Ensign Meris - Vailani's Measure of Trust
Meris/Brian
(( Meris’ Quarters - Deck 6, USS Artemis-A ))
Soft ambient music drifted through the quarters, the melody matching the slow, fluid movements of Meris’ morning ritual. Their limbs extended and curled with deliberate grace, a J’naii form of meditative exercise not unlike tai chi but with more sweeping arcs and spiraling steps. In front of them, the colorful mural they had painted on their first day aboard seemed to swirl in the morning light, as if encouraging the flow of their meditative practice.
They had already eaten a light breakfast of spiced grain tea and a small bowl of pickled roots and were dressed in their duty slacks and a black undershirt which stretched with their torso through each movement.
Just as they were transitioning into the next stance - a motion that involved balancing on one leg while the other traced an invisible circle in the air - their combadge chirped.
Vailani: =/\= Ensign Meris, this is Lieutenant Vailani, please report to the Main Shuttlebay. =/\=
The J'naii kept their leg in the air as their eyes darted left and right, considering the implications of this communique.
Meris: =/\= Understood, Lieutenant. May I inquire as the purpose of this meeting? =/\=
Vailani: =/\= We have a shuttle to perform a test flight on =/\=
The corner of Meris' mouth twitched with pleasure. They might actually get the chance to fly something finally.
Meris: =/\= Aye sir. I will be there within ten minutes. =/\=
Closing the channel, Meris finally dropped her leg and landed lightly back onto both feet finishing the final motion of their form and allowing their body to settle into stillness. The prospect of a shuttle flight had instantly transformed their morning from a slow, contemplative pace to an efficient blur of activity.
They snatched Lieutenant K’Wara’s PADD off their workstation, tucking it under one arm before shrugging into their duty jacket. The zipper caught once, twice, before finally submitting to their determination - a victory they acknowledged without fanfare.
oO This is why J’naii prefer unitards. Oo
They took one last glance at the mural, a small nod as though it had given them permission to leave, and then they stepped out into the corridor.
(( Time Skip - 6 minutes later ))
(( Main Shuttlebay - Deck 11, USS Artemis-A ))
The shuttlebay was already buzzing with quiet energy when Meris entered, PADD in hand. Technicians moved around a few small craft. Some had panels open and tools laid out like surgical instruments. The faint smell of coolant and ozone hung in the air.
Meris’ eyes immediately swept the room. It didn't take long to assess which craft might be the one the Lieutenant intended and quickly they narrowed it down to two - about the same time they spotted a woman who appeared to match the Lieutenant's biographical image along with two men she immediately recognized.
oO Ollie Bergmen! Oo
The J'naii's eyes lit up at the thought that they might get to fly with Mister Bergmen. Then they took in the man next to Ollie and their mouth twitched downward.
oO Tamio K'Wara. Oo
Why did Lieutenant K'Wara keep turning up? Everywhere they went, there was K'Wara. The Bridge. The Main Mess Hall. Now the Shuttlebay too.
oO Like an imperfection in the pattern, they keep resurfacing. Oo
As Meris approached, they got the sense that the conversation that had gone on immediately prior to their arrival might not have been an entirely happy one. Suddenly their thoughts turned to the conversation with Doctor Bancroft the day earlier. Could Lieutenant Vailani truly be as difficult as Bancroft had suggested? The J'naii found it unlikely and they decided to focus their attention on the Bajoran as they approached.
Meris: Lieutenant, a pleasure to meet you. ::nodding:: I understand I've been asked to report here to test a shuttle... however, if you might allow me a moment, I'd like to first present you with this...
The J’naii pilot handed over the data PADD containing their findings in regard to the post-maintenance tests requested by the engineers aboard Deep Space 224.
Vailani: Response.
Meris: It is the assignment that Lieutenant K’Wara passed on to me yesterday during Alpha shift. The Lieutenant indicated you wanted experienced pilots to evaluate the post-maintenance requests for testing from the Deep Space 224 engineers. I have reviewed those requests and determined that 78% can be satisfied without delaying our departure from Deep Space 224 or impacting our subsequent mission timeline.
Meris: I have fully annotated and collated my findings, along with an in-depth breakdown of how I reached each conclusion. I believe you will find the analysis thorough and complete.
Meris: And... if I may say so, Lieutenant, I am honored you would place this level of trust in a newly assigned pilot before even meeting me. I will work to earn that trust, and I will not allow the faith you have shown in me to be misplaced. ::with a resolute nod of the head::
K'Wara/Bergmen/Vailani: Response.
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Ensign Meris
Helm Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240207M14