Trial by Fire: The Coy Method IX

Posted on Thu Sep 11th, 2025 @ 11:21pm by Commander Rosa Coy

551 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Character Development
Location: Shuttlebay

The cadets gathered in the Sunfire’s shuttle bay briefing room, still buzzing from adrenaline. Rosa leaned against the console, small stature commanding a room full of mostly larger Starfleet trainees. Her eyes scanned each face, assessing not just performance, but resilience, timing, and willingness to trust a wingman.

"They sweat, they flinch, they’re alive… and so deliciously raw," Coy whispered. "Let me season your words a little. Just a taste."

Rosa inhaled sharply, almost a smile tugging at her lips. Then, aloud, her voice took on a crisp, sharp cadence: “Good work surviving the exercise. Some of you executed maneuvers beautifully — tight loops, split-Ss, Immelmanns — but others… I could feel your hesitation, and it nearly got you killed.”

A flicker of Coy’s influence colored her tone just enough to make the words slide across the cadets like a tease. Rosa caught Threx’s antennae twitch; the Andorian’s sharp glare flicked to her briefly, and Rosa felt the corner of a smirk form, almost instinctively.

“Arven,” Rosa continued, “your aggressiveness is impressive, but stop thinking you can barrel through danger and rely on luck. Wingman safety comes first. Do you understand me?”

“Y-Yes, Commander,” Arven replied, swallowing.

“Threx,” Rosa said, voice softening slightly, because Coy insisted she linger a moment on the Andorian, “you have talent, but your defiance nearly cost your partner. There’s a rhythm to leadership, you’ll learn it. And if you ever think to challenge me mid-flight again…” She paused, letting her words hover like a teasing promise. “…you’ll discover the limits of your discipline.”

Coy chuckled in her ear. "Oh, yes. Let her taste it. Make her pulse quicken. Let her think about it later. And maybe the other one too… that Bajoran girl."

Rosa’s eyes flicked to Sira, who stood stiffly, trying to hide her trembling hands. Rosa’s voice softened, encouraging: “Veylin and Sira, your coordination was excellent. Sira, you hesitated under pressure, but you adapted quickly. Trust your instincts next time. And trust your partner. The rest of you should take note, chemistry in the cockpit can save your life.”

A subtle hint lingered in her phrasing, unintentional but deliberate enough to make some cadets’ cheeks heat. Coy’s influence nudged her words toward playful, almost intimate territory.

“Overall,” Rosa concluded, “today was a test of skill, nerve, and partnership. You survived because some of you followed orders—and some of you learned the hard way why you must. Reflect on it. Practice. And for those of you with… potential,” she added with a sly tilt of her head, “we’ll see who comes back ready for the next challenge.”

"That was fun," Coy purred. "And yes… I’m bookmarking those two for later. Private sessions, perhaps? Heh…"

Rosa straightened, hiding the edge of her amusement. “Dismissed. Cadets, prep for the next flight cycle.”

The cadets filed out, leaving Rosa leaning against the console. Coy whispered, low and dangerous: "Mmm… Andorian, Bajoran… delicious prospects. All in good time, my love."

Rosa’s small grin tightened, long ago given away to the fact that her symbiont Coy never shut up. "One flight at a time, Coy. One flight at a time."

TBC

 

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