10-24-2025, 03:49 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-24-2025, 04:06 AM by Sebastian Cortez.)
== This one was very difficult, in my opinion. I had to write it several times, and I'm still not happy with it, but I'm not sure what to do. ==
Sebastian read his Data Padd for the hundredth time to make sure he had read it correctly,
[ To: Cadet Sebastian Pedro Cortez
From: Star Fleet Academy Superintendent, Captain Maddie Allen
C.C. USS, Aquila, Daniel Brooks.
Cadet Cortez,
You are hereby promoted to the rank of Midshipman with all the duties and responsibilities thereof and have been assigned to the NCC-76853, USS Aquila, as part of the Science Department, under the Command OF Captain Brooks and his First Officer Beno Velaul, and your direct Supervisor is Alexander Talion. Please report to the Aquila as soon as possible.]
The Aquila, wow, now that’s impressive!
Sebastian's emotions were all over the place. The last four years were a mixed blessing, as Cadets often rode an emotional high from acing a test that they had studied for weeks, to emotional lows when they also failed a test that they had studied for weeks. Star Fleet Academy was not for the faint of heart, but it was the most amazing four years he had spent in his life. He had built some amazing friendships, as well as some intense rivalries, but he loved every minute of it. Now, however, the theoretical met the practical, and everything he had learned was about to be put into practice. The only problem was that, unlike the Academy, there was no starting over and trying again in the real world.
On one level, he was excited to be done with the Academy, four years of tests, four years of late-night study sessions, four years of heartache, four years of friends who succumbed to pressure and dropped out of the Academy, but the worst was friends who died. Sebastian considered himself lucky in that none of his friends had died.
He glanced at his Data Padd again, The Aquila was a legend among Star Fleet, especially Captain Brooks, he was a Doctor, who went the Command route, that might not be exceptional if that Aquila a medical frigate, but the Aquila was a Ross-class Explorer, so for Brooks to become a Captain of a Ross-class Explorer was something to say the least, it spoke highly of the man.
Sebastian read his Data Padd for the hundredth time. His emotions were all over the place. He was now going from safe schedules and predictable outcomes to an unexpected routine to where anything could happen and probably would.
Suddenly, Sebastian's commbadge chirped [ Orbital Station Five to Midshipman Cortez, Your shuttle will be ready for departure in thirty minutes.]
Sebastian let out a sigh, “Aye, thirty minutes.” Said Sebastian, his tone a mix of relief and excitement.
He was relieved that his Academy days were over, and a new, exciting phase of his life was beginning. He knew he was ready, but he still would miss certain things, like a walk on the Beaches of Mexico or the mountains of Japan, but especially his abuela’s Buñuelos.
“Cortez to Orbital Station Five, one to beam up.” Said Sebastian. Sebastian quickly found the Trill Transport ship that was going to take him to Aquila's location, but Sebastian didn’t mind Trills.
Yes, the Trills were known as a joined species, a host, and a symbiont. He found Trills interesting, in that you’ll be talking to one about Sunspace Liner Inversions and then suddenly the Trill will mention winning a Baking Competition, or at least their third host did, it could almost be comically annoying at times, but Sebastian often wondered who he was talking to at any given moment, was he talking to the actual host or the symbiont, or both.
The transport that took Sebastian to the Aquila’s location wasn’t a spectacular ship like a Galaxy or an Akira Class, the USS Ashland, NCC-82835, a Sagan Class Cruiser. It seemed a bit of an overkill as far as transports go, especially considering it was crewed by Trills, but they were going his way, so what did he have to lose?
The trip was a good three days, but it gave Sebastian time to memorize the crew manifest of the Aquila and relax a bit, time to reflect and center himself. He spent some time reading and composing letters home to his family.
Finally, the third day had arrived, and he liked the Trills, but three days were more than enough.
[ Bridge to Midshipman Cortez, we will be in transporter range in twenty minutes.]
Sebastian felt his nerves start to tingle; he wasn’t sure if it was from fear or excitement.
“Aye, Bridge, twenty minutes,” Sebastian replied with just a hint of excitement in his voice.
Sebastian gathered up his things and made his way to the Transporter room of the Ashland. Sebastian stepped up to the transporter pad. Sebastian tapped his commbadge, “Cortez to Aquila, one to beam over.” Said Sebastian.
Sebastian felt the warm fuzz of the transporter beam envelope him; he always found it comforting, much like a hug from his Abuela.
Suddenly, the transporter room of the Ashland faded, and the Transporter room of the Aquila appeared.
This is it, this is for real.
Sebastian realized at that moment that the last four years had culminated in this moment; this one moment in time was what he had prepared for. He knew he was ready; he knew that he was leaving the safety and comfort of his family and friends, but a new and exciting adventure was just around the corner.
Sebastian quickly found his quarters and stowed his things. The quarters of the Aquila weren't what he had expected on a Ross-class Explorer; the quarters were more spacious than he expected, but considering the quarters back at the Academy, anything was an upgrade.
Sebastian rode the turbo lift to the Bridge, the doors opened, and there before him was the model of Federation style and efficiency. He stepped off the turbo lift and found an unoccupied area of the Bridge. Suddenly, the Aquaila’s dedication quote came to his mind, and it made complete sense.
"Walk with wolves. Run with lions. Soar with eagles."
- Matshona Dhliwayo
He looked at the Security station it appeared to be manned by a Vulcanoid Lieutenant, Sebastian thought for a moment to recall the crew manifest, the woman appeared to be youngish, so she didn’t have the rank to be Chief of Security, so that meant that it wasn’t the Aquila's Chief of Security Kurasa so that must be a Junior officer, but Sebastian had to admit she was beautiful almost exotic.
He then turned his attention to the Tactical Station, and there was an Andorian holding the rank of Commander Keval ch’Alev, Sebastian was a bit surprised, as the Commander had such a noble, almost regal-like presence, not the rigid, ready-for-action that most Andorians were known for.
This Bridge is amazing, thought Sebastian. Elegant and yet functional.
What caught his attention was the Science Station, where he spotted the legend of Star Fleet Sciences, Commander Alexander Talion, Sebastian was a bit surprised as he expected a man of Talion’s renown to be taller. Talion’s reputation for his work in Cybernetics was light-years beyond what most of the Federation Scientists were currently working on. Sebastian was looking forward to working with him.
That’s when his attention was drawn to the Command Center. There in the Center was a Human male, almost seven feet tall, with dark hair with an athletic build; he looked to be in his mid-thirties with a five o’clock shadow, showing off his Captain's pips. He was speaking with a slender Brunette with the most incredible blue eyes and the most unique Trill spot patterns. So, if he recalled the Crew Manifest correctly, that had to be Captain Brooks and his First Officer Commander Velaul, legends among the Fleet,
Sebastian straightened out his uniform jacket, took a deep breath, and made his way over to the Commander Center.
“Midshipman Sebastian Pedro Cortez reporting for duty.” Said Sebastian, his voice a little nervous, but well hidden,
Sebastian read his Data Padd for the hundredth time to make sure he had read it correctly,
[ To: Cadet Sebastian Pedro Cortez
From: Star Fleet Academy Superintendent, Captain Maddie Allen
C.C. USS, Aquila, Daniel Brooks.
Cadet Cortez,
You are hereby promoted to the rank of Midshipman with all the duties and responsibilities thereof and have been assigned to the NCC-76853, USS Aquila, as part of the Science Department, under the Command OF Captain Brooks and his First Officer Beno Velaul, and your direct Supervisor is Alexander Talion. Please report to the Aquila as soon as possible.]
The Aquila, wow, now that’s impressive!
Sebastian's emotions were all over the place. The last four years were a mixed blessing, as Cadets often rode an emotional high from acing a test that they had studied for weeks, to emotional lows when they also failed a test that they had studied for weeks. Star Fleet Academy was not for the faint of heart, but it was the most amazing four years he had spent in his life. He had built some amazing friendships, as well as some intense rivalries, but he loved every minute of it. Now, however, the theoretical met the practical, and everything he had learned was about to be put into practice. The only problem was that, unlike the Academy, there was no starting over and trying again in the real world.
On one level, he was excited to be done with the Academy, four years of tests, four years of late-night study sessions, four years of heartache, four years of friends who succumbed to pressure and dropped out of the Academy, but the worst was friends who died. Sebastian considered himself lucky in that none of his friends had died.
He glanced at his Data Padd again, The Aquila was a legend among Star Fleet, especially Captain Brooks, he was a Doctor, who went the Command route, that might not be exceptional if that Aquila a medical frigate, but the Aquila was a Ross-class Explorer, so for Brooks to become a Captain of a Ross-class Explorer was something to say the least, it spoke highly of the man.
Sebastian read his Data Padd for the hundredth time. His emotions were all over the place. He was now going from safe schedules and predictable outcomes to an unexpected routine to where anything could happen and probably would.
Suddenly, Sebastian's commbadge chirped [ Orbital Station Five to Midshipman Cortez, Your shuttle will be ready for departure in thirty minutes.]
Sebastian let out a sigh, “Aye, thirty minutes.” Said Sebastian, his tone a mix of relief and excitement.
He was relieved that his Academy days were over, and a new, exciting phase of his life was beginning. He knew he was ready, but he still would miss certain things, like a walk on the Beaches of Mexico or the mountains of Japan, but especially his abuela’s Buñuelos.
“Cortez to Orbital Station Five, one to beam up.” Said Sebastian. Sebastian quickly found the Trill Transport ship that was going to take him to Aquila's location, but Sebastian didn’t mind Trills.
Yes, the Trills were known as a joined species, a host, and a symbiont. He found Trills interesting, in that you’ll be talking to one about Sunspace Liner Inversions and then suddenly the Trill will mention winning a Baking Competition, or at least their third host did, it could almost be comically annoying at times, but Sebastian often wondered who he was talking to at any given moment, was he talking to the actual host or the symbiont, or both.
The transport that took Sebastian to the Aquila’s location wasn’t a spectacular ship like a Galaxy or an Akira Class, the USS Ashland, NCC-82835, a Sagan Class Cruiser. It seemed a bit of an overkill as far as transports go, especially considering it was crewed by Trills, but they were going his way, so what did he have to lose?
The trip was a good three days, but it gave Sebastian time to memorize the crew manifest of the Aquila and relax a bit, time to reflect and center himself. He spent some time reading and composing letters home to his family.
Finally, the third day had arrived, and he liked the Trills, but three days were more than enough.
[ Bridge to Midshipman Cortez, we will be in transporter range in twenty minutes.]
Sebastian felt his nerves start to tingle; he wasn’t sure if it was from fear or excitement.
“Aye, Bridge, twenty minutes,” Sebastian replied with just a hint of excitement in his voice.
Sebastian gathered up his things and made his way to the Transporter room of the Ashland. Sebastian stepped up to the transporter pad. Sebastian tapped his commbadge, “Cortez to Aquila, one to beam over.” Said Sebastian.
Sebastian felt the warm fuzz of the transporter beam envelope him; he always found it comforting, much like a hug from his Abuela.
Suddenly, the transporter room of the Ashland faded, and the Transporter room of the Aquila appeared.
This is it, this is for real.
Sebastian realized at that moment that the last four years had culminated in this moment; this one moment in time was what he had prepared for. He knew he was ready; he knew that he was leaving the safety and comfort of his family and friends, but a new and exciting adventure was just around the corner.
Sebastian quickly found his quarters and stowed his things. The quarters of the Aquila weren't what he had expected on a Ross-class Explorer; the quarters were more spacious than he expected, but considering the quarters back at the Academy, anything was an upgrade.
Sebastian rode the turbo lift to the Bridge, the doors opened, and there before him was the model of Federation style and efficiency. He stepped off the turbo lift and found an unoccupied area of the Bridge. Suddenly, the Aquaila’s dedication quote came to his mind, and it made complete sense.
"Walk with wolves. Run with lions. Soar with eagles."
- Matshona Dhliwayo
He looked at the Security station it appeared to be manned by a Vulcanoid Lieutenant, Sebastian thought for a moment to recall the crew manifest, the woman appeared to be youngish, so she didn’t have the rank to be Chief of Security, so that meant that it wasn’t the Aquila's Chief of Security Kurasa so that must be a Junior officer, but Sebastian had to admit she was beautiful almost exotic.
He then turned his attention to the Tactical Station, and there was an Andorian holding the rank of Commander Keval ch’Alev, Sebastian was a bit surprised, as the Commander had such a noble, almost regal-like presence, not the rigid, ready-for-action that most Andorians were known for.
This Bridge is amazing, thought Sebastian. Elegant and yet functional.
What caught his attention was the Science Station, where he spotted the legend of Star Fleet Sciences, Commander Alexander Talion, Sebastian was a bit surprised as he expected a man of Talion’s renown to be taller. Talion’s reputation for his work in Cybernetics was light-years beyond what most of the Federation Scientists were currently working on. Sebastian was looking forward to working with him.
That’s when his attention was drawn to the Command Center. There in the Center was a Human male, almost seven feet tall, with dark hair with an athletic build; he looked to be in his mid-thirties with a five o’clock shadow, showing off his Captain's pips. He was speaking with a slender Brunette with the most incredible blue eyes and the most unique Trill spot patterns. So, if he recalled the Crew Manifest correctly, that had to be Captain Brooks and his First Officer Commander Velaul, legends among the Fleet,
Sebastian straightened out his uniform jacket, took a deep breath, and made his way over to the Commander Center.
“Midshipman Sebastian Pedro Cortez reporting for duty.” Said Sebastian, his voice a little nervous, but well hidden,