Ensign Meris - From Proctor to Partner
Meris/Brian
(( Bridge - Deck 1, USS Artemis-A ))
It was only Meris' second day on the Artemis, and already they had been assigned to sit a duty shift on the bridge. It might have been considered quite an accomplishment, if not for the fact that the Artemis was in spacedock. As it was, most of the other Helm Officers had been assigned to shore leave, and since Meris was the most recent addition to the department, they were stuck back on board.
Regardless, they were excited to sit their first shift, and rode the turbolift reviewing a data PADD while sipping from a cup of Saren Blend #4 - a personalized mix Meris had replicated with tart z’relli fruit essence, mountain bark tea from their homeworld, and a touch of sweet grain milk. It was smoky, tart, and reminded them of home.
They were taking a sip from the mug as the turbolift arrived and they stepped out onto the bridge for only the second time - and immediately stopped short, nearly choking on their beverage.
Standing near the Helm was a familiar figure in what was perhaps the loudest outfit Meris had ever seen - a lime green, dusty yellow jumper with high-heeled chukkas and beige khaki shorts. Meris couldn’t have avoided looking at them even if they’d tried. And yet... they weren’t unfamiliar to the J’naii.
K’Wara: I thought I’d catch you here if I waited long enough. ::pause:: You ... you do remember me, right? Or this is gonna get awkward real fast.
Meris: Captain! ::cringe:: I mean, Lieutenant.
oO What is my Academy Exam Proctor doing here? I did graduate, right? Oo
They uncertainly moved towards the fore of the deck to join Tamio near the helm, eyeing them with suspicion.
Meris: Computer, end program? ::tentatively looking around::
Tamio smiled widely at the Ensign as they joined them.
K’Wara: It’s good to see you again, Meris. And please, I’m off-duty. Call me Tamio. When did you arrive on the Artemis?
Meris: ::slowly:: Sir ... of course, Tamio. I arrived yesterday.
They continued studying Tamio with a mixture of disbelief and confusion, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Was the Lieutenant here to tell them a mistake had been made - that they hadn’t actually graduated?
K’Wara: Have you had time to do a bit of exploring yet? I’ve never served on a Luna-class before, so I’ll admit to feeling a bit lost in the shuffle.
Meris: A bit of time, yes ... am I to understand that you've been assigned to the Artemis?
K’Wara: Response.
Well, this wasn’t going to be awkward at all. Meris had just introduced themself to Lieutenant JG Bergmen the day prior with the assumption they’d be working closely with the Operations Officer, since their stations were so near one another on the bridge. Now it seemed the face that would be looking over their shoulder - at least some of the time - would be their former Examination Proctor.
Meris: I see. ::deadpan:: Congratulations on your assignment to the Artemis.
K’Wara: Response.
(( Tags/TBC ))
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Ensign Meris
Helm Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240207M14