The shuttle craft turned slowly as it glided to the docking bay through the black soup of space. As it approached, it was filled with a collective sigh at the beauty of the ship housed there. Graceful and white, the light gleamed on its saucer top and all were rendered breathless with the excitement and the silent thrill of adventure.
The cadets, dressed in their standard red Starfleet uniforms shot grins at the ship and each other, all happy to be aboard the shuttle. One sat at the back, gazing out the window like the rest. She was clearing humanoid; most of the cadets were. The only clear distinguishing factor that she was not human was the three spikes protruding from her outer forearm and inner lower leg.
Her foot rapped nervously on the floor and she took a long, deep breath as the shuttle swung into the U.S.S. Enterprise's harboring deck. There was a solid thump and the cadets stood, her with them. She whispered to herself in a non-English tongue;
"Get a hold of yourself, Ireenta Calm down." Her heart rate was quickening, causing the spikes on her arms to faintly glow blue, but none of the cadets noticed because they were to busy trying to file out of the shuttle orderly. Ireenta went out last and all the cadets exited the docking bay in an educated line.
The cadet leader, Admiral Ardaes, addressed them regally, "This is your chance, ensigns. Yes, you are no longer cadets and will be regular members of the Enterprise crew. I wish to convey my congratulations and best wishes on your mission. Good luck."
The row of now-ensigns saluted the Admiral and he smiled graciously. The swish of a mechanical door brought his attention to a young man in a yellow Starfleet shirt. He gave him a brisk nod and left.
The man smiled as he walked along the row of ensigns.
"I am James T. Kirk, the captain of the Enterprise," he spoke. "I hope to know all of you soon, because I believe that is what makes a great starship, the teamwork of all the crew."
Ireenta forced herself to look straight ahead, resisting the urge to smile at the captain. After a pause, he continued.
"Go to your quarters and unpack. I will see you all at your posts at 0800 sharp. Dismissed." Ireenta went to leave with the other ensigns, finally able to relax, but the captain stopped her.
"Ensign, you'll be working on the bridge, yes?" She swallowed.
"Aye, sir."
"Well," the captain said. "Please meet me in my quarters at 2000 hours." He smiled and breezed out the door with another swish.
Time saw that Ireenta stood there for another moment. Why did she feel so nervous? Just stepping onto a starship seemed to be harder than anything she had ever done, in Starfleet or otherwise. Was she really meant for this?
With a start, she realized she was standing in the ship harbor alone.