Two worlds collide Part 1

Posted on Wed May 13th, 2020 @ 8:30am by Lieutenant JG Miraj Derani & Ensign River Lokaa

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Starfleet Academy, San Francisco
Timeline: 2392
1057 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON]

There was a chime at his door, and Commander Ch'narl set aside the padd he was reading. "Come in."

The cadet that stepped into his office was young. Well, they all looked young these days, but this one was practically cosplaying Lolita with her bunches and her big blue eyes. The shapeless grey suit made her look even younger, hiding whatever indications of maturity nature had seen fit to dole out. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

The andorian indicated the two chairs in front of her desk. "Have a seat, Miraj. We're just waiting for another student."

She sat, perching on the edge of the seat, her fingers drfiting to the end of her bunches and then being pulled back as she tried to keep the nervous tick under control. "Am I in trouble sir? I know I'm struggling, but I swear I'm practising every day. Phasers just don't come naturally."

Ch'narl held up his hand, "Don't worry." The doorbell sounded again. "Come in."

River had accepted fate earlier this morning. There were very few reasons Commander Ch'narl called cadets to his office. Which included either congratulating them in a job well done or to tell them they were being back trooped or worst kicked out of the academy. She knew where this conversation would likely go after her last shuttle crash. Stepping up to the door she didn't even hesitate and pressed the chime and quickly ordered to come in.

In most respects River was beautiful after all she was Elasian and they did have a reputation however her beauty as some would say went only skin deep. She felt she was just misunderstood but most people less for some of her instructors and roommate who had taken the time to get to know her thought she was rude, arrogant, and borderline vicious. "Sir I can explain..." She started before noticing the other Cadet in the room and her speech drifted off, she wasn't about to let this other troublesome Cadet see her grovel.

Ch'narl indicated the other seat. "River, this is Miraj. She shoots like hyperactive baboon, and couldn't hit the broadside of a glaxy class with targetting control turned on and is about to fail security 101."

Confused River continued to listen to Ch'narl. Why was this officer telling her about this other cadet's failings? After all, she had her own failings to worry about. Continuing to stand tall and prod it was all she could do to remain interested in the conversation.

"Miraj, this is one of our best security students, River Lokaa. She's from a warrior culture, so is far advanced on her peers right now. She's a natural with a phaser and has an inspired grasp of both boarding strategies and ship combat strategies."

Miraj glanced at River, who seemed far too ethereal and delicate to be a warrior in her mind. She sank a little in her chair, expecting to have more of her failing listed out in front of the more competent cadet.

"Don't look so crestfallen, Miraj. River is about to flunk basic navigation and piloting, because she flies like an epileptic cow. River, in the first week of term, Miraj blew out the record for the flight school test path by 12%. And is it true you can calculate warp courses in your head?"

"Only short ones sir," Miraj admitted, "the angles get too big after about fifteen light years."

The Andorian nodded. "I trust you see where I'm gong with this, ladies?"

"What?" She said in an abrupt outburst before calming herself "You want us to help each other?" River added with a hint of annoyance. She couldn't think of anything worst than helping another cadet at something they were obviously terrible at, and she particularly didn't want another cadet telling her how to do things. She'd rather fight a hundred Elasian males than to listen to this... princess.

Miraj tried to melt into the floor. Arguing with instructors wasn't something that came easily, and now with her at risk of failing her first semester already, she wasn't going to make things worse.

"No," Ch'narl said, "I want two otherwise talented cadets who could very well be legends in their field in twenty years time to wash out before their first spring break. I'm all about the failure here."

Ch'narl knew exactly what to say to bring River onside, she was never going to allow herself to be a washout. "Ok, when do we start?" She asked pointedly looking at the instructor and then to Miraj offering her the opportunity to speak. River knew this type of Cadet... Quiet and shy much like River usually was when she wasn't agitated but desperate times called for desperate measures and if she had to listen to this pretty pink princess about flight control and then drag her around the academy ranges she would.

"I'm free from 1500," Miraj offered. "If you're free."

"1500 it is, We'll rotate one lesson in security and tactical and then the next flight control." She offered more forcibly than she was meant too. River at least had to try this new method of learning even if she very much disliked the idea.

"Alright," Miraj agreed, pleased that the other woman was happy to figure out the details. "Where should I meet you?"

"Definitely the shooting gallery first," She said before realising it wasn't entirely her decision to make, giving a sidewards glanced she was pleased to see the instructor nod. "I want to get to know you in an environment I find comfort in, and in a cockpit of a ship is certainly not that" River added for good measure.

"Alright." Miraj agreed, she struggled with so much, not being somewhere she was comfortable was her new normal. "I'll see you then."

Ch'narl leaned back in his chair. "There you go, ladies. Nice and simple. River, I'm not expecting you to turn her into a sniper, or for her to make you into a top gun, but I do expect both of you to pass. Do you know what they call the cadet that graduates bottom of their intake?"

Miraj shook her head.

"Ensign." Ch'narl pointed out. "All you two have to do, is pass."

[OFF]

Ensign Miraj Derani
Assistant Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Elysium

Ensign River Lokaa
Security Officer
USS Elysium