Academy Days

Literary Challenge 18 - Academy Days 

 

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The small pond in the Academy quad seemed to be perpetually serene. It was that perception that attracted Kathryn to this place after her first year. She did her best to schedule classes to allow time to eat lunch at the quad grounds. That time was one of a handful of hours she was not otherwise sleeping, studying or attending class. Looking into the pond, a few fish swimming darted back and forth, yet their motions didn't disturb the water's surface. On more than one accession, Kathryn would touch the water's edge to see if it was replaced with a hologram, and every time she was surprised to feel cool liquid to her touch.

A nearby tree provided the few seats other cadets could use from its radiating roots. She climbed onto a large root that protruded from the ground. It twisted back into the earth and the apex of the wood was well worn with years of use from other cadets. Kathryn mused how she always found the spot empty, as if everyone on campus knew this was her spot during the mid-day to enjoy her lunch and quiet-time.

Kathryn was several years older than the average cadet and that set her apart from most of her classmates. It may also have contributed to her lack of friends in reasonable quantity. It really didn't bother her as she dedicated the bulk of her time 'catching up'. At least that was her opinion. Being a slave to the Orions, her subsequent escape and the journey back to Earth, took a lot of time that would have, should have been spent in any other way.

She pulled her satchel forward as she sat down on the root and grabbed a pre-made sandwich box. After taking a bite, she let the juices from the replicated meat tingle her taste buds. Smiling from the strong flavor of Sarnakian Cured Beef, she pulled out a PADD from the satchel. Chewing slowly, she pushed back loose strands of burgundy hair and tucked them behind her ear. The PADD activated to the latest entry: a lecture on stellar cartography in the Beta Quadrant.

Being mid-day, several cadets walked on the pathway nearby, so Kathryn was used to the soft steps taken by others. Yet, it was the moving shadow over the edge of the pond that caught her attention. Looking up, Kathryn squinted from the sunlight to see a human male. He wore a similar cadets uniform with Science colors and stopped from coming closer.

"I hope you don't mind if I sit?"

Kathryn got used to the bright light and shook her head, watching the man sit next to the root's entrance into the ground. His brown hair was longer than most others but still within regulation. A sharp jawline supported average cheekbones and a pointed nose. Full lips were licked to stay moist. After crossing his legs he looked up to Kathryn and smiled. She privately commented how his hazel-colored eyes seemed to invite her to return the smile with her own.

He looked back to the pond. "The water is always calm, that's why I like sitting here."

"Is that right?" She was a little surprised at his comment and curiosity was piqued.

Nodding, he looked back to Kathryn. "I don't usually come here during the day. I take nightly jogs around campus after class and stop here to rest."

Kathryn nodded and took a bite of her sandwich to keep from replying. She also caught herself wanting him to keep talking. His voice was strangely soothing. It reminded her of the automated reminders around campus.

"That must be a good sandwich?"

She swallowed the bite and nodded. "Just something I put together."

He looked at her PADD. "What are you studying?"

Handing him the device, she recognized he had not introduced himself yet and decided to go along anyway. "Professor Worriz's idea to track Tetryon emissions during a sensor analysis of local system space is interesting."

The younger cadet nodded as he read a few lines, and then returned the PADD to Kathryn. "Are you majoring in Astrometrics?"

Kathryn looked at her sandwich, took another bite intentionally and shrugged.

"I see. Please forgive my prying." He leaned toward her and extended his hand. "I'm Kyle Retarius."

Swallowing her morsel, Kathryn reached for Kyle's hand. "Kathryn Beringer."

His grip was gentle, yet firm and he held hand her hand until she pulled away first.

"Now it's my turn, what's your major?" Kathryn took another bite larger than the others.

Kyle looked over his shoulder opposite Kathryn before responding. "Temporal mechanics."

Kathryn nodded as she chewed.

"I've always been curious about the idea where a small change in the past can be so impactful to the future. I mean, is it possible that killing a single mosquito in prehistoric times could say, kill all the dinosaurs?" Kyle paused. "That's a bit extreme. Actually that's a very silly example, but you see what I mean?"

Nodding again Kathryn replied, "well, maybe not probable, but possible? Good luck with those studies, I had to retake the introductory class because the subject is not intuitive to me."

Kyle smiled and shrugged humbly. "I must admit that I've noticed you sitting here regularly. Would you be interested in dinner with me? I know a Pan-European bistro downtown that serves a dish you must experience with me."

Kathryn raised her eyebrows. "Oh, really?" She looked into his eyes to see if he would look away, but Kyle did not blink. For several seconds Kathryn weighed options and there were really only two to consider: yes or no. Kyle was cute and so far pleasant. Anything resembling 'dating' since her escape from Orion captivity was really flings that had ulterior motives attached. Besides, all Kyle was offering was a shared meal. Maybe a break from her studies would do some good? Then again, she was not really interested in a relationship. Having one while also working a Starfleet career would be challenging, if not distracting.

"Still thinking about it?"

Kathryn blushed as she realized her pondering options took longer than usual. She made a choice and wanted to take control.

"Sure. Yes. Are you free tomorrow night?"

It was Kyle's turn to raise eyebrows. "Uh, yes, absolutely! I'll send a message with details?"

He stood and wiped his pants clean.

Kathryn nodded and smiled. Kyle started walking away with a triumphant smile on his face. Kathryn mused that he looked good in uniform.

 

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Cast:

Kathryn - Rachel Nichols
Kyle Retarius - Matthew Fox

We'll Always Have New York

We’ll always have New York – LC 38

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"You don't understand, I belong here!"

The man was frantic with his words, almost hysterical. His eyes were wide and blood-shot while his white hair was disheveled. The lab coat he wore was of this time and not from the 25th century. The man looked between the person aiming a pistol at his chest to his right and the swirl of impossible insanity to his left. The vortex was a discordance or sound, light and weather that was both rapturous and repulsive to look at, and the man in the lab coat looked at it dreadfully.

"No doctor, you don't."

The person with the pistol was a hardened veteran of these events. All of them say the same thing and almost of them end the same way: death. These travelers would rather die in a time frame they never existed in, yet insist on being a part of.  And why not? They left their own time to find something new sometime else. But that is not permitted. Not natural. You deal with the cards you are dealt with - anything else, temporally speaking, is just running away from your own existence.

And these runners force other people to leave their own time to chase them - hunt them - down. Just. Like. Now.

The sphere of beautiful terror pulsed in the alleyway and made this little corner of New York City the worst place to be. The man with the pistol was ironically becoming impatient with how long this process was taking. His female partner watched the scene and tried to remain passive by mimicking a statue. Her attempt failed as she looked over her shoulder every few seconds hoping no one either followed or stumbled upon the scene. It was enough that one man was trying to live his life when he shouldn't, much less having another two people from the future drag him back, dead or alive.

"Kyle, listen to me," Kathryn said. "Your work on personal Temporal Teleportation worked! Look at your achievement." She pointed at the globular beast.

Kyle looked away from the menacing pistol to his delightful child of intellectual effort then to Kathryn, a pained expression on his face. "They took it from me to use as a weapon!" He pointed at the man with the gun, his face snarling.

"Kyle Retarius, I'll say again: enter the portal and return to your own time."

Kathryn rolled her eyes in frustration. The agent from Section 31 was dismissive of every suggestion and action she took while on this 'journey' and she was beyond annoyed with him. "Kyle, focus on me. I'm your Captain. We've been through a lot since the Academy, you can trust me. Trust me when I say that the 23rd Century is filled with more danger and less hope than home. Starfleet needs you; I need you to come home."

The scientist lowered his arm and looked at Kathryn. His face transformed from hate to sadness. He nodded as the luminescent ball pulsed again. He looked up to the night sky at the immense buildings towered above. "Did you ever love me?"

The agent looked sideways to Kathryn. "Is he serious?"

Kathryn ignored him and took a step forward, her hand outstretched. "Can you forgive me for being honest with you?"

Doctor Retarius looked at Kathryn with resignation. "You didn't answer my question."

The agent stepped forward with Kathryn, his wrist band beeping as if a timer expired. "We don't have time for this doctor. You must enter the portal."

"Kyle. I - "

Suddenly, a hover car appeared above them and slowly passed over the alleyway. All three looked up, but it was the agent that recovered from the surprise the fastest, stepped forward and yelled at the man. "Doctor, you are being ordered to enter the portal!"

Kyle Retarius leapt away from the agent and drew a pistol. Kathryn recognized the Type 2 Phaser and gathered her wits. "No, don't!"

A blue phaser beam appeared into the night and missed the agent by centimeters. The agent responded with his own purple-colored beam. It connected at Kyle's chest. He screamed as he disintegrated. Within seconds he was gone forever.

Kathryn stood rigid. The hovercar appeared again, this time with blue light swirling and flashing at various points on its fenders. The agent tapped his wristband, grabbed Kathryn at the waist and jumped into the ball of light.

A beam of light from the car probed into the alleyway, itself now dark as if no one was ever there.

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Kathryn appeared on the transporter pad. Alone.

Science officer Margaret Retarius stood next to the transporter consol. Her hands knotted together with knuckles white. When she saw Kathryn she looked around the pad chamber as if to expect someone to appear from behind the Captain. After several extremely long seconds, Margaret's face changed from hesitating expectations to the realization of reality. She broke down and collapsed to the floor sobbing.

Looking out the window of a transporter room in Earth Spacedock, Kathryn could see the bright lights of New York City through the clouds. She huddled next to Margaret.

"I'm so sorry, there wasn't enough time to save your brother or bring him back."

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Cast:
Kathryn - Rachel Nichols
Section 31 agent - Mark Harmon
Kyle Retarius - Matthew Fox
Margaret Retarius - Emma Roberts