The computer announces the captain is in her ready room, when she gets there she hears what sounds like two female voices talking quietly from behind the door.

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She squares her shoulders and readies herself before pushing the button to announce her request to enter. She lets out a slow, quiet exhalation.

It's not that bad... Just need to let her know before she asks you to take us out and you have no idea what you are doing...

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A red-haired woman stands in front of a small red alcove. Incense burns in a small holder. Her fingertips touch one another. That is, however, the only person in the room. She turns.

"For a Vulcan, you look concerned."

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She bows slightly. "Greetings, Captain."

"And, slightly, yes. I came as soon as I read the crew assignments posted earlier this morning," She speaks as neutrally as possible, gesturing mildly. "May I come in?"

So far so good.

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"Ensign T'Pari, isn't?" She gestures to her desk. It's a very small thing by comparison to most captains. She sits, not in a chair, but in a small seat without a back. "You are to be the Helmsmen?"

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"That was my intention, Ma'am." She nods, beginning to walk toward the desk. "However, on the crew postings I read this morning, I am also assigned to the Helm position. I am concerned, Captain, as this would not be a logical assignment for me. I am not extensively trained in piloting of any sort. I fear there may have been some kind of mistake."

She then stands, arms at her sides, in front of her captain, awaiting her orders

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"What have you hear about our mission?"

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She blinks. What the hell does that have to do with the huge farce that is her trying to pilot a starship? She lowers her eyes a moment.

"I was told by my superiors this was a Border Patrol vessel that required a Navigator, Captain. I have studied the Klingon/Romulan conflict for some time, and so I was assigned to assist."

She raises her right eyebrow slightly. "Is that incorrect?"

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"Only slightly. Ever see an old map from Earth? the ones that say 'here there be dragons?'" She brings up a map of the Federation, the Klingon Empire, and the Romulan Empire in 3-dimensions.

"Here- " She moves her hand under the rough egg- shapes making up making up the Klingon and Romulan Empires. "There be dragons."

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"A very curious expression." T'Pali's eyes dart around the map for a moment, even though she has seen it, and some slightly more biased.

"That is where we are to be patroling?" Her dark eyes glance to the Captain's, careful to not give off even the slightest hint she understands where that is and its significance.

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"Patrolling? Not really. We will be mapping this uncharted terrain which, due to inter-stellar phenomena, much of which has not been documented, is very difficult to traverse -" She turns off the screen. "For a standard helmsman."

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T'Pali stands at her full height, comprehending the implications of the Captain's words.

"I see. I was misinformed." She leans her head to one side before pressing forward. "Given the proper equipment, Captain, I assure you I will have no problem performing my duties. I am thoroughly and properly trained in Astrogation and Stellar Cartography.

"However, I am not thoroughly trained to pilot this particular class of starship. I believe it would be wise to assign someone with more skill with a Nebula-class vessel. If you do not object, I could look through the crew files to select a more appropriate candidate."

Breath, Jera... Just breath. That's totally what Spock would say.

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"Denied. Of the 200 people on this ship, I have confidence in your ability to meet this challenge based on your record and studies. We have a holodeck. If your basic skills need an upgrade, please use the time we have to practice."

She gets up from the desk. "I don't need a skilled helmsman for this journey. I need one unhampered by expectation. An uncarved block, if you will."

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She blinks, but does not move otherwise.

"Yes, Captain."

She bows slightly and then waits for further instructions or to be dismissed. Inside, she is afraid...

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"Is there anything else, Ensign?"

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"No, Ma'am. I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice."

She bows again and turns to leave.

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