Stepping down out of the shuttle, Nate takes in the shuttle bay of the USS Challenger. “Whoa, she’s a beauty. So, this is home for a while; I could certainly do worse.”

How does a cadet not look like a cadet, Nate thinks to himself. Glancing down at his insignia. Yeah, that’s pretty much a dead giveaway. Finally noticing the door to the rest of the ship, “There’s a good start, Nate.” Adjusting his pack over his shoulder and switching his bag to the other hand, Nate heads to the door with a vapor thin façade of confidence. The doors swipe open much quicker than he’d expected. Gathering himself a bit, he steps out into the well-lit hallway. Thankful he’d studied the deck plans for the Challenger, he turns to the right and heads down the hall to the turbolift.

DECK , PLEASE the computer demands.

“Five, no wait . . . three. Uhh . . . medical . . . sickbay. Please.”

THE USS CHALLENGER IS EQUIPPED WITH SEVERAL SICKBAYS. DECK, PLEASE.

“Come on!” Nate exclaims in exasperation. Leaning over to shuffling through his bag, he pulls out his datapad as his pack slips off his shoulder knocking the datapad from his hand. Tossing the pack back over his shoulder, he retrieves the pad wiping the screen off and thumbing it to life. Flicking through several screens, he locates the deckplan files. Scrolling down . . . down . . .

“Six. Deck Six, please.”

Sliding the pad back into the bag, Nate straightens up and notices the placard with the decks and descriptions beside the door. “Oh man,” Nate exhales as he rubs his fingers across his forehead and pushed the sweat into his hairline leaving his hair looking slightly slicked back and clearly out of place.

The door again swipes more quickly than he expected.

DECK SIX

Thankfully, sickbay was laid out just off to the left of the lift. The familiar sterile scent of a medical bay permeates the air. You can do this. You got this. Oh, man.

Barely above a whisper, “Nate Cadet reporting for duty evaluation.” Clearing his throat and speaking a little louder, “I mean, Nate Holcomb . . . Cadet Holcomb . . . reporting for medical evaluation . . . reporting for duty. Uhh, I mean . . . for both, I think. I’m a Starfleet medical cadet from the Academy.”

Seriously?!? You’re a Starfleet medical cadet from the Academy. That’s obvious, you doofus. Where else would you be from? Get it together, Nate. Sweat trickling down the back of his neck. Oh lord, I hope sweat stains don’t show through this uniform.