Field Trip (Part 1 of 4)

Posted on 03 Nov 2017 @ 1:19pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Scarlet Blake & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant Amaranai Franklin & Lieutenant JG Cameron & Lieutenant JG Edward Butler & Commander Marisa Wyatt & Lieutenant JG Gideon Nicols PhD & Lieutenant Lake ir-Llantrisant & Ensign Miraj Derani & Lieutenant JG Tris Shizn & Ensign Mimi & Petty Officer 3rd Class Constantin Vansen & Cadet Sophomore Grade Bethany Armstrong
Edited on on 03 Nov 2017 @ 1:25pm

3,886 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Earth Orbit - Starbase 001, Dock 30
Timeline: MD 92, 0532 hrs

[ON]

For such a large facility, the corridors of Starbase 001 were surprisingly quiet at such an early hour of the morning. Usually personnel began the day briskly at 0500, but the lack of docked starships meant the usual hustle-and-bustle of crew transfers was limited. Only five vessels were currently berthed within the massive mushroom-shaped complex -- two were undergoing maintenance and one was scheduled to be decommissioned leaving most operators with little to do and extra time to sleep in.

In transporter room 18, however, the pattern buffers were cycling at a rapid rate to beam in two classes of cadets and their assorted baggage. Overseeing the arrival of the young Starfleeters was a small team of Security and Operations personnel who were currently checking IDs and guiding foot traffic.

Cadet Oci Hafu had woken much earlier than she had wanted. It was almost as if the Bajoran girl had not even gone to sleep, having finally lay down in her bed around midnight. She looked at the chrono and noticed it was 0430. She didn't have a lot of time to make it to the starbase, but with a transporter room right down the hallway, she didn't have to worry too much.

Standing up, Oci made her way to her sonic shower and rinsed off. She pulled her uniform on and adjusted it before placing her d'ja pagh on her right ear. She wasn't sure if she would be allowed to keep it on but she was Bajoran and the earring was her identity.

Oci grabbed her small duffel bag and headed to the transporter room to head up to the Starbase. The Bajoran practically scared the transporter room chief when she entered as it had been unusually quiet that morning.

Once aboard the starbase, Oci wandered the halls until she was at Docking Ring 30. She stepped into the waiting area and noticed a few other cadets waiting to check in.

Grevash, who was short even for a Tellarite arrived in a hairy huff just a moment later. He wanted to be off on this exercise sooner rather than later. The idiot psycho human's performance on her Kobayashi Maru had put him in a foul mood ever since, and he wanted something to go right. He came with a small kit bag with nothing more than a few specifics (anything more generic could be replicated) and a large tool bag, with many of his favourites, with their customised fittings and settings, that he could trust. He wasn't going to trust any of the other cadets. Not after Bethany 'Lets Slaughter Everyone' Armstrong.

"Hurry it up!" He growled at Oci. "There's more coming and I don't want to get crowded in here when I could be on the ship."

Oci heard the voice behind her and turned and was surprised to find a shorter being behind her. It was early and Oci was tired. She wanted to be on the ship just as much as the Tellarite but there was nothing she could do. Oci looked back at the line and then back to the shorter person.

"Look," she said. "If you want to push through the others that got here before us, go right ahead." She paused. "I'm perfectly content waiting my turn."

Grevash looked her up and down and harrumphed. "You shouldn't be! I want to pass this exercise, and I don't want to be failed because some Bajoran thinks she's on a pleasure cruise not an exam.

The Bajoran scoffed at the short creature in offense, not only to his statement about her thoughts on what she was doing but on his pejorative use of her species name in his statement.

"And you don't think I want to pass?" she said, now fully turned toward him. "Maybe you need to pass just as badly as I do in order to stay in the program. Maybe you haven't slept more than ten hours in the past seven days. Maybe you have family with high expectations that will be so proud of you for graduating from Starlfeet Academy. Maybe some of your family - say, your mother - couldn't care less that you were in the Academy instead of at home taking care of the rest of your siblings."

By the end of her statements, her voice had raised a couple of decibels. Oci paused, realizing her moment of anger. In spite of it, she smiled and calmed herself.

"Regardless," she started. "I can only move if the others in front of me move. Deal with them if you're so impatient."

The Tellarite gave a little growl, and then with a huff, started elbowing to the start of the queue

Jemima de la Cour was excited about the opportunity to actually work on a real ship for five days. It was a chance for some hands-on training outside of the classroom and she was eager to learn as much as she could.

She had everything she would need in her cross pack, including a PADD with half a dozen books for reading if she had any free time. She hoped not, but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. She could also use it for taking copious notes.

Preferring not to cause any problems, the Jamaican politely waited her turn to beam up to the starbase and then made her way to the docking ring. She recognized several of the other cadets. She hoped that would be a good thing. She smoothed her dreadlocks and waited her turn to report in.

Cadet Zoie Herianto had managed to tame her long black hair by braiding it to her head in a long braid that went from the right temple across her head and finished at the back of her head. Her uniform was, like most cadets', all pressed and polished, making it look as if it was just replicated. The human female was Mars born, which didn't really show per se, with her almost olive skin and lips that seemed to curl into a smirk more often than not.

Herianto was, like the others, excited. The sort of excitement that made her heart race and she held the bag over her shoulder a little bit tighter. It held enough of her possessions to keep her happy for the trip, at least able to deal with lack of replicators should that happen. One green eye watched carefully what was going on, the other was an unnaturally pale blue, showing it was a replacement rather than her natural eye. And not the good Federation replacement either, but something done in a hurry when she was young that still delivered the specs. She had been offered to have it replaced when she joined. She had turned it down. After all, it was her eye, it worked within the parameters of what Starfleet accepted in their officers...and she wasn't so precious to want it replaced for something more natural. She liked being remembered.

Despite her excitement, she wasn't rushing. Others had arrived earlier and she wasn't one to push to the front if she could stay back and observe. So she did just that...watched the others, her lips pulled into that little smirk, one hand on her bag and the other relaxed at her side.

Thasiv'Rahn took precise steps off the transporter pad. His antannae provided him a more nuanced view of the world, though not in any conscious way. "Thank you, sir." He said to the officer manning the transport station. He walked calmly along the route he had planned shortly after having received the orders to Starbase 001. It took him almost two minutes less than he had planned for to reach docking ring 30, making it so he arrived just under seven minutes early. He looked around, noting a few Humans, a Tellerite, Bajoran, and a smattering of other species all in cadet uniforms. The updated information packet instructed him to report to a Lieutenant Cameron. He didn't spot a real Starfleet uniform with Lieutenant's pips just yet, so Thasiv'Rahn waited patiently, leaning quietly against one wall, blue hands resting on opposite elbows.

Thasiv'Rahn wasn't standoffish, really, he simply saw that there was a job to be done. He did his work quickly, efficiently, and well. And when there was work to be done, unless it involved someone else and their expertise, they just got in the way. It was why he had made it to this point. After all, not all cadets were invited to the live training simulation. Most cadets had to make due with holodeck simulations. The Andorian, on the other hand, with these other cadets, had made it here.

Montah Vear was getting an intense headache. He closed his eyes, placing a palm to either side of his face. Montah realized that being one of the first cadets to arrive at the Docking ring area may have been a mistake. Not getting enough sleep always caused him issues to block out other's thoughts. As a Betazoid entering Starfleet Academy, he had been required to make several pledges in respect to his ability to read the thoughts of others. He had the training and was quite adept to keeping blocks up and other's thoughts out. But, here he sat, as all these cadets reported in, all their extra mental energy from their excitement was hard to block, especially since he had not slept as long, so that he could be one of the first here.

Montah, of course, had met most of these cadets over the last three years; Oci, Grevash, Thasiv'Rahn, Zoie Herianto. He knew 'of them', but none closely. Although, if this training went as expected, Montah knew that they would probably all be good friends by the end.

Cadet Jennifer Armstrong entered the area once again unsure why she was here. Her career was beginning to become an ironic play and frankly this was wearing down upon her. The instructors continued to judge her on her failed Kobayashi Maru exam. The whole event seemed to incite polarizing views with some supporting her, and some not. However the test proved not to be as disastrous as she thought with her making a friend in Abbey.

She had heard this course would be instructed by former members of the USS Galileo. She looked around at the other students for a familiar face. The only cadet she recognized was Gravash, the Tellarite. She hoped this was an omen that no one would know her and that she could continue her training in peace.

Cadet Jasper Higgins rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes and squinted. He had a late night, counting the spots of a Trill female named Corela. She had been someone he picked up in a pub, much older than himself, but she was joined so that was going to be a given right there. She was also the best lover he had ever had, and she left the widest grin on his lips. However, he should have known better, he would pay dearly for the lack of sleep.

The whirring noise of the transporter didn't help the splitting headache, but Jasper knew how to handle these things. He had shown up to class always on time, despite the hangovers he would experience. Some say he was a functional alcoholic, he would kindly disagree and just reply that he was living life as it was mean to be lived--to the fullest. After he materialized, he headed, albeit a bit slowly, toward the docking ring that he was told to report too.

Montah then saw Jasper Higgins enter the waiting area. He turned away quickly fore he knew Jasper. Well, didn't know him personally, but by reputation with 'the ladies'. The Betazoid cringed at the attitude people like Jasper had, that being one of less moral standing. He had the chance misfortune to scan him without realizing and then pulled away. The memories of his 'conquests' disgusted Montah.

Acer Vito approached the airlock with a soft yet deep sigh. It was a sound the young Cardassian made quite regularly. He wasn't even aware he was doing it half the time, it was so ingrained in his reaction to life in general. He wore his long, black hair tied back and his blue eyes glanced around quickly to see who else had arrived. His slender frame bent forward to let his over the shoulder bag drop to the floor for a moment as they waited. He disliked waiting. As a consequence, he nearly always ended up leaving arriving somewhere to the last minute.

"Hey..." Herianto's smirk became a genuine smile as she spotted Vito and moved to him, nudging him lightly with her elbow. She raised an eyebrow as she tilted her head to study him, already having clocked his expression. "Wasn't sure you were going to make it," she said before she nodded to the line. "Saying that, looks like we may never arrive where we want to go." Truth was, she liked Acer. She had been taking the same classes as him since she joined, they were both in the same year and both doing Intelligence. Of course, her parents were less than happy about a Cardassian as their daughter's friend, but Herianto had just shrugged it off. If you were judging everyone on what their people had once done, no one would speak to anyone ever again. She tended to judge individuals better anyway. Made more sense in her head. After a moment's silence she leant close to whisper. "I think you spent longer on your hair than I did mine this morning."

"It shows," Acer replied on a pointed monotone, but there was a small smile on his lips as he looked her way. He rolled his shoulder that the bag had been on, another sigh escaping without him realising. "How long do you think it will take before one of us blows up the ship?"

Zoie tilted her head, a hand going to her hip. She glanced around, just taking her time to watch the others. "Depends on the reason," she said playfully. "If it is heroic and to stop bad things, such as the end of the universe as we know it, it will be you. If it is a dirty trick...it'll be me..." she met Acer's eyes and shrugged. "I would more worry about our fellow Cadets."

Acer gave a brief snort of laughter at the word 'heroic' being connected to him, folding his arms resolutely. "Oh, I am," he assured her before looking her way with a small smile. "I wager we blow up on day three...." he held his hand out to her, palm up, to make the bet.

She looked at him before she made a gesture close to spitting in her hand, just without actually doing it before she put her palm against his. "Day four, I have more faith in us than you do," she said playfully.

"More fool you," Acer replied drily, slapping his hand to hers before shaking it firmly to seal the bet.

Another of Montah's talents for his Communications specialty was that he could read lips. If they were speaking one of the 5 languages he knew, then he could get a fair understanding of what was said. This proved fruitful for him just now when he saw Zoie Herianto talking to that Cardassian Vito. He could tell they were talking about something to do with fixing up their hair. 'Hah' he thought, Like that's important.

Cadet Danica Tamm watched the others with calm eyes, purposefully staying back. She was a little on the short side but slender, with dark brown hair firmly tied back. Her pale skin had both freckles and the tiny hints of Trill spots, showing her parents' mixed heritage. Her brown eyes seemed to follow everything with interest, almost as if sizing up the other cadets.

To Cameron, it hadn't been that long since his own cadet cruise; a three month stint aboard the USS Sevastopol on its patrol of the Federation/Cardassian demilitarized border as Starfleet continued to ferry supplies and aid to the beleaguered Cardassian Union. The result of that tour was the loss of one of his best friends, Aren Markussen after raiders attacked the Sevastopol.

The Vulcan/Xenexian hybrid watched passively as cadets fell into line in front of him to be processed before heading to the Hathaway, processing names, service numbers, trying to give little regard to the eyes behind those faces.

A brief lull in the processing later, several more cadets found their way to him. Holding a PADD in both hands, the purple-eyed Cameron repeated the same order he'd repeated several times already. "Name and service number, please."

Please to all that is holy, stop talking so loud, Jasper thought. He cleared his throat. "Higgins, Jasper, Fourth Year Cadet, flight control," he began, his voice gravely, "Ar-ef-nine-six-three-gamma-seven."

Cameron punched the identifier into his PADD as they were read out to him. Several seconds later once the cadets identity was verified, Cameron hit the icon counting him as prepared. He ignored the odor coming from the mans alcohol-rich perspiration, as well as the fact that loud noises and bright lights seemed to have an adverse effect on him. At least for a time. Heaving an inaudible sigh, Cameron made a mental note instead of chiding the cadet for showing up to assignment ‘buzzed’. He could report that to the First Officer for further action later.

Gravash forced his way forward. "Gravash, Fourth Year Engineering Cadet," he barked. "Sigma alpha-four-seven-seven-two delta-four."

After a couple of moments, it was finally Oci's turn and she stepped forward and addressed the lieutenant.

"Oci Hafu," she started. "Fourth year, science. "Gamma-six-Alpha-three-three-Epsilon-one-one."

Cameron glanced up again. Was I ever this young? he though to himself as he marked each cadet off of his list. The metallic chain connecting two ear pieces drew his attention. A few years ago, such ornaments had been strictly forbidden. But with Bajor’s inclusion into Starfleet, certain once-ridged regulations had been made flexible.

Jennifer meekly stepped forward to the Lieutenant embarrassed by the fact she was the only sub-fourth year Cadet and now she would have to announce it. Once again, the Academy took a guy shot at the junior cadet. "A-Armstrong, Sss-second year C-command cadet. Charlie, Epsilon-eight-n-nine-six-zero-z-zero-eight." She stuttered out in a barely audible tone.

That caught Cameron’s attention. His eyes studied upward and examined the cadet whom barely looked old enough to drive let alone join Starfleet. Only his Vulcan-like composure prevented him from saying anything errant. “Very good, cadet. Take your seat and stand by.”

It was Montah's turn, taking a step forward, "Montah Vear, fourth year Cadet, Communications, . ." He had to stop and reinforce his mental blocks. He felt so many of his peers were staring at him. He continued, "Sigma-Pi-Six-three-four-five-Epsilon-Alpha." He then stepped back and glanced over to Jennifer. He felt bad for her, the way the others treated her. Having a stuttering issue was nothing to be made fun of. He had read about several Starfleet officers with a stutter had overcome the challenge and achieved something significant in their career. He smiled shyly, but wasn't sure if she saw him or not.

Zoie nudged Acer before she stepped forward to the Lieutenant, meeting his eyes. "Cadet Zoie Herianto, Fourth Year, Intelligence. Theta-Alpha-Niner-Five-Omega-Three-Epsilon-Zero."

Thasiv'Rahn was at the front of the queue fairly quickly. "Cadet Thasiv'Rahn, Fourth Year, Flight Control. Bravo-Bravo-Seven-One-Three-Seven-Zulu." Every word he spoke was clear and precise. He'd watched the other cadets. He felt confident that he would perform as well as, if not better than many of them. He knew most of their names already, but he listened carefully so he could file away any names he didn't already know.

Another cadet stepped forward. This one with the typical petite stature and expressionless porcelain features of an Arcadian. The parallel strips of auburn hair that lined her cranium were scraped back into a tight braid that fell down her back. "Yuulik, Fourth Year Medical Cadet," she barked as loudly as she could. Like the rest, she finished off with, "Omicron-seven-tau-zero-five-nine-nu-zero," and stepped back into line.

"Acer Vito," the young Cardassian sighed as he pulled up for his turn, his bag back over his shoulder. He trotted out his service number as the others had. Although his tone almost held a bored note to it, he had learnt all his fellow cadet's students numbers. It was true; one really did learn something new everyday.

Cameron looked up again, observing the Cardassian features of Cadet Vito. Even this long after the Dominion War, there had been very few Cardassians to attempt to enter Starfleet, and even fewer still to pass the entrance exam. Vito was a rare exception.

Jemima was last. Mostly because she'd been reading her PADD and wanted to finish the article. "Jemima de la Cour." She rattled off the rest of her information and gave Cameron a bright smile. "Thank you."

"Do not thank me, Cadet." Cameron answered plaintively as he plugged her information into the PADD. With a final chirp, his board showed every cadet as having checked in. Lowering the PADD to his side, he gauged the mass of would-be-officers.

"Stand by." He ordered loudly, cutting off some of the commotion that had begun to manifest amongst the sea of bored cadets.

Zoie moved close to Acer, but had the common decency to keep her mouth shut after the order to 'stand by'. She winked at Acer though, hands behind her back as she surveyed the other cadets. Yep. All familiar faces. She was just glad that some of the people she disliked had not been selected for this. After all, she didn't want to get in a fight on a ship. That was bad manners. And no one wanted to get kicked out before they graduated!

Allyndra felt nearly naked being back in uniform compared to the rather more complicated dress of her home. Still, she thought, eventually things would get to feel just as normal again. She had just about stumbled upon the cadets that had gathered and held back waiting for them. Everyone had to check in but there was no need to have a regular officer just pop into their midst.

Eventually things thinned down and she moved forward. "Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim, checking in." She handed Cameron the PaDD with the recall orders for the regular officers as well.

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

RADM Julio Vega
Vice Commandant
Starfleet Academy
[PNPC Saalm]

Cadet Zoie Herianto
Acting Intelligence Officer
Starfleet Academy
[NPC Vansen]

Cadet Danica Tamm
Acting Security Officer
Starfleet Academy
[NPC Vansen]

Cadet Jemima de la Cour
Acting Science Officer
Starfleet Academy
[NPC Sandoval]

Cadet Montah Vear
Acting Communications Officer
Starfleet Academy
[NPC Shizn]

Cadet Debbie Larson
Medical Officer
Starfleet Academy
[NPC Mimi]

Cadet Yuulik
Medical Officer
Starfleet Academy
[NPC ir-Llantrisant]

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
CMO
USS Hathaway

Cadet Thasiv'Rahn
Flight Control Officer
Starfleet Academy
[PNPC Butler]

Cadet Jasper Higgins
Flight Control Officer
Starfleet Academy
[NPC Nicols]

Cadet Grevash
Engineering Officer
Starfleet Academy

Cadet Oci Hafu
Science Officer
Starfleet Academy
[PNPC Franklin]

LTJG Cameron
Operations Manager
USS Hathaway

CDT Jennifer Armstrong
Yeoman
Starfleet Academy
[PNPC Bauer]

RSS Feed