10-20-2026, 07:55 PM
Before the CO had arrived, Gath stepped closer to the conversation with the two guests of honor. Most people would expect a Klingon to bring harsh words of barbaric bravery, but his tone was relatively soft and empathetic when he began.
"Sebastian, before joining Star Fleet, I had relatively little experience in EVA and freefall environments. The Academy tries to introduce such training to you, but we quickly discover that they are only opening the door to expose you to what you're going to need to learn more about. I learned about suit modifications and what choices are best for different situations by living through them. It was trial and error for me as well. I learned things like what to look at and what not to look at, but also how to stay as safe as possible. I can't see a threat, if I can't see."
Looking to A'kilees, "None of us could have know that a 100,000 year old ship was built like a floating bomb. There was no database, no manual and no indication of what we were getting into. You didn't do anything wrong, but you now will have experience to draw on that will remind you to look as deeply as you can before you begin. Even then, things can and will go wrong. That's why you weren't alone. We were all at risk, but very often it is the buddy system that will save you if something happens. Someone to grab you when you fall, cover you when there is sudden incoming fire, or even to just offer a hand on a shoulder to remind you that you're not doing it alone."
"You both will be tossed into as much trouble as we can find for you. That's on purpose. Don't shy away from it, embrace it. We're trying to do everything we can to expose you to the reality of the job and give you real training that will matter for the rest of your lives. It is also why there will always be someone else with you. We try to make it one of the senior officers when possible, but it isn't because we are babysitting you or don't trust you. It is because we might see something or be able to react in a way that you have not encountered yet." Gath smiled at A'kilees, "Like my use of a glorified can opener instead of a phaser. I try to never leave home without mine." He gave a wink.
Continuing to look back and forth between the two, Gath continued, "I tell you what, I'm going to arrange for some training time with the both of you as part of your duty schedules. It will go through your department scheduling and be entirely official. We're going to get you some simulation training, both in and out of EVA suits, but we've identified some areas that need training. Sometimes the best thing is simply doing it enough in a controlled environment to get you accustomed to the situation. You don't always lose that feeling of butterflies in your belly, but you CAN teach them to fly in formation. I have a number of programs that I run. Some are simple obstacle course exercises to help with the spacial disorientation and such of EVA use. Other situations can turn hostile without warning. I have no intention of telling you what they will be in advance, as that would ruin some of the fun. You'll both be selecting your own gear, so it will be a crash course in that as well."
Gath's smile widened and he lifted an eyebrow a couple of times in a humorous way, "Sounds like fun, right?"
The CO walked in and Gath quickly spun, in a perfect facing maneuver, to face the CO and mumbled, "Show time..." and turned all business.
== After the CO leaves... ==
Gath offered each a firm handshake and congratulated them both. Others quickly stepped up and did the same. There were lots of smiles and statements of encouragement from all of the friends and co-workers who had arrived. It was only then that they realized that the entire gathering had been just to honor them and to be part of their moment. These people were all here for them. A quick look around and they realized that the room was practically overflowing with crew members who had snuck away from their duties to share it with them.
"Sebastian, before joining Star Fleet, I had relatively little experience in EVA and freefall environments. The Academy tries to introduce such training to you, but we quickly discover that they are only opening the door to expose you to what you're going to need to learn more about. I learned about suit modifications and what choices are best for different situations by living through them. It was trial and error for me as well. I learned things like what to look at and what not to look at, but also how to stay as safe as possible. I can't see a threat, if I can't see."
Looking to A'kilees, "None of us could have know that a 100,000 year old ship was built like a floating bomb. There was no database, no manual and no indication of what we were getting into. You didn't do anything wrong, but you now will have experience to draw on that will remind you to look as deeply as you can before you begin. Even then, things can and will go wrong. That's why you weren't alone. We were all at risk, but very often it is the buddy system that will save you if something happens. Someone to grab you when you fall, cover you when there is sudden incoming fire, or even to just offer a hand on a shoulder to remind you that you're not doing it alone."
"You both will be tossed into as much trouble as we can find for you. That's on purpose. Don't shy away from it, embrace it. We're trying to do everything we can to expose you to the reality of the job and give you real training that will matter for the rest of your lives. It is also why there will always be someone else with you. We try to make it one of the senior officers when possible, but it isn't because we are babysitting you or don't trust you. It is because we might see something or be able to react in a way that you have not encountered yet." Gath smiled at A'kilees, "Like my use of a glorified can opener instead of a phaser. I try to never leave home without mine." He gave a wink.
Continuing to look back and forth between the two, Gath continued, "I tell you what, I'm going to arrange for some training time with the both of you as part of your duty schedules. It will go through your department scheduling and be entirely official. We're going to get you some simulation training, both in and out of EVA suits, but we've identified some areas that need training. Sometimes the best thing is simply doing it enough in a controlled environment to get you accustomed to the situation. You don't always lose that feeling of butterflies in your belly, but you CAN teach them to fly in formation. I have a number of programs that I run. Some are simple obstacle course exercises to help with the spacial disorientation and such of EVA use. Other situations can turn hostile without warning. I have no intention of telling you what they will be in advance, as that would ruin some of the fun. You'll both be selecting your own gear, so it will be a crash course in that as well."
Gath's smile widened and he lifted an eyebrow a couple of times in a humorous way, "Sounds like fun, right?"
The CO walked in and Gath quickly spun, in a perfect facing maneuver, to face the CO and mumbled, "Show time..." and turned all business.
== After the CO leaves... ==
Gath offered each a firm handshake and congratulated them both. Others quickly stepped up and did the same. There were lots of smiles and statements of encouragement from all of the friends and co-workers who had arrived. It was only then that they realized that the entire gathering had been just to honor them and to be part of their moment. These people were all here for them. A quick look around and they realized that the room was practically overflowing with crew members who had snuck away from their duties to share it with them.