He slipped into galactic poli sci class, barely beating the bell. As he sat down, he realized everyone was shifting in their seats, talking in hushed, excited tones.
“We have a guest today, cadets,” Professor Tho announced. Titus sat up to see better, as Captain Jean Luc Picard entered the room.
The girl in the chair next to him muttered, “No way!” Everyone was on the edge of their seats to see the man who had beaten the Borg at Wolf 359 when thirty‑nine other Federation and Klingon starships were destroyed. Picard looked just like his holo‑image, especially the way he nodded to them and briefly smiled as he took the lectern.
“Professor Tho asked me if I could speak to you,” Picard began, his sonorous voice comfortably filling the room. “You all know of the recent developments between the Federation and Cardassian Empire, resulting in the establishment of the Demilitarized Zone a few months ago. Unfortunately, this necessitates the shifting of some of our colonies, as well as some of those of the Cardassians. The decision to formalize our borders has given rise to political and philosophical debates that will undoubtedly continue for centuries. . . .”
Titus felt his eyes glaze over. Looking around, he realized everyone, including Professor Tho, was entranced by Picard’s distinctive rhythmical cadence. There wasn’t a sound in the room.
“The Enterprise‑D shall depart tomorrow for Dorvan V to carry out the evacuation of the last of our colonists. Some of the Federation colonists have protested the treaty and are resisting recolonization, forming a protest group known as the Maquis. In the Academy newspaper this week, there is an insightful editorial on the rights of the Maquis, written by one of your fellow cadets, Harry Kim. Cadet Kim brings up some of the more germane questions we are faced with in this case, specifically, whether the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few–”
Titus couldn’t stand it anymore. “Excuse me, sir!”
The other cadets slowly turned, resenting the interruption.
“Yes, Cadet,” Picard acknowledged. “Do you have a question?”
“No, a comment,” Titus said, ignoring the stares. “If I may be so blunt, I think you agree with the Maquis that the colonists shouldn’t be forced to move from their homes.”
Professor Tho was frowning, and whispers rose around him.
“My personal feelings are unimportant,” Picard replied quietly. “I am merely performing my duty.”
“But isn’t it our duty to protest when we feel our orders are wrong?” Titus knew he should just let it drop, but that comment about Harry Kim got under his skin. Kim was one of the last‑year cadets that professors were always holding up as an “example.” Kim was a nice enough guy, but sometimes they piled it on enough to make Titus choke.
“Our elected officials create policy, not Starfleet captains,” Picard gently chided him. “While I may have quite a different opinion as a citizen, it would be arrogant in the extreme to think that I know what is best in such a complicated and far‑reaching subject.”
Titus nodded, at a loss for what to say.
“Cadet,” Picard added, almost with a smile, “you will soon find that the essence of command is not to lead, but to follow orders.”
“Yes, sir,” Titus agreed.
He sat back and folded his arms, wondering why he felt so deflated. Maybe it was that hint of amusement in the captain’s smile that was so humiliating. But he was convinced he was right. Maybe none of the others could see it, but he knew that Picard didn’t agree with this policy. Hell, Titus knew he would fight it if someone told him that his family would have to leave the Antaranan colony.
The guy behind him kicked the seat and hissed, “Nice going!”
Titus clenched his teeth, staring at Picard as he calmly, methodically discussed the volatile political situation and what that meant for the security of the Alpha Quadrant.
Jayme Miranda saw Titus later that day, tilted back in a cafй chair, his head resting against the brick wall. His jacket was slung over the back and his eyes were closed as he soaked up the afternoon sunshine.
“Hey,” she called out, stopping at the low fence around the patio of the outdoor cafй. “I heard about your argument with Captain Picard.”
Sleepily, Titus opened one eye. “You again? Where do you get your information? It wasn’t an argument.”
“Oh? That’s what everyone’s saying.” She grinned. “Were you kidding me when you said you got Federation Assembly duty this summer?”
“Yup.”
Jayme couldn’t help but admire how smooth he was, acting like he didn’t have a care in the world, and pulling it off, too, when she knew he was dying to get off‑world. In a burst of sympathetic goodwill, she told him, “You know, you should volunteer for projects or studies or something. It’s sort of an unwritten rule. They like to see that stuff on your record.”
Titus raised his head. “I volunteer. Last month I organized the second‑level Parrises Squares competition.”
“Yeah, and how hard was that?” she shot back. “It’s not just a matter of keeping busy. They like to see you challenge yourself.”
Now she had his attention, but in typical Titus‑fashion, he wouldn’t admit she was right. “What are you doing right now?” he asked. “I’ve got tickets to the Ventaxian chime concert.”
One brow went up. “You’re asking me to the chime concert? Now I know you need to get off‑planet.”
His expression was wounded. “We’ve hung out before.”
“Not listening to Ventaxian chimes. What happened to Qita?”
Titus shrugged and looked away.
“Oh, I see. Sorry, but I can’t help you put another notch on your belt. I’m going to the Maquis debate, so you’ll have to ask someone else.”
“I thought they already did that.”
Jayme nodded. “This is another one. I better hurry, or I’ll be late meeting Moll Enor.”
“Enor?” He rocked slightly in his chair, laughing. “Don’t tell me you’re still infatuated with that Trill!”
Jayme flipped her hair over her shoulder. “You don’t know anything about loyalty, do you?”
As she walked away, he called after her, “I know plenty about loyalty. I also know when to give up.”
“Never say die!” she tossed over her shoulder.
* * *
When Titus got back to his Quad, after going to the chime concert alone, he softly whistled the falling tones to himself as he got ready for bed. His roommate was still out. She was probably at the quantum physics lab studying for finals. This year’s Quad project was protectively wrapped and sitting on the table next to the door, unlike last year’s fiasco, when they didn’t do a final test run until the night before the Board review. But that had been Starsa’s fault more than Jayme’s.
Jayme Miranda might have her own personal problems–just look at that infantile crush she carried for Enor, while the Trill obviously barely tolerated her attentions. But with at least half a dozen relatives the grade of commander or higher, Jayme certainly knew Starfleet like it was her own family.
Idly, Titus called up the volunteer lists. He quickly keyed past the psych courses. There was no way he was going to let anyone mess around with his head. One of the endurance courses sounded interesting, but he remembered what Jayme had said about challenging himself.