Elevator duty

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 9th April 2008

Characters: M'galec, Uetia
Description: M'galec talks Uetia through her first day of elevator duty
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 9, day 5 of Turn 4

Uetia tugged the straps on Sirjath and wondered if they should be tighter or if they were already too tight.

"Ah, I see you are on time and strapped up. Good," the Weyrlingmaster nodded approvingly as he joined the pair. "How is Sirjath feeling this afternoon? Has she been complaining of any strains or pains the last few days?"

"She's fine, sir. She's strong and healthy," Uetia said.

"That is just fine. You will need to watch her today to be sure she does not push herself too hard. As this is the first day, you will only be on elevator duty half time. You will be switching on and off with your partner, M'nak." He nodded towards the bluerider he had be speaking to moments before. "You will need to watch your lifemate carefully. If she complains of any fatigue, stiffness, soarness, I want you to stop immediately and check her. You remember how to check your dragon for injury?"

"Yes, I do remember. So, we just take people up and down the bluff as requested?" Uetia replied and checked once again.

"Yes, mostly craftsmen and drudges doing work in weyrs on the upper floors. They will all have some sort of equipment that will need to be taken with them, otherwise they'd just be taking the stairs. Do you remember how to secure extra articles onto your dragon?"

"Yes I do. I do listen during the classes," Uetia said. Did he think her for some fifteen turns old who couldn't concentrate? She was journeywoman.

"All right, then, this is Monela." He waved a drudge over with her pail, broom, mop, and basket of cleaning supplies in tow. "She needs to go up to the fourth level. Could you stow her gear please?"

Uetia flashed the woman a friendly grin. "Please, hand them to me and I get the attached," she asked.

M'galec stood back and watched as the weyrling tied them to the straps of the patiently waiting green. "You might want to fasten the pail down a bit lower. Remember when you leap into the air that will swing back and could hit your passenger in the leg."

Uetia followed the instructions without saying a word. She used seilor's knots that wouldn't open accidentally. Then she gave her passanger a hand up to Sirjath's back.

"Now remember, when you take off, remind your lifemate to spring up gently. You have grown accustomed to a fast take off and rapid ascent, but your passenger has not. Also, be sure to warn her just before the initial jump so that she has a chance to get a firm grip, or else she will fall backwards from the force. I'll watch you strap her in.
Before you take off, look at me and I will give you a signal to go, or give you advice if I think her straps need readjusting. All right?"

"All right," Uetia agreed. She strapped in the drudge and then looked at the Weyrling master's second.

M'galec gave the straps a tug just to be sure and nodded with satisfaction. "Take her up," he nodded, raising his hand in the signal they used to indicate it was time to fly.

"Hold on tight, here we go!" She warned the woman seated behind her.
**As smooth as you can!** she asked Sirjath. The green spred her large wings and pushed herself from the ground with her strong hind-legs.
Uetia hardly felt when they broke free from the gravity's hold.
Sirjath flew slowly and smoothly, soon landing on right ledge.

M'galec watched as the pair as returned to their positions, giving the weyrling an approving nod. "Very good, Uetia. Nice and smooth.
Dismount, please."

Uetia nodded with a grin and after unclasping the straps, slid out of Sirjath's back. She pulled her helmet off.

The bronzerider handed her a green flag. "All right. This is this station's flag. While I get M'nak settled with his first rider, I need you to watch the cliff face. If you see someone wave a green flag like this one, that means either you or M'nak will need to go pick them up.
Wave your flag back to let them know that you saw them and that someone will be coming to get them. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," Uetia said obediently. But she thought he kept repeating himself. This all had been covered during the classes, flag-signals and all.

"And make sure and ask your dragon after every passenger how she's feeling. I do not want her to strain herself." He turned and walked towards the bluerider with a sigh. The only thing more tedious that being on elevator duty was watching people on elevator duty. This was just the start of a long couple candlemarks...

Last updated on the April 9th 2008

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Elevator duty