Posted by Captain Felix Rhodes (Captain) in Captain Ready Room: Cadet Osten Meeting
Leaning back in his chair, feet on the desk Felix cradled a cup of coffee in one hand, and a PaDD in the other. Among the reports and other mundane files was a particular piece of information that he felt was most interesting. He had gone over it a few times, and finally placed the cup aside and tapped his comm- badge.

=/\= Cadet Osten and Lieutenant Tavium, this is Captain Rhodes. Please come to my Ready Room. =/\=

Knowing he had a few minutes at least, he made no effort to take his feet off the desk but he did swap the PaDD for the coffee cup while he waited for the chime to announce the pair.

Captain Rhodes, CO

Wiles Osten stared at the PaDD in his lap. The personal log half-transcribed on the screen blurred as his eyes lost focus. Flashes of the events of the away mission to the Potterfield cut across his mind, causing Wiles to twitch and inhale sharply as the psychological pain manifested itself in physical discomfort. In frustration the young cadet smashed his fingers into the keypad, causing a string of random letters to appear at the end of his otherwise precisely-crafted recounting of events.

Cadet Osten jumped as his comm chimed. His stomach sank as the captain’s voice filled the darkened quarters. Wiles hugged his PaDD to his chest, muffling the only source of light in the room. After a deep breath in, then out, Wiles pressed his comm badge. =/\= “Osten to Captain Rhodes. I am on my way, sir.” =/\=

It took Wiles a moment to change out of his long black pajama bottoms and t-shirt into his uniform. A quick flick of the lights in the refresher confirmed that the bags under his eyes had not yet gone away, despite spending almost every hour not on duty in his bed. Still, he looked presentable. Enough.

Cadet Osten tried to fight back the pessimistic thoughts swirling around in his mind as he walked on autopilot toward the Captain’s ready-room. He hadn’t been in control of his actions. In fact, he had put up quite a fight against the infection from the Potterfield, preventing the worst. He had followed orders in the face of danger up until he was put out of his right mind, ultimately his exposure to the virus prevented others from encountering the same fate, and observing Wiles had assisted the doctors in finding a solution.

At least, that’s what Wiles told himself over and over as he pressed the chime to the ready room.

(Wiles Osten, Security Cadet)