Hope and Fear Part Two

Posted on Fri Sep 6th, 2019 @ 3:27pm by
Edited on on Fri Sep 6th, 2019 @ 3:28pm

Mission: In the Family
Location: En route to Starbase 50, Runabout Harris
Timeline: Prologue
756 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure

A shrill beep filled the dark comfortable air of the runabouts cabin. 'The time is now 08:00' chimed in the monotone voice of the runabouts computer. Tobin groaned and rubbed his eyes wearily. The beep sounded again almost immediately and repeated 'The time is now 08:00' Flailing an arm around in the darkness he slammed his hand down on a small keypad at the side of the bunk, it responded with a painful and confused toned as multiple buttons were jammed together. The beep continued to sound 'The time is now…….'. 'Dammit I'm already awake!' He growled throwing the standard issue sheet aside and moving to sit on the edge of the bunk. 'Computer, lights' He grumbled rubbing his eyes and straightening out his creased up uniform. He glanced around the small cabin and stared directly into the small mirror opposite the bed, with greying hair and dark circles around his eyes Tobin began to wonder if he was really up to life in space again. But the chance to be back on a real bridge and not a holographic one was too much to resist.

As he yawned his comm badge chirped to life with a bright young female voice "Da…..Commander Parr, we're approaching Star Base 50" Tobin smiled slightly and flicked his fingers over the comm badge. "Understood Jess…….Cadet, maintain flight plan I'll be with you shortly."

A few moments later Tobin stooped through the door from the rear cabin emerging into the bright lights of the runabout cockpit. A strong sweet smell of Raktajino filled his nostrils and the bustling view of the ship traffic around the massive hulk of the star base filled the cockpit windows.

"Good morning, sir did you sleep well?" The same sweet young voice asked as the pilot of the runabout turned around in her seat. The pilot was a young cadet, half Human and half Trill. Her long dark hair was tightly braided, her frame was small and lithe and her eyes sparkled a deep brown. Tobin smiled and placed a light kiss on her cheek. "Not as well as I would have liked." He yawned, stretching his legs and reaching for the mug of Klingon coffee. "Thank you Jessie, you're way too good to your old man." He remarked sipping at the rapidly cooling liquid.

He cradled the odd shaped mug in his hands and paid attention to the cockpit windows and the sight of the growing star base in front of him. "All quiet out here?" He asked relaxing back into the seat as best he could. Jessie nodded "The last six hours all plain sailing, just glad you let me fly." She responded enthusiastically. Tobin chuckled remembering the excitement of piloting a shuttle for the first time. "You need to put your pilot's license to use at some point Cadet." He smirked placing the mug down and rapidly signing in to the controls.

A dull bouncing hale tone filled the cabin. "Star Base 50 is hailing, Da…..sir." Tobin smirked, "Going to need to remember your airs and graces when we're on board the Athena Junior" he remarked patting Jessie on the shoulder. "Open a channel Cadet." He ordered. Jessie blushed and nodded and worked her slender fingers over the control panel. "This is Star Base 50 to Runabout Harris, please confirm destination and cargo." Jessie continued to work her fingers elegantly over the cockpit controls. "Runabout Harris, enroute to the USS Athena, transporting Executive Officer and Student Officer, no cargo." She replied. "Transmitting authorisation codes and itinerary to you now!" She added.

They waited a moment in silence with just the gentle hum of the ship filling the room. "Confirmed Runabout Harris, proceed on thrusters only, your cleared to dock in the main hangar."

The channel beeped to a close, Tobin and Jessie worked over the console as the runabout drifted around and swung into the maw of the Starbase main hangar bringing the sweeping arch of the Athenas saucer section into view. "Home sweet home." Tobin muttered under his breath as he filled with pride at the site of the new ship. "Well cadet take us in." He ordered resting a hand firmly on her shoulder. "I'm going to freshen up, call me when we've docked." He added rising to head back to the cabin. "Sir, I'm glad we're getting to work together!" Jessie remarked turning to look at her father. "Me too Junior, now back to work." He replied in a warm authoritative tone, stooping once again into the cabin.