Chapter 2: Geordi
Uniform bag: check. Toiletries case: check. Equipment bag: check.
Geordi sat, nervous and fidgety, in the shuttle that would take him to his new assignment. It had been a long morning of bittersweet goodbyes and frantic packing, but at last he was en route to the flagship of the Federation.
Glancing out the shuttle's viewport, he suddenly caught sight of an enormous, glowing shape floating proudly in the distance.
The U.S.S Enterprise.
Geordi's nervous energy transformed into excitement.
I can't believe I'm really here.
When I was little, everyone always told me that I shouldn't get my hopes up for my future—that I shouldn't reach for the stars because I would just be disappointed.
The elation in his heart spread to his face, and he smiled.
Now I'll be living in the stars.
Like krill swimming into the mouth of a whale, the shuttle smoothly glided into the Enterprise. The door whooshed open, releasing the occupants into their new adventure. Geordi took a deep breath.
Ok, so the first thing I'm supposed to do is report to the operations officer to get my combadge.
Following his future crewmates, Geordi joined the line in front of the officer managing the check-in.
As his gaze flicked about the room, a bright glow suddenly caught his attention.
Huh? Is that...?
Like the sun retreating behind a cloud, the glow disappeared in the crowd.
Geordi shook his head to clear it, and dropped his gaze to the floor in order to resist seeking out the light again.
No, I shouldn't get my hopes up. It couldn't be...
A smooth, soft voice trickled through Geordi's thoughts.
"Lieutenant LaForge?"
He looked up, and a familiar, radiant light filled his VISOR.
There, neat and efficient in an operations officer uniform, stood a familiar face.
"Data!"
"Technically, since we are on duty, I am Lieutenant Commander Data, Mr. LaForge."
With his lightning-fast fingers, the android registered Geordi on the attendance list and plucked a combadge from a nearby bin. Instead of efficiently dropping it into Geordi's hand, however, Data gently pressed it into his palm. He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice to a velvety whisper.
"It is...pleasant to see you, my friend."
Geordi simply smiled.
Just like old times.