The Flight of the Phoenix

Posted on Friday 1 July 2016 @ 05:04 by Captain John "Apollo" Barstow, M.D. & Captain Melody Jones

Mission: Old, New Ship
Location: Holodeck 1
1809 words - 3.6 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Lieutenant Melody Jones stood outside holodeck 1 with Jacob Carson, the ships librarian.

“I’m telling you Carson, you’ll like this program. It’s historical.”

Carson smiled and shook his head “Ah, Miss Jones, you sweet young thing, historical to me means a lot older than this, but I will entertain you nether the less. I suppose the fact I lived through this period makes it a bit less historical to me.”

Melody continued “I know you will enjoy it, we are just waiting for the captain and then we can get started.”

With impeccable timing, Barstow then appeared round the corner.

John came around the corner dressed in his flight suit, which still had all the Marine emblems and ranking on it, with one update of Lieutenant Colonel on it to match his active rank of Commander. If he every ended up actively flying again he would change them, but, for now this was his way of holding on to a part of his past he had enjoyed and had played a major part in shaping him and who he was. As the CO walked over he smiled, "Lieutenant, mister Carson, how are you both?"

Carson extended his hand "Captain, a pleasure as always. Very well thank you."

Melody nodded in agreement "Fine thank you sir. I invited Mr Carson along so he could look at the program from a historical context, me I just like the raw speed."

Carson rolled his eyes slightly and smiled looking upward with a sigh "Angles and Ministers of grace, defend us"

Melody continued "If it's ok with you sir I'll take the pilots position and will you please take the co-pilots seat. Mr Carson will just observe."

John took Carson hand, giving it a firm shake and chuckled, "not a problem, Lieutenant, or should I say Captain," he replied with a grin, "and I'm with you, nothing like feeling that push as you accelerate and feel the start to become an extention..."

"Of the ship itself........" Melody finished, smiling. “Right then” Melody said with a glint in her eye “Shall we?” Then turning to address the wall panel.

“Computer, load Jones program 3 – Flight of the phoenix. I will take the pilot position, Captain Barstow will be my co pilot and Mr Carson is observing.”

After a split second the computer responded “Program complete. You may enter when ready.

Entering the holodeck, they found themselves on the gantry next to the cockpit which was mounted on the Titan V missile.

“Melody looked back at the other two and grinned “Don’t look down” and quickly climbed into the cockpit.

After a few minutes they were all strapped into their respective chairs.

Caron looked around apprising the details of the simulation “This cockpit is rather small and quite primitive” he said, motioning to the back of flip switches and blinking lights.

“Come on Carson, you don’t hear the Captain complaining” Melody retorted.

John just chuckled as he got comfortable in the seat and grabbed the hand hold over the seat, resting his hand, "it could be worse, Carson, this' just the holodeck recreation, according to historical records, and the Enterprise crew, the real thing was a lot.....well, the phrase duct tape, bailing wire and chewing gum was used a lot," he said with a grin.

Over the cockpit radio a female voice now interrupted Control to Phoenix. The final launch sequence checks are complete. Good luck. Begin ignition sequence” and then started counting down from 10.

Carson’s brow furrowed “I know that voice, it sounds betazoid. I thought you said this program was historically accurate?”

Melody replied “It is, it is”

As the countdown reached zero the huge missile exploded into life and all three were forced back into their seats as they blasted off. As they cleared the atmosphere Melody stared flipping switches

“...Prepare for first stage shutdown and separation on my mark. Three, two, one, mark”

There was a loud noise as the missile separated and the warp nacelles now swung out into place.

“Sir, would you please bring the warp core online.”

Apollo nodded and reached to a bank of switches to the side, "copy, warp coils extending......and online," he said as the panels covering the nacelles floated into space, "we have a green bored, ma'am."

"Thank you. Right here we go!" The warp core hummed into life as Melody continued to monitor the readouts. “Plasma injectors are online, main cells are charged and ready” then flipping the final switch “Engage!” she added with a flourish.

The tiny vessel started to pick up speed. "Warp field is looking good, How the structural integrity holding up?"

As the ship started to pick up speed John could feel himself getting pressed into his seat. The ship started shaking and creaking under the strain, causing Barstow to smile, "nothing like flying without dampeners, you can feel the ship and how it performs," he said then looked at one of the displays, "looking good," he replied and tapped the glass with his finger, "I think," he added and looked teasingly at Carson.

Suddenly, large shadow was cast over the entire cockpit. Mr Carson who had been very quite throughout most of the launch sequence now craned his neck to peer out of the window.
“Miss Jones, as far as historical accuracy is concerned, what is that doing here?” he asked, referring to the Sovereign class USS Enterprise that was in Earth orbit

Melody smiled and looked back at the Captain, as if at some inside joke “Believe me, Mr Carson. This is exactly what happened”

Swinging back to face forward, Melody took stock of their speed "We're at critical velocity, warp threshold in 3.......2........1........Now!" And the tiny ship shot into warp.

Unlike when the Merlin had gone to warp, this was not a smooth ride. The cockpit vibrated quite badly and the stars streaking past the windows seamed a lot bigger and a lot closer. Melody was really enjoying the ride, while Carson was hung on for dear life, his knuckles starting to go white while his face was turning a rather odd shade of green.

"You two ok back there?" Melody asked. All the answer Mr Carson could manage was a weak groan.

Barstow saw lights turning red as the ship shook, "Jacob, give that panel a couple of good smacks?" he asked and pointed to the panel that showed the engine lights, "just a short in the wireing....probably..."

Carson gave the offending panel and smack, and then another one "Any better?" He asked.

Melody piped up from the front seat "If that's the second intake valve light, ignore it. It always comes on. Right, I'm going to throttle back. Prepare for sub light in 3.......2.......1......."

The ship dropped out of warp and the vibration lessened, but did not disappear entirely. The stars returned to distant points of light. Melody sung them helm over and brought the ship around. Soon, in the distance a very small Earth could just be seen.

"Very impressive Miss Jones" Carson commented.

"You ain't seen nothing yet" Melody said. "If you thought takeoff was dramatic, you are going to love the landing."

Apollo watched the view out the front port and smiled. While Earth wasn't his home planet there was something about seeing it hanging there in the black fabric of space that always made him smile. As they started back towards the planet John leaned forward, "feel like going off script a little and buzzing Enterprises bridge?" he asked with a grin.

"Sure, why not" Melody responded

Carson interjected at this point "Although I'm not against historical realism, do you think it would be possible to get rid of that vibration?" His face was still a decidedly off colour."

"Of course" Melody reassured, then speaking a bit louder "Computer, remove cockpit vibration."

The ride quality instantly improved and Carson visibly relaxed "Ah, much better, thank you."

The ride back to Earth orbit was over fairly rapidly and Melody maneuvered towards the massive starship passing very closely over the saucer section.

"Now that........." Melody sighed "Is a thing of beauty. I wonder if Doctor Cochran ever thought that this would come from his discovery"

"Yes, it is," Apollo agreed with a smile, "probably not when he started, but I'm sure his vision of the future opened greatly after this flight," he said and sat back in his seat, "sometimes I think maybe we came to far, I think we need more like this and less tech to depend on," he added and patted the Phoenix bulkhead.

"You might not be saying that in a minute, prepare for a little jolt" Melody warned as she flipped a switch. All three of them were suddenly pressed against their harnesses as the cockpit separated from the rest of the spacecraft. "standby for de-orbit burn and re-entry.

Carson had turned rather pale at this point "Thank you for the warning Miss Jones. If you happen to see my soul up there would you please pass it back here as I'm sure that last maneuverer separated it from my body."

"Don't worry, I'm sure it will catch up with us soon" Melody said as they started the plunge back towards the Earth. Soon the red glow of re-entry could be seen through the windows as the cockpit pass through the atmosphere.

John watched the mixtures of reds, yellows and oranges engulfed the capsule, the flames spiking over the ports. Soon it was over ant blue replaced the colors as they broke through the upper atmosphere. A high pitched whistle filled the cabin as the capsule started to speed up. Barstow put his hand over the bank of switches, "deploying chutes in three....two.....one mark!"

Their freefall was suddenly arrested by the parachutes and the cockpit continued to drift at a much slower speed downwards

"Brace for impact in 3.....2....." Melody started then the craft landed with a splash in a lake, as the inflatable collar deployed "1. Touchdown" She finished off.

"Well, she turned to the other two, what do you think?"

"Very good Miss Jones. A very detailed program" Carson said as she undid his harness "The vibration could do with out, but then I've never been a fan of rough rides" he added.

"It was fun," John replied happily and he unstrapped the harness, "I was starting to go a little stir crazy only seeing the Bridge and my bed, so, really enjoyed this," he added with a smile.

"I'm glad you liked it" Melody said grinning. "To celebrate a successful flight I think we should raise a glass to Doctor Cochran. Will you join me at The Round Table? Computer. End Program."

OFF:

Lieutenant JG Melody Jones
Chief Flight control officer
USS Merlin

&

Jacob Carson PhD
Librarian
USS Merlin

&

Commander John "Apollo" Barstow
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin