Chapter 01: Pardon My French, Part 1
Everything looked blurry, *felt* blurry too.
There were many loud noises, shrieks of fear, laughs of joy, and many that blurred into one long togetherness. The ground was shaking and the lights were dim and flickering. Through windows into strange places it could be seen that something big was happening. Sparks occasionally flew across and bright lines jumped across in many directions. People and creatures and machines ran back and forth from out of view to off in the distance, each trying to have something else someway different.
Then it all stopped.
Being without sight, hearing, or sensation. It was more than all silent and quiet, it was empty. The emptiness had no hollow or fulfilled feeling, it simply was there and everywhere at once. The feeling was not alone of itself, but was the result of everything without it; a fulfilling emptiness or a bright darkness, the feeling contradicted itself, but it didn't seem to last long, everything suddenly faded to a haze and lifted rapidly.
But this time, it actually was quiet, very quiet, where only a soft hum and a low murmur of chatting could be heard. A young girl, barely a teenager, exhaled quietly and opened her eyes. Blinded by the ambient light and strange air, she squinted her eyes and struggled to breath. More or less awake, she still felt strange, she rolled on her bed, and swung her feet over the side. But she couldn't, her body was so weak she could barely move. Again she tried, but her feeble body only trembled at her attempts.
Unable to even lift her head, she glanced around, feeling the need to not want to draw attention to herself. She found herself wearing a soft white gown and lying in a rather stiff bed. After quite some time, a young woman passed by wearing a white cloak and happened to look by, seeming surprised as their eyes met. She walked closer with a small smile on her face, helping to sit the young girl up.
The woman was saying somethings in an incomprehensible language, but the girl simply looked back at her with a blank expression. The woman quickly drew attention, drawing over another, much older than herself. The older man wore a black-ish uniform compared to her white-ish one. The man spoke, still sounding like gibberish and he paused for a couple moments, expecting a response. The woman in the white stood silent, looking back and forth between the man and the girl.
After several minutes of nothing but silence, the man turned to the woman, asking something in a question while gesturing to the girl. A couple more exchanges and the woman gently helped the girl onto her back and placed a device on either sides of her forehead. Again, she tried talking to her, but neither seemed to understand the other and her situation. After leaving the devices, the girl was left alone to herself, with the woman quietly in the back looking onto a screen.
…..
After some quiet, the girl was woken from her rest by the woman, who again was accompanied by the man and another wearing something big. Some staring and silence followed, where the girl looked back and forth, realizing the devices on her head were gone. Before she could give any thought to how or why they were gone, the other man motioned to the other with a little shove. Staring with a friendly expression on his face, the man repeated slowly
"Can you understand me?"
A little surprised that she *could* understand him, the girl instinctively nodded in response. With a small smile, the man introduced himself as the Captain of the small exploration ship. He also introduced the woman as the Doctor and the other as Chief Engineer, who had helped bring her aboard the ship. After a very brief introduction the captain turned to the girl and asked,
"What is your name?"
The girl tilted her head quizzically, and stared back with a blank expression. Again the captain asked more directly,
"What is your name? Who are you?"
Narrowing her eyes in confusion, the girl looked to the doctor and then to the engineer, each of which looked back at her in silence. Trying to think and thinking hard, her eyes darted around as she struggled for an answer. The Engineer than spoke something that sounded like the same language as the Captain but wasn't understandable. Moving her feet to the edge and shifting her weight forward, the girl was moved off the bed to be taken to another.
Where she should have landed on her feet, everything below her shoulders buckled and she fell hard to the floor. The Captain and Doctor gently helped her up. Struggling to stand, the girl put most of her weight on the Doctor who helped her towards the door. Moving her feet proved even more difficult, they were uncoordinated and she was moreso *dragged* and *carried* than *walked* to a turbo-lift accompanied by the Captain and the Engineer.
The trip to the turbo-lift took longer than it should have and seemed longer than it actually lasted. Eventually arriving, the turbo-lift opened into a large room.
"Do you recognize where we are?" the Captain asked, almost rhetorically. Still focusing on her feet, the girl stumbled as she was walked to the center of the room, where there was placed a stasis pod. Finally looking up, the girl froze as she stared at the pod, HER stasis pod.
The Engineer started speaking again, but she still couldn't understand him; she knew he *was* speaking but not *what* he was speaking. Fumbling her way around with the Doctor holding her up, she walked over to the front side of the pod, where she saw an assortment of letters. The pod was heavily worn with time and wear, and the only remaining letters were:
Ca .. p I .. t .. ai N .. E
Still staring and leaning on the Doctor, she looked at the Engineer, who only smiled and shrugged his eyebrows at her. Looking slowly to the Doctor, she spoke quietly, " 'Cap' ... 'ee' ... 't' ... 'awn' "
Smiling but confused, the Doctor looked quietly over, "What? I don't understand."
The young girl opened her mouth to speak again, but at that instant the turbo-lift doors behind her flew open.
"Captain! We've been ready to leave for a while now! We should do so, NOW."
The Captain let out an annoyed sigh and turned to walk towards the loud man coming from the turbo-lifts. Although they now spoke quietly, the girl could still hear them quite clearly.
"First, she may have some answers for us about this place. I asked you not to disturb her."
First responded, but not as quietly as the Captain, "How was I supposed she was over here?"
Sighing again, the Captain turned to the Engineer. "Help the Doctor with her, notify me of anything."
With that, the Engineer said some sort of acknowledgement, and the Captain walked to the turbo-lift with First, pausing at its open doors.
"First, I'll ask you again. Why are you so anxious to leave?"
"Captain, we've lost a good number of good people. And in quite horrible ways too! That should be reason enough to hurry it along, at least."
"Right, but I'd like to know why they died."
"I'd like to know too, but she might not be as friendly and innocent as she looks! Have you seen her bio-scans? She's practically an augment, no actually, she's *MORE* than an augment. She could probably kill any of us with a flick of her wrist!"
Now looking directly at the Captain, he spoke with a tone that completely summarized his paranoia and fear.
"She. Could. Be. A prisoner. A criminal!"
Swallowing upon hearing some real reason behind the First Officer's paranoia, "Post guards then, but I don't want her to feel in any danger. If she's as dangerous as you say, than take more than just physical precautions."
"Thank you, sir, I'll be careful."
"Good, I know I might seem a little obsessive at times, but this discovery, the data alone, I really feel like it could be something big. Something more important than to be just a science's footnote."
As he stepped out of the turbo-lift, the First Officer turned towards the armory, eager to plan out the possibilities. Walking towards the bridge, the Captain's commbadge chirped, "Doctor to Captain."
"Captain responding. Doctor, what is it?"
"I'm sure now that the girl can't understand the Chief. She's still pretty quiet but says her name is 'Capitaine'. She doesn't really seem to even recognize the pod, yet alone know anything about it. Now that she's coherent I'm taking her back to Med Bay to do some tests. You can meet us there if you'd like."
"Maybe later. Keep me apprised, Doctor. Captain, out."
Smiling at that last remark, " ... can't understand the Chief." he chuckled to himself as he continued down the hallway.
...
Stumbling and tripping down the corridors brought a lot of attention from passerbys. Although the Doctor was with her, it didn't help alleviate that uncomfortable feeling. Walking a while and passing a bunch of people in matching uniforms, the Doctor brought her back into the first room where she woke up in. Having observed everybody else, this short trip should have been effortless but Capitaine had bruises and scrapes and was sweating from her difficult first steps.
Replicating a small leather band, the Doctor tied up Capitaine's hair into a pony tail as she cleaned off the sweat and struggles from her face, "There. That should help keep your hair a bit cleaner. So, alright, Capitiane, before I leave you alone for tonight I'd like to run a few more scans on you. Make sure you're healthy and everything ... "
After having heard the Doctor talking to others and explain everything she was doing, Capitaine had a good grasp of what was being said and done. Not that it meant anything, though. The scans the Doctor did were strange to her, but the Doctor assured her these were all normal tests. After the first few tests the Doctor became rather quiet, becoming talkative again when the Captain returned.
"Captain! I'm almost done with my tests, ... she is certainly *above average* in practically everything!"
"What's that mean?"
"Well, Capitaine is 100% human, so I tested her with that in mind. With hearing, eyesight, physical shape, mental acuity, sensory impressions, they all are above-and-beyond any normal human ... infact she's should weigh about *four-times* as much as she actually does."
"What are you saying? How augmented is she?"
"Not 'augmented' or 'evolved' or anything like that; her Human DNA is exactly like all of ours's. ... I can't describe it, but if I could only take blood tests, cell samples, or ... "
"Why haven't you? Is she dangerous?"
"She's been very attentive and very cooperative ... but her skin and blood demolecularize when separated from her. ... Watch this!
Sorry to do this again, Capitaine."
Taking another sample with a hypo, the Captain and Doctor watched as the blood in the vial quickly dissolved into nothing. Cutting a a few strands of hair or scratching off a few skin cells, the same happened right infront of their eyes.
" ... I've never seen something like that before ... "
"Neither have I , Captain ... but I've been looking at her underneath a microscope, *its amazing*. Her hair follicles are naturally that color, no physical cosmetics! Also her cells have a naturally high resistance to radiation and toxic elements. Then also, she looks about fourteen and her cells actually say: she's fourteen. The years in stasis have left no residual effects! And also, the density-to-mass of her cells are a paradox of themselves seeming to ... "
"Doctor, I hate to interrupt, but I don't see what most of this means ... "
"I'm not sure either ... I haven't compiled it all yet."
Throughout the whole conversation, Capitaine had been staring at the two. She didn't completely understand most of what they were saying, but she did know that it was all about her. Capitaine didn't understand why they were so fascinated by her hair or her eyes or her skin or her blood or all the little proteins and amino acids inside of her.
After a while, the Captain and Doctor stopped and looked at her. Capitaine had listened to them talk about her this whole time, but now that they were staring at her, she had no idea why and she felt frightened. The three continued to stare at each other for several moments, Capitaine was the first to break eye contact and looked towards the Doctor's microscope; it still had a picture of her blue hair follicles on it.
With a small smile and a pat on the shoulder, the Captain left. Helping her to her feet, the Doctor walked Capitaine to guest quarters. Again, the walk was long and slow, and Capitaine had trouble coordinating her body to walk, but she was getting better.
" ... this is going to be your room; where you'll stay until we get back to space dock. ... "
While being walked over to the bed, Capitiane's attention was all around her. The room was a decent size, much bigger than that small stasis pod. There was a small siting object with padded seats, a table, and a nice window. There was a bed much more comfortably sized than the one she woke up on, it was across from a small bathroom. The Doctor sat Capitaine on the bed, while introducing the room's replicators and light functions.
"... aside from that, we should probably get you more familiar with walking to and about! I'll have some supports and braces brought in, in a little while. Would you like something to eat, or maybe drink?"
Being met with nothing but a silent stare, the Doctor turned and pointed, "The replicator can create almost anything you can think of to eat. Just tell it what you want, and it'll try its best. ... If you need something, use the call out to the computer and it will answer."
After several silent moments, the Doctor stood up and walked through the doors. Still unable to effectively walk or stand, Capitaine knew she couldn't use the replicator and forming sentences to speak wasn't something she'd grasped yet either. Not really knowing what to do, she laid back on the bed. Not knowing what to say to turn off the lights, Capitaine tried to move underneath the blankets or pull it over her face. But after some embarrassing twitches and weird spasms, Capitaine found she couldn't even crawl or move herself about.
Turning herself on her stomach, so that at least half her face was hidden from the bright lights, Capitaine tried to think of the time before she had woken up. Deep in thought but finding nothing, not even emptiness, she was interrupted when the door chimed a small noise. Entered in two young men in white uniforms holding some small equipment pieces. Capitaine couldn't sit up but was able to roll herself onto her back.
"'Cay-tian', it is? The Doctor sent us with this, it should help your coordination until your body's ready."
Struggling to sit up, they helped her onto her back and attached several braces and sensors around her neck and back, with extensions running to her wrists and to her ankles. Explaining what they were doing the whole time, the two left as soon as they were finished, leaving Capitaine again in the stillness of the room.
Not quite sure what this all was that was now wrapped up and around her. Capitaine again tried to stand up, but to no avail. A second and a third try still had no success. Frustrated, she laid back in bed, struggling to pull herself up to a pillow and around the sheets. Not quite understanding how to adjust the room, Capitaine managed to pull up a blanket, covering herself from the small chill and the lights of the room. Even wearing this assistance-equipment, the bed was much more comfortable than those cold, stiff things in the medical room. Quickly losing herself to the soft bed, warm blankets, and the apparent darkness covering her eyes, Capitaine realized something. Her arms were able to adjust herself in the bed, coherently and without trembling; maybe these things attached to her were doing something after all!
...
There was darkness and light all about. They flowed and reacted as if they were two separate fluids, mixing to a shadow or as if flowing through a stream. Feeling them flow across her skin or between her fingers brought a strange sensation, like that of confusion or confidence. Her sight was dependent on something else, seeing beyond her eyes and witnessing it all flowing and mingling together ... it began to fade, like a distant memory, but ...
Abruptly ending what could be considered her second actual dream, Capitaine's eyes blinked open, alert and expecting. Remembering where she was and slowly sitting up, she took a moment to notice that nothing had changed.
Almost dismissing her arousal as nothing, a chime came from the door way, immediately drawing all of her attention. Deciding to go and investigate, she found that her body was able to coordinate well enough to move but not yet enough to stand upright, even after considerable effort. Trying to walk but still shaking and hobbling, she had to crawl to the door, then suddenly remembering the Doctor never explained how to open it.
Again the door chimed, and the first thing she could think of was to knock on her side of the door. With seemingly no result, she pressed every button and every combination on the panel, but not knowing how to open the door, Capitaine slammed her hand on the panel with greater and greater force until the door was opened from the other side. There stood a tall, young woman, concerned about the broken door panel, but was smiling and wearing a white uniform similar to the Doctor's.
"Oh good! You're up. ... uhhh, sorry about that, uhhh, but, the Doctor's busy, and uhhh, ... the Captain wanted to make sure you're adjusting okay. Sorry 'bout waking ya', but you're hungry?" Looking in, she saw a rustled bed but otherwise an untouched room.
"Would ya' like to go to, maybe, the mess hall, and, maybe, get something to eat? Afterwards, the uhh, ... First Officer would like to show you somethings in the holodeck."
Friendly, energetic, but a little impatient, the young woman stood at the doorway looking around, glancing at Capitaine, expecting an answer. Glancing down, she remembered she was still wearing the white gown from yesterday. Wanting to, perhaps, find an actual outfit or at least some shoes, Capitaine moved back in the room and answered the woman with a small series of glances. Confusing the woman, but after a shy gesture to her feet, she understood.
...
"First Officer! Are you here, sir? Hello!?"
From a distance he spoke up "I'm over here! Thanks for bringing her."
"It was no problem, sir, got 'er some new shoes and some new clothes and a small meal, err a *big* meal; she was hungry. ... and I would be too after being in stasis."
Controlling herself, the woman cleared her throat and with a small nod, turned and left the holodeck. Looking over to the First Officer, Capitiane was able to mimic standing at attention as the young woman did, but had to constantly readjust her body to keep from falling over. Only able to move her eyes, Capitaine knew that even moving her head would throw her off balance.
"'Capitaine', is it? I am the First Officer, do you know where you are?"
Briefly looking around but generally shaking her head, she was unsure of what he actually meant.
"This room is called a holodeck; simply, it can create anything and everything. Sort of like the replicators you used for lunch. But these create interactable objects."
With his last statement, he paused, looking intently at Capitaine.
"Computer, create a standard softball."
With a sudden, small hum a white and red ball appeared in the First's right hand.
"Here Capitaine, catch."
Somewhat calmly, he suddenly spun about, hurling the softball towards Capitaine. Reflexively, she turned out of the way and fell to the ground. Looking up at the First, confused and shocked, she slowly helped herself up and looked towards him, expecting an answer. Standing over her with another softball in his hand, "You react quickly, glad to know you are aware of what's going on."
Capitaine glanced as she noticed his hand suddenly clenched on the ball, and bolted out of the way as she heard the rushing air of another softball being launched towards her. Although not as reactive as from the first softball, this ball hit her shoulder and with surprising force. Getting up but sitting on the ground, she glared, frustrated at the First, who looked on with a still expression. Suddenly creating a bagful of more softballs, he hurled each in quick succession.
Some weren't aimed directly at her, but most caused her to twitch then roll herself on the ground in order to avoid them. With the last two softballs, he feinted causing her to do so as well, be he then immediately threw those at her simultaneously, both hit, causing her body to jitter.
Now covering her head and peeping out from between her arms, Capitaine saw he didn't have any more and had his arms folded behind his back. But still lying on the ground, the First helped her to stand up. Capitaine didn't take her eyes off him as she fixed her pony tail and straightened her shirt, as the young woman had. Flinching as he outstretched his arm, Capitaine slowly took it as she shook his hand lightly. In a cheerful voice he explained himself,
"Sorry about that, but even with your inexperience, your spatial awareness seems to be as good as your reflexes, but you seem to overdo it a bit, then compensate a bit too much. Normally I wouldn't do that, but I also wanted to see if your emotions effected anything."
He paused a bit, telling Capitaine to cease shaking his hand. As the two headed out of the holodeck, he finished his thought,
" ... I did have some doubts about you, but you seem to be alright. ... Well, off, ... once we talk to the Captain you should get the Doctor to heal those bruises for you."
He gestured to several bruises about her face and body, before motioning her to follow him. As the two stepped out of the holodeck, Capitaine paused, not knowing where to go. The First turned around, causing Capitaine to flinch slightly, he chuckled slightly and continued walking.
Knowing he didn't have anything to throw at her, the flinch was more subconscious than a logical decision. Capitaine followed him several paces behind, still a little frightened that he might have something hidden to surprise her with. She didn't know the ship very well, so she had to keep close behind him.
Capitaine knew that the ship was headed to Sol for repairs, she wondered what is was like and whether that is where she was headed too? Walking to the turbo-lift she passed several crewman, who smiled or waved at her, she didn't know them but she recognized them as a friendly face. She didn't know many people on this small ship and although they didn't tell her specifically, she knew they wouldn't like it if she wandered around freely.
As the turbo-lift opened into the bridge, the First Officer led her up to the Captain, who sat looking the stars rush by on the view screen. He turned a smiled with a friendly face at the two of them.
"Ahh, First! Thank you for bringing her up. I'm sure you have a better ... feeling for ... her ... now ... "
The Captain's expression immediately dropping as he saw she was covered in bruises, scrapes, and her hair was a mess.
"First! What happened? ... To her."
The First chuckled silently as he turned and headed back down the turbo-lift. "She'll be fine. I'm not too worried anymore."
Kneeling down to her level, the Captain brushed her hair and felt her sides and shoulders for bruises and cuts.
"What happened? Are *you* alright?"
Initially surprised to see spots on herself, Capitaine didn't know what to do except touch and push on her dark spots to find they were tender and hurt slightly. Not sure how to describe what happened, Capitaine made a spherical shape with her fingers than directed her attention at the First, who had thrown them at her. Getting the idea, the Captain sighed a deep sigh, he turned his back to her, looking worried but friendly, gently taking her along as he showed her the bridge. He spoke cheerfully but almost condescendingly, yet Capitaine knew he was at least four times her age, and herself, without a family, real name, or even a history of any sort; how else was she supposed to be addressed?
Telling an officer to bring up the viewscreen, a picture of a planet showed up. Thinking that was Sol III, the Captain confirmed as he spoke to her again,
"Here's a picture of Earth, we're not in range for a real view, but this is where we're headed. ... I haven't seen her in months. It'll be great to be back home, even if just for a little while. ... She's a sight indeed."
As Capitaine was looking at the viewscreen, the planet was a beautiful planet, the clouds, the oceans, the land, and all the lights and orbitals surrounding it. Being told it was it was a Class M planet, yet she hadn't seen any others to compare it with.
"As good as it'll be to get home, I'm afraid this is also where we'll part company. I've talked to Starfleet and they've given me two options for you. You're being given a unique opportunity, you'll be assigned to a nearby schooling system, either Starfleet sponsored or publicly funded; both'll give you all the opportunities growing up that you wouldn't have staying here. The Starfleet one will be more of a boarding school, while the public school will be more fosterly-oriented."
Confused at his wording, Capitaine looked up at him, interrupting his explanation. Struggling to figure out how to word a question, the Captain instead continued his explanation, "Starfleet will have you on track for the academy, while the public school will have you better prepared for civilian life. But either way, Starfleet will have someone checkup on you regularly, they're just as curious about you as we are."
Still trying to grasp what he was saying on of itself, Capitaine, turned her eyes back towards the viewscreen, not sure of what to say or how to react. Handing her a PADD, Capitaine was silent, hesitating to take it, almost afraid that he'd throw it at her. The PADD contained a detailed review and descriptions of her two choices; still learning to read, Capitaine diverted her attention to the PADD as she stumbled along to Sick Bay with the Captain. Greeted by the Doctor, she too seemed deeply concerned at what had transpired. After scanning them, the Doctor asked the Captain to stay to be observe. Capitaine didn't think much of it, but she liked the Doctor while not having much of an opinion for the Captain.
"Most bruises seemed to be alright, its only been about half-an-hour but these have progressed and healed as if they were caused a days ago."
"What do mean, Doctor?"
"Well, its as if her strength, isn't the only thing that's been increased."
Almost entirely focused on reading through the PADD, Captaine hadn't paid much attention to the entire conversation, but the Doctor treated the bruises and released her back with the Captain to her quarters. Giving him a subtle bow, Capitaine didn't pay much attention as she walked to the turbo-lifts. Still not knowing the ship, she stood in the turbo-lift trying to remember where her quarters were, it took almost an hour of wandering the hallways until someone sent her along the right way. Glancing at her arm, she took note that the bruises were completely gone, no more soreness, colored marks, or any indication it was ever there.
...
By the end of the day, Capitaine had learned to read the entire PADD and had decided more than just her immediate future but her career a well. Although a the public school would present more options, the Starfleet school would have a higher chance of being accepted into the Academy. Capitaine liked their uniforms, it was sleek, smooth, and had a prestigious-aura about it. On the other hand 'civilian life' had a strange aura of more opportunities to find oneself. This had the option of being able to explore her abilities and find her history without organized distractions, but nevertheless, it left a strange, uncomfortable feeling, almost as if she wasn't ready for that.
Over the next few days, she went through several tests of the fourth year cadets. Capitaine found she had a greater interest and understanding for engineering and possibly tactics. Before she could had an opportunity to 'try out' a civilian life, it was already time to disembark.
Not really sure what to pack, as Capitaine owned nothing but the clothes she wore, the door chime rang and the Doctor walked in.
"Hello, Capitaine! I just came to make sure you had everything to get ready to leave."
Quietly responding "Hello", Capitaine sat up on her bed, holding her only possession, the PADD. The doctor sat at the foot of the bed, speaking enthusiastically,
"The Captain informed me of your choices, and we don't want to have rushed you ... I know its really early for you to have decided. I'm sorry you don't have more time with us, but they'll treat you very well once we get to spacedock."
Before the doctor could elaborate further, Capitaine handed her the PADD with her decision as well as her intended choices for the future.
"My! That's quite a vision you have. I wish I could say that I was that confident when I was your age. ... before following that vision, I still need to run some final tests on you, so if you'd come back to Med Bay, we can be done in a few hours."
Handing back the PADD, impressed, the doctor paused as she stood up, smiling cheerfully as she ushered Capitaine along with her. This time the tests weren't with some needles, patches, or microscopes, but with a strange headset and several neural scans. Capitaine couldn't even pretend she knew what these were. With the Captain, the First, as well as a few others, she was a little frightened, but having the Doctor reassure her did feel a lot better.
These weren't even physical tests like the others. Most were strange or unusual questions, and not having much of a vocabulary or speaking experience, Capitaine often resorted to making shapes with her hands and simple nodding or shaking her head.
"As we've seen so far, ... psychologically, she pretty well-adjusted, and very intelligent too. And, as expected: very lacking communicative skill, possessing a deep-running naivety, and overall social immaturity, ... but I don't see what you expected to find ... "
" *Nothing*, Doctor, just a false hunch, *apparently* ... I think we're clear to release her."
"First, she was already *clear* before this test."
"Actually, Doctor, she required both mine *and First's* authorization to public life. And now she does."
"As you say, Captain. ...
Capitaine! I know you can hear us ... but you're now free to leave when we get to Earth Space Dock."
Nodding her head in confirmation, Capitaine didn't exactly understand what the Doctor meant. But being led out of the room again, she wanted something to eat again. But not wanting to go alone, Capitaine sat on a bio-bed waiting for the Doctor's shift to end. Not really understanding much of the Doctor's work, Capitaine settled in and was left with organizing her thoughts.
...
The airlock doors opened with a rush of air and a slight change in pressure, all of the others waiting with her didn't seem to notice it. She watched as the Captain and First Officer walked out first, followed by a bunch of crewmen and other officers. Capitaine walked out with the Doctor, following her as she carried two large bags of medical things. As she entered the shipyard, Capitaine instantly noticed everything was different, the walls, ceiling, floors, people, and the overall ambiance.
Three people were waiting for them, each wearing a matching uniform. The Doctor introduced them as being either representatives of the boarding school. The Doctor gave Capitaine a simple hug as they said a simple goodbye, and while they both walked towards the same shuttle bay, Capitaine got a on a different shuttle from the Doctor.
One of the three introduced herself as being the Resident Assistant for where Capitaine would be staying. She was very friendly and very talkative, pointing out many things to Capitaine that were obvious to both of them, but Capitaine let her keep talking having never met someone her own age.
The other two of them were one of the Chairs to the school and the school Counselor that would have responsibility of herself, overall they were quiet but occasionally smiled when Capitaine made eye contact with them. Both of them were reading something on their PADDs, Capitaine caught a glance of one and saw a picture of herself; she knew now that she wasn't the only one who 'couldn't be given more time'.
The shuttle ride to the school was a direct flight, but passed other stations as well as several other ships before heading directly to the school. The Resident Assistant was continually proving that she was the youngest of the three, both physically and mentally. Among the first things she noticed was Capitaine's blue hair, more curious than surprised that it was naturally blue.
The Counselor didn't have any questions, but spent most of the time reading her PADD, she asked a couple questions to the Chair, which Capitaine could hear. Her questions were more of statements than questions but still required a response. The Chair didn't speak except to respond, but would glance at her when reading his PADD. As they landed, Capitaine followed the Assistant out and took a long view of where she now was. The sun was bright and there was a pleasant chill in the breeze that blew across her face. This star they called Sol, had a strange and comforting warmth whenever its light touched her skin. Never having felt the wind before, the Assistant thought it was funny that Capitaine had never been outside at all.
Before she was pulled off and away by the RA, the Counselor reminded Capitaine that they would be having regular meetings for the next several semesters. The RA led Capitaine by the hand through the campus, which wasn't very large but had a beautiful view of the city. It was a weekend, so there wasn't much activity; most other students were away or in their rooms.
...
Arriving at her room, the RA presented her with a keycard, explaining that it will allow her access to the room as well as facilities and services across campus. As well as minor things like GPS tracking, biometrics, and business marketing services. On the outside, the card was plain and simple, having the school's name and contact, and at the top had her name engraved: "Capitaine".
Knocking loudly at first, the RA then immediately unlocked the room with her card, throwing open the door as she yelled inwards, "STUDENT ELISA FLORES! YOU THERE?!"
Stepping back into the hallway, the RA repeated herself but louder, ensuring the whole building heard. About to give up and usher Capitaine into the room, there then came an obviously-heard series of rummaging and rushing from the end of the hallway. A *very long* hallway. But girl could be seen with frazzled hair and clenching a soggy towel to herself, trailing a path of soapy water to the room.
"WHAT DO *YOU* WANT NOW!?" she screamed back, more than obviously upset; Capitaine hadn't seen *anger* before and she felt the need to hide herself, but couldn't articulate that into something to actually retreat from the shouting. Listening to the two, it was like nothing Capitaine had experienced yet, it was both friendly and very-much-not at the same time. Flores sprinted up and stopped short inches from Capitaine's face, causing her to reflexively jump back, but the RA seemed used to this and simply giggled at the two of them. Flores's eyes emblazoned with rage, they darted back and forth between Capitaine and the RA.
"Student Flores! Nice of you to finally notice *her* rather than *me*!"
"No 'duh'! Is it time for another of my *random* 'room inspections' ? So, who is *this* ? Do you need an accomplice now?"
"Flores ... *this* is Student Capitaine, she is your new roommate. The school's Dean, Chair, and a whole bunch of others expect you to respect her. So, please treat her well, she's very, *very* new."
" ... And they picked *me* because *I* am your favorite?"
"You'd like that, huh, Flores? But no, besides, out of the available assignment rosters, your room was chosen randomly, ... so its nothing personal."
Shooting another angry glance at the RA, Flores looked over Capitaine, soon smiling and apologizing, but making sure to take a few insulting jabs at the RA first. Flores was about Capitaine's height, if a little taller; her skin was barely a shade darker than Capitane's pale skin; she had dark green eyes with neck-length hair that was a dark reddish color. Still upset at having been interrupted, she twirled back around, flicking water onto them with her frazzled hair.
"Sorry, 'bout that, I'll be back, make yourself at home and get comfortable and I *will* be back to say 'hi'."
... And to you, R-ass, I was supposed to be told of this! I signed the same papers you did, and you're doing kinda terribly at it."
Promptly rushing along the same watery trail she arrived in, Flores headed back towards the showers.
...
"'Captain', is it? *Pardon my French*, but is your family French to name you that?"
Settling herself down, she let her moist hair down as she relaxed herself on the bed, still staring at Capitaine. Elisa looked curiously at her, wanting to ask so many more questions, but not wanting to overwhelm her new roommate.
"Uhh ... mmm ... no, its 'Capitaine'." Unsure of what say or how to react, the few social skills Capitaine had picked up were less social and more formal. Aside from *how* to react, Capitaine didn't know what to do with herself; whether that be physically positioning or mentally conversing.
"My family's supposed to European or something, but after all these generations its more a of a memory than a heritage. So, I was thinking that 'capitaine' means 'captain' in French, … maybe thats another language. ... Well, ... she said you were '*very* new', what did she mean? ... Where you from?"
Repeating Flores's last half of the last few sentences back to her had the same effect, Capitaine and Flores now both sat on their bunks, the two confused at each other.
"Oohhh-kay, ... I like your hair, blue is a nice color for you, matches your eyes; all'a us aren't allowed colors and tattoos of the such, so ... it must be naturally like that, right?"
Somewhat understanding, Capitaine answered a simple "Yes.", not knowing it did nothing to further the conversation or completely answer the question. Taking a simpler approach to her new roommate, Flores sat herself up, sitting in a matching stance as Capitaine was.
"Are you human?"
"Yes."
"Completely?"
"Yes."
" ... You're parents, what did they do?"
"'do'?"
"My father is a physics teacher, mommy is a tactics lieutenant; your's?"
" ... I ... do not know ... "
Hesitating before responding, Flores tried to think of another subject to change to. All the while, Capitaine stared at her, a blank expression on her face.
"Its not very often there's a new roommate part-way through the year. But I lost two of mine, so its just been me and Frankie, until you came along."
"Sorry."
"What? No, don't be. It'll be nice to have another roomie than just Frankie. Have you met her?"
"No."
"So, she'll be back after the weekend, but she's a little irritable and withdrawn. Want to know what happened to the other two?"
"... Okay."
"They *fell in love* with each other and left. No jobs, no money, they just up'ed and left'ed; I got a copy of the school report, officially they 'eloped' or somethin' stupid. Rest assured, I'm never doing that! My career comes before *fallin' in love* or whatever they did with each other."
Digging through a cabinet of papers, Flores handed Capitaine the report, the conversation quickly ended as Capitaine's attention shifted and Flores started searching for something to wear.
"Would you like to get some lunch, I think I know a nice quiet cafe if you don't like the cafeteria."
" 'Cafe' ... or ... 'cafe'-teria?"
"How'bout this, then: good food, now. Then next time, *school* food?"
" ... Okay, Flores?"
"Great! And you call me 'Elisa', no need for that 'Student Flores' crap."
" 'Elisa' ?"
"You got it."
Still looking at Elisa, she had now dressed herself; Capitaine still sat on her bed still dressed, having not even removed her shoes since she arrived.
"Somethin'bout you, Capitaine, can't explain why but I think we'll get along fine. You're awfully quiet but awfully cute, too ... They must have thought so too, to let you in this late in the semester."
" 'Semester' ?"
"Uuhhmm ... its how the school year is divided: two semesters, each a few months."
"I'm 'late' in the semester?"
"Well, *yeah*. We started several weeks ago, We've already finished two topics."
"Oh, can I see?"
" ... okay, roomie, lets go get some lunch first. I'm hungry!"
" 'Roomie' ?"
- END OF CHAPTER -