Project: Akhetaten - Phase One

[Akhetaten]

Uhmen remained still in the control room beside Cobra and watched as the drive system begun it's activation sequence. The Captain couldn't help but be nervous regarding the drive's proper operation - if it wasn't going to work now then that would set the project back at least a few more months.

Seeing the reaction stabilize and the struts themselves not failing to hold the entire section in place, she was stunned. Maria was reactionless, staring at the drive for a few seconds before hearing Cobra's voice.

"Of course, Cobra," she nodded before gently placing her right hand index finger on the touchscreen slider, steadily moving it up and gradually increasing the output of the drive.

Upon reaching the maximum output after approximately a minute, Maria kept her finger in place and took a glimpse at Cobra. The certainty with which he was looking at the drive was enough to convince her that it could handle the cruise-drive test, and without a second doubt the Captain gently tapped the button which she assumed corresponded to the cruising sequence of the drive using the same finger.

The hull panels would continue to rotate at the same velocity, indicating that everything was likely to be still stable, as what would soon be the Akhetaten's primary engine begun to rapidly light up and glow during cruise charge-up. At full charge, and at the peak of it's glow, the primary engine would force all the stored energy straight out it's back, creating a mesmerizing show for all the personnel observing the testing phase.

The struts didn't seem to struggle holding the drive completely in place, but the Captain was pleased with the results and did not wish to push the drive any further. Tapping the button again would soon de-activate the cruise-drive. Uhmen then proceeded to gradually bring the speed slider down until it reached zero, shutting the drive off.

"Wasn't too bad, and I don't think I broke anything. Am I hired?" The Captain commented, audible relief being present in her tone.