I remember a man coming to my house in Arizona, asking to speak to my father. That man was Captain Christopher Pike. My father had often told me stories about the two of them in what he called his "Glory Days". I guess they were pretty good friends back then. That wasn't the first time I had met him though. Our first encounter was when I was really young, but I don't really remember it. My dad said that I was three at the time and had taken a fondness to him. I kept showing off how smart I was the duration of the visit. He had told my dad that I was going to be a wonderful Starfleet officer some day. Who knew that opportunity would come when I was only thirteen:
The doorbell rang, and like usual, I ran to go answer it. When I opened the door a burst of hot summer air flooded our nicely air conditioned home. The man standing there was tall and handsome in an older guy kind of way. His eyes were blue and wise looking, skin slightly tanned, and like my dad, his hair was starting to gray a little bit. He was dressed in a Starfleet uniform. It fit him perfectly, like he was the poster child of the peacekeeping and humanitarian armada himself.
"Hello there. I'm Captain Christopher Pike." He extended his hand for me to shake, so I took it. His handshake was firm, and intimidating, just like a captain's ought to be. "Is your father home?"
"Yes sir. Hold on a second." I left the door open and ran upstairs to go find him, but he wasn't there. I tried the living room, the kitchen, and even the backyard, and he was nowhere to be found. I was heading back to the front door to go tell Captain Pike that he must have slipped out, and to come back later when I passed the living room again. The two of them were just sitting in there, Captain Pike on the couch and my dad in his wheelchair, chatting away. I didn't even hear the front door close.
My dad saw me, and motioned for me to come in. When I got to him he asked me a favor. "Sweetheart, can you go play outside or go to Sam's house for a little bit? We need to discuss grown up stuff for awhile." Captain Pike was serious, and I could see the change in my dad's demeanor too.
I went to the back yard, not really wanting to leave and go to my friend's place with this stranger in my house. I was out there for maybe an hour when my dad asked me to come inside. I pulled up a chair from the kitchen and sat next to my dad.
The Captain spoke first. "Sydney Henderson, I would like to enroll you in Starfleet Academy."
Whoa! I didn't even get a "How was your day, you are such a smart little youngster, you look just like your father". You know, a normal conversation starter. Nope, this man meant business.
I'll admit it, I kind of freaked out a little bit." Excuse me? I'm only thirteen! I thought you had to be at least seventeen or eighteen to enlist! Are you crazy?"
He chuckled, "Yes to the first, and more than likely yes to the second. However, my dear, you're special. I have seen your entrance exam scores. You perform at a higher level than even some of our graduates. Your level of intelligence is phenomenal! At the rate you're going now you could graduate from the academy at seventeen, and have your pick of starships to serve on. You could have a promising career, and who knows, even be the captain of your own vessel in another three to four years. I'll give you a few days to think it over if you wish."
"I only took that exam, because I was bored and my dad wanted to see how well I would do!"
"Well as you can see, you performed fantastically." You could tell he was actually impressed. That made me happy...somewhat.
That set my mind into overdrive. All of the possibilities. Not only could I get away from all of the idiots I went to school with here, but I could be the Captain of a shiny new ship in about eight years!
I looked at my dad. You could tell that he wanted me to do it. Should I have thought it through? Probably. Did I? No sir, I did not. "Done."
Pike's expression went from one of hope to confusion in a millisecond. "What?"
"It sounds like a good deal. I'll do it."
"Just like that? Are you sure you don't want to think it through first? You are looking at four years of studying advanced subjects with people years older than you. Having to grow up faster than you probably should. Are you ok with that?"
"Yes sir. I am."
The next few days went by so slowly. Calls were made, paperwork was filled out, regulations were checked, tests performed, background checks were done. I had never received that much attention in my whole life.
My friend Sam didn't know how to feel about the situation. He was excited for me, but upset that I was leaving him behind. When I told him that I would be back for the summer it was a little easier for him.
At the same time it all happened so quickly. My life was starting over, for the better this time. I was leaving for Starfleet in the morning.
Author's Note:
This is my first fanfic, so reviews are appreciated! :D This is sort of an introductory chapter. It will get more interesting. Like why is her father in a wheelchair? Read on my lovelies, and you will find out in time!