A New Start

Posted on Tue Dec 1st, 2020 @ 3:10am by Ensign Ethal Luen & Cadet Senior Grade Kedar Rackthorn

Mission: Season 4: Episode 3: Guided by Starlight
Location: Various
Timeline: MD1
780 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Ensign Luen, how will I ever get used to this? she asked herself deep in thought. Ethal had only recently graduated from Starfleet Academy and now sitting in Starbase 31 waiting to join her first posting as a Starfleet officer. She was chosen to become part of the crew of the U.S.S Elysium. The Ensign had read up on all the files she could of the starship, but nothing could prepare her for seeing the ship outside docked to the station.

Ethal started to think about how she got this position, how a recent graduate like her got here. Maybe it was because of her merits while she studied at the academy or maybe a good word was put in first. Her thoughts kept running in circles.

Ensign Luen

Ensign Luen

“Ensign Luen” A voice spoke out to Ethal as she snapped out of her inner thoughts. It was a voice from her combadge. It took a moment for her to compose herself before answering as she was so deep in thought it was almost a shock there was an outside world.
She tapped her combadge “Yes? Ethal Here”

“Ensign Luen, I have been told to inform you that it's time for you to board the Elysium, so I suggest you go collect your things and say your goodbyes” The voice replied.

“Thank you, sir,” Ethal replied as she got up. It was time, her life was finally going to begin, and she could not wait. She had already packed her things and had them with her. There wasn't much to bring, she had it all in a bag she was carrying.

She walked onto the promenade ready to go to the Elysium.

As she headed out, she saw a young Caitian walking from the ship dock onto the promenade. He was wearing a familiar uniform. A final year's Academy uniform, the one she herself had just hung up for the last time. He was short, but handsome, a lion-esque breed of Caitian with a mane of fiery red hair. By the colour of his uniform, Luen could see he was science or medical.

"Oh, sorry, almost walked into you, I've been doing that to people a lot today...as well as flashing them...let's just say it's not the best start..." he started to ramble. "Oh, forgive me, Cadet Rackthorn, nice to meet you Ensign, are you the new Officer joining the Elysium today?" he asked with a smile and an outstretched clawed (but well manicured) paw.

Ethal smiled at the cadet as she shook his paw "It's okay cadet, I understand, I was where you were only a year ago" she straightened herself up before she responded. "I'm Ensign Luen, part of the science crew as of today, Its nice to meet you too" She took a sigh of relief as it was the first of her worries about being on a ship - not being accepted and considered an outcast.

"So cadet, what is it you are choosing to specialize in, am I going to be expecting a fellow ensign to be joining me in the science labs in a years time?" she chuckled to herself secretly hoping to herself that he was, though she would not admit it to him, or anyone for that matter.

He smiled to the Ensign and replied: "I'm training to be a Counsellor, I'm a Psychologist at heart, but Science is indeed a passion" he continued. "I'm sure we'll see each other on board as well, lots of crossover."

"That's a shame but you are right there could be lots of crossovers" she brushed her hair out of her face, back where it was meant to be. "So cadet Rackthorn, what are you doing on the station, last taste of Starbase 31 before we depart?"

He nodded. "I only arrived today, got right off my shuttle then took my things to my quarters, so the Commander suggested I go see the station before we leave, so I think I'm gonna go do that now. You should probably go find your quarters too, get yourself settled in." he said.

She forgot what her task was while they were talking and when she heard Rackthorn's comment it drove her straight back to reality. "Yes, your right I do need to get settled in" she chuckled nervously. she must have looked so unprofessional to the cadet. "well I guess this is goodbye, for now, I'm sure we will be seeing you around soon"

"I look forward to it Ensign, see you soon" replied the feline as he walked onto the station to explore.

Ethal Left the feline cadet behind as she boarded the Elysium.