Chapter Three
``Who`ve you got for temporal mechanics this semester?``
``Professor Gallway.``
``Gallway! He`s a monster. You`ll have to change sections.``
Classes having let out for the evening, the Academy campus was alight with activity. Students who did not live in the San Francisco area prepared for their commute home, while others lingered in front of the dormitory steps, recounting the events of the day.
``…Anyway I never much liked temporal mechanics. It`s so abstract. What are the chances that in any of our lifetimes, we`ll run across the predestination paradox on a standard mission? I mean, unless the Voyager space flight is somehow destined to repeat itself every seven years.``
``Oh I almost forgot! Speaking of Voyager, I heard something today that`ll make your head spin more than any temporal mechanics class. The Captain of Voyager has resigned her commission.``
``What? Captain Janeway?``
``That`s right. Apparently, she just walked out cold, no explanation, no word of warning. They say,`` said the gossip-mongering cadet, in hushed tones, his eyes widening, ``that she ran away to join a covert racing operation that goes on on one of the former Starfleet space stations. Unauthorized racing vessels, equipment that hasn`t even been tested for safety protocols.``
This cadet`s compatriot, being somewhat older and wiser, did not impress as easily as would have been desired. ``Well you know, I heard that Captain Janeway is such a stickler for Starfleet regulations that she would rather die alone in the Delta quadrant than interpret the prime directive. Maybe you`re thinking of another Captain.``
``I`m telling you, it`s the truth! I overheard two teachers talking about it in the stellar cartography lab. From what they were saying, her career is as good as over. It`s the scandal of the century.``
``Or the tall tale of the century.``
``You`re just too stubborn to believe it. But tell me, what do you think could make a celebrated officer like Captain Janeway, with nothing but power, prestige and success in her future, throw everything away and become an outlaw?``
The older student shook his head. ``I have no idea,`` he said, and before he disappeared behind the doors of the housing complex, ``but if it is true, I suppose we all ought to start taking psychology in addition to temporal mechanics.``