Thunderchicken Testing

Posted on Mon Mar 11th, 2019 @ 11:45am by Lieutenant Commander Mnhei'sahe Dox & Lieutenant Mona Gonadie

Mission: Gaia Reborn
Location: Main Flight Deck

Mona had been working on the new software package for her new variable mode fighter for a day now and it was time to test it out and work out a few more bugs. To do that though, the simulators weren't quite up to par so she was now climbing into the Thunderchicken, an EVA suit on. As the ship was at warp she couldn't leave the hangar, but what she needed to do, she could do just on the deck itself.

Strapping into the single seater cockpit, she closed up the canopy and booted up the new holographic systems. It didn't give anywhere near the spectrum she was used to, but it did give a bit more than what most races could see at least and the HUD systems could show currents and eddies if any were present. Having redesigned the cockpit a bit so she could see around her holographically, except where the seat and controls were was one of the main features she was looking forward to and that was working well, it seemed. The triple redundant systems for that also checked out.

All sensor systems read green across the board. Weapon systems showed green as well, though she wasn't charging them. Deflectors as well as shields were green, but she left the shields unpowered. The SIF read at two hundred percent capacity, which was something she had calculated for. With the locking joints, winglets, and limbs, in this mode the SIF generator had to work double duty to keep structural integrity. Quickly running through the rest of the checklist, everything else read as green and nominal so she kicked in the transformation sequence, sending the Thunderchicken into fighter mode.

In about the space of a second, the cockpit reoriented itself, the four limbs folded in and locked into place against the primary hull, and the turret head reoriented to just over the canopy. As for the oversized TR-116C, It had been tucked up under the hull of the Thunderchicken like some sort of added payload.

Mona then checked the SIF generator and general structural integrity. The generator read at 100% and integrity was stable with all positions locked perfectly. Pulling the craft around into a spin, she tested it for a moment to make sure it didn't dip and to her surprise, it didn't. She barely even felt the high speed in place turn which meant the inertial dampeners were doing their jobs as well.

Hitting the transform controls again, she popped the Thunderchicken back into walker mode. This transformation took about 1.2 seconds but was just as impressive as the limbs popped out and unfolded, the cockpit reoriented, and the 'head' seemed to flare to life at the top of the walker. Gently, she rested the feet of the Thunderchicken on the deck and took a few tentative steps.

Which were solid.

Grinning, Mona knew she had gold on her hands.

Stepping on the deck but staying on her side of the painted Yellow lines on the floor, Lieutenant Mnhei'sahe Dox had a PaDD in hand and was actively monitoring Ensign Gonadie's progress with a pleased half-smile. The rotund Romulan tapped her comm badge to speak to her Miradonian co-worker and partner. "Dox to Gonadie. Looking like your baby is exceeding expectations here."

"That she is. At this rate, we'll be ready for full live flight testing as soon as we come out of warp." Mona knew she couldn't get approval for testing on an actual mission, but she could still hope. "There's also something I whipped up and added that you might be interested in." She then activated the stealth unit she had built in, cloaking the fighter to sensors and to sight.

With a gasp, Dox's eyes went wide as she took it in.

Mona deactivated the 'cloak' and flipped the Thunderchicken's transformation controls one more time, she checked to make sure everything went smoothly, then extended the landing gear and set the bird down on the deck and popped the canopy open. She then hopped out and popped open one of the side access panels, revealing something that looked suspiciously like a Romulan cloak, but with a Miradonian twist. "I took the liberty of scanning those cloaking devices we returned and used some Miradonian tech to simulate one. It uses a third of the power and runs on a ferrium ion core."

"It's amazing work. You may have essentially solved the energy curve dilemma that's dogged Romulan and Klingon scientists for generations." But Dox's expression was one of slight concern. "However, I'm pretty sure this would be a violation of the Treaty of Algeron if we kept it functional, wouldn't it?"

"As a protectorate member of the Federation rather than a full member world, that doesn't apply to my people. I claim this fighter as my personal craft." Mona had a shit eating grin on her face as she said that. She leaned in and explained a bit. "The reason we're a protectorate member is because my people were almost hunted to extinction and we're only at around three million strong. heavily endangered for a warp capable race. And don't worry, I won't be sharing the secrets of this little doodad with anyone other than you."

"Who has already briefed Starfleet intelligence on everything she knows about Cloaking devices, can field strip and reassemble one and is therefore not at risk of... contamination." Dox grinned.

"You'll still have to try and get that rationale past Commander Paris, though. And since the Thunderchicken here was constructed with Starfleet resources under Starfleet aegis, for Starfleet purposes, that might not fly. But if anyone can win that debate, it's you."

Looking at the beautiful craft, Dox allowed herself the briefest of brushes against Mona's arm as she stepped past to examine the ship. "Otherwise, it's... It's astounding. How's she handle so far?"

Mona enjoyed the brush and though she pined for more, she maintained discipline. "So far wonderfully. She should have the full range of maneuverability of her older siblings in fighter mode and full humanoid range of motion in walker mode. I can't wait to get out and run actual field tests. I'd also like to add in the neuro-link flight control system I've been working on, but I feel it's still a few years of testing away from functional."

"In the meantime, I know Doctor Dael has made some incredible leaps concerning Lieutenant Clemens' cybernetic enhancements. Particularly in regards to his ability to link with them neurologically. Might shave a little research time off for you to schedule a consultation."

Chuckling slightly at the thought, Dox turned to Mona. "And to think that I was worried I'd be drummed out of the fleet for having minor genetic modifications, while Mr. Clemens was enhanced to the point of being a living weapon and nobody blinked. Being on an Intel ship really does seem to have it's perks."

"Yes it does. And if someone doesn't like that I created a Miradonian stealth unit on a whim, I'll take it out and put it in your ship. There's another perk." Mona giggled softly as she pressed against her Minay lightly.

Even though their crimson uniforms, Dox could feel Mona's energy, which always brought the young Romulan woman an indefinable comfort. As she paused to take it in, she mumbled slightly under her breath. "Yeah... Rita would have a conniption."

"Let's not go there. The Commander has made it clear that no Starfleet resources are to go toward anything having to do with Artan business. And that ship is certainly Artan business, I'm afraid." Dox commented, referring to her personal ship, the Khallianen, gifted to her when she became a Baroness of the Captain's Pirate family.

Mona thrummed for just a moment before breaking contact. "Well, that stealth unit is my business. I made it on my time with my brain power and my people's modified tech. If I want to give it to my mate, that too is my business. Besides, I have an agreement with the Captain that I and my family retain all rights to all my inventions."

The break in contact was harsh to Dox, who still had virtually no mental defenses to speak of. But she tried to not let that show on her face. "I'm sorry. I don't want to seen ungrateful. It's just that this tribunal has been very... difficult. Defining that line in the proverbial sand between the Starfleet side and the Captain's family and... my own... has meant a lot of gray areas that I'm not 100% comfortable with."

Her professional defenses dropped slightly, in the presence of an officer that was also her mate. She looked around to be sure that the slip to come wasn't seen or heard by anyone but them. "I think what you've done here is... beyond amazing. And I'd love to let you run wild in the Khallianen. But Commander Paris is so against everything having to do with the Captain making me a Baroness that I feel like I'm walking on eggshells even talking about it. I'm... proud that the Captain trusts me in this capacity, but I'm also guilty at that pride. Like it goes against the uniform, if that makes sense."

Sensing the conflict within her mate, Mona moved back into contact with Dox, this time going in for a full hug, their cheeks pressed together. "You are who you are, Minay. Do not deny that. You are your mother's daughter, my mate, a Starfleet officer, a great pilot, a Baroness of the Artan family, a smuggler, a Reunificationist, friend and family to many, and so much more... These things do not define you, but are a part of the greater whole that make up Mnhei'sahei Dox. Once you realize that, you will know inner peace."

With her cheek pressed against Mona's, she barely needed to speak as she felt their energies beginning to mingle again. But she still spoke aloud in a whisper. "Right now, just the second one is more than enough."

Then, while they were still pressed together, their minds touching, Dox whispered in her native tongue or Rihan, "I-jol au."

It meant 'I love you', but with their minds touching, Mona needed no translation as it's meaning flowed directly into her.

Mona repeated the phrase in Miradonian, though the translation was more 'You, love I'. "Trrr' mree scu." Still, the feeling flowed both ways, needing no translation.

Slowly, Dox pulled away with a warm smile. "Trrr' mree scu." She repeated. "No surprise the language is as beautiful as you. I need to learn that."

Then she tugged down on her uniform top and cleared her throat as she looked around again. With a sneaky grin, she commented. "Okay, we got away with THAT. So... Back to business. When do I get to take her for a walk?"

"If you don't mind staying within the yellow lines, right now." Mona grinned mischievously, motioning towards the open cockpit.

With a smile as broad as her chubby cheeks would allow, Dox handed her PaDD to Mona. "Well then, there's no time like the present, is there?"

Stepping forward with more than a little bit if childlike glee, Dox climbed into the cockpit. It was similar to the other Cyclone ships, with slight variations. Out of habit, Dox ran a basic pre-flight systems check to familiarize herself with the systems as she sealed the cockpit and flipped on the open Comm with the flight deck. "Okay Miss. Gonadie. walk me through walking."

Stepping well out of the yellow box, Mona replied over the comms. "It's just like the others, but with legs. Hit the transform controls and keep an eye on the SIF generator and make sure it stays stable at two hundred percent. then settle back on the deck and move the throttle slightly, letting the onboard systems handle the actual steps."

"Aye." Dox replied as her hands ran across the controls. As she did, there was a slight clanging sound in the cockpit as the ship changed configuration and quickly rose up into it's walker mode. She paused for a moment as the controls and muscle memory felt familiar to her as she realized it was an echo from her connection to Mona.

Smiling, she put the humorously monikered 'Thunderchicken' through a series of basic walking tests for a few minutes, testing each system one at a time. In the excitement of the moment, Dox allowed a slip in protocol as she let out a giddy laugh. "Mona, this is AMAZING!"

Mona couldn't help but giggle a bit as well. "Isn't it? Pull up the targeting system, but keep the safeties on. See if you can get positive locks on the various other shuttles in the bay with both the phasers and the rifle."

Following the instructions, Dox pulled up the tageting HUD with projected clearly on to the inside of the canopy. With the safety interlocks in place, the right arm raised up the TR-116C,moving rapidly from Target to target. Switching to the controls for the dorsal turret that acted as the walkers 'head', Dox repeated the actions. "These are by far the smoothest movements I've ever felt from robotic limbs. It's astounding. There's almost zero rocking when the arms move. Did you equip the gyro systems with their own Inertial dampeners?"

"That's right. Every limb segment has triple redundant gyros and inertial dampeners." Mona grinned as she watched the limb movements from the outside. "The twin micro quantum torpedo launchers are also multitargetable and can launch ten warheads at a time."

"Very, very impressive. I think we're going to have to peel Commander Paris out of the cockpit with a tractor beam once she gives it a test walk." With which, Dox walked the ship back to position and entered the sequence to convert it back to vehicle mode.

Within a few moments, the Thunderchicken was in it's original position and safely powered down as Dox slid out of the cockpit, virtually bouncing with excitement. "Absolutely brilliant! I love it!"

"Isn't it? I'm honestly amazed I was able to fit everything everywhere I needed to while keeping the whole thing from flying apart. I also included an entire sample collection system in both arms as well. It's insane!" Mona was clearly just as excited.

"This is revolutionary. It really is. But I'm not even a little amazed that you pulled this off. You are beyond brilliant." The smile on Dox's face was as broad as ever, being with pride for Mona's accomplishment.

"Well, I do have to be brilliant for a lot of people... So I do my best." Mona tried to be modest, but inside, she was beaming as well.

With a wry smirk, Dox pulled out her PaDD, going over the vehicle specs as she spoke. "Well, of the many people you need to be brilliant for, I represent two of them. And rest assured, both of us are extremely impressed. So, are there any other surprises?"

"Other than the ability to wield a pair of those oversized rifles? And that I added to it a plasma gauss rifle mode that doesn't use the internal ammunition magazine but draws off of the craft's reactor which had to be boosted by eighty percent to power those limbs? Not that I can think of." Mona looked a bit smug at that admission.

"Eighty percent? This is going to change the game for sure, Mona. And Commander Paris is going to lose her mind. I can't wait for us to be able to take her out of the ship for full testing once this mission is over." Checking the time on her PaDD, Dox saved out her file and folded her arms behind her back. "And with that, we are both officially off duty."

Mona sidled up enticingly. "Then what do you say we go get something to eat and make sweet telepathic love to each other for hours on end?"

"I would say that you read my mind, but that would be impossibly cliche, wouldn't it?" Dox smiled as she tucked her PaDD into her back pocket.

As the two began walking to the flight deck entrance, Dox tilted her head slightly and chuckled as she spoke. "So, I have to ask... where did you get the name 'thunderchicken'?"

Mona shrugged as she walked with her Minay. "I crossed the English names of the Romulan Thunderbird and the Miradonian Chickenhawk. I figured combining our two legendary birds into one creation of love would be fitting for such a conglomeration of Romulan and Miradonian ingenuity."

As the walked, Dox eyebrows scrunched up slightly. "That is... Bizarrely romantic and wonderfully perfect. I couldn't have though of a better name for our giant, transforming robot baby."