Preparatory Program

I continue writing in my journal.

"I've been following Surak's teachings for a long time now, but progress is very slow. My emotions are rampant still, and I find myself struggling to find peace and calm. Most of the time, I have to stop what I'm doing and back away from whatever situation I'm in. It's the only way to avoid hurting someone.

Every day now, I wonder why I remember things that I never experienced. Why I can see things that have never happened in my dreams. The destruction of Vulcan. Attacks of the Borg on our Federation.

I don't know if it's real, or some kind of dream. I can only wait to see."

Finishing my daily writing, I move to bed.

'The Starfleet Academy Entrance Exam is tomorrow. I've prepared all my life for this…'

I cover myself in my blanket and put my head on the pillow.

An hour passes…

'Why can't I sleep?!'

I groan loudly and go to my desk. If I can't sleep, I may as well continue my work. In my sleep, I had seen many situations. Species who ran out of luck. Chance didn't favor them. The Vidiians were one of them. A species who became infected with the Phage. A sickness that only affected them. It ate their bodies, and while they had highly advanced medical technology, they could only steal from the bodies of other species to survive. A Talaxian named Neelix, a member of the crew of Voyager, had his lungs stolen. His mate had to give him a lung for him to live a normal life.

"That Doctor was pretty ingenious, though. Using holographic technology and an isotropic restraint, he made a pair of fake lungs until a better solution was found."

I continue my simulations on my computer for a cure for the phage.

'I figured a long time ago that I might be able to create a cure for it. I know that Be'lanna was resistant to it because she was half-Klingon, so I thought that I could create a cure for it… or maybe apply Klingon genetics to their own to help them resist the sickness, but I haven't had any luck yet. Maybe soon…' I think as I look at a possible cure that has a 6% chance of being functional.

And so I continue researching and imagining new ways to help the Vidiians all through the night.

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"My little girl, good morning. Are you fully prepared for the entrance exam?" My father asks.

"Yes, father."

He smiles lightly, before putting a plate of blueberry pancakes and a container of maple syrup on the table.

"I understand you very much like this earth dish, so I replicated it for you."

"Thanks." I hug him.

He gives me a thoughtful look before saying, "You are so much like your mother. So emotional. Every day I see her in you."

As I sit down to eat, I ask, "You haven't ever told me much about her. What was she like? What made you fall in love with a Klingon? They're so different than Vulcans."

"She was different than most Klingons. Instead of pursuing violence and such, she embraced the teachings of Surak. She forsook her own kind's way, and later in life, we met. We quickly fell in love… And she bore you."

"She sounds like she was an amazing person."

"She was." He says, trying to stay serene.

I finish my breakfast.

My father taps the table twice and the time shows up on its surface.

"It's time to go, Elikae."

"Alright."

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"Welcome to the testing grounds. Please stand in line. When the time has come, you will be taken to the testing area." The male Vulcan hands me a slip with a number on it. "This is your testing area. Area A. This area is reserved for the greatest minds of Vulcan. We hope you do well. Live long and prosper." He gives me the hand gesture.

I return it and say, "Peace and long life."

When I was young, apparently I was one of the smartest. Not the smartest, mind you. But I could go toe-to-toe with a supercomputer. Eidetic memory, extremely fast and complex computing capabilities. Even my intuition is on another level.

I walk towards the area with a banner with the letter A on it and find thirteen other prospective students.

We stand in silence until an aged man walks toward us and begins to give a short speech.

"Welcome, all, to Area A of the Entrance Examination. Here, the greatest young minds of our world will gather to strive to become part of something greater than themselves. It is a great honor to become part of the Federation. First established in 2161, the Federation included only four species. Humans, Vulcans, Andorians, and the Tellarites. Since then, it has accepted hundreds of other races. Thousands of worlds are part of this organization. Even though we are but one small part of the collective, we all strive to improve it. It is my hope that you will give due representation to our planet, as well as become respectable members of Starfleet. These tests will take a total of four days. If you pass them, you will be accepted into the Preparatory Program. If you do not receive high enough scores, you may attempt it again next year. That is all. Follow me to begin your first test."

'Short and to the point. Just like other Vulcans. I would have opted for something more inspirational, but that may be my less than Vulcan side talking.'

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Three and a half days later.

"The test before you is the Spatial Orientation Test. This is the last test before your accumulated scores will be revealed and those successful will go to Earth to begin the Preparatory Program. Do your best. The Examiner will come in a few minutes." The Vulcan says.

He walks out and the other students begin conversing.

From the far side of the room, I can hear someone talking with someone else through my hearing that is better than a human's.

"I've observed you for the past few days, and I don't believe you are fit for Starfleet. You will, undoubtedly, have subpar scores. You should leave now and not waste the time and energy of the examiner."

"I-I-I don't believe that-"

'A stuttering Vulcan. That's new.'

I look over and see another hybrid. Half Romulan, half Human. A young man.

'This isn't something I'll tolerate.'

I walk quickly over.

"Hello, Spereck. Nice to see you again." I pat his shoulder.

"What- Elikae." His face pales at the sight of me.

"You weren't doing anything to bother this guy, right?" I ask menacingly.

"No, of course not. Come on, Silok, Kajerk."

They walk to another area of the room, far away from me, as I reminisce about old times.

About two years ago, they tried to pull the same kind of stunt with me. I broke their legs. Just some fractures. Nothing too bad.

Although, my father didn't see it that way. Severe disciplinary measures were taken. Counselors were talked to. I got a little better about violence.

"Thank you. My name is Chitonn."

"Elikae. You can call me Ellie."

"Why did they look like that when they saw you? They seemed frightened. I didn't think Vulcans got scared."

"They do, they just don't show it. Anyway, where are you from?"

"A small planet in the federation. I got my parents to send me here to get into the Academy. It took a lot of convincing. And I have to tell you, never in my life have I experienced so much…"

"Discrimination?" I suggest.

"Yes. So you have had the same thing happen to you?"

"More times than I care to admit. In all honesty, it sucks. In my experience, there's no option than just to take it. Unless you use violence."

At this point, the examiner finally walks in and starts the test.

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"Dad! Dad! I passed!" I shout as I run to his study.

Opening the door, I can see him in front of his desk reading a paper book.

"Look!"

I open up the message on the desk's viewer.

"Starfleet Academy is pleased to accept you into the Preparatory Program… Congratulations, Ellie. I knew you could do it. And look, it says you received the highest scores… in every field. I'm impressed."

"Yeah, I felt like I was on a roll that day. And the questions were pretty easy. I just had to think through what I didn't know the answers to. Logic has its uses."

He gives me a light smile.

"How has your learning of Surak's teachings come along?"

"It's slow. It's like walking up a muddy hill. Each step is difficult and every second it feels like I'll slip. But I'm progressing."

"Continue on the path and you may find peace. Now, since you have been accepted to the program, we should get you ready to get off the planet. I don't believe that you should return after the program, it would be illogical, seeing as how your first year will start only two weeks after the conclusion of the program."

"Okay. I understand. There's nothing I need that I can't replicate there. I'll be fine."

"Alright, then we'll leave when it's time. Until then, you can study or rest. Whatever you feel is necessary."

I walk out, still excited.

"Thanks, Dad. I love you."

He looks at me with that look he has. "Live long and prosper, Elikae."

We smile at each other before I leave.