"From the Tower So High"

[Peyton Summers 0]

"From the Tower So High"

A Log by Ensign Peyton Summers

Stardate 0406.09

 

The fresh Bay Area breeze welcomed Peyton Summers as she stepped out of the shuttle transport. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in Earth for the first time. She was here; and she could barely believe it. It was only a nudge from the person exiting behind her that knocked her back to her senses. Peyton moved so she wasn't blocking the door and moved to the cargo area on the side of the shuttle to grab her bag. She turned around and suddenly there was a tall, dark haired man standing before her. Blinking, she took a few steps back and caught her balance again.

 

"Cadet Summers?"

 

"That would be me .. " she responded, brushing back the few strands of her newly blonde hair that had fallen in her face. He nodded and then broke into a grin; taking her bag from her.

 

"Just wanted to make sure. I'm Cadet Dominic Foster. 3rd year. I was sent to escort you to the Academy orientation hall and then show you to your dormitory."

 

Peyton smiled slightly, looking at the handsome Cadet Foster, "My dormitory? Shouldn't another woman be doing that?"

 

"That's just the thing, miss.. according to my file you are a guy.. must be the name. You are .." Dominic paused, ".. definitely NOT a guy. Anyway, we can straighten that up later. Let me show you to the hall."

 

He waved his arm in the direction and she smiled, "Lead the way, Cadet.. lead the way."

 

.......................

 

Orientation was nothing more than the first year cadets getting all their credentials and paperwork organized. Peyton was nervous at first, knowing that most of her paperwork was under this fake name. However, most of the information on there was true, at least from an educational and experience standpoint. It seemed to fly by smoother than she expected. And the mix up over gender was fixed and apologized for. And they didn't seem to mind Dominic showing her the quarters, as long as she didn't. Cadet Foster appeared quickly to her side when she walked away from the desk, "Ready to get to your room? This bag is heavy!" He joked, pretending to nearly fall over from carrying her belongings. Peyton couldn't help but be amused.

 

"Yes, I am eager to get settled .. the trip was a bit long, and tiresome."

 

"So you aren't from Earth?" He asked, as they made their way from the hall and to the dormitories.

 

Peyton knew this conversation would come up eventually. "No .. I'm not. I'm from a colony.. out near Starbase 49. That's where I caught the transport here."

 

Dominic grinned, "Ah.. well, how do you like Earth so far?"

 

"It's absolutely breathtaking. Though .. I've only seen this city so far."

 

"I'm from around here myself .. and really, there's no better place to be. It's an amazing city, and full of so many opportunities." He said to her, but with an air of child-like wonder. Peyton paused in her walking and looked at him.

 

"Then I am glad I came here .. I, for one, could use all the opportunities I can find. I want to experience anything and everything .. on my own terms." Her voice was firm, determined to do just that. Dominic grinned at her.

 

"You act as though you've been locked in a tower all your life.."

 

Peyton smiled at that, if he only knew of her true escape from the tower so high, "It just feels that way .. that's all. And it's good be out of the tower."

 

The came upon her small quarters, at least they were a single. Foster entered the code for her and gave her the PADD, and set her stuff down inside, "Well, this is certainly not tower .. but I am sure it will feel that way once studies start up. Welcome to the Academy, Peyton."

 

"Thank you, Cadet.."

 

"Call me Dominic ..please."

 

"Thanks .. Dominic. I am sure I will see you around."

 

"Bet on it .. "

 

He disappeared quickly, off to his own responsibilities, and Peyton had hers: settling in. It was perfect. It was all so perfect. A small, quaint cadet's quarters. Simple and modest. A small bunk. A small window. A desk in the corner, some shelf space and a replicator. It was everything she had never experienced and just what she needed. Something told her that she was going to love it here. Love it. And she never wanted to see a tower again.

 

(tbc)