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First Impressions (part 2) By Ensign Sito Naera [Security]
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"OK, do you have any questions?"
With her hands clasped tightly around her recently acquired PADD computer,
Ensign Sito Neara stared somewhat dumbfounded at her Commanding Officer, Lt.
Adam Harris.
The question that he had put to her was so simple, and up until he had
uttered these words, she had a list of things to ask him filling her
head...But now, all but one had inconveniently hidden themselves from her.
Feeling her tanned Bajoran features redden a shade, Neara smiled nervously,
as Harris suppressed a smirk at her nervous discomfort.
"Ensign?"
Should she ask for permission to wear her Bajoran earring, while on duty?
Would she be considered as lacking in discipline, if she did?
She was proud of her family...of her people...But she took Starfleet
regulations very seriously, even though the ship could, within reason,
implement its own dress code.
"I...I...No Sir, I do not have any questions at this moment in time."
Nodding in acceptance of the answer, Harris moved towards his desk once
more, and sat upon the edge of it, his face conveying an intangible aura of
understanding.
"Well, if any queries do arise, then please do not be hesitant in contacting
me or a fellow member of your to be announced shift."
Feeling the tension within her frame relax a touch, Naera began to smile
once more, relieved at her superior's apparent kindness...But she stopped
herself...
For all intents and purposes, she was on duty at this moment. An air of
professionalism had to be maintained...besides, how could anyone take a
Security Officer seriously, if they were constantly grinning like the
proverbial 'Cheshire Cat'?
"Thank you, Sir. I will do that."
Harris studied the dark haired woman for a few seconds.
"Alright then, you're dismissed."
"Yes, Sir."
Naera turned and exited through the now opened doorway and stepped into the
relatively deserted main corridor. Her stride was brisk and it betrayed a
certain sense of anger-tinged sadness.
"Well, that experience could have been more encouraging." she whispered to
herself.
She knew that after her display of hesitancy in Harris' Office that she'd
now have to work twice as hard to justify her inclusion aboard the St.Louis.
Suddenly, the tinge of anger began to prod at her consciousness more
aggressively. Only ten minutes on this ship, and already she was inwardly
demeaning herself. She shouldn't let herself do that...She shouldn't let the
false voices of her uncertainty distract her. Her tutors at the Academy had
told her quite vehemently that she would make a fine StarFleet Officer, IF
she would just show some confidence in herself. Naera needed to be
strong...She needed...To rid herself of the pent-up tension that was now
encompassing her being. She could go to her quarters and meditate, or...
Without hesitation, the Ensign came to an abrupt halt, just in front of the
Turbo lift.
"Computer?"
The hallway chirped as the system answered the hail.
"Where is the nearest holodeck?"
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