Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Enjoy the Views

[Addison MacKenzie]

(( Captain’s Ready Room – Deck 1, USS Artemis-A ))

 

Meris: On the J’naii homeworld, young people are expected to serve our culture directly and meaningfully. There are few opportunities or paths that allow one to move off-world. My parents are a scientist and an educator and, had I stayed, I would’ve been expected to follow their path and contribute locally, just as my twin, Seral, will. Seral is a brilliant scientist and they’ll continue that legacy. That would have left me to become an educator. But that’s not who I am, nor who I want to be.

 

Meris: Joining Starfleet wasn’t about rejecting my heritage. I’m proud to be J’naii. But I’ve always found the galaxy beyond my world more fascinating than what was within it. My twin and I have an unspoken agreement: they stay and carry forward our homeworld and culture, and I explore everything else the galaxy has to offer. Eventually, I’ll be expected to return and share my experiences. In that manner, I’ll fulfill my role as an educator. But until then, I serve the Artemis.

 

MacKenzie rocked her head from side to side, contemplating the implications of such a choice, and the impact it might have on an officer.

 

MacKenzie: That was certainly no small sacrifice. But, if you feel that both your interests and your obligation to your people are being met…?

 

Meris: I do, ma’am.

The commanding officer nodded. She hadn’t met many J’naii in her service and didn’t know much about their customs as a result, but she found some nobility in the sacrifice of Meris’s twin for their pursuit of galactic exploration, and their desire to one day return home and share their knowledge.

 

MacKenzie: Fascinating. And have you ever piloted a Luna-class starship before?

 

There was a long pause before Meris responded, shifting back onto their left foot.

 

Meris: In simulations only, ma’am. The Artemis will be the first Luna-class vessel I’ll have had the pleasure to fly off the holodeck. I have, however, passed the required Starfleet Aeronavigation Standards Suite for Luna-class deployment. I’m also fully certified for a variety of capital vessels and have practical capital ship experience with the Excelsior and Ambassador-class.

MacKenzie: The Borderlands presents its own unique set of astronomical challenges, particularly where piloting the ship is concerned. What do you know about the region?

 

Meris: You're of course referring to the space-faring monsters, yes ma’am?

 

The corner of the J’naii’s mouth twitched slightly. MacKenzie’s eyes widened in return, as though a secret had been revealed without her knowledge.

 

MacKenzie: ::softly:: Those very ones.

 

Meris: ::more seriously:: I did spend part of the trip to Starbase 224 familiarizing myself with the local space lanes and stellar phenomena. I confess that I’m quite anxious to get a first-hand view of the Paulson Nebula. I’ve also completed simulations of navigation within the Briar Patch, the Celendi Nebula, and the Azure Nebula.

 

MacKenzie: I’m glad to hear that. From what I’ve been told, the simulations aren’t exactly perfect – the real thing leaves a lot to be desired. No matter, I’m sure you’re up for the challenge.

 

Meris: Response

 

She smiled and offered a friendly nod.

 

MacKenzie: One of the benefits of being assigned to this sector of space is that I think we get some of the best views of the galaxy. Hopefully they don’t disappoint.

 

Meris: Response

 

MacKenzie: So, Ensign – what do you do for fun when you’re off duty?

 

Meris: Response

 

 

 

 

Tag, and TBC!

 

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Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A

Captains Council Member at Large

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