Log edited with Logedit 2.6.9pl on Tue Jun 17 09:36:47 EDT 1997 Logged by Perceptor Word-wrapping at 75, 0, 2 Statistics at end of log ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Space-pilot Training Log 12.13.96 Autobot City Launch Pad: Alpha Trion shuttle Perceptor stands reviewing a small datapad as he glances over the command console. Perceptor glances up and smiles to all who entered, "Greetings..." Bulwark looks about the shuttle, noting little things. He moves to the side to allow free movement around the interior. Perceptor turns his attention back to the datapad, which seems to contain some notes about astrophysics. Jetfire sits down in the copilot's seat and starts checking over the systems. "Perceptor, have you gone through the preflight checks yet?" He asks absently, looking over his shoulder at Melinda. Melinda Lossman looks around the semi-familiar shuttle, noting the differences between this shuttle and Mosaic's Perceptor walks towards the pilot's seat and shakes his head to Jetfire, "No, I have not. What exactly do I need to do?" Jetfire says, "Well, the maintenance crews should have everything in order, but it's a good idea to check the important flight systems once yourself, just to make sure." Perceptor nods towards Jetfire as he glances towards the console. Bulwark motions Melinda over, "Perhaps now would be a good time to strap in. Before the interesting things begin happening." Jetfire goes through a short checklist, pointing out status displays and readouts for the engines, sensors, and steering systems. Perceptor nods as he reads over the list and turns his attention to the system monitors. Melinda Lossman straps into one of the few human sized seats, shaking her cobwebbed memory for the proceedures... Perceptor says, "Engines...check. Sensors...check Navigation...check..." A low rumble can be heard from behind you as Perceptor activates the shuttle's engine systems. Jetfire says, "Okay, everything seems in order. The helm is yours, Captain Perceptor." Perceptor turns his head towards the passengers, "It may behoove you to make sure that your straps are secure. I hope nothing will go atray, but..." Bulwark takes a seat and straps hismelf in as well. "Skill, Perceptor." Melinda Lossman checks her straps. Secure alright. 8) Perceptor's voice trails off as an indicator light alerts him that the engines are fully warmed up. You monitor the viewscreen as the shuttle travels onward. Bulwark looks over, "You are secure, Melinda?" Perceptor grasps the launch controls. Melinda Lossman says, "Well, sometimes I have some self-esteem problems, but overall secure, yes. (smiles)" A sudden lurch signifies the launch of the Alpha Trion, and it begins to rise from the Launch Pad. The Alpha Trion travels onward to Earth Orbit. Melinda Lossman says, "woah!" Jetfire settles back in his chair, steepling his fingers in front of him. You fall back into your seat as the shuttle's engines blast at full power to reach escape velocity. Perceptor glances towards Jetfire, "Not too much throttle, is it?" Bulwark holds the armrests tightly. "This is the fun part, right?" The sky outside shifts from a bright blue to a rich navy as the shuttle continutes to climb in altitude. Jetfire sounds slightly amused. "There's no such thing as 'too much throttle', Perceptor. But no, from an open landing pad like ours, with no other air traffic to worry about, there's nothing wrong with indulging yourself." Perceptor smiles nervously as he pulls back slightly on the thrust. Jetfire looks at the viewscreen. The cacophonous rumble from the Alpha Trion's engines quiets slightly as the shuttle nears an orbital position. Melinda Lossman says, "Um, so... we going anywhere, or just a quick practice jaunt, then back to Auto City?" Perceptor glances towards Jetfire, "Anything in particular that I must be extremely careful of when navigating this region?" Jetfire says, "Now that you mention it, there's quite a bit of space debris around Earth, along with satellites and other spacecraft. The shuttles' sensors are set to automaticly watch for collisions, though." Perceptor looks towards the proximity sensors and observes several nearby terran satellites. Jetfire turns back in his chair to look at Melinda. "We should be coming up on the space station Galileo. I understand they've recently repainted the exterior..." Perceptor glances out the main viewport as the space station begins to become visible. Bulwark relaxes now that the shuttle is in orbit. "We are not in a geosynchronus orbit?" Melinda Lossman tries to see out a viewport from her low-set human seat. Bulwark looks at the viewscreen. Perceptor reduces the thrust of the engines to just enough to maintain a decent altitude. Perceptor remarks, "Quite a lot of traffic...I suppose everyone is looking for exotic gifts for the uncoming terran holidays. Lots of terran shuttles..." Melinda Lossman mutters to herself, "A... eh...." Jetfire scans the console quickly. "Landing gear down...speed down...we're cleared to land." Perceptor's optics survey the hangars for an open bay. Bulwark continues watching out the screen. "This is a place to relax?" Bulwark looks at the viewscreen. Perceptor says, "American shuttles...asserting their upcoming independence celebration?" Jetfire points at an open landing pad. "There's a spot." The sensor light activates as an empty shuttle bay is spotted. Perceptor says, "There's an open bay." Jetfire gestures at a screen, a tiny space-craft is heading for the open spot! Perceptor frowns and grumbles, "I will not lose this space..." Jetfire says, "Gun it Perceptor!" Perceptor pushes slightly on the throttle control as the shuttle lurches forward, racing towards the empty spot. The open Bay looms closer. Bulwark grabs the armrests again. "Oh no." Jetfire says, "Er...maybe not -that- much speed..." Perceptor smiles and he looks towards the sensor to notice the other spacecraft changing its direction to search for another spot. Melinda Lossman yelps, "Eep!" Perceptor hurridly pulls back on the throttle as he hits the airbrakes. Bulwark looks at the viewscreen. You feel yourself being tossed forward violently as the airbreaks activate. The restraints keep you from flying into the command console. The shuttle touches down, the landing gear making a slight groan as the metal is stressed. Perceptor blinks and he looks back to make sure everyone is okay, "My apologies..." Melinda Lossman has a white knuckle grip on her seat armrests. Perceptor deactivates the engines and lets out a large sigh of relief. Jetfire straightens up in his seat, unwrapping himself from his restraints. "No problem..." Bulwark nods shakily, "It's ok, Perceptor. I don't think we've been hurt." Perceptor sits motionlessly, his optics wide open. Bulwark looks at the viewscreen. Melinda Lossman unstraps herself quickly, trying to adjust to the sudden gravity again Melinda Lossman collects her fallen notepad, and looks for her pens... Jetfire looks at the viewscreen. Perceptor sighs as he begins to disconnect his restraints. Perceptor says, "While we are here, shall we not walk around a little?" Bulwark unstraps himself, standing slowly. Perceptor smiles as he stands up from the chair and rotates his shoulder rotors. Perceptor glances to Melina and Bulwark, "Care to walk around?" Bulwark nods, "Certainly. I've never been here." Perceptor turns to Jetfire, "I have not been here in some time. When were you last here?" Jetfire says, "A few months, at least. I don't see any problem with exploring a little, as long as everyone stays together." Perceptor nods, "Agreed." Perceptor checks to make sure all the shuttle's system have been properly powred down as he makes several notes on his datapad. Melinda Lossman says, "Great!" Perceptor motions towards the door as he falls in step behind Jetfire. You start following. Bulwark says, "Great. Does Melinda need gear?" Perceptor shakes his head, "No, there is a breathable atmosphere." Jetfire says, "It's better for tourists that way." Jetfire disembarks from the Alpha Trion. Bulwark disembarks from the Alpha Trion. You disembark from the Alpha Trion for the Monacus Spaceport... *** At this point we roamed around for quite a while, spending lots of IC time in the spaceport perusing the various shops and facilities. The logs pertaining to this part of the journey are unrelated to the learning of space-pilot, so they have been clipped. You climb into the Alpha Trion... Melinda Lossman boards the ship from Monacus Spaceport. Perceptor enters the shuttle and strides up towards the command console. Jetfire seals the airlock. Bulwark looks at the viewscreen. Melinda Lossman yawns. Long flight. Busy days Perceptor picks his datapad back up as he peruses the pre-flight checklist. Perceptor smiles to Melinda, "We shall be back on Earth soon enough, Ms. Lossman." Perceptor nods towards the various monitors, "Sensors...engines..." Perceptor turns towards everyone else in the shuttle, "We are all set, so please strap yourselves into your restraints." Bulwark nods, taking his place in the sturdy seat. Melinda Lossman straps herself in, looking sleepy. Boy, this crash gear is comfy... Jetfire grips the armwrests of the copilot's chair. Perceptor sits down in the pilot chair and straps himself in. Perceptor glances momentarily towards Jetfire. Jetfire steeples his hands in front of him. "Ready," he says pleasantly. Melinda Lossman realizes it will be PERCY flying again, and fear wakes her back up. 8) Bulwark straps himself in, "I'm ready." Perceptor smirks as he iniates the engine startup sequence. Melinda Lossman mumbles, Check" The rumbling engines fire up from the rear of the Alpha Trion. The Alpha Trion travels onward to Monacus System. Jetfire looks at the viewscreen. The shuttle lurches as Perceptor slams down the launch throttle, sending the shuttle off Monacus and into space. Perceptor glances towards the monitors towards the diminishing spaceport. Huh? (Type "help" for help.) Bulwark gets slammed back into his head, "Whoa!" You monitor the viewscreen as the shuttle travels onward. Melinda Lossman purrs, "Yie..." Jetfire says, "I think you're getting the hang of it, Perceptor." As the shuttle recedes to a safe distance, Perceptor disengages the impulse engines. With a quiet rumble, the FTL engines come online. Melinda Lossman looks at the viewscreen. The rumble from the rear of the shuttle subsides as the low hum of the FTL engines reaches an audible range. Bulwark looks at the viewscreen. The Alpha Trion travels onward to Deep Space - Galactic Plane. Perceptor flips the controls, sending the Alpha Trion streaking through galactis space at a speed faster than light. The Alpha Trion travels onward to Trifid Nebula. Melinda Lossman says, "Yahhhh ha haa..." Perceptor glances towards the sensors, which indicate a close proximity to the Trifid Nebula. Melinda Lossman looks at the viewscreen. Jetfire says, "You remember the way back, right Perceptor?" Perceptor sits cormfortably in the pilot's chair, much more relaxed than the earlier trip. Bulwark looks at the viewscreen. Melinda Lossman purrs, "woo... pretty..." Perceptor checks the sensor and engine monitors again. Melinda Lossman takes notes this time. "So, where are we now, Cap'n" Bulwark nods, "I agree. Quite a display." Perceptor nods to Jetfire. Perceptor inputs a rimward course to the navacomputer as the shuttle heads towards a bright star in the region. Melinda Lossman mutters to Bulwark, "... Bulwark, what... it you... with... You a..." The Alpha Trion travels onward to Sol System. Perceptor turns towards Melina, "We are nearing Sol...and Earth." Melinda Lossman looks at the viewscreen. Bulwark shakes his head, "Not much of one, I'm afraid." A subaudial whine becomes briefly noticable as the FTL engines cut off and the vessel returns to sublight speed. Melinda Lossman smiles at Bulwark. "That's not a flaw..." Bulwark looks at the viewscreen. The Alpha Trion travels onward to Fringe . Perceptor deactivates the FTL engines as Sol's shining light fills the cabin. Melinda Lossman looks at the viewscreen. Melinda Lossman says, "Is that the Sun? It looks so small from here... just like another star..." Perceptor admires the views of the gas giants. Perceptor looks towards Melinda and nods, "Indeed it is." The Alpha Trion travels onward to Gas Giants . Bulwark looks at the viewscreen. Melinda Lossman takes pictures the Voyager would have loved. 8) Perceptor's optics momentarily flash with nervousness as he dodges several asteroids. The Alpha Trion travels onward to Terrestrial Planets . Melinda Lossman looks at the viewscreen. Jetfire hands twitch instinctively towards the controls, but he restrains himself. Perceptor glances up towards Jetfire and says, "Am I doing well?" Bulwark grips the arms of his seat like he wanted to meld with it. Perceptor's emotions are washes from his face as he sighs and looks back towards the navigation sensors. Melinda Lossman watches with interest, but no real fear. She can adapt to ANYTHING, even bad driving. 8) Melinda Lossman looks at the viewscreen. Jetfire nods encouraginly. "Yes, very nice..." Melinda Lossman says, "You're doing great, sir"" Perceptor begins to reduce the thrust on the engines as the shuttle heads towards the brilliant blue planet of Earth. The Alpha Trion travels onward to Earth Orbit. Melinda Lossman looks at the viewscreen. Bulwark looks at the viewscreen. Melinda Lossman gasps. "It does really look peaceful from up here..." Perceptor looks quickly to the extenal sensors to make sure the Alpha Trion's heat shielding is fully functional. Perceptor pauses to admire the view of the Earth. Melinda Lossman gets a streak of melancholy... Melinda Lossman mutters to herself, "... smoke" Jetfire says, "Actually, your planet has come together quite well when compared with...some others in the universe. You should be proud of yourselves." Melinda Lossman smiles ruefully. "Great..." Bulwark says, "Your planet is quite beautiful, Melinda." Perceptor nods emphatically, "Indeed it is...the beauty is presents is such as welcome change from that of Cybertron." Melinda Lossman smiles, "Thanks, but I had little to do with it." 8) Melinda Lossman gapes at Perceptor. "You've GOT to be kidding!" Perceptor beings to direct the shuttle towards the upper atmosphere. Perceptor cautions, "This could get uncomfortable." The Alpha Trion travels onward to Landing Pad. Melinda Lossman gushes, "Cybertron is beautiful and intense... stark, with starlight gleaming off it's metal serface, the alien landscapes... beautiful!" The shuttle shakes as it enters the upper stratosphere. Bulwark nods, "It's beautiful in a different way." Perceptor struggles to maintain the correct angle to allow the heat friction to hit the shielding. Melinda Lossman says, "Is it getting warmer in here?" Jetfire glances back, you get the impression of gritted teeth from his voice. "I guess it's just a question of what you're used to. A lot of Autobots are stunned with all the organic growth on your planet, the waters. Even the weather systems." Melinda Lossman looks at the viewscreen. The rattling stops as the shuttle punches through the upper atmosphere and into the blue skies of western North America. Melinda Lossman says, "What weather system? Your base is in California. Head north a bit. YOU'LL see weather systems. 9) 8) 8)" Perceptor sighs with relief as he points the Alpha Trion towards California. Perceptor speaks from the front of the shuttle, "I hope to establish a small research post in the arctic..." Melinda Lossman says, "Ooh... that would be cool... you'll have to let me visit when you get it up and running..." Perceptor looks towards the proximity radar to make sure there are no nearby aircraft. Bulwark says, "I have traveled to the northern regions. The temperature is quite cold." Perceptor smiles as he /slowly/ activates the airbrakes, bringing the shuttle to a gentle halt near the Autobot City Landing Pad. Melinda Lossman mutters to Bulwark, "I hope this landing... than..." Melinda Lossman says, "Woo! Good landing, Perceptor!" Bulwark smiles and nods, then laughs. There is a slight clang as the shuttle's landing gear comes gently to rest on the landing pad. Melinda Lossman says, "Thanks a lot, guys! I gotta get home and feed my poor cats, but I'll drop by again sooN!" Perceptor smiles and he looks at the birds in the sky above the Landing Pad. Perceptor says, "Thank you all for you encouragement!" Jetfire says, "Nice to meet you, Melinda Lossman." Melinda Lossman unstraps herself, and stretches. Perceptor deactivates the engines and turns extends the landing ramp. Melinda Lossman says, "Nice to meet you, Commander. You too, Bulwark. And nice to meet you AGAIN, Perceptor" Perceptor smiles with a hint of embarrassment, "The pleasure was mine, Ms. Lossman." Perceptor says, "We will contact when we make progress with our plant exhibition." Perceptor unstraps himself as he calmy stands up from the pilot's chair. Melinda Lossman says, "Thanks, Perceptor. Yah, I'll come back and help anyway I can. Just don't overdo it, guys" Perceptor smiles kindly and nods. Perceptor grabs his datapad from the chair and returns it to its storage compartment. Perceptor turns towards Jetfire and says, "Thank you for your assistance Jetfire. I hope I will be able to adequately handle the shuttle systems in the future." Melinda Lossman hops down the ramp, tired but happier than yesterday... Melinda Lossman disembarks from the Alpha Trion. Perceptor examines the console again the make sure every system has been shut down and disengaged. Jetfire nods. "I'm sure you will. Just try not to take them out joyriding." Perceptor looks quizzically to Jetfire, "What purpose would that serve?" Jetfire laughs. "Forget it." Perceptor shrugs as he strides towards the exit ramp, "I need to go empty the contents of this datapad in my main computer archive." Perceptor waves as he exits the Alpha Trion. Jetfire disembarks from the Alpha Trion. Bulwark disembarks from the Alpha Trion. You disembark from the Alpha Trion for the Landing Pad... ---------------------LOG ENDS - STATISTICS----------------