[center][h2]Kicking The Tires[/h2][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/PlUebtB.jpg[/img] [/center] OOC: This takes place before Yuri delivers groceries to Hook. Apologies for my absence. “C’mon,” Yuri gestured toward the ramp. “Follow me.” After tucking the man’s documents into a pocket, the 1st mate led him through the empty cargo bay. “We’re on shore power right now,” he said over his shoulder as the sealing bulkhead lowered into place. The boat now secured from any prowling, Yuri led the pilot candidate as they took an aft stairway. “Just got in last night late, so we haven’t topped her off yet. This way.” The pair arrived on the upper deck, Yuri’s narrative resuming as they entered the galley on their way forward. “Got a solid cook on this boat. Joe Hooker’s his name. Also appears to be a decent shot with a long rifle.” He glanced about. Failing to locate the man in question, Yuri shrugged. “He’s likely pulling double duty right now. We’ve got a deckhand who’s been given some extra bunk time to heal up. Here we go,” Yuri directed Tommy up the forward corridor to the open cockpit hatch. “Head on in.” China Doll’s cockpit appeared none the worse for wear, even after the former first mate’s haphazard piloting. Everything still appeared clean and well ordered, a holdover from the spritely woman who’d last occupied the chair. “Have a seat,” Yuri offered. “She’s pretty close to yard spec. The captain…Cal Strand…hasn’t gone for any ‘hot rod’ mods over the years, so she should feel similar to your quals.” As the pilot took to his console, the mate settled into the captain’s seat. “Feel free to run her through a preflight check. The radion core’s offline right now, and it goes without saying we can’t spin up the atmo engines with all that foot traffic, but short of that you should get a decent feel for her.” The sound of switches flipping filled the air as Yuri removed Tommy’s documents from his pocket. His position afforded him the opportunity to gauge the man’s actions and body language, noting the thousand little tells which revealed experience, confidence, and the workings of his mind. [i]I’ll have to compare notes with Sam,[/i] Yuri thought of the AI who must surely be observing the hands to which all their destinies might fall.