Chapter I - Watch Out, the Russian is Coming

The morning of my first day back at Starfleet Academy, I got to experience the most annoying and blatantly outrageous things one can ever experience, whilst living in the Academy's accommodations. That being the blinds! I know to value a good night's sleep, and enjoy waking up naturally. However, the lighting situation isn't exactly helpful in those terms. At night my room is too light, in the morning it is too dark.

Although I had decided it would be worthwhile to upgrade into the Presidential Quarters this year, it put a slight strain into my bank account - and the inability of the staff to fix a minor inconvenience was unacceptable. I glance at my blaring alarm clock. 0740 hours. I was ten minutes behind schedule, not a particularly good omen.

As I lazily rolled out of my bed, and mumbled "Lights - 20%", I noticed the aroma of coffee seeping through to my bedroom. That instantly lifted my mood. Perhaps I wouldn't be late today. My roommate, Kalique, must have prepared breakfast after one of her usual morning runs. Stumbling into the bathroom, I caught my reflection in the mirror covering the entirety of the wall. I smiled. My dark brown hair wasn't a wild mess this morning - thank the lord!

This meant that the time permitted me to do a full face of makeup. My appearance was something I highly cared about. Grabbing my navy blue eyeliner, I was lucky enough to pull off two identical wings so sharp they could kill a man. Followed by champagne and chocolate eyeshadow. Kalique always criticises me for doing my liner first and then eyeshadow - but I have my reasons why. Foundation, contour, highlight, blush, and check I was done!

I contemplated what type of hairstyle to do. Since I decided that I will wear a dress today, a high ponytail seemed appropriate. Once I was done, I grabbed my satchel handbag and put my glasses on top of my head (a needed accessory I never forget), glanced at the alarm clock - 0800. Thankfully I was right on schedule.

"Good morning, babygirl," exclaimed Kalique, as I walked into the living room and kitchen area, "Don't you look like you've just come off the runway."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes, "Oh yeah, absolutely. Says the one oozing sex appeal enough for any human to last a century."

"Just being honest, hun. Betazoids are wired that way," she winked, handing me a plate filled with a cheesy omelette, avocado toast, and fried tomatoes.

My stomach growled at the sight of this deliciousness. Kalique sure knew how to spoil her best friend. As I ate, she watched me with a small smirk dancing upon her lips, making me raise one eyebrow in question. She shook her head, but decided to give in after a while: "'Thia, I am really not supposed to tell you anything, but I found out somebody may have changed the course you are taking this year.."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked, grabbing my PADD, checking to see whether my schedule was already online this morning.

"Kirk."

That one name was enough to tell me everything. Not too long ago, the infamous playboy James T. Kirk made advances towards me, but failed. His charm was something other woman may fall for easily, so the only sane thing I could do was reject him. Long story short, since I told him that I would never go for a guy like him, Kirk did everything in his power to get my attention.

"I may have overheard yesterday, I was visiting his flatmate - just so you know, that he switched your elective from Exobiology to Xenolinguistics." Kalique stated matter of factly, but continued after seeing outraged expression, "It might be destiny! Just think about the beautiful blue eyed babies you two could have!"

"Okay no. Stop. Never. That can't be true at all," I exclaimed, logging in my details. Clicking on the Timetable in my option, the page appeared as such:

Xy'thia-Ksenia Konstantinovna Startseva

Thursday

First Period: Molecular Biology – Instructor Leonard McCoy - Room 245.2

Second Period: Xenolinguistics – Professor S.T Spock - Room 080.5

"Jim, that fucktard!" I exclaimed seeing my timetable, "Professor Spock? I didn't know he taught this subject..." I continued rather to myself than Kalique, noticing her newly appeared smirk because of my shift of emotions. I had always admired the Commander, but never mustered the courage to approach him. The only reason for my delight was because maybe this was an opportunity that might be beneficial in my professional advancement ... as a science officer. Totally.

"Tell me, T, you won't by chance be wearing those fabulous heels with the red bottoms today, will you?" asked Kalique, her tone hopeful.

"No, no. I won't. I am wearing a dress that barley goes past my ass – I'm going for boots. That much attention to my legs isn't exactly necessary on the first day."

"Have I ever told you that I love how your sense of style. The way your blue dress complements your eyes..." she trailed off.

"You can borrow my heels Kalique. No need to kiss ass," I told her with a wink.

"Perfect. Common, we'll be late," she exclaimed, throwing me the keys to her car, "And you're driving. Your Russian soul secretly thrives for danger."

My Russian Soul, hah, I thought to myself, interesting observation. Sure, I have Russian heritage, and speak the language, but have had an identity crisis regarding where I belong the entirety of my life. One of the main reasons why I joined Starfleet was to be of something bigger and find myself. Travelling the galaxies, abundance of planets, encountering a variety of species and extra-terrestrials. That way, I was simply a human, with origins from Earth. An Earthling, if you will.

However, to come to that goal and be a crew member of the greatest starship the U.S.S Enterprise, I have to work my ass of and excel all expectation. Perhaps that way I could live up to my family legacy. Not just because I carry the name Startseva, but because I am deserving of what I achieve by myself.

Catching the keys Kalique threw at me, I rushed out the door sprinting slightly to catch the elevator. Secretly, I had done that on purpose. Seeing Kalique jog after me in the 10 inch heels, whilst yelling profanities at me, was absolutely hilarious. Girls will be girls!

Reaching Kalique's shiny emerald car, I started the engine immediately, stepping on the gas pedal just as she had sat herself down comfortably. Air-traffic at this time of morning was thankfully, unusually-so uneventful and fast. We were at the Academy's main campus within 10 minutes. Kalique and I parted ways to go to our respected classes, planning to meet up during lunch at the Infinity Lounge – an area designated only to professors or those higher in command. Usually that went hand in hand. But I had been granted the right to have access as well, with a plus one, due to my academic excellence. Starfleet has its perks.

My first period of the day was delightful. Our instructor was Leonard McCoy, or Bones – as I preferred to call him, a good friend of mine and fellow cadet. Him being a qualified human doctor, he was granted a teaching position, but still had to attend the academy. To be a doctor on a starship, one had to learn the biology of every species under the sun. At least he could check off human so far. I knew that he had teaching capabilities, unlike the previous professor, an Andorian woman who cared nothing for the subject. But it was the next class, Xenolinguistics, that I was completely unsure of what to expect. Something told me, in the pit of my stomach, that it something would happen. Perhaps I would finally unleash my dragon on James Tiberius Kirk.

I smiled to myself at the literal thought of a Jim trying to scramble away from me, as I turned into a fire-breathing dragon. But sadly, however, I didn't have any shapeshifting capabilities. At least not yet! For that I would have to wait a few decades until the progression of science can reach such extremes.

As I walked into the lecture hall for Xenolinguistics I was greeted by a wave of cadets, trying to get their perfect seat somewhere not too close to the professor, but also not completely at the back. Thankfully I was able to spot a familiar face in the crowd. Nyota Uhura. She was seated in the first row, exactly in the middle, just how I liked it.

"Hiya Uhura. I am so glad you're in this class. I didn't even sign up for this elective. Somebody hacked into my system and changed my courses," I rambled to her just as I took my seat.

"Hey, you, it'll be fine. I think you'll learn to enjoy this class," she assured me, sending me a warm smile, just as the door closed and the professor came in going to his stand, indicating the lesson had begun.

"Good morning cadets," he started with an authoritative and cool tone, "I am Professor Spock. Welcome to Advanced Xenolinguistics 2.0. This course for the majority is an elective. Nonetheless I expect a 100% from each and every one of you. If my expectations are not met, don't be surprised receiving a failing cond-." The professor's introductory speech was cut short by a very noisy entrance of the one cadet I was hoping not to see today.

"Shall we take an example out of the current situation," continued the professor, gesturing at the dirty blonde with piercing turquoise eyes and an arrogant smirk dancing on his lips, inquiring the Cadet's name.

"Jim, Jim Kirk."

"Well, Cadet Kirk, tardiness will not be tolerated. First day, I will let it slide. Find a seat. Without any other disruptions I expect," stated the Commander, his expression stoic, yet a slight hint of annoyance was present. Although, I felt like I was the only one who may have noticed that. I had learned about Vulcan mannerisms previously. Yet, his emotive glace seemed to be out of the typical Vulcan character.

Kirk jogged up a few stairs, only to turn around, walk back down and sit next to Nyota and myself in the first row. I heard her let out an audible exasperate sigh, and saw out of my peripheral vision the stupid grin on Kirk's face. He was staring at us. Letting several minutes pass, I shot him the dirtiest look I could muster, but he wasn't fazed.

All of my inner instincts told me that he was going to do everything in his power to antagonise me. Simply for his own pleasure.

Disclaimer: I do not own any character's from Star Trek - only my OC's.

What are your thought's so far? I have many more chapters that I am currently editing. Should I post them as well?