Emotional Support Spaceship

Posted on Mon Oct 26th, 2020 @ 8:36am by Lieutenant JG Miraj Derani & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: SEASON 4: Episode 1: Know Thy Self!
Location: Taylors Office
Timeline: MD 15
1226 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON]

Miraj hopped from one foot to another, mustering the courage for what she was about to do, because after everything, it seemed just a little bit...selfish. But she loved and missed Queen Anne, and it was worth a shot. Elysium was huge.

Right. Stop dithering, ring the doorbell, she told herself, and forced herself to sound the chimes.

Inside his ready room, Gary sat looking at a small mountain of PaDDs on his desk. He knew he needed to take care of them but his mind was still on the last mission and his actions or rather inactions in it. Hearing the chimes, Gary called out "Enter!" Then sat back to see who had decided to visit him. At least now he had an excuse to to be working.

Miraj let go of the end of her bunches where she'd started to twirl it round her finger, and stepped in. "Good morning sir! Do you have a minute? For a personal request?"

Gary's face split into a smile as Miraj entered. "Good morning Miraj. For you I can make time. What's on your mind?"

"I wanted to as a personal favour. about some personal equipment. But its a big ask."

"A personal favor? Personal equipment? And a big ask?" Gary smiled at her. "Sound like you hit the big three Miraj. Why don't you sit down and ask this personal favor and we can see what we can do."

Miraj walked to the seat opposite his desk as fast as she could and perched right at the end. "Thank you sir. I wouldn't normally ask, but I was surveying the ships complement, and the hangar bays, and there's lots of room in there. In both of them. We aren't even close to snug. I'm not even sure why we don't have more jollyboats than we do. Even for a ship this size."

Gary listened as Miraj rambled about the size of hanger bays then he thought he got a clue when she mentioned jollyboats. "Ah." He smiled. "I think I know what you are asking in your round about way, is you want a jollyboat to store/keep in one of the hanger bays. Is that it? Now my next question is what exactly is a jollyboat?"

"Its the small ships that are held on board big ships to do things like ferry to the shore or going out in front for depth testing and the like. Its the catch all for all the little ships, runabouts, shuttlecraft and everything." She explained. "I've got a waverider. She's salvaged and reconditioned, and had a bit of customisation. But she's mine, and she flies like nothing else. once i get to her stick, everythings better. And I'd be prepared to teach the cadets how to fly it. Everyone should know how to fly in atmosphere."

"Alright. Thanks for the explanation." Gary answered. "So, you have a waverider. Very nice I might add and she's been customized no less even better. So, where is your waverider?" He asked all while he waited for Miraj to ask her question in her own unique way.

"With my brother. On his ship, He's docked at Starbase 16. He's moaning its taking up his cargo space. He was supposed to take it back to the Forlorn Hope, but he didn't, and he came out here when I asked him to. Not that he ever needs an excuse to get close to Risa, and so he's here, nd so's she. And i miss her. I've flown her for five years. Everytime something went pearshaped, we'd go out together. And I don't know if you've seen my transcripts, sir, but things went pear shaped a lot."

*Now we're getting somewhere.* Gary thought as Miraj spoke. He nodded, "I have seen your records Miraj." He replied simply not wishing to dwell on the subject. "So let me get this straight. Your waverider, customized no less is on your brother's ship and he complaining about the room it's taking up. To make matters worse, you miss her. Is that correct? Is that what you are telling me?" He asked, knowing it was but he sincerely liked Miraj and he liked to tease her like now.

Miraj nodded. "Yes, sir. And I'd like permission to bring her on board."

He kept his façade up as he stared at her. "Did I hear you right Ensign? You want to bring your personal waverider aboard the Elysium because you wish it? Then you can go out on on pleasure cruises every time you are sad or blue or just feel like it?" He finished and then in the next thought hope he didn't make her cry with his teasing.

Miraj shoulders sunk. She knew this had been a bad idea. "I know its a big ask sir."

"A big ask?" Gary repeated "I only have one more question for you Ensign Derani." He let the moment hang in the air for a few seconds before he continued. "And that is what are you waiting for? Don't you know better to leave your personal belongings on another ship? Especially a waverider? A customized waverider no less. Go get your waverider and bring her where she belongs ... here on the Elysium." He finished his facing splitting into a smile. "I'm sorry if I upset you Miraj." He offered. "I was only teasing you, please don't be upset."

The young pilot wasn't upset at all. Everything was fine now she had permission to bring Queen Anne on board. "Thank you sir! I really appreciate it. She's my baby, and I've missed her so much."

"I am glad to get you too reunited Miraj. I can see the love and passion you have for your ship. It is a special relationship between a pilot and their ship. A special bond is formed, one that is indescribable but very real. One more thing, be careful letting any of Jess's cadets fly her. I think some of them need training wheels on their fighters."

Miraj snorted. "I've taught fighter pilots before sir. They can be be all mouth, and no trousers, but most of them aren't that bad."

Gary nodded, "I'm sure you can handle them Miraj, not a doubt in my mind. I would just hate for one of them to damage your ship because of their stupidity combined with their over confidence."

Miraj snorted. "I'm sure it will be fine. I'll be there to bail them out. Of the airlock, if it comes to it." She added.

"I admire your optimism Miraj." Gary replied with a chuckle. Jess usually keeps a tight rein on them so you shouldn't have any problems. However just in case one tires to push the limits. send them to me and I guarantee they won't try again."

"Yes sir." Though she decided not to mention if anyone tried doing something stupid with the Queen Anne's Revenge a trip to Taylor's office would be the least of their problems. "And thank you sir, I really appreciate it. It means a lot."

"Go." Gary waved at her, his eyes drifting to the small mountain of PaDDs. "Get your ship and give it the TLC it's been missing." He smiled at her, "You are welcome Miraj. I am glad I could help you."

[OFF]