Fading Star? Prologue: Once upon a time…
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek in any way, shape, or form. But I should. I really should.
Please review! This is only the prologue, obviously. The story begins about fifty years before the events of Star Trek XI (or 2009, as you may know it), in the year 2164. I'm sort of making up my own alternate timeline here, but corrections of any inaccuracies are gladly welcomed.
"Unacceptable."
The single word was enough.
"According to records, her application was reviewed by our current Director of Admissions, L'gai, and her interview was undertaken by myself, due to her exceptional academic record. At the time, her scores fitted exactly to the model that we have drawn up."
His expression alone showed all of the others seated around the table his intense displeasure – he felt no emotion, of course, that would be illogical, but displeasure was not anger or annoyance. It was simply the case that there was a problem. Vulcans did not show emotion, and the Director of the Vulcan Science Academy was the most Vulcan of Vulcans.
He asked at the academic statistician for an explanation.
"Director," the statistician began, "her marks are perfect. She completes every diagram, every experiment, and every analysis that is required of her exactly as she should. She understands everything, and in every exam that she has taken while at the Academy she has achieved complete marks."
"The situation remains unacceptable," the Director said calmly.
"There is nothing we can do," said the Sub-Director. "She is brilliant, and will in all likelihood become an invaluable asset to the Academy."
"She will never become an asset, because her behaviour is illogical."
"Her work is not."
"Anyone can be intelligent and never overcome emotion."
"She could be great," said the Sub-Director. "She could become more respected and achieve more than even Sarek will. If you give her a chance – you could place her under my personal tuition – she may well, some day, gain galactic recognition, fame, and power."
"An illogical Vulcan has no place at my Academy," said the Director, closing the argument like only a Vulcan can – without blood, without offense, and without raising his voice so that it could be heard from more than ten metres away.
"What about the biometric scans?" asked the statistician. "There are certain genetic factors with a proven link to mental stability."
"She is not lacking in mental stability. She knows exactly what she is doing, and what she is doing is that she is trying to bring us down."
The Director leant forwards over the table, looking the Head Biometric Examiner straight in the eye.
"I want a double-check over her previous scans and I want another two scans undertaken. Mental, physical, and genetic scans must be undertaken. I will be expecting all of these scan to have been completed in three days' time."
"Yes, Director." The Examiner hesitated, and then asked, "Do you have any preferences as to how we obtain this information?"
"I would like it to be gained from states of consciousness and unconsciousness. You have permission to use any means you like of bringing her to your lab. It is unlikely that she will come of her own volition," the Director answered. "Meeting dismissed."
The board left the room one by one, until only the Director and the Sub-Director remained.
"Sub-Director?"
"Sir?"
"You have permission to leave the Academy."
This roughly equates to something like you're fired.