engineer for pestering him - or one of his new crew members who had looked up who they were serving under. "It's good to be back."

Hawke fired the maneuvering thrusters and brought the shuttle down gently into the shuttlebay, executing a textbook landing right on his mark.

As they moved to disembark, McIntyre knocked Hawke on the shoulder with a wide grin and whispered. "'Highlander Actual'. He's not the President, Hawke."

The pilot rolled his eyes and shook his head. He tried to think of some kind of witty rejoinder, but this mind failed him. So he settled with, "Get the hell off my shuttle, Mac," and gave his friend a push in the direction of the ramp.

"Damn right I'm not the President," Tim answered, following the two off of the shuttle. "Like hell am I going to put up with people tripping over their feet talking to me all day."

McIntyre's Cheshire Cat grin didn't abate as they stepped out of the shuttle.

Hawke glared at McIntyre when he saw his obvious enjoyment at his minor embarrassment. At least now he knew a bit more about his new CO; clearly the type who wasn't fond of military protocol. That being said, he had no intention of dropping that discipline. It was so ingrained he couldn't do it even if he wanted to.

"Feel free to take a look around," Tim said, as he moved ahead of them and towards the large doors to exit the shuttlebay. "I'll be putting right whatever it is they've done to my core."