“You’ll never take me alive!” T’Lama screeched as she raised up her deadly weapon towards her attackers’ face, aiming a large twig at her sister’s forehead.

“Surrender now or face my wrath!” The gleeful child added as she poked M’Lene in the chest with the twig. M’Lene rolled her eyes and batted the twig away before returning to her study of the small delicate flower she had discovered. T’Lama shrugged her shoulders and giggled as she ran off across the meadow looking for other enemies to confront. Finding another group of youngsters, she quickly joined in their army game as M’Lene sighed and shook her head. Out of the corner of her way she could see the other Caitian children giggling and pointing her way, no doubt making fun of the odd child who wasn’t in any way interested in the military career that many of her kin had chosen to follow. She was one of a rare breed of Caitian who was more interested in science than combat or art which typically defined her species. Glancing across at her parents she felt a small pang of jealously as they beamed with pride watching her little sister. Whilst they had always supported her interest in science, she knew full well that it was not what was expected of her or the career they had hoped she would pursue.

M’Lene yawned and put her science equipment to one side as she lay down on the blanket of grass beneath her and dozed off. As she began to dream of the stars, an annoying bleep interrupted her thoughts. She tried to ignore it and go back to sleep but she couldn’t ignore the persistent buzz and she awoke with a disgruntled tut.

—————————————————————————————

For the first few seconds M’Lene was somewhat confused as to where the meadow and her family had dissappeared to. As the annoying bleep sounded again, she properly woke up, rolled over and turned her alarm off, letting out an audible yawn.

Realising she was running later than she would like, M’Lene leapt gracefully out of bed and quickly grabbed her brand new and as yet unworn uniform from her closet in her temporary lodgings on Starbase 243. She quickly got dressed and grabbed a quick cup of Deluvian coffee which she had grown to love during her time at the academy.

Noticing she was now even later, she hurriedly grabbed her packed bag and threw her crumpled night clothes in the top before sprinting out of the door towards the transporter room.

She arrived just in the knick of time and hurriedly smoothed her fur down as she approached the transporter chief.

“Hey there…I mean…good morning sir…” she added noticing his Lt (jg) pip gleaming as she gulped and gave him a nervous smile.

“I’m beaming to the Ark Angel as a new science officer…that is, I would like to beam aboard…if that’s ok?” She queried, not really sure what the correct procedure was.

Transporter chief Anderson grinned and nodded, noting the fresh uniform and nervous nature of the young Ensign. “First posting is it?” He queried as he opened the comm line to the Ark Angel. M’Lene smiled and nodded, adjusting her crisp uniform as it dug into her fur.

=/\= Lt Anderson to Ark Angel, I have Ensign… =/\= the chief looked expectantly at M’Lene as she smiled obliviously.

“This is where you say your name…” he whispered to her with a chuckle.

M’Lene tutted to herself and whispered back, “M’Lene,” she replied sheepishly.

=/\= I have Ensign M’Lene, your new science officer requesting permission to board. =/\=

Ensign M’Lene (Sci)