<<I'm bringing one of my other characters aboard the Charon as an AEO- this is a series of logs developing her background. She is the daughter of my Alpha Fleet Admiral (full) Jolias Enor, most of you should be familiar with him ;) I want to encourage everyone who doesn't know what to post quite yet to develop their characters through backlogs!>>
[Planet Hadallion]
A large bright orange sun beat down on the rocky terrain. Hundreds of dusty brown rock outcroppings jutted into the sky like spires and radiated with the heat of the brutal day. Nitka frowned at the rather bleak landscape from the somewhat cool shade underneath the shelter of an incline. I hate survival training! She noted exasperatedly wishing she had waited to sign up for the course. "Last year the cadets had survival training on Ja'barem! An ocean world" she looked at her friend Carol "and we end up in hell- literally."
Carol Keens, who was human with a few bits of Vulcan mixed in nodded her head casually "before that Gerald Ingalls told me his group spent a three on Nasani. It wasn't exotic as Ja'Barem but it was mostly valleys along a large mountain chain."
"Mmm." Nitka tugged on one of her loose strands of hair that had begun to dry and split "didn't they get that bout of dysentery though? I remember hearing something about them drinking river water without properly filtering it and ending up with a nasty amoeba."
"Now that you mention it- I think you're right. Normally field survival training is one week. But it still-"
"Quiet, everyone!" Captain Elaris Zar clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. Nitka licked her dry lips and turned around to listen. Elaris Zar had to have been one of the strictest professors in the Academy. Oh if only Commander Va'verin hadn't accepted that assignment in Starfleet Command! Then we wouldn't be in this hellhole. "As you all know this is the survival training course' final exam. You all- well most of you have been exemplary students. Some of you have slacked" she paused and Nitka blanched, is she looking at me?! "Anyways this is the most crucial part of the course. To pass you have to earn a positive scoring in this field test. It will last one week. We will grade based on your field recognition ability, resource location, and general survivability. However, here failure won't mean death. Surgeon Lukewan and Doctor Barstowe will be at main camp with me. All of you have been fitted with emergency transporter transponders. Should anything serious arise you will be beamed back here. If that does occur you will not automatically fail but receive an incomplete until the next field test." Zar held up a PADD for the group to look at "you have all been divided into three groups of four. The first group consists of Nenma, Royals, H'hara, and Keens. The second group consists of Bifra, Korialis, Sokan, and Mullan. The third group consists of Arani, Edrin, Q'ok'an, and Zanis."
"Okay everyone. It's time to put your knowledge to the test. Go grab your gear. Nenma's group will head east. Bifra's group will head west and Arani's group will go north. Good luck and remember safety first. If anything goes wrong press your panic buttons and you will return here immediately."
The group collectively groaned. Nitka said her goodbyes to Carol and then joined her group at the stack of gear. Birfa, a tall tan Bajoran glanced at her with his bright blue eyes "Nitka, you take our medical supplies" he grabbed one of the bags and slid it towards her "Sokan can you monitor our water rations? That'll be the biggest part of this challenge. Mullens you get to lug all the food rations." Bifra grabbed a PADD he had set down on one of the backpacks "all right, let's go through the checklist. Does everyone have a tricorder and phaser?"
Nitka along with the others rummaged in her personal pack to confirm that the items were there. She nodded to Bifra "yep."
The others did the same and Bifra held up his tricorder pointing it westward "well if everyone is ready we should get started."
[Twelve Hours Later]
"It's so damn hot." Nitka complained wearily as she pushed her way up one of the dusty brown rocks that dotted the harsh landscape. Even though the sky was now a rustic hue of red and orange the heat was still pummeling them. She took a swig from her canteen "how much longer until we make base? We've been going for twelve hours now."
"I assure you that your commentary will not ease your discomfort." Sokan stated in the most annoying calm tone possible- a common trait Vulcans held. Nitka snorted but thought better then to respond. Arguing with Sokan was like arguing with a brick wall- it was both pointless and aggravating. Sadly punching a brick wall wouldn't get you suspended from the academy but punching Sokan would.
"All right, let's make camp up ahead." Bifra stopped and held up his binoculars "there seems to be a large rock structure about half a kilometer up. There's a decent overhang. We can use it as shelter and make camp there. We've made good time, almost 59 kilometers so far. Let's go."
[To be continued…]
Ensign Nitka Zar
Assistant Engineering Officer
USS Charon
