Posted March 23, 2021, 1:50 p.m. by Cadet M'rahja Ko (Security Officer) (Abigail G)
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“You’ll certainly get your share of that,” she laughed. “Patrols, tactical shifts, guard duty, weapons certifications, inspections - you may even see an away team.”
Vanessa finished off the hot chocolate and set aside the mug. “Before we call it a day, I want to touch on one topic.” She paused, looking into M’rahja’s eyes. “Your upbringing was a little different than normal,” she continued. “Do you want to talk about that today, or perhaps another session would be better?”
Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS
“I hope so, but even if I do not the experience I gain just by being here is enough,” Her tea was steadily cooling, and M’rahja took a deep drink before it got too cool. It did not take a genius to guess what subject the counselor would bring up. M’rahja supposed she counted herself lucky that Vanessa waited until the end to broach it. Still, the way it was phrased grated against her. The slits of her eyes thinned for a moment as she returned the counselor’s gaze, “I suppose you could call it that.” The cadet decided then she would discuss it.
“Let’s get it out of the way. Which part of my upbringing did you wish to discuss?” Between her many Starfleet profiles and files her life story was there for anyone to discover.
Cadet Ko (Security)
Vanessa smiled softly. “You were adopted and raised by Lauren Ko, a human, and her sister” she recited from her reading of the cadet’s file. “If you want to, at a later date we can talk more about that in depth; but I imagine you’ve done enough of that. I just want to know how you think that has impacted your decisions that have brought you here, to this moment; and how you think that will impact your decisions from here?”
Vanessa hated touching on in depth issues like this during an initial session; but this was the proverbial elephant in the room, and not addressing it would be to potentially ignore a huge part of what made M’rahja… M’rahja.
Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS
M’rahja’s expression softened at the mention of her human adoptive mother. Lauren Ko was a kind, and generous human who took in a lost and lonely Caitian with no where else to go. “It impacted a lot,” M’rahja quietly admitted. “I never forgot that it was Starfleet that saved the transport ship. I can still remember the first meal they fed us after rescue, beef stroganoff with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables.” Not only could she remember it, but she could smell it.
“But also. . . I wanted to join Starfleet to help others. Starfleet and the Federation are not perfect, and people can and will fall through the cracks. I joined so I could find and catch those people before they’re lost to the system like I almost was.” M’rahja tried not to think about what would have happened if no one claimed her. Wondered where Starfleet would have sent her, or how long she would have waited on that Starbase. Alone and scared.
Cadet Ko (Security)
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