Chapter 21

"I'd like to take moment to welcome everyone to this wondrous occasion. We've all gathered here today to celebrate a milestone for these fine young men and women,"

Dickie sat in anxious anticipation. His hands were clammy…and his legs jittered.

But he was excited.

Surrounding him were countless youths like himself…all dressed in the same, fine dress uniform for this occasion.

Each and every one of them held the same look in their eyes.

It was different than the expression high school students have at their graduation ceremonies; bland, bored…irritated.

Each and every young man and woman had this glint in their eyes; this mysterious excitement.

"I have watched class after fine class graduate from this Academy year after year…and it is with great pleasure to watch these bold, young explorers take their first steps on their journey."

The group sat at the center of a huge outdoor auditorium; from what Dickie understood, many famous officer's and politician's had spoken here…including the founding members of the Federation.

It sent chills up his spine.

The group was over-looked by hundreds of officers…and families of the graduates. Dickie felt a pit in his stomach knowing no one would be there for him; he pushed it to the back of his mind with the excitement though.

"Each year…the students I see grow brighter and more tenacious. Driven and more courageous. This class…is no exception,"

David rolled his eyes at the droning of the commandant; his legs jittered from the anxiety of sitting in one place.

David glanced from face to face of all the graduating Cadets; their faces were so excited and focused.

David sighed; he felt a feeling of dread at the prospect of graduating.

He couldn't explain it.

The seed was planted three weeks ago when his professor's started mentioning it.

The more it became real…the more he felt a sense of anxious urgency.

This morning he'd lost his breakfast.

"I am so proud of each and every one of you; you worked so hard and so long. You have faced challenge after challenge…and each time…you have risen to meet it,"

David started to wonder if it would be possible to slip away; he envisioned gliding through his row quietly. Ducking down as he walked past the crowds…and outside of the stadium.

As he was thinking…he glanced over the spectators.

He was half a minute away from moving…when he spotted him.

It was Carl.

He'd come to see him graduate.

David gulped.

There was no way he could slip away now.

"You have faced adversity; you have made many new friends…and a few enemies I'm sure. But you are all much stronger men and women because of these things,"

Ed chuckled and nodded in affirmation as one of his friends whispered in his ear and pointed at the commandant.

Ed mouthed something back…and his friend started bubbling up and down attempting to hold the giggles in. His face swelled up and turned a light shade of red.

Ed's face started turning red…and he had to cover his mouth with his hand to hold in the laughs.

"I know each and every one of you will make fine young officers,"

Ed accidentally let out a small yelp when his friend poked him in the ribs; the commandant paused…and looked in his direction with disgust.

"I am…" he paused…losing his focus slightly.

"Proud…of each and every one of you. Although it is a bit bittersweet to see you go…as I grow attached to each class of young faces, it is with great pleasure that I present to you the Starfleet Academy class 2273. I wish you all…the best of luck!"

After the ceremony…Dickie was filled with excitement.

He quickly found himself in a group of graduates and professors.

Although he usually found himself shy…and un-sociable.

Today was different.

"…yes, Professor. Thank you…I appreciate that."

A young man grabbed him by his elbow.

"Oh, hey, Jessie! Good to see ya, man! Congrats!"

A young girl poked him on the shoulder.

"Oh…heyyyyy, Anna," he said slyly. She flashed him a big smile.

"Are we still on for dinner?"

"Hell yeah! There's someone I want to talk to first, though,"

Dickie scoured the hordes of people…Anna hot on his heels.

He squinted his eyes gazing from face to face…when suddenly, his eyes widened in joy.

"Professor! Professor!" Dickie waved his arms as he called to her.

She smiled as she spotted him.

"Richard! Its good to see you! Congratulations!"

"Thank you! I'm so excited! I didn't think I could feel this good."

"You earned it,"

Dickie blushed and glanced at his feet. The professor took a sip of her drink.

"So do you know where you're going yet?"

"Wellllll…I put in for a post on the Republic for helmsman…so we'll see,"

"Pilot, huh?"

Dickie nodded.

"Yeah…turns out I'm a natural at that too," he chuckled.

She smiled again.

"I hope it works out for you. You've been one of my best students,"

Dickie heard a grunt from behind. His shoulders slumped and he hung his head at the sound.

He slowly turned…and his heart sank.

"Boy,"

It was his father.

"Dad," he said weakly.

His father growled.

"What a load of crap this Starfleet shit is. Bunch of airy fluff. I thought maybe…just maybe I could be proud of you. But here you are…dicking around in some ugly pajamas listening to some fart talk out of his ass…"

He glanced over at Anna at his teacher.

"…and hanging out with a couple of floozies,"

"I beg your pardon!" his teacher shrieked. He'd never heard her so forceful.

"Dad," Dickie growled.

"I'm outta here,"

Before his father could turn…Dickie pounced on him and pounded his face in several times.

Another graduate ran over and pulled him off quickly.

"Come on, Dick. Its not worth it. If anyone sees you…"

Dickie shoved him off. He looked to him. He looked to his father. He looked to his teacher. He looked to Anna.

His face was full of anger…but his eyes were filled with tears.

He lowered his eyes to the ground…slowly walking away.

He ignored their calls as he left.

.

After the ceremony…Ed and his buddies made a bee-line for the exit. A few professors tried to talk to them…but they hurried through the greetings…and rushed to the door.

As they made their escape…Ed noticed the commandant standing outside…chatting with an Admiral.

The group tried to tip-toe passed unnoticed...but the commandant caught out of the corner of his eye.

"Cadet…" he grunted. "Ensign Garrett."

Ed gulped. He glanced from side to side. He furrowed his brow. He swiveled his head around.

His friends had bailed.

Ed grimaced.

"Yes, sir,"

The commandant approached him.

"How'd you like my speech?"

Ed glanced around nervously.

"It was…uhhhh…very…nice, sir,"

The commandant took a step closer.

"You thought it was poignant?'

"Uhhh…yes?"

The commandant stood a foot from him.

"And rousing?"

Ed glanced down at his boots.

"Yes, sir," he whispered.

The commandant stepped close enough so that the two could touch the tips of their noses. He sideways peered at Ed with one eye.

"And funny?" he whispered.

Ed gulped again. Loudly. He looked down at his feet. He made eye-contact with the Admiral. He glanced side-to-side…hoping his friends had returned.

Before he could respond, however, the commandant burst out laughing.

Ed's face filled with confusion. Then slowly…a small smile spread across his face. And a nervous chuckle came from his lips.

"At ease, ya little brat. You're not my student anymore."

"Yes, sir," Ed replied.

The commandant kind of rolled his eyes at the youthful anxiety. He cocked a half-grin and glanced back at the Admiral.

"Hey, Bob," he called.

Bob came jogging over.

"I'd like you to meet Ensign Garrett."

The two shook hands.

"Nice to meet you, sir,"

"Likewise," Bob nodded.

"Say, Ensign, didn't you take three experimental warp theory classes?"

"Uhhh…yes?"

"Well…Bob here just so happens to be looking for an experimental warp theorist."

The commandant grinned like a chesire cat; his eyes had the sparkle of something mysterious.

Ed turned to Bob; Bob nodded.

"Ohhhhhhhh,"

"I'll let you two get acquainted,"

Before the commandant left…he leaned in real close.

"I know you flunked every one of them. Payback is a bitch," he whispered.

He turned to Bob…his smile grow cheesier by the second.

"He has…my utmost recommendation."

Ed felt a sense hopelessness as he watched the commandant walk away.

After the ceremony, David slipped into the throngs of people. He kept his head down…and his eyes low…avoiding any small talk or conversation.

"Hey, David. Congrats!"

"Thanks,"

"Hey, David…you going to the after party?"

"I don't know…probably not. I gotta go,"

He pushed and slipped past dozens of groups, fellow graduates and professors.

He finally made it to the farthest wall…leaning his back against it for moment.

He let out a deep sigh of relief…glancing back at the hordes.

The sight made him nauseous.

Looking for relief…David let his eyes drift shut.

His mind wandered to the thought of taking out his frustrations on the heavy bag later; he pictured throwing a couple of piercing jabs and straight.

He started to feel slightly calmer…and steadier.

"Heya, Champ!"

David was rudely awakened from his thoughts by a voice who could be no one else.

David slightly opened his lids to see Spade's irritating face in front of his.

"Hey, Spade," he grumbled.

"Caught you moping in the corner…thought I'd say hi before we shoved off,"

"Hey,"

"I'll be leaving 0600 tomorrow for Outpost 40; won't see ya again. Uhmm…roomies?" Spade held out his arms gesturing for a hug.

David rolled his eyes and sighed again…but the bottom of his lip curled into a tiny, impulsive smile. He held out his hand…and Spade accepted it, chuckling a bit.

"Oh, David,"

Spade glanced around at the crowds of people…then started rubbing his hands together excitedly.

"I can't wait to get my hands of some Klingons." Spade started pumping punches into the air.

"Good luck, Spade," David said genuinely.

Spade flashed him a genuine look for a second…then hid it again with a big, cheesy grin.

"I'll see ya 'round, Roomie. Caught the eye of this cute little blonde who's going to the after party. See ya there?"

David shook his head.

"Nah,"

Spade nodded his head and turned away.

"Same old, David," he called out over his shoulder.

As Spade walked away…David thought about what he'd said.

Klingons. What would be like if he actually got a chance to fight some. As a Starfleet officer.

The thought kind of swelled in his chest; he could feel the way his father did years ago.

David brushed the thought off as a pipe dream; he stood there for awhile…day-dreaming in his thoughts about nothing in particular.

Then it occurred to him.

Carl was there.

A nauseous anxiety filled his stomach.

David glanced around nervously…then made for the door as quickly as possible.

As he rushed through it…he didn't notice the body right in his path.

Thud!

"Excuse me," David muttered.

"That's alright," he heard in a familiar, Hispanic accent.

David froze; he stood there for a brief instant with his head down.

"David!"

He slowly raised his head; he was nose to nose with him.

"Carl," he whispered.

The two looked each other in the eyes; their expressions were both grave.

"I…"

Carl peered through him for a moment…then put his hand on David's shoulder.

"I'm proud of you,"

David stood there…silent. He could feel his old bitter feelings melting away. He wanted to burst open. He wanted to say a million things to Carl.

"I kept an eye on you during school. I'm friends with the commandant. I was happy to hear how much you'd grown," his face was so genuine.

David wanted to say something…anything. He could feel his chest about to explode.

"I…uhh,"

He saw something in Carl's eyes he'd never noticed before; he couldn't explain it. And he didn't really know how to react. He didn't know how he should react.

"Whatever…I gotta go," David muttered.

He dashed off as fast as he could…bursting with confusing emotions as he ran.