Joining Starfleet

Posted on Mon Dec 5th, 2022 @ 12:13am by Consul Andrinn Orin

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Earth, Starfleet Headquarters
Timeline: 2275
1275 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Andrinn was standing in the courtyard of Starfleet Headquarters, admiring the massive and impressive buildings standing before him. Over the last several days and weeks, he had been working with diplomats from both the United Federation of Planets and the Trill homeworld about the possibility of Trill joining the Federation.

Andrinn always admired the Federation and Starfleet, even if there was something of a cavalier quality about some aspects of both. The Federation was still young and had gone through about a century of growing pains after United Earth and the Romulan Star Empire fought a bloody war. But, Andrinn knew that Trill had gone through its own growing pains since he was born on his homeworld more than two centuries prior. Everyone had made progress and were learning the best that they could.

However, something was different today as Andrinn was looking out onto the courtyard before him. Looking out past Starfleet Headquarters, Andrinn could see the cadets walking between classes on the campus of Starfleet Academy and it brought him back to his own training back in his early 20's.

Emory Danthor, Andrinn's mother, could see her son deep within thought as she walked towards him and put a hand on his shoulder. It took a moment before Andrinn realized anyone was there as he looked back at his mother and said, "Sorry, I was just admiring the beauty of Starfleet Headquarters."

"You looked like you were pretty deep in thought. Can I inquire to what you were thinking about?" Emory asked, tugging at her son's arm and putting them down on a bench somewhere nearby. As the two of them sat down, Andrinn let out a small sigh as he thought about what to tell his mother.

Emory could tell that whatever Andrinn was thinking about was something that he didn't take lightly. But, as she looked into the direction of Starfleet Academy, Emory just smiled and said, "I think I've got an idea of what you were thinking about. Does it have to do with Starfleet Academy?"

Andrinn's head shot up and he replied, "Who said anything about Starfleet Academy? Did Toran tell you something? Did he open his mouth again about the Academy again?"

Emory just smiled and hugged her son from the side, gently. As she did so, she replied back to her son, "Nope, you just did. Toran and I haven't talked for about a month because we were on Earth, trying to get the final signatures for Trill to join the Federation. He has been going through the universe, trying to help the Trill Science Direcorate with their findings on Alpha Centuri. You just....seemed lost in thought and when I saw that you were looking back over at the Academy grounds, it wasn't hard to connect a few dots. You thinking you might want to join Starfleet?"

Andrinn just smiled softly, hugging his mother back as he let out a small chuckle.

"Yeah, it has crossed my mind a time or two over the years. But, I never wanted to join while Trill wasn't a part of the Federation. However, now that we are finishing up with the final paperwork for Trill's entry to the Federation, it was something that I've been thinking more about lately. I thought I'd join the Federation Diplomatic Corps while in the Academy, so I could get out on a starship somewhere. There's just a lot to think about," Andrinn said, glowing a bit as he explained what he had been thinking about for quite some time now.

Emory just listened to her son and as he finished talking, she just hugged him tighter. "You would make for a good addition to the Federation Diplomatic Corps and Starfleet. I think you've got enough knowledge to make for a wonderful officer, but I will say that it won't be easy. They're looking for people with knowledge, which I know that you have because of how long you've been working with me. But, just make sure that you aren't smug either because that always backfires and will kick your butt. Just be careful and know that you have the full support of me and your entire family. We absolutely love you."

Andrinn smiled and kissed his mother on top of her head. After she finished, Andrinn pulled out the PADD that was under his arm and said, "Well, the good news is that I've been accepted for Starfleet Academy already and that's something I wanted to tell you too. I didn't know how I was going to tell you, or how you would take it and that's why I was having so much trouble finding my words today. Here's my letter telling you and everyone on the Trill Diplomatic team that I'll be heading off to Starfleet Academy. I just didn't want anyone to be mad at me."

Andrinn handed the PADD over and Emory began reading the letter, the smile still as bright on her face as it was beforehand. As she read, she chuckled at a few instances before finally putting the PADD under her arms. She just hugged her son once more before standing up and helping Andrinn up. As they stood together, Emory extended her hand to shake Andrinn's.

Andrinn looked at the extended hand for a moment, confused, before extending his own and shaking her hand. As they stood together, shaking hands, Emory said, "Congrats on your acceptance into Starfleet Academy, Mister Orin. We will miss having you around at the Trill Diplomatic Offices on a daily basis, and as your mom, I'll miss having you around while working together. But, I want to say that I love you more than words can describe and I'm beyond proud of you. Do you know when you have to head off to start at the Academy?"

The two of them began walking back towards the conference for one of the final signings for Trill to join the Federation, Andrinn replied, "Well, I think I have to report next week, so that I can get my quarters on the campus. Otherwise, I start in about two weeks over at the Academy. The Commandant of the Academy even said that since I've worked with you and the Trill government within the field that I'm going into, I wouldn't have to worry about doing a cadet cruise my senior year. It's exciting and I'm looking forward to it."

As the pair got to the door of the conference center, Emory stopped shy of it and turned to face Andrinn once more before heading back inside. She smiled brightly and said, "Good luck, Andrinn. I know you'll do great and this will be an amazing experience. Just remember to call your mother every so often and don't forget to make time to come home for a visit. I love you." She hugged Andrinn once more, tightly, before the pair headed back inside to complete this leg of Trill's journey to join the Federation.

Andrinn was looking forward to the next leg of his journey. Joining Starfleet and going through the Academy had been something he had thought about for some time now, but wanted to wait until this moment in History. He wanted to make sure that everyone on his homeworld could have the same chances that he was now being afforded and now, that was a reality.

As the pair walked back inside to watch the signing of several more important documents, Andrinn couldn't help but to smile from ear to ear as he waited to head off to the Academy the following week.

OFF:

Consul Andrinn Orin
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Elysium