The transporter beam’s glittering nimbus dissipated, revealing a dark grey furred Caitian, with close-cut upswept mane atop his head. Teal eyes flicked and adjusted to the light in the transporter room, dimmer than the academy transport site. He was fairly tall, a full two meters, and he carried the weight of his backpack and shipsbag with every sign of ease and comfort.

Stepping off the pad, he stood to attention before the transporter crew.

“Cadet Satyol, reporting aboard. I have orders to meet the Science Department Head upon arrival, might I request directions?”

The directions that followed were similar to those in academy drills, yet the Caitian still found himself falling back on the notes he’d punched into his PaDD to keep track. Decks and frames and sections could all blur together quickly, and he wanted to make a good impression. He would be on time, he would be neatly turned out, and he wouldn’t-

His train of thought was interrupted as he had to sidestep two burly sorts, security possibly, jogging through the corridors in PT gear.

He wouldn’t get run over before even reporting in, he decided.

Still, here it was, the last turn. He walked up to the office door, took a breath, and stepped inside once he’d verified the light said entry was permitted.

“Cadet Satyol Kastyi, reporting to Department as ordered, for training cruise.”

He stood to attention, shipsbag duffel hanging from his left hand, backpack neat and aligned, blue-trimmed uniform all perfect angles. He was here. He was going to make it.