His home was known on Federation records as Deep Space 11 but most of the residents, visitors and workers knew it as its original name, Empok Nor. The bustling base now orbited Cardassia Prime and served a vital mission as the Federation command base for the Allied Army of Occupation of the former Cardassian Union.
As he inspected the promenade, he wondered how he had ended up where he was. His mind went back many years to answer that question.
It wasn't a far trip to Starfleet Academy. He ran the four kilometers, his clothes in a pack on his back. He left Grandfather's house half an hour before time to report, his possessions in a pack on his back. Grandfather had to go to staff meetings but Grandmother ran with him down the road through the main gate and into the Academy compound.
Others came in groundcars or transported in. They came from the outside. Since his parent's deaths he, his brother and his sister had lived with his grandparents by Star Fleet headquarters on Earth.
All his ancestors for seven generations - since when they left Trill in the Exodus after the Genocide Wars - had served in Star Fleet. They had served almost since the beginning of Star Fleet. As he passed the cemetery, he knew his parents and how many of his ancestors were buried here and their profound sacrifices. The ground he ran on was where heroes had trained for two hundred years. Now it was his time to put on his cadet uniform to join the long, gray line.
The assembly hall had a Star Fleet insignia carved into the wall. Beside it were three words.
Duty, Honor, Galaxy.
Above all the rest, that is what Star Fleet stands for. Inside, thousands of new cadets and their families sat. Simo and Grandmother took a seat. Simo looked around. Dozens of species were around him. Terrans, Vulcans, he even spotted a Ferengi set of ears and several Klingons.
Precisely on time, Admiral Normandy rose. She cleared her throat and said, "Only the dead have seen the end of war. There will always be wars. That is just the nature of things. Star Fleet Academy's mission is to make your sons and daughters fit to survive. Who is going to be a soldier? Who is tough enough, a true leader?
Star Fleet Academy is in the history business. We can remember back when Star fleet was popular. We can remember back then when it was unpopular.
The mission of Star Fleet Academy is to produce a commissioned leader of character. Star fleet is a profession. Star Fleet academy is the keeper of the holy flame of military professionalism. The fundamental skill of Star Fleet is leadership.
Our motto is Duty, Honor, Galaxy. Nobody said that it is duty, honor, galaxy but only when they love you. It is duty, honor, galaxy - period. We are servants of society. We do not choose which orders we obey or which laws we obey. The people have given the responsibility to us for that which they cannot do themselves, namely the defense of the Federation. Your sons and daughters will be challenged in every way. Their instruction at the Academy is designed to forge them, to strengthen their character and to create a community among them. That is because they are expected, both collectively and individually, to serve Star Fleet. We do not say that it will be easy for them, only that it will be worth it."
After she sat a male voice said, "Please take care of your farewells as you will be moving out in 90 seconds."