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Main Sim - Academy Hall 1a - Tinga's Lecture

Posted Jan. 16, 2019, 2:57 a.m. by Lieutenant Tinga (Communications) (Catt Bennett)

Nkosenye’s trademark scowl didn’t change but his deep voice echoed through the hall. “I do not know, Lieutenant. But as you are the Communications Officer on the ship I serve on, I hope the chances are good.” It was hard to tell if he was being sarcastic or not, but the response elicited a few snickers and chuckles. Nkosenye’s head whipped towards the cadets and with his scowl directed at the crowd the murmur ceased almost immediately. He looked back at Tinga and said “But I am willing to assist.” and he paused a moment for the translators to once again be turned off and then said in the odd-cadenced and largely consonant based sounding Zulu language “Akuwona umsebenzi walabo abaseduze nami ukuthi bangithande. Kunalokho, kuwumsebenzi wami ukukhathazeka ngezwe, ngathi sonke.”

Kord, who had been standing against the back wall, nodded. It was a good sentiment that no many followed though they claimed to.

Tinga had noticed how a look from the COS had silenced the cadets. That was another type of communication they could study at a later date. Thankfully her hour was nearly up. She repeated the phrase several times in her mind which was her own personal way of doing things at the time. She signaled fort he translators to be turned back on.

“How one arrives at this type of conclusion is very individual. I have to hear things in my own mind sometimes even if it is my own voice that ends up taking over. How would you explain this to me in pictures or, perhaps, gestures, assuming that wasn’t a declaration of war.” Tinga said trying to lighten the mood.

Nkosenye thought for a moment. He then nodded once and put his finger a few inches from her chest, then hugged himself, then shook his head in the negative. He paused, then poked himself in the chest several times emphasizing himself, and then slowly moved between her and the class and took up a defensive stance with Tinga behind him facing his back while he glared out at the class.

Anyone watching Glen and Cross would see that they had stopped whispering and had taken notice of the little mime comedy. Glen had actually put Tinga down on the list to do a talk about being an Andorian in Starfleet, however this masterclass in communication was a far better topic and very well presented. He only wished that he had taken more notice during the lecture.

-Glen, CO

Shielded by Nkosenye’s massive back Tinga allowed herself a silent little laugh before stepping around him to catch his trademark glare.

“Wow, that’s incredibly well done. I don’t think a person of lesser stature could convey things in the same way you have. That’s important also.” she said glancing out at the cadets.

“I’m reasonably certain the word love is in what you just said. Now it would take a lot longer than the time I have left to extrapolate every word.”

Tinga knew she wasn’t going to get every word right but was hoping to end her lecture with people smiling so, she took a step back and looked up at him.

“Are you to saying that though I don’t love you, it is your duty to protect me?” Tinga asked.

  • Tinga, Comms

Nkosenye looked down at her and shrugged slightly. “The sentiment is correct, Lieutenant, if not the vocabulary.” and he looked out at the assembled Cadets. “What I said was this: It is not the duty of those around me to love me. Rather, it is my duty to be concerned about the world, about us all.” and he looked at Tinga. “As I said, the vocabulary was not exact, but you understood my intent. Well done, Lieutenant.”

Nkosenye, CoS

Tinga bowed slightly and her antennae tipped forward.

“My thanks Lieutenant. If I had more time the vocabulary would be much better but intent can make all the difference you see? I was supposed to do a lecture on being an Andorian in Star Fleet but, as you filed in today, I sensed that such a lecture would probably just be a good reason to take a nap so, I decided to change the topic. I understand what it’s like to sit through a boring lecture. That feeling has no species or racial boundary.”

Tinga paused for a moment.

“And that’s my hour. Thank you.”

  • Tinga, Comms

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