“Starbase Control, this is Shuttle ‘Croft’ requesting launch clearance for test flight and transit to USS Saracen”

Izzy listened with half an ear to the comm traffic, her fingers dancing over the controls as she brought the shuttle’s systems online and powered up the engines. On the ‘A’ of ‘Affirmative’ she punched the thrusters, sending the small craft racing away from the auxiliary landing pad like a scolded jackrabbit. She calmly threaded the small craft between two incoming bulk freighters before straightening out on a course that took her out and away away from the station.

“Starbase control, please pass on my compliments the the maintenance crews, they know how to tune an Armadillo” She said with a grin, turning the craft into an almost lazy parabolic turn that allowed her to take in the various craft docked in and around the station. She soon spotted her target and angled the craft in for a closer look.

“USS Saracen, NCC-86285” she intoned, as she flew over the saucer section, almost close enough to reach out and touch the giant letters. She flicked the small craft into a turn before sending it through a tight barrel roll as she streaked past the observation windows of ten forward.

“USS Saracen this is Shuttle Croft requesting permission to land. Test flight complete, everything checks out, green across the board..... roger that, entering the approach pattern”

Izzy looped the shuttle around, lining her up with the bay doors and decelerating rapidly down to landing speed, coasting the shuttle into the bay.

Lt Izzy Gonzales