12-15-2024, 05:21 PM
It was raining on that December day that Cadet Callan Campbell walked across the Academy campus toward the building that held the Auditorium. He felt this uncharacteristic weather was ironic. Rain, grey sky, and a chill in the air. There was a word for it back home in Scotland;
Dreich.
He found it particularly ironic as while he had grown up in the Scottish Highlands, he had actually been born in San Francisco before moving to live with grandparents across the Pond, and now he had brought the dreich weather back full circle. Still, it made him feel more comfortable as the cold wet drops of rain fell upon his face while he walked from the public transporter station with the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge behind him. Reaching the door to the building he paused to look back over his shoulder, that way lay his old life, through this door lay the path to his future, and all that stopped him taking that path was the final examination of his Academy study. He felt a sudden attack of nerves and his stomach churned. He thought he was going to vomit right there in the doorway, which would be most embarrassing. Instead he took a deep breath, centred himself, and entered the foyer.
Inside he noted that there were a dozen or more people scattered in small groups or individually in the entrance area, and at the far end a long desk with personnel wearing the uniforms of Academy personnel. Callan had, like all his fellow cadets, attended many lectures in the huge Auditorium space, taking whichever seat was available as he was invariably a few minutes late each time. On this day though, he was bang on time, and had no more lectures. Hopefully.
He proceeded as directed past the paintings of legendary members of Starfleet from years gone by. He lingered for a second at the portrait of Jonathan Archer, a fellow climbing enthusiast, and of course his chief engineer, Charles Tucker the Third, a particular role model of his. From scaling the earthbound peaks to commanding Earth’s first warp five starship. One day maybe I’ll do something like that… but only if I pass this exam…
Joining the short queue of cadets before him, he shuffled closer and closer as the line got shorter, until it was his turn to approach the reception desk. Callan summoned his confidence as he faced Captain Allen, the Academy Superintendent in person, and smiled politely.
“Cadet Callan Campbell reporting for final examination, Sir.”
== I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the Federation Space Constitution and the Cadet Code of Conduct.==
Dreich.
He found it particularly ironic as while he had grown up in the Scottish Highlands, he had actually been born in San Francisco before moving to live with grandparents across the Pond, and now he had brought the dreich weather back full circle. Still, it made him feel more comfortable as the cold wet drops of rain fell upon his face while he walked from the public transporter station with the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge behind him. Reaching the door to the building he paused to look back over his shoulder, that way lay his old life, through this door lay the path to his future, and all that stopped him taking that path was the final examination of his Academy study. He felt a sudden attack of nerves and his stomach churned. He thought he was going to vomit right there in the doorway, which would be most embarrassing. Instead he took a deep breath, centred himself, and entered the foyer.
Inside he noted that there were a dozen or more people scattered in small groups or individually in the entrance area, and at the far end a long desk with personnel wearing the uniforms of Academy personnel. Callan had, like all his fellow cadets, attended many lectures in the huge Auditorium space, taking whichever seat was available as he was invariably a few minutes late each time. On this day though, he was bang on time, and had no more lectures. Hopefully.
He proceeded as directed past the paintings of legendary members of Starfleet from years gone by. He lingered for a second at the portrait of Jonathan Archer, a fellow climbing enthusiast, and of course his chief engineer, Charles Tucker the Third, a particular role model of his. From scaling the earthbound peaks to commanding Earth’s first warp five starship. One day maybe I’ll do something like that… but only if I pass this exam…
Joining the short queue of cadets before him, he shuffled closer and closer as the line got shorter, until it was his turn to approach the reception desk. Callan summoned his confidence as he faced Captain Allen, the Academy Superintendent in person, and smiled politely.
“Cadet Callan Campbell reporting for final examination, Sir.”
== I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the Federation Space Constitution and the Cadet Code of Conduct.==