Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Nytha’rae of Vael’Lume (Chief Science Officer) in Cross training
The corridor outside the Marine deck carried a different rhythm than the rest of the ship.

Heavier.

More deliberate.

Bootsteps echoed with purpose. Voices were lower, sharper. The air itself seemed tighter—disciplined.

Into that space—

Nytha’rae walked.

Barefoot.

The contrast was immediate.

Her steps made no sound against the deck, her weight distributed with quiet precision, as if she were walking across living ground rather than reinforced starship plating. Her Starfleet uniform—blue and black—sat correctly on her frame, but still looked… slightly foreign on her, like structure placed over something that preferred to move freely.

Her tail moved slowly behind her, a controlled sway, adjusting balance as she navigated the corridor.

On her shoulder, Nytha’kae rode comfortably, wings folded, his glow dim but steady. His head turned constantly, observing everything—the Marines, the movement, the energy of the place.

As they walked, Nytha’rae lifted her PADD.

She paused.

Then sent a message.

LT.JG Nytha’rae

Right next to the Lieutenant stood a 23 year old young woman with golden blonde colored hair and blue gray eyes. Gray-ish beige Trill markings ran down from both temples and into the uniform’s collar. Diluted markings showing she was a hybrid, no doubt. A single pip had been pinned down when called back into duty by the Chimera’s Commanding Officer after resigning her last commission.

Anxiety flowed through the ensign’s veins as they walked at a slightly quicker pace than she had grown used to on her father’s vessel. There had been a tight grip upon a Mark VII tricorder enclosed between light colored fingers. Though the area in which the pair were about to set foot was different from anything Skye had ever seen before on a Federation issued vessel. Different squadron emblems hanging on their surrounding walls. They almost seemed to resemble military barracks.

Most men had been dressed in camo, which was unusual for any Starfleet officer to be wearing such an attire. There were three different divisions coexisting throughout their studies at Starfleet Academy. Gold for Operations, Red for Command and Blue/Teal for Scientific and Medical divisions. Causing confusion as information came. From what Skye could observe, there were at least twelve men sitting in what appeared to be rather rustic looking chairs. Uncomfortable, the Trian (Trill/Human) could only assume.

From the crowd, with every soldier standing, emerged a man with graying hair and light colored eyes. The ensign’s gaze followed as he came to approach Nytha’rae. Inducing a deeper anxiety feeling that shot through every vein and capillary located beneath her skin. Close behind him had padded a canine that resembled a Belgian Malinois. His collar unusual, military, most likely. She set the scientific relic in her hand to a holster located over the ensign’s hip which closed with a single snap. Posture immediately straightening.

Shepherd’s attention was grabbed by the s reptile perched on the lieutenant’s shoulder. If only Zephram had arrived already… What’s the worst thing that could possibly happen with the general had yet to be seen. Though she had already allowed the brown and black canid in a dark green harness to approach, letting him sniff her before being permitted to crouch to the shepherd’s level. Letting a light colored hand stroke through his slick yet short coat, a smile making itself known to her lips.

[[Ensign]] [[Skye Shepherd]]
[[Science Officer]] [[U.S.S. Chimera NCC-98730]]