*Flashback*
"Malcolm Reed! I never in my entire life ever saw something as unbecoming of a gentleman the that little performance of yours." Stuart Reed didn't have to raise his voice in order to be heard. He was a Navy Reed; everyone listens to what he has to say. "Sir I only wanted to go play outside. I never get to play with the other boys." A young and very naïve Malcolm stood before his father pleading his case. " I am always stuck inside with my tutor. I only learn about the Navy. I wanted to just... play with the other bays. Isn't that what any boy des father?" "Are you just any boy? NO. You're a Reed boy, destined to join the Royal Navy. To follow in Reed tradition. Those boys are only distractions for you. Once you're in officer training then you will make friends that you know you can trust. So if you ever just run out and play with the 'common people' then you might as well be one of them. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes sir." "Now go upstairs and wash for dinner. I imagine it will be ready soon."
*Later Flashback*
"Malcolm! Where are you boy?" Surprises are one thing that is to be left at the door when it comes to what goes on with his children. "Yes sir?" The older Malcolm; perhaps 17 or 18 years old, and already looking like the spitting imagine of his father. "What is he meaning of this?" Stuart passed him the paper that Malcolm recently had written on Military Strategy. Malcolm knew the problem; he had received an 86 on that particular test, and his father never accepted less then a 95 from his children. Malcolm could call him a perfectionist, but that would be a complement to his father. "It's a 86 father" Malcolm head hung very low. It was a very hard test of the entire class he still came out on top. "This is unacceptable and you know it. What did you spend you time doing? It couldn't have been studying. I even helped you with this where did this all go wrong?" "Did you not read the comment the teacher wrote sir?" "Yes I read the comment. The Officer College does not anybody off the street. They want the academic standing. I will not watch my son ruin his life! That dance that you wanted to go... that graduation prom? You will notify them that you will not be in attendance." "Sir! Please don't do this! I have been anticipating this for weeks." "Where do your priorities lie? Malcolm Stuart Reed where do you plan to go after this? That Starfleet thing that they just created? It might just suit you; your head is always lost in space!" "Actually sir I have already forwarded my application to attend" Malcolm knew what to expect. His father was going to blow a fuse over this. Ever since Henry Archer claimed that soon man might be exploring space at speeds faster then the speed of light. It was Stuart Reed that began to joke about it. His father was a man rooted in tradition. "What do you mean you have already? You are slated to go and become an officer with the Royal Navy! It's a Reed tradition that has gone on for more the 5 generations. You cannot just turn your back to tradition!" Malcolm had always known this day would come, but what happened next he could never have imagined. "Stuart James Reed! How dare you force Malcolm to do what you want! It's quite obvious that he doesn't want to join the Navy. If you can't see past your own expectations then you will tear this family apart! Malcolm to join the Royal Navy; trying to force Madeline to marry a man she hates!" For the first time in his life his mother stood up for him. "This is none of your business now go! This is between Malcolm and I." Stuart was used to complete obedience from his family. And he was now getting angry. "Further more! What's more important Stuart? Your happiness or Malcolm's? Honey dear these aren't the days of kings and queens. The use of the marriage contract has ended. So have the time where the parents chose what career their children will follow. Let him do what makes him happy." "If he goes off and joins this Starfleet then... then he's no son of mine." Stuart left it at that. She knew she won the battle, but she lost the war. Taking Malcolm out of the room she tried her very best to comfort him. "He loves you; don't you ever think for a second that he doesn't. He was just brought up to conceal his emotions. To bottle everything up; you could say that he's Vulcan." With that she got a laugh. "Why does he always seem to act like he knows best?" Malcolm knew he could trust his mother. He could never get through to his father... his father did act very Vulcan like. Malcolm swore to himself that he would never become his father. He would become his own person. His mother knew this, but still felt that she had lost him on account of Stuart. Malcolm was starting to close himself off to the outside world. It hurt her to say this but he wasn't going to be all that different then Stuart.
*Later Flashback*
"It is a great honour to the entire planet Earth that we have finally set aside our differences and with the help of the Vulcans; to begin rebuilding our planet. To the graduating class; I offer you this one piece of advice. Never forget where you came from; for it will play an important part in where you will go." After the guest of honour had finished his speech all the graduates gave him the applause he so obviously deserved. The ceremony for Malcolm just wouldn't end. He had been in private contact with his mother since he joined the academy. His father never spoke to him, or let him speak to him. Malcolm could only hope that his mother could come for the ceremony. Once the graduates began to disperse to find family and friends; Malcolm could only hold his breath. Then it happened; he was interrupted by an Ensign that walked up to him to pass along a message. Dear Malcolm, I can't be at your graduation; my transport has been delayed. I'm very sorry I can't be there but I will be there tonight. Lots of love your mother xox The thought of seeing his mother was a comforting for Malcolm. He was one of the very few who never left the academy for holidays or vacation. The time when Stuart had disowned him was still a very touchy subject. Even if later he took the words back; the effect was already there. Stuart Reed did not approve in the least. Malcolm's mother always helped when she could. Malcolm then began to count down the hours until his mother and sister arrived. He wasn't sure if his father was going to come, but as far as he was concerned it didn't matter. As it turned out his father was 'indisposed' at the week end. His mother and sister did come and they had a wonderful time in San Francisco. It was really hard for him to say good bye to his family as his first duties were being decided. He never stopped writing; even if it was only his mother that ever replied.
*End Flashback*
A/N: So what are you persons thinking? I need to know! Repeat after me ANY REVIEW IS A GOOD REVIEW. If you hate the story tell me why please!
"Malcolm Reed! I never in my entire life ever saw something as unbecoming of a gentleman the that little performance of yours." Stuart Reed didn't have to raise his voice in order to be heard. He was a Navy Reed; everyone listens to what he has to say. "Sir I only wanted to go play outside. I never get to play with the other boys." A young and very naïve Malcolm stood before his father pleading his case. " I am always stuck inside with my tutor. I only learn about the Navy. I wanted to just... play with the other bays. Isn't that what any boy des father?" "Are you just any boy? NO. You're a Reed boy, destined to join the Royal Navy. To follow in Reed tradition. Those boys are only distractions for you. Once you're in officer training then you will make friends that you know you can trust. So if you ever just run out and play with the 'common people' then you might as well be one of them. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes sir." "Now go upstairs and wash for dinner. I imagine it will be ready soon."
*Later Flashback*
"Malcolm! Where are you boy?" Surprises are one thing that is to be left at the door when it comes to what goes on with his children. "Yes sir?" The older Malcolm; perhaps 17 or 18 years old, and already looking like the spitting imagine of his father. "What is he meaning of this?" Stuart passed him the paper that Malcolm recently had written on Military Strategy. Malcolm knew the problem; he had received an 86 on that particular test, and his father never accepted less then a 95 from his children. Malcolm could call him a perfectionist, but that would be a complement to his father. "It's a 86 father" Malcolm head hung very low. It was a very hard test of the entire class he still came out on top. "This is unacceptable and you know it. What did you spend you time doing? It couldn't have been studying. I even helped you with this where did this all go wrong?" "Did you not read the comment the teacher wrote sir?" "Yes I read the comment. The Officer College does not anybody off the street. They want the academic standing. I will not watch my son ruin his life! That dance that you wanted to go... that graduation prom? You will notify them that you will not be in attendance." "Sir! Please don't do this! I have been anticipating this for weeks." "Where do your priorities lie? Malcolm Stuart Reed where do you plan to go after this? That Starfleet thing that they just created? It might just suit you; your head is always lost in space!" "Actually sir I have already forwarded my application to attend" Malcolm knew what to expect. His father was going to blow a fuse over this. Ever since Henry Archer claimed that soon man might be exploring space at speeds faster then the speed of light. It was Stuart Reed that began to joke about it. His father was a man rooted in tradition. "What do you mean you have already? You are slated to go and become an officer with the Royal Navy! It's a Reed tradition that has gone on for more the 5 generations. You cannot just turn your back to tradition!" Malcolm had always known this day would come, but what happened next he could never have imagined. "Stuart James Reed! How dare you force Malcolm to do what you want! It's quite obvious that he doesn't want to join the Navy. If you can't see past your own expectations then you will tear this family apart! Malcolm to join the Royal Navy; trying to force Madeline to marry a man she hates!" For the first time in his life his mother stood up for him. "This is none of your business now go! This is between Malcolm and I." Stuart was used to complete obedience from his family. And he was now getting angry. "Further more! What's more important Stuart? Your happiness or Malcolm's? Honey dear these aren't the days of kings and queens. The use of the marriage contract has ended. So have the time where the parents chose what career their children will follow. Let him do what makes him happy." "If he goes off and joins this Starfleet then... then he's no son of mine." Stuart left it at that. She knew she won the battle, but she lost the war. Taking Malcolm out of the room she tried her very best to comfort him. "He loves you; don't you ever think for a second that he doesn't. He was just brought up to conceal his emotions. To bottle everything up; you could say that he's Vulcan." With that she got a laugh. "Why does he always seem to act like he knows best?" Malcolm knew he could trust his mother. He could never get through to his father... his father did act very Vulcan like. Malcolm swore to himself that he would never become his father. He would become his own person. His mother knew this, but still felt that she had lost him on account of Stuart. Malcolm was starting to close himself off to the outside world. It hurt her to say this but he wasn't going to be all that different then Stuart.
*Later Flashback*
"It is a great honour to the entire planet Earth that we have finally set aside our differences and with the help of the Vulcans; to begin rebuilding our planet. To the graduating class; I offer you this one piece of advice. Never forget where you came from; for it will play an important part in where you will go." After the guest of honour had finished his speech all the graduates gave him the applause he so obviously deserved. The ceremony for Malcolm just wouldn't end. He had been in private contact with his mother since he joined the academy. His father never spoke to him, or let him speak to him. Malcolm could only hope that his mother could come for the ceremony. Once the graduates began to disperse to find family and friends; Malcolm could only hold his breath. Then it happened; he was interrupted by an Ensign that walked up to him to pass along a message. Dear Malcolm, I can't be at your graduation; my transport has been delayed. I'm very sorry I can't be there but I will be there tonight. Lots of love your mother xox The thought of seeing his mother was a comforting for Malcolm. He was one of the very few who never left the academy for holidays or vacation. The time when Stuart had disowned him was still a very touchy subject. Even if later he took the words back; the effect was already there. Stuart Reed did not approve in the least. Malcolm's mother always helped when she could. Malcolm then began to count down the hours until his mother and sister arrived. He wasn't sure if his father was going to come, but as far as he was concerned it didn't matter. As it turned out his father was 'indisposed' at the week end. His mother and sister did come and they had a wonderful time in San Francisco. It was really hard for him to say good bye to his family as his first duties were being decided. He never stopped writing; even if it was only his mother that ever replied.
*End Flashback*
A/N: So what are you persons thinking? I need to know! Repeat after me ANY REVIEW IS A GOOD REVIEW. If you hate the story tell me why please!
