Boarding Pass

Posted on Sun Oct 1st, 2023 @ 12:47pm by Cadet Senior Grade David "Dave" Holloway & Cadet Freshman Grade Milashynn "Mila"

1,378 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: 0 - Assignment Day
Location: Academy Cafeteria
Timeline: MD -3 days to boarding

Mila caught Dave Holloway walking to the replicator in one of the Academy cafeterias and ran up to make a quick intro. "Hey, you probably don't me, just a freshman. My name is Mila. I'm getting assigned to the Stardancer with you." Mila looked around almost as if she was checking to see if they were being overheard. "You busy?" she asked.

Dave turned around to see the face, an unfamiliar one, he wasn't used to being just approached like this. Giving a small nod in acknowledgment to the fresher he spoke, "Uh, no not exactly busy. I was on my way to run some HoloDeck Simulations." Dave gave a small smile, "Oh right, the name is David Holloway."

"Yeah, I know," Mila admitted. "I've seen you around," she shrugged. "A question sort of came up this week as I was packing and I thought I'd pick your brain about it. Mind if I walk with you?"

Dave blinked a couple of times, considering a request, an internal struggle to accept the conversation or run away and hide. But he finally gave a sigh, if he was to get through this, he needed to be able to hold conversations and get to know his fellow mates who will be aboard the Stardancer. "Yes, sure." He gave a nod of confirmation. "I'm sorry... you seem to know me already and I don't know anything of you."

"It's just you're a senior, so a lot of the cadets know you from classes and stuff. Don't worry, I haven't been creeping on you or anything. And I totally wouldn't expect you to know me. Like I said, I'm just a freshman, so still kind of a nobody around here," she responded. "From Orion obviously," she said as she did a little twirl as she walked. "Which, by the way, some of the people here acted a little racist or scared of me when I first got to the Academy. Not that I blame them, really. I did come to Starfleet to escape all of that." As she spoke she was energetic, bubbly, but kept her distance from the clearly hesitant cadet she was talking to.

"Anyway, I was just actually wondering about some boarding procedures. I was talking to Naltar the other day... and well he wasn't sure. But If you're uncomfortable I can find someone else. I didn't mean to bother you." Mila took a few steps back to see what Dave's reaction would be.

"I see that's a relief." He gave a small sigh as he looked at her, he hadn't even considered the possibility of someone creeping and stalking him, but now that doubt had set in, at least Mila wasn't creeping, or so she said. "Some people are just set in their ways... hard to change the ideology they are forced into since births. Sometimes might be unintentional even." He should know that pretty well, raised among humans he had seen a lot of biases and enough to keep himself away from it.

"No" He spoke out loud, before realising the mistake himself and he continued, "I mean, no it's not a bother, not no I won't tell... I mean, yes you can ask me." His social skills certainly needed some polishing.

Mila relaxed a little and took a few steps back and lowered her voice. "So, I was just uh wondering, how closely they look through our belongings that we bring aboard?" She gave a casual shrug accompanied by a very convincing innocent look.

"I don't think they check much, well other than the normal scanners and x-rays, and then they have the visions, Of course if they find something suspicious then they have a more thorough check. I don't think anyone has had gone through the thorough checking." He spoke casually, a little relaxed but still nervous in his steps. He couldn't fathom why she had such a request, guess it was but natural to be curious.

Mila decided to be a little more specific. "I mean officers bring alcohol on board all the time right? Are they really going to be checking us for that do you think? I'm not like a lush or anything, but we might want to have a party now and then, right?"

"Um... I don't think that's a good idea. Alcohol adversely affects the mind and that would not be advised while on board. Sure some get alcohol on board but if they are found out they get heavily reprimanded. As long one doesn't drink on job and doesn't get caught, there wouldn't be much problem. But that is why each crew and ship has scheduled stops and time for breaks. Keep Morales up and not... well bad morale leads to bad crew synergy and that hampers the whole brigade " Dave began rattling of as she asked of alcohol, that was his nature, hard to approach and speak to buy if there was something he had to say he didn't stop and think what he was saying.

Mila rolled her eyes, "Oh don't give me that. I've met some of your friends, I know you keep stuff around, silly" she said flirtatiously. "That's why I'm asking. Could be a bottle of delaq in it for you if know any tricks..." she added with a smile. She really could pull off an innocent face for talking about a not-so-innocent topic.

"I do keep some stuff around... Like I said, if you don't act suspicious and have a good track record... they don't really bother with the extensive checks... As long as you are not bringing on a bomb onboards, you aren't, are you?" Dave asked dead serious as he stopped his walk.

"Of course not!" Mila exclaimed. Laughing she added, "I'm security, I'm going to be in charge of protecting you lot. I just have some... exotic bottles I brought from home that we didn't get through this year. And I do plan to share..." she winked playfully at him.

"Isn't that like the best cover... Security bringing in means of 'defence', But... no, it would be fine." He gave a sigh, one hell of a senior he was, letting them bring alcohol on board, "I will be carrying a bottle of two myself. I need it for my nerves... I don't suppose you would have much trouble sneaking in any bottles either."

"Thanks for the tip," Mila said with a smile. "I do have more than I can take with me. I wasn't planning on going back to Orion - well ever. And I certainly wasn't expecting an assignment like this. Feel free to drop by with a friend and pick up a couple of bottles if you want," she offered. "Orion whiskey, wine, the delaq I mention - though if you take a bottle of that, be careful. It'll mess you up, especially if you aren't used to it."

"I will keep that in mind, Mila." Dave gave her a quick nod. He was in no need of liqour himself, he wasn't proud of it, but he had quite the collection back in his room himself. Heritage of his family supposedly, "I always like a good collection of whiskey. I have one myself... nothing great. But if you want to share, I could sneak in a few extra..." Perhaps that would help his popularity. He was sure he had read somewhere that delinquents got popular fast.

"For sure! We need to get this stuff on board," she said with a happy laugh. "I'm in the Dorms, Centauri One, room 224. Stop by anytime after 1930 hours, I'll be around."

"Okay I will come by. Tomorrow I think." Dave gave a nod to his fellow Cadet, albeit a junior. Hopefully it shouldn't come out on his scores. "Um, I am in the Hostels, Block A - as in Alpha Centauri Block... room 108. If you want to have a pick of my collection"

"You can see where I'm from right? I said exotic. You won't be disappointed," she said in a low voice. Louder she said, "See you tomorrow then. Nice meeting you, Dave!" As she threw up a friendly wave and skipped off in a divergent direction.

"See you then." Dave gave a nod as he continued back his own way.

 

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