"I Don't Think We're In Texas Anymore"
[Continued from "Everything New"]
**********
Stardate: 61017.0800
By the end of the four day trip to the secret outpost known as NEW
ALEXANDRIA, Akira had been more than happy to be able to stretch her
legs in an area larger than the NILE's corridors. What she had not
expected was to discover just how huge this place would be.
"Ensign Mitshiba," A Ferengy wearing the pips of a Lt. Cmdr. Said,
startling the oriental woman, "welcome to NEW ALEXANDRIA. I am Lt.
Cmdr. Quint and I have been sent to escort you to see Admiral Koneki."
Aki spun on her heels and brought her hands to inside her knees as she
bowed to the officer out of simple reflex, Starfleet had almost
managed to break the oriental woman out of this habit, but when caught
off-guard Aki usually reverted back to the ways of her childhood. "It
is a pleasure to meet you, and allow me to say that NEW ALEXANDRIA is
a very impressive outpost. I am surprised if not a little confused as
to how this was kept to be such a secret from the rest of the fleet."
The Ferengi laughed, "You would be surprised how much people can
forget or be made to ignore with the proper incentives. A few bottles
of Tholian brandy here, a case of Terran oysters there; the great
material continuum can satiate the most impressive of undertaking."
Akira just grinned and followed in silence the Ferengi as he led her
to meet the base's top officer while she took in the strange and
unfamiliar décor of the base. Although NEW ALEXANDRIA had clearly been
a Federation outpost, the underlining Egyptian tone found throughout
the base had given it a air of ancient mystery which the Ensign found
strangely intoxicating.
**********
Akira was not at all surprised to find that the décor which had
permeated all areas of the base she had so far visited had extended
into the Admiral's office. What the oriental woman had thought though
had been that the three statues located behind the large desk had been
a little over the top.
"Ensign Mitshiba, allow me to welcome you to NEW ALEXANDRIA, I hope
that your journey onboard the NILE was not too long," the Admiral said
as he greeted Aki and motioned for her to step closer.
"After having spent over two week onboard an Orion freighter, the USS
NILE was in comparison a luxury liner," Aki replied, falling back once
again in her old habit of bowing as women did in her native country so
many centuries ago. "I would also like to thank you for having me
here, although I will admit to not understand why I have been chosen
to be here."
Admiral Koneki chuckled. "Lt. Cmdr. J'Kall, one of your Academy
instructors was very eager to recommend you to us, apparently you left
quite an impression in him," the high ranking man replied, the
sternness of his face hiding the amusement he felt as he recalled the
report in question.
Aki suddenly felt small and wished that she could hide in some corner
of the room. The Klingon Academy instructor in question had been in
charge of the wilderness survival class which Aki had been required to
take and pass in order to graduate.
"So am I to understand that I have been sent here as punishment?"
Akira wondered out loud, sure that the Klingon had use this
opportunity to teach the oriental woman a harsh life lesson.
"Not at all," Admiral Koneki replied, "you have been chosen because of
your skills and because it was believed that you would be a valued
member of this elite team. Now if these beliefs were wrong, please say
so now and we will have you on your way back to EARTH within the hour."
"I did not mean to offend sir," Akira said with her head bowed down in
shame. "I am grateful for the opportunity you have given me and will
do all that I can to prove myself worthy."
"That is what I had hoped you'd say," the Admiral grinned. "You are to
report to Doctor Summers onboard the USS ANUBIS, she will give you a
complete physical. Your actual place onboard that ship will be given
to you at that point."
"Thank you sir," Aki said with a glance towards the statue of the
Egyptian god whose name matched that of the ship she had been assigned
to, wondering if there had been some connection between them.
**********
Currently unassigned and heading for the USS ANUBIS 2006 post #237
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Observation Deck
Stardate: 61017.0820
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Administration Wing
Dawn Bohr {serra.moon.angel@gmail.com}
Ensign Akira 'Aki' Mitshiba
