Ens Lyara Alroyo - A Clear Mind
Lyara Alroyo
((Ready Room, Deck 1, Artemis-A))
Lyara had answered the captain's initial questions about her and why she was on the ship. However, they had finally acknowledged a matter Lyara had thought about frequently, her academy exam. A messy group that when she ended her segment she witnessed Mackenzie giving them an earful.
Mackenzie leaned forward causing Lyara to sit up straight in response. She had not expected her meeting with the CO to feel like an interrogation, but here she was.
MacKenzie: What did you learn from that class? Clearly enough to pass, obviously, but I’m not interested in the information you gleaned from working with your colleagues than anything else, because if there’s one thing I don’t tolerate on this ship, it’s mess.
Lyara nodded in understanding, that group was particularly chaotic. The cadet that somehow got a knife onto the bridge and then threatened a Klingon’s life, and the doctor that hypo’d the same Klingon multiple times. And on the bridge, all the cadets jumped the gun, her included. Not to mention when the simulation ended she was told “they wouldn’t have survived”. That had shocked her, but she understood one lesson from that exam.
Lyara: If I’m being honest, that class was… ::She searched for the right words:: well a mess. There are a lot of other words I would have used. But I agree it was a mess.
Mackenzie: Well, at least we agree – but the questions was what did you learn?
Lyara: What I did learn from that experience was the importance of a clear head.
Mackenzie: And so now that you’ve had time away from that exam and, presumably, a clearer head, what are your takeaways?
She thought for a moment as to expand on it. There was a lot to learn from that academy, but she kept thinking back to how real it felt, and how she almost lost her focus because of the moment feeling life or death. One piece of advice that had stayed with her was Promontory ordering us to think things through with all their collective knowledge. He used the phrase, “now you’re thinking like Starfleet officers” and that helped her calm down.
Lyara: The ship was almost a mess when those birds-of-prey decloaked, and it felt so real like they were going to kill us. We all jumped to different ideas until Commander Promontory helped us clear our minds. ::She thought for a moment:: And once we all had a chance to make our own estimations we were able to formulate a proper plan. At least until one of the other cadets suggested we blow up the ship.
Lyara sat back in the seat feeling more relaxed, she thought of more to say as she felt like she hadn’t expanded enough on what she meant. Once she formulated her thoughts she straightened back up and continued.
Lyara: But, all in all, after the exam ended I felt really good. We may have lost the ship if we kept going, but I don’t think that was the point. The point was we were thinking like Starfleet officers and when we faced an uncertain situation we pulled ourselves together and worked on a solution. I can’t speak for all cadets, but, I learned what it meant to keep it together under pressure and work with others.
She looked to Mackenzie now that she had finished expressing her thoughts on the exam. It felt good to talk about the exam with someone who was there firsthand, and with the one who yelled at those cadets.
Mackenzie: Well it sounds like you’re in the right frame of mind, especially after reflecting on the experience. You wouldn’t have passed if we didn’t think you were capable.
A huge weight felt as though it had been lifted off of Lyara’s shoulders. She smiled from what she assumed was a compliment as she nodded her head in response.
Lyara: Thank you, sir.
MacKenzie: Have you received your room assignment?
Lyara: Yes sir I have.
Mackenzie gave an affirmative nod.
MacKenzie: Then welcome aboard, Ensign. Dismissed.
Lyara got up out of her seat and with a quick formal wave, made her way out of the ready room onto the bridge. She quickly beelined for the turbolift where she felt she could breathe. A large exhale exited her lungs as she could feel her heartbeat in her chest, she hadn’t noticed how anxious the meeting had made her. She took a moment to gather herself then spoke her command.
Lyara: Deck 4
The turbolift began its descent to her quarters as she felt herself finally start to unwind. She had a memorable introduction to an already memorable officer from her academy exam. But, despite the questioning, Lyara never felt interrogated or that she had been scrutinized unfairly. Her captain had simply wanted to see if Lyara understood her assignment here, or at least that’s how she interpreted it.
The turbolift stopped at its intended location and its doors opened to a long quiet hallway. Lyara stepped out from the lift and pulled out her PADD to confirm where her quarter's assignment would be. She felt good about her posting on the Artemis, and thankful that her CO had asked her those questions. With a now clear mind, she made her way down the hallway ready to get some shut-eye before her first day on duty the next day.
TAG/END
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Ensign Lyara Alroyo
USS Artemis-A
Helm/Operations Officer
D240108LA4