Chapter Text
"Do you think they're going to be friendly?"
Your classmate and former roommate, Leslie, stood next to you in the spacedock, nervously tapping her foot. You felt pretty anxious yourself, so her question barely registered.
"Who are?"
"The Tellarites! I stayed up late reviewing my notes on their customs, and I just can't wrap my head around the insults thing. I have to be rude... to not be rude? It doesn't make any sense! And what if I say something that actually offends them?"
Your sympathetic grimace probably didn't fill the poor girl with a lot of confidence, but you couldn't offer much in terms of useful advice.
"I'm sure they'll be understanding," you said, trying to sound optimistic. "I mean, that's what this exchange program is all about, right? Learning from each other, exploring each other's cultures and all that. We're bound to make mistakes, and that's okay."
You didn't know if you were hoping to convince Leslie or yourself.
"Easy for you to say! At least Andorians don't make a sport out of insults."
"I don't know about that. Remember Professor Itasaav? I think the difference is that they actually mean them."
"Yeah, well... At least they're hot."
You felt your cheeks heating up. She had you there. Still, did she have to mention that right as you were about to meet your new captain? You were keyed up as it was. Suddenly, Leslie gasped.
"Is that Admiral Archer? Look!"
You squinted at the tall figure entering the dock from the administrative wing, far away from where you stood. Lo and behold, it really was the admiral. He exchanged a few words with your instructor and glanced towards the two of you; instinctively, you straightened your posture and stood at attention. Leslie expelled a strangled squeal once your instructor led the admiral in your direction.
"So these are our two star cadets!" His kind smile sure put stars in your eyes. "Or - excuse me - ensigns now. I expect you to make us proud, girls."
As he shook your hands, your friend looked like she was seconds away from fainting. You probably did, too. You’ve both idolized Jonathan Archer since age twelve, when his and his crew's heroic actions were all over the news.
"Alexander tells me you two excelled in your chosen fields," he glanced at your smiling instructor, "Communications and xenolinguistics for miss Singh, and astrophysics for miss Y/L/N."
"With a minor in botany, sir," you added proudly. The surprised raise of the brow from the admiral was not unexpected - most people found the combination somewhat incongruous. "I just like plants," you explained with an awkward shrug.
"How fortunate." His smile looked like it was hiding some private joke. Hopefully not at your expense. "I don't think the Kumari ever had a botany expert before. Ah, here they are."
The massive shield doors opened to let a sleek shuttlecraft into the dock. Andorian design. So you were the first to be picked up. As your small group walked towards the landed shuttle, you felt your heartbeat quicken.
The hatch opened and two Andorians stepped out. You immediately recognised the first one.
"Shran!" the admiral called out. "Long time no see! How have you been, old friend?"
The Andorian's aloof expression immediately warmed up at the sight of a familiar face.
"Have you been demoted to the welcoming committee, pinkskin?" They exchanged a good-natured laugh and a handshake. "I'm doing well. If not for these ridiculous new uniforms you humans designed. I still think we should have gone for the Andorian option."
"A bit too much leather for the Vulcan tastes."
"Bah! The Vulcans wouldn't know good style if it bit them in the ass."
You and Leslie listened to this exchange wide-eyed. You both knew of Thy'lek Shran too, of course. He was a legend in his own right, having saved the Earth from the Xindi attacks several times over. You could hardly believe you were about to serve under his command! The Andorian cut an impressive figure; up close he radiated strength and authority just as much as the admiral. And you really, really tried not to imagine him in the aforementioned leather.
"So, which one’s mine?" He turned towards you and your friend, his antennae twisting in your direction.
"I am, sir! I'm yours!" You realized the magnitude of your fuckup the moment the words came out of your lips. Eyes big as saucers, you hurried to amend your outburst. "I mean - Ensign Y/L/N, reporting for duty."
Oh god, Admiral Archer looked like he was about to burst into laughter. You could not bring yourself to look at the captain, praying that the metal floor of the dock would open up and swallow you whole. With the color of your cheeks right then, pinkskin seemed like an apt epithet.
"Good to meet you, Ensign." You finally found the strength to face the captain when he addressed you. Somehow, even with the clear amusement in his eyes, it didn't feel like he was making fun of you. Your gaze dropped to his outstretched hand; you shook it, feeling very much beside yourself.
Following this introduction, you were directed to board the shuttle - the captain stayed at McKinley station to catch up with the admiral - and after a short farewell to Leslie you were on your way to your first real assignment. The USS Kumari.