Boarding (Part I)

Posted on Mon Feb 28th, 2022 @ 6:40am by Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver & Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani & Cadet Junior Grade Shafin Todenhöfer

1,306 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Cadet Cruise
Location: Boarding the Cavalier

ON

Meghan was excited that she'd been selected for the cadet cruise. It was her last year at the Academy and her first cruise. She had a lot of book learning and this was a fantastic opportunity for some practical application.

She walked up the umbilical with a bag slung over her shoulder. Three months wasn't very long, but she would need to take notes, and she brought along a couple of books to study and relax. She'd be able to replicate her clothing, but she still brought a pair of jeans, two shirts, and a blanket with a Mayan temple on it--a gift from her parents.

Once she'd been cleared, she found her quarters, secured her gear, and headed for the bridge to look around before heading to science.

Shafin was meandering about the starship. He had found his quarters, but while coming out of them he nearly collided into a woman. "These corridors are not designed for luxury," he commented as he sidestepped the woman. "You should be more cautious," he said to her matter-of-factly.

He was not the bubbliest person to be around. He was tall, lanky, and his hair was shaggy to the point some may say unkempt. "Where are you going?" he inquired curiously.

She probably should be more careful, but she was trying to take everything in at once. "It's a Cadet Cruise, so I don't expect much," She said. "I'm Meghan. Meghan Stefani. I thought I'd go up to the bridge to have a look around before heading down to science."

"I would be curious to observe the social interaction of the crew," Shafin said. His hair hid his pointed ears, but the inquisitive stoicism was not something he easily hid. "I don't expect much from the Cavalier, but I would like to make the most of it."

"Counseling?" she asked. "You talk like a counselor, anyway."

"Yes," he replied. "Primarily at least, but I am also taking courses for nutrition and health sciences. I am still not fully certain what I want to do though counseling my plomeek soup does not appear to be in the stars."

She nodded. "Maybe this cruise will help you decide?" She smiled at him and continued. "I know what I want to do, but except for some archaeological work, most of my knowledge is from books and the classroom."

Daniel walked out of the shuttlebay and down the corridor, bag over his shoulder, looking occasionally at his PADD to make sure he was in the right area where he was assigned. He still couldn't believe he was on a Steamrunner. Daniel was hoping for a Defiant or Intrepid, but a Steamrunner? He wasn't sure why they took this ship out of mothballs for a Cadet Cruise, but he was sure the Engineering department was probably going to have their hands full.

"Hi," Meghan said, spotting the new arrival. "You're Daniel Weaver, right? I've seen you around the Academy. I'm Meghan." She would have introduced her companion, but she didn't know his name.

"Uh... Hi." Daniel replied, smiling a bit, as he put his Academy bag down. "Nice to meet you, Meghan." He felt a little bad, not being able to reply that he recognized her as well, but he was usually dealing with sports or trying to stick with his courses that he didn't make much friends. "You're on this Cruise too? Obviously." He laughed slightly and looked away a bit. "Stupid question... I'm sorry."

"I've always been told there are no stupid questions, just stupid answers," she replied. "I'm in science." She didn't think it would be a good idea to tell him that she was pleased to see him here. Too stalkerish.

Daniel laughed slightly, nodding his head. "That's true." His laughter ended in a smile as he looked back to her continued. "Command. I was one of the few who got into the Command program. I'm pretty sure there are others who probably deserve the spot that are better than me, but here we are. Right?"

"Right. If nothing else, you'll find out if you're suited for command over the next few months." She nodded to the cadet next to her. "He's not sure if he wants to go into counseling. I guess we'll all see how we do." She hesitated a moment. "We're heading up to the bridge to have a look. Want to join us?"

Daniel looked down slightly, smiling a bit, as he picked his bag up again. He wasn't sure he wanted to go up to the bridge, because he knew who would be there, but he also knew they would stand a better chance of getting a better view if he was with them. With a bit of a nod, he finally looked up to face them. "Sure. Sounds like fun."

"I have a hypothesis that there are stupid questions," Shafin said as he sighed and looked at Daniel. "I have not yet proven it, but I suspect I will not be in short supply of individuals to act as evidence to support said hypothesis." Shafin was not Mister sunshine, but every world needed a rain cloud once in a while otherwise all life would wither away.

Daniel smirked at Shafin, looking over to Meghan with a smile, before saying. "He may not be wrong." He looked back to Shafin and extended his hand. "I'm sure you'll find many. Daniel Weaver... in case you didn't catch it. You?"

Shafin's eyes fell upon Daniel. He did not smile, just raised a brow. This must be socialization he thought. "Shafin Todenhöfer, do with that information as you will."

Daniel lowered his hand. "Okay." He said softly as he looked to Meghan. "He must be a riot at parties." With another slight chuckle he looked around and noticed a turbolift. "We can get to the bridge from there."

"Yes," Shafin replied though initially had not specified to which comment. Then he began to walk with the others. "I have the reputation of being a party animal. Bingo night with my gran is a rowdy occasion."

"Sounds dangerous," Meghan replied with a cheeky grin. "I hear grandmas can be pretty cut-throat when they play Bingo."

"I've seen Nausiccans less vicious," Shafin noted. "Why do they call this class a Steamrunner if it is not powered by vaporized water. That has not made sense to me since I was introduced to the starship class."

Daniel approached the opened turbolift doors as he replied. "Rumor has it, the original plans referred to it as the Steamrunner class, but there was an error and the 'R' was removed. The correction was never made and the ship was left as Steamrunner." Once all three had entered, and the doors closed, Daniel said. "Bridge."

"I didn't know that," Meghan said to Daniel. "I should have looked up the information, but I didn't think of it."

He laughed slightly. "I'm sure it’s not going to be relevant for later."

The doors to the turbolift opened to the bridge. There were several officers walking around, tapping on the consoles and looking at PADDs, no doubt preparing the ship for launch. Just as Daniel was about to walk onto the bridge, he was stopped by an officer.

"Cadets are not allowed on the bridge, yet." The officer said as he approached.

Daniel stood there for a moment, hesitant to speak, before finally saying in a slightly firm tone. "If you ask the Commodore, I am sure he will give you permission. Tell him its Cadet Weaver."

The officer looked at the three firmly. "Stay right here." He then walked off.

(To be ontinued...)

Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani
Science
USS Cavalier

Cadet Junior Grade Shafin Todenhöfer
Counseling
USS Cavalier

Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver
Command
USS Cavalier

 

RSS Feed