Chapter Text
“Cadets Lythe, Reymi, Kraag, SAM, and Mir. Report to the Chancellor’s office immediately!”
Caleb watched Genesis jump and straighten as Thok approached the area the five of them had been studying. Well, three of them were studying. Darem and Caleb were seeing who could eat the most fire-fruit without puking or crying. Which the other three were intently investing in. So really, none of them were studying and were likely about to pay for it.
“May I ask why, Cadet Master?”
“Certainly you may ask, cadet Lythe, but I am under no obligation to answer. Now, MOVE!”
Caleb rolled his eyes as he followed at the back of the group, snatching one more fire-fruit as they walked away. Thok was escorting them personally. He wasn’t overly concerned with whatever they must have done wrong this time, but it was the first time he truly didn’t have any knowledge of something that would warrant a punishment.
He quickened his pace to get closer to Darem before biting into the fruit as loudly as he could next to his head.
“I win.”
Darem spun toward him, attempting to snatch the fire-fruit from his hand but Caleb just smirked and tossed it out of reach to his other hand.
“CADET MIR!”
Caleb dropped the fruit, startled by Thok’s ever abrasive tone. He put his hands up in surrender as she stared him down. She pointed aggressively to the space next to her.
“With me, NOW.”
He swaggered to the front of the group, keeping pace with the Cadet Master as they approached Nahla’s office. Thok opened the door and gestured for them to enter.
The first thing Caleb noticed was the Chancellor was wearing her full uniform. This was red flag number one.
“Geez, don’t all look so happy to see me.”
“Chancellor, whatever happened, we had nothing to do with it…. this time.”
Of course Genesis was the first to try and fix the problem. But Caleb had seen that twinkle in Nahla’s eyes before and he had a feeling she had some new lesson she was planning to teach them. Red flag number two.
“Unless Mir was hacking the computer again-”
“Okay, alright. Do you really want to do this right now?”
Caleb and Darem faced each other but before Thok could scream at them or anything escalated further, a tiny form stepped between them and gently pushed them apart.
“As endearing as I find your consistent displays of male youth preening, we don’t have time for it today.”
Caleb glared at her, crossing his arms and stepping away from Darem. Thok moved to stand next to the Chancellor, scrolling through her data padd.
“A rare variety of a flowering plant has been discovered on a planet a few hours from Earth. It is currently listed as an endangered species, but Starfleet believes they may be able to save the it from extinction with further study.”
SAM nearly vibrated with excitement as she raised her hand, not waiting to be called on before speaking.
“Do they think it could contain properties that would prove useful to the Federation were we able to save it from extinction?”
“We’re not sure-”
“Is it similar to the Vitus Reflux?”
“No, it’s-”
“Could it be medicinal-”
“ENOUGH!”
His classmates all jumped as Thok cut off their barrage of questions and Nahla’s eyes widened in amusement. Caleb half raised his hand and she nodded at him.
“What does this have to do with us?”
“Finally, an appropriate question Cadet Mir. The Chancellor has spoken with Starfleet and they have agreed to let cadets from the Academy complete the mission to retrieve the specimens.”
They looked at each other in confusion. Caleb raised his hand again and Thok gave him a look of acknowledgement.
“Are you saying we’re going on a-”
“Field trip!”
Nahla clapped her hands together dramatically and her office suddenly changed to the transporter bay of the Athena.