-= USS Chimera =-
The ship was comparable to an ant hill. Everyone, all department mixed, moved with purpose in their strides, a common effort for the mission to come. Andrus ducked and dodged around personnel too busy to even notice him as he walked the ship's corridors.
He had dropped his gear in his quarters and headed straight to the security department where he had to report in to his department head. According to the information he had within his PADD, he was one Major Cortez. What came to mind was Cortez, the conquistador. Spains envoy to the new land, in earth's history. Hope this 25th century version was not about social cleansing like that of south america.
He entered the security department, which was like a bee hive. He saw the office in question but there was already an PFC chiming at the door, so Andrus stood back and waited. That one probably had a more important assignment than his own 'reporting for duty, sir.' arrival protocol Strafleet had.
The PFC chimed once, twice and sighed as he turned around and moved on to other things. The major was not in.
''Computer, locate Major Cortez, Chief Security Officer.''
''Major Cortez is in holodeck 2'' It replied.
Andrus left the department as he had found it. As he thought nobody paid a cadet any attention, since he was not quite an officer yet, he was still considered a recruit. He had to wait for two turbolifts before the doors parted for him. Even the ship was not paying him any attention. He smirked and shook his head in disbelief, but it was suppose to happen. They where at war where they not?
Eventually, he entered the holodeck 2. There he saw men and women training unarmed combat techniques. He looked about and saw the golden leaf of a major on a marine. ''Must be him.'' Andrus told himself as he walked over to the man supervising his troops...
Cortez stood at the back, studying the men and women in front of him. He wasn't in a particularly good mood after his run-in with that Ka`Leigh female earlier in the day and his mind kept running over scenarios where a friendly fire incident might accidentally blow her in half. He grinned knowing he would never do that.
"Aikers", he yelled towards one of the men who happened to be leaning against a wall. "Are you tired?", he inquired.
"No sir", the man jumped up.
"Good, then do ten laps", Richard's voice boomed. He had just turned to check the time when a dark haired Betazoid caught his eye.
Andrus stopped at attention a pace away from the Major. From what he could feel empathically, the major was pissed off. Well there was no two way of doing this.
''Good day Major. Cadet Andrus Elbrum boarding and reporting for duty sir.'' He did not even extend his hand to show the Major the PADD with his orders, better aire on caution. Isn't that what they showed us at the academy, when in first contact situation?
"Good for who?", Richard answered. Before the man could respond he pressed on, "Orders?", he said holding out his hand for the PADD.
Andrus replied by extending his PADD and purpofully handed it to the major like a man would do. Sharp and strong movement, yet very controled.
Richard held the PADD to his face and took a few seconds to flip through it. Without looking up he started to talk. "I'll save the candle lit dinner for another time and cut to the chase, and I'm going to make myself clear though, because I do it for everyone the first time. First of all this is my house. My rules, my game, my word is final. " He paused and looked back up at Elbrum, "I don't care if you've heard that a thousand times before, if you think I'm a prick, or even if you think you're better than me. You're SF, and that's a good starting background so I don't expect we'll have any trouble there." he paused and let his words sink in.
Cortez continued, "It sais here you have a degree in Business Administration", he lifted an eyebrow, tossing the PADD back to the Cadet, "What are you doing here?"
"Business administration was my father's wishes. I on the other hand, wanted to live more. I'm not the kind of man that goes for a desk job, sir." Of course he had not planned to land himself a fourth year cadet, knowing that his cadet tour would be spent on a ship headed for war. first and possibly last assignment. But in his last year, he had stuck with the program. At this time and date it was way too late to quit. He wasn't gonna give credit to his father, who was against him being here.
Cortez held back a small smile. There was something about holding your life in your own hands, making your own destiny and all that nonsense that Cortez liked about this mans answer. "Well then Cadet Elbrun, welcome to the team.", without pausing he continued on, "I need someone to conduct a complete inventory of the weapons and gear being loaded into Cargo Bay Three, and your it. They should be done unloading within the hour, I want the report on my desk by 0700 tomorrow morning." he paused for a second. "If any of our 'guests' give you a hard time, send them directly to me".
Pausing for a moment, he added, "Allright, Your dismissed".
=/-\= END LOG =/-\=
Major Richard Cortez
CSEC
USS Chimera
Cadet Andrus Elbrun
Security Officer
USS Chimera
