Snippet #2012136

Alice turned at the movement of a rather casual salute, receiving the newcomer's greeting in silence. Chin still tipped with confident pride, she scanned him from head to toe, taking in his rank, his attitude, his specialty. An easy-going man with a loose salute, but polite. Aware of her station, at the very least. Not a troublemaker at first glance. At least, not to Alice.

"Lieutenant Commander Chen," Alice answered flatly, giving him a short nod. "Pleased to make your acquaintance." She spoke in the clipped phrases of a trained military woman. No time to waste on real formality or truly proper grammar. Alice was known for getting her point across in the fastest, most efficient way available. Unfortunately, on her previous command, that had often involved fists. She hoped that the Salient would be a different sort of ship. "Where are you coming from, Lieutenant? Have you served before?"

Alice had been informed that several of the crew members would be, in her father's words, greener than a fresh spring leaf. She hated training rookies. She could only hope they would not panic at the first sign of action.