7
Chapter 15
"Attention!"
David rose from his seat. He stood opposite the commandant, the chief of security and Zim…who sat at the far corner of the room.
The group stood in the commandant's office; it was large…and gray. His desk over-looked a large glass wall…over-looking the quad.
The commandant was seated at his desk…while the chief stood by his side.
"Cadet Moore," the commandant spoke gravely. "We've brought you here on very serious charges."
David's face was very solemn…his eyes looked a tad watery.
"Yes, Sir,"
The commandant clasped his hands on top of his desk.
"Cadet…you are being charged with striking a superior officer, and dereliction of duty. Do you understand the gravity of your situation?"
"Yes, sir,"
The commandant waited for a moment.
"Do you have anything to add, Cadet?"
David was silent for a moment. He glanced at the security chief.
The security chief was a burly, gruff-looking Tellarite. His demeanor was imposing…but he was a kind man underneath. David had spoken with him briefly several months ago. Rather…he sought out David when he noticed upperclassmen harassing him.
"Cadet? Answer the commandant's question, please."
David silently nodded his head.
"I have nothing to add, sir."
The commandant looked briefly at his hands…then back at David.
"You understand…that, for an officer in the fleet, immediate dismissal is the typical punishment for these charges?"
"I do, sir,"
"Well…" he trailed off.
The commandant glanced at the chief and at Zim. Zim nodded to him.
"Cadet Moore…have you no defense?"
David's face melted slightly into disappointment.
"No, sir," he said quietly.
"Why?"
David was taken aback by the question. He searched the chief and Zim's eyes.
"Sir?"
"Cadet," the commandant continued. "Why should I not kick you out of my school?"
David couldn't think of anything to say. He stared into the eyes of all three.
"I don't know, sir,"
The commandant rose from his seat…turning to look out onto the quad.
"Cadet, I've been in Starfleet most of my life. I've watched young men and women come to this school and leave determined and bright young officers for fifteen years. Each and every one of them has some reason to be here…each of them wants to be here. Not one of them would stand here and take these charges lying down."
"Sir?"
The commandant turned to face him.
"Why are you here, Cadet?"
David thought about the question.
"Because you ordered me here, sir,"
"Dammit! Not here! Why did you join?"
David said nothing. The commandant took a step closer.
"Do YOU even want to be here?"
David looked right into his eyes; he felt panic and confusion.
"I don't want to be here, Sir. I felt I had to," he said quietly.
The commandant studied him for a moment.
"Had to?"
"Yes, Sir,"
"Out of duty?"
"No, sir,"
"You had nowhere else to go then?"
"No, sir,"
"You just…had to?"
David nodded his head.
"Yes, sir,"
The commandant sat on the edge of his desk.
"That makes absolutely no sense, son."
"I know, Sir. I can't explain it myself. I just had this gut feeling."
"Gut feeling, huh?" he mumbled.
The commandant nodded his head; he glanced back at Zim again.
"Well, Cadet. In the history of Starfleet Academy…no cadet has ever committed this level of offense here. Considering the circumstances…" he nodded to Zim. "…And some leniency on part of your commanding officer…I'd be willing to reduce the charges."
He rose to his feet again…and stepped close to David.
"But I'm not about to let you walk scot-free if you don't even want to be here,"
David shot Zim a look of surprise; Zim made eye contact briefly.
David turned back to the commandant.
"Sir…you weren't going to kick me out at all?"
The commandant shook his head.
"No, son. This was just a formality. And a reminder to you…that you're now treading on thin ice."
David nodded again…some of the tension in his body loosening.
"Thank you, sir,"
"Don't thank me. Your leave is cancelled for the rest of the school year. Along with transporter privileges. And…this will go in your record."
"Yes, sir,"
"You're dismissed."
David turned to leave.
"Cadet,"
David stopped in his tracks.
"Anything else like this…and you will be gone."
"Yes, sir."
David got about thirty feet before Zim caught up to him. He grabbed David by the shoulder…and whipped him around.
"You're welcome, Cadet!"
David looked him in the eyes.
"You told them to drop the charges,"
"You're damn right I did! If it wasn't for me…you'd be suckin your momma's teet!"
David's face hardened a little.
"Yeah,"
Zim snarled.
"Aren't you going to thank me!?"
David frowned…scrunching his eyes to slits.
"I didn't ask you to,"
"Is that all the gratitude you can show!"
David held up his hands.
"Look…it was nice of you to stick your neck out. But I don't need anyone holding my hand or doing me any favors,"
"You piss-sucking low-life! You think I wanna hold your little milk-covered, thumb sucking fingers!?"
Zim grabbed David by his shirt and plowed him into the wall.
"I did it for your father! God bless the man…he was one of the greats! You…"
He looked David right in the eye.
"You don't even deserve to have his name," he hissed.
"Get your hands off me, you ass!"
Zim threw David to the ground. David leapt to his feet…fists up.
"I served with the man. He saved my skin a dozen times. A lot of professors are watching you…wondering if you'll turn out like him,"
"I'm nothing like the jackass,"
"I guess we'll see. Right now…I think you're about as worthwhile as a cow turd,"
It took all of his composure to hold himself back. His face turned bright red.
Zim turned and walked away.
David stood there for a while…trying to calm his fumes.