<snip>

Vanessa nodded. “It’s good to make sure that an issue is being roundly considered,” she replied, shifting to tuck her feet under her on the couch. “Just make sure you’re not being too argumentative,” she added with a laugh. “Have you found that this sometimes interferes with your relationships with fellow cadets?”

She watched the young Caitian as she responded. She was a bright young woman from her records; she had already proven herself ready for Starfleet. Now it was the Challenger’s opportunity to mold her.

Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS

“Someone’s gotta be contrary, and I feel that I don’t cross the line of too much,” Though that was always the tricky part. One person’s hero is another’s villain. She’s yet to encounter that moment where she thought to herself ‘I went too far’, but life is not always kind and one day she may find herself in that position. “It’s soiled a few acquaintances.” M’rahja confessed, “My fellow cadets who liked me outside of class and simulations didn’t like me so much in those tense simulations. I can’t say I miss them, nor do I regret standing by my ideals.”

Cadet Ko (Security)

Vanessa’s expression softened. “It can be hard,” she spoke softly. “But you seem to be doing well. Did you make many friends at the Academy?”

Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS

“Oh sure,” M’rahja said easily, even though it wasn’t an honest answer. Not that it was lie, M’rahja made many acquaintances through her class cohorts and clubs. She was familiar with many people and got along with most of them. But she did not know them, was not friends with them by human standards. If pressed M’rahja could give names, their general career aspirations and maybe a hobby but never any intimate details of their lives. Nor has she given those details in return. It suited her fine, and she’d tell herself that she was a private person at heart.

“It’s exciting, though,” She added, “Being so close to graduation.”

Cadet Ko