Leaving Vulcan Part I

Posted on Mon May 20th, 2024 @ 2:21am by T'lari

981 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: A Choir by the Bay
Location: Vulcan, Kir Province
Timeline: One Year Ago

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=/\= One Year Ago: Vulcan, Kir Province High School Academy =/\=

“Time. Screens off.”

It was a useless expression as the screens were timed to shut off when the exams were done. T'lari was not worried. She’d finished her exam a good hour ago but had just sat there staring at the screen. The machine would log this but the rules of the tests would dock her nothing for staying past her test completion time.

“Congratulations on completing your year. Those of you who have passed with satisfactory grades will move on to your final year. I remind you all that this is the time to begin preparation for your entrance into the Vulcan defense Academy or the Science Academy.”

The shrill sound of the horn told all the students and teachers that the time had come to leave the school. She would have gone to the library as was her usual choice but the year was over.

T'lari packed up her bag slowly.

“T'lari. Walk with me,” the professor said standing at the door.

T'lari hurried to pack up her things and headed out the door. She liked T’Yari. She had been one of her favorite professors this year. She was one of those instructors who had a heavy science course and a Vulcan art history one. The two walked in silence some ways. It was T’Yari who broke it.

“Have you thought of where you wish to apply?”

“I have not. My mother wishes me to join the science academy to get my degree in physics and my father…would prefer I study diplomacy. My brothers are all hoping I would join the defense academy I think.”

“I see.” There was a long pause before she asked, “ What is it you wish?”

To be swallowed by the forge. “I have not decided. I am looking at all options.”

T’Yari stopped placing a gentle hand on T'lari’s shoulder. “You must find your own path and do what is best for you. You cannot live a life that is dictated to you by your family. Too many on Vulcan have done that.”

T'lari almost rolled her eyes but managed to keep it in. “Thank you Professor. I shall choose wisely.”

T’Yari’s sharp gaze stayed on her a while. “Well, when you are ready I and several of your professors will be honored to write you a recommendation.”

T'lari gave a nod. “Gratitude. I still have to find out how I did on my last exam.”

T’Yari’s lips quirked. “You finished it over an hour before time. I have reviewed it and already submitted your grade.” There was a pause. “You, as always, have a near perfect score.”

A stricken looked shifted through T'lari’s face so quick that a regular person would have not caught it. “Near perfect?”

“Yes, 97 percent.”

“I see. I had hoped for better.”

T’Yari looked over. “You had hoped for better or your family?”

“Is there a difference?”

“There is. T'lari I…”

Whatever she was going to say was interrupted by a loud booming voice.

“T'lari! The hover car is here. We must go. Mother has her speech at the university tonight.”

T'lari looked up at T’Yari. “Thank you for the feedback. I must go.”

T’Yari watched as one of her best students sprint away only to slam into a door right at the end. She did smile then and shook her head. That girl had never seemed to grow out of her clumsy stage. She hoped that T'lari would choose a placement that was right for her. She knew very well what T’ketra, T'lari’s mother, was like. The pressure that the family put on the poor girl was wearing her out and T’Yari worried for her. Still, what could be done? If there was one thing that Vulcan parents were known for it was their desire to have perfect children, she too had gone through much of what T'lari was going through and in the end had forged her own path. She only hoped T’lari was strong enough to that as well.

Suddenly feeling a bit down, she headed for the staff lounge, a coffee and then off she would go to her home and her own troubles.

T’lari finally made it to the hover car. “Who was that?”

She closed the door and looked over at her eldest brother. “One of my professors. We were discussing the end of the year and all it brings.”

He studied his sister. “I see. The time has come for you to apply to your chosen path.”

“I am well aware brother.” She snapped. “I shall do so in plenty of time.”

There was a long silence. “T’lari…”

“I wish to ride in silence.”

He inclined his head. “As you wish.”

They arrived quicker then she thought and soon were being swept into the back room where their mother was getting ready to speak. Her other siblings were there, her grandparents, her Father had even come back from his posting on Andor. It was an important speech.

It didn’t take long, after she’d greeted her family, for her mother to turn to her. “When will you know the result of your test?”

There was a pause as the room seemed to go silent. “I…finished the test early. My professor graded it.”

“I see. What was the result?”

T’lari swallowed. “I think I did well. I received 97 percent.”

“I see.” There was a long pause. “If you had used your time more wisely you would have done better. Next time strive for better.” With that her mother swept out of the room followed by everyone.

She stood there and let her head hang. She wondered if she would ever be good enough to please her family.

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