CHAPTER 1

Starfleet Academy: A New Beginning

The grounds of Starfleet Academy stretched before Alexander Drake, gleaming in the early morning light. Everything was as he had dreamed it—majestic buildings, the hum of advanced technology, and the palpable sense of purpose that permeated the air. Today was his first day, and the excitement thrummed through him like a starship at warp speed.

As Alexander strolled through the bustling campus, soaking in the sights and sounds, a commotion caught his attention. A group of students had encircled another, their taunts and jeers cutting through the otherwise peaceful atmosphere. Without hesitation, he approached, his voice firm and clear.

“Hey! Leave him alone!”

The group turned, sneering at him before one of them gave the student a final shove, sending them sprawling to the ground. They laughed as they walked away, satisfied with their petty display of dominance. Alexander hurried to the fallen student’s side, extending a hand to help them up.

“What was that all about?” he asked, concern etched on his face.

As the student stood, brushing themselves off, Alexander realized it wasn’t a boy as he had initially thought, but a girl. Her appearance was slight, her limbs frail, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that belied her physical weakness.

“Oh, just some neanderthals exerting their physical dominance,” she said with a hint of disdain, her tone dull yet precise.

“Are you okay?” Alexander asked, still holding onto her arm lightly.

“Yes, I will be,” she replied, pausing as if reconsidering her initial assessment of the situation. “Thank you.”

Alexander nodded, offering her a reassuring smile. “I’m Alex, by the way. Alex Drake.”

“Tessa Marlowe,” she responded, her voice softening just a bit as she shook his hand.

“Nice to meet you, Tessa.”

“So, who were they?” Alexander inquired, glancing in the direction the bullies had gone.

“Oh, a bunch of nobodies,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Don’t worry about it.”

She seemed to shrug off the encounter quickly, but Alexander could tell it wasn’t as simple as she made it out to be. Still, he decided not to press the issue.

“So, are you a first-year? Is this your first day?” Tessa asked, her gaze appraising him.

Alexander smirked. “That obvious, huh?”

Tessa laughed, a light, melodic sound that momentarily banished the tension in the air. “It’s not a bad thing. Everyone’s first day comes eventually.”

“What year are you?” Alex asked, genuinely curious.

“Fourth year,” she replied with a proud smile. “Graduating at the end of the year.”

“Congrats!” Alex said, his admiration evident.

“Thanks. I’m excited,” Tessa beamed, the pride in her voice unmistakable.

“So which branch are you ending up in?” Alex asked.

“Engineering,” she said with a glint of passion in her eyes. “It’s a big decision to make, but I have a passion for it, so that helps.”

“Exciting,” Alex said, sharing in her enthusiasm. “Well, I hope I see you around. I’m heading to my dorm now to check it out. Fingers crossed for a good roommate.”

Tessa laughed again. “Yeah, right? My roommate from third year was a real nut!”

They both chuckled, exchanging goodbyes as Alexander made his way to his dorm. The encounter with Tessa had left him feeling optimistic—perhaps this new chapter in his life would be even better than he’d imagined.

Entering his dorm, Alexander was met with a sight that immediately set him on edge. Standing on the other side of the room was a student whose appearance screamed wealth and status—trendy clothes, expensive accessories, and an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. His expression was aggressive yet practical, a stark contrast to Alexander’s friendly demeanor.

As Alex took in the scene, recognition hit him like a phaser blast. This was the leader of the group that had been bullying Tessa earlier. The realization soured his mood instantly.

“You!” Alexander spat out, scowling.

The student turned, a smirk playing on his lips. “Huh? Oh, it’s you. You helped out Tessa earlier, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did! What gives you the right to be rude like that? What did she do to you?!”

The other student sighed, as if Alex’s indignation was a mild inconvenience. “Oh that. I didn’t do that. Someone else did. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll apologize to her later. Don’t worry about it. We just wanted her help for class, but she refused. Some of my friends may have gotten carried away.”

Alex eyed him suspiciously, trying to gauge if there was any sincerity behind the words. Was this just an excuse, or was there more to this story?

“Fine,” Alex finally said, though he wasn’t convinced. “Just make sure you do.”

The other student shrugged and went back to whatever he was doing on his side of the room, seemingly unfazed by the confrontation.

“So, are you a first-year?” Alex asked, trying to break the tension.

“Yup,” the student replied curtly.

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Wait, so you were being rude to a third-year? Wow. You have some balls on you, don’t you?”

The student grinned, clearly unfazed. “I’m here to make a name for myself. Anything short of the best won’t do. It’s always good to ask for help.”

“Uh huh…” Alex muttered, still trying to get a read on this guy. Something about him didn’t sit right, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

“Well, I have a thing to get to before class,” the student said abruptly, standing up. “I’ll see you later.”

Without waiting for a response, he left the room, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts. What was up with that guy? This was going to be a long semester with him as a roommate. Maybe this was all one big misunderstanding. Only time would tell…

And so, Alexander Drake’s first day at Starfleet Academy had begun with a mix of unexpected challenges and new encounters. As he settled into his new life, the path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—his journey was just beginning.

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