wizardneflus
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Registered: Apr 20, 2024 10:53:29 GMT
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Post by wizardneflus on Apr 13, 2006 16:58:10 GMT
Gary ran as fast as he could to the transporter room. Tucked under his right arm was his carryall.
Just five more minutes indeed. Ens. Taylor was cute and all, but for someone he'd likely not see again, the extra time was hardly necessary. They'd only been on two dates, and after all, she was the shuttlebay chiefs girlfriend. Now he risked being late for arrival at Starfleet Academy's "Starbase Conquerer" campus.
"Gar... (huh huh huh...) Gar... (huh huh huh...) Gary Owens reporting for transport, Chief." Owens said between being out of breath.
"It's about time." Came the reply. "I was beginning to think you'd be joining us on our mission."
Gary stepped onto the pad. Moments later he found himself in another transporter room, presumably on the starbase. Standing there was a young Ensign, bearing security colors on his uniform, but cadet pips. Gary gave a friendly smile.
"Gary Owens reporting for duty. I'll be a cadet here for the next..."
"No SIR!" came back the reply in an over exaturated military bearing. "You are not to state your eventuality as a cadet. Untill you pass the entrance examination, you are not even a PLEBE! You are a THING! Do you UNDERSTAND?"
Gary's smile disapeared. An obvious upperclassman, traditionally rattling the new guy.
"Request permission to come aboard?"
"Granted"
"Where do I go next?"
"Through that door."
"And then?"
"Keep going."
"Where's the induction center?"
"Right where I left it two years ago."
"Which is..."
"As far as you go for now."
Gary wasted no more time with this jerk. He fumbled through his carryall to find the right mPADD.
...class notes... nope... uniform data for the replicator... nope... family photo's... nope... personal project data... nope... here it was. Starbase Conquerer Orientation Package. He called up the directional display.
He should have gotten directions from the onboard computer...
He should have paid attention to where he was going...
He should have stayed on the holodeck with Donna Taylor...
He should have stayed in bed that morning.
But, Gary did none of those, so he hed no way to avoid rounding the corner, right into the path of Commander 1st Class Joan McCormick, who in a matter of seconds following the collision, was sprawled on the floor next to him, partially covered with items from Garys carryall.
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anderson
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Registered: Apr 20, 2024 10:53:29 GMT
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Post by anderson on Apr 13, 2006 17:08:17 GMT
Joan was heading to see if her friend had come aboard yet. She expected her any time now, and wondered if she would notice Joan was late again. Lately she had been having trouble staying on track when it came to time. Suddenly one of her padds beeped, and she reached for it. She looked at the message and groaned. Her friend changed her mind and wasn't coming after all.
Joan was relieved, and had cleared the padd, suddenly someone bumped straight into her, and she found some of the contents of his bag were on her. She wasn't sure why this had happened, but she hoped he wasn't hurt.
"Wow, I guess we both need to watch where we are going. Are you alright?" She asked, not wanting to be yelled at, especially by her mother, for colliding with someone again. She didn't know why these things kept happening to her of all people. She wondered if he knew anything of her yet, she knew she was notorious.
"I am Commander Joan McCormick, who might you be?" She asked as she helped him gather his things.
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wizardneflus
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Registered: Apr 20, 2024 10:53:29 GMT
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Post by wizardneflus on Apr 13, 2006 17:30:15 GMT
Gary paused for a moment, then decided to follow the cue given by that transporter room jerk.
"I am Thing Gary Owens, not yet a plebe, not yet a cadet, Not yet passed the entrance exam, not yet found his way. At the moment feeling quite miserable. And you?" He took that moment to finally look at her collar pips. He sprang to his feet, wishing desperately that he could suck his head into his collar like a turtle and hide for the rest of the year. "Ma'am" he said as he snapped to attention.
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anderson
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Registered: Apr 20, 2024 10:53:30 GMT
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Post by anderson on Apr 13, 2006 17:49:46 GMT
She heard what he said, and couldn't believe her ears. ~What is this a joke? Why would he say that?~ She thought, and noticed he snapped to attention.
"As you were, cadet. Please tell me why you would say such things. You wouldn't be here if you didn't pass the entrance exam, or have some training in the academy. As for lost, I think everyone gets lost here when they arrive. Don't worry, I can help you get where you are going. I live on the base, and have gotten used to my surroundings. Where are you headed?" She asked hoping she didn't intimadate the poor guy.
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wizardneflus
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Registered: Apr 20, 2024 10:53:30 GMT
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Post by wizardneflus on Apr 13, 2006 19:12:43 GMT
Gary relaxed a bit. "Well Ma'am, just a few minutes ago I was greeted by an upperclassman in the transporter room, who engaged in some harmless verbal hazing of an underclassman, meaning me. I understand it's an old tradition dating back to West Point in the 19th century. He just had me a bit rattled, that's all."
"Do you remember who it was exactly? Hazing is not allowed on my watch," she said hoping to fix this.
Gary dropped his eyes. Should he report the upperclassman, and risk retribution, or lie to an officer? Actually, he could have fun responding to a bit of retribution. "Ma'am, it's the Cadet second class in the transporter room just around the corner here. I'm sure he mistook me for a fresh off the farm newbie, rather than one who graduated in the top third of his class in San Fransisco." Gary responded.
"Top third of your class, are you trying to impress me? Wait here, and I will be back in a few minutes," she said, and walked back the way he had come. She found the cadet in the transporter room, and when he saw her he snapped to attention.
"I heard this awful rumor that some hazing was going on in here. I would love to hear that it isn't true. What do you think cadet, did I hear wrong?" She said not liking to play the bad guy in all this.
"No, mmma'ammm, nno hazing in hhere," he said stuttering, and she wasn't completely convinced.
"Alright, now that is what I like, but if there were hazing the consequenses wouldn't be good for it, cadet. As you were, have a nice day," she said and left to find the lost plebee. Jimmy Elliott says: "May I be so bold as to inquire where I'm to report first? I only arrived moments before, and haven't received orders yet." He asked when she returned.
She smiled, "Well I am a commader here, if you feel you must report in, you could do so now. I could also take you to see the Academy Commandant, or someone of higher position if you wish. It is up to you, and about your orders, they will come in due time," she said, and waited to see what he wished to do.
"Actually ma'am, I was rather hoping to selltle in first, and find something to eat,but if the Commandant is waiting, I'll be happy to meet whomever you suggest."
"It's up to you, cadet, you can report in to anyone here, as long as its not another cadet. I can show you your quarters now if you would like, and I don't belive the Commandant is waiting right now. He is usually a very busy man," she said wondering what would be next. She didn't expect to meet any new cadets, but she was delighted at the idea of a new friend
"Yes ma'am, I would like to get this carryall off my shoulder. And could you reccomend a relaxing place to have a bit of lunch? I'm not into the wild Domm-Jott parlors." He replied as they walked. He had never imagined he'd get along so well with a ranking officer. He began to get the beginnings of a thought, then inwardly scolded himself. A commander and a cadet? Shame on you Gary.
"Well, then to your quarters I will lead you, as for lunch, I know a few areas where we can get something to eat. I am sure I could recommend something any ways," she said and took out a padd to get some information on where he would be staying while waiting for the next ship to leave. Joan found the information she needed as they got to the turbolift, and told the computer to go to deck 28. She turned to the cadet thinking of a place he might enjoy. "Lunch wise maybe you should go to the Starburst. I have also heard of the Starquake, but I haven't visited yet," she said hoping this would be helpful.
"Thank you ma'am. I'll be sure to try each of them in time, but Starburst first." He replied as he switched the shoulder strap of his carryall to his other shoulder. "Which training ships are in port at the moment? With permission, I might like to visit one of them as I wait for my assignment."
"I am sure you could get permission, but you would have to talk to the captain of the vessel. Currently the USS Hepta is in dock," she said realizing that she wasn't able to help him much there.
"Aye ma'am. I certainly will get permission. How many cadets are here for this cycle? Will they pretty much be assigned to the same ship I will be?"
"There are three or four other cadets on the base right now, and they should be going on the same ship with you," she said, not sure of what else to say. The turbolift doors opened, and she walked out to head to section 14.
"Thank you ma'am. I'll be sure to try each of them in time, but Starburst first." He replied as he switched the shoulder strap of his carryall to his other shoulder. Jimmy Elliott says: "Which training ships are in port at the moment? With permission, I might like to visit one of them as I wait for my assignment." Elizabeth says: "I am sure you could get permission, but you would have to talk to the captain of the vessel. Currently the USS Hepta is in dock," she said realizing that she wasn't able to help him much Aye ma'am. I certainly will get permission. How many cadets are here for this cycle? Will they pretty much be assigned to the same ship I will be?
"There are three or four other cadets on the base right now, and they should be going on the same ship with you," she said, not sure of what else to say. The turbolift doors opened, and she walked out to head to section 14.
Soon they stopped in front of a pair of doors. "are we here?"
"Yes, we have arrived. Inside there should be instructions on what you need to do to get the computer to recognize your voice. I must be going, things to do. Maybe we can have some fun later? Don't be a stranger," she said, and watched to see if he would go inside.
Gary made his goodbyes to the Commander, and went inside. After laying his carryall on the bunk, and checking directions, he headed off to Starbucks.
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