Daughter of the Stars

Enlisting

Stardate 2249.83

Sala had recently left a lecture when she ran across Spock.

"Spock. How did your hearing with the Vulcan Science Academy go?" Sala asked, approaching her lifelong friend.

"I was accepted," Spock said simply.

"That is wonderful news, Spock," Sala said with the smallest of smiles.

Sala had taken to the habit of acting more "human" than Spock, but it was only the slightest bit.

"However, I turned them down," Spock added.

"You did? And what was your reasoning for that, Spock?" Sala asked, genuinely surprised.

"They had labeled me as having a disadvantage, which was solely the fact that I am half-human," Spock explained, "Knowing this, swayed me to pursue my acceptance into Starfleet."

"Starfleet? Spock, I was not aware that you had applied to the Starfleet Academy."

"I was simply cultivating my options. And it appears that the decision to do so was the benificial choice."

"So you will be going to Earth to study at the Starfleet Academy?"

"That is correct."

"Very well. Then, I wish you the best of luck with your studies," Sala said simply.

"Sala, are you agitated with me?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"I ask because you seemed to rush to complete the conversation. This can suggest agitation."

"No, I am not agitated, Spock. Simply unsure."

"Unsure of what?"

"What I will do. It is one more year for me before I am in the position which you have recently been in. And for that year, you will be on Earth, not here on Vulcan with me."

Spock was silent for a moment, processing the words that Sala had just said.

"Your insecurity about the future is perhaps warranted. I am the only one whom you have known your whole life, aside from your parents. Having that drastic of a change for the first time, I cannot be sure either on what will happen."

"Thank you for your attempt at comfort, Spock. Now, I am sure you must prepare to leave Vulcan. And, I must attend to my studies," Sala said before starting to walk off. She however, paused before turning to speak to Spock again, "I just ask one thing of you, Spock."

"And what is that, Sala?"

"Make sure you say good-bye to me before you leave. Do not leave without a word."

And with that, Sala left to attend to her studies, as she said.

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Stardate 2250.198

Sala inhaled the air of Earth as she stepped off of the shuttle that brought her down from orbit. Sala had made the decision only a few months after Spock had left Vulcan that she was going to apply to the Starfleet Academy as well. As Sala made her way towards the Academy, she saw a familiar face approaching her.

"Sala. I see you have arrived safely," Spock said simply while walking towards Sala.

"Hello, Spock. Yes, I indeed have arrived," Sala said with a small nod.

"I will admit. I was, surprised, when you told me that you applied to and were accepted into the Starfleet Academy."

"Was my decision such an unexpected one though?"

"Perhaps not. But, if I may ask, my coming here was not the reason that you decided to come here as well, was it?"

"I can assure you that your decision did not influence my choice. It only gave me further reason to go through with a decision that I was still weighing. After all, I am a product of Cultural and Interstellar relations. Therefore it is only logical that I pursue a career of such nature with Starfleet," Sala explained, "This is a decision that I made on my own."

"That is good to know. And am I correct in surmising that you intend to study Cultural  Relations?"

"As a primary, yes. Though, like you, I intend to study in the scientific fields as well."

"Duly noted. And, as I know the typical trends of your academic history, I believe that you will not encounter much difficulty."

"Thank you, Spock," Sala said with the hint of a smile.

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Stardate 2254.124

"Congratulations, Graduates," Captain Pike said with a warm smile before applauds covered all sounds in the area.

Sala stood tall with the other graduates of her class. She looked off to her right and gave a nod to Spock, who was clapping with the rest of those gathered.

Spock had graduated the year before, and has been doing research at the Academy while Sala finished her studies.

Once the graduates had filed out to join their families, Sala and Spock found each other, and started to speak further on what Sala was going to be doing now that she has graduated.

"Lieutenant Sala. And, Lieutenant Spock. Just the two people I was looking for," Sala heard behind her.

"Admiral Barnett," Spock acknowledged as Sala turned around, "Was there something you needed from us?"

"Well, it's more there's something that I wanted to ask the two of you. The two of you have been exemplary students of this Academy. Because of this, we at the Academy would like to offer the two of you positions to teach, or at least have a hand in the education of future students, at the Starfleet Academy."

"It is an honor that you would think of us for positions such as these, Admiral. However, would taking these positions impede us from potentially being selected for missions off-planet?" Sala asked.

"No, no. Consider it more as, a constrictive way to spend your time on Earth," Admiral Barnett explained.

"Since I had no other solid intentions, I shall accept your offer, Admiral," Sala said before turning to face Spock, "Spock?"

"I shall accept as well. It is only logical," Spock said simply.

"Wonderful," Admiral Barnett said before shaking Sala and Spock's hands.