Enter ye the mystery school.

Posted on 30 Sep 2018 @ 5:49pm by Commander Luke Wyatt & Charlotte Franklin

2,874 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: USS Galileo-A, Deck 3, Security Office/Brig
Timeline: MD -176, 1130hrs

[ON]

After they had launched the Galileo's small security team had set out to do the obligatory ship search to ensure they hadn't picked up any unwanted guests. Not having found any Luke had finally gotten around to writing the report a couple of days later. It was also a good opportunity for him to be alone at what would be his duty workstation. He had no real place on the bridge except maybe either when called for or when the ship was involved in a ship to ship battle which kind of frustrated him, he felt out of the loop. He had started to write a proposal to Captain Lirha about that and was going to ask for one of the extra science terminals to be used as a temporary tactical station, he felt exposed not having a duty security officer on the bridge, who could blame him after the destruction of their previous ship?

Lieutenant Commander Wyatt had contacted Amaranai and informed Charlotte's sister that Charlotte should meet the commander in his office. Charlotte made her way to the security office and entered. She saw the lieutenant commander and stopped in front of his desk.

"Hello, sir," she said. "I . . ."

There was hesitation in her voice.

"I'm here to learn."

This was not something that Charlotte was truly ready to begin. Sure, her sister had suggested she take lessons with the commander in lieu of actual school, but Charlotte was hoping that she could just skirt on the edge of any actual training and not worry about it.

Luke looked from across the control console and his desk. "You don't sound very confident?" He said sitting back in his chair before continuing "Has your sister explained to you much in regards to what it is we hope to achieve with these lessons?" He asked wondering if the child had actually been told anything other than she was just going to learn things.

The young girl rolled her eyes at the sound of her sister's name.

"I am coming here out of my own volition knowing that I am young and need to learn how to be a valuable member of this crew. Thank you in advance for what you will teach me and I look forward to the lessons."

When she finished, she snickered and a small snort escaped her, to which she covered her mouth and turned red.

"Sorry. That's what she made me say."

She paused and took in the commander.

"And you're right," she continued. "I am hesitant. I have no idea what I'm doing here. I would have been happier back on Earth."

Luke nodded appreciatively "I can understand, it must not have been easy uprooting your life and following your big sister around" He stated as he returned the look she gave him as he took the small girl in. "But what she is doing sounds like it might be for the best, but that's something between the two of you." He stood up turning off the computer.

"What I discussed with Lieutenant Franklin was that I would teach you. Of course, there will be the basic stuff that you require. Then there are the things that only someone as lucky as you in your position has the access to, such as a top of the line starship." He let out a sigh he forgot that he would be teaching someone not quite ready or interested in Starfleet.

"I want to generate a teaching program around you, mostly we'll do things that peak your interest. If that's flying then I shall teach you how to fly a shuttle and then I will bring in people who can teach you how to fly a starship. If you want to learn how to shoot I will teach you how to shoot a Phaser right up to shooting starship weapon systems.

However that all said, there will be things required by the federation that someone of your age must complete such as basic maths, English and science. Luckily for you, I can make this much more interesting than just sitting in a classroom, if I am teaching you about botany and I have the chance and clearance from Lieutenant Franklin I will take you on an away team to study plants."

Charlotte listened to the commander and was at least mildly interested in the fact that he wasn't completely annoying with what he wanted to teach her. Charlotte had never liked school - that was why she had stopped going - and had never been fond of teachers, either. So, when the commander mentioned possibly taking her on Away Missions, Charlotte's interest was piqued a little. She had been curious about what her sister did on Away Missions and this could be an opportunity to at least get an idea of what they were like. Her brain stopped, though, and considered the fact that on a couple of missions, her sister had encountered dangerous situations and had been injured. Now she would have to determine if those might be a good idea or not.

"The emphasis here is on you, I hated school that's why I joined the Marines I prefer doing things with my hands than with my mind and that alone leads to either doing something productive like joining the marines or counterproductive like living a life of crime. Later on in life, I realised that you could do twice as many things by doing both. Miss Charlotte, I will treat you as an adult, like any cadet I would teach if you're at least willing to try." He shrugged, "Who knows you might actually enjoy? And its got to be better than just sitting in your quarters for months on end."

Still more listening. Despite her own attitudes and how she had been raised, Charlotte was a surprisingly good listener. She might not pay attention to those that talked but she would always hear what was being said.

"I wasn't really a fan of school, either," she said. "I would say that was the reason I quit, but I was sort of kicked out."

She paused.

"I promise not to give you a reason to do that to me this time."

She quickly changed the subject, though, not allowing the commander a chance to respond to her own comment.

"You're right," she continued. "Anything is better than sitting in my quarters."

He chuckeled "Lets go take a walk, I've been cooped up for hours and I'd like to get to know you a little better Miss Charlotte" Luke didn't have to wait for her to agree before he got up and began to walk towards her and the door. "What do you beleive are your strong and weak points?" He asked.

Charlotte watched as the commander got up from his chair and moved toward her. His question caused Charlotte to consider her past. In the past, her best trait was not getting caught. That probably wasn't something that the security chief would want to hear, so she wouldn't mention that. As for weaknesses, Charlotte never thought about them because that would make her weak. Obviously, she had some.

Your sister, perhaps. Or your ego. Or your arrogance. Or your . . .

Charlotte cursed inwardly and told her brain to shut up because it wasn't helping. Then again, she was being very quiet. How long had it been since the commander had asked the question?

"I think I'm a quick learner," she said after a few quiet moments. "At least, I used to be. Not sure anymore and with all this new stuff, but I'm at least willing to try."

She waited a moment, unsure of is she should follow or walk alongside of the commander.

"And I have a lot of weaknesses," she added softly. "Probably more than I really am ready to admit."

"Everyone does, and its natural to not want to admit to them but to get over those weaknesses you must first acknowledge. Maybe not to me but at least to yourself." He said pausing "Come now Miss Charlotte, I dont like speaking to someone who is behind me, please walk by my side" He said using his hand to gesture the empty space to his right. "What sort of things would you like to gain from these lessons?"

Charlotte stepped forward so she was next to the commander as they walked. She took yet another moment to think about the question and offer a competent response.

"I think," she started. "I just want to feel like a part of the crew."

She paused.

"I mean, I know I'm a kid, but I want to be helpful and do what I can to make people look at me as a real person."

"You're already a real person and I can't believe any of this ship's crew not looking at you with anything other than respect and as a person" He stated their journey taking them to a turbo lift, "Ladies first," He said gesturing before following the young girl in. "Anywhere you'd like to see?"

Charlotte considered what the commander said about other members of the crew looking at her as a person but the brunette didn't feel that way. She felt more like a stray cat that no one wants around but knows that there is an old lady around that keeps feeding it.

Wait. What?

Her brain was so random at times.

She watched as the door to the turbolift opened and the commander waited for her to enter. She did and when he asked her where she wanted to go, her first instinct was the bridge. However, her brain told her that the bridge was probably not somewhere she would be allowed just yet, so she thought for a moment.

"Well," she said. "I think Main Engineering would be kind of cool to see."

"Computer, Main Engineering" He said the words invoking an acknowledgment beep before the lift began to hum as it moved through the shell of the ship. "So you're 15 right? Now I wont try and convince you that is not my job, my job is to teach you for the remaining year until you decide what it is you want to do in life, With that said have you considered Starfleet?"

The turbolift began is descent toward Main Engineering and Charlotte simply listened to the commander talk.

"Actually, sir," she said. "I'm sixteen now."

It took her half a moment to realize that she had never celebrated what should have been an important birthday to a young woman. Add to that that her sister probably didn't even remember either. Her head dropped slightly but she picked it right back up because she was not ready to show her emotions to someone that she didn't really know. But he kept talking and then asked the loaded question about Starfleet.

Had she ever considered Starfleet?

When Charlotte was a little girl, her parents were angry with her older sister for leaving and joining Starfleet, telling the rest of the family that Amaranai was "throwing her life away for nothing and with no income to show for it". Now that Charlotte was older and had lived under the roof of a Starfleet officer, Charlotte wasn't so sure what to think. The girl still believed her sister was throwing her life away but no longer felt that there was no compensation. Sure, there wasn't any monetary gain from Starfleet but the adventure, the travel and the exhilaration of the unknown was at least enticing her.

"I don't know, sir," she said. "Obviously I've got a lot of role models to show me what is good about Starfleet and I'm already on a ship." She paused. "But is it something I really want?" Charlotte shook her head. "I just don't know."

The turbo lift stopped and the doors opened, "I won't force you to do anything, or make any choice you yourself aren't happy with" He paused and chuckled "Well except maybe some homework." Luke led them out fo the lift and onto the corridor heading towards Engineering.

The lift opened and the commander stepped out and they walked toward Engineering. This was one place that Charlotte had not been able to view because Amaranai had yet to bring her down here. Perhaps because Charlotte had never asked. When they stopped at the doorway, Charlotte looked to the commander.

"Before we go any further," Charlotte said. "What should I call you?"

"You're not in Starfleet so Mr Wyatt should be acceptable when I am around other officers however when we are doing one to one tuition Luke will do fine. I don't want to you to feel as if I'm already indoctrinating you, however, feel free to use Commander or Sir. Its personal preference, at least until you decide if Starfleet is something for you" Luke said waiting a moment, before pressing the panel to open the doorway and exposing the young girl to the heart of the ship.

Charlotte inwardly let out a breath. She didn't want to keep calling him "the commander" and was glad that he was willing to allow her to call him Luke, or at the least, Mr. Wyatt. The young woman didn't feel as if she was being indoctrinated, she was simply trying to find the best way to address him without being rude.

"Thank you, sir," she said.

The door opened and Main Engineering revealed itself to the girl. It was amazing. The warp core in the center of the room was magnificent and despite never really caring about engineering or how things - like starships - work, this did look pretty cool.

"Wow," she heard herself say.

Luke even let out a light whistle, he hadn't seen the warp core active and the light purple hue did look impressive, as did the hustle and bustle of the duty engineers. "Lets have a look around, the view from the top level is best, just try not to fall under the feet of these guys they'll run your right over" He joked.

Charlotte thought that might be a slight exaggeration but then noticed the various engineers moving about their business and paying no mind to the two newcomers that had entered. She was getting winded just watching them.

"I think engineering might not be my forte," she said.

"Come now, it's not that bad." He said navigating them through the stream of engineers until they arrived at the small lift. "The top floor isn't so bad, trust me" Luke added before stepping on. The trip was short as they elevated above the main floor of engineering.

Charlotte grinned at Luke's comment and followed him to the lift. It only took a could of moments and the pair were above the hubbub of Main Engineering. Luke was correct in that the noise was not bad above the rest of the working staff.

"Okay," she said. "This isn't bad if you don't mind heights."

She paused and looked down.

"Not that I have a problem with them," she added. "But this might be a little too much for me."

"Well it's not for everyone, come on well leave on this deck." He said moving towards the smaller auxiliary exit. "Well," like started as he waited for her in the corridor, "I feel like I have an idea of how I should set my style of teaching and I hope you now feel a little less apprehensive about the situation, do you have any final questions?"

Charlotte followed Luke through the exit and listened as he talked about how he would teach her. She smiled politely.

"I don't think I have any questions just yet," she said. "At this point, I think it will be better to just start a class and see what happens."

"Very well then, give me a couple of days and I'll submit the correct paperwork into the department of education. I'll notify you and your sister the first timings and what lessons we will cover. And since your old enough I'll also have a draft copy of a Starfleet Academy Application in case you decide somewhere down the line you're ready and or wanting to apply. No pressure though its completely your decision" Luke presented his hand for her to shake.

Luke started talking about paperwork and lessons and what not and Charlotte could only think about how she wasn't sure about this whole deal. Then Luke mentioned the application to the Academy.

This was a big step. Charlotte had been a trouble maker for most of her life - at least for the amount of life that she could fully remember - and now she was taking this step. This step that could lead her to a new life. She had grown up for the last few years with Starfleet always around her but was it something that she really wanted? The girl figured this might be the best way to find out.

"Thank you, sir," she said and shook his hand. "I look forward to learning."

[OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Luke Wyatt
Department of Security
USS Galileo-A

Charlotte Franklin
Civilian
USS Galileo-A

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