The Bridge

           Mai ran from the lift, down the corridor, till finally she reached the door of the Bridge. She knew that as an ensign on the bridge, she would have a very, very small chance of sneaking in without being unnoticed. Afterall, those who worked on the bridge were a small crew. She had been lucky to get this position on the ship, and already her first day she was late. 

           Mai stepped onto the bridge and walked as calmly as she could towards her chair. She could feel a few eyes watching her, and as she sat down, she noticed Captain Ethan Burtory, and First Lt. Sophia Belnades watching her closely and talking amongst themselves. Mai cursed herself for partying too much last night as she knew she would be badly punished.

            Deligiently trying to make up for being late, Mai went straight to work and it seemed that activity on the bridge returned to normal. The ship was on it's way to a new quadrant to examine a newly discovered planet. The coordinates were set in, and their was really nothing left for Mai to do.

             "Ensign Mai Saeki," a voice said behind her, "may I have a word with you in my office," the voice ordered. Mai slowly turned around...