Enlisted Dormitory building United Earth Space Fleet
Hanna Anders swished her head watching her hair fall in the mirror one last time. Finally satisfied she placed the brush down before reaching for the lipstick. With practiced speed she applied the color, replaced the cap, and smacked her lips before leaning back and looking at the results of her efforts. The blonde woman stood five foot seven with lighter blonde highlights over a darker base auburn. Her hair was cut to just above the shoulder with the front hanging lower than the back. Her dark brown eyes, scrutinized the reflection of the round faced, athletic girl formerly from Nebraska. She placed the lipstick down, and grabbed some paper towel. Folded it in half, then clapped it between her lips to remove some of the shine. After its disposal, she once again nervously ran her hands down the front of her uniform skirt and was done.
Crossing the dorm she shared with her college roommate, a dark haired beauty from New Mexico, Hanna wondered what assignment would befall her friend from San Diego State University who also joined Space fleet with her. They had lived together for the last five years, and grown quite close except once or twice when the two chose the same boy to pursue. With a final long look at the photo of the two hugging from their graduation Hannah grabbed her PADD, Personnel file data chip, and handbag. "Wish me luck, Techie" She called to the stuffed animal with SDSU logo next to her bed.
The short walk between her dorm, and the administrative building was pleasant, but Hana missed her years at the college campus. The student body was more social, and wore all manor of clothing styles, and colors. While here at UESF the uniforms were uniforms, and while people were pleasant the social gatherings were much less inclusive. There were no dorm mixers, or sports gatherings, no concerts, or DJ's mixing music as all that was done off site. Even the holidays like Cinco de Mayo, and St. Patricks had to be celebrated across the bay in San Francisco. She could hear the words of her mother echoing in her ear 'the days of your carefree youth are behind you now. Once you join, it's time to become a proffessional'
Hanna stopped at the cafe to order her guilty pleasure. Although she didn't have the time to sit and enjoy her beverage she couldn't pass on at least tasting her iced caramel non-fat latte. As she arrived at the long multiple story administration building the drink was still three quarters full. As she checked in, she noticed the lobby seemed busier than normal, but didn't pay it much attention. These last few days the gossip about the alien arrivals was thick and full of wild accusations throughout the complex. Besides a new class of cadets was ready for their initial cruise, and Hanna remembered the hectic preparations that she endured during that training evolution. Reading her directions to the fourth floor, conference room three south did raise an eyebrow as to her knowledge there were no administrative postings for the conference rooms.
As she stepped through the door Hanna froze momentarily. Unsure if the thirty other assembled, or that not all of them were human was more out of place. "Personnel file" a Flat voice to her left called. Hanna saw an enlisted clerk seated at a desk with a computer terminal staring at her flatly. Close by a security stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the far wall. While seated, or standing in small groups a few curious looks took in the new arrival.
"Yeoman.. Personnel file.."
The inflection this time snapped Hanna from her state, and she handed across the small data chip to the irritated clerk. He processed it quickly, and with out looking up handed it back.
"Take a seat, wait to be called"
Cautiously Hanna stepped forward, searching for any familiar face. It was hard to not stare at the aliens, but Hanna had only had a Vulcan instructor once. Now not only was she in the same room with completely different species that she had never seen before, she was also surprised with how different from Humans they were. Eventually she found a seat apart from the others, and did her best to not stare. Hanna tried to be engrossed in her PADD, and absently sip her drink while avoiding eye contact, but her curiosity kept creeping in. Occasionally the opposite door would open, and another yeoman would step in, announce a name, and wait as the individual would go over to join him. Not one of them re-entered; however, and after a few moments the Yeoman would return to fetch another. She became aware of the pattern in those being called: Human, short hairy pig-faced alien, Human, Vulcan, Human, Blue skinned- white hair-what are those on it's-his-head- little arms-horns?? She was still trying to determine what was taking place when she was called.
They walked through the adjoining conference room, which was empty, and passed into a hallway separating the next conference room bloc where another clerk sat at a table set up with computer, and a stack of PADD's. Her guide announced her arrival to the seated clerk.
"Yeoman Second Class Anders, Hanna"
The clerk typed into the computer, then selected a PADD, and connected them together. After initiating a file transfer the clerk pressed a button on the table, and an audible tone rang through the open door in the conference room the desk was in front of. Not long after Hannah could hear two voices getting closer, but her concentration was broken by the clerk seated directly in front of her. Who was now handing the newly detached PADD across.
"Complement staffing requirements for an Intrepid type light cruiser, and available applicant listing. First round selection opens at fourteen hundred, closes at sixteen hundred, and confirmation at seventeen thirty. Second round opens at zero eight hundred tomorrow, closes at ten hundred, with confirmation at eleven thirty. Final round opens at fourteen hundred, closes at sixteen hundred, and confirmation at seventeen thirty. Any vacancies still open after the final round closes will be auto filled at eighteen hundred tomorrow. Questions about the timeline?"
"Uh.. no, not the timeline" Hanna responded with trepidation.
Then two figures stepped through the doorway. One Hannah recognized instantly as Admiral Marcus Williams; however, Hanna stared with her mouth agape at the blue skinned Alien he was with. Both wore the familiar blue uniform of Earth's Space Fleet, just as she did. Although while her uniform piping was red, and the Admiral had a double white, and red piping, the alien wore piping of yellow/gold. In addition unlike the almost black undershirt most everyone wore, he had a shade of green Hanna had never seen associated with the uniform. It wasn't the unique differences on his uniform; however, that were most glaring, it was his skin tone, and those small appendages that stuck upward from his forehead. The Admiral spoke first.
"Commander Thanien, may I present your administrative assistant"
"Hanna Anders, Yeoman Second Class, Admiral" Filled in the clerk at the desk on queue.
"Yeoman Anders, Commander Thanien. The Commander here is from Andoria, and part of an exchange program between our two planets"
Hanna didn't move as the blue alien stepped forward and thrust his hand out. The awkwardness was quickly evident, but Hannah couldn't force her body to respond. Inwardly she felt relief as he turned away.
"I apologize, I thought I initiated the greeting gesture correctly" The blue alien said softly.
Seeing the disapproving glare from Admiral Williams, Hanna was aware of the potential damage she just caused. She had been well aware many species had been encountered by the crew of Enterprise. She even recounting her disbelief when the recent personnel clerk had asked her to confirm her species, and saw that that had been added to the personnel file identifying list. The waiting room she had recently sat in had a few of these blue aliens, as well as others, yet for some reason she just stood there.
"Nonsense Commander, you were not at fault for the exchange. The Yeoman was rude. If she can't perform her duties I assure you we will get someone who can, and I assure you it will be well before the cut off"
Hanna saw the Admiral extend his hand to the other, and no awkwardness seemed present between their handshake. She became aware not only were they now finished, and staring at her, but apparently a question had been left hanging. Her conscious screamed at her to respond before there became a permanent consequence of her actions just now. She blinked abruptly, and shook her head to clear her thoughts.
"Sir?"
"Is there a problem, Yeoman?" The Admiral said harshly.
"No Sir. I'm sorry sir"
"Good. Well then, I believe you two have some work to get started. Good Luck Commander"
As Admiral Williams withdrew, Hanna became aware the blue Alien was studying her. There was no hostile glare from it..him? The look she saw was disappointment. Somehow she would have to salvage this working relationship. Either that, or resign. How could she work in an agency devoted to space travel, knowing it contained many other forms of life if she couldn't remain professional when she encountered something new, and different. Hanna couldn't help feeling ashamed, and looked down to avoid his gaze.
"We should begin. I prefer the courtyard near the water, but if there is a location you would feel more comfortable..."
She lifted her head, and looked at him with her expression twisted in questioning. There was no easy way she could be certain of his demeanor. His blue-grey eyes staring at her held no familiar expression, and the way those things on his head twisted, and turned was completely unfamiliar to her. Even his tone was unfamiliar, but she didn't feel there was spite in his words.
"I like the cafe, it's relaxing"
"I do not know this cafe. The location is far?"
"No it's in the courtyard. It's where I get my iced lattes"
His head tilted upward, eyes narrowed, and those appendages twisted flatly. Although he was a species she had never encountered before now it was clear her last words had an effect that didn't read pleasantly.
"A joke, correct?" He said flatly.
"No, why would you think that?"
"Andoria is an ice world. You knew that?"
Slowly the words sunk in, and she couldn't contain the horrifying realization on her face. She sighed heavily and gave up her eyes welling up as she stood completely defeated.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know" She wiped a tear away. "You must think I'm horrible"
"I do not know if you are horrible, but your reaction is different from the others I have interacted with on this planet. Let us go to this cafe, and try this iced latte of yours. Perhaps if you could relax, we might actually move forward"
"Thank you"
"I wonder" He chuckled to himself. "How you would have reacted had you been assigned with a Tellarite?"
Unsure of his comment which he seemed to find amusing she followed along as they walked down the hallway.
_________________ == Ebil Piwat : KDF Fleet Captain, Allied Task Force == The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Last edited by Ebil Piwat on Fri August 23rd, 2013 11:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
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