Long Chapter, not as long as the last though. Ending years at Academy and Professor/Lieutenant years. (Maybe) Which? Read to find out.
Selar sat silently at a table, her focus was upon the Plomeek soup underneath her. It has grown cold countless minutes ago, and most likely was now inedible. The Vulcan was deep within thought, her hands were placed before her and they were folded in a state of thought. It was her second, and last year's as a Cadet at the Academy. And even then, only a few weeks remained. She was to be a Lieutenant or a Professor soon, depending on which came first.
Her Kobiyashi Maru test was approaching soon. She had taken it once before, and of course failed. However, the Vulcan was persistent and studied harder for the last several months. She was determined to prove she had the ability to be a Captain. Even if she did not defeat the no-win-scenario test, she would at least prove Starfleet of her worth.
However, with the end of her Academy years and the Kobiyashi Maru approaching, neither were on her mind. Neither were what was occupying her while she was supposed to be eating. It was instead, rather not a subject or an object, though a living creature.
Selar was thinking about Saok.
It was illogical, highly illogical. She didn't know why she was constantly thinking about him, it was as though he were in her mind. She couldn't stand it. Selar shook her head, she was a Vulcan and Vulcans had no emotions. Yet what was this feeling? The brightness that washed over her every time she found herself with Saok, or the slight pain she felt when he had to go. Or perhaps the feeling of weightlessness when he spoke her name. What was this feeling? These emotions? Illogical.
Selar pushed further into her temples, rubbing them as though to escape her memory. Subconsciously, Selar knew what was effecting her, yes she would not bring herself to admit the fact of it being true. That fact that Selar could, feel.
The young Vulcan slammed her hands down on the table, well more so quickly put. This drawer no attention, for she was grateful of. She just needed to meditate, to get Saok off of her mind. She needed to understand what was going on, she needed to accept it.
STSTSTSTSTST
Soak was perplexed. He was sitting quietly in the Courtyard, his PADD was in his hands, though he started past as if focussed elsewhere. Why was Selar avoid him? Was she avoid him? Or was she simply just busy? Saok couldn't put a finger on it, though he knew the Vulcan was avoiding him for some reason.
What had he done? Did he says something? Did he accidentally insult her nature or her culture? What had he done to deserve the hiatus of his Vulcan, only, friend.
Saok placed his head into his hands, he kept them there until he heard footsteps approaching. He looked up to see his roommate coming towards him, something akin to concern in his eyes.
"Hey bro, what's up?"
"Not much, I was just, thinking?"
"'Bout what?"
"Stuff."
His roommate shook his head. "Y'know you've been awfully distant lately, something wrong?"
"Perhaps."
"Well?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Did it sound like I was giving you a choice?"
Saok looked at Nathen with an inquiring gaze. "Uh, I was not aware my life was open to you like a book."
"We are roommates, I should have the right to know."
The Romulan sighed towards the Human. "Fine. I'll tell you."
"I'm not getting any younger over here."
"It's about Selar."
"What about the green blooded bastard?"
"She's not a green blooded bastard!"
"Whatever, continue on."
"I feel like she's been, avoiding me. I mean if Vulcans even do that."
"Yep, sure they do. It's call paid leave."
"I'm serious Nathaniel." Nathen shook his head.
"Well, did say something to tick her off?
"That's the problem, I don't know!"
"Okay, okay don't get so grouchy."
The Romulan sighed. "I was going to tell her something, then all of a sudden she started to avoid me."
"What are ya gonna tell her?"
"Nothing of your concern, I just need to talk to her. Yet I can't now, now that she is ignoring me."
"Man, you got it hard."
"You are NOT helping."
"I wasn't the one who asked for my help."
"I wasn't either."
Nathen got up and left, leaving Saok in the Courtyard in solitude, once again. He needed to speak with his friend, somehow and someway. Perhaps he should send her an anonymous Comm. No, she would suspect. What if he used the name of a Professor. Golden.
To Cadet Selar
From Professor Stein
Regarding Meeting
Greetings Cadet, I know it is after class. Hence, the reason I am using the comm within the PADDS rather than contacting you personally. I must ask that you can meet me in the Courtyard at 1900 tonight. I have much I wish to discuss with you about your theories in my class. I look forward to seeing you then.
To Professor Stein
From Cadet Selar
Regarding Meeting Re
Greetings Professor Stein. I acknowledge your wish for a meeting tonight, most fortunately I have no events booked for the meeting. I will be down in the Courtyard at precisely 1900 this evening. May I inquire as to why you do not wish to meet within your office, sir? Anyways, I will be sure to meet your acquaintance tonight.
To Cadet Selar
From Professor Stein
Regarding Meeting
Hello Selar, excuse my problem as not telling you why. I thought it would be nice to meet in a more open environment. Thank you for meeting me, I will see you then.
STSTSTSTSTSTSST
That evening at exactly 18:59 Saok awaited Selar, he stood in the Courtyard holding a rose behind his back. It was an old Earth custom that he thought would please his friend's human half. He watched as Selar approached, she was obviously looking for Professor Stein, of which was not in the Courtyard. Selar then caught sight of him and began walking slowly towards him.
"Saok, have you seen Professor Stein, he has requested my presence."
"No I have not."
"I see."
"Selar, Stein didn't send that comm it was me."
"Excuse me?"
"I needed to talk to you, and that was the only way." Saok shifted his feet, playing with the rose nervously behind his back.
"What did you need to speak about."
"I uh, sit down."
Selar nodded taking a seat beside him.
"Well?"
"I uh, have been experiencing strange feelings every time I'm around you. I love your presence when you are near and dread it when you are gone. I miss you every time you leave and cannot wait to see you again."
"The reasoning behind these illogical feelings?"
"I, Selar I know this will sound illogical."
"Carry on."
"I love you."
Selar looked taken aback, yet a sign of equal feeling slipped into her eyes. "I- I was not aware."
"I know, I uh got this for you." He handed her the rose, which she took cautiously.
"An old Earth Custom, to show one's love."
"Yea, I thought it would please your human half."
"I am most satisfied. I must also admit-"
"Yes?"
"I too have experienced off, feelings, towards you."
"You have?"
"Yes." Saok was overjoyed, he forgot about how Vulcans did not enjoy being touched and swung his arms around Selar.
Selar staggered back slightly, yet did not push him away. She rather enjoyed his presence and this situation. "I love you Selar."
"And I you."
STSTSTSTSTS
It was the day of the retaking of her Kobiyashi Maru test as Selar was feeling something Akin to apprehension or fear, perhaps anxiety. She wasn't sure.
Her name was called as she stepped into the room that surged the purpose of the test. She stated her name, year and desired crew before being asked to take a seat as the simulation began.
"Captain's log, Stardate 6789.6,
Klingons have been sighted on the near outskirts of the Neatral Done, they have been reported in sparse groups containing no more than three vessels, at least one of them being a Warbird. They have given no indication of any hostile acts, however we are fully aware and observant of their every move. If any indication or idea of hostility came to view, we would not hesitate to act upon it, as that would be the most logical course of action."
Selar ended the Captain's log and gazed forward at the view screen, she 'pretended' as though this were the real thing and acted adequately. Her concentration was snapped when the science officer turned to her. "Captain, sensors are picking up traces of the Klingons. They are at 23, 46, Mark 9.p The officer stated.
"That is precisely half a parsec away. Direction and destination?"
"Captain they are heading straight for us at warp factor 3."
"Very well, prepare to hail them Lieutenant." Selar noted turning to the Communications officer.
After a few moments the officer finally spoke up. "All hail attempts have failed."
"They continue to come in our direction."
"Commander, all phasers on standby, ready photon torpedoes."
"Yes, sir." She watched as the helm simulated this before a shake disrupted the 'bridge.'
"Sir, something is firing at us!"
"Clarify and identify the attacker."
"Klingon. Sir there's four of them, five now sir."
"Weapons on standby, Commander lock onto the main attacking vessel and fire when charged."
The bridge shook again. "Forward shields collapsed, starboard shields steadily failing." An officer reported.
"Sir, phasers are charged."
"Fire." Her voice was stoical as she kept herself under control.
"Miss, sir." She watched as the phaser clearly missed the target.
"Sir, two more ships have appeared!"
"Fire again Helm."
This time it hit, yet it only minutely damaged two of the ships. "Minimal damage."
"Red Alert!"
The sound began to blare as Selar continually commanded the helm to fire, giving precise locations that seemingly worked. However more and more Klingons began to appear.
"Sir they are surrounding our ship!"
"Preparing to fire upon us, weapons charging."
Selar was quick to think. "Try to hail them, now!"
"Attempts failing, they have blocked all frequencies including Starfleet."
Sellar's mind was racing, she was fearful for the crew and the ship. After a moment she finally decided. "Evacuate all crew members, immediately!"
"Yes sir!"
"Weapons ready in two minutes, sir!"
"Quickly!" Selar knew her voice was illogical, however she did not care.
"Crew evacuation is under way."
"Commander, number of Klingon vessels?"
"Seventeen sir."
Selar was astounded. "And what happens if we are destroyed."
"They will cross into Federation space and begin their destruction of Starfleet and its ships."
"I see."
She thought for a moment, there was only one thing they could do, though it would cost their lives.
"Lieutenant, cause anti-matter and matter reactors to be put on self-destruct once crew is evacuated. If they are going to take us down, they are going with us."
Moments passed. "Twenty seconds until fire ready."
"All crew evacuated except for us."
"You all, it is logical for you to be safe. Evacuate now!"
"What about the ship, someone needs to activate the Anti-matter and matter reactors."
"I will stay behind, logically. Evacuate now!"
"No, sir!"
"Ten seconds."
"Now! That is an order."
The men played distraught faces before leaving the bridge. They were all gone when the countdown began. "Five... four... three..."
Her hand was on the sequence ready to be activated, if it meant the ship was the be destroyed and her life lost to save the federation, it was well worth it.
"Two..."
Selar gave a sigh. She forgot this was a simulation.
"One..."
She pressed the sequence activating it and watched as the Klingons shot at the ship, the ship deck lurched before everything went black. A few moments later the lights returned.
"Simulation, ended."
Selar glanced around, looking upwards at the professors above. They looked impressed to a point. Selar gave an audible breath before returning to her normal stoical features. Selar had failed to save the crew, she had failed the test for a second time. She failed.
STSTSTSTST
Selar blinked her eyes open, staring into the brown abyss of her father's. She sighed, remembering the memory of her failure upon the Kobyashi Maru test for the second time. However, she was a Captain now. That surely proved she had been worth the test even though it turned out in failure.
"You took the test?"
"It is mandatory, father."
"Indeed."
The night was beginning to fade, yet the cold had begun to nip at her again. She glanced at the dying fire, resting her head on her father's shoulder she watched as it died. Neither care, they were entrapped in silence. They had much to think about.
How much did Spock really not know about his daughter. What was he doing during this time? He could not remember, well be could though he chose rather easily to forget.
