What it means to serve (Pt.1)

Posted on Sun Nov 5th, 2023 @ 11:30am by Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Starfleet Marine Academy; August 2, 2381
788 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

The August sun beat down on the assembled and newly arrived cadets as they stood in lines to report into the Marine Academy. Past the gates were a cluster of buildings surrounding a large parade ground. In the center of that parade ground was a large flagpole with the Federation Flag and the Starfleet Marine Flag.

Among those assembled cadets was a young, eager, and determined Bajoran woman named Azhul Naxea. This was her first time on Earth, and she had been blown away at the planet from Starbase One, the numerous shipyards, to the tall buildings that reached far into the sky. Bajorans never built such tall and imposing buildings. Even the colony of New France never had such buildings.

"Next!" a male voice boomed, breaking her train of thought as she set eyes on a dark-skinned human male wearing a Starfleet Marine Uniform with a Drill Instructor cover. Naxea stepped forward, handing the man her PaDD that contained her orders. He looked over the PaDD and uploaded the information into the Academy's database. "Cadet Azhul, Naxea. He paused at the information displayed. "You grew up in the Occupation of Bajor, Cadet?"

"Yes Sir," Naxea replied with a slight nod.

"Then I expect you'll make an outstanding Marine someday," he began as his voice raised in volume. "Until that day, you better sound off with some intensity when you are addressed! Do you understand me, Cadet Azhul?!"

Naxea was momentarily taken back by the sudden change in demeanor in the Marine but recovering quickly. "Yes Sir!"

"Good! Proceed on to Receiving to get your uniform and platoon assignment!"

"Yes Sir!"

"It's Aye, Sir when acknowledging an order, Cadet!" The DI replied, placing his hands on his hips.

"Aye, Sir!" Naxea corrected before moving past the gates in a jog towards what she assumed was the receiving building that had a line of cadets out the door.

The next several hours were a blur as Naxea was issued orders, had her hair cut to regulation length, and assigned a Cadet Platoon. She laid in her bunk in an open bay, wondering if she had made the right decision after all. Maybe she should have gone to regular Starfleet Academy, where several of her friends, including her boyfriend Arev from New France Colony were at now. She was missing Arev and hoped he was doing well. Soon her eyes closed.

It had seemed like she had just closed her eyes when the lights of the bay came on, blinding her, along with a blaring siren. "Get up! Get on the line by your bunks!" the Senior DI, Staff Sergeant Teral, a female Andorian commanded as she marched in, flanked by two other, junior DIs.

Naxea got on the line along with the rest of the platoon. "Get dressed in your PT gear! I am going to see what your filthy cadets are made of! Starting with an easy five-kilometer run!"

"Aye, ma'am!" the platoon replied.

"What was that?" I must be going deaf!" SSgt. Teral asked, cupping a hand to her ear. I want Starbase One to hear you!"

"Aye ma'am!" Naxea along with her platoon repeated as loud as they could this time.

"Better. Now get your butts dressed and in formation outside!" Teral said as she exited the building, leaving the two junior Drill Instructors to help motivate the cadets to get outside as fast as possible by yelling as the cadets.

Fifteen minutes later, Naxea was clutching her side as her legs and lungs were burning. SSgt. Teral was setting a brutal five-kilometer pace. Several Cadets had dropped out and were now lagging behind with the junior DIs yelling at them to keep up. "This is nothing!" Teral shouted as she looked back at the struggling cadets, meeting Naxea's gaze. "What about you, Cadet Azhul! You going to quit on me too?!"

"N-No ma'am!" Naxea replied through the pain just before vomiting. Luckily, they hadn't eaten breakfast, so it was mostly water she vomited up.

"Don't stop! Never quit running until you reach your goal! Push past the pain!
Someday your life or another Marine's life may depend on it!" Teral yelled.

A chorus of "Aye ma'ams" came from the struggling cadets.

At 22 minutes, Naxea and several other cadets stumbled across the finish line, nearly collapsing.

"This run was nothing! I expect you all to be better! For the next four years, you will be pushed to your limits and beyond. Now shower and get in formation for chow! You have exactly thirty minutes!" Teral said.

'What did I get myself into?' Naxea thought as she stumbled her way into the Platoon Bay with her sweat and vomit-stained olive-green t-shirt with the other cadets.

TBC...

 

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