Mission Prep Room, Deck 13, 1500 Hours

Izi looked at her reflection in a full-length mirror, sighing at what she had to do next. She was wearing her EV suit, but hadn’t put on a helmet. Muttering in Andorian, she looked at the three choices on the console next to her. Muttering again, she picked up the smallest helmet.

Secure in the full suit, Izi winced. Her antennae were cramped and had no room to move. Removing the head piece, she jumped in surprise, seeing Doctor Lori Weaver standing there.

“I’m sorry, Iz. Didn’t mean to startle you,” said Lori.

“It’s these [Andorian curse word] helmets. They’re so restrictive, they reduce my abilities. Normally, I would have sensed you coming because of the disturbances in the air as you walked through them.”

“Is that why you have different sized helmets?” said Lori.

“Yes. I’m probably going to need the largest. It will make me look like I have a pumpkin head.”

Lori chuckled.

Izi put on the second helmet. There was more room, but she still didn’t like it.

“Didn’t you take EV training in the academy?” said Lori.

“Yes, just enough to pass, and I was as limited as everyone else.”

“That’s not a bad thing,” said Lori. “Being like the rest of us.”

“Izi removed the helmet, a look of sour lemons on her face. ”Not for me.”

“So what are you going to do? Are you opting out of the mission?” said Lori.

“That’s not really a bad idea,” said Izi. “Lori, you don’t understand.”

“Then explain it to me.”

“I rely on everything I am to serve and to be my best. What if I can’t sense a threat and someone from the team is injured? Or worse. I shouldn’t be included if losing an ability creates a dangerous situation.”

“I think you’re overreacting.”

Izi growled. “How would you feel if you injured your hands and you couldn’t be a good doctor?

“That’s not the same thing,” said Lori. “Wearing an EV suit is temporary.”

“If I’m not my best, the team isn’t its best.”

Lori could see this was bothering Izi a lot. She did understand, but she was trying to be positive so her friend wouldn’t feel like she was letting down everyone around her. An attitude like that could be just as serious.

“Look, Iz, I know the type of person you are. You’re giving and you put others ahead of yourself. I get it that you don’t want to fail, but I have no doubts you’ll be the best security officer on the away mission.” Lori smiled.

Izi smirked. “Nice try, but I know a snow job when I hear one. Thank you for encouraging me.”

Lori wondered if the snow comment was Andorian humor. “So try the last one.”

Looking in the mirror, wearing an oversized helmet, Izi looked ridiculous, but there was room, so her antennae weren’t cramped. “This just might work. What do you think?

“Like I said, you’ll be the best security officer on the team. Even if you do have a pumpkin head.”