The shuttlecraft hurtles through space at a frightening speed. Its energy signature is a point of violence and acceleration that threads through the dark void like the edge of a fine scalpel slicing through black silk. And yet all you hear is silence. You don't hear a footnote in the distance. The stars make no sound. You can't even listen to your heartbeat as you watch time and space fold around the shuttlecraft. Inside you see cadet Wesley Crusher passively monitoring the controls on this routine passage to the neutral zone. Beside him sits senior cadet Leanna Smith, who sets down a reading pad and eyes Wesley. She admires his lean physique and straight posture. Senior cadet Anna's eyes are darkly rimmed and shine like polished obsidian. She traces a perfectly manicured finger along her full lips, curling her fist under her chin as if in thought. Wesley looks over and blushes at Anna's attention. "What," he asks with a light touch. His voice barely audible over the reassuring hum of the warp engines.

Anna shrugs, "You seem bored."

"We're in good shape," he taps at the computer, "only a couple hours away." She nods. "Is this your first interstellar flight?"

"I was raised on Ganymede station before, you know," she taps her standard-issue gold Starfleet communicator badge.

You see a boyish smile uncurl from Wesley's lips. "I've never been."

"Nor should you ever. I've heard you're the best pilot at Starfleet Academy. Is this like a routine deal for you?" Her legs are crossed.

Wesley's eyes glance Anna's thighs. "I," he blinks, "wouldn't say that."

"That whole Nova Squadron thing was a shame. You know a lot of people talk about you. It's not all good, but, yeah, they say you're the best, so this all must be, you know, easy for you."

Wesley blinks hard as a prickly feeling travels over his scalp. He stammers, "I mean, you just put in or input the flight plan and the computer kinda takes care of the rest."

Anna straightens in her chair. "Easy-peasy." She arches her back and yawns. Wesley notices her breasts stretch out her uniform.

You describe Anna's hair as full, wild, and dark. She is a Grecian statue come to life. Her skin is olive-coloured and flawless. Wesley turns back to the controls. You see a thought run across his brow. "So, why me? I mean, aside from my clearly superior piloting skills."

Anna slumps back in the chair. She chuckles, "Also your paper on the statistical analysis of gravitational fluctuations around Blackholes was brilliant."

He nods, "I did get an A."

Anna winks, "See, the best."

"Thank you." Wesley taps at the computer for a quick status update. The controls are brightly colored and illuminated. You cannot comprehend the complexity of the control panel.

"You're welcome for the ego boost." Anna picks up her reading pad and scrolls through it.

"No, thank you for bringing me along. I'm truly grateful. I think your senior thesis is important and I appreciate the opportunity to visit the Enterprise." Wesley rubs his eyes. Anna notices the bags. She frowns. "It's been a long time."

You watch the shuttle as light from passing stars stretch around the haul in neat, illuminated stripes. Despite the fantastic velocity, the shuttlecraft speeds on through the extremes that pollute the vacuum: electromagnetic fields, deadly radiation, gravitational wells, and temperature shifts. It is like a polished diamond sitting at the center of a flickering candle flame.

Anna props her feet onto the edge of the computer console. She places her reading pad on bent legs. "If you tell me what to watch for, I can take over a bit."

You notice Wesley hesitate as he scans the controls. "Uh, I'm fine."

"Honestly, it's no biggie."

"It's fine." Wesley yawns.

Anna points. "Don't make me pull rank, Cadet Crusher."

"We don't have much longer." He rubs his eyes again. "I have a hypothesis about the anomaly-"

"What's troubling you?" Her eyes are earnest.

You see Wesley freeze. "I," he licks his lips. "I don't know. Just haven't been sleeping well." He meets her gaze, and smiles. "It's stupid, but…" He inhales and continues, "I've been having this nightmare: I'm sitting next to my father in the woods. We're camping and it's night time. I'm poking at the campfire with a stick. I'm younger, or, yeah, I'm like a kid. I look at him. He's dressed in his Starfleet uniform. Tears are streaming down his face and he's mouthing words. He's trying to talk, but all I can hear is the crackling of the fire." Wesley sighs. "It's stupid."

Anna's eyes are damp. "Your father is dead."

"How did you-" Wesley curls his hands into fists. They turn white as he squeezes out the blood. He looks at Anna's doe eyes. "I can't believe I just told you that."

Anna shuts her eyes, delicately dabbing the tears away on her sleeve. "All this technology and no Goddamned tissues." Wesley chuckles. "Thank you for sharing."

Wesley nods. "So why shouldn't I visit Ganymede?"

Anna's eyes glaze over. You watch her tense. "Oh, Ganymede is the worst place in the universe. That's all."

"Don't you have family there?"

"No."

"I thought you said-"

"I'm alone." Slowly, Anna lowers her feet to the floor. She turns to face Wesley. "I was raised by the Sisters of Mercy. And you know what they taught me, Wesley?" You can hear the tenor of her voice drop. Wesley looks over to Anna expecting tears, but there are none. She is a blank slate. "Pain is the heart of love."