Preparing for the future

Posted on Sun Jan 28th, 2024 @ 5:20pm by Lieutenant JG Astrja Kyan

Mission: Character Development
Location: Astraja's Quarters
Timeline: Immediately after "the Set Up"
984 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure

Astrja watched her new friends go, though if one would stay a friend after he realized it was her that set up the prank remained to be seen. Though she suspected that he would see the humor of the situation.

“Computer, place all room controls, holodeck programs, communication access, and food and drink preferences assigned to me, Lieutenant Astrja Kyan, under secure review lock,” she ordered. “Allow no changes to them without explicit permission from me or a ranking officer and report to me any changes authorized by a ranking officer.”

“Affirmative,” replied the computer. “Secure review lock in place.”

Best to lock down her systems to prevent possible prank retaliation, at least through those means, but an engineer would probably have more . . . hardware-based tricks available. She would have to ponder ways to anticipate those.

She sat on the edge of her bed and started working her boots off. It had been a long day but productive. Her role in Ops was off to a good start, she met new people both in and out of her department. “Call up my shift schedule for tomorrow, hologram,” she said massaging her calves.

The schedule appeared, floating in front of her. She studied it. “Set an alarm ninety minutes before shift-start. “Is there a holodeck free in this time block?” she asked tapping the hour before her shift started.

“There is a half-hour open on holodeck three.” A glowing green square appeared on the schedule.

“Reserve that for me and place an open flag on it with the note, ‘Anyone is welcome to join for free-form light stretching and Ijilk exercises.’” The last few weeks had been so chaotic that she had let her physical conditioning slip. Now she had a schedule again she could correct that. And it was more fun exercising with other people not that she was expecting anyone else to join in right away. “Is the same timeslot open for the near future?”

“Affirmative, note added,” said the Computer. “Yes, that period on holodeck three is currently unscheduled.”

Astrja nodded, “then replicate that reservation and note for the next two weeks with an option to extend.”

“Affirmative.” That block of time went blue on her display. “Times confirmed, note propagated through the message system.”

“Thank you,” she said flopping back on her bed. “Dismiss schedule.” The hologram faded away.

“Afor, come out,” she said after a moment.

The QAI manifested as a small hologram on the bedside table. “Did your first day go well?” it asked.

“Yes, I am feeling quite positive about my posting here,” she replied sitting up and working her way out of her tunic. “It will be nice to have some routine and structure back for a time. Though I am sure we will get into more excitement soon enough. Such is the way of Starfleet after all.”

“You would know more about that than me,” said Afor. “But the records of the challenges faced by Starfleet are truly impressive.”

“Speaking of which, what is the word on the Tanjura?”

“Starfleet is keeping that information quiet,” replied Afor. “She remains on detached duty but is listed as active and the crew as safe.”

“That will have to do,” Astrja sighed. “I suspect Jalia is more upset about this than I. While Captain Ajzure is a hero to me, but she is a HERO to Jalia. I will have to ask her when next we talk. Too late to try and talk with her now.”

“Agreed, Lieutenant Sayffier does like to stick to a schedule,” said Afor.

“It is her secret weapon when it comes to mental organization,” said Astrja. “She tried to teach me her techniques but it did not stick.”

Afor spun in a lazy circle. “I do not wish to be rude, Astrja. But your record shows you graduated with one of the lowest scores of any Academy Cadet.”

Astraja nodded. “But here I am with Lieutenant’s pips so Academy score do not tell you everything.”

Afor nodded. “Which indicates that you are bright and capable. So, why were your scores so low?”

“I did not put in the work,” said Astraja. “There were always more interesting things to do with my time. So, I did the minimum to pass.”

Afor listened. “That makes sense. And you did graduate in the end. So it worked out as you had planned.”

“Planned may be too strong of a word,” laughed the Andorian. “But with Jalia’s help, I was able to graduate. I would not have made it through some of the classes without her help.”

“Well, I am glad you did,” said Afor earnestly, “without you, I would not have reason to exist.”

Astraja smiled and offered her hand to the hologram. “Oh, Afor, you have hardly been around long enough to suffer from existential angst.”

The hologram touched her hand, which did not have any physical sensation but still seemed nice, “You have lots of time to think as a QAI.”

“I suppose you would,” said Astraja. “I guess I need to give you more work to do then.”

“Yes, please,” said Afor.

“Well, first, make sure that my secure review lock is maintained,” said Astrja.

“Done,” said Afor. “Though why you need to lock your system, I do not know.”

“Just being cautious, perhaps too much,” answered Astrja. “But pranks war are not won by the unprepared. Though hopefully there will not be a prank war, those get messy fast.”

“Noted,” said Afor with a spin.

“Second, build a playlist from my collection and reasonable suggestions for my exercise periods.” she paused. “Nothing too slow though.”

“Learning more about music will be fun.”

“And now, I think I should get some sleep,” said Astrja. “How about some smooth jazz?”

“Done,” said Afor fading from sight as the music came up. “Sweet dreams.” Astrja smiled as the lights dimmed and she drifted into sleep.