Not a castle in sight.

Posted on Tue Oct 6th, 2026 @ 6:26pm by Cadet Senior Year Elena Alberti & Lieutenant Commander Elyse White

1,492 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Echoes in the Triangle
Timeline: Prior to reaching the Delta Triangle

USS Arcadia... On final approach, in between making slight adjustments to their course and speed to ensure a smooth and accurate landing, Cadet Alberti had a moment to admire the vessel which would be her home for the final stages of her cadet life. A constitution class, encompassing twenty two decks and - by all accounts - an eventful history to rival any ship in the fleet. If that was good or bad, time would tell.

"Steady," the lieutenant seated to her right cautioned, hands poised to make any necessary alterations should he feel the need. Yet his input was not required, limiting him to the role as observer for this part of the journey. Observer and assessor. Glancing over his shoulder he noted the other passengers were already on their feet and preparing to disembark and, dropping the privacy screen between the front and aft sections, he offered them a cheerful wave and his thick Australian accent filled the air as he offered, "we've arrived folks. Thanks for flying with Lieutenant Mackie's galaxy tours and safe onward travels."

Cadet Alberti gave a subtle shake of her head as she ran through the checklist. Within five minutes she had discovered that he loved to talk. A lot. And once he heard where she was from?

It had been a long trip.

"Checklist complete, Lieutenant," she told him, handing over the data padd for him to review. His brown eyes grew serious as he reviewed it, cross checking against the shuttle systems, his expression serious. "This is not good."

Elena's eyes widened in alarm. Had she made a mistake? No... she had done everything by the book. She was a good pilot, which was why her instructors had approved this arrangement. Since both she and a few others had needed to get to the Arcadia from the starbase it had been an ideal way to get her more flight time. And she had done everything exactly as required by regs. To the letter.

The serious expression suddenly gave way to an amused smile, "relax, Cadet. You did it all perfectly but... flying should feel fun. You are wound so tight I think you might snap."

"I don't get to make mistakes," she told him simply, making an effort to relax in the seat. "And flying can be fun. I just prefer flying something a little different."

He grinned, "fair enough. Alright, I'll submit this for you before I head back. I have some people to shuttle back to the base and doesn't look like they are here yet. You on the other hand, better get moving - looks like that may be your welcoming committee."

Elena turned her head, peering outside. Sure enough a woman in uniform was waiting near the shuttle. And she was indeed the last passenger. "Thank you for the chance to fly the Krypton, Lieutenant," she offered politely as she left her seat, picking up her two bags and hastily exiting before he could engage in further conversation.

The air in the shuttle bay was noticably cooler and felt fresh after many hours in the shuttle. Perhaps it was relief? Adjusting her grip on her bags she walked forward, awkwardly trying to remove her orders to report aboard and instead managing to drop the tablet at the woman's feet, almost hitting. "I am so sorry -"

Elyse had read the file. She knew that this posting would be one error away from a diplomatic nightmare. Nonetheless, Elyse was far from starstruck. If anything, treating the cadet as any other would be the best way forward... Unless she used her name. White looked down at the tablet on the floor and then back at the cadet, "take a breath, cadet. We're in no absolute rush."

Setting down her bags, Elena recovered the Padd, dusting it off before handing it over. “Thank you, Lieutenant. It was a long trip from the starbase, but I am pleased to finally be here and eager to get started.”

Elyse smiled and nodded, taking the device and scrolling through it. She looked back up t Elena, "alright, well, let's give you a brief tour and then I'll give you the rest of the day. We'll start at 0800 tomorrow." Elyse gestured for Elena to follow her as she began to head out of the bay. "I just want to make one thing clear, you are a cadet here, ok? Outside ranks don't mean anything whilst serving. For that reason, you'll be with all the other lower deckers and will be treated as an equal. Fair?"

“So no servants or royal galas?” Elena replied in mock horror as she grabbed her bags and followed along in the lieutenant’s wake. With an almost exasperated sigh she added, “Lieutenant, believe me, I am very much aware I am not at home and pretty much every classmate I’ve ever known has delighted in reminding me of how ‘equal’ we are. I have never asked to be treated differently and that will not change. I am here to learn just like any other cadet.”

"Unfortunately, Cadet, I have served with someone in a very similar position to yourself before. I'm a 'see it to believe it' kind of person. I will try and keep an open mind though," Elyse offered a small smile, "now, in terms of the lower decks, there is a rumour mill. My advice: believe it until you have proof otherwise. My predecessor was ex Intel. She was my final year mentor and very close friend. The rumours are, indeed true. Should you have any form of contraband, just know that it will last, at most, a week."

With clear confusion, the cadet mouthed ‘contraband’ as if it were an alien concept she could not fathom finding on a Starship. She recovered quickly and offered a hasty, “noted, Lieutenant.”

"You'll quickly see," Elyse clarified, "we do random spot checks. We've found everything from BathLeth's to pet Tribbles, Romulan Spirits to Artefacts."

“I just have clothes and a few personal items, nothing off limits,” the Cadet replied. “Not even so much as a dragon egg. Why would someone have Klingon weapons? They are expertly crafted I suppose, with good balance to make them ideal in combat but still…”

"Oh gawd, you're going to be boring," Elyse muttered under her breath, "look, this comes from a place of concern, I'll give you one free pass. You're not in a castle anymore, princess, enjoy the concept of being allowed to screw up."

Elena’s eyes flashed for an instant. Boring! “No,” the younger woman answered finally, “I am not. Our King receives regular and thorough updates on my training and performance via our Ambassador. I apologise in advance for any… curtness when or if they ever communicate with the ship.”

Elyse snorted in amusement, "what happens on this ship, stays on this ship. When I say you have a single free pass, I mean it, cadet. Trust me when I say that being a cadet is the best opportunity you'll get. Take a risk. It won't get back to them. I've been where you are-- the impossible standard. Take the win."

“Yes, Lieutenant,” Elena replied, albeit sounding skeptical. So far nothing had failed to reach the eyes and ears of the Royal Court, which had made for a somewhat uncomfortable return home before her final year of study commenced. If it hadn’t been for Ad’ya, her days would have been truly insufferable.

Elyse felt like she knew that Elena would not go crazy in fear of Elyse lying. But, in one sense, it was a good thing. As and when Elena would screw up, Elyse would show her that thing really could get... 'lost' in translation.

Deciding to move the subject on as they rounded a corner and almost collided with an ensign hurrying to somewhere, Elena added, “according to the schedule I was provided with, I believe my first rotation begins tomorrow, with Security and Tactical. Led by Lieutenant K’Var? Should I report directly to her ahead of time for my specific duty assignment?”

"My advice would be to report to the actual department office instead of K'Var directly," Elyse replied, "in fact, any rotation I would advise that. You never know what's going on with department heads, or if they were called out. Someone will always be on hand though. Take the remainder of the day to get yourself acquainted with the ship and your new bunk mates. Any problems, go to myself or the XO."

“I’m sure I’ll be fine but I will find one of you if any problems,” the cadet promised.

Elyse nodded and offered a small smile as they arrived at the lower decks, "good luck, cadet."

Alberti took a moment to take in the rows of bunks - grateful for the sentiments. Because she had a feeling she was definitely going to need every last drop.

OFF

 

RSS Feed