Chapter Text
August 20, 2220
I.
The official ceremony was beautiful, if tiring. Philippa Georgiou kept glancing around, memorising the faces of her new classmates. She moved stealthily through the crowd, always in plain sight, exchanging remarks with one group or another, never staying long enough to be dragged into a conversation, everywhere and nowhere at once. The excitement level in the reception hall was deafening — everywhere she looked she saw sparkling eyes and radiant smiles. Champagne was flowing freely, but it hardly added anything to the sheer joy of being accepted into Starfleet Academy. Philippa smiled politely at Sam, whom she remembered from the final test day. So many dreams came true that day with thrice as many ruined. Philippa Georgiou had learned the hard way to never forget the less fortunate.
The lighting changed color to a soft lavender and she looked up for what must have been a hundredth time that day. The whole expanse of the ceiling in the grand reception hall was turned into a display, projecting views of space from Federation starships. All around the galaxy the Fleet welcomed new recruits with a promise of a brilliant future. Lavender meant U.S.S. Taurus and in Philippa’s opinion it was the most astounding view of them all. A nebula in al it’s glory, the white star in the center of it glowing softly through a glorious array of purple gas and blueish matter. It seemed like the nebula was dancing in the sky, and in front of it — a blue planet with three moons, forever watching the eternal dance. Philippa wondered if there was s life on that planet and if so, what it was like. Was the blue-coloured surface made up of water like on Earth? Were the habitants sea creatures? Or was it blue sands with mountain-high dunes? Was it cold or hot and would she be able to breathe freely? A loud applause broke her out of her reverie and Philippa tore her eyes from the faraway skies and turned her attention to the stage.
Superintendent of the Academy Admiral Taaslus Dei had just finished his speech and Philippa cursed herself for missing it, distracted with a heavenly dance above. The tall lean man was a Betazoid and his telepathic ability was legendary. She knew he couldn’t possibly discern her distraction, but felt a pang of worry all the same.
“And now, as tradition goes, we give the final word to one of our exemplary cadets.” He continued, gesturing to a young woman entering the stage. “Katrina Cornwell!” The woman shook his hand gracefully and Philippa couldn’t help but notice how elegant she was.
Interesting, she observed, that obligatory Dress Uniforms looked so different on everyone. While Superintendent Dei projected the air of military command, Katrina looked positively royal in her black Cadet uniform. Such poise could hardly be learned. She looked around the room calmly as she began to speak.
“I can promise you one thing. The most important journey of your lives starts today. Where will it lead you? What will you encounter? The possibilities are immense. We are fortunate to be allowed to even step foot on that road of discovery, and we must never forget that. In out darkest moments. And most importantly — in our brightest moments.
Today is a joyous day as we welcome you in Starfleet academy. Today is a grievous day as we mourn the loss of the U.S.S. Drake during the exploration of the Beta quadrant. Let’s honour the memory of the ship, her Captain Malroy West and her crew with a minute of silence.”
At that moment a white light exploded on the ceiling, now filled with names and photos of the U.S.S. Drake crew. A full minute passed before the white light subsided, replaced by a view of a burning red star. Katrina’s voice filled the now solemn room.
“The red star is called Rubicon, it was discovered by U.S.S. Drake and named by Captain Malroy West eleven years ago. He called it Rubicon because when this red giant explodes, part of the Beta-Quadrant will be forever changed. The force of the blast will send matter flying all through the galaxy. In a way, all things in the universe begin and end in disaster. Energy, pent up for billions of years, rushes out in a deadly explosion, tearing stars apart. Giants in the vast unknown collide, and the remains slowly gravitate towards the future, creating new worlds. New life. Humankind has been through enough disasters to know that no matter the desolation, the pain and the loss, there is always hope for a new beginning. Today that new beginning is you.
In the endless story of the universe we get to experience less then a chapter. Less then a page. Less then a sentence. One dot in that manuscript may encompass all of our known existence and beyond. So it’s up to us to make it matter.To strengthen our spirit, to broaden our horizon, to aspire to go beyond that little dot in the history of time. Starfleet Academy will assist you in that the best we can. Welcome, to Starfleet Academy, Cadets!”
The room erupted with applause as Philippa blinked away a tear. She felt deep sorrow for the Captain that didn’t live to see his star bloom into a space flower, and strangely, she felt sorrow for the star that had lost a father — someone the star was never meant to have, but found anyway. Someone Philippa lost as well. Now the orphaned giant is destined to live and die all alone in the darkness.
II.
Katrina Cornwell was talking to Gabriel and a couple of their fellow students when Admiral Taaslus Dei approached their group. She stood up straighter as the chatter quieted down around her. Dei smiled knowingly, resigned to the fact that most students were not fully comfortable around him. His large black eyes stopped on Katrina.
“Exquisite speech, Cadet. Not one the new recruits will soon forget.”
“Thank you for the opportunity, Admiral.” She felt a burst of pride blossoming in her chest and tried to stifle it, but Superintendent shook his head in light disapproval.
“Pride of accomplishment is meant to be felt in full, and then let go of to make space for new aspirations. But don’t let it go prematurely, it would be too much of a waste.”
“I will make sure to hold on to it for the time being, Admiral.” Katrina chucked, her cheeks were feeling very warm but she was determined not to lose her composure.
“Valiant effort.” Admiral nodded his approval and turned around to address a slim Cadet that was passing by. “Would you join us, Cadet Georgiou?”
For a spare second it seemed to Katrina, that the Cadet looked like she was caught red-handed, but the expression was so fleeting, Katrina thought she might have imagined it. The young woman looked tiny and fragile next to a tall Admiral Dei, but nothing about her said that she was even a tiniest bit intimidated by the Academy’s telepathic Superintendent calling her name. That in itself was an accomplishment of sorts.
“I would be honoured to, Admiral Dei.” Georgiou answered with a catlike smile, stopping to join their group. Katrina was surprised to hear her speak with a thick accent. Earth was a bilingual planet and accents of any kind were rare, Katrina couldn’t recall anyone speaking with an accent in the Academy. Then again she couldn’t recall anyone who remained unfazed when addressed by Admiral Dei and here she was, Cadet Georgiou standing next to her, calm and relaxed, strength radiating off her tiny frame as if she’s ready to pounce any second if need be, like a lazy, but deadly panther.
“I was just praising Katrina for her speech, and I could tell you’ve greatly enjoyed it.” Georgiou nodded, studying the Admiral intently, then turned her attention to Katrina.
“Philippa Georgiou. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” She bowed her head slightly as a sign of respect.
“Katrina Cornwell. Likewise.” Katrina smiled her most infectious smile and saw it reflected in Philippa’s dark eyes. She could tell the Cadet was very pleased, even if her face remained a mask of politeness and that knowledge was like a little secret between the two of them. Katrina didn’t know what this secret was exactly or why it was even a secret, but she liked it a great deal.
“Your speech touched me deeply.” Georgiou said very seriously, that thick accent of hers seemed to attach a tiny bit of extra weight to her every word. “A dot in the manuscript of time. I shall remember that poetic metaphor. Frightening, freeing, inspiring and daring. Just like the cosmos itself.”
“Just like any new frontier,” Katrina nodded, happy to have been understood so completely.
“Welcome to the Academy, Cadet Philippa Georgiou.” Admiral Dei said, taking his leave. “And not to worry, dreamers are the most welcome kind here.”
“Thank you, Admiral.” Philippa turned back to Katrina. She offered no explanation for Admiral’s last words and Katrina decided firmly against asking. She introduced Gabriel and the rest of the group to Philippa when the sky above them turned black and then flashed orange.
Gabriel pulled her closer in the dark, his arm a welcome weight around her waist. “The D1408! Finally! I knew Aneka would chase it!”
“Aneka Astroff, what an ace, just look at that!” Mira, their mutual friend and a talented medical student, shook her head in awe.
Katrina looked up to watch the comet sear through the black of space. Aneka was truly showing off - her ship was running circles around the massive comet, dipping into its foggy tail.
A bright orange sun shone in the background, coating the show with a fiery glow. When Aneka got close enough, one could see the outlines of rock and ice, melting right off the comet as it leaned closer and closer to the sun. The Cadets in the hall fell silent, observing this wonder and trying to guess if D1408 will manage to escape the clutches of the sun’s gravity, or if it’s bound to fall like Icarus to it’s inevitable but nevertheless glorious demise.
Katrina’s eyes darted as if on their own accord to Philippa Georgiou’s awe-struck face. She marvelled at how innocent the woman looked, her eyes wide and greedy, her mouth slightly open as she watched the comet run for it’s life. For a few moments Katrina couldn’t look away. Cabriel’s hand on her waist was suddenly heavy and instinctively she moved away from him. She looked up from Philippa’s stunning features only to see the comet crashing full speed into the sun.