Clean Up Crew

Posted on Sat Apr 5th, 2025 @ 8:18pm by Kenneth Hunt

774 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Resistance is Necessary
Location: Deck 19-Enlisted Quarters

The Cadets were gathered into enlisted quarters that they had been assigned to. In all honesty, they were all still reeling from the death of their Instructor Commander Moak. The only one who seemed to be taking it pretty well was the Vulcan cadet Yulk. Alisa couldn't help but to envy him, because there were moments like these, she wished that she could suppress her own emotions.

"I take it that no one knows where to get a strong drink?" Ian questioned.

"Being that were underage and constantly at risk of being in combat," Hunt spoke up. "Getting plastered might not be the best idea."

Ian shot the other cadet a dirty look. "Please not act high and mighty as if you never had a drink back when there was an Academy. One breakfast with the Captain and now you're on the straight and narrow."

"Excuse me for wanting to have a clear head to actually hit the target when the Borg show up."

"Enough the both of you," Andrea shouted. "Ian this isn't the time for the bullshit and Kenneth just relax. Our lives has definitely a nosedive right into the ground. But unlike so many others were still alive."

The group went silent as they took her words into consideration. Kenneth was extremely surprised by her words. No jokes or snarky comment. Just pure seriousness, which was very unlike Andrea. "A shot of rum would be nice about now," Hunt admitted as he looked over to Ian and smiled.

Ian smiled back as he extended his fist over which was met with a fist bump from Kenneth. "I knew I was the only one thinking it."

"You two are idiots," Alisa commented with a chuckle.

"Logically alcohol does have a way of calming a situation and bringing people together," said Yulk. Looking around, he found the entire group staring at him. "I'm not encouraging but only stating a few facts."

Andrea patted him on the back as everyone broke out laughing. "Not sure if you have been funny this whole time or whether our bad habits have rubbed off on you."

"Have you been feeling particularly useless," Kenneth inquired. "They got us on the clean-up crew."

Yulk raised an eyebrow. "What else would we be doing?"

The security cadet looked over at him. "Doing what we've been training to do. We're just started our second semester of a sophomore year. Technically we have been studying and training more than Starfleet Enlisted who have exited out of basic and their training schools."

"Kenny does have a point," Hernandez agreed. "But the Jane Addams is a mess, and they technically have us where they need us most.

"I don't know, Andrea," Ian spoke up. "Didn't join Starfleet to be a glorified janitor. There are a lot of civilian refugees who can clean up around here."

Sighing, Hunt spoke. "Unfortunately, Andrea is right. What do what is considered best. Regardless of the task at hand. But I do suggest that we make it a point to advocate for ourselves to be placed in a position to do more. Just because there is no Starfleet Academy doesn't mean that our training and plans should completely change."

"I agree with that statement," Noi chimed in. "Does anyone having issues just staying focused?"

"Might I suggest trying mediation," the engineering cadet brought up. "Admittedly due to recent events, I have had to increase my meditation schedule whenever I can find the time. There are techniques that I can share with each of you. The Academy didn't plan on addressing loss like this one until our junior year. So events like this have yet to be taught to us."

Jones pointed his finger at Yulk. "Next time they ask for suggestions I plan on recommending that be bumped up to Freshman year, semester one." Walking over to the replicator, he pulled up fives drink, then return to the floor where everyone had been huddled. "It's not alcohol, but it still has bubbly buzz to it. Pepsi has always made me feel a little better."

Everyone accepted a drink as they looked at one another. Kenneth raised up his glass as the other four cadets did the same. "A toast to Commander Moak and for us sticking together. We're going to make it through this. And be much better officers for it." Each cadet nodded at the other to the left and right of them. Then brought the glasses before quickly swallowing the contents.


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Cadet Kenneth Hunt
Security/Tactical Cadet

Cadet Andrea Hernandez
Helm Cadet

Cadet Yulk
Engineer Cadet

Cadet Ian Jones
Security/Tactical Cadet

Cadet Alisa Noi
Science Cadet

 

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