Make the right choice
Posted on Sun Dec 12th, 2021 @ 12:13am by Lieutenant JG Damien Blackford
Mission:
MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Starfleet Academy
Timeline: 2391
707 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure
Laying back in the grass of the Academy grounds, Damien stared up at the night sky, watching the various shuttlecraft zoom through the sky. Music played quietly through his earphones, thinking back on the events of the day. Tomorrow was the final day for him to declare his major, and he was still unsure of what he wanted to do. Closing his eyes, he let out a soft sigh, his mind drifting back to the conversation he'd had with his father a few hours prior.
Damien leaned back in his chair, biting his lip. He knew what was coming. His father had been having this conversation with him at least once a week for the past couple of months. Closing his eyes, taking a deep breath, he shook his head. "Not yet." He said, opening his eyes again. "But I've got until midday tomorrow. I'll figure it out." He put what he hoped was a convincing smile on his face, as his father sighed, shaking his head.
"Damien. This isn't something you can keep putting off. This is your future we're talking about. If you don't start taking this seriously, you're going to get kicked out of the Academy."
"I know, dad." He said, sighing, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "I have an idea of what I wanna do. I just need some time to think about it."
His dad sighed, his expression softening slightly. "Have you given any more thought to what I suggested?" He asked. "Medical is a great field to go into. There's plenty to specialise in. I know it requires extra work, but it's a rewarding field."
Damien sighed. "I... I'll think about it, dad. I promise." Glancing up at the clock on the wall, he said, "Listen, Dad, I gotta go. I said I'd meet someone. Give my love to mum. I'll call you guys tomorrow."
His dad smiled, nodding. "Take care of yourself son. We'll talk soon."
Damien smiled, before terminating the call, leaning back in his chair, sighing.
Opening his eyes again, Damien sat up, looking around at the nearly empty quad. Maybe he should just go down the Medical path as his father suggested. But it wasn't what he really wanted to do. He wanted to help people, but not in that way.
"Bit late to be out, isn't it, Mr. Blackford?"
Damien turned at the voice, taking his earphones out, smiling at the elderly gentleman who was approaching him. "Professor Cooper." He said, stowing the earphones into his pocket. "Good evening. I was just taking a walk. Clearing my mind." The professor smiled, nodding.
"You're still yet to declare a major, aren't you." It wasn't a question, but a statement. Damien sighed, nodding.
"My father keeps suggesting Medical as he did. Part of me thinks that would be a good idea. It will let me help people, which is the most important thing." He spoke softly. Maybe if he said it enough, he'd believe it.
The elderly professor smiled, looking up at the night sky. "But is that what you want to do?" He asked. "Is that what's in your heart? Or are you simply afraid of disappointing your father?" When Damien didn't respond, he nodded, knowingly. "Your father simply wants what is best for you. All parents do. But, at the of the day, we also need to do what is right for ourselves. I've seen your scores and classwork, young man. And, if I may speak plainly, your talents do not lie in Medical work. Your combat scores on the other hand. You're quite exceptional."
Damien sighed, nodding. "I want to help people. But I also want to protect them. I want to stop people from needing to go to Medical."
"Then I think you know what you need to do, don't you." He said, smiling at him. "Make the right choice Damien. Make the choice for your future. Not the future someone else has planned out for you. We only get one life. So make sure to take full advantage."
"Thank you, sir," Damien said, smiling and nodding at him. "I think I know what I need to do."
