<USS Avalon> Avalon Log 040821--Saying Good-bye

 
Now that she was set to leave Starfleet Academy, Li Vilya couldn't  believe 
it was actually happening.  For real this time, she told herself.  Her class 
had been one of those fast  tracked through the curriculum.  She  fully 
expected 
to be shipped out with the other graduating cadets, to fill in  the vacancies 
created by the war with the Dominion.  Along with the others in her quad, she 
 waited for the postings to be entered into the computer.  As the alert chime 
sounded, she and the  others maneuvered to get a look at the consoles.  Vilya 
finally found her name and  couldn't believe what she was seeing. 
When her friends found her, they excitedly told her what assignments  they 
would be reporting to.  There  was a silence as they looked at her expectantly. 
 
They were waiting for an answer from  her.   
Her auburn brows drew together in a puzzled frown as she said,  "I'm not 
going anywhere.  I'm  staying here at the Academy." 
She went in search of the commandant of the Academy.  Even if he was half 
Vulcan, Commander  Kabuki was always immanently approachable.  He was also 
another reflection of the war's effect on Starfleet's  demographics.  The man 
was 
only  twenty-nine years old. 
"Sir, can you explain this for me?" Vilya asked, holding up her  PADD. 
Commander Kabuki was sitting behind his desk as Vilya stood at  attention in 
front of him.  He  raised one slanted brow slowly. 
"That, Ensign Li, is a Personal Access Display Device, commonly  known as a 
PADD," Kabuki said dryly.  "I really need to see to the curriculum if you do 
not know  that." 
Vilya stared. Vulcan humor.  Wonderful.  "Ah, no, sir, I  meant what's on 
it." 
"Far be it from me to feign clairvoyance, Ensign, but I guessed  that you 
would be here.  I take it  that you are not pleased with your graduation 
assignment?" he asked. 
"Permission to speak freely, Commander?" Vilya asked.  At his nod, she 
continued, "I was  expecting to get shipboard like the others or a space 
station 
assignment.  What's with this?" 
"What's with it is that we are severely short staffed and bereft  of officers 
who can teach.  You,  Ensign Li, are going to be teaching a few Engineering 
classes as well as  teaching part of the survival course.  Between having grown 
up on Jerrado and your Academy education, I do  believe you are quite 
suitable," Kabuki replied. 
It was said pleasantly enough but Vilya knew better than to argue  any 
further.  There was a hint of  steel in his voice.   
"Aye, sir," was her only response. 

~~~ 
Six years had passed quickly.  At first, it felt odd to be teaching  cadets 
who were barely younger than her.  She rose to the challenge, though.  The 
academic classes became a routine but the survival class was not just  fun, it 
was 
educational.  After all,  they now knew that a functional water extractor 
could be made from a shuttle  craft. 
Now she was sitting in her office (tiny as it was, it was hers),  putting the 
finishing touches on her course outlines.   
"Excuse me, Ensign, am I interrupting?" 
Vilya looked up to see Commander Kabuki standing in the door  way.  She 
offered him a smile and  stood up.  "No, sir.  Come in.  Would you like some 
tea?" 
"Thank you but no and at ease, Vilya.  I've come with a personal message from 
 my wife.  She would like you to come  over for a farewell dinner this 
evening," Kabuki told her. 
Vilya smiled.  She  knew that while Commander Kabuki wanted her to stay on at 
the Academy, he was  also one of her supporters in getting her new post.  The 
commandant and his family had become  friends.  She would definitely miss  
them. 
"I wouldn't miss it for the galaxy."

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