Across the Universes [Martha, James]
Martha tried not to clutch her PADD too tightly while she waited for the shuttle to arrive. It wouldn't do to betray her excitement at being given this responsibility; it was essential that she be taken seriously as an officer, especially by the latest arrival.
But she was excited. The days since her arrival at Starbase 69 had been a whirl of activity, both professional and social, but all her security details had been carried out in the presence of another officer. Another older officer - they were all older than her, even if only by a couple of years, but Martha felt the difference in age and experience, and she thought they did too.
When the chief had given her the solo assignment, she'd been afraid someone had seen her discomfort, and reported it for resentment.
But it wasn't punishment disguised as scutwork - or, which would have been so much worse, an attempt to make her feel better with an invented role. Meeting the new arrival and giving him a security briefing was absolutely standard for someone with his Federal record.
That it was a James Kirk, but not THEIR one, just made it interesting absolutely standard work.
Martha schooled her mouth back into a stern, but not unwelcoming line, and waited to meet her first person from another universe.
But she was excited. The days since her arrival at Starbase 69 had been a whirl of activity, both professional and social, but all her security details had been carried out in the presence of another officer. Another older officer - they were all older than her, even if only by a couple of years, but Martha felt the difference in age and experience, and she thought they did too.
When the chief had given her the solo assignment, she'd been afraid someone had seen her discomfort, and reported it for resentment.
But it wasn't punishment disguised as scutwork - or, which would have been so much worse, an attempt to make her feel better with an invented role. Meeting the new arrival and giving him a security briefing was absolutely standard for someone with his Federal record.
That it was a James Kirk, but not THEIR one, just made it interesting absolutely standard work.
Martha schooled her mouth back into a stern, but not unwelcoming line, and waited to meet her first person from another universe.