New Guy

Posted on Fri Jan 2, 2015 @ 10:35pm by Lieutenant Cassandra Kennings

1,155 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: All this has happened before...
Location: Cassandra's Office
Timeline: 63269.829 1630

Aidan was on a roll of sorts. He'd checked in with the Captain and gotten his physical and decided he might as well get he counseling evaluation out of the way. After all the Counseling Office was only a few meters away from Sickbay, So he moved there and pressed the chime.

Cassandra looked up at the chime and flipped open her gold compact. A moment later she closed it, shut her wood curio cabinet, the doors sealing into a solid piece of wood, and sat down in her armchair, facing a similar chair. Around the walls of her office, her various objects were hung with care or placed on pedestals, but the center of the room was empty and free of distraction. "Come in," she said.

Aidan took a deep breath and, striking an air of confidence he didn't quite feel, stepped inside the room, spotting a rather attractive looking woman with rainbow colored hair--that came close to matching the colors in the choker he wore under his uniform--sitting in a chair near the center of the room. An empty chair sitting in front of her. It was almost impossibly easy for Aidan to deduce what the arrangement of the chairs meant so he walked towards the empty one. "May I sit?" he asked pointing to the chair.

"Of course," Cassandra said, smiling and standing gracefully. "I've been looking forward to meeting you, Lieutenant." She held out a hand.

He took her hand and shook it firmly. "Looking forward to it?" he questioned as he sat. "I am sure the reputation of my charming personality proceeds me, but I've only been here a few hours. How could you be looking forward to it?"

"Because as our Diplomatic Officer, we'll be working together as we encounter new races, and I always look forward to collaborations," Cassandra said, sitting back down in her chair. "So I've been looking forward getting to know you."

'Okay, well thank you," he said. He guessed she must have been privy to his records and had been aware that he was arriving. "I must admit, I'm looking forward to meeting new races too. Its one of the reasons I chose to be a diplomat." He folded his right knee over his other leg. "So, I'm sure you have some questions for me. I mean that's how these things are supposed to work, right?"

"'These things' work however you want them to work," she said. "I can ask questions, you can simply speak what's on your mind. How would you like to begin?"

"I don't know really where to begin. I never had anything traumatic happen to me when I was growing up. I mean I kind of had to fend for myself, because my folks were hardly ever around. So maybe I grew up faster than some kids, but that's not a bad thing. I never had problems making friends or getting along, which I guess is one of the reasons that I opted to become a diplomatic officer. I'm pretty good at reading people, or at least I think I am.

"I have a brother, Genaro, a twin, he... he didn't adjust as well as I did. It's been awhile since I've seen him; he didn't even make it to my graduation. I want to make a difference in the Universe. I know that may seem like I'm idealistic but I really think I can do it. I uh, don't know that's about all I can think of right now. What else would you like to know?"

Cassandra's smile warmed and she shook her head. "Nothing at present. I know what you mean by wanting to 'make a difference.' I said the same thing to my first Captain. And perhaps it was a bit naive, but it doesn't mean it's not an achievable goal. Just make sure the difference you make is a good one."

She crossed her legs and sat back. "Tell me more about growing up with your brother. Twins have always fascinated me."

Aidan sat back in his seat and steepled his fingers. "Well, we were pretty much inseparable when we were young. We even had our own language, if you will. Nonsensical to anyone else, but not to us. We tried all the tricks twins normally try: impersonating each other, in middle school he'd go to the classes I didn't like and I'd go to the classes he didn't like, those that we weren't in together that is.

"We're identical, so it was almost impossible to tell us apart, which meant we got into our share of mischief. But I guess that has a dark side too. Our parents are both in Starfleet Intelligence, so they were never around much. That didn't bother me much. Don't get me wrong, I love my mom and dad and we have a great relationship, it's just that, I don't know I adjusted to it better than Genaro.

"So he kind of rebelled when we got older and his mischief turned into some minor scrapes with the authorities. We started to drift apart as we got older. When we were both in High School, he discovered girls, lots of them and I discovered boys, or one anyway. That only served to make us even more different."

"Differences in twins is good," Cassandra said. "It helps you form your own identities. When was the last time you spoke to him?"

"Over a year ago I have, but none of us have any idea where he is."

"Oh, I see," she said, apologetically. "Well I hope he's well, wherever he is. Have you had a chance to settle in yet?"

"Yes, thanks," came the reply. "I mean, I've just started to do so. I actually met someone on the transport ship here. Someone I think I might like to get to know better."

"Well that's wonderful," Cassandra said, grinning. "Just take it slowly and let it evolve. Romance is difficult anywhere, let alone on a starship. I just hope you and he have compatible schedules. That's always the hardest part."

"I hope we do too, but I don't know. I haven't really seen him since we were on the Exeter, and yes I plan to take it slow."

"Wonderful," she said. "I look forward to hearing some happy anecdotes about it."

"I'll be happy to give you the details, well not all the details, but I will stop in and talk with you as things progress or don't progress."

Cassandra chuckled and stood up, gesturing to the door. "I'll appreciate the abridged version," she said, "but my door is always open."

Aidan nodded and stood to his feet. "Yeah, I don't kiss and tell. Well if there's nothing else, I guess I'll be going."

"Have a nice day, Lieutenant," Cassandra said, walking him to the door and seeing him out.

Joint Post

Aidan Mejia
Chief Diplomatic Officer

Cassandra Sanders
Chief Counselor

 

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