Posted by Cadet Nala (Scientist) in NALA’S NEXT STOP — COUNSELOR CHECK-IN
Her datapad chimed gently.

NEXT APPOINTMENT:
Ship’s Counselor – Deck 6, Section A
Mandatory New Personnel Intake

Counselor.
That word always made her ears flatten slightly.

Not out of fear just a cautious reflex. Counselors asked questions. Deep ones. Slow ones. Ones she had to answer carefully, without leaping ahead three thoughts at once.

Still… this was procedure. Predictable.
She could do procedure.

Nala followed the corridor signs to Deck Six, tail tucked close so it wouldn’t betray her tension. The walk was quietjust the soft hum of the ship and the occasional passerby nodding in acknowledgement.

One step. Then the next.

She repeated the mantra until her pulse steadied.

When she reached the counseling office, the doors slid open to reveal a warm, softly lit room. The colors were muted—greens and golds meant to calm humanoid senses. A small fountain trickled in the corner, its gentle rhythm oddly soothing, even to her heightened ears.

A receptionist a Bajoran petty officer looked up.

“Cadet Nala Shai’Mori?”

Nala nodded, standing straight. “Reporting for intake, sir.”

“Welcome aboard.” He smiled warmly. “The counselor will be with you shortly. Please have a seat.”

Nala moved to the waiting couch, choosing the far end where her tail wouldn’t brush against anything. She folded her hands, consciously slowing her breathing.

Counselors meant well, she knew.
They always meant well.
But sometimes they asked too slowly, or waited too long for answers, and she had to fight the urge to fill the silence with everything at once.

She focused on the fountain’s rhythm instead.
Plink. Plink. Plink.
Steady. Predictable.
Like a metronome for her mind.

The door at the back of the office opened.

A calm voice said, “Cadet Nala? You may come in.”

Nala rose smoothly, smoothing her uniform jacket, ears forward but tail tight with nerves.

This was her arrival interview mandatory, procedural… and the first real moment where she would have to show the Challenger’s crew who she was beyond her records.

She stepped toward the open door.

And into the next step of her new life aboard the USS Challenger.

C adet Nala

Viveca watched the new cadet enter her office, her blue eyes searching for any sense of nervousness or something that would warrant careful choice in words....at least more careful than she normally was, “Welcome in,” she waved from her desk, “If you’d like anything from the replicator, it’s over there on that wall,” she pointed, “I find some people prefer a drink before we sit down for a brief chat.”

~Viveca Arlander~