Posted by Cadet Albert Schweitzer (Doctor) in CO’s Office Cadet Schweitzer reporting for duty
Cadet Schweitzer tugged nervously at his uniform as he stood outside the Admiral’s office, even though he knew it fit perfectly. His mother had insisted on getting it custom-tailored before he took the transport ship from San Francisco. He knew that a posting to Challenger as a young cadet was a rare honor, but no one in his family seemed surprised. His mother said, “Of course they chose you, you’re a Schweitzer!” He could not escape the shadow of his 15 times great-grandfather, who struck out as a young man to Earth’s then frontier of Africa to establish a missionary hospital for which he would become iconic in the annals of medicine and philosophy. Albert never really wanted to escape his legacy, though. Even as a boy, he knew that he would become a doctor and the explore humanity’s last frontier—deep space.

He pushed the doorbell, and tried to maintain a confident bearing as he strode toward the Admiral’s desk. “Good evening, ma’am. Cadet Schweitzer reporting as ordered.” His “crowded hour” of life on a starship had begun.

Cadet Albert Schweitzer

A soft voice from within the ready room called “enter!” and the door slid open to punctuate the instruction. Emmy’s ready room was not particularly notable; the furnishings were standard Starfleet issue and there were no personal momentos in the space. She took several beats to look up from the display in front of her and her eyes flicked over the cadet with a twinge of annoyance, although her voice was pleasant enough when she spoke. “Welcome to the Challenger, Cadet. Your department head is Lieutenant Tija, who you can likely find in her office in Sickbay. Do you have any questions?”

Davis, CO