"Yeoman (L/N), please take this order to the bridge for the captain to sign."

You looked up at the geologist that had spoken and took the PADD without the slightest change of expression.

"Yes, sir," you said tonelessly, turning away.

You made your way to the turbo lift, which was thankfully empty. As was usual for you, no one you'd met on the Enterprise liked you very much, and you were grateful for a few seconds alone. You brought the lift up to the bridge and stepped out, concentrating on the PADD you still held.

Captain Kirk was sitting with his eyes half glazed, clearly bored. This did not improve your opinion of him; starship captains should not get bored with their jobs, even if this was a rare occurrence. You walked up to him anyway.

"Captain, Lieutenant Bautista needs this signed for the geology lab," you said, voice flat. You didn't want your dislike to creep into your voice; that could get you into trouble.

Kirk jumped slightly when you spoke, but recovered quickly.

"What? Oh, of course, yeoman."

Just as he took the PADD from you to sign, something hit the ship with such force that most people toppled from their seats. You managed to grab the arm of the captain's chair to prevent yourself from falling over, but you were one of the few that had managed to stay upright.

"Lieutenant Uhura, sound red alert!" Kirk ordered. "Mr. Spock, what's out there?"

Your gaze slid to the Vulcan, whom you had previously not noticed.

"An unidentified ship, captain," Spock reported, eyes on his scanners. "Sensors show several non-human life forms aboard, sir."

"Captain, they appear to be taking aim at us again!" a black-haired man exclaimed.

You only had to think for a second before remembering: helmsman Hikaru Sulu.

"Mr. Chekov, take evasive action," Kirk ordered, then frowned, looking around.

The navigations seat was vacant. Kirk's eyes fell on a young man crumpled against a wall, with one of the nurses kneeling down to examine him. This man, you decided, must be Chekov.

"Nurse Johnson, is Chekov alright?"

The nurse shook her head grimly. "No, captain. He needs to be taken to sick bay right away. You there–" she shot her next words at a nearby officer, who jumped "–help me get him into the lift."

As the two supported the unconscious Chekov into the turbo lift, the captain turned back to you.

"Miss (L/N), do you know how to work the navigations panel?" he asked.

"Yes, captain," you said, resisting the urge to frown suspiciously. Where was he going with this?

"Take over for Mr. Chekov, then," he ordered. "Engage evasive action."

It took most of your willpower to keep your mouth from falling open as you slowly sat down at the navigations panel. What kind of a captain puts a new cadet in charge of navigations?! Not that you were a bad choice, though. You had done extensive research in the area of navigations and knew exactly what you were doing.

But Captain Kirk doesn't know that, you thought bitterly as you entered the correct data for evasive action. He could very easily have just put a scientist who can't tell evasive action from suicide in charge of his ship's navigation.

The alien ship fired again, but missed narrowly, thanks to your navigation skills.

"Mr. Sulu, ready phasers," Kirk commanded. "Fire on my order."

Your eyes went to the main viewing screen. The alien ship could be seen there now, taking a more opportune position for attack.

"Fire!"

The Enterprise fired its phasers, hitting the other ship directly.

"Fire!"

Another direct hit.

"Captain, the alien vessel is retreating," Spock reported.

You watched the vessel on the screen engage its engines and shoot off into space.

"Lieutenant Uhura, cancel red alert," Kirk said. "(L/N), that was remarkable navigating. Is this your first time navigating in a starship?"

"Yes, sir," you said blankly.

"Did you use the simulators at Starfleet Academy?" he asked.

"Not as a navigator, sir."

Kirk looked startled, but quickly recovered himself. "That was incredible, cadet. Would you save some trouble and take over the rest of Mr. Chekov's shift? It ends in forty minutes, so you won't be kept out of the geology lab for very long."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."