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From the moment the geriatric-looking admiral walked in, Diana already knew every word he was going to say. His mind was easy to read. She didn't even have to make a conscious effort when the words bled out like a wet sponge. Diana had temporarily zoned out before he walked in, feeling the pride that radiated from everyone in the room. But she didn't feel particularly proud. She did not deny that she made achievements in the academy, but they were the bare minimum for her to not be strapped to a bed a lobotomized. Diana didn't see this entire ceremony with the same rose-tinted glasses people normally did. It was just fanfare, and filled her head with annoying emotions that were too great in volume to tune out. She was just glad she could grab her meds in time before now, or the headache would be hell throughout the shuttle ride. Diana stood, but her body language would tell anyone that she wasn't taking this so seriously. She was at ease as soon as she left her seat. 

She tuned out the old man while he actually [i]gave[/i] the speech, and simply pretended to listen. Emotions filled the room, swirling together in a way that made Diana uncomfortable. On a certain level, she was supposed to feel proud herself. Proud that she had made a choice that mattered, to be part of the generation to which the torch is passed, and guide the Federation into the future. Diana should've felt invigorated by that, but it wasn't [i]her[/i] choice. Diana didn't want to be here in any way, shape or form. She didn't have the privilege of making that choice to begin with. So she had no reason to feel any pride. This was a conscription to her, a press-gang situation, and nothing more.

Someone must've noticed who she was, because Diana felt the emotion of curiosity leak into the miasma of happiness. Someone behind her, three years younger than her at best, wondering how she got here. [i]Is that the girl with the white eyes? Isn't she the one with that really high-[/i]

[color=CFF7FF][i]-Esper rating? Yes, and the girl with the white eyes knows you're looking at her. Stop doing it, or I'll turn around and make a scene.[/i][/color] Diana's voice sounded inside the tiny kid's skull like a dream. Something that shouldn't have been there. Immediately, she could tell that she embarrassed the little shit. The look stopped. Good.

Finally, Admiral Geriatric wrapped up his speech and dismissed everyone. Diana got her location from the personnel and walked off. Christ, she hated speeches. Diana made a beeline for her quarters. Two others would be joining her on the shuttle. One was the Caitian girl, and the other was a fellow telepath. Diana didn't know either of them beyond passing anecdotes and the occasional mention of their names, but Diana immediately knew she was [i]not[/i] looking forward to getting shoved into a tritanium coffin for half a day, with someone who could read her mind. Hypocritical as it may be, espers didn't mix very well. Diana made a mental note to brush up on her neural wall technique before she got to know him. Once Diana arrived at her room, she stood at the door, waiting for it to close behind her, and snapped her fingers.

Multiple objects flew across the room towards the bed. A portable chess kit, several physical books (screens agitated her head) about parapsychology, and a travel case. Without moving or lifting a finger, the case unlatched itself, as the items floated in, before the case was snapped shut again. Then, Diana replicated a glass of water, inhaled the whole damn thing, and climbed onto the bed. She rested on her knees and shut her eyes, while the universe fell away in ever-tessellating fractals of superimposed thought, until there was only the will to exist.

Diana's eyes became dark matter. Her soul became the Galactic Barrier. Her mind became everything.

And everything became Diana.

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Approximately ninety minutes passed before Diana opened her eyes again. It was time to head to the shuttlebay. Her head felt clear as a starless void, without so much as a trace of emotions within her scope. She quickly changed into a clean uniform befitting the Security division, and made her way there. Seven minutes later, Diana stood in the same room as the shuttle [i]Athena,[/i] and reported to personnel. 

[color=CFF7FF]"Morro, acting security chief for starship Tucker, reporting."[/color]

If the other telepath tried to read her, it would feel like hitting a wall. Not a void, like some people who were immune to psychometry, but like there was a pressure blocking Temuk from going further.