Posted by Cadet Aili McMorran (Scientist) 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 Cadet Aili McMorran (Scientist) in Side Sim - Cadet McMorran’s Presentation in Stellar Cartography
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

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

Grounding herself, McMorran pressed her hands together in acknowledgement of Harkness’ praise. “Thank you sir, it means a lot. And thank you for coming. I mean, I wasn’t expecting anyone other than Lieutenant Garth, if I’m honest.”

Cadet Aili McMorran - Science

A rare smile graced Emmy’s features as her first officer approached them before she had a chance to respond to McMorran. Once she’d had a chance to respond to him, she quickly jumped in to confirm Harkness’ words, “while I may not be a science officer, Cadet, I can appreciate a succinct, competent presentation. You should be proud of your hard work and Starfleet is looking forward to having you as a commissioned officer.”

Davis, CO

Aili’s mouth opened carefully but her words were muted as she suppressed her immediate emotional response. As far as she as concerned, far too much of her emotions had already been displayed in the proceeding minutes. The void created by her silence persisted for several seconds as she flatly held the captain’s gaze. Eventually she piped up in a carefully modulated, professional tone. “Very kind words Captain. I can certainly tell you that I am looking forward to that.” The cadet took a small step backwards and nodded politely at each of the superior officers. “Thank you again for coming.”

Eventually, the line of cadets managed to waddle out of the lab, allowing the rest of the attending audience to find their way out at their leisure. As the room emptied, Aili took to shutting down her programs and clearing up the lab. She kept an eye out for anyone lingering in the room, with a keen eye ready to ensure advance warning of any approach from Garth. The cadet’s breaths were heavy, her excitement surfacing more delicately than it had before. While keeping herself level headed in the moment, her mind was already skipping ahead to dashing from the lab in search a partner in celebration. In all likelihood that would be Mika. She couldn’t wait.

Cadet Aili McMorran - Science

Lieutenant Garth meandered about the middle of the lab, looking up at the display of the stars even as Cadet McMorran began powering down the viewscreen. He nodded in acknowledgement to NEnsign Selik, who picked up the stool and moved to follow the other members of the crew out of the lab. The elderly tellarite rested two hands on the head of his cane and took a deep breath in before slowly releasing it through his porcine nose. His continued presence suggested that he had something left to say, now that they weren’t surrounded by a crowd of other people, but Garth seemed content to allow McMorran to make the first move, if she wished to speak with him more.

(Lt. Garth, CSO)

Only when the lab was almost empty and she turned to access a side console did McMorran catch sight of Garth in the corner of her eye. A smile flashed across her features as she glanced up at him. Clearly, she thought with doubt as to his keenness to socialise, he had something more to say or to ask of her. Swiping a final control, she caused the display to fade to black as it finally shut down. A quick wipe of her face and flick of her red hair later, the cadet approached Garth with her hands folded tightly against the small of her back, her thoughts and anticipation of celebration put on hold. Feeling she had already over-communicated her thoughts to him, she simply greeted him with a “Sir”.

Cadet Aili McMorran - Science

Lieutenant Garth’s small eyes flickered to Cadet McMorran as she addressed him. “Congratulations,” he stated gruffly. Then he continued. “You’ll make a fine Starfleet officer, McMorran. I’ve been told by cadets that I’ve trained in the past that I’m not explicit enough in my confidence in them. But the truth is, I always have confidence in my cadets, from the beginning. That’s why there’s no hand-holding. Although being under my command might not have been the most sentimental experience of your life, I hope you’ll at least enter the next phase of your career knowing that you’ve already stood on your own two feet as part of a real science team on a real Starfleet vessel. Unfortunately, there are, of course, instances where ensigns are underestimated and must advocate for themselves to have their ideas acknowledged. Don’t shy away from making your voice heard. If you do, you’ll be doing a disservice to yourself and your crewmates.” The tellarite paused to peer at McMorran. “Do I make myself clear?”

(Lt. Garth, CSO)