Running Into the XO....literally

Posted on Thu May 29th, 2025 @ 6:28pm by Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant Commander Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii

1,873 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Riversong Station

ON:

Xavier had arrived back on the station in top form. He had been happy that the CO liked his shuttle ideas and he looked forward to writing it all out for the XO and the Engineer. It was the first time he'd felt comfortable making a suggestion to the CO.

He'd dropped of the CO, the station staff, and the very annoying Nurse and now made his way towards his favorite Café. He had been reading as he walked and didn't see the person in front of him and thus walked right into them jostling them both and sending them to the ground. Xavier startled. "My apologies." He was on his feet in a moment helping the man up by extending his hand.

'No damage done,' Yiv replied lightly, with the flash of a smile. 'Efrosians are pretty robust as a rule.' He picked up his PADD and cast an eye over the man who'd run into him. 'I'm not sure I've seen you around Lieutenant ...?'

It was then that he noticed the rank. He brushed himself off and gave the proper salute. "Lieutenant Xavier, Chief Pilot of the USS Ontario." He looked around quickly and snatched up the book he'd been reading a love story between Achilles and Patroclus, a favorite since it was suggested to him.

'Ah, our new Chief,' Yiv smiled, noticing the book. 'A pleasure to bump in to you. Or to be bumped in to,' he chuckled, then looked the eyeliner-sporting Vulcan up and down. 'I'm sure you'll fit in well here. How are you settling in?'

Xavier was now certain that he'd hit his head at some point and had lapsed into a coma. Is everyone on this ship ridiculously good looking ? This was his XO and damn it all if he wasn't a striking Efrosian. Xavier gave his head a little shake. "I...am not used to fitting into places this ship is already quite disconcerting....in so many ways most of them good though." He flushed green. "Sorry I do not usually waste words like this." He closed his eyes and took a breath to start over. "I am settling in well." Especially now since the Quarter master had installed a tub in his quarters. "I actually just sent a shuttle upgrade proposal to your in box. The Captain had a first hand view of some upgrades I had done to the shuttle of my old ship when we went to pick up the new Head Nurse." He grimaced a little when he mentioned Tox. "The Captain thought it worth exploring for the shuttles that Kian ... I mean the Ontario are holding." You are overly tired Xavier. He felt a slight shock of anxiety. All this change was not good for the soul.

Yiv offered the younger Vulcan a gentle smile. 'It seems like you've hit the ground running - and don't worry,' his smile widened as he thought of Percy, 'the Ontario is a good fit for misfits.' He pointed behind the pilot. 'I was just heading to the mess, would you care to join? You can tell me more about these upgrades to our shuttles.'

Xavier blinked. "Indeed. Thank you sir."

The trip to the mess hall didn't take long and they picked up their food and found a quiet table off to the side. Xavier was glad that there wasn't a window around so he could not get distracted. The nerves seemed to fade as his excitement for the shuttle upgrades took over.

Motioning to a free table, Yiv asked the Vulcan to sit. 'Prep your materials will you - I'll get us a drink. Some food perhaps?'

"Yes, sir. A latte would be great."

He waited for the XO to return, an excitement building in him.

Surprised at the Vulcan's drink order - Yiv couldn't recall any Vulcan he'd known to order a caffeinated drink - he busied himself with replicating the necessary drinks, and added in a few chocolate biscuits for good measure.

'Here we go,' he said, bringing the tray of goods to the table. 'One latte. A unique choice for a Vulcan, I must say,' Yiv said as he put his own mug of Rigellian coffee down on the table.

"Indeed, I have been told, I ... like find that coffee was a comfort to me. It was the first drink that I had when I came to Earth...it has fond memories during a difficult time in my life."

'Hmm,' Yiv twirled a finger through a moustache for a moment as he considered his reply. He finally shrugged. 'I could offer you some rubbish about hard times making the man, but I won't. I'll only say I'm glad that that difficult time is past you.' Leaning forward, he smiled, noticing the eyeliner around the man's eyes. 'So, tell me your Starfleet history. Indulge an Intelligence Officer.'

Xavier sighed a moment. "My history with Starfleet was...interesting. I was not ready to join the Academy when I arrived on Earth. I had just turned sixteen at the time and I was ...homeless for the better part of a year. I had just started to gather my life when I came across Admiral Tolsen, he was a Captain back then. He came into my place of employment, his pilot was ill and had to go to a meeting on the Lunar base. I was I believe just past 17 at the time. He had no time to wait for a pilot and I knew how to fly so I took him there and he seemed impressed. At that point he pretty much came daily to the Cafe asking if I was ready to join Starfleet. I eventually accepted and began to study for the entrance exams. It was... an experience but I had shelter and food and the Admiral was my sponsor in. I passed all the entrance exams easily, studies have never been an issue for me."

Xavier shrugged. "I guess after that I was posted to the Light Seer. Captain Kelson made it her mission to adopt me." He smiled a little, just a gentle curve of the lip. "I was utterly shocked that someone wished to mother me, I had never truly had that with my family but soon I saw her as a mother." A shadow formed on his face. "Then we were sent to Aleg Seven, a vile planet seeking entrance into the Federation. A scientific study was to be done and the mission...took Captain Kelson's life. I was transferred shortly after that to the Stone Brook and then to the Lime House. I was content there until...issues arose that had me requesting a transfer and I am now here."

'Issues you say?' Yiv replied idly, before deciding to file that one away for when he looked at the officer's personnel record. 'Never mind,' he said kindly, 'it's best to look to the future. Tell me about these modifications, if you would.'

"Indeed." The shadows left Xavier's eyes. "The shuttle! Yes. I have flown many and I found that with a few modifications when in a dire situation the shuttle can have more power then anything.

I propose that we add a state of the art, older Earth type of roller-coaster harness. This harness has a bio monitoring system and allows each chair to be suspended in its own little bubble of gravity and oxygen so that we can cut it off from the rest of the shuttle."

He paused to take a drink of coffee before he continued, "The chair and occupants are safe and the extra power save is shuttled to the engines for quick get away during a tense situation. The chairs also have, within the head rest, a helmet that allows you to see the surroundings with small probes that are microscopic in size and can be launched at a moments notice." He held the commanders gaze. "They are so small that they cannot be seen. Further to that I have also created a holo projector, also a Nano size that can launch and create a diversion of up to 5 duplicate shuttles that transmit same readings as the main and can be used to confuse pursuers if we are attempting to get away."

'These are ... radical upgrades,' Yiv said cautiously. 'Have you had these field-tested? Or is this what you propose to do with one of our shuttles?'

"I've used it successfully on my previous ship." He took a sip of his Latte. "I also have a prototype here I used it to come here. The ship will pick it up next week I could show you the shuttle."

'I think that's a splendid idea,' Yiv replied enthusiastically. Upgrades to help with the shuttlecraft were always appreciated - anything to help the crew as the oxygen bubble would. 'And you designed these yourself? No Engineering training in your background?'

"In terms of formal training. Since I was a child I was fascinated with shuttles. There was a time where I wanted to live in one and just float away where space would carry me. They were...an escape and I read books on how they were built. I used to sneak into the science academy lectures...skipping my lower grade ones just to hear about shuttles." He shrugged. "They became a means of shutting out the world and making my own."

'Shuttles is an ... interesting fascination,' Yiv replied with a gentle smile. 'Still, I suppose it's no different than Earth children being interested in dinosaurs or Ancient Egypt, really.' He shrugged, 'and a more useful preoccupation. But tell me, why stick as a pilot if you can design these improvements?'

He shrugged. "I loved to fly. The moment I took the controls It was...a freedom unlike anything I've ever known." He shrugged. "I am content to fly ships and shuttles. Enhancements are more a hobby and flying is my passion."

'Well, long may it continue to be,' Yiv replied, smile widening at the pretty Vulcan man. 'I'm sure you have some more settling in to do - don't let me detain you any further.'

He gave a nod. "Thank you sir." He stood and gave a small bow. "Please let me know if you would like to see those enhancements personally before we leave. If not I have a shuttle simulation as well. I look forward to meeting with you again."

'A personal inspection is always welcomed,' Yiv replied lightly, 'and I'm sure I'd enjoy being taken for a test-drive by yourself. Arrange it in the diary and I'll be sure to attend.'

Xavier bowed. "Indeed. Thank you for your time Commander." They exchanged a few more words and then Xavier headed out feeling as if this may not be as bad a posting as he thought. That was quickly replaced by anxiety and a need to send a letter to the one person who could calm that anxiety.

OFF:


Lieutenant-Commander Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii
Executive Officer
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

 

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