Chapter 12 – Back Into the Academy Routine
Zia poked her omelette. On either side of her, Tara and Blair ate their breakfast in silence.
Classes resumed today. All around them cadets discussed what they had done on the holidays, and some cadets declared that they would be assisting in city repairs in their spare time. For extra credit, of course.
"Hey Zia, aren't you hungry?"
Zia put down her fork. "No. I'm just gonna go to class early."
"Okay," Tara said. They shared a sad smile and Zia stood and disposed of her tray. She dragged her feet through the corridors, not really wanting to be around so many people. They still whispered behind her back and laughed at her ears. Oh, she knew that she shouldn't care, but she couldn't help but care. These people were her peers, and some of them disliked her because of what she was. They were just as bad as the-
NO! Don't think about them! She sped up and almost dived into her room. Only then could she breathe. She stood in front of their full-length mirror and pulled down her high collar. The high collar hid the heavy bruising on her neck, and thick bracelets covered the marks on her wrists. Her shirt concealed the fresh scars, and a layer of make-up hid the bruises on her face. She would carry these marks for a while. But there were other scars, ones that ran deeper than the physical.
A ghost from her past had dredged up things she'd rather forget. Her past was a monster. There were other cadets who'd suffered abuse because they were geniuses, but only a select few were subjected to xenophobia. People like Caster ruined her life, and the lives of countless others. He would never understand just how deeply his selfish, violent actions impacted upon the lives of others. Caster had torn families apart and ruined lives without realising it. He was a cruel being who sought only to fulfil his own needs.
She was glad he was gone.
The rest of the Hunters had been jailed on numerous accounts of kidnapping, torture and murder. Caster's body had been jettisoned into space and that was the only funeral he deserved. His family spat abuse at her and claimed that their son hadn't done what he was accused of, exactly like they did ten years ago.
She didn't care.
She pulled her collar back up and checked that all her books were in her satchel.
Timetable: Abbott, Zia
Monday
0800 – General Physics (PHYS 205) Block-A, Rm 18
1000 – Microbiology (BIOL 220) Block-B, Rm 1
1400 – Multidimensional Calculus (MATH 228) Block-A, Rm 7
Tuesday
1000 – History of Starfleet (HIST 202) Block-A, Rm 4
1200 – Athletics Program (PE 232) Block-D, Athletic Compound
Wednesday
0800 – Multidimensional Calculus (MATH 228) Block-A, Rm 7
1400 – Peoples and Cultures of the Federation (ANTH 200) Block-A, Rm 11
Thursday
0800 – Athletics Program (PE 232) Block-D, Athletic Compound
1400 – Microbiology (BIOL 220) Block-B, Rm 1
1600 – General Physics (PHYS 205) Block-A, Rm 18
Friday
0800 – History of Starfleet (HIST 212) Block-A, Rm 4
1200 – Peoples and Cultures of the Federation (ANTH 200) Block-A, Rm 11
General Physics was difficult, and she was determined to keep her High Distinction. Professor Golden was a decent teacher, even if he didn't hold a candle to Spock. He didn't have favourite cadets, was a fair marker, and had once suggested that Zia publish one of her essays in Starfleet Monthly in the science section. She'd shaken her head at that.
Multidimensional Calculus was her most challenging class, taught by Professor Hahn. Most people complained whenever they were given work, as Professor Hahn was a tough marker, but Zia kept her mouth shut and put her head down. Complaining wouldn't get her anywhere.
Peoples and Cultures of the Federation was taught by Professor Moriarty. Zia found she achieved well in her classes, as Professor Moriarty was a dedicated teacher and loved what she did. It made for an interesting classroom and they studied links between different cultures and the defining moments that made them join the Federation.
Microbiology, she found, was quite enjoyable. Now that the Professor 'Balding' jokes were old, her classmates could stop sniggering in class and she could pay attention to Professor Spalding. She wouldn't go so far as to say she was one of his favoured cadets, but she could tell he appreciated her directness to learning.
History of Starfleet was a dry subject, but a necessary one. It functioned both as a history lesson and as a law book. Professor Jonin explained that the subject's purpose was to educate them on what was acceptable and what was not based on historical events. Logical, she thought.
As for Athletics Program, after the year finished, Zia planned to swap it for Advanced Self-Defence. There was no way she was going to be caught off-guard again.
She slung her satchel over her shoulder and speed-walked to Block-A. The door to her classroom was unlocked and she slipped inside, took a seat in the front and pulled out her PADD to set up a page for note-taking.
"Hey." Tara walked in and sat beside her.
"Hey," she replied tiredly.
"I thought you'd be here."
"You thought correctly. I did say that I was going to class early."
Tara glanced at the clock on the wall. "Class doesn't start for thirty minutes."
"You should go. There's nothing to gain by your being here. You should go to your own class."
"I'm not leaving you here alone," she said fiercely. "What kind of friend would I be?"
"Tara-"
"Zia, the whole time you were kidnapped I was in Sussex shopping and having fun. You needed a friend and I wasn't there."
"It's okay, Tara. I had Spock. But… I don't think I have him anymore."
Tara's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong?"
"I haven't seen him. He's put up another barrier and I haven't been allowed to see him."
Her hands shook, and before she could continue, Tara covered her shaking hands with her own steady ones and squeezed. "He's okay. He loves you. You love him. You'll be seeing each other before long. I don't think I've ever seen two people more in love than the two of you."
"Blair likes you," Zia blurted. Where had that come from?
A smile stretched across Tara's face. "I know."
"But he really likes you."
"And I like him too. You know, at home one of my ex-boyfriends made a move on me and I told him that I had a hunky alien boyfriend."
Zia tried to smile at that, she really did, but she just couldn't. "You know, Blair's taken to exercising every day to look good for you."
"I know. We're going to watch a movie tomorrow night."
Again, she tried to smile. "I'm happy for you, really."
Tara tightened her grip on Zia's hands. "Look, from now on I'll be here. You're my friend and I will be there for you this time."
Zia fought back tears. "Thank you. Now, you really should be getting to class."
Her eyes flicked to the clock and Tara stood. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
"Yes ma'am. Professor Golden should be arriving any minute. He's always early."
Tara hesitated, like she was about to say something else, then she left. Zia watched her go, a mixture of sadness and pain in her eyes.
o.O.o
"Homework: a thesis on the use of invertum bacteria to assist in Alvanian cave sloth rehabilitation," Professor Spalding said. The bell sounded a second later and Zia set her PADD to hibernate and packed her notes away slowly, not wanting to be caught in the rush for lunch. She still wasn't hungry.
But her head pounded. She closed her eyes and attempted to use her limited Vulcan skills to regulate the pain. It didn't relent. Tiredly, she slung her satchel over her shoulder and moved against the crowd towards the Infirmary. Inside, Yeto tended to a cadet with a broken wrist.
"Take two of these daily." He handed her a pill bottle, "and change the bandage twice a week. Mondays and Fridays if you wish to be specific."
"Thank you," the cadet said. They left, Yeto crossed to the computer, typed in some notes, and turned to Zia.
"Come here." He gestured to the nearest bed. "What is the problem?"
"My head hurts," she groaned. "I can't regulate it successfully. I need Lexorin."
"You should not have too much," Yeto advised. He propped her against the pillows. "I will give you some now. The ruptures should not be this bad."
"Well they are, and there's nothing I can do about it. I'm not even allowed to see Spock, so he can't help me fight this."
Yeto moved to one of the medical cabinets and pulled a bottle of Lexorin out. He poured it into one of the hypos and injected it into her arm. "Do not fret. He has not forgotten you, he is just trying to understand some things."
"Like what?"
"Well, Admiral Marcus' code was used to deactivate yours and Spock's transmitters, so he is probably trying to make that connection. And he is probably working on the cases against the so-called 'Vulcan Hunters'. Do not worry, he will come see you within the week, I promise."
She sighed. "Sometimes you're too honest for your own good."
"It is a gift as well as a curse." He registered her visit and treatment on the computer. "It will be good to have a friend aboard the Enterprise."
"Are we friends?"
"I believe so."
"That's good to hear," she nodded. "Well, I have homework for every subject to get started on, so I shouldn't delay anymore."
"Good luck," Yeto nodded. She stood, stretched, grabbed her satchel and headed to the library, feeling a slight shred of optimism.