Author's note: Well I'm back by somewhat popular demand. This story will be mostly random occurrences and progression through Starfleet Academy however friendships will be made, challenges faced, and humanity shall grow. There will be some time jumps so I apologize in advance. This may be boring but it is significant. I will make efforts to entertain........I swear.

All characters are the property of Paramount, Fox, and WB except for the ones I make up

Chapter 1. The Base of the Mountain

At Starfleet Academy, San Fransisco

After the one week orientation, the first classes for Cadet Connor were set to begin the next day. Those who had served as a midshipman on a starship were already allowed to choose their majors and minors in which they would study. Cameron had chosen Command as her major and Tactical/Security as her minor. She was a soldier after all. The first week had been filled with briefings, orders, issuance of quarters, uniforms, equipment, and a healthy descriptions on Starfleet Regulations and the code of conduct for the academy. Her quarters were a decent sized dorm room that she shared with a half Vulcan, half human female named P'dor. She was slightly rebellious Cameron determined due to her sometimes deliberate displays of emotion and her statement that her Vulcan father wanted her to "benefit from Starfleet discipline". Somehow they quickly became friends.

Cameron was at first surprised by the general acceptance she received despite the fact that everyone seemingly knowing her true nature. Thrust in an uncomfortable spotlight she already had to turn down 27 offers of courtship. Not everyone had the same opinion. A race called the Borg had attacked and destroyed a large federation fleet at Wolf 359. A few cadets felt it necessary to challenge Cameron's right to exist much less her desire to serve Starfleet. These were quickly put down by the faculty and otherwise ignored by Cameron. Her studies and friendship with P'dor helped. A shared history to have being bullied helped the two connect.

The freshman year was filled with basic classes that all cadets were required to take and pass, General Starship and Starbase Operations, Customs and Courtesies, Xenology, History of the Federation, as well as many computer and science classes. Cameron was amazed with how intelligent the human race as a whole had evolved. It was in the way the student body was managed that Cameron met her first real challenge. All cadets took part in a rotation of authority to learn aspects of leadership by practice. Although Cameron had been a colonel in Tech-Com she was never truly in command of anyone. She only supervised the drawing up of strategies and issued out John's orders and returned with reports. Whenever she fought on the front it was either alone or near John with a watchful eye and a metaphorical and sometimes literal "strong grip on his collar".

Cameron frowned at the listed available extra curricular activities. All of the ones that involved physical activity she had an obvious unfair advantage except for the swim team. Most of the others were of no interest to her except for one. The Starfleet flight team, currently lead by a junior, Cadet Kevin Winslow, would accept two freshmen. Cameron and P'dor looked at each other and smiled. They placed there applications on one padd. Two days later they both received letters of acceptance. Common ground again found they discovered that they truly did enjoy flying. Deanna would be very pleased with Cameron's next correspondence.

A week later Cameron finally had enough of a break in her schedule to follow the advise of her old captain. She approached the elderly grounds keeper known as Boothby quietly so as not to disturb him. Captain Picard had stated that he was a good man to have a conversation with when the academy seemed to get too hectic. Cameron was surprised he was working with his hands and simple tools. Obviously there were more advance tools he could be using. Cameron approached closer and he spoke not taking his eyes off of his work.

"You don't have to be so quiet, I wont bite" he said wryly. "I may be old but my hearing is still good"

Blushing Cameron drew closer and said "Captain Picard told me that you were a good man to have a conversation with."

"Ah, Jean-Luc sent you?"

"You remember him?" Cameron asked sitting across from him

"Of course I remember him, look what he did to my prized tree" Boothby said pointing his thumb at the tree providing him shade. Cameron looked to where he pointed and noticed the initials "A.F." carved into the trunk. She smiled as any doubts of Picard's previous rebellious tendencies were erased forever.

Cameron changed the subject, "You know there are better tools to make your work more efficient?"

"Telling me to do that would be like telling you to explore space and adventure from a holodeck" was his quick response finally looking up at her. "Hold on a moment, you are that Cameron everyone has been talking about." he continued.

Surprised she asked, "you know of me"

"My dear, everyone knows about the cyborg who found humanity and brought forth knowledge of the Dark Age. You have created quite a stir"

"I did not want to cause trouble" she admitted

"Sometimes trouble is a good thing. Young lady, if you take nothing else from here then know this, Starfleet is always in pursuit of truth. 'The truth shall set us free' after all."

Cameron could not help but smile at the old man's wisdom, "Thank you for explaining."

"It's no trouble young lady, now if you could help an old man out? I have a lot of work to do"

Cameron agreed and set out to help Boothby complete his taskings for the day while they continued to make conversation. She found the work as well as the old mans council soothing and somewhat flattering. She concluded that he enjoyed hearing new tales and providing insights to things she was confused on. She suddenly found herself asking if he would mind sharing his wisdom in exchange for her help on a more regular basis.

"I would like that dear. No one pays attention to an old man like me anymore"

Cameron smiled and promised to spend time with Boothby once a week.

There you have it, Cameron's arrival at the academy. There will be more drabbles later up until her graduation and then the real adventures can begin.

Advice, Reviews, and Muses always welcome. You know you want to. Resistance is futile.