Letting Loose!

Posted on 29 Apr 2018 @ 10:28am by Cadet Sophomore Grade Bethany Armstrong
Edited on on 29 Apr 2018 @ 10:39am

3,034 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Earth - Starfleet Academy, Courtyard
Timeline: MD 33, 1115 Hrs

[ON]

Once again the San Francisco skys glistened with sunlight with only sporadic cloud cover breaking the endless light blue blanket surrounding the planet. It was a humid day on the Californian coast, for the cadets at Starfleet Academy that meant an opportunity to study outside, to allow the mind a relaxing liberation from the competitive halls of Starfleet's academic institution. The atmosphere was bright as laughter could be heard and smiles seen on the grounds as students collaborated over the day's lessons, adventures to come or that cute guy in astrophysics 302.

However there was one cadet in the courtyard whom would not be enjoying this day. Seated alone on the grass, ostracized in the far corner of the courtyard, Cadet Armstrong sat against a wall, nearly curled into a ball with a PADD resting on her knees. Her brown eyes, swollen with redness from an earlier crying episode. Her attention remained locked to the words on the PADD paying no attention to her surroundings or those occupying them.

Once again she wanted to be left alone. Word had spread of her actions on the Kobayashi Maru test. The reactions ranged from silence to outright harassment. Some would simply stare at her and snarl, some would call her names like murderer or declare how she should turn in her uniform.

A board of inquiry was being convened. In the meantime Jennifer would be allowed to continue her studies, but she wasn't sure how that would be possible with the constant insults and distractions.

She made what she felt was the best decision possible, for the Federation and the crew. The rest of them could shove it if they didn't understand. They could all get sucked into a black hole for all she cared.

"Hey Bethany, kill any puppies today?" A young cadet called out in a teasing voice.

Abbey was walking Champ when she heard the insult, she wished Champ was a little bigger that way she'd let him off his leash and let him maul the bully cadet. Since the Maru simulation Abbey had done several more tests and since she was only the tactical officer and was following orders she had been dismissed however she knew that the Commanding Cadet was not so lucky. Walking in the same direction as the voice she could see a security cadet standing a few meters away from Cadet Armstrong thinking impulsively she tied Champs leash to her arm and approached from the rear before swiping the cadet's feet form under him, this, in turn, enouraged champ to do a bit of yapping in the startled cadets face before he stood up and bolted. Perhaps if she wasn't in full uniform and her ensign badges showing he may have retaliated but instead he just ran or perhaps its because he knew her face as 'that girl from the Mirror Universe who would cut out your tongue if you said anything bad about her.' Abbey rather liked the last one.

"Don't listen to them," She said walking over to Bethany untying champ from her wrist, bending down and unbuckling him. Young but he was already well trained that was one of Lukes demands before they got a dog and she agreed.

Jennifer looked first at the dog, then at the woman whom served as her tactical officer on the simulation. "Can I pet him?" She asked meekly looking up at the girl with jet black hair.

"Of course" she said trying to coax champ from behind her leg. "As long as you'll be willing to have some company?" She asked as she sat down next to the woman not really giving her choice as champ jumped out from Abbeys bum before she flattened him.

"I'd like that, it's just that a lot of people won't talk to me anymore." She replied timidly holding her hand out to the dog beckoning him over.

Champ looked at the hand stretched out in front of him, before thinking too long he pounced the hand and began to lick it. "He likes you" Abeyy observed stretching out her legs and letting her long black hair fall behind her shoulders. "You made a decision, besides it was a dumb situation anyway. Theres no such thing as a no-win scenario, you'd make a fine general in the Terran Empire but an even better one here. If you came around in the Dominion war no one would have battered an eye lid, its funny how quick people forget whats war like."

"Terran Empire? What's that?" Jennifer asked quizzically followed by a giggle as the dog continued to lick her hand. The small gesture brought a bright smile to her face, the first seen in days."

Abbey watched champ play with Beth for a moment before replying, "Its m home" she said before adding "Have you heard of the mirror universe? And the evil strafleet" she asked.

Jennifer moved her hand to the top of the dog's ear rubbing behind his ear. She had never heard of a mirror universe or an evil Starfleet. Her parents had always told her Starfleet was built for good, although with the constant teasing she received she began to question that. She looked back at Abbey. "No, my dad always told me Starfleet was good." She replied.

"Starfleet here is good but from where I am from, the Mirror Universe when the Vulcans first landed they killed the crew and took the ship and before long Earth had a fleet and created the Terran Empire" She paused for a moment. "It was a very oppressive regime and very xenophobic. May I ask why you did what you did?"

Jennifer paused for a moment as she thought back to the moment reluctantly. She shrugged, "To be honest I don't know, it's like a switch flips inside of my brain. It's kinda like I forget about emotion and I see the situation for what it is, the numbers if that makes any sense." She admitted. She bowed her head as her hand fell from the dog's head. "Maybe I do need to see a shrink." She said ashamed.

"Nah, I dont think you do" Abbey said, "I think people just dont like people like me and you. Calculated and Determined, when the nitty gritty stuff happens its us who will make the important decision not them. Besides that test is stupid. Why prepare anyone to fail?"

Jennifer nodded in agreement cracking a smile. "It's because they want me to fail. Everyone here thinks I'm some huge joke and I guess the instructors are finally getting in on it. They preach at how great Starfleet is but it's just high school all over again. I'm really starting to hate this place." She said as her smile faded and her voice began to show signs of being visibly upset.

"Star fleet is far from great" Abbey reinforced sternly. "It has its floors and it certainly has its dark sides they just don't like to admit it. You just have to rise above them, and the instructors they only want to see what they want to. My father he was watching and though he didn't say it in as many words he things you show great courage and leadership qualities."

"Really?" Jennifer said in a perked up tone as her eyes widened. "Someone doesn't think I'm a complete idiot?"

She nodded "My father see's things differently, and unlike. Orr hasn't forgotten about the dominion war. He's had to make harsh choices before. He's around for a few days if you want and I'm sure he'll be willing to help you. He has some friends in high places" Abbeh explained.

Jennifer sheepishly shook her head up and down. She was not accustomed to someone extending an olive branch of kindness to her. She honestly wasn't really sure what to do in the moment as she awkwardly looked at Abbey. One thing she did note was her Jet black hair, something about it was quite pleasing to Jennifer. "I really like you hair." she stated awkwardly.

Abbey chuckled "Its not my natural colour i dye it every so often" she said running her hand through it" So what do you cadets do round here do fun?

Jennifer shrugged. "I don't know, no one likes me. I mostly study, read or think of the number of people whose noses I'd like to break." She said flatly with a hint of venom towards her tormentors.

Abbey couldn't contain her laughter. "You know what. I like you already" She stood up Champ turned and began trying to clamber up her leg for a hug. "How about we go drop of trouble here and go make some trouble ourselves. Either a good bar and I know a few or well smuggle in some alcohol and drink at your place" She offered her hand to the woman.

Jennifer's cheeks instantly went flush. No one had ever asked her to hang out with them or admit to liking her. She cowered back slightly tucking her knees to her chest unsure what to do. "A--are you sure you want to be seen with me?" She swallowed hard as her eyes began to glisten. "I don't want anyone to hate you too." Her tone now conveyed nervousness and uncertainty.

Abbey shook her hand pestering the cadet to take it "Girl, people already hate me I'm from a place that reminds them that humans are capable of horrible things. There just to scared to do anything about it now come on I need a drink and it looks like you do to, so where shall we go? Bar or your place?"

"We can't have alcohol in our rooms. So I guess the bar?" Jennifer replied taking Abbey's hand along with a deep breath unsure if she would live to love or loath what was about to happen to her.

"Oh please there's my alcahol in the rooms here than a distillery" she said as they made there way out of the main campus. "So where are you hoping to get assigned to?"

"A ship..." Jennifer replied with an uneasy chuckle. "At this rate I'd take a garbage scow if they offered it to me."

Abbey chuckled "I'm sure you'll get something better than a garbage scow maybe a medical ship?" She teased light-heartedly as they walked.

"I don't know a thing about biology or anatomy. Seems like kind of a waste for Starfleet to do that." Jennifer admitted shamefully.

She shrugged "Something I've learned over my history is that regardless of where you are, what posting your given or what ship you're one is that your skills will be required. My ship, the Galileo is a ship of science but we've been in more scraps than those which are specific for fighting." They continued to walk for some time, out of campus and to one of Abbeys local spots. "If anyone asks you're an ensign, and you've just joined the Galileo" She smiled. "welcome to the crew"

"Uh, um thanks?" Jennifer retorted nervously unsure what to make of Abbey's suggestion. Looking towards the bar, she was only just hoping to make it through the night without totally annihilating her career.

Abbey walked over too her usual table and sat down motioning Jennifer to do the same. "So what are you having to drink?" She asked picking up a drinks menu but already knowing she was going to order a woowoo.

"NOT Tequila." Jennifer spat out instantly remembering the last time she had indulged in the beverage. All she remembered was from that night was her first shot and then waking up the next day with no underwear. "I had a bad experience before." she said blushing.

“Then tequila it should be!” Abbey rejoiced giving the woman a cheeky smirk. “They’re the best kind of experiences!” She added ordering two tequila slammers and two vodka and cokes.

"NO-NO Tequila!." Jennifer pleaded clutching onto Abbey's arm. "Please don't." she exclaimed, her chest expanding and contracting rapidly, her eyes widened and filled with horror indicating the young cadet was experiencing a great fear.

Abbey sighed "cancel on the Tequila" She turned to Jennifer "Ok, fine but one day you and me are going to go drink some tequila but not here in mexico" Abbey smiled. "So what are you having?"

Jennifer hesitated, sucking in her bottom lip as she was relieved by the fact Abbey had liberated her from her obligation to drink Tequila, however she remained unnerved by the fact that one day she would be faced with the same demand once again. "Can I get a Risan Ocean Breezer please?" she asked shyly waiting for Abbey to laugh at her and mock the very light alcoholic drink.

"Nice choice, we'll take two Risan Ocean Beezers please," She said turning to the barmaid and smiling before she hurried off to prepare their drinks, this left the two girls some time to converse more. "I'm sorry if I come off a little strong. I'm still trying to learn how to fit into this universe." Abbey admitted.

"It's ok...I'm not entirely sure I even fit into this universe as you kinda saw on the Maru simulation." Jennifer replied.

Abbey shook her head dismissively, "Don't be so hard on yourself! So you're a badass and take different actions you can never really pass or fail the Maru Simulation. So I'm told. But the way you performed is unique and well let's be honest id rather have you as a captain than someone who is weak or couldn't make a decision."

"Really?" Jennifer said perking up as the comment incited a smile. "You don't think I'm some trigger happy psychopath whose gonna get you killed?"

“Oh please” Abbey said waving her off with a flick of her hand, “I come from a universe where everyone is a raging xenophobic murding physopaths. Killing a few holographic generates beings is nothing. Besides I’ve heard you’re not the first to go in and do something like that and I’m sure you’re not the last”

"B--but what if they were real people, and I gave you that order. Would you have still fired?" Jennifer asked curiously.

Abbey paused before answering the question “Yes, if you was my commanding officer and you believed that killing those people who would probabaly either die or end up being tortured and killed in a Klingon prison was more humane then yes”

"Then I need a crew full of Abbeys." Jennifer retorted matter-of-factly.

She laughed, "Oh god, I couldn't think of anything worst. It would be more efficient than a Borg Cube!" Abbey remarked. "Hows the drink doing you?"

Armstrong shrugged. "It's good, I mean I've had it a few times before so I can handle it." Jennifer remarked.


Two Hours Later...

The scene around Jennifer was a blur to her as she swayed back in forth in her chair. Her eyes struggling to remain open as she nearly slipped from consciousness several times. The noise around her was all white noise and incoherent. It sounded like music but she couldn't be sure. What she did know is she needed another drink.

"More!" Jennifer blurted out.

The barman looked at the two woman in front of him, the two of them had drunk their weight in alcohol and were beginning to cross the line. With one hand wrapped in a towel and inside a class he sighed. "Look, ladies, I think maybe now is a good time to call it quits eh?" He suggested. "And save yourselves for the tomorrow" He added.

Abbey eyed her empty glass "One more! And were leave." She challenged holding her glass up giggling as a hiccup escaped her rosy red lips, she was feeling the best she had in months. Her new friend, Jennifer was also keeping up with her and matching her drink for drink, she was great.

Without speaking the barman nodded pouring them two more drinks and placed them in front of the ladies. "Fine, but if you don't leave I'm calling security"

At the mention of security coming to pick her and Jennifer up she rolled her eyes and basically downed her drink in one before turning to her companion. "Come - on" She said between breaths. "I'm tired anyways" She added.

"Oh man I could really use a pillow on my face right now." Jennifer exclaimed wrapping her arm over Abbey's neck for support.


A little after 0100..

Abbey opened the door to her apartment, it was still outside the main campus but well within the boundaries of Starfleet Academy. The pair had stumbled, giggled and ran their way back to the room avoiding the security patrols and civilians who wondered the streets at night and eventually found themselves in relative safety. The fresh air having both refreshed her and made the alcohol hit her a little bit more as it peaked. "More drink?" She asked sitting on the sofa in the middle of the room.

"Yes please!" Jennifer exclaimed as she stumbled over to a chair. "I can't believe that bartender cut us off! What a jerk."

Pouring herself a drink and then a tall slender glass for Jennifer she nodded setting the glass down and handing Jennifer the alcohol. “I right! No respect! What’s a lady to do eh? Lucky I have my own little stash” she said raising her drink to her mouth.

"You are my savior. This week has really sucked and I'm glad it's over. I honestly can't wait to be done with the Academy. Some days I think about just quitting all together." Jennifer commented taking a sip from her glass.

Abbey, within arms reach rest her hand on Beth’s elbow, “Take it from me it gets better and honestly starfleet needs people like us, we do the things that others don’t have the balls to do. It’ll be people like us that they fall back on when the going gets tough. So don’t change for them, you’re great the way you are”

[OFF]

--

Ensign Abbey St James
Security Officer

CDT Bethany Armstrong
Yeoman
[PNPC Bauer]

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