The First Day at Star Fleet Academy isn't always the easiest.
"So let me get this straight," Jadari sighed. "We're not fusing atoms in physics lab?"
T'Lara looked at her blankly. "It's the second day of class. You cannot logically expect to do senior level experiments as a new cadet."
"But I know what the law of gravity is!"
"It will increase in depth."
Jadari flicked her hair out of her eyes. "What about you? Don't you want to try something bigger? I know you could. You're a Vulcan. You're born smart."
"A firm foundation of knowledge is useful for building upon."
Jadari smirked. "How'd I know you'd say something like that?"
* * *
It was still a few minutes before the start of first period physics, and two of the new cadets, a Trill named Jadari and a Vulcan named T'Lara, had newly made acquaintance.
"Before we begin getting into the technical stuff, class, I'd like to warm up minds by warming up your bodies," Professor Don Trevone announced. "Stand, make a line, and file out to the field."
T'Lara turned to Jadari. "Field?"
Jadari shrugged. Together they stood and filed out with the others to the field.
* * *
Before long, they were standing in a straight line on the field behind the physics building. T'Lara was unsure what Professor Trevone had in mind, but was well aware of the fact that the sports were not her strength.
"This," Professor Trevone said, smiling perkily, "is how I like to warm up. We're going to play a game."
Some of the cadets smiled. Especially one Klingon, who seemed quite delighted.
The professor's eyes scanned the line of cadets looking for someone. They came to rest on T'Lara. "The Vulcan. Uh... T'Lara. Come here." T'Lara came. The professor put a hand on her shoulder. "This, class, is a Vulcan."
Some of the cadets snickered at their teacher's obvious statement. The professor fished an object out of his pocket, holding it to eye level. "And this is a comm badge, which, with luck and hard work, some of you may have the good fortune to wear someday."
The cadets waited patiently.
"The object of the game is for all of you to work to together to catch the Vulcan, and hold her down long enough to pin the comm badge on her. You cannot tackle or injure her, and no one can take all the glory. Pass it to whoever's closest. Work together. Got it?
"Yes, sir!" The cadets chorused.
T'Lara, however, was not clear on this. "Sir, why me?"
Professor Trevone smiled. "I have several reasons, actually," he said. "One, you're the only Vulcan, so everyone knows who to chase."
"Running is illogical."
"Get used to it. And in the preservation of your life, it comes in handy."
"Your other points, sir?"
Trevone nodded. "Yes, thank you. And, being Vulcan, you will be able to use your endurance to give them all a run for their money and think on their feet."
"If I were not to run, sir?"
"How many push-ups can you do before you collapse?"
"A significant number, sir, due to the lower gravity on Earth."
"And how many laps can you run around this field?"
"Also a significant number."
"Well, let me put it this way. If you don't run, that's what you'll be doing."
"I see."
"Good. Now start running."
"Pardon me?"
"You've got a ten second head start, T'Lara. Run."
"Sir..."
"10... 9... 8..."
"Yes, sir."
Reluctantly, T'Lara began to run. On "one", Professor Trevone tossed the comm badge to the seething group of cadets. The group lunged forward, many of the swifter cadets quickly gaining on T'Lara.
"Hey! Klingon!"
A short, fiery-haired Klingon turned in time to receive a special air-delivery comm badge and surge ahead with it. T'Lara dodged, narrowly missing an "attack" by the Klingon and two other cadets.
* * *
What was likely half an hour or more later, T'Lara was dusty, tired, and had a few bruises, but was otherwise unscathed. She'd finally been pinned, and was welcoming the chance to rest.
Jadari came up from behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"You're pretty fast. Your name's T'Lara, right?"
"Yes."
"I'm Jadari. Where are you bunked?"
"Dorm 138, Nova section."
"Me too! Cool!"
T'Lara refrained from mentioning that there was nothing "cool" about the situation. In fact, she was rather warm.
"So," Jadari said, "how'd you end up at Starfleet?"
