Red 4
Sam was up at the station doing a bit of hands on training when she heard the news from a fellow cadet.
It was about a test they were putting everyone through before they graduated.
From what the fellow students were saying it was bad and all command track students would have to take it. Sam was in no way looking forward to it. She was however looking forward to going home. After two weeks on this damn station she was more than ready to get back to good old Terra firma.
The shuttle was coming in for a landing and Sam was busy gathering up the rest of her things. The group getting off the shuttle would be taking over for the group Sam was in, while Sam's group left in the shuttle. She flung her bag over her shoulder and headed for the shuttle bay.
People were still streaming off of it so Sam waited with her fellow cadets. A group of instructors were walking their way. At their center was a man in a different uniform. The flight deck officer called out admiral on deck and everyone snapped to attention. Sam watched as the admiral walked towards the shuttle they were supposed to take. Their instructor waved them towards the shuttle and Sam almost groaned. Great they were going to be stuck on board with an admiral all the way home. Sam walked up the ramp.
"Cadet Morningstar" said the instructor
"Yes sir?" said Sam
"You've got the helm" said the instructor
Sam's mouth dropped open in shock. She looked at the vacant seat and cringed.
"Ah sir?" said Sam
"Is there a problem commander?" said the admiral
The commander gave Sam a level look. She gave a worried look at the admiral.
"Sir permission to speak freely" said Sam
Her voice squeaked at the end.
"Go ahead cadet" said the instructor in a tone that said this better be good.
"Sir I've never flown anything outside of a simulation" said Sam
He nodded in understanding
"There's a first time for everything cadet, now take the helm" said the commander
Sam watched his retreating back with a mixture of terror and resignation. She slowly made her way towards the cockpit. Behind her cadets, the admiral and her instructor were strapping in. Sam was trying her best not to shake as she strapped herself in. Her copilot gave her a worried look.
"You okay?" he asked
"No" she said softly.
She ran through the preflight check list and started firing up the engines. Her copilot was doing his job smoothly.
"We've been cleared ready when you are" said her copilot.
She swallowed the nervous lump in her throat. Sam slowly moved the controls forward and the shuttle crept out of the bay. Sam was keeping her eyes on the horizon, if she could keep from seeing anything but sky she should be all right. The tricky part was going to be the landing and getting out of this shuttle bay in one piece. They passed through the atmospheric shield and Sam slowly angled the shuttle so they were at an approach vector for reentry without her having to look at anything but sky.
Behind her all was quiet and at the moment she was glad because the idea that she had passengers with her who could die if she froze up was making her nervous enough to hurl on the flight controls. They reentered the atmosphere and Sam angled the shuttle again to head for the academy. She was trying very hard not to look out the windshield, instead she focused on the upper half of it. It was kind of like driving a car without looking at the road.
"ah cadet?" said her copilot
They had entered some heavy fog and could no longer see more than a few feet in front of them. Sam almost sighed in relief and switched all her sensors to the on position. Now this way she could fly without being too nervous about it. The upper outline of the golden gate bridge was coming into view and she flew the shuttle between its cables, smoothly tilting it to avoid them. The admiral gave her a worried look when he saw the cables outside the window.
Sam was concentrating too hard to even see it. In fact as far as she was concerned it was just her and the craft in her hands. The first building of the academy could be seen in the distance and the fog was starting to lift. Sam quickly averted her gaze and paid attention to the sensors. Another shuttle was coming in their direction and Sam turned slightly to avoid it. Her copilot was holding his breath because he was watching her fly without really looking where she was going.
"We've been granted clearance to land on shuttle pad two" said the copilot.
Sam calmly steered the ship in that direction and very gently set it down on the landing pad. Her copilot sighed and started shutting down the engines. Sam did the same and unlocked the doors. Her hands were shaking and her hair was plastered to her scalp with sweat. Behind her people were releasing their harnesses and exiting the shuttle. Sam leaned back and tried to get her nerves under control. Someone touched her shoulder and she jumped with a yelp.
"Good work cadet" said the admiral
He chuckled and walked off the craft followed by her instructor. She did however hear the man ask how many times she'd flown before, she didn't catch her instructors reply.
"You okay?" said the co pilot
She shook her head no and bolted for the door. She just made it outside the door before she hurled all over the ground. When she was done she looked up to find some of her fellow cadets staring at her in shock. Someone walked down the ramp.
"Cadet Morningstar?" said the co pilot
"Yeah that's me" she said
He was holding her bag and handed it to her.
"Lieutenant Hershey, like the chocolate" he said
Holding out his hand to her. She shook it.
"First time you've ever flown?' he asked
"Yeah, only did it in simulators before this" said Sam
"That explains a lot" said Hershey
"You did great though, should get better the more you do it. Just from now on look out the windshield" said Hershey
He walked away from her and didn't notice the blood leave her face. She slowly made her way towards her dorm room. She needed a shower and more than likely a change of underwear. She climbed the stairs and hit the elevator button and waited. She went upstairs and changed into her uniform. Then headed out to look for Alex. She glanced at her Padd and found it was close to lunch time.
She wasn't scheduled for any classes yet so she headed for the gym. She needed to burn this nervous energy and a few katas would do it. She worked out until the bell rang then rinsed off redressed and headed for the mess hall. She spotted Alex walking next to Trip
"Oh Sam your back" said Alex
"Yeah what did I miss?" said Sam
"Not much, heard you landed the shuttle" said Trip
Sam blushed then blanched.
"Oh please don't remind me of that" said Sam
"You okay you look a bit green" said Alex
"Yeah fine just glad it's over, I was so scared I would freeze up and kill everyone" said Sam
Trip patted her arm
"Don't fret from what I heard you did great in fog no less" said Trip
"Well then perhaps I should have her be my pilot" said a new voice
Alex turned squealed Daddy and launched herself at the newcomer. Sam nodded in his direction. "Captain Pike sir so good to see you" said Trip
"Can it Trip I'm here to visit my baby girl, hello Samantha how are you doing today" said Pike
"Ah just trying to calm my nerves sir" said Sam
Pike moved closer and clasped Sam's shoulder in his hand.
"I heard about this morning masterful job, we'll make a pilot out of you in no time" said Pike
Sam blanched
"Actually I'd rather not if you don't mind" said Sam
"She's still afraid of heights dad" said Alex
Pike raised an eyebrow
"More like the abrupt stop at the bottom" said Sam
"Still freezing up?" said Pike
"Only when I look at the ground sir" said Sam
He looked confused
"Then how I might ask, did you manage to fly a shuttle?" said Pike
"It has a big front windshield sir and sensors, one doesn't necessarily have to use the bottom half" said Sam
Pike's mouth dropped open in shock then he started laughing when he realized just what she was implying
"Oh my I think I'll pass that on to Harry, he'll love it" said Pike
He looped his arm around Alex's shoulders and gave her a little squeeze
"So I figured while I was in town we could catch a movie and grab a bite to eat, would you like to join us Samantha?" said Pike
Sam looked at Alex with her dad's arm around her shoulders and suddenly felt so envious of Alex.
"No thank you sir, you two go ahead" said Sam
She was suddenly feeling an acute sense of loss, which would only get worse if she spent too much time with them. Pike gave her a worried look.
"Samantha, is there something wrong?" said Pike
She shook her head no. She spotted McCoy going into the training simulator room.
"No I just need to de-stress, you guys go have fun" said Sam
She glanced at the building again because her curiosity was through the roof right now.
"Kirk's scheduled for the Kobayashi Maru, he's probably there to support him" said Trip
Sam frowned she had heard the rumors about that test.
"Go I am sure he could use the support" said Pike
Sam smiled ruefully she shared that sentiment after what she had heard of that test kirk would need all the support he could get.
"Yeah I've heard cadets have quit after taking that test" said Alex
She sounded worried.
"I heard someone shot themselves, but I think it was just a rumor" said Trip
"I hope so" said Sam
She started walking towards the building
"Sam" said Pike
She turned
"They won't let other cadets in the observation deck during the test" said Pike
Sam frowned at him.
"Why not?" said Alex
"Secrecy mostly they want the test to be a surprise to those who haven't taken it" said Pike
"Then I guess I'll wait for him then" said Sam
"Suit yourself" said trip
Pike put his arm around Alex's shoulders and guided her away. Sam watched them go with a sad look on her face.
"We're going to have to take that too you know" said Trip
Sam swallowed and looked at the door.
"Yeah I know" said Sam
The door opened and Kirk walked out he looked dazed and sad. He looked like someone just ran over his dog.
"Hey Jim how did it go?" said Trip
Sam gave him a look that plainly said obviously bad dipshit.
"How do you think?" said Kirk
His voice was subdued and scratchy like he was holding back the urge to cry. Scratch that ran over his dog and backed up to hit it again, filmed it, and sent him a copy. He started to walk away and Sam slowly followed him. He stopped midway to his dorm building.
"Why are you following me?" said Jim
An hour ago he would have teased her about waiting for him or flirted shamelessly. Something was definitely wrong. She wasn't sure how to answer that, why was she following him? Sam shrugged.
"Cause you look like you could use a friend" said Sam
He frowned and gave her a wry smile.
"I not in the mood for company" said Kirk
He paused and looked at the admissions building. Sam knew that look because she had worn it on many occasions.
"Jim…" said Sam
"Don't, you don't know me, so just don't" said Jim
He started to walk away and for some reason it made her angry. He was right she didn't know him but he didn't know her either.
"Was it really that bad?" said Sam
She had followed him without realizing. He stopped and swore under his breath.
"Yes damn it! Now just stop, okay. You have no idea what it feels like to fail that way" said Kirk
He clenched his fists and had turned towards her. He turned to walk away again.
"Yes I do" said Sam
He stopped and turned back around, this time he stalked back to her.
"No you don't" he said
Sam opened her mouth to protest.
"I killed them all, everyone died. I didn't save the ship. I couldn't even save my own. It was a complete and utter failure" he ranted
He started to turn away and she grabbed his arm.
"I've failed everything I've ever tried or I've quit it before I did." Sam blurted
He stopped trying to walk away.
"I've wanted to walk away from this place the day I got here" said Sam
"Why haven't you?" said Kirk
Sam paused why didn't she walk away?
"Because it would be admitting that they were right and that I really am a loser" said Sam
"What if they are?" said Kirk
"Then you prove them wrong" said Sam
"What if there is no way to prove them wrong, what if there is no solution. What if it's just designed so you lose" said Kirk
Sam could guess what he was talking about.
"Then you keep getting back up until it gives up trying to knock you down" said Sam
He gave her an appraising look and his face spread into a small half smile.
"Thank you Sam" said Kirk
She smiled at him.
"You know you still owe me a movie" said Sam
He still looked depressed and she wanted to cheer him up. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked disappointed.
"Yes but they won't let me leave since Anderson" said Kirk
Sam knew what he was referring to. Everyone who took the Kobayashi test was under campus lockdown for twenty four hours after taking the test. Counselors were on standby to talk to those cadets that needed their services, but it was mostly for those who tried to quit. She looped her hand through his arm and pulled him towards her dorm building.
"Going to take me up to your room?' he said
He was teasing which was a welcome relief from the morose Jim that he had been earlier. She pulled him into the common room of her dorm. Guys could be on this floor without getting in trouble, just not on the upper floors.
"Stay here I'll be right back" said Sam
He gave her a strange look as she ran out the door hit the elevator button. Climbed inside when it stopped, rode it up to her floor. She walked into her room and dug through her stuff. Pulled a portable DVD player from her bag and her DVD folder. She locked up her things and carried the two items downstairs. Kirk gave her a strange look when she set the player on the table.
"What is it?" said kirk
He picked it up and tilted it in his hand.
"It's a DVD player, now what would you like to watch?" said Sam
She opened the folder and he flipped the page to look at the titles on the next page.
"What are these?' he said
She chuckled. "They're DVDs silly, they're twenty first century versions of chips" said Sam
He looked skeptical.
"Where did you get them they can't still make them and does the player still even work?" said Kirk
"Yep used it a few days ago and I brought them with me" said Sam
"Brought them with you?" said Kirk
"I was born in 1997, they were in my Volkswagen when we got frozen" said Sam
His mouth dropped open in shock
"Volkswagen?" said kirk
"Yep 69 VW bug, had everything I own inside including my cat, Watson" said Sam
"Cat?" said Kirk
"He didn't make it" said Sam
"Wait so what you're telling me is that you're from two hundred years in the past?" said Kirk
"Yep you can look at my records if you don't believe me, my rescue made the local news" said Sam "where?" said kirk
"Near Albuquerque it's where I fell into a sink hole, I hit a glacial river and it froze me" said Sam
His mouth dropped open in shock.
"No way are you kidding me, seriously your messing with me" said Kirk
Sam smirked at him
"You've got a PADD look it up, it was 6 years ago" said Sam
He gave her a look and did just that because he obviously doubted her. He was frowning at the screen so Sam glanced over his shoulder. It was a print of her Volkswagen encrusted with ice being lifted out of the hole by what looked like a crane. He lowered the Padd with a complete look of shock on his face.
"Holy shit you weren't kidding" he said
She shook her head no. he got this little wicked smirk on his face.
"So you're like a really old lady" said Kirk
The tone was teasing and she groaned. Great just what the man needed something else to tease her about. He chuckled at her when she rolled her eyes.
"So all these movies are classics, just like you" said Kirk
She flipped him off and he chuckled. He slid one of the disks out of the sleeve.
"So what is this one about?" said kirk
Sam looked at what he was holding
"The breakfast club? It's about redefining the social rules I guess. Why? Haven't you seen it?" said Sam
He gave her a level look
"I take it that's a no?" said Sam
She snagged it out of his hand and opened the player. She set the disk inside and motioned for him to move towards the couch. She dimmed the light while he took a seat on the couch. He scooted into the corner. She sat down between his legs and leaned back into him, balancing the player on her knees so they both could see it. She hit play and he curled his arm around her waist.
Halfway through the movie he buried his face in her hair then rested his chin on her shoulder. When he inhaled a second time very noticeably her stomach did a little flip flop, was she still wearing the cologne. She silently cursed when she remembered she had mixed some of that dreamer's tears stuff with her perfume oils because the campus had banned it at the end of last year.
Her roommate had found a way around that and Sam liked the effect the stuff had on the male population so much that she helped her cover it up. Unfortunately some of the girls got wind of it and now Lela was supplying most of the ladies on campus with a little extra additive in their perfume bottles. Sam drew the line at helping with that and turned a deliberate blind eye to Lela's activities.
The female population on campus was a lot happier lately which was a good thing as far as she was concerned. That much sexual repression was downright Victorian the only thing marring it was the effect the stuff had on the more aggressive males and certain species. For example long term exposure could drive a Vulcan into early pon far. So Lela was a bit exclusive on who she sold to, especially if they were engaged in interspecies dating. He tightened his grip and nuzzled her hair. He sighed then gently kissed her neck. She jumped in shock.
"Jim?" said Sam
She started to scoot away. He tighten his grip and pulled her closer.
"Relax, I just want to hold you" he said
She sunk back into his arms and he seemed to immerse himself in the film. He seemed to be thinking about something.
"I don't get it, why would Brian write that?" said Kirk
"Easy silly he was trying to make a statement about how they are individuals and therefore not defined by stereotypes" said Sam
"Oh okay so essentially he's bucking the status quo…" said Kirk
"Exactly he's refusing to be defined by the established rules" said Sam
His face suddenly lit up. He shifted pulling Sam to her feet as he did so. Then he spun her and kissed her square on the mouth
"Sam you're a genius, thanks babe" said kirk
Then he left the room leaving a stunned Sam in his wake
