Ensign Orientation (Part 2)

Posted on Sat Apr 26th, 2025 @ 4:24pm by Captain Qierress & Ensign Amelix Milumad

2,279 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: 1 - Third Contact
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: MD01 - 1630

After everyone had filtered in, Qierress pounded the butt of her metal spear onto the stage, causing an echoing sound throughout the holodeck.

That sound caught Serena's attention, abruptly causing her to look.

"Greetings everyone. Welcome aboard the USS Quebec! The Federation’s finest Parliament-class vessel! While some might say we’re the second-tier ship, let me assure you that this is the real heart of Starfleet and we are going to accomplish great things together! I am your Captain, Qierress. Yes, I am a Gelrakian. Yes, this is my first time Captaining a Star Fleet vessel. Now that we got that out of the way, let me begin the presentation...."

The Gelrakian looked down on the PADD sitting on the podium and forgetting to turn off her mic, stated, "Now, let’s see... where is the holodeck controls manual...?

As she fusses with the PADD, the holodeck is suddenly flooded with numerous images of nebula, then an advertisement for Ferengi toothpaste, and photographs of the Captain lounging on a vacation with crystals in the background.

Ensign Hunt put his head down and smirked a little. Then quickly straightened up. This was absolutely embarrassing and unfit for senior leadership, let alone the Captain. It was at this moment that Devon had second thoughts about putting in a transfer to the Quebec.

Serena wondered if she should go offer to help the Captain; however, would that make things look worse for the captain? Though, there was some information that was available, which she tucked away in the back of her mind. Those crystals were very pretty.

Hale, however, looked around with awe, smiling as he watched them. "Oh! Is that a nonagon crystal?" he exclaimed, loud enough to carry in the quiet room. He then blushed as he realised what he had said, aloud, in a room full of people.

Amelix was just glued to the presentation. She was taking in all of the information at a rapid pace and hoped that there would be a test on it. She bet that she would be the only one that passed.

"What sort of crystal is that? I am not familiar with that sort. Can you explain to me what that is or explain it after orientation." Serena showing the sign of curiosity.

"Nine sides and nine angles, it's so strange seeing it in a crystal that looks so...natural," he said excitedly, looking at Serena with warmth and even hope at her asking the question. "And I mean, I'd have to look at the actual crystal, it's just...it looks like a natural formation rather than cut..."

"Wonder if she'll let you get that close to look at it." Serena highly doubted it.

The Captain grumbled after trying several buttons, then slammed the PADD onto the podium, which caused the correct presentation to come up. "There. Now that is settled...."

On the holo, a chipper Vulcan looked down on everyone and said, “Welcome to Starfleet! The following procedures will ensure your survival during such incidents as warp core breaches, Borg invasions, or catastrophic holodeck malfunctions. Please refrain from panicking. Statistically, only 37% of new ensigns perish in their first year.”

"Now hold on there, a 37% of new ensigns have perished?" Serena's voice rang out. "I do not remember that being in the brochures nor did I sign a waiver not to hold Star Fleet at fault for accidental deaths. Was it due to carelessness, over eager cadets? I would like to know. And are you going to put us through a test right now?" Serena looked towards the direction of the Captain, then towards the cheery Vulcan.

The Vulcan did not respond, but the Captain did, "I can assure you that under my watch only 15% of Gelrakian ensigns ever perished, so have no fear. You are quite likely in the safest hands that Starfleet has available."

"Captain, you do realize that we are not Gelrakians." Serena exclaimed, her impassive stoic mask breaking. "Perhaps there needs to be some adjustments, to the training procedure can be made?"

"And some stay ensigns for seven years..." Tsugumi smirked giving a glance over to Serefu. Serefu simply smirked back in response, fully aware of the joke.

"I'm pretty sure 37% is the Dominion War or something," Emri said. "So all we have to do is not get involved in a major war."

"Or get thrown 70,000 lightyears across the galaxy..." Tsugumi added.

The holographic Vulcan answered, "There is no need to panic. If you follow all of the safety protocols, you have a much higher probability of surviving. So, fear not, and learn what I have to teach you."

"Do we need to take notes?" Hale asked as he looked at the holographic Vulcan, with alarm. "I...didn't bring a PADD. Should I have brought a PADD?"

The Captain said, "Just mind your attention and you should learn everything you need to know. In an emergency, you will not be able to consult notes anyways. Best you memorize it all."

Hale's eyes widened with alarm at that. Memorize it? Just...listen once and...and remember? He looked at the other Ensigns, his heart racing in his chest.

"I don't think they're serious about the thirty seven percent," Hunt spoke. "Believe the irony was a holo Vulcan making a statistical joke."

Amelix answered, "I can certainly run the statistics to double check what this Vulcan has said! I know that I can have the computer run a program and look at the amount of ensigns that have served since Starfleet was created and then determine the number of ensigns that died in service and it will be easy peasy to calculate the percentage! I'd start on it right now, but I don't want to miss anything that is said!"

"Vulcans don't lie...but a holoprogramme could," Hale said with a frown, clearly bothered about not being able to note something down.

The holographic Vulcan continued, "Of course that 37% is significantly increased by the nearly 50% of security ensigns that perish on away team missions."

Emri eyed Hale and Hunt's yellow shirts. "So, which of you gets your own bed in Sick Bay?"

Hale looked at Emri with surprise and then down at his own shirt. "Err...not me. Engineer," he said and looked at him. "In the event of a warp core breach, we're all...toasted."

Looking at his own shirt, Devon couldn't help but laugh. "Guess I just need to be quicker than the security personnel next to me. As for the warp core breach, I'll try to stay close to an escape pod if things get too bad."

Serena inwardly groaned, what did she sign up for? "Someone, I think, needs to rewrite the programming of that hologram. Just how old is it? Who would do the checking on that programming.? Maybe one of you?" Serena looked at those who seemed to be in engineering colors.

Immediately, another holoimage showed up. It was a Tellarite. It looked straight down at Emri and Hale and asked them, "Do you think that this is a game? Did you know that most ensigns get injured from not following protocols? It is estimated that 67% of all ensigns get injured in their first year from simply not following normal protocols. I bet that the two of you will be the first on the list because you're too worried about a program and not the information being conveyed. Isn't that so?" it challenged.

"Let's not talk about people getting injured!" Tsugumi said quickly. She thumbed to Serefu. "Because we're here with little Miss curious who I'm always patching up! If anyone is a fequent visitor in sickbay... it's her..." she sighed.

The Tellarite looked back harshly at Tsugumi, "Why should we hide the facts from you? Perhaps you're one that wants everyone to think things are great regardless of whether they follow instructions and then they get hurt. Job security? Is that what you're looking for. No.... No.... You're a masochist, aren't you?"

Serena rolled her eyes, this orientation didn't seem like was going anywhere fast, arguing with a Tellerite she knew made them rather happy. Raising a hand Serena called out to the captain. "Captain, we have just been told that there is a huge possibility of a few of us dying. Twice already. I do appreciate the honesty that you are trying to show us, but, there is the saying of don't give us the odds. We are quite capable of following the rules. Yes, mistakes can happen, just... I don't like the fact that we're being told in such glaring terms, that we shouldn't get chummy with our fellow ensigns at all and not make any connections in fear one of us will be one who will be killed. How is that going to make for a team? " Sure intelligence is supposed to not be where they are noticed but also there needs to be some information given.

Devon raised an eyebrow and simply turned his attention to the Captain. Something inside of told him that they were about to get a very interesting response to that question. Probably something extremely unorthodox like the rest of this meeting.

Tsugumi simply turned away from the Tellarite. She gave Serafu a look of 'ignore him and pay attention to the captain' as she physically turned to look at the front.

The Captain's brows lowered and she grumbled something about stupid holograms as they disappeared. She then looked at Serena and asked, "What's your name, Ensign?"

"I am Serena Bailey, ma'am er Captain. And I don't mean any disrespect. I just... want to make certain that things will be going okay." Inside Serena was cringing, if Ava found out that she was possibly stirring trouble, there will have been the element of surprise gone in an instant.

"Miss Bailey, while I appreciate your point of view, this what Starfleet wanted us to play prior to this mission. While I can understand your opinion, we have a duty to follow orders. It is not appropriate to question your superior officers in this manner. There are channels and procedures. When you are the Captain, you can make choices that may endanger your career. This, however, is a mere procedural issue. You could have chosen to keep quiet and think to yourself these things. So why do you wish to create unrest on this ship? Do you think you know more than Starfleet?"

Drawing in a breath or two, Serena squared her shoulders, "No, Captain I don't want to be stirring up any unrest. I was getting a bit worried, and honestly a little bit scared." There was the expression of her being really, really concerned and scared. "I just- I just. I don't think I know more than StarFleet Captain." Tears welled up in her eyes. "It's just those statistics were frightening!"

"And they're meant to convey the seriousness of following orders and not acting out of turn," Qierress responded. "If you feel the need to discuss this further, we have a counselor. I suggest you set up an appointment with her."

"Y-yes Captain." Serena her face red with embarrassment about this. She should have kept her mouth shut but there needed to be some questions asked.

Ensign Hunt just watched the interaction. In his mind, he thought how he never would've done something so foolish but Devon couldn't help but to feel bad for Serena at this moment.

Ermi had been about to ask if, since the odds were so high, maybe medical staff shouldn't be bunking closer to Sick Bay. Granted, there was plenty of time in the day to get from his current bunk to there for his shift, but in an emergency, every second counted. But after the Captain's response to Serena, he thought he'd keep his mouth shut and ask the CMO later.

Hale kept himself quiet but his brown eyes were wide as he looked at the Captain. And wow, Counselor-ed. That was...was that bad? It sounded bad?

Qierress asked, "Now where were we?" She looked down at her PADD and tossed it to the side. "Look, everyone, you’ll make mistakes. You’ll cause accidents. You might even get stuck in a Jeffries tube for an entire shift. But out here, we’re family. We're all that we have to count on and I just want you to know that wherever we go, we're going to be Quebec Proud."

Serena wasn't going to say anymore she was drawing too much attention, but a silent question came to her mind. were they supposed to do a fist pump and agree with the captain's statement of Quebec Proud? Or were they supposed to cheer or.... clap? What would the captain consider polite or rude to do? She was quite confused at this point.

Amelix, for her part shouted, "Woo hoo! To work?! Quebec Counts! Quebec Cares! Quebec Conquers!"

"Well, that is a lot of enthusiasm" Serena then lifted up her arm, "Yay Quebec!"

Looking around the silent and confused room, Devon began clapping hoping that everyone else would catch on and do the same. Emri stared at him for a moment before shrugging and adding his own claps to the mix. It was less embarrassing than yelling.

Amelix clapped her hands together heartily as well and started whistling her approval.

Serena sighed inwardly, she hoped that things would go better once this orientation was over. Too much awkwardness happening. Especially for herself. She was still right in asking the questions and she did it with respect.

Qierress was pleased with the applause. She took her spear and banged its hilt on the floor, making a metallic ring. "Dismissed everyone!"

 

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