Buckle up, Buckaroo

Posted on Mon Feb 28th, 2022 @ 6:39am by Commodore Peter Murphy & Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver

1,145 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Cadet Cruise
Location: Shuttlecraft: Banzai

ON:

Daniel walked down through the shuttle bay and into the Banzai, Starfleet Academy bag over his shoulder. It was a his first Cadet Cruise, and he was planning on learning a lot, but he didn't like how he got on top of the list for the Command Officer program. He felt there were others who earned it more than him did. Daniel was a good student, and a hard worker, but he hadn't decided where to go as far as his career. There were several times he actually considered leaving all together, but he knew how much it meant to his family to see it through.

As he stepped into the shuttle cockpit he immediately recognized the Commodore bars on the officer at the helm. Instinctively, he placed his bag down and stood at attention, focusing his eyes straight as he spoke in a firm tone. "Cadet Daniel Weaver reporting as ordered, Commodore."

"At ease, Cadet." The Commodore replied, hiding his smile, as he kept his hands on the console.

Daniel picked his bag up and placed it down by the second pilots seat before sitting down. He didn't looked at the Commodore yet, because he decided to focus out the main view screen.

Commodore Murphy tapped his hands on the console before tapping on the button the opened the comlink. "Murphy to Shuttlebay 4, this is the Banzai, permission to disembark for the Cavalier."

=A="Banzai, this is Shuttlebay Manager, you are clear to disembark. God Speed."=A= The shuttlebay manager replied over the comlink.

Daniel leaned back in the seat, watching as the view from the window changed from inside of the shuttlebay to the outside space, as they maneuvered to their destination. He knew the name of the ship, the Cavalier, but he didn't know enough about the type. He had to admit, he didn't have much of an interest of knowing all the details about this Cadet Cruise, but he was excited about it. Just to be on a ship and learn. Maybe this trip would help him decided where to finally go.

The Commodore looked over to Daniel, watching his eyes as they seemed to focus strictly ahead, before turning back to the main view port as he began to speak. "Are you excited for your first Cadet Cruise, Weaver?"

"Yes, Sir." Daniel replied quickly, as if trying to avoid a more detailed conversation, keeping his head focused head.

The man nodded, catching the hint not to push, before speaking again in his slightly raspy tone. "Are you eager to get started in the Command Program, Cadet? Sit in the big chair?"

Daniel paused, taking a moment to answer, as if reflecting on what to say before deciding. "I was chosen to take part in the Command Program, Sir. While there I will do my best to learn all that I can while in that role, but officially, I have not decided where I can best put my skills... Sir."

Commodore Murphy nodded his head, a bit taken back by the answer, before clearing his throat a bit. "So, you're still undecided when it comes to a career path? You know, Cadet, you don't have to decide immediately. There are many officers who go into the Academy with an idea of where they want to be and find something they are interested in and shift to there."

He kept himself from looking over to the Commodore as he tapped the console. "It is my general understand, Sir, that it would interfere in my current career plans. Plans I had no say in..." There was a bit of along pause before Daniel adding. "Sir."

"Daniel... you're career plan has not been chosen for you. I wanted to make sure you had an opportunity to experience the Command department in the event you wanted to make it an option." The Commodore replied quickly, keeping to his calm, but firm, tone. A tone Daniel was all to familiar with.

He finally turned to face the Commodore, a hint of frustration in his tone. "I didn't apply to this Cadet Cruise, so my name to experience the Command department was never in the running. Do you know why I never applied to either of those things? Because I haven't decided what my long term goal is!"

"Daniel!" He shouted, if only to remind him to keep from turning this into an argument. After a deep breath, Commodore Murphy let out a relaxed sigh, before continuing on. "Daniel..." He said calmly. "I didn't want you to miss out on an opportunity that could benefit you in the long run. Being on a Cadet Cruise, and taking the Command Program, would look good on your record when its being reviewed for your first assignment.

"You also jumped my name ahead of the line, Sir?" He looked over to him with a stern look. "Names that have probably worked much harder than I have. Cadets who have already decided they want to be in Command and have spent hours, upon hours, of going through the proper testing to even be considered."

Commodore Murphy let out a sigh, looking away for a moment to the controls, before replying softly. "You have the potential to be a great Command level officer, Daniel. You are just too afraid to apply yourself and take a risk." He looked over to him and continued. "Your mother-"

"Don't bring her into this!" He quickly said, resisting the urge to scream. "My mother wouldn't have used whatever influence she has to push my name over other people who probably deserved it more. She would have wanted me to earn it my own way."

"Your mother also knows that you are often afraid to take risks."

Daniel finally let out a frustrated sigh as he turned back to his console. "This conversation is clearly not getting through your universal translator, Sir." He tapped his console and, without looking to the Commodore, asked. "Permission to go to the back, Commodore, to gather my affects for our arrival."

Commodore Murphy remained silent, closing his eyes for a moment, before replying "Granted, Cadet." As he opened his eyes again.

As the Cadet got up, in a quick fashion and to the back area, the Commodore turned to watch him leave. He took his hands off the console and leaned back, closing his eyes again to ponder his thoughts, releasing a deep breath. He thought he was doing the right thing but he seemed to do more harm than good. "What happened to me, Kaiya?" He whispered softly. "Why can't I fix this hole between me and our son?"

OFF:

=====================================================

Commodore Peter Murphy
Commanding Officer
USS Cavalier

&

Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver
Command
USS Cavalier

 

RSS Feed