The shuttle’s docking clamps engaged with a resonant thud.

The voice of the Shuttle pilot chimed in. “Welcome to Starbase Bravo. Don’t mind the debris. This place got hit just like everywhere else, that’s why you youngsters are here!”. A chuckle creaked through the closure of the comm channel.

“Did you see the size of this thing Will? You could park a moon inside this station!” chirped the Trill Cadet Kallen Voss.

Cadet William T. Davidson lifted himself out of the chair precariously. “Yeah, well… it’s big enough that we’ll get lost before we impress anyone.”

“Speak for yourself, London. I plan on shaking hands with a lieutenant by dinner.”

A Vulcan cadet, Selina Jiro, prodded her head over the seat behind them. “Given your disciplinary reputation, that seems statistically unwise Cadet Voss”

“Wouldn’t be the first time someone talked their way into a reprimand.” Will chuckled dryly.

The shuttle bay doors hissed open with a hydraulic exhale and a dozen fresh faces stepped onto the polished deck plating of the hangar for the first time. Will thought the air cooler and drier than expected, tinged with the faint scent of metal burning against metal as repairs continued apace.

As they lined up in their respective service groups, a stream of officers in red, gold, and blue uniforms moved towards them.

A yellow suited Andorian approached Will. “Cadet group from Shuttle Galileo?”

“Yes, sir. Cadet William T.-”

“Riker?”

Voss scoffed. Even Jiro uncharacteristically smirked.

“Davidson…sir.”

The Andorian chuckled, “A small joke Cadet Davidson. I appreciate you humoring me.” He folded his arms behind his back. “I am Lieutenant Thalek zh’Ravess. Welcome to Starbase Bravo. You will all be reporting for security orientation at 1600 hours. Until then, stow your gear, get situated. There’s an orientation guide and map on your PADD. I’d recommend you stick together and don’t wonder off too much to start. This station is a big place.”

Cadet Voss elbowed Will lightly as they were dismissed. “Time to earn it eh Will.” He brushed off the remark and brought up the PADD. Hundreds of decks flashed up on screen. A marker indicated the cadets temporary lodgings in Sector Oscar-Pink, at least for now before they found themselves shipped off to the planet-side facilities belonging to the Academy’s satellite campus on Mellstoxx III.

“Fancy a trip to the promenade once we stow our stuff?”. Kallen was starting to get on his nerves a bit and had for some time during the trip in. He had never been the strong social type, emphasis on the never, and the Trill’s repeated social prodding was not always a good mesh.

“Maybe, look we’ve got a lot of stuff to attend to first. I was thinking of getting my workout out of the way-”

Voss groaned. “Come on Sel, let’s leave the athletics freak to his sweaty ways.” Without looking behind her, she stormed to the turbolift.

Jiro looked up at Will, “William, your restraint is admirable even by Vulcan standards sometimes.” Wiping away the sweat from his brow he returned the Vulcan’s gaze. “You’re telling me…”