==================== VALARIS III ====================
"I can't believe that someone lets you fly the shuttle. Even such old
and crappy one."
Said Terek's grandfather that was now pale green clenching to t.he arms
of his chair.
"Hey! Don't talk to pilot when he's flying."
came a haste reply in a tone that suggested that Terek's mind is
currently somewhere else. Considering his flight pattern, it was
probably some happy place where reality had little influence.
"I would obey , if there would be some pilot present..... whoa!, Holy
Prophets, are you trying to kill us both? How did you even get through
the academy?!!"
The near miss of a side of the very wide cannyon made Tirou even paler.
"I swear tha inertial dampers launched themselves in the escape pods....
Look! I think I can see them!"
"This was your bloody idea grandpa. I've said from the beginning that I
am a lousy pilot, but noooo, you just insisted on us doing this cargo run."
"When you said lousy, I have thought that it would be something like
flying in the refugee transport in the old days, but this is a
nightmare. Lucky me, that I haven't had mu lunch before we've left."
The small bajoran shuttle was fling close to the surface of Terek's
homeworld, Valaris III. He came here to find a sanctuary, somewhere
quiet, where he could contemplate about what to do with his life, taking
a leave from the Chimera. At that time, he didn't know that there would
be a war and that Valaris would be caught on the wave of the conflict.
Whole planet was cut off the supplies, left to its fate. It was almost
self sufficient colony, however, almost was the important word. Still
the regular food and drug supplies from the Federation kept it growing
and prosperous. Now that those deliveries seized, the Valarians had to
take care of themselves. So volunteers were flying to neighbour systems
trading for food and medical supplies.
And Terek's grandfather insisted that they enroll as well. They were
given worn out shuttle, which barely flew out from the hangar bay.
"Don't worry guys, the Dragonfly will be all right once she gets into
the space." said the mechanic on the base, but exactly this seemed to be
greatest problem. Shuttle seeemed to be unable even to hover not to
mention get an escape velocity. By will of the Prophets they finally
made it into the space and after two days in warp two, they made it to
the closes inhabited system, sold their cargo of spring wine and bought
a solid ammount of food supplies. Mostly vegetable and meat, which were
difficult to get by on Valaris.
Now their overweight shuttle was trying not to cras back on the base.
Indeed Terek passed the flight exams on the academy, but instructor was
almost unconscious and a little bit shaky when he signed his report.
"By great Dreila, we have survived. Remind me please that I never ever
want to be in a shuttle when you are at the helm."
"Again, I've told you from the beginning and YOU could have taken the conn."
"No I couldn't I've never learned to fly and I certainly don't inted to
do so in my age. Nontheless, now it doesn't seem to be such a bad idea."
"Oh please..."
He was interupted by the docking bay service controler:
"Commander Terek?"
"Yes, what is it?" he said a bit startled as he didn't expect to be
called by his rank here.
"We've just recieved an message from the starfleet command on a secure
channel. You are requiered to return to active duty. The attached text
message is supposed to have the coordinates of your new assignment."
The technician handed him a data padd.
"Ehm... thanks... I guess." He looked at his grandfather.
"It looks like you won't do another cargo run, will you?" he smirked at
Terek.
"Be happy, you'll live to see another day."
"Lucky me. All right Weranis. Go get your stuff from the base and I'll
try to find out what transport is headed to the nearest SSF base."
Terek wanted to object that there probably won't bbe any transport from
Valaris heading straight to the SSF base, but he felt that the old man
wants to do something useful so he swallowed the objection and went to
their quaters for his stuff. They moved here from their family farm
because it was safer during tthe initial fights. In the later days of
the conflict both Romulans and Federation lost their interest in Valaris
and they were left behind. And now that the communication to the
government have been restored Federation is hearding all its lost sheeps
back into the
fold. After the communication, the trasportation was restored and ships
were comming and leaving Valaris more regulary now, however still not
any supply ships which was quite disturbing for the Valarians.
Two hours later, Terek was sitting in a cramped frigate heading towards
the Starbase 38 from where he hopefuly get some transport to the
location of Chimera. He didn't hear any news since he left. As Valaris
was cut off from the rest of the civilised space. Now that he had a
chance to log into the ship's database, he was shocked by the magnitude
of the events hoping it has all turned well for the Chimerans.
==================== END OF LOG ====================
CSCiO
Commander Terek Weranis
