DISCLAIMER:

Grace Darcy is my original character, all other's included in the plot are not.

This is my first time at writing a Star Trek fan-fic so if you like it please review!

PLEASE don't flame.

I had heard about the Star Fleet and the Enterprise, like who hadn't? Many people call them 'Earths Protectors' which I think is a load of bullshit personally. Just because they work in space, defeating any alien threat that pose a danger to this planet or the Star Fleet itself – does not mean it gets the wondrous title of 'Earths Protectors'. Many times I have encountered a few of the members of the Fleet, mainly red shirts but it was rare to see any of the members in London at all – after all, the main location of the academy was in the USA, home to numerous fast food restaurants, gang crime and the death penalty.

Recently though, recruitment teams have been thrust into London like a bad cold. Apparently something is happening and they need more able bodied people to work alongside the Fleet. The amount of crappy posters and leaflets that have been shoved through my letter box is incredible – I could warm my house for about a year on all that paper. It was in Convent Garden that I bumped into some pointy eared man, it wasn't intentional obviously and technically it was his fault – he dropped a load of flyers and one flew into my face and I tripped and fell into him. Totally his fault.

"Oh god, I am so sorry."

"Yes well, accidents happen."

I raise my eyebrow at that, it would have been nice to hear him apologise to me – after all he littered the flyers everywhere. Were they recruiting morons now?

"Yeah… Well it wouldn't have happened if you didn't drop those flyers."

My brown hair swept over my eyes for a moment before I tuck it behind my perfectly normal ears. This man was strange; he was tall – slim build with the weirdest hair cut I have ever seen…It was like an obscure version of a bowl cut.

"You should have paid attention to which direction you were intending to walk in. It isn't my fault you got distracted."

"I… I got distracted? Are you kidding me?!"

Before I could say anything else, the ignorant bastard walked away from me, leaving me standing there surrounded by his flyers.

"What. A. Prick…"

I didn't even get his name, he just walked away like he did nothing wrong. I swear, if I see that bastard again I will kick him where it hurts.

As I watched him walk away, a gentle breeze play's with my hair and one of the flyers blow onto my feet. To stop it blowing away, I stand on it with my boot – pinning it there until I pick it up, there wasn't much on it except the Star Fleet logo and the date and location of where the next recruiting session would be. To be honest, it took me a little while to figure out what I could do with this information – but it was like those comedy movies, where a bulb lights up over somebody's head.

In seconds I began walking again, back to my flat with my phone to my ear.

"Yes, two flights to San Francisco please. Tonight."

"Sweet heart, remember to stay safe alright?"

My mother was horrible in these situations, whenever I left the country or even my bloody apartment she would go all protective parent on me. I never appreciated it, I think she is remotely insane – I know I shouldn't say that about my mother but when I was five years old she signed me up for martial arts classes and when she discovered there were other martial arts I could learn – she signed me up for those too. You name it I know it, close combat, self-defence, knife skills even archery.

"Mum will you stop fussing, I will be fine."

I put on my reassuring face and pull her into a tight embrace, saying goodbye to my mother was always hard as she has nobody else but me. My father died when I was little and I think that probably sparked the protective mother streak – not her finest moments I have to say.

"Call me as soon as you land okay? If you don't…"

"You will presume I'm in some kind of…"

"Danger, yes. Have a safe flight sweetie. Good luck."

She pulled me into another hug and kissed my cheek over and over, after a few extremely long moments she released me from her snake grip and walked away. She was never so good at goodbyes.

Once I arrived in San Francisco, I was greeted by a huge crowd of smelly men. I'm starting to think that this was a bad idea. I had the choice to both join the men and travel together to the academy or, I like this one way better, or I make my own way there. I think I can say I choice the wiser less stinky option.

As I neared the academy's hall, I was stopped at the door – a tall strong looking man wearing a red shirt putting his hand up as if I didn't understand the word 'stop'.

"Name?"

"Yes I have one."

That comment caused the red shirt to narrow his eyes, not one for the jokes I see.

"Grace Darcy…"

He didn't say anything after that, he just resumed the glaring as he stepped aside – allowing me to walk into the hall and down some steps. I was surprised the other group haven't arrived yet. I walked here and I still made it before they did, perhaps they went through a car wash or something – wash the group in one go. The thought of a hundred men going through a large carwash made me laugh; I can just hear their surprised squeals now as they all try and squirm away from the soapy foam. I actually had to bite my lip to stop an outburst of laughter. After about half an hour the auditorium had been filled by men, I actually think I was the only girl in here… That' going to make things awkward. Oh well.

"Hello everyone, some of you may know me – some of you won't. You may call me Admiral Pike and I will be leading today's recruitment session."

I knew what he was doing; he was pacing to so he could look at the recruits that were sat in front of him. For a moment I felt his gaze on me longer than I'd like – perhaps it was because I was the only girl but why should that be a surprise to him?

"We're going to start off with some combat training, if you can't fight or don't like violence then leave now. There's no point in wasting your own time or most importantly my own."

I turned around at that point, gazing at groups of five or six standing up to leave.

"Now, if you would like to change into something more comfortable and return back here in ten minutes."

Pike walked away and disappeared behind a door, I don't know if I like him or not – either way I will find out sooner or later.

I returned after the scheduled time and as I was the first one in the room again, Pike watched me walking towards him, I was about to sit down until he clicked his fingers and told me to stand beside him.

"You can be the first volunteer."

"Uh thing is… I don't remember volunteering."

Pike turned to me and raised an eyebrow.

"You're going to need to learn that things won't always go as you want them to Miss…?"

I sigh and roll my eyes, dumping my stuff by my seat.

"Darcy."

Pike nodded and I turned to see a swarm of men in gym gear walk down the stairs. This should be interesting.

"Gentlemen, this young lady has volunteered to be the first to fight. Watch closely and take notes if needed."

Pike walked to the seating and sat in the chair next to my belongings. Just as I was about to ask who my opponent was, the man who stood at the door walked towards me and my jaw almost dropped.

"Oh come on! Look at the size of this guy?!"

Pike grinned and shrugged.

"This is a joke."

"I never joke Miss Darcy. Now focus on your opponent."

I sigh deeply and turn to face the muscled giant who was grinning. I guess this was his choice of payback for my smart ass comment earlier. Good thing I'm trained in everything, one thing I can thank my mother for.

"So, how are we going to—"

Before I could finish he runs at me, spinning and kicking me in the stomach. All my air left me as I hit the ground, all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry.

"Lesson one, never get distracted."

The Admiral's comment caused some mutters in the crowd and even a few people left. When my body began to work again a wave of anger rushed over me, I stood with my fists clenched so tightly the skin on my knuckles turned white. The red shirt obviously thought he had won so when I got up everyone was surprised.

"Oi! I haven't finished with you yet."

I was shocked at the speed and strength I hit him at, first I punched him across the jaw, then I slapped both my hands on his ears causing him to stumble back disorientated. This then, not to my surprise caused him to throw out some wild punches. I raised my arms and blocked the attacks with my elbows. I then snapped my palm up into his chin and roundhouse kicked him in the face so hard it sent him to the ground in a solid limp heap.

"Now… I'm finished."

I was out of breath, my stomach and chest hurt and I actually felt like someone had hit me with a truck. Slowly I turned and faced my audience, wrapping an arm around my stomach.

"Lesson number two, don't piss me off."

Pike stood as I walked over to pick up my things, he obviously wanted to say something to me but I never gave him the chance as I was already storming up the stairs and slamming the door to a hundred stunned faces before the words could leave his lips.