8

Chapter 10

"Attention!"

A group of fresh-faced teens lined up suit out on a grassy lawn. Behind them…stood a multitude of complexes.

Uniformed officers and cadets meandered to and fro; shuttles landed and took off.

Front and center of the youths stood an older gentleman; he was graying…tall and muscular. His face was calm and his eyes were gentle; but he held an air of discipline.

"Welcome, Cadets! This will be your home away from home for the next four years. I wanted to personally congratulate each and every one of you…and wish you good luck in your endeavors,"

He made a sweeping gesture of the buildings and grounds with his arm.

"This academy is the finest it has been to date. My Cadets rank the highest among any who have graduated. Advances in technology and information everyday make it possible for you youngsters to learn more and more,"

He grinned humbly.

"I'd like to think though…that us veterans can still teach you a thing or two."

Among the group…stood David on the end. His arms and legs shook slightly; his face held mild trepidation.

Dickie stood farther on the opposite end; his eyes held fear…but he looked un-amused.

"As commandant of this Academy…I like to keep a personal touch with my Cadets. Should you have problems or conflicts…you are always welcome to come discuss them with me…should your commanding officer not sufficiently handle the situation,"

David glanced down the line of cadets; the sight of so many young and inexperienced faces made him feel…vulnerable.

He locked eyes with Dickie briefly…quickly returning his eyes to the commandant.

"After I have relieved you…your commanding officer's will take you to your rooms. Dinner is at 1900 exactly. Ladies and gentleman…welcome to Starfleet Academy,"

A band standing behind the commandant began playing a classic military march.

"Present, arms!"

Two Cadets started reeling the Federation flag down the flagpole. After about thirty seconds…the song concluded.

"Order, arms!"

Shortly afterwards, officers came forth and called out lists of names. David was assigned to Gamma squad. So was Dickie.

The Gamma squad commander was a lieutenant; he was a bit short and stocky. He had a small scar above his left eye. Unless he had something to say…most of his communication was done through grunts.

David was the final Cadet to receive his barracks; after everyone was squared away…they arrived at his dorm.

"Cadet…Moore," the Lieutenant grunted…glancing at his padd. He looked up at David…flashing him a curious look. David tried not to show his anxiety.

"You'll be rooming with Cadet Levy. Stow you're gear and get to the mess. The Admiral doesn't like tardiness,"

The Lieutenant turned on his heels and thundered away.

David watched him as he walked…wondering about the odd look the Lieutenant had flashed him.

"Wonder what's up his butt…" Levy said…dropping his duffel bag on one of the bunks.

David stepped inside…taking a seat on the bottom bunk.

"Don't know,"

Levy chuckled a little. He hopped up onto the top bunk.

"I've heard most of these guys are like that. Fought in the war and what not. Now they're stuck babysitting kids 'cuz they couldn't get a decent posting,"

"Dude," David said…looking up at Levy. "Chill. You just got here."

Levy looked at him for a moment with a look of mild surprise and confusion. David rolled his eyes.

"I'm Spade, by the way. Spade Levy,"

David nodded his head. He stood up and shook Levy's hand…also to his surprise.

"Nice to meet you, Spade. I'm David,"

After the Cadets had settled in and un-packed their sparing belongings…they scurried off to the mess for their first meal.

The mess was a large, brightly lit room…with undertones of yellows and oranges. It could seat hundreds…if not thousands.

Countless youths filled the tables and chairs; men, women, blacks, whites, yellows, blues.

The room this evening was abuzz with chatter.

"My roommate is so weird,"

"One of the freshies was kinda of cute,"

"I hope we eat like this every night."

David sat on the far end of a corner table…Spade seated across from him.

"I was so siked when I got this appointment…class of 2271, dude,"

In front of David was a plate of spaghetti; he slowly picked at it…while gingerly glancing around at the swarms of students.

"Starfleet is so legit…I'm gonna be an ace fighter pilot just like my old man…"

David glanced at Spade briefly, rolling his eyes.

"…maybe we'll even get to fight some Klingons."

David bit his tongue; he set down his fork and took a nice long glug of his water.

"Why'd you join up?"

After a couple seconds…David realized Spade was staring him down. He gently set his glass down and returned his attention to his plate.

"I don't know," he said awkwardly. "Felt like the right thing at the time."

Spade shot him an odd look.

"What do you want to do?" he asked…furrowing his brow.

David shrugged his shoulders; he glanced around the room again…eyeing all the different students. He felt a twinge of anxiety.

"Okay…"

David shot Spade a slightly irritated look. Spade looked down at his plate with a slightly defeated expression on his face.

"Spade…"

Spade glanced up at his plate.

David sat and thought for a moment. Spade raised an eyebrow at him.

"What?"

"I don't know where I was going…"

"Uhhh…"

David set his fork down.

"My story is kind of complicated,"

"Tell me,"

David scrunched his eyes in frustration.

"I'd rather not,"

"David…you're weird,"

Just when David was about to reply…he spotted Ed at another table. They made eye contact…and shot each other a wave.

After dinner…the cadets were ordered to return to barracks. The huge group filed out in a chaotic mess; the commanding officers could be seen in the corners nursing headaches at the lack of discipline.

In the swirling confusion, David sifted through and found Ed. He nabbed him by the elbow...stopping him in his tracks.

"Hey!"

Ed turned on his heels.

"Oh, hey!"

The two stood there for a few seconds…awkwardly silent.

"What happened to 'that sounds like a nightmare'?"

David twisted his eyebrows.

"Yeahhhh…I'll explain later," he glanced around at the confusing mess.

Ed nodded. He motioned down the hall.

"Gotta shove off…got exo-biology. Meet ya for breakfast,"

David flashed a thumbs up. He turned in the direction of his dorm.

` When David retuned to his dorm…Spade was laying on his bed…playing some interactive game on his padd. He didn't acknowledge David as he entered.

David sat down on the edge of his bed. His eyes darted to one of his books halfway poking out of his duffel bag.

He sat there…listening to the sounds from Spade's game…questioning whether he had made a huge mistake.

After about an hour…Spade slid off of his bunk…slamming his feet on the ground next to David. He glanced down at David…shooting him a grin.

"You coming?"

David shot him a confused look.

"Those two blondes who kept checking me out at dinner,"

David narrowed his eyes. Spade tossed his padd onto his bed.

"Well?"

"I don't follow…"

Spade shot David a slightly irritated look. He started chewing his thumbnail.

"I'm meeting up with them in the quad…"

He flashed a big grin. David rolled his eyes.

"That's okay,"

Spade shot him another irritated look.

"Come on…I need a wingman. Besides…one of them asked about you."

David sighed.

"I'm sorry, Spade. I'm really not interested."

"What…are you into men?"

David shot him a glare.

"No…I just don't want to,"

Spade shrugged his shoulders. He glanced at himself in the mirror…fixing his hair.

"Whatever…I guess I'll just have to make something up for you,"

David shot him an irritated look as he left.