Flying High
Posted on Sun Mar 30th, 2025 @ 2:34am by Lieutenant Christopher Blake & Lieutenant James Constantine
Edited on on Sun Mar 30th, 2025 @ 8:24pm
1,238 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: The Sidebar - Deck 5 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD012 1615 hrs
Chris walked into the Lounge and looked around, his first instinct had been to see if he could pick out the Lieutenant on his own, but realized quickly that not only did he not know most of the people in here, he also hadn't spent hardly any time in the lounge himself. That could make things difficult.
He looked down at the Padd and mentally kicked himself for not being more familiar with these parts of the ship. He tapped through and brought up what he could about Lieutenant James Constantine. He looked at the file picture and then back up at the people in the lounge, hopeful that he could match the face quickly.
The Criminal Investigator in question had taken up residence in the far corner of the room. Constantine rested back against the chair, positioned so he could survey the entire room if he wished. An Old Fashioned was set on the table in front of him, and the dark haired man was turning the page of a real paper book.
Chris approached the table directly once he figured out the that this was the Lieutenant he was looking for.
"Lieutenant Constantine?" Chris asked. "I'm Lieutenant Blake. Mind if I join you?"
Constantine glanced up to him, noting this wasn't someone he had met yet...but he clearly knew who he was. "Not at all," he closed his book up for good measure, to give him his undivided attention as he sat back. "I've only just got here myself."
"Thanks." Chris said as he took a seat and placed the padd on the table. "I'm the Chief Flight Control and I'm creating a list of those with flying experience and any certifications." He tapped the padd before continuing. "Your profile says you have some experience so would you mind being added to the list? Mostly for emergency purposes to know who would be qualified."
"As well, if you're interested I can put in for additional flight training for you to maintain your certifications or even gain a few at your discretion." Chris offered with a lopsided smile.
Constantine was a man well practiced in schooling his features. He'd needed to be in his previous intelligence work. But he couldn't stop the flash of a grin that came to him as his mind pondered the kind of flying he'd done in the past, and how different the scenarios had likely been compared to starship life. "Yes to both, Lieutenant," he assured easily. "I can't lie, I enjoy stretching the metaphorical wings now and then."
"Good to hear." Chris replied as he tapped the Padd. He caught the grin and recognized it well as one of a person who knew the passion of flying. "Did you log many hours? And don't worry, I won't be adding your name to the duty roster for Artemis. Shuttles and flyers mostly."
Constantine relaxed a little, sitting back as he crossed his ankles under the table, nodding with a small, half smile. "I clocked in time every week. Still do, so long as a case isn't taking all of my time. I feel like someone that lives on a starship or base not being able to fly is like a sailor who can't swim. It's just begging for trouble."
Chris shrugged. "You'd be surprised on both accounts. There are people who don't have a desire to fly beyond the basic courses in the academy and I've met a surprising number of sailing enthusiast who couldn't swim with a life jacket."
"Let me know what your weekly schedule will look like and I'll do what I can to keep a couple of slots available. I don't see that being a problem. And worst case, there's the simulators for a pinch." Chris said with a bit of pride. "I've tweaked some of the challenge ratings and randomized some settings so you won't encounter the same things twice. I found it keeps things interesting."
"Thanks," Constantine nodded gently, but he was watching him intently as he sat back, his arms folding comfortably across his middle. He took in his features, how he spoke, his eyes...years of experience and training in reading people working without him even being particularly aware of it anymore. "You really love your work, don't you."
Chris offered a lopsided smile. "What gave it away? Flying has gotten me through a lot of dark times. Gave me a focus when I needed it and gave me freedom when I needed that too." He reached up and tapped the implant just below his artifical eye. "And it'll get you if you're not respectful."
"Crash landing?" Constantine ventured a guess, his voice a shade quieter with respect for the injury he had endured in the line of duty.
"Bad one." Chris replied with a nod. "Lost a good - a great man that day." His thoughts went back to the same place they always seemed to go. However, he'd noticed over the last week or so that while it was still as vivid as always, it didn't hold him with as much guilt as it used to.
"Which is why I want anyone flying a shuttle while on duty to be up to date and comfortable at the controls." Chris managed a nod and half a smile. "Accidents can happen, but that doesn't mean we can't be prepared for them."
"Of course," Constantine nodded firmly, his frown thoughtful. It wasn't unknown for him to play fast and loose and take some pretty hefty risks when he'd felt it necessary...but that was a far cry from being reckless. "I know how to put the work in. But sometimes...bad things just happen," he added with meaning, in relation to Chris' experience.
"For sure." Chris replied. He paused for a moment and leaned back in his chair. He wanted to get away from the thoughts of the crash. He looked toward James after looking down at the padd. "So aside from flying, what brings you to Artemis?"
"Criminals mostly," Constantine shook his head with a weak smile, chuckling with the flash of dark humour. "I served as an investigator on a starbase for the last couple of years. It got sort of...claustrophobic though. I know a ship's no bigger, but at least when you're moving, you feel like you have more freedom."
Chris paused and thought for a moment before he replied. "Some people like to stay by the fire and some like to wander." He put his hand on his padd and nodded toward the book that he'd interrupted. "I'll let you finish your book. Hope it's an interesting read."
Constantine glanced down to it with an arched eyebrow before tilting it up to show him the old, beaten up cover. Dracula. "Never actually read it before," he gave a half shrug with the admission. And truth was, he wasn't really reading much of it now. But books were a great addition to a drink in a lounge; they allowed for observation without being obvious about it.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant James Constantine
Criminal Investigations Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Christopher Blake
Chief Flight Control Officer, USS Artemis
Second Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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