Posted by Cadet Aili McMorran (Scientist) in Side Sim - Cadet McMorran’s Presentation in Stellar Cartography

Posted by Captain Emmeline Davis (Commanding 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

(snip)

The ringing of Garth’s words through the lab were followed by several second of silence as McMorran pondered his questions. A smile tried to escape but she managed to suppress it. During her years at the academy she had seen many a cadet fumble the ‘social awareness’ or ‘cultural significance’ types of questions. It was an experience she had gone through herself in her first year. Unlike some of her peers, Aili had learned from her shortcomings and had since done what she could to cultivate a mindset more conducive to such considerations. The cadet took a deep breath. “Well sir, I do suppose a modified version of the detector could be manufactured and positioned around Federation space to form a… a kind of array or grid. As you know, we should be aware well in advance of any threats from stars or other object we know of. It is of course possible that there are objects which have gone undiscovered on the edges of our space, where there are dangerously many colonies. The gravitational waves from dangerous events may well create signals which we could detect earlier than those we look for with typical early warning systems. I would say it certainly motivates further study, sir, but I can see this technology bolstering our alert systems. Every minute, nevermind hour, evacuation efforts have is no doubt directly linked to lives saved.” With a sharp inhale through her nose, she nodded to Garth. Answering his questions exhaustively yet briefly was key to keeping him happy. That was her working theory at any rate. Aili felt like she had spent almost as much time aboard the Challenger studying Garth as she had the stars.

Cadet Aili McMorran - Science

Garth sat in silence for a moment, his expression unchanged and seemingly unphased by the dozens of pairs of eyes on him as he considered the cadet’s answer.

McMorran slowly ground her teeth together as weeks of intense, committed work- not to mention more than a few tears- were evaluated by the man she had come to respect above all others on the ship.

Finally, he spoke without preamble. “I will arrange for a meeting between you and a contact I have in the Federation Bureau of Internal Affairs, I’m sure she will be interested in discussing this detector in great detail. I encourage you to see this as more than simply a capstone project that you set aside now that it’s complete. If you continue to refine this device, it could have profound implications for both the field of stellar cartography and the security of the Federation. Well done, Cadet McMorran.” The gruff old man relaxed into a stoop on his stool as the room around him was slowly filled with murmurings of shock at his praise.

The cadet’s jaw would have fallen agape if she hadn’t frozen up for a perennial instant. As confident as she had been in her work, an expectation that Garth would find issue with her conclusions had entreched itself. That he concurred with, nae, had more faith in her work than she did, was difficult to accept. “I… Thank you sir, thank you so very much.” Her mind let slip the presence of the rest of the audience. “I won’t let you down Lieutenant. I would never have managed this without your encouragement.” A chuckle served to disperse her tension. “What you regard as uplifiting may be rather unique but it does the job!” Her laugh mixed with a momentary sob as she wiped a tear from her eye.

From over Lieutenant Garth’s shoulder, NEnsign Selik began to clap confidently, and was soon joined in by the rest of the gathered audience who filled the lab with applause. The wizened tellarite’s mouth twitched upwards in a small, sly smile meant only for McMorran to see.

(Lt. Garth, CSO)

Emmy had quietly snuck into the back of the audience while the cadet gave her presentation, careful to make sure that she didn’t distract her during her speech. As the ensign initiated the applause, she joined in heartily, enjoying the proud moment of the young woman.

Davis, CO

Selik’s clapping and the ensuing applause placed McMorran firmly back in the room. Her tunnel vision remained focussed on Garth long enough for her to register his smile, the sight so bizarre it caused her to choke up in a laugh which became a second sob by the time it escaped her throat. “Sorry”, she mouthed to him, embarrased to have spoken to him as she had before the rest of the room. A battle then raged between her crying laughter and her self-control. Tears were wiped from her face with the backs of her hands as she nodded her appreciation to the gathering. It was catching sight of the captain that forced her to turn away to hide the flowing tears, using accessing the console to shut down her simulation as an excuse. By the time she became decently composed and turned back around, the gathering had begun to disperse. A line of cadets filtering off the central platform blocked the exit for the time being. Hunting for a familiar face with whom to celebrate, she instead found herself face to face with Captain Davis. Once again put on the spot, the cadet simply blurted out: “I hope I didn’t bore you Captain.”

Cadet Aili McMorran - Science

Max was still clapping as he approached the Captain and the Cadet. “I’m sure you didn’t bore the Captain Cadet. Very well done, by the way.”

Cmdr. Harkness - XO