Posted by Commander Maxwell Harkness (Executive Officer) in Side Sim - Cadet McMorran’s Presentation in Stellar Cartography

Posted by Cadet Ashlyn Trenton (Security Officer) in Side Sim - Cadet McMorran’s Presentation in Stellar Cartography

Posted by Lieutenant Garth (Chief Science Officer) in Side Sim - Cadet McMorran’s Presentation in Stellar Cartography
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Visualisations of gas clouds flashed across the overhead panoramic screen as Cadet McMorran fiddled with controls on a panel below. Over the weeks since she had boarded Challenger, Aili had spent much of her time off-duty working on the project Garth had requested from her. Stellar Cartography had become almost more of a home to her than her quarters. Today was the big day. Garth had agreed to come down and listen to her present her work. She was proud of her research and was fairly confident Garth would appreciate her work. The degree to which he would show his appreciation was a very different question, however, so she was fully prepared to be given the cold shoulder. Completing her preparations for the presentation, she retreated from the console and took a seat on one of the lab’s benches with a view of the display. Her leg shook nervously until she gave in and began slowly pacing around the central floor space of the lab, awaiting the arrival of the CSO.

Cadet McMorran - Science

Surprisingly, Garth was on time. No, not on time… five minutes early. Being this timely was an almost unheard of feat for the Challenger’s Chief Science Officer, but here he was, hobbling through the door to the Stellar Cartography lab with his cane. The tellarite’s nose was turned upwards, as if he was sniffing the air as his eyes darted across the ceiling for a quick once-over. Behind him, NEnsign Selik strode into the room, carrying a stool, which the young vulcan man set down in a way that was slightly off-set from the middle of the room. Garth plopped down on the stool and nodded his thanks to Selik, who in turn inclined his head and stood over the CSO’s shoulder with his hands clasped behind his back.

Finally, Lieutenant Garth’s eyes trained themselves on the woman of the hour. “Cadet McMorran,” he stated gruffly by way of greeting. “I’m curious to hear what you’ve been working on. But we should wait for a few minutes for the others to arrive. I took the liberty of inviting the Challenger’s entire science department and put out a general announcement to the rest of the crew as well, so I’m hoping there will be quite a turn out.” He looked up again at the ceiling, his short neck craning slightly to take in the full view.

(Lt. Garth, CSO)

The swoosh of the lab doors sliding open echoed through the space as Garth and Selik entered. McMorran spun around as they approached the central platform. She was nervous to present, especially with the unexpected arrival of the ensign, but was equally keen to get on with it. “Lieutenant Garth, Ensign Selik”, she nodded to each of the men. Then came Garth’s latter words and the near stopping of Aili’s heart. “You… you did? I see.” Spinning away she folded in on herself in every which way. She bit her lips, folded her eyes shut and pressed clenched fists to her chest. Why oh why would he do that? A moment of thought revealed several motivations for his distribution of invitations, not least the lieutanant’s personality. She leaned against a console to steady herself, mentally preparing for the heightened task she now faced. Public speaking wasn’t something that terrified Aili, she simply hadn’t anticipated or prepared for a presentation so public.

Cadets Trenton and Ryan enter Stellar Cartography together and take positions to either side of the door. With a general invite going out to the entire crew it was determined that a minimal security compliment would be necessary to maintain crew safety. When word had gone out, Trenton was first to respond and volunteered for the extra shift. Begrudgingly Ryan also volunteered so as not to be shown up by the newer cadet. Trenton smiled and gave a subtle nod of greeting to McMorran before continuing to scan the room to take a rough stock of how many people could fit into the room while internally planning what to do should too many people arrive.

• Cadet Ashlyn Trenton, Security

McMorran returned Trenton’s nod politely. At least you’ve met some of these people and gotten to know them a little. The thought provided some much needed relief; the fewer first impressions she would simultaneously be making the better. Ryan, on the other hand, was unkown to Aili but she smiled to him politely nonetheless.

As Max walked through the doors of Stellar Cartography, he pulled a blueberry out of the packet he was carrying and popped into his mouth. Nodding to the Cadets and Lt Garth, he moved towards the back of the room, and leaned against the wall. Ready to hear the Cadets presentation.

Cmdr. Harkness - XO

When the commander entered, Aili was struck by what she felt. Rather than boosting her nervousness, his presence sparked a mode of ambition. She was dead set on not only making a positive impression, but outright impressing him. This was as good a chance as any to be noticed by the higher-ups and she was damned if she was going to let it pass her by. If she’d had the time to reflect on her feelings, she would have been taken aback by her flaring careerist instincts, quite contrary to what she would have expected from herself on the basis of her past self-examination.

A few more cadets Aili recognised from around the decks poured into the lap and sat themselves on the back benches. The lab being fairly well filled up, McMorran turned to Garth, indicating with her eyes that she was considering the completeness of the arrivals. “Shall I begin Lieutenant?”

Cadet Aili McMorran - Science