To Boldly Go

Graduation

As Cadet Dumas moved to his seat on the parade deck of Starfleet Academy he began to look around at his fellow cadets and constant companions of the last four years. It had been a trying time for most of them and like Dumas they were all excited for graduation, they all milled about and talked to one another before the ceremony started and Dumas decided it would be prudent to go find his friends whom he would not be seeing for a long time. As moved about the parade grounds he heard a familiar voice calling out his name trying locate him. He turned to the left and immediately saw his friend Rachael walking towards him at a brisk pace.

"Thought I wouldn't find you in this sea of people didn't you Ith," she said using a shortned version of his name that he allowed no one but her to use. He smiled and replied, "well it was either that or I didn't want to see you until you'd become Ensign Rachael Miller". She just glared at him before
She started to pull him along. "Ith if i didn't know your mom was a Vulcan i would swear yoir pointy ears are justa fashion statement. Why can't you act like other Vulcans and be cold and logical??" She questioned him. He just smiled and winked at her without replying, which, caused her to groan in her usual fashion. Then she kissed him on the cheek and practically sprinted off to go find some of her other friends.

Truth be told Dumas thought as he sat down he didn't know why he wasn't like other Vulcans, but, he never let it bother him so he wouldn't let it know. As he ambled back to his seat he could hear other cadets talking about which ships they were going to and who was coming with them. Dumas had no friends coming with him and he was okay with that, a new home, a new beggining. As he sat in his thoughts Vice Admiral Franko came to the podium and called out, "AATTEN-HUT" and instantly all the cadets came to attention as he ordered them all to their seats. The Vice Admiral wasn't a big man, but, neither was he a small man. He had graying hair and a goatee that spoke of his confidence. His dress uniform was well maintained and his pips were shinning brightly. This man commanded the space he was in and knew that he did so. After the call to attention all the familys and friends who had come to watch the graduation started to fill the stands and low murmur could be heard all throughout the parade deck. As they finally finished filing in the Cadets were allowed to sit, at which point Vice Admiral Franko took the podium and began his speech.

"Friends, family and fellow starfleet officers, I thank you for attending the graduation of the class of 2409! It has been my pleasure to help guide these wonderful young starfleet officers in their journey to this graduation today. I would like to give special thanks to Dean of students Commander Joseph and to his staff who have taught these young men and women everything they will need to know..." he continued for about another 20 minutes before they started call off names of the graduates. "Ensign Jessica Beltran graduates as the honor grad for applied sciences and is being stationed at Deep Space Nine" Dumas stoppdd listening until he heard his name called, "Ensign Ithillion Dumas graduates as the top of his class for the Command Track he his being assigned to the USS EXPLORER under the Command of Captain Pettinger." As he received his diploma he shook hands with thr admiral gave a smart salute and marched off the stage. The rest of the ceremomy went by in a blur for Ensign Dumas as he waited for the ceremony.

Two hours later as the ceremony finished Dumas turned to go find his mother and his younger sister. As he was searching he felt someone fly into his back and hug him fiercly while shouting, "Congrats big bro! I'm so happy for you" Dumas laughed and turned to pry his sister off him when his mother appeared with no sign of emotion on her face. Dumas just sighed and greeted his mother the traditionally vulcan way, not long after they left and went back to the hotel where he would spend the next view weeks awaiting the arrival of the USS EXPLORER so he could begin his career.