Re: Welcome Ceremony
Posted on November 20th, 2014 by T'Lira

This was an unpleasant ceremony. It always had been. T’Lira had tried her first time around to escape, but had not managed to find a way.

"Welcome, cadets, to the four years that will begin your career!" a hyperactive professor chattered, "This is where you learn the tricks of your trade and choose your paths!"

Various cadets snickered at that. It was commonly known that most cadets had already chosen their own path in Starfleet. For example, the cadet standing next to T’Lira was clearly a doctor, judging from the medical pack on his side and the fact that he has so far not taken his eyes off of the cup of caffeinated beverage he held. His uniform also was clearly medical blue.

"And now, may I present to all of you, the Commandant of Cadets, Admiral Michael Quay!" the professor finished with his spiel and the Admiral stepped up to the podium at the front of the hall.

"Welcome to Starfleet Academy, all of you. I first want to apologize for the delay in this ceremony, but there was an unfortunate incident with a burst water pipe. Now, I know that Professor Grekin gave the same speech, but this is where you learn how to serve as a Starfleet officer. I expect to see every single one of you here again in four years when you graduate as an officer. I won’t lecture you about the merits of a cadet and officer, because you will get that same lecture from every single one of your professors, so let’s not exhaust you with it now," Quay laughed at his own joke, as did many of the cadets. Some of the cadets stayed silent.

"Anyway, I know that my predecessors would have given you quite the speech, but there are professors to do that. So now, all cadets, please get out the little boxes you received upon check-in," he ordered.

All of the cadets lifted the boxes and waited.

"Right then, open the boxes and remove your cadet rank pins!"

Again, the cadets followed orders and removed the pins that symbolized their status as first-year cadets.

"Turn to the cadet next to you and help each other get those pins on. I don’t want to see any more cadets out of uniform!" Quay called out.

T’Lira turned to the medical cadet next to her and helped him fasten his rank pin. He reciprocated and helped her fasten her own pin. It was her second time at the Academy and she still couldn’t get the cadet rank pins to ever sit right.

Admiral Quay grinned, "Now, you are officially cadets!"

He saluted and the entire room saluted back, albeit a bit ragged and not at all in sync with each other.