Preview is up! It was a bit of a struggle to decide what to tease you guys with, which part of the plot to allude to, and so on, but let's face it: This one was calling me. Also, I had some help deciding from my wonderful roommate. Let me know what you guys think...and I'll see you for Echoes of the Past in a week!

"You asked to see me, sir?" she said, hoping her voice didn't sound as small as it felt.

"Yes," he said. It sounded as though he was thinking, wondering where he should begin. Karina felt cold sweat start to break out under her uniform and bit back frustration.

"I won't beat around the bush here, Cadet," he said. "You're a bright kid. Only fifteen and already one of the top xenolinguistics recruits we have. You've improved since you came to us last year, and you were already stellar. And on top of that, you stopped an invasion in its tracks."

"I had help, sir," she interjected. He smiled and nodded, and she felt herself begin to breathe again. Humility was always a good policy in these situations.

"That you did," he said. "And you know it's my desire to have you serve under me on the Enterprise. But as I said in my message, a slight complication has arisen."

Karina felt her heart drop to her stomach. So that was it. She'd been right.

"Starfleet protocol mandates that we give the top cadets in their field the right to pick which ship they serve on. And while you are one of our best…you're not quite at the top. Our top xenolinguistics cadet has requested a position on the Enterprise. For confidentiality purposes, I can't disclose their name, only that they are trained for the exact same job as you, Bartowski."

Karina nodded, fighting back the emotion that threatened. "I understand, sir. And I fully accept your decision – "

"I wasn't quite finished, Cadet."

She stopped short, nodded and let him continue. But he didn't continue. He merely looked her up and down, as though deciding whether what he was about to say was a good idea. He was silent for so long she nearly jumped out of her skin when he spoke again.

"How is your Russian, Cadet Bartowski?"

Karina stared at him for a good fifteen seconds before finally replying, "My…Russian, Captain?"