Chapter 5

A few days later, Nyota returned to work. She was surprised at how quickly the news of the accident had spread. She was one of the few survivors of the accident. The dozen or more folks who tried to walk back to San Franciso side of the tunnel perished. Many of the people on the transport were critically injured. Nyota was the lucky one. Her injury was minimal and she made the right choice of running to the Sausalito station. She was also a hero for saving the commandant's life.

"Nyota, I would like to speak with you," Mrs. Welred said after lunch. Nyota followed her into the boardroom where Mr. Winston was standing.

"Welcome back, Nyota," he said motioning for her to sit. "We are glad you survived the accident."

"Thank you," Nyota said with a smile.

Mr. Winston's smile quickly faded. He folded his hands.

"I am going to come straight to the point. It has come to our attention that you used the emergency exit to leave the library last week."

Nyota looked at Mrs. Welred, she looked away.

"This is a violation of the library safety policy. I am afraid we must let you go. JC has also been terminated." Winston said.

Nyota was stymied. If it hadn't been for his long-winded speech, she could have used the front door.

"Is that all?" she asked.

"Yes," he said with a smirk. Winston never really liked Nyota. He found her too uppity.

Nyota stood up and went to her locker. She put her personal items into her backpack and headed for the main entrance.

"Nyota," Mrs. Welred called out.

Nyota took a deep breath and turned.

"What will you do?" Mrs. Welred was wringing her hand.

"I will find another job if you give me a reference." Nyota said.

"I was hoping you would say that" Mrs. Welred handed Nyota a small black portfolio. Nyota flipped it over and looked at it. The portfolio was made of fine leathers, with a W embossed on the front.

"There are a few letters in here. I used my personal number and address. I have decided to retire."

Nyota forced a smile. She walked over and gave a hug to the old librarian.

"Thanks for giving me a chance,' Nyota said.

"Good luck," Mrs. Welred said with a wave.

Nyota headed over to the transport station. This time she was early for once. Instead of researching the netsite for the Academy, she was able to log in and sign up for an advising appointment.

Instead of her regular stop, Nyota decided to go to the campus. She had to order uniforms, set up her orientation date, and she needed to find a new job and housing close to campus. Nyota got off the transport and walked over to the campus. She pulled her pea coat tight, it was early winter and the weather was brisk.

Her first stop was the student hub. She found a few ads for shared housing, nearby. However, Nyota had hope to get a place by herself. She was a graduate student and she preferred the quiet. Next, Nyota went over to the job center to look for work on campus or nearby. She found two positions that looked promising.

"Hi, my name is Nyota Uhura. I would like to apply for these two jobs," She inserted her credentials into the slot.

"Okay, you are all set for the library job, but the research position requires a commission." The clerk said.

"Oh, I am sorry. I didn't realize." Nyota said as she put her card back into her wallet.

"Why don't you apply for a commission?" the clerk asked. "You have a four degree degree, right?"

"Yes," Nyota said.

Most people with graduate degrees are commissioned as lieutenant junior grade instead of ensign. You should apply for ensign junior grade and you will be promoted when you complete your graduate degree. It is a rare commission, but a lot of the medical students pursue it." She said.

"I am not sure I understand," Nyota admitted sheepishly.

"Well, essentially, you would do the same work as a graduate assistant, but you can live in junior officer quarters on campus, and the compensation is better. Oh, and you get vacation, sick leave and retirement." The clerk said.

"What is your name?" Nyota asked.

"Ensign Charlene Masters," She said. Then she gave Nyota a padd.

"If your junior grade status is approved, you can also apply for better jobs." Charlene said. "You will be free to date officers or cadets because you will be both." She said with a wide grin and a wink.

"Thanks," Nyota took the padd and completed it.

Nyota was at the door of the vice commandant's office an hour later. She hesitated to go in. Nyota was just admitted to the academy but really wanted the research position. Nyota heard a familiar voice, it was Janice. She ducked into the bathroom and waited for the commotion in the hallway to die down. Then she washed her hands and went into the vice commandant's office. The clerk took the padd and smiled. Nyota nodded and left.

Nyota had enough excitement for the day. She went back to the transport station and headed home.


Two weeks later, Nyota received her severance pay from the library. It wasn't much. However, Mrs. Welred gave her an extra week of pay. Nyota also had her savings. She had enough for two years, but she would need a job and, most likely, a roommate to complete her classes and dissertation.

Nyota took a shower and walked past the messy kitchen. Since she lost her job, her roommates expected her to clean every day. Nyota took a deep breath and contacted the landlord to give notice. She had to find a job quickly to get a new place to live, but she wasn't going to clean for the roommates anymore.

As Nyota disconnected her call, she received a Starfleet message. Charlene asked her to come in that afternoon. Nyota went to her bedroom, changed her clothes and headed to the campus.

Charlene was all smiles when Nyota arrived.

"Congratulations, lady. You must have friends in high places. Your Ensign junior grade commission was approved." Charlene said.

"It was?" Nyota was shocked.

"I have never seen the brass move that fast." Charlene beamed.

"Oh, you also have two requests for interviews." Charlene tapped her padd and Nyota received two more messages.

"Gosh," Nyota wiped tears from her eyes.

"Hey, this is great news. Why are you crying?" Charlene asked.

"I have just been having a tough time. It is hard to believe it is over." Nyota admitted.

"Well, why don't we go out for lunch," Charlene said.

"I would like that," Nyota said.

As they walked across the campus, Charlene gave a tour of the buildings.

"Have you ordered your uniforms?" she asked.

"Not yet," Nyota said.

"Well, I guess you can use cadet grey, or you can wear the officer's uniform with rank insignia," Charlene said. She turned and showed Nyota her brass pip.

"Wow, I will order after lunch. This is like a dream." She said.

"What do you think you will specialize in?" Charlene asked.

"I was in engineering first but switched to physics."

"I am a chemo-scientist with a material science engineering emphasis," Charlene replied. "I have been working on a project to synthesize Dilithium crystals."

"That sounds promising," Nyota said.

"Do you speak any languages, by any chance?" Charlene asked.

"A few. I don't want to do communications, though. The idea of relaying messages all day sounds so boring." Nyota confessed.

Charlene leaned across the table. "The Enterprise is recruiting for communications bridge officers. I hear the communication array is the most sophisticated in the fleet."

"Hmm, I will look into it," Nyota said.

The women finished lunch. The women shopped and headed back to campus. Charlene giggled and grabbed Nyota's arm. She shook her head.

"I would love to work on the Enterprise. The bridge officers are so hot," Charlene wiggled her fingers and made a sizzling gesture. As the three men approached, she snapped to attention.

"Hello, sirs," Charlene said.

Pike was walking with Spock and Scotty. He paused when Spock stepped up to Nyota.

"Ms. Uhura, I see you have received your acceptance letter," Spock said.

Nyota's jaw dropped. She recognized the eyes, but the eyebrows and ears were a total shock. "Uh, yes. Thanks, Mr. Grayson." She replied.

Scotty chuckled.

Spock leaned in and spoke softly. "Ms. Uhura, on campus, I am known as Lieutenant Spock. Grayson is my mother's name."

"I apologize, Lt. Spock," Nyota's cheeks were hot.

"Have you received your uniforms?" he asked.

"Not yet. I am going there right now." She said.

"You may wear civilian clothes to the interview if need be," he said.

Nyota nodded, "Yes, sir."

He walked away.

"What interview?" she asked Charlene.

"I guess you better look at the message I sent earlier. You are a hot commodity around her for now. Take advantage of it." Charlene said. She waived and hurried off to work.

Nyota was measured for uniforms next. She took one with her. The rest would be picked up next week.