“Historical exhibit #195: ‘Early soil and topography analyzer’. Put it with the Category B stuff,” Joshua said, handing off the device to another science officer. He checked the item off on his PADD. His console blipped, indicating an incoming message from the Science Department on Starbase Bravo. “Oh, thank god,” he said, pushing a button.

The screen was replaced by an ensign in a teal uniform, “Hello Dr. Bryant.”

Joshua nodded, “How can I help you?”

“You’ll be receiving orders from the Science Department shortly. You are to travel to Galakail Minor, evaluate their situation post-Dominion attack, and render whatever aid is necessary. Traveling with you will be cadets from medical and engineering.”

“I’m taking cadets with me? Since when am I a Starfleet Academy instructor?”

“Unfortunately, that’s all that can be spared. The other officers are involved with higher level duty assignments.”

“Just know I’m adding ‘instructing’ to my service record after this.”

“Do what you feel is necessary,” the officer replied blankly. “Your runabout will be piloted by-”

“Dawa Vlček,” Joshua said, cutting him off.

The officer looked off-screen, “No, that’s not who I have-”

“That’s who it’s going to be. Either she goes, or I don’t.”

“I can check to see if she’s not currently engaged in another assignment.”

Joshua smiled, “She won’t be. I’ll start packing.”

“Very good doctor, you’ll meet your crew in Hanger 23. Science Department out.” The screen was replaced by the Starfleet Logo.

Joshua excitedly punched the air and smiled, “Sorry Meilo, you’ll have to finish curating the science artifacts for Frontier Day.” He quickly ducked out of the lab before hearing any objections.

“No no no, leave those out,” Dawa instructed the two engineering cadets. “I’m pretty sure Josh’ll want to inspect those first. Load these up instead.”

She tapped another cargo bin with the side of her boot as she added more checkmarks to the list on her PADD.

When she saw Josh enter the hangar, she smiled and waved. She stepped on top of and over the crate directly in front of her as she extricated herself from their mess of supplies and jogged over to his location.

“Ugh, thank you for the pilot requisition. I’ll be happy to get away from this place for a little while. You’d think this would be exactly my scene, what with all the extra activity and people and everything, but something about Frontier Day is just so–” She waved her hand and her PADD in the air as she spoke. “It’s too restrained.”

Joshua nodded, “It’s ironic, isn’t it? It’s supposed to celebrate exploring bold new worlds and civilizations,” he added in a mock Picard voice. “Yet it’s so sterile and organized, down to the finest details.” He sighed, “Originally, I didn’t want to take this assignment. It felt like cleaning up someone else’s mess,” he shrugged. “But it beats curating science and medical equipment from a bygone era. The only people who care about technology that’s hundreds of years old are historians.

He saw the amount of cargo being loaded into the runabout and whistled. “It looks like we’re going to spread a lot of goodwill on Galakail Minor.” He walked over to a cargo bin and checked it against his PADD. Joshua opened the bin and looked inside. “Yeah, this will do nicely. It makes the equipment we had on Ignaus Colony ancient by comparison.” He closed the lid and marked it off his PADD. “All right, take these aboard,” he said to the engineering cadets.

At the top of the runabout ramp, Joshua was met by a medical cadet. “Dr. Bryant!” She snapped to attention. “Medical Cadet Kinos Tolria, sir!” He almost laughed, “As you were, cadet.”

Toria’s body released its tension. “I wanted to say it’ll be a pleasure to work with you, sir. I’ve read your paper on bio-neural gel pack technology. However, you’re wrong about the use of chemical accelerants in the gel packs.”

Joshua was impressed, “Oh? I look forward to discussing it with you.” He looked at the cargo list on his PADD. “Have you checked the medical equipment cargo?”

“Four times,” she said cheerfully.

Joshua pulled up the medical equipment list on his PADD. “Okay, list them off.”

“Hypospray, eight. Dermal regenerators, thirteen. Emergency biobed with optional stasis units, four and two respectively. Mobile emitters for EMH activation, three. Tricorder-”

Joshua put up his hands, “Okay, I believe you. Continue on with… whatever it was you were doing.”

He moved back down the ramp and returned to Dawa. “Where did they find these cadets? Are all cadets this eager and overachieving?”

Dawa laughed. “‘Eager’ and ‘overachieving’ are prerequisites for admission to Starfleet Academy!”

She and Josh continued to chat until the last cargo bin had been secured in the runabout and the only thing left to load up were the passengers. With a wave of her arms, she herded the cadets on board and sealed the cockpit behind her.

“Would you look at all this legroom?” she exclaimed. “This is certainly a step up from our last adventure.”

Dawa took her seat at the helm, pulled out her lucky charm Gillian the Whale and set her down on the console, and then swiveled in her seat to face the nearest cadet.

“You!” she said, pointing to the Trill. “Why don’t you co-pilot for the first leg of the trip? You can start by checking our flight path for ion storms. What’s your name, cadet?”

“I’m cadet Jabir Tior, and it would be an honor to co-pilot with you commander.”

Finding it a surprise to be asked to co-pilot the runabout, even if it was just a short journey, and hoping that nothing was to go wrong on the way. So, the young cadet quickly stored his belongings and made his way to the cockpit.

“Ok flight confirmed we have an ion storm about 1500 meters off our starboard side, but we should be fine, we just have to keep an eye on it as we get closer.”

Taking a breath before asking

“Would you like me to initiate the start-up routine and engage the engines ready for you?” asked Jabir.

Dawa smiled so widely it hurt, partly at the flattery and partly at the cadet’s initiative.

“Have at it, Tior! Heck, we might even be able to log some flight hours for you on this trip. I appreciate how eager you are to learn!” She turned to Josh and winked as she emphasized the word ‘eager’.

“I’ll monitor the ion storm,” she added, “And hopefully it’ll be smooth sailing the rest of the way to Galakail!”