Clearance level ..... ?

Posted on Tue Sep 26th, 2023 @ 1:47am by Cadet Senior Grade Naltar Jerane & Cadet Freshman Grade Milashynn "Mila"

1,482 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: **ARCHIVED** 0 - Assignment Day
Location: Security Operations, Star Fleet Academy, Earth
Timeline: 2 Days prior to reporting in

1100 Hrs

While he'd gotten through most of his checks, when he went to pull some additional information so he then could go and begin planning out the assignments for his operations teams as well as their shifts, it be became apparent that his higher level cadet access hadn't been granted. When he reached out to the primary desk for assistance, he was told he needed to come down in person to sort out the proper access, something about it not being granted by default since he was marked in the system as already having completed his cadet cruise, referring to his previous one that didn't end well.

Dressed in his standard cadet uniform with PADD in hand, Naltar was enjoying the walk to the security building basking in the warm sun before stepping though the front doors and going up to the information desk. A rather distracted looking Bolian, a second year cadet, didn't look up to greet him. The Cardassian cleared his throat a couple times before the young woman looked up and nearly jumped, startled. "How how may I assist you today, Cadet?"

"I need to resolve an issue with my security access for the upcoming cadet cruise, where do I need to go?"

She pointed down the hallway to the right "Last door on your left."

He didn't pay anymore mind to her and headed in the direction indicated.

Mila was sitting at her assigned station in the security building processing the security clearance levels for the cadets assigned to the Stargazer. She was a bit in awe at the power she held at her fingertips. Not that she would dare abuse it, not only would she not be able to live with the guilt, but it would mean the end of her Starfleet career, likely a Court Martial before she even made it to her second year. Then what? Go back to her family on Orion and beg for forgiveness? Not an option.

The door to the office opened and Naltar Jerane stepped in. She had met him a few days earlier and she had found him mostly charming, but she was worried he'd made some assumptions about her... for being Orion. And she'd been hoping to cautiously keep her distance at least for a little while.

"Can I help you?" She asked him, her voice was pleasant and professional.

He flashed a grin but quickly cleared it away. "Mila, I mean Cadet Milasheleis, a pleasure to see you again. I'm stopping by today to sort out what appears to be an issue with my security clearance, I'm not able to access some resources so I can begin planning out shifts and assignments, as well as review the ship's critical systems for our cadet cruise. Perhaps you could be of some assistance? I only have a couple days left to get the work done."

"Of course," Mila said nodding. "Please have a seat," she said gesturing to the chairs next to her station. She began silently typing in information to access his file. She slid a PADD across the desk to him. "Try to log into that. I want to see what happens," she said simply.

Taking the PADD he looked at the center of it to allow it to read his retina's. ACCESS DENIED. Next he pressed his thumb to the bottom right corner. ACCESS DENIED. "Looks like it's still not working unfortunately" he replied. "When I talked to another cadet the mentioned it could be an issue due to my last cruise I was on."

"Well I didn't do anything yet," Mila responded, "I just wanted to see what it looked like on the back end when you tried. Looks like you weren't kidding when you said it ended badly."

"I don't have the clearance to override, but I put in the request, once it's approved, I'll be able to fix it. It shouldn't be too long. Someone revoked you at the end of your last cruise, it should have been cleared and reset, but it must have been overlooked. I can fix it, I'm just waiting on the approval." Mila told him. She turned back to the screen and waited for the notification to come through. Time seemed to move slowly in the awkward silence. Very slowly.

Not wanting to sit there in complete silence, Naltar decided he may try to strike up a discussion, professionally of course. But the two had little in common so he tried his best to keep it straight laced "So, how've you been the last couple of days? It certainly looks like they're keeping you busy up until we go."

"You have no idea do you?" Mila asked, looking at the Cardassian curiously.

He did not "I am afraid you have caught me at a disadvantage, but I will listen if you care to explain." The last thing he wanted was any sort of apprehension with his peers before they even set foot on the ship together.

"I thought we were getting along well at first, but you kinda hurt my feelings with the whole 'you Orion girls can be a good time' and whatever. Like what? I didn't even know how to react, I started to confront you, but then you changed the subject and I backed down. But that was not cool at all," Mila said, the pain of his comments showing in her eyes as she relived the conversation.

She turned back to her terminal. The approval had come through, so she started working on clearing up Naltar's clearance.

"I was merely giving a compliment, I didn't intend to imply anything beyond. However it appears what I said went beyond, so for that I apologize. I simply wanted to compliment you on your beauty." For an Orion, there was something off about her. Usually any sort of compliment was well received and while he could see Mila's point, he would simply be less engaging with her in such a manner.

Mila brought the PADD back over to the desk. "When people are talking about Orion girls being a good time, they are usually referring to pheromones and sex parties and making men pretty much their slaves. Those types of stereotypes are what made my first weeks here so hard." She slid the PADD across the desk. "I thought you were talking about wanting me to be like one of those girls," she admitted.

"You can try your login. It should work now," she said, looking down at the PADD.

He took the PADD and tried once more, his access now allowing him to all the systems specifications, rosters, scheduling, etc. "Perfect, thank you. And listen, I understand your point, in the reference about Orion women. Something tells me that both of us are not the sums of our own peoples. I also don't believe that anyone should be a slave and to be honest those parties don't hold my particular interest. I'll extend an offer if you'd allow me to show you otherwise. Once we get settled on the ship, I would be grateful if you'd join me for dinner one evening. We've already shared coffee, so why not a meal next?"

Mila looked up at Naltar somewhat wide-eyed not quite sure if he was asking her on a date or just dinner. She supposed it didn't really matter, she could navigate a meal with him either way. She was nothing if not adaptable. She took a deep breath and smiled. "I appreciate that. Your clarification or apology or whatever that was. You know one of the reasons I wanted to sit down with you was that I figured we might have had some similar experiences here. You may have even had some worse than mine... I dunno but anyway." She was rambling now. He hadn't actually said anything of the sort. Time to shut up and just answer his question now. "Yeah, dinner would be nice." She placed her fingers on the edge of the PADD he had been working on, but didn't pull it back just yet.

"Um, is there anything else I can help you with?" she asked. Her voice much warmer now than we he first walked in.

He returned a grin and shook his head "That should be everything for the time being. But if I do need any more assistance I'll be sure to stop by. I hope they don't give you too much work before you report in. Let me know when you get settled in on the Stardancer and we'll work out the evening together. Until then, Mila."

Tucking the PADD in hand, Naltar made his way out to go find a larger console to hopefully get caught up on everything he needed to do.

"Until then," Mila said softly, turning back to her terminal a small smile on her face as she continued her work.

 

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