Ensign Meris - Addison MacKenzie and the J'naii Ideal
Meris/Brian
(( Captain’s Ready Room - Deck 1, USS Artemis-A ))
MacKenzie raised her arms with her palms toward the ceiling and shrugged slightly.
MacKenzie: I’m just lucky, I guess. Truthfully, command was never in my sights, I just followed the doors that opened for me along the way.
Meris: That is good advice - as in most buildings on the J’naii homeworld, following through the windows that opened for you could lead to certain death.
Addison’s eyes widened, and she blinked several times.
MacKenzie: ...I’ll make sure never to crawl through any windows, in that case.
Meris paused, then shifted the direction of their questioning.
Meris: If command was never in your sights, may I inquire as to why you accepted it when it was offered? Is that typical among humans - to pursue a path not because it was wanted, but because it was presented?
MacKenzie: I was called to serve. First as a Chief Medical Officer, and then as executive and eventually a commanding officer. The ability to serve meant more to me than in what capacity.
Meris considered this in silence, recalling their final exam at the Academy. They had served in multiple roles during that simulation and still remembered their disappointment at being initially assigned as Chief Security Officer, despite their major being in Astrogation.
They wondered if the Captain had ever felt disappointed by the direction her career had taken - after investing so much in becoming a doctor. But looking at her now, Meris thought she didn’t appear disappointed. Given the success she had achieved, it seemed unlikely.
Still, why not?
What struck Meris most, though, was how the Captain’s words echoed the very best of J’naii tradition - of serving where one was needed, rather than where one simply desired to be. It was a principle Meris had always admired, even when they had struggled to live up to it themself. In that moment, they found themself considering Captain MacKenzie as something unexpected: a role model of J’naii values, embodied not by a J’naii, but by a human.
Meris had so many follow-up questions. But they also knew not to overstay their welcome - the Captain had other responsibilities and likely more new crewmembers to meet and greet.
Meris: Yours is an interesting perspective. I will schedule time to reflect on your words - you've given me something to personally consider.
MacKenzie rocked her head slightly again.
MacKenzie: There’s certainly something to be said for trying new things – sometimes you don’t know what you’re interested in, or cut out for, until you try it.
The corner of Meris’ mouth twitched, a quiet amusement surfacing at the Captain’s words.
Meris: Like learning how to fly. ::slight smile:: Much of my journey since leaving the J’naii homeworld has been about trying new things - things many on my world would never even consider, but that I find impossible not to. I look forward to trying many more new things as a member of this crew.
The Captain offered a smile and a curt nod.
MacKenzie: Very well, Ensign. That’ll be all for now. Dismissed, and welcome aboard.
Meris nodded and straightened, resuming the same vaguely unkempt stance they'd originally presented themself with - a form that might’ve resembled attention if one squinted at it from the right angle.
Meris: Of course, sir. And thank you for indulging my questions.
They stepped forward, retrieved their sticky PADD from the surface of Captain MacKenzie’s desk, then turned on their heel and exited the Ready Room.
Once in the small corridor that separated the Ready Room from the bridge, Meris lifted the PADD and examined it.
Meris: You silly thing. Look at the trouble you nearly got me in.
They tucked it beneath their arm again and continued toward the turbolift.
(( End Scene for Meris ))
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Ensign Meris
Helm Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240207M14