[ Off everything goes again, heading back through the panels, back to standing up, giving Carolyn just the briefest appraising look before he sets back to work again. ]
Basic start up procedure. Bring on internal power, turn on the main computer, automatic systems, external power. Can't do anything without that. [ The engines hummed to life. ] Then check all unnecessary components are turned off. These are the key systems unrelated to the flight and complicated sciencey stuff, same as you'd get in a passenger jet: headlights, emergency systems, safeties, auto-pilot. Communication with the docking clamp, with the shuttle bay door. Check all the internal electronics are functioning correctly, then do a final sweep. [ He tapped each in turn. The standing up bit he'd more or less perfected. Flight was trickier. He settled into the pilot's seat again. ]
Now for the business end. Engine temperature, coolant levels, emergency engine cooling, fuel levels, fuel temperature, engine jettison protocol, hydraulic responses all a-ok in the thrusters, engines clear of debris and working properly. Maneuverability comes last, this is all about making sure everything's working first. Get any of this bit wrong, and everyone's dead; even a good emergency system won't save you from a shoddy system's check.
Next comes the sciencey stuff. [ The bits he always fumbles over. Some make sense, because he's flown planes. Others...not so much. ] Internal pressure monitor, emergency decompression, emergency forcefields, hull-sealant [ At this point he kicked the metal canister under his seat. ] Oxygen levels, emergency oxygen supply [ A tap of his hand against the panel in his seat beside him. ] Internal gravity, though I sure as hell think I'd know if it was working by now, uh...what do you call it? Deflectors, to stop space dust ripping us to pieces.
[ He thinks that's it. Now the maneuverability checks. ]
Final engine check. Black box on. Giroscope at level, plotting and course of the Tranquility recorded, bay cleared, containment-- [ Once again every bay door on the shuttle slid closed, and a hiss and a change in atmosphere announced everything was sealed tight. ] Check pressure and oxygen levels again, containment stable. All engines in systems check mode. Heat main engine, reverse thrusters - 1, 2, landing thrusters - 1, 2, 3, 4, port thrusters, bow, amidships, stern, starboard thrusters, bow, amidships, stern. [ He checked the last off with his fingers, rather than doing them. ] All engines to green, radio for permission, release clamps, check cargo bay doors are open, check for traffic, proceed with takeoff.
[Pause. ]
Damn. I forgot to check in my rear view mirror, didn't I?
action;
[ Off everything goes again, heading back through the panels, back to standing up, giving Carolyn just the briefest appraising look before he sets back to work again. ]
Basic start up procedure. Bring on internal power, turn on the main computer, automatic systems, external power. Can't do anything without that. [ The engines hummed to life. ] Then check all unnecessary components are turned off. These are the key systems unrelated to the flight and complicated sciencey stuff, same as you'd get in a passenger jet: headlights, emergency systems, safeties, auto-pilot. Communication with the docking clamp, with the shuttle bay door. Check all the internal electronics are functioning correctly, then do a final sweep. [ He tapped each in turn. The standing up bit he'd more or less perfected. Flight was trickier. He settled into the pilot's seat again. ]
Now for the business end. Engine temperature, coolant levels, emergency engine cooling, fuel levels, fuel temperature, engine jettison protocol, hydraulic responses all a-ok in the thrusters, engines clear of debris and working properly. Maneuverability comes last, this is all about making sure everything's working first. Get any of this bit wrong, and everyone's dead; even a good emergency system won't save you from a shoddy system's check.
Next comes the sciencey stuff. [ The bits he always fumbles over. Some make sense, because he's flown planes. Others...not so much. ] Internal pressure monitor, emergency decompression, emergency forcefields, hull-sealant [ At this point he kicked the metal canister under his seat. ] Oxygen levels, emergency oxygen supply [ A tap of his hand against the panel in his seat beside him. ] Internal gravity, though I sure as hell think I'd know if it was working by now, uh...what do you call it? Deflectors, to stop space dust ripping us to pieces.
[ He thinks that's it. Now the maneuverability checks. ]
Final engine check. Black box on. Giroscope at level, plotting and course of the Tranquility recorded, bay cleared, containment-- [ Once again every bay door on the shuttle slid closed, and a hiss and a change in atmosphere announced everything was sealed tight. ] Check pressure and oxygen levels again, containment stable. All engines in systems check mode. Heat main engine, reverse thrusters - 1, 2, landing thrusters - 1, 2, 3, 4, port thrusters, bow, amidships, stern, starboard thrusters, bow, amidships, stern. [ He checked the last off with his fingers, rather than doing them. ] All engines to green, radio for permission, release clamps, check cargo bay doors are open, check for traffic, proceed with takeoff.
[Pause. ]
Damn. I forgot to check in my rear view mirror, didn't I?