Academy Graduation
Posted on Tuesday 19 October 2021 @ 20:33 by Lieutenant JG Zirvell Khen
Mission:
First Contact
Location: Starfleet Academy
Timeline: approximately 12 years ago
924 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure
Zirvell was nervous as he entered the great hall. Today was going to be an important day. His hard work, and his constant necessity to prove his loyalty and his worth, had finally paid off. He was wearing an adapted version of the dress uniform, to accommodate for his neck ridges, and still he could understand why some of his peers complained about it being too tight.
He craned his neck, seemingly searching for someone. "Father!" the young Cardassian finally called out, waving to get the Human's attention.
Lukas smiled as he saw Zirvell waving and began to head towards him. "How are you? Nerves getting to you yet?" Fredricks asked with a warm smile as he approached his adoptive son.
"Extremely," Zirvell answered, swallowing a few times yet again. "Are Ollie and Adele coming too?" he then asked, offering an awkward hug. Even after all these years, he still felt a little out of place.
"Adele said she would be here. Oliver on the other hand, I've not heard much from him recently." Fredricks replied, clenching his jaw. His relationship with Oliver had been turbulence since his mother's passing but in recent years it had become very strained.
The Cardassian's face seemed to twist in disappointment on the last part of the statement. "I had hoped he'd be here. But I'm pleased Adele will be." His expression lit up with a smile, reaching to touch his father's shoulder in compassion. "I've always gotten along really well with her," he admitted, certain his father was well aware of his teenage crush on his now adoptive sister.
"He may well come, he holds you in higher regard than his own father." Lukas replied solemnly. "Have you heard about your first assignment yet?"
"He does?" Genuine surprise flickered across the younger man's face, before it sobered into a mild hind of anxiety. "I'm to accompany a doctor to a colony to deliver medical supplies, and offer our support in any way we can for a while. I might be out of contact for a few days to a few weeks. I'm not sure when I'll have time to call, but I promise I will call regardless."
"Sounds like a good experience gainer for your first assignment." Lukas replied smiling proudly. "Oliver has always liked you, he is very proud to be your brother."
"He had a very funny way of showing that, growing up," Zirvell mused, "I'll find him when I get back from my assignment, it should only be a few weeks before we make our return trip." He nodded towards the stage. "Well...here I go, I suppose," he smiled nervously. "See you in a few minutes?" Honestly, he hated being in the spotlight.
"Good luck, son." Lukas said patting the young man on the back. "I'll take a seat and wait for your sister."
Zirvell nodded and walked off. He felt nervous through the entirety of the ceremony and was relieved when he finally got his proof of graduation. With the official certificate in hand, he walked back to his family and smiled brightly when he finally spotted his sister. "You came!" he breathed happily, taking the young woman into a warm hug.
"Wouldn't miss this for the world." Adele said with a bright smile as she hugged her adoptive brother "I'm very proud of you. You look very smart and handsome."
He held her close for a moment, then released her, his cheeks turning a slightly darker shade of grey in embarrassment. "It's just a uniform," he murmured awkwardly, "but I finally get to do what I really want to do. And it wouldn't have been possible without you all."
"Don't be silly, you did all the hard work. We just helped you along the way." Adele said proudly as she rubbed her brother's arm in comfort.
Wasn't that his point? Zirvell smiled at her, drawing her close again. "I'm going to miss you sis," he whispered in her ear, "I'll be leaving on my assignment soon. As I told father, I don't know when I'll be able to call, but I promise I will when I can. But you'll call too right? Promise?"
"Of course." Adele replied with a warm smile. "Once you're back we'll arrange a meet up, yeah?"
"That's a deal," the Cardassian youth beamed, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
A few days later
A nervous ensign approached the Captain's office, and stepped inside. "Sir?" he queried carefully, "sir I have some news from Starfleet command for you..." With a shaking hand, the young officer handed over a PADD.
Fredricks frowned, "What's the matter, Ensign?" He asked taking the PADD but not looking at it.
"It's your son sir," the poor ensign stammered, "they've just send word the runabout never arrived at the colony." The young man looked uncomfortable, not looking at the captain. "I'm sorry sir... it's been listed as missing."
Lukas' eyes welled up as he looked at the PADD and saw Zirvell's name on the MIA list. He swallowed hard, pushing back any emotion. "Get me Starfleet Command, I want to be part of the search party."
"Yes sir," the young man answered, "I'm very sorry about your son sir. I really hope they'll find him, I really do." He nodded once, then left the readyroom to comply to the given orders.
Ensign Zirvell Khen
Nurse
pnpc Seklar
Captain Lukas Fredriks
CO USS Britannic
Adele Fredriks
npc Capt Fredriks
OOC note: this post was a collaboration with Captain Lukas Fredriks of the USS Britannic
