Well I'm not really very good at Logic, it seems? (BACKPOST)

Posted on Thu Jul 24th, 2025 @ 12:22am by Lieutenant JG Aurania (Rani) Anderson MD & Major Kett V'Laass
Edited on on Thu Jul 31st, 2025 @ 12:59am

Mission: Season 6: Echoes of the Zynari
Location: Holosuite 4
Timeline: (Backpost)
1034 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Rani had booked a slot in Holosuite four so she and Kett could go onto a private airfield. She wondered if perhaps an air museum but with "working" simulations of piloting some of the selected popular planes. She knew Kett would be interested in the old planes from years, perhaps centuries ago, but secretly she'd always fancied trying her hand at flying and these simulations sounded like the best way to have a go.

As the two of them arrived at the Holosuite, it initially showed already in use but eventually it cleared itself and they were able to get in and set it up for their planned session.

"That's not a very good start!" Rani said, rolling her eyes. "That bodes ill, doesn't it?" It was a rhetorical question but not one that, on retrospective thought, a suitable one to pose to a Vulcan, whether you expected an answer or not.

"Perhaps we should've brought side arms instead just in case?" Said Kett in his emotionless monotone voice. Kett looked Rani in the eyes a look of complete seriousness on his face. "That was an attempt at humour. I read a book. It was advice and conversation for first dates with non-Vulcans. I understand humour can break tension and un-ease".

"ohhhh!" Rani looked at Kett's serious face and laughed. "Well it worked, that was very funny......" she blushed. "Okay then.... but at least a bit funny but the thought was there!" she owned up. Hoping she hadn't disappointed him when he was clearly trying so hard, she gave him a little encouraging hug.

Kett taken by surprise from the hug stood still very awkwardly arms by his side like a deer stuck in the head lights of an automobile. "Indeed" said Kett stepping out from the hug and with even more awkwardly patting Rani on the head and then putting his hands behind his back.

Rani realised at once that the hug had been a mistake and muttered "I'm sorry". ~Well at least I got a pat on the head, that's preferable to a punch on the nose~ she thought, a little cynically but with no malice. She knew she had overstepped and took that on the chin, so to speak.

"So..... " she began, tugging her jumper downwards in her own instinctive, uncomfortable reaction. "This - whenever it finally loads - is supposed to be an old fashioned airfield on Earth, centuries ago. And there's meant to be a selection of simulations of ancient planes to try out." Rani explained, changing the subject to the program she had selected, or tried to. The Holosuite guttered and struggled for another few minutes but eventually cleared and presented the scenario that it was expected to.

Kett nodded approvingly and with one hand slid his hand into hers as the holdeck shimmered into life. Kett had a basic understanding of earth aeronautical history, for example that It took 66 years between the first sustained, controlled, powered flight by the Wright Brothers in 1903 and the first manned landing on the Moon by Apollo 11 in 1969. Which really did characterise the human tendency to run before they could walk. In comparison it was over two centuries for Vulcans. Appearing in front of them was some sort of Bi-plane, a jet fighter and an old NX Type O shuttle pod.

That Kett had slipped his hand into hers had taken Rani's breath away with delight. She couldn't find anything to say for several moments before she gulped down the lump in her throat and was able to start chattering about the planes and how exciting this was all going to be.

"I've always wanted to fly." she enthused, still breathing fitfully but hoping to cover this by excuse of the excitement of the experience and the anticipation of what they were about to do.

Kett made a sweeping gesture with his free hand. "Earth has an extensive pioneering history in aviation. Which plane would you like to try?"

"I... don't know much about them. I just want to fly? Which are good for beginners?" Rani replied, a little shyly.

Kett scratched his beard. "Computer Arch." The holodeck arch shimmered into existence. Kett went over and typed quickly on the LCARS touch screen display, which then chirped obediently. "Computer-new Model-Sea Harrier FRS1"

On seeing the plane that Kett ordered materialise, Rani was initially a little taken aback by its size now it was here appearing to tower right in front of them. She swallowed silently but was too excited about learning something about Kett and his expertise to falter now. She took in a breath, smiled enthusiastically and stepped up.

"OK so this is the The British Aerospace Sea Harrier. It was a naval short take-off and vertical landing/vertical take-off and landing jet fighter, reconnaissance and attack aircraft. It first entered service with the Royal Navy in April 1980 as the Sea Harrier FRS1." Kett's fingers gently stroked the under carriage of the plane.

This all meant nothing to Rani but she kept smiling. ~short take off, vertical take off, vertical take off, vertical landing.... so which? ~ that sounded like contradiction to the medic but she just had to pray that she didn't get asked about it in a test or telling situation later.

See the look of puzzlement on Rani's face Kett held out one arm parallel and flat to his chest. He moved it up and down to indicate vertical landing and take off and then moved his arm like it was taking off from a runway.

Rani blushed and looked uncomfortable. "I know what vertical and short both mean, I was just confused that you seemed to be saying the craft does a short take off with a combination of a vertical landing and then a vertical combination of both, but it wasn't clear to me why you'd need both versions and why the interchangeability wasn't an even crossover."

If a Vulcan could shrug he would 've. But in instead Kett simply said. “Humans are not logical”

Rani rolled her eyes, none the wiser if the plane would take off slowly, land vertically or fly upside down, but she wasn't going to ask anymore questions.

TBC