LT Tamio K'Wara - Back in the Saddle
Michelle
(( Starboard Maintenance Access Bay - Deck 371, Deep Space 224 ))
Tamio stared at it. A Luna Class Vessel, the USS Artemis-A. They couldn’t quite believe they were here, again. They thought for sure that they would never serve actively on a Ship again, and if they had to be completely honest, they weren’t completely sure this wasn’t just some elaborate prank pulled on them by Commander Nash from the Personnel Office who’d exit that Access Hatch in three shakes to tell them to skedaddle back to Starbase 118, where they were no doubt missing several Cadet Cruises right now.
Tamio looked down upon themselves and the gold uniform they’d donned when leaving their temporary quarters here on Deep Space 224. How long had it been since they last wore gold? Three years? They would be missing the Command Red that Academy Proctors wore as a standard, but there was also something uniquely nostalgic about being back in the color that had defined so much of their active career prior to the Academy.
They would be lying if they claimed there wasn’t a sense of excitement involved with this surprise reassignment. While Cadet Cruises had offered them plenty of excitement over the past couple of years, it truly wasn’t quite like the ‘real’ thing. For a Cadet Cruise, you didn’t know the crew, you had to work with what you got, and that could be a decidedly mixed bag, but then, that was perhaps also part of what Tamio had needed for a good while.
The anonymity.
Their service aboard the Arthur Royale had been rewarding, but those halls had seemed so dull and empty at the end, too many friends gone. Now, new halls and new faces would become their home. It was an ambivalent feeling, but one that Tamio would overcome. They had no doubt they would. It would just take time, and if their memories of what active service was like, a whole lot of chaos.
Which was one of the best parts.
Putting one foot ahead of the other, the Cygnian walked towards the new beginning that awaited them.
(( Captain’s Ready Room - Deck 1, USS Artemis-A ))
Still with their hover trunk trailing behind them, Tamio walked onto the Bridge of the Artemis-A, nodding in passing to the skeleton crew that were running standard maintenance during the Artemis’ stay at Deep Space 224. Tamio was looking forward to that part, they had to admit. While they weren’t an Engineer by vocation, they remembered enjoying the puzzle that arose whenever they had to figure out how to ensure everyone got the necessary leave, but the Ship was still ready for departure on time. But for now, there was more important business to attend to.
Reaching the door to the Captain’s Ready Room, located at the end of the hall behind the Science Console, Tamio rang the chime and awaited permission.
MacKenzie: Response
Tamio left their hover trunk outside the door and entered. The Captain waiting on the inside of the room was Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie, former XO of the Resolution and the Excalibur-A. While Tamio had never served with her directly, they had heard of her exploits, and her reputation. They were certain the reputation for airlocking Ensigns was grossly exaggerated, but they also had the distinct sensation that the Captain didn’t necessarily mind that particular reputation as much as she should.
Which, honestly, was hilarious.
K’Wara: Lieutenant Tamio K’Wara, reporting for duty, Sir.
MacKenzie: Response
An entirely predictable and still very inappropriate compulsive thought entered Tamio’s mind at the Captain’s words.
oO Oh no, she’s hot. Oo
Tamio committed a not insignificant amount of effort into delaying their thoughts on what color would best suit a holosculpture of the Captain - an intense color, most certainly, as serviced her aura - as they focused on not botching the first impression.
K’Wara: Three years, Sir. It’s been a while since I was on a Starship that wasn’t the Centris.
MacKenzie: Response
TAG/TBC
LT Tamio K’Wara
Operations Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240006GS1