six_word_stories | (no subject)

Several. What's your favorite type?

Mine. It's called the Milano, a custom M-Ship. Handles like a dream. And yourself?

M-ship? What's the size? Specs?

I'm probably best with a shuttle but I should probably say my own. Just don't let my helmsman hear me say so. He'd show me up in a minute.

Take your classic Ravagers' ship, but I added a bunch of extras. She's 14 meters across, 6 meters tall, equipped with top of the line engines and jump gate capability, maxed out weapons, the works. She's quick, maneuverable like you wouldn't believe, and fantastic armor. She's a thing of beauty.

A shuttle? Sounds kinda lame. What's your ship?

Edited 2017-09-21 23:48 (UTC)

I mean more, I'm better piloting smaller ships. My own's a research vessel. Four hundred souls on board as the crew. It takes a bit more skill to make the Enterprise turn on a dime.

[He grins a bit.]

Yours sounds like all kinds of fun.

It's definitely fun--

--wait, the Enterprise? You named your ship after the Enterprise? Dude, that's awesome. You're the captain, right? Is your name Kirk? [A snort.]

After the Enterprise? No, she's the real deal. Constitution class, finest ship in Starfleet.

[It's not uncommon for Jim's name to precede him. He grins.]

That's right. James T. Kirk, captain of the USS Enterprise.

Edited 2017-09-22 00:47 (UTC)

[There's a laugh, then a long pause.]

No, wait. What? Seriously!?

You're...like...not old? And in way better shape?

[Not sure what's so funny here...]

Yeah. Call me Jim.

[No way he's mistaking Jim for his late father either, considering George Kirk never lived to see thirty.]

Well, as a fellow space goer, I'm sure I don't need to tell you the struggles of keeping in shape when zero-g and artificial gravity are your constant companions. But I do my best.

I mean, yeah, everybody works out when they can but...

Like seriously. Captain Kirk.

With Spock and Bones and Scotty and Uhura and Sulu and Checkov and warp speed and Starfleet and yelling 'KHAN' and Klingons being total a-holes and going out with gorgeous green chicks and earth ladies from the past--ooh! Did Spock swim with the whales yet?

Edited 2017-09-22 02:15 (UTC)

Okay this went from 'my reputation has preceded me' to the worst kind of stalker in a matter of seconds.

How do you know my crew?

[Gonna just skirt right on by knowing about Khan because that's a wound Jim doesn't need picked open right now.]

I mean, you're not wrong--wait. What about whales?

Uh, unless you count watching movies and TV as stalking...

No, man, your stuff was on shows and stuff, in my world, anyway. Dude, this is so cool, I can't believe I'm talking to Captain James T. Kirk!

You know, the one with the whales. Where you time travel cause this weird probe thing is wrecking the planet and whales are the only thing that can save future earth? You also flew in a Bird of Prey which was pretty sweet.

Edited 2017-09-23 08:00 (UTC)

[He shakes his head. But the mention of being older and in less shape reminds him of things he remembers the Old Spock showing him when they mind melded on Delta Vega. Suddenly a lot of shit makes a whole lot more sense.]

I think you're thinking of a different me. Long story and the fault of some Romulans with misguided revenge schemes, but I'm not that Kirk.

We ended up in a different timeline when the Romulans went back in time and destroyed Vulcan.

Okay, weird, but close enough. [He's still excited!]

Oh dude, what? That sucks! What happened to Spock?

Spock's fine. Well, as fine as you can be considering...

[You know. Becoming an endangered species and having your whole planet and mom killed.]

It's good to meet a supporter of Starfleet all the way out here. Do you run your own business then? I'm not sure what a ravager class is. Geared for combat? Cargo?

No... but I can drive a tractor and an eighteen wheeler and I can fly. Which I think adds up to about the same thing!

[ Says the ten year old. ]

Dude, you can fly? That's awesome!

Yeah but it's no spaceship. It's be SO awesome to have one. Go on adventures all over the universe and anything.

Yeah, it's pretty amazing, not gonna lie. Space adventures are the best.

Not yet, but that's something I'm hoping to cross off of my bucket list. I won't lie, I've wanted to do that since I was four.

Oh man, if you ever get the chance, jump at it. It's amazing.

Believe me, I wouldn't miss the chance. It sounds amazing.

How long have you been at it, then?

Well, hope you get out there someday, dude.

I've been flying my ship since I was 10.

I'm sure it's possible. I've just got to be patient.

10?! Where in the world do they let you fly your own spaceship at bloody 10?!

Space pirates see no problem with this. Man, I was fine, I got good at it pretty early on, too.

I don't see how that's any of your business.

Why so secretive about it, dude?

Spaceship, no. Timeship? Yes.

Dude. A timeship? That's sweet!

...

What's a time ship...?

Spaceships travel through space.

Timeships travel through...?

Pudding.

You're good at this.

I know.

And now I'm hungry.

Does a Viper count? Because if so. Yes. I have. Many times. Kind of comes with being a pilot.

You're a pilot? Cool! What's a Viper?

Like a fighter plane, I guess you could say? I use it to shoot down the Cylon Raiders. So far, thankfully, before they get me.

[Okay there was that one time she ended up stranded on a moon but she got herself out of it. By piloting the damaged Raider back to the fleet. So it was fine and that didn't actually kill her.]

A fighter pilot? That's pretty sweet! My ships a bit too big to be considered anything like a fighter plane but that's gotta be fun, to fly something that maneuverable and small and do dogfights and stuff--

Well, of course we have the fleet as well, but. Really, it's Galactica and the vipers that keep us alive against the Cylons so far. But for as much as Tigh hates me, even he admits that I'm the best shot. [That and her relationship with the Admiral is kind of what keeps her from getting into more trouble than she should be in for all her antics.]

You guys in some kind of war? But hey, if you're the best shot, you're the best shot. I'm not so bad myself, but I've been flying my ship since I was ten.

I don't even remember the first Cylon war. They fled, after that. Not a peep from them for like four decades until recently when they came back via nuking the twelve colonies. We only survived because we were in space at the time. So yeah. We're at war.

Ten though? I guess they are way more lax on the qualifications where you're from.

Piloted? Nein. Passenger, yes. More then a few times, though those instances were rarely enjoyable occurrences.

Why, you don't like space travel?

He just gestures silently to the X-Wing behind him, not taking his eyes off of Peter.

"Mine. I mean, unless you're talking about something bigger, freighter or passenger shuttle or one of those." A little shrug, smile twitching at the corner of his mouth, "I can fly anything."

Peter's gaping at the X-wing and bouncing slightly from one foot to the other, unable to contain his excitement.

"Duuuuuuuude, that's freakin' awesome! An X-Wing? Oh, man, I bet it's so much fun to fly."

Suffice to say, that was not a reaction he was used to getting, which was why it caught him a little off-guard, though it was followed by a slow-spreading, warm smile, "Yeah. Yeah it is. Nothing better."

"How does it handle?" He's in total fanboy mode now. "How long have you been flyin' these things?"

"Ma would take me up in her A-wing practically before I could walk, so, been flying a while now."

He was still smiling, he couldn't help it, really, "And me and this one are good friends, I know how to handle her."