Challenges

Posted on Monday 21 November 2016 @ 00:35 by Lieutenant Commander David Tan
Edited on on Monday 21 November 2016 @ 00:50

Mission: Old, New Ship
Location: Tan Quarters / School - Deck Eight
Timeline: MD9 - Morning
879 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

ON :


=== Tan Quarters ===


Having woke no less than three times during the night, Lana had decided at almost five o'clock in the morning to inch her way out of bed and go into the living area ... At the replicator she requested 'Coffee .. Strong' then waited while the beverage appeared. She took the cup to the settee and sat down, eyes trying not to notice the early hour.

Picking up one of the PADD's that contained the information on her new pupils, fourteen in all at this point, ranging from the youngest at four years old, which included her own Daughter, up to fifteen. Some Officer's had placed their Children in either Starbase of Ground-based Schools up to now, but since hearing of the school's opening had already expressed a desire to bring them aboard at the first opportunity, which could only be a good thing in her opinion. She sipped on the hot coffee, looking through the names. She had retained the services of the two other teachers aboard, one as her Deputy, both had been teaching on a one-to-one basis prior to her arrival and had openly welcomed the forming of a dedicated school. Carmen Valente and Talia Pye were both in their early tewnties, and well liked by the youngsters on the Merlin, so their taking up more 'structured' classroom roles shouldn't be too much trouble.

She was so engrossed in her reading that she hadn't even noticed David enter the room, nor his going to the replicator and getting himself a drink. He sat down beside her, grinning as she jumped, startled for a second:

"You're up early. School doesn't actually begin until eight thirty you know." he said.

"I couldn't sleep ...." Lana said, taking another sip of he beverage before placing the cup on the small table, "This is a big thing you know."

"I know sweetheart .... I also know that you will be great. You were head of a school in San Francisco, so figuratively speaking all you are doing is transferring. The job should still be the same, and yes, I do know that the oldest pupil at Saint Margaret's was eleven, but you are more than qualified to teach up to collage level, so why the nerves ?"

"I don't know. Hell, I wasn't this nervous when I walked into there as the Head, especially as two of the teachers were more qualified for the position, and yes, before you point it out, they were more than happy for me, and fully supported the changes I wanted to implement, it's just ......."

"Just what ?" David replied, laughing softly at his Wife's nervousness, "Besides, we're both in the same proverbial boat you know ... I joined the Merlin as Tactical Officer, and then decided to go to the CO with a request to move Departments. Is Operations for me, I'm still not one hundred percent sure, but it's where I am. He could have said no you know. What I'm saying is, if Commander Barstow didn't have complete confidence in you qualifications and ability to run the first school on the Merlin, I seriously doubt he would have made the offer in the first place. He's assigned you space and given you free reign regards the school curriculum and all activities, he's even allotted holo-suite time to you for your curriculum."

He took her lukewarm cup and went to the replicator to refill it, watching his wife as he did so.

"What if it goes wrong ?" she said from the settee.

"You're just second-guessing yourself here sweetheart." David said, picking up the drinks from the replicator, "You 'know' you are an exceptional teacher, everyone who knows you and has worked with you will vouch for that, so stop overthinking, OK." he said, dropping down beside her before kissing her warmly .....


Deck Eight - School


In the corridor on Deck Eight David stood with Lana, Kenzie, and Mia ... The girls were more than happy to see the other children beginning their first day of school which left him with time to give a few last words of advice, but somehow Lana had managed to get over whatever nerves she had in their quarters, and was now the consummate professional. She greeted parents with ease, answering any questions they had and reassuring them that their children were in good hands with herself, Carmen, and Talia. He actually began to wonder if he had imagined the worry and stress his Wife had been showing for the last couple of days given the complete change in her.

With five minutes before the first official school day began Lana was completely confident in her role, while he was pondering a visit to Sick-bay for something to rid him of his juddering nerves !

He kissed Kenzi and Mia and they ran into the School, then he gave Lana a 'peck on the cheek' as apparently it was 'unprofessional' for the Head to be seen kissing, or so Lana informed him. sighing he stepped back and watched her go to the door:

"Good morning Children ... My name is .........."

Grinning, he headed for his own office to get some work done ..........



OFF :


Lana Tan
School Superintendent
USS Merlin

Lieutenant David Tan
Chief Operations Officer
USS Merlin