Back to the Academy

"You are right in thinking so if it had not been for the Dominion I wouldn't be here. I believe you have passed this time I shall return one more time, but you my dear Captain are not done." Another stream of light suddenly similar to that which was earlier radiated out of Holmon's eyes and split into two streams, one hitting the foreheads of Hansen and Harris. Devore felt a surge of heat touch his head and in a bright light, the outer world turned foggy misty even dark. He regained his mental acuity and realized that he was now sitting in his warp mechanics class some 25 years ago.

".... and the ratio to matter/anti-matter should be 1 decajules to 3," Professor Guliame said writing quickly on the old fashioned chalk board. Professor Guliame was an old fashioned man and preferred the ways of old to the modernization of the classroom. He still insisted on notebook and paper rather than a PADD.

"But sir," Cadet Devore said raising his hand. "1 decajule of anti-matter is quite volatile isn't it."

"Yes cadet, but as long as the ratio doesn't exceed .5 then there is nothing to fear. Warp travel is possible by this reaction therefore as long as all is maintain within those guidelines all will be fine." Guliame said smiling. He was impressed that young Devore noticed that. Unfortunately, Devore hadn't noticed much anything else except the young freshman who sat in front of him. Only if he would have paid more attention in class, would Devore really understand the dynamics. He was promising, but his grades were not.

Devore quickly tried to write down every word of professor Guliame verbatim, but missed out on the entire message. Devore started to get frustrated. *What did he say?*

Professor Guliame continued. "Now we need to go on to the holoemitters. These are specialized pieces of a Starfleet that help you as crew officers to relax. The power everything from communication to the holodeck. These emitters are similar to the old time projectors that used play movies and other entertainment devices except these emitters also contain a very delicate subroutine for interaction. So delicate in fact that a burst of Gamma radiation, will destroy the emitters by fusing the circuitry. Tachyon bursts disrupt the projected images and many cases, deres them. "

Devore was staring out into the open window, the cool sea wind from the San Francisco Bay came in causing him to drift. He looked out on to the courtyard and saw a young cadet, beautiful and smart. Devore figured that she was smart for the types of books she was caring, Analytical trig, space warp theory, and temporal mechanics all over 4 inches thick. She turned to the window and caught Cadet Devore staring at her and smiled lowering her eyes demurely. He lip synched "What is your name?" which she responded "Ann." The both smiled and finally he asked her for a number to reach her. She responded in turn to 344-3333-a1 which Devore wrote profusely in his notebook. He returned to the window and noticed that Ann had left. He smiled and gazed deeply into the open quad.

"Cadet Devore. " No answer. "Cadet Marcus Devore!" Dr. Guliame yelled slamming the window shut. Devore jumped and quickly put his face into the notebook and started to write words, incoherent, but words that would make him look like he was taking notes. Guliame saw what he was doing and to his personality grabbed Devore's notebook. Devore shrugged in to his chair and hid his face. "Okay class. I just want to make sure you have this right and since Cadet Devore was playing such close attention, I will let you copy his notes.

" ',,,, Takiaon emission will disrupt the crew of a ship, .... the birds are flying high ....mental reminder to meet Larry at Blackjack's for Poker, ... Ann- 344-3333-a1.' Interesting notes Cadet Devore," Guliame said over the roar of laughter from the other cadets. "If you paid more attention in class then you did getting phone numbers you wouldn't be failing would you."

"No sir." He said softly.

"See me after class!"

For the rest of the hour, Devore paid close attention taking notes as best he could. When the time came for the moment of truth, Devore rose from his seat and gathered his books. He approached Guliame as he erased the board. "Sir, I am really sorry about that."

"Mark, I see in you great potential, " Guliame said turning around. "but you need to concentrate on your studies. I see that you are more infatuated with woman and cards then on Starfleet design. When you are a Captain, situations are going to arise that will depend on your knowledge and if you don't have it, the 300+ people under your command are going to die. With your luck you will somehow survive, how will you be able to live with yourself if that happens?"

"I understand sir. It is just the tachyon stuff, it is so complex."

"I know, Mark. That is why you are here. Like I said I see great potential and you will go far, but this is an important lesson. Sit down. I will go over it again."

Devore was sort of mad, but at the same time. Guliame was one man who cared, cynical as he may be, he was the best teacher Mark ever had. To this day, Devore respected him. Never saying this was the last time they had a similar talk but a time where someone actually sat and gave of their time to help him.

"Tachyon emissions..............."

*That's it!* Devore said as he came through. No longer was he at the academy, but he was in sickbay. He awoke to see Barbara over him smiling.

"Hi. How are you feeling?" She said helping him up.

"Like someone just lit up my insides," Captain Devore said. "How long was I out?"

"About 5 hours."

"I have got to go."

"Well I don't see no reason why not. You have just had a long nap."

"Really. That's all."

"Yes sir."

"Good! Computer open shipwide communication."

<Channel open>

"All senior officers report to the conference room."

"Want me there?" Clairidge asked.

"Barbara. I want you wherever I can see you," He said smiling. She flushed slightly. *Yes. I have almost melted that block of ice.*