Edge of Glory ✶ Star Trek '09

Zero: How it Started

I stare in wonder at what my parents were hiding, they had big smiles on their faces, and I had no idea why. The thought scared me about them getting me something. Again! It was getting annoying. I was 14, going on 15 tomorrow, for crying out loud, and they said they couldn't afford me to go to outer space, I wanted to be more than this, the Lucky Aria of the Hale family. I couldn't do much about it, I couldn't leave the house.

Okay, I get it, it's Christmas tomorrow, but I've asked the same thing since I've been 8 years old. I wanted to go to Outer space!

"Honey, we got you the best Birthday slash Christmas presents ever!" My mother had said enthusiastically, making me sigh.

"And you can't afford me to go into Space?" I had questioned her once more. It was the same thing every year, wait for the response.

My mother let out another irritated sigh as my father snidely said; "Arianna Blair Hale! We have told you a million times, space is filled with unknown matter that could kill you! Now, stop asking us to go into outer space!"

I reply with such attitude, you won't believe what happened next. "I don't care, I can get training at the Starfleet Academy, if you would only-" I was slapped in the face, by my own father!

"Aria, that is enough."

And with that, I ran into my room with tears stinging my eyes.

*~*~*

That next morning, they hadn't found me in the room, they just found a note that said to them:

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am so sorry for this, but I have left to join the Starfleet Academy without the use of your money, I'm tired of being treat like lucky Aria of the Hale family, you can disown me if you want, I'm just tired of it guys. I hope you guys live your life the way you want without me in it, spoil my brother and my sister if you want, Spoil them like you never really did with me, I thank you for all the gifts you've given me over the years, but it wasn't enough... I needed this, I want to travel to different places, see different places and see new people.

Just know, I still love you guys, a lot!

Aria Blair Hale

*~*~*

I was around the Starfleet Academy with wide and excited eyes, my brain couldn't function that I was here, my body knew how happy I was by the feel of my heart pounding against my chest. But - to myself in general, I couldn't believe that I was here under everything that has happened before and now - I can finally live my dream without my parents deciding for me on what I wanted out of life. And honestly - I hope to learn a lot within this journey while I'm here.

And if I'm being honest, I didn't know this journey would change my life. For better or worse - I guess I would just have to find out, won't I?

*~*~*

It had been a few years and I turned seventeen years old about three weeks ago, I was doing well in school as I'm passing my classes and working on the Kobayashi Maru exam but, keep failing it. It was painfully obvious that Spock, one of the senior officers, made it impossible to beat. I sigh in annoyance. I began to rub the back of my head messing up my low ponytail I had made, I close my eyes and slam my forehead against the desk in front of me.

Everything felt so tough, but I knew I had to pull through it. Everything was on the line, and I knew it too. Before I could gather all my thoughts, there was a knock at my door, blinking and ignoring the red mark on my head, I got up from my chair and began walking to the door hearing another knock.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming, hold your -" I pause when I open the door and see a man -and to note to myself, the man looked old- standing there, ready to knock again. "Horses... Can I help you? And please, no disrespect but I must study for the Kobayashi Maru exam, and I have to pass this and this time... I know I will..."

The man chuckles at my confidence and begins speaking. "I'm Captain Christopher Pike of the Starship Enterprise, I would love to talk to you about an opportunity that could last a lifetime."

"..." I pause a moment trying to gather what he meant, out of all the things I have read, this one was not chiming in my head. "An offer?"

"That's right, may I come in?"

"Oh, of course!" I stated briefly shaking my head, moving from the door, and gesturing for him to come in. "Come in, come in, I'm sorry for the rudeness, I've been studying nonstop for this exam and god forbid, I don't know if I'm ever going to pass it."

"It's fine," Pike stated as he stood there while I closed the door and looked at him, he looks at me again and I sigh. "So, Ms. Arianna Hale -"

"Please, don't use my last name, I try not to associate with it anymore. Not since... Three years ago..."

"... Ms. Arianna, I would like for you to become my first officer on the Starship Enterprise."

I thought about it for a moment while raising a brow. Then, I open my mouth to speak. "Why? What makes me so good to become your first officer?"

"I've seen your scores and I've seen what you can do during the Kobayashi Maru exam, you're quite talented young lady, I believe that one day, you will surpass me and become Captain. So, again, would you please do me the honor of becoming my First Officer?"

I stood in silence as I began contemplating his offer, this was an offer of a lifetime, and I knew it. It was time to become that Galactic Hero I've been dreaming about.

My smile couldn't get any bigger as I take his outstretched hand and shook it withconfidence and accepting his offer.