Defying Gravity
Posted on Wed Jan 21st, 2026 @ 9:38pm by Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant Commander Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii & Staff Warrant Officer Madelyn Steele
1,479 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Preservation Instinct
Location: Observation Lounge
Timeline: Post Away Team Mission
::ON::
Standing outside the Observation Lounge, Yiv waited patiently, hands folded in the small of his back. Nodding at a few crewmembers who lollygaggled their way down the corridor, he felt a little bubbling excitement grow in his chest.
Xavier had given him a time, and the place, and in his eagerness he had arrived early.
Xavier finished a few things he had for the end of week reports and then make his way to meet the first officer and the Engineering Chief by the observation lounge. He'd run the final diagnostics on the lounge earlier and was having to admit to himself that he was feeling somewhat excited.
He saw the XO waiting by the door. "Hello Commander."
Madelyn arrived, she was most definitely going to see that this wasn't going to turn into something that would cause problems. "Greetings, are we ready to test this out?" for some reason she was feeling rather business like. She did muster up a small warm smile.
"Indeed. I made a few last minute adjustments. Did you just wish to see the floating part or did you want to see the full program?" He asked the two.
'Is there anything you'd want to keep private, Lieutenant?' Yiv asked with a twinkle in his eye. He really was quite excited to see what the pilot had whizzed up. 'If so, you can keep that part to yourself. We can test out the rest.'
Xavier shook his head a green blush showing on his cheeks. "No...it is alright. There is nothing so private." He sighed entering the code to open the door. It hissed open and the three walked in. The window blinds were down where the stars were not showing. As they entered floor lighting came on.
"Computer begin test program three users."
The computer's voice came soothingly through the speakers. =/\= Welcome to your flight. Please follow the floor lights to the center circle.=/\=
Xavier led the way stepping on the multi colored lights on the floor. The walk took them to the observation ramp. He stopped and turned to the three. "Ready?"
Yiv nodded at the younger man, twirled a whisker. 'As ready as I ever am to experience zero-g. Makes a change that it's not due to battle damage though,' he chuckled.
"This should prove to be rather interesting." Madelyn remarked, finding the lights to be interesting. Stepping into the center. "Shall we fly?"
Just as she spoke the computer's voice cam back on. =/\= Nurse Tox, for your Birthday a flight amongst the stars, as was your wish since you were young. Enjoy. I could not give you the stars but perhaps a flight is the next logical choice. =/\=
Xavier flushed green from the look the commander shot him, but in for a penny, in for a pound. The gravity slowly thinned and rather then flying up the three were gently lifted. the window coverings retracting and the lights from below raising slightly so as to add vibrancy to the stars and space on the other side. It wasn't rough but a gentle floating. Xavier moved his hands to show the others how to move and it was as if they were swimming amounts the stars while in the back ground soft soothing music filled the air.
Xavier turned to the other two. "There is one more feature I wished to get your...input on. if you will."
Madelyn being familiar with Zero G, she moved with grace as she slowly pirouetted in one spot. "This is fascinating" offering up a warm smile. "What is the next part you wanted our input on?" deciding to stop her movement to regard Xavier.
He sighed. "Chief we were discussing the holo generators I figured out a way to incorporate them. The schematics you provided were extremely helpful and I was able to get inspiration. Computer phase two."
Suddenly the lights turned completely off and only the twinkle of the stars was visible but a moment later here was a slow hiss and all around them the room changed into purples and blues with the stars naturally extending passed the windows. It was as if they were in the middle of a star nebula just floating. As the moved the colors shifted displaying some of the most beautiful nebulas in the galaxy, an amalgamation Xavier had worked without sleep on for the last few days.
Letting out an appreciative whistle, Yiv struggled around in zero-g. Twisting this way and that, he looked at what Xavier had achieved seemingly out of thin air. 'Xavier ... this is very impressive,' he managed before cartwheeling towards the hull. A quick push-off arrested his forward momentum, but sent him back in the direction he had come. 'This is absolutely wonderful if you can move in zero-g. Does our dear Tox have that ability?'
"He does." Xavier looked around. "Computer end sequence." The computer increased the gravity slowly so that they seemed to float to the ground and as they were lowered the stars slowly faded out and the room returned to it's usual lighting.
Xavier turned to the two. "Does this seem...to be a good birthday gift?"
Smirking Yiv nodded, 'this seems one of the batcrap mad things Percy would have done for me. The elaborate effort, the exquisite execution and the flair for the dramatic. Having talked to both you and Tox, I suggest this is right up his alleyway.'
He sighed. "Thank you... both of you for your assistance with this. If you are alright with it we could make this a feature for other crew members to enjoy once I have presented it as a surprise for Tox."
'Perhaps we can roll it out to the wider crew,' Yiv said cautiously. 'However, test it out in small batches - make sure nobody breaks anything in here, or in themselves.' He added brightly, 'it might make a fantastic holo program though - that should be feasible?'
"Indeed I can convert it into a program for the crew. We can have more control for Gravity so that those who are not good at 0G can also use the program."
'Commendable initiative,' Yiv replied with a satisfied nod. 'Warrant Officer Steele, I trust that this method meets your approval? Maybe sometime in the future we can retrofit a small, spare room somewhere aboard to make a safe zero-g environment if it proves popular. Call it the Vulcan's Vault, or something.'
Xavier gave a snort at the name then quickly pressed his hands to his mouth. "Umm..." He flushed green. "Apologies commander that...caught me off guard."
'Did it now?' Yiv asked with a smile. 'I'm surprised that's possible for one so guarded, Lieutenant.' He smiled, 'it's only fair to recognize something of the creator, and it's a better sounding name than say, Xavier-Tox-Program-Seven-One-Zero-Final-Final-Final.'
After experiencing the surprise that Xavier had created and their feet were once more upon the solid deck, Madelyn looked at Yiv and Xavier, giving a warm smile. "That was fun it does pass my inspection, and a room for Zero G could be arranged. Though, to give a greater room for an event, a holodeck program would be great as well." She noticed the blush and reaction to what Yiv had mentioned. "Vulcan's Vault--fascinating. If approved then it can be done." Madelyn was going to be a stickler on that.
Looking about at the area once more, Madelyn turned back to Xavier. "You know, I hope this person you're doing this for, will appreciate the work and creativity you put into this. It would be a shame if they didn't. Maybe you can tell me the results once all is said and done."
Xavier bowed his head. "Indeed. I will let you both know." He paused. "Thank you both for your assistance with this. It was genuinely good to work with you both on this."
'It's always a pleasure to assist in morale officer duties, whether for a pair of officers or the whole crew,' Yiv replied, one finger twirling casually through a moustache. 'I am sure this will be appreciated.'
Madelyn gave a nod. "I would think that my daughter would want to experience something like this." as she spoke of Crystal. " her eyes widened. "Speaking of my daughter. I've got to get home. Thank you again for sharing this with us." Madelyn turning to make her exit from the Observation Lounge.
Waving at the Engineer's retreating back, Yiv cocked his head and flashed a smile at Xavier, 'so ... I'll leave you in a bit of peace. I'm sure you'll be thinking up a few additional things to show your paramour.'
SWO Madelyn Steele
Chief Engineer
USS Ontario
Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario
Commander Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii
Executive Officer
USS Ontario
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