The morning sun broke over the horizon, sending light and shadows dancing across the surface of the rolling hills that rippled around the small rural town of Targena’s Belly. Fields littered the land, and grazing livestock filled in the rest. The sounds of chickens and sheep echoed off the waking town, punctuated by a thudding impact every few seconds. It was followed by a terse grunt, and then it would repeat. On the porch of one of the larger homes, where the noise was coming from, bounced the dull red-haired head of Cadet Catrin Williams as she bobbed and waved, sending punch after punch into a heavy bag. Her gym-trained feet would kick into the leather woven bag and let her hands rest as she punctuated each impact with a grunt or a muted shout. She continued, eyes burning into the bag as if it had caused her grievous harm in the recent past.

Lieutenant Eseri Sh’zialit, the lone Andorian on the Perseverance, was sitting in a chair not far from her. She sipped at a hot tea, wincing at different points of watching Williams and the abuse she was inflicting. Her antennae swirled in curiosity and fear. They’d found themselves staring at each other when they’d finished cleaning out their respective quarters on the Nova. Williams had meekly asked her if she’d mind helping her find her way on the Pathfinder-class Perseverance. Eseri had taken pity on the cadet, and they’d been inseparable since.

Williams grumbled as she stepped away from the bag, slipping off her gloves and taking a long drink from her water bottle. “I was just getting used to the ship. Damn it.” She turned to her new friend, “You’ve been silent about this whole thing.” Eseri watched the human put up her hands, “That sounded way more accusatory than I wanted. Sorry.”

The Andorian thought about it while Williams went about toweling off the sweat flowing off her throughout the hour she’d spent punching, kicking, and doing all manner of physical work. “I…I don’t know.” She thought for a few minutes longer. “I’m new to this whole human…thing. I arrived on the Nova unsure of how long I would remain. The needs of the many, as they say, outweighed the needs of the one. The Federation needed science officers, and my people answered the call.” Her antennae slowed and lowered, “May I confess something to you, Cadet Williams?”

Catrin sat across from her, digging into her supply of granola bars. “I’m not a counselor, Eseri.” She winced, “That sounded rude. I’m a terrible communications officer. Let me try this again.” Williams took a long breath and exhaled just as long. She appeared to center herself and tried again, “I’ll listen, but I can’t promise I’ll be any good at responding.”

Eseri smiled weakly, “You will judge me.”

Williams rolled her eyes, “No judgment zone. I study the Tholian language for fun and in my spare time.” She watched the Andorian’s face fall further, along with her eyes and antennae. “What is it?” Catrin was suddenly worried she was about to hear that Eseri had killed someone.  She hadn’t gotten to that part of the Academy yet.  Did they teach you how to cover up a murder?  She shoved the nonsensical questions aside and focused on the Andorian before her.

It was Eseri’s turn to sigh. “I am not here because I am an excellent science officer. My scores were acceptable, but that wasn’t good enough for my family. They wanted the perfect Andorian daughter who could outshine anyone and everyone in the universe.” She grumbled, “They may have said this was an exchange, but it is not. It is an exile.”

Catrin’s mouth dropped open. “You mean…you can’t go back?”

Eseri shook her head slowly, a stale bitterness tinging her words. “If this does not work out or I am not accepted for transfer into Starfleet in the near future…they will appear to welcome me back to Andorian society…but they will disown me once the doors are shut. My brothers refuse to acknowledge that I even exist. Their perfection is impossible to match.”

Williams frowned, “Why confess this now?”

“Lieutenant Hazel Wallaker. She is an intense taskmaster. I did my research. What is the human saying? She does not suffer fools. I am a fool. I cannot hope to meet her standards. Captain Walton will discover the truth, and I will take the long ride home to Andoria alone.” The Andorian did not cry. She had cried enough in the past. This was just acceptance.

Catrin replied, “Well, that’s some damn stupid shit.”

Eseri said, “What?”

“You heard me. You know your stuff. You knew your stuff on Nova. Wallaker can’t terrorize you like your family. She has to play by the rules. We all have to. You want to know how I know?” The Andorian shook her head. The cadet’s words were explicit, and she was still working out the etymology in her head. Catrin grinned, “Because they got the band back together. Walton and Park are among the toughest, most badass command teams I know. They don’t put up with any kind of shit.”

Eseri felt a quiet hope rising. She tried out the vernacular, “No…shit?

Williams cackled, “Now you’re getting the hang of it!”