Survival Training By Diane Klepper (Author's Note: This story is set during Tom's first semester at Starfleet Academy.) Cadet Thomas Eugene Paris quickly walked through the crowded campus of Starfleet Academy. He looked at his chronometer and saw that he only had two minutes to get to his class on time. He overslept and didn't even have time to get a cup of coffee so he felt very groggy. He hoped Admiral Winston was only giving a lecture this morning. Tom resented the fact that he had to take Survival Training. Even though it was a required class, Tom felt that he didn't need it because every summer since he was fourteen his father made him take a pre-Academy survival course that the Academy arranged for students that were planning to go there. Tom resented that he had to spend every summer in some obscure place like Alaska, the Sahara Desert or the jungles of Africa while all of his friends spent their summer vacations playing sports and just having fun He entered Archer Hall and ran to room 666 and he walked through the door as a middle aged man in an Admiral's uniform entered through the door near the desk in front of the room. The man was staring at a data padd as he entered. Tom saw the man and said softly said, "It can't be him. I must be in the wrong room." Just then the man looked up from the data padd and glanced up at him. Frowning the man said, "Cadet you're late. Class officially started one minute ago." Tom stood up straight and said, "Sorry. Sir. It will not happen again." Glaring at Tom he said "It better not. Cadet. Take a seat." Tom hurriedly walked to an empty seat in the back of the lecture hall and sat down. The Admiral put his padd down on the desk and walked to the podium. "Good morning class. I am Admiral Paris. I know Admiral Winston was scheduled to teach this class but he was called away on important business so I will be your instructor this semester." Tom sunk lower into his seat and thought to himself I have to get out of this class. Owen Paris stood up straight and said in his best lecturer voice. "Cadets this is the most important class you will take in your four years at Starfleet Academy. This class will teach you what you need to know in any situation to survive. Space travel is dangerous. Many people have died over the years serving Starfleet. The worst job of any commanding officer is to have to inform someone's loved ones that they are not coming home." Admiral Paris continued to talk but Tom just tuned out the Admiral's words while continuing to look attentive. He learned a long time ago how to tune out his father's lectures when most of them started out, "Thomas how can you do something so stupid." or "Son, I'm really disappointed in you." After the lecture was over Tom usually reply was "I'm sorry sir, I'll try harder," which usually kept the Admiral off his back until the next time he did something that his father thought was unbecoming to a future Starfleet officer. "Cadet Paris…may I speak to you a minute?" Tom blinked his eyes and realized that all the other cadets were leaving the lecture hall. Admiral Paris had an angry scowl on his face and repeated his question. "Cadet Paris…may I speak to you for a minute?" Tom quickly got up and grabbed his padd and walked down the steps and stood in front of his father at attention. Owen Paris stern eyes scanned the room to see that the lecture hall was empty and then he turned to his son. "Thomas you were daydreaming again." "Dad…I…" "And you were late to class. Thomas how many times have I told you how important it is for a Starfleet officer to be on time You know on a Starship you can be relieved of duty for being late." Tom looked at his father and saw anger in his eyes. "I'm sorry sir. I overslept. I was up late studying." Owen looked at his youngest child and gave a slight smile. "Son this is Starfleet Academy. We only accept the best and the brightest. I know you were the ace pilot all throughout high school but everyone here was in the top of their class. Tom it's very easy to get lost in Starfleet… You have the potential to be a Captain or an Admiral. I just don't want you to be stuck flying freighters for the rest of your career because you make an enemy of the wrong person." Tom frowned, "You mean you don't want me to embarrass the family name." Angrily Owen Paris said, "Cadet Paris ….as your commanding officer I demand your respect." Tom stood up straighter and said, "Yes, sir." Owen gave a slight smile. "And as your father I want the best for you. Tom, I know you are a very good pilot, but there is more to a Starfleet career then flying…. You may think you know everything but Tom there is still a lot of things you need to learn if you want to be a good Starfleet officer." "Yes, sir." Tom looked at his father and asked in a quiet voice "Dad why didn't you tell me you were going to teach the survival training class this semester." Owen picked up is padd and started pressing some buttons. "It was a last minute thing. Robert Winston was called away for a special mission so I took over his survival class. Your mother doesn't even know yet. I'll tell her tonight " "Yes, sir." Owen smiled at his son. "Son, you better go to your next class. You wouldn't want to be late." "Yes, sir." Tom quickly walked out of the classroom and just made it to his next class on time. The next three hours of his Stellar Cartography class seemed to drag on. Tom barely paid attention as his tried to think of a way to get out of his survival class. Tom looked up from the padd and realized that the class was letting out and he followed the rest of his classmates out the classroom door. Tom checked his wrist chronometer and realized that he had to meet his roommate Charlie Day for lunch in fifteen minutes. Tom realized he just had enough time to see his freshman adviser Captain Richardson before lunch. Tom walked to Kirk Hall and took the turbolift to the fourth floor. He pressed the call button and he head a man's voice say, "Come in." Tom walked in and saw Captain Richardson at his desk reading a data padd. Richardson looked up and smiled, "Cadet Paris…please sit down." Tom took a seat in front of Richardson's desk. "Thank you, sir." "So Mr. Paris how has the first week of class been so far." Tom gave a slight smile and said, "Fine sir…but I was wondering if I could make a change in my schedule." Richardson looked puzzled. "Mr. Paris you have the standard freshman schedule. What do you want to change?" Tom licked his dry lips. "I would like to drop my survival training course." "Survival training is a required course for all first year students." Tom frowned, "I know that sir…but I would like to concentrate on my other classes this semester and take the survival training course next semester." Richardson went to his computer terminal and punched a few buttons. He looked up at the young man and smirked, "You wanting to get out of this class has something to do with your father teaching it?" Tom sat up straight trying to hide his nervousness. "No sir. I just feel that I need to spend more time on my other studies." Richardson smiled at the young man. "Maybe you don't think your father can be fair when he is grading you. Tom I have known your father for over twenty years. He has always been known as a hard but fair grader." Tom nodded his head. "I know that sir, but I think I would feel more comfortable if I took the Survival Class with another instructor." Richardson pressed another button on the screen. "I sorry Tom…but this is the only section of Survival Training that fits into your schedule. You are going to take it." Grimly Tom said, "Yes sir." Richardson smiled. "Tom don't worry. I'm sure you will do just fine in this course." Tom stood up and said, "Yes, sir." Richardson just smirked at the young man. "Dismissed Cadet." "Yes sir." Tom Paris walked into the cafeteria and went up to the replicator. "Tomato soup… hot." A minute later a bowl of soup appeared on a tray. Tom took the tray and walked through the cafeteria looking to see where Charlie was sitting. The cafeteria was crowded with cadets and Tom recognized a few faces from some of his classes. A voice called to him. "Tom over here." Tom turned to the sound of the voice and saw Charlie Day sitting at a table by the wall with three empty chairs. Tom walked over to the table and sat in one of vacant seats. "Hey Charlie…I'm sorry I'm late. I had to ask my advisor a question." Charlie then looked at him and smirked, "Then it's true then?" "What's true?" Charlie smiled at his friend, "Come on Tommy it all over campus. Your Dad reprimanded you in front of the whole class because you were one minutes late. " "Damn it… everyone knows." Charlie smirked at his friend. "I can't believe you came late to your Dad's class. You know he's a stickler for promptness." Tom put his elbows on the table and lowered his hands into them. "I didn't know he was teaching the class. Admiral Winston was called away and my Dad took over the class. I don't even know why I have to take this stupid class. I have spent the last four summers taking those stupid Pre-Academy survival training my Dad enrolled me in…. Every June my father gives me the same speech. 'Thomas you are not going to waste your summer goofing off with your friends. This class will help you prepare for the Academy and I expect you to give it your best effort. Is that clear?'" "Come on Tommy…I know you father can be demanding at times…but he is not an unfeeling monster." In a whispered voice Tom said, "Charlie …he's changed. Ever since he came back from being captured by the Cardassians he's been harder…nothing I do is ever good enough for him." Charlie smiled at him. "I guess I'm lucky. I can't take survival training until next semester because it conflicts with my engineering class. Tom it is one class. You can get through it." Before Tom could answer two cadets sat down in two empty seats at their table. The first cadet was a girl Tom knew from high school but the boy who sat down with her was unknown to Tom. The young woman who name was Sarah Johnson said, "Hey Tommy…I can't believe your old man let you have in front of the whole class." Tom groaned at the girl. "Sarah don't remind me." Tom pointed to the young man who sat down with her and said, "This is Dan Simpson. He is from New Mexico. I'm showing him around campus. Dan this is Tom Paris and Charlie Day. We all went to high school together." Charlie smiled at the young man and shook his hand. "Hi Dan…It's nice to meet you. Are you in the Survival Training class too?" "Yeah. I couldn't believe it when Sarah told me Tom was Admiral Paris's son. My father taught in the high school I went to but I never had any classes with him but I knew if I did he would never of embarrassed me in front of the whole class like that." Tom frowned at the young man. "My Dad thinks that anything that doesn't kill you will make you stronger." Dan frowned, "I heard that he is the toughest teacher at the Academy. I was talking to some seniors yesterday and they say if you can survival Admiral Paris's classes the Cardassians and the Romulans don't look as scary." Tom frowned, "Look guys…I know my father. He is tough but he is also fair. Just do your best in the class and you will be fine." Sarah smiled at Tom. "Tom you should do great in this class. Didn't you spend the last couple of summers at Pre-Academy survival camp ….I remember last September almost everyone came to school with a tan except for Tommy because he spend six weeks in the Artic building igloos and fishing in frozen ponds." Charlie smirked at the memory. "Yeah you were the only senior at the Institute to suffer from frost bite on your summer vacation." Charlie, Dan and Sarah laughed while Tom just started to eat the food on his tray and tried to ignore the enjoyment his friends got out of his suffering. He almost lost two fingers to frostbite but he Admiral scolded him for not being careful enough to only go out in the mid afternoon when the temperature in the Artic was the warmest. Dan, Sarah and Charlie started eating their lunch. Sarah stopped eating and turned to Tom. "Tom we have to pick groups in survival class for the next meeting. Dan and I were wondering if you wanted to join our group. We already have two other members so we only have two opening left." Tom frowned at Sarah and said, "Look Sarah you will be better off without me in your group." Dan look perplexed. "Why is that?" "Look my Dad expects me to get straight A's and to become an Admiral just like him. As long as I could remember nothing I have every done is every good enough for him and I don't expect things to change now that I have him as one of my instructors…. I just don't want you guys to get bad grades because of me." Sarah smiled at him, "Tommy…I think you are just being paranoid. I'm sure your Dad will grade you fairly. So what do you say…you want to join our group? Tom gave a small smirk. "Okay…I'm in…. just don't say I didn't warn you." Two days later Tom met the rest of his group. One member was a young man from Vulcan named Terrick. He was studying science and he brought his Vulcan logic to the group. Another member was a young black woman named Jennifer Bates who had a very outgoing personality. Both of her parents were Starfleet commanders. While Tom spend most of his adolescence on Earth, Jennifer spent those years traveling with her parents from starship to starship. The last member of the group was a young woman from Earth named Cathy Sanderson. She was studying medicine and was a little shy. They were all sitting together in the classroom were Admiral Paris walked in. He stood in front of the podium and his usual stern manner said, "Cadets next week you will go on your first survival field trip. Each group of six cadets will left in an undisclosed area and will be expected to find their way back to the rendezvous point. You will each have one day worth of food and water and one tricorder for each group. This will teach you how to work together. Remember each group is only as strong as the weakest link. If all members of the group are not at the rendezvous point when the shuttle arrives in four days at 2000 hours the whole group will fail this test. We will all meet in front of Archer Hall at 0400 hours next Monday. Any questions?" Owen Paris looked over the class and smirked. He knew from past experiences that about a third of the class would never make it through their first year. Starfleet Academy had tough standards and Owen knew that many of these young people who make it through the Academy would die young and violent deaths. Owen then looked at one particular cadet with blue eyes and promised himself that Thomas Eugene Paris would not become a statistic. Owen then turned to the padd on the podium and said, "Today we are going to discuss ways to find suitable cover when you are stranded alone on a planet during a plasma storm…." The class ended and as the cadets prepared to leave Admiral Paris said, "Cadet Paris…I need to see you a minute." Tom turned to his teammates. "I'll see you guys tonight. We have to discuss strategies for the survival test." Terrick who was sitting next to him said, "That would be logical. We do want to get a good grade in this class." Jenny Bates suppressed a giggled. "I talked to my parents last night. They said if you could ace Survival Training under Admiral Paris the rest of the Academy would be a breeze." The other group members nodded in agreement. Tom looked down at the podium and saw an impatient look on his face, "Guys I got to go now." Tom ran down the steps and stood in front of his father at attention. Owen continued to look at his padd. Tom knew that was a sign that the Admiral was annoyed at him. Owen Paris looked up and frowned, "Thomas when I call you I expect you to come right away." Tom frowned, "Yes sir. I'm sorry sir. I was just making plans to meet with my survival group tonight." "Your mother wants you to come over for dinner this weekend. She says the house has been too quiet since you left for the Academy." Tom looked at his father and said, "Dad this is not a good weekend. My survival group is planning to cram all weekend for the test on Monday." "Thomas I keep telling you that you have to learn to budget your time better. Your mother misses you. I'm sure you can spend a few hours with her this Saturday. Why don't you bring your survival group with you. I'm sure your mother would love to meet them." "Dad…." Owen Paris looked Tom in the eye and said sternly. "I could make that an order Cadet if I have to." Tom lowered his head in defeat, "No sir. …We will be there." The Admiral smiled, "Good…I'll tell you mother." Tom landed the hovercar in front of his shuttleport and shut down the controls. He nervously straightened out his dress uniform. Sarah who was sitting next to him smiled "Tommy we're going to your parents house for dinner…we are not going to an inquisition." Tom gave her a little smirk. "I see you never had dinner with my father." Terrick who was sitting in the back with Cindy, Jenny, and Dan looked perplexed. "On Vulcan its is a honor to be invited to eat with a classmate's parents." Jenny stood up and walked to the front of the hovercar. She grabbed Tom by the hand and pulled him up. "Come on Tom…both my parents are fleet. I have been to dinners like this many times. We'll be fine unless Dan spills his soup in your mother's lap." Dan groaned. "Very funny Jenny. I let you know I'm a perfect guest." He picked up a bouquet of flowers he stored under his seat and smiled. "My father taught me never to go to dinner party without a present for the hostess." Cindy groaned, "I think I'm going to be sick." Sarah frowned at Tom. "Tom see what you have done. You got Cindy scared." Sarah smiled at her. "Don't listen to Tom…everything will be fine." Tom gave a slight smile. "Yeah Cindy…everything be just fine." Tom walked out of the hovercar followed by his five teammates. He pressed the door code and let the other's in. Tom told his friends to wait in the hallway when he went into the kitchen to look for his mother. Maggie Paris stood in front of the replicator punching in an order. She looked beautiful in her blue dress with her long blond-gray hair up in a bun. Tom smiled at the image. Some of his favorite childhood memories were when the Admiral had to work late and Maggie let her children replicate anything they wanted for dinner. Moira and Kathleen use to pick things like fried chicken or hotdogs but Tom always picked pizza. Then they all take their meals into the living- room and talk and play games until it was bedtime. Maggie took a plate out of the replicator and put it on the counter with a bunch of other plates. She then noticed Tom just standing there. She smiled at her youngest child. "Tom…did you just get here?" "Yeah." He walked over to his mother and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "So where are your friends?" "They are waiting in the hallway?" Mrs. Paris frowned at her son. "Thomas…I've taught you better than that. You can't just leave your guests waiting. Now let's greet them." "Yes ma'am." Tom followed his Mom into the hallway where the others were waiting patiently. Maggie Paris smiled at them. "Hello…I'm Maggie Paris. Tom please introduce me to your friends." Pointing to each one as he introduced them Tom said, "Mom this is Sarah Johnson, Dan Simpson, Jenny Bates, Cathy Sanderson, and Terrick." Maggie smiled at them and said, "Tom show everyone into the living-room. Your father is in his office. He will be out in a few minutes and then we will all have dinner." For the next twenty minutes Maggie Paris chatted with Tom's teammates about their classes and their plans for the future. It always amazed Tom how his mother always knew what to say to everyone to make them feel at ease in any situation. She even made Cathy feel at ease as she was chatting about how she wanted to become a Starfleet doctor and help people on non-Federation worlds to get the medical care they needed. Just then they heard footsteps and Admiral Paris appeared in his dress uniform. All six cadets rose as one and stood at attention. Owen Paris smiled, "Please everyone sit down…this is a social occasion " All six cadets sat down and Owen smiled, "I'm sorry I've kept you…I had an important phone call from Vulcan to take. I'm sure Tom's mother would tell you how often she had to keep dinner waiting for me over the years." Maggie smiled, "I sure can…Now that Owen is finally off the comm. let's all enter the dining room and have dinner." All the cadets followed Maggie Paris into the dining room. Tom looked at the table and saw that his mom but out her best plates. Tom looked at his mother and frowned, "Mom you didn't have to go to all this trouble." "Is no trouble honey…any chance I have to get you to come home for dinner I'll take it. With Kathleen off working and Moira in medical school the house is so empty." She pointed to the table and said, "Just everyone take any seat you want…I'll be right back." After dinner Owen Paris sat in his favorite easy chair drinking some coffee while Tom and his friends were seated on the large coach and the love seat. Maggie came in carrying a large tray of cookies and she put it on the coffee table within easy reach of all the cadets. She then sat down in a chair next to Owen and smiled, "I hope you all had enough to eat?" Sarah smiled at her and said, "We're all full Mrs. Paris. That was the best meal I had since I left for the academy." Maggie smiled, "Thank you dear. I know that with all your busy schedules you barely have time to replicate a sandwich…Since Tom started at the Academy I barely see him anymore and we are only twenty minutes away by shuttle." Tom frowned at his mother, "Mom…I have a busy schedule." Maggie smiled at her son, "I know that but you could at least try to call more often." Tom smiled at his mother. The only reason he didn't call home that often was that he was afraid he would reach the Admiral and he didn't want to spend his comm. time being lectured to by his father. "I'll call more often. I promise." Owen was quiet throughout this conversation but Tom knew he heard every word that was said. All his life, Tom always felt that everything he said or did was studied by his father. Tom knew that his father only wanted the best for him but sometimes Tom wished his father would just let him live his own life. There were days he wished he was just an ordinary Starfleet cadet instead of Owen Paris's boy. Owen smiled and said, "Have you picked a team leader for the test on Monday." Dan smiled and said, "We've picked Tom as our team leader because he has been to survival camps before." Owen frowned, "Yes he has. I'm sure Tom has learned a lot from the summer survival camps. Haven't you son?" "Yes, sir." Tom looked at the grandfather clock that was by the wall on the other side of the living room and said, "It's getting late. We better go." Maggie Paris frowned, "Do you have to?" Tom stood up. "Yeah…I want to get the library early tomorrow. I have a report due next week." Owen stood up and shook hands with the other cadets. "I'm sure you will all do fine on the test on Monday." Owen Paris then turned to his son and said, "Thomas I expect I will not see a repeat of what happened in Africa two years ago." Tom grimaced and then said, "No sir…you won't." As Tom landed the shuttle at the Academy shuttle bay he glanced back and saw his teammates quietly discussing something. He locked everything down and then tried to exit before he knew the question would come. Tom was halfway to the shuttle door when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Tom turned and faced Dan Simpson. Standing next to him was Sarah, Jenny, Terrick and Cathy. "Okay Tom…Tell us what happened?" Tom frowned, "Dan it was nothing…My father just makes a big deal out of nothing." Jenny smiled at him, "Come on Tom…it can't be that bad." Terrick raised his eyebrows, "It is illogical for teammates to keep secrets. We will have to show trust during the test." Tom looked at Terrick and gave a slight smile. "Okay…two years ago Pre- Starfleet Survival Camp was held in the jungles of Kenya. Usually it was three weeks of classes and three weeks of roughing it out in the jungle." Cathy sounded in shocked. "They make high school kids live in the jungle for three weeks?" "It's not as bad as it sounds. We had communicators and the counselors made routine checks in case there was a problem. It's just I resented the fact that every summer I was stuck in some jungle or desert. For once I wanted to have a little fun so a group of us snuck out of the dormitory the night before we were suppose to beam over to the jungle." Sarah laughed, "You snuck out?" Tom smiled in memory. "Yeah we waited until after bed check and then me and these two other cadets…Steve Jenkins and Jerry Miller snuck into the transporter room and beamed to this nightclub. It was great. They had this band playing these really old rock and roll songs." Terrick looked perplexed. "They let three underage boys into a drinking establishment." "Yeah…the bartender knew we were underage but the place wasn't crowded so he sold us some non-alcoholic drinks and told us we could listen to a few songs if we didn't cause any trouble…it was great. We listened to about a half of dozen songs and then headed back to the dormitory. We thought we snuck back without being caught until the next morning". Tom Paris packed his knapsack with all the supplies he need for three weeks in the jungle. His roommate Steve already left to go to the cafeteria and told him he would meet him there for their last replicated meal for the next three weeks. He was about to put his knapsack on his shoulders when he heard the door- chime. He called out "Come in." He was surprised to see the head of the survival camp enter his quarters. Tom stood at attention as Commander Tisdale walked in. The Commander had a frown on his face and was holding a padd in his right hand. "Mr. Paris…I had a very disturbing report from security last night. Three cadets were recorded leaving the school grounds last night. Do you care to explain where you were last night?" Tom licked his dry lips and said, "Sir…I just went for a walk." Tisdale growled, "Mr. Paris don't lie to me. Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Miller have already admitted that all of you went to a nightclub last night. I have already called their parents and they are being sent home;" Tom took a deep breath and said, "Sir…did you call my father?" "Yes I did. I was going to have you sent home too for violating curfew but you father convinced me to let you stay." "He did?" Tisdale nodded. "Admiral Paris felt that sending you home would only hurt your training." He handed Tom the padd and said, "Your father left you a message. He insisted you read it before you left for the jungle." Tisdale looked at his chronometer. "We will be beaming to the jungle in 20 minutes. I expect you on time. Is that clear Mr. Paris?" "Yes, sir." Tisdale walked out of Tom's room and he wearily sagged onto the bed. "Damn it," he sighed wearily. He then pressed the button on the padd and he heard his father's voice say, "Thomas…I'm very disappointed in you. I had to call in a couple of personal favors to not have you kicked out of the camp…. Sometimes I think you go out of you way to embarrass me. The name of Paris has meant something in Starfleet for five generations and I'm not letting you ruin it. Thomas I expect perfect behavior from you for the next three weeks. When you get home I will give you your punishment. Remember son…you are a Paris…act like one. Paris out." Paris flung the padd at the wall but the crashing noise didn't do anything to improve Tom's mood. He wearily put his face into his hands and he wondered what he feared more…the next three weeks living in a tent and eating off the land or facing his father. "Maybe I'll luck out and a lion will eat me," Tom said to himself. Sarah gave him a sympathetic smile and said, "So what was your punishment?" Tom frowned, "I was restricted to the house for three months. I could only leave the house for school and school activities. I also wasn't allowed to use Starfleet simulators for three months and I had to write a letter of apology to Commander Tisdale for my inexcusable behavior." Jenny smiled at Tom. "When I was 16, my parents and I were living on a starship. I snuck out after my parents went to bed to meet this boy I really liked at the holodeck. We got caught kissing by the first officer. My parents were so embarrassed they grounded me for two weeks." Dan put his arm on Tom's shoulder. "Come on Tom….we all do dumb things when we're kids. My Dad always says making mistakes helps you learn how to behave." Tom frowned, "According to my Dad…Paris's don't make mistakes." Terrick looked perplexed. "Even Vulcan children are not expected to be perfect. It is illogical to expect a human child to be perfect." Tom smiled. "I guess my father is just illogical…Guys I really do have to go to bed early. I have to do research on a report for Stellar Cartagraphy." Tom headed for his dorm room and then turned back to his teammates. "Thanks guys for coming to dinner. I really didn't want to face my Dad alone…and maybe we'll surprise the old man and do really well on the test on Monday." Sarah smiled at him and said, "Maybe we will." 0345 Tom exited his dorm room with his backpack headed for Archer Hall. His backpack was considerably lighter than some of the previous survival trips because the only provisions he was allowed to take besides a change of uniform and underwear was one canteen of water and rations packs for one day. Tom knew that in an emergency he could use his commbadge to call for help but he knew that calling for help was considered an automatic F on the test and a good chance of failing the class. In all the years Tom father was taught the class it was common for a third of the students to fail this class. He knew many of these students never finished the Academy. Every once in a while he thought about actually trying to get kicked out of Starfleet on purpose but he knew that would hurt his mom and he couldn't do that to her. Even though Tom seldom admitted it to himself a part of him really wanted to succeed in Starfleet. He still remembered some of the stories Grandma Paris told him about some of her early adventures in Starfleet. They sounded so cool. He found it hard to believe that she and so many other members of his family left space travel to man a desk at Starfleet Command. Tom walked up to Archer Hall and saw a number of cadets on line to have their backpacks inspected before they went on their designated shuttle. Since a cadet about fifteen years ago tried to sneak extra rations in their backpack, the instructors made sure nobody cheated on the test. Tom was standing on line when he saw he father walking up to one of the inspectors and whispered something in his ear. Tom wondered what his father told the inspector until he reached the inspection desk. Tom put his backpack on the desk and frowned when the inspector took out a scanner and went over each inch of his backpack with the scanning device. Every other cadet only had their belongings visually scanned. Great, my father doesn't even trust me to not cheat on the survival test. Like I would be dumb enough to bring extra food. I've eaten enough ration packs over the years to rather live off the land then eat the garbage they contain, Tom thought. Tom turned to face his father who was looking at a padd. His father looked up for a second and then gave him his often worn "Thomas don't mess up" glare and then went back to reading the padd. Tom just sighed and waited for the inspector to give him back his backpack and headed for his assigned shuttle the Bluebird. As Tom walked in he saw Cathy and Terrick already on the shuttle. Terrick looked calm as he was practicing some sort of Vulcan meditation but Cathy was nervously pacing back and forth. He smirked at Cathy and said, "Wow…Cathy your more nervous then a Ferengi trying to make a fair trade." Cathy grimaced at him "Tom this is not funny. If we don't do well on this test it could be the end of all our Starfleet careers." "Come on Cathy…My father not going to fail everyone. I think there are rules against that." Terrick said, "In the history of Starfleet Academy a entire class has never failed a course." Tom suppressed a laugh as Dan, Sarah and Jenny entered the shuttle. Ten minutes later Admiral Paris walked into the shuttle carrying a tricorder. All six cadets stood at attention. Owen Paris smiled and said, "You will be leaving for your rendezvous point in three minutes. You have exactly four days to reach your destination." He handed the tricorder to Tom and gave him a slight smile. "I'll see you in four days. Good luck." Tom watched as his father walked out of the shuttle. A minute later the pilot entered the shuttle and then prepped for the flight. The first thing that Tom noticed was the shuttle windows were darkened so he and his teammates would not know where they are going. The pilot had a small view screen to see where he was going but from Tom's position in the back of the shuttle with his teammates he knew it would be impossible to sneak a look at where they were going. As the shuttle lifted off Tom took a deep breathe to calm himself but for some reason he couldn't shake this feeling that something was going to go wrong. Tom and his teammates watched as the shuttle lifted off the ground and headed back to Earth. They all put on their backpacks and Tom took out the tricorder and started scanning the area. He smiled at the reading and said. "Good news. According to my scans there are no creatures hear big enough to eat us." Cathy frowned, "Very funny Tom." Dan looked around their surroundings and saw a lot of trees. "It looks like we are on a jungle planet…According to the survival manual the first rule of survival is to find food and water." Tom smiled at Dan and said, "Agreed…but we should all try to stay together. Remember we all have to make it to the rendezvous point to pass the test." He set his chronometer and said. "Lets all walk in a different direction for the next thirty minutes in a straight line. At that time we will all turn back and meet here with all the supplies we gathered. He gave the tricorder to Cathy. "Cathy you stay here and maintain the camp. According to the tricorder there are no large animals here but we have to watch out for smaller ones who might try to steal our food. Remember if you find something that looks edible just gather as much as you can and bring it back here. Don't eat anything until Cathy checks it out on the tricorder." One hour later Tom returned to the site with his backpack full of blue cherries that he discovered on some bushes. He saw Cathy and Terrick talking as Cathy scanned what looked a little like green potatoes. Tom walked over to them and took his backpack off and showed them the berries he found. Cathy smiled at him and ran the scanner over the berries. "Looks like we won't have to worry about eating tonight, both Terrick's potatoes and your berries check out as edible." Smiling Tom said, "Good…I think we should save the ration bars as a last resort…they usually taste like cardboard." Terrick gave Tom a surprised look. "The ration bars are designed to keep you alive…they weren't designed to taste good." Not wanting to argue with a Vulcan Tom asked, "Where are the others?" . Terrick replied, "Sarah and Dan are collecting firewood but Jenny hadn't check in yet." Tom looked at his chronometer. "She should have been back by now." Tom pressed his combadge, "Paris to Jenny," but the only reply was static." Just then Sarah came back with her armload of wood. "Tom the combages aren't working. I tried to hail Dan before but I got no response." "Damn it…We'll give her fifteen more minutes and then we'll look for her." Tom looked at the sky and saw how dark it was getting. "We'll camp here tonight. I don't want to go with into the woods at night." Twenty minutes later Tom left Cathy and Sarah to set up the camp and he sent himself, Terrick and Dan out to search for Jenny. Tom was calling out, "Jenny… Jenny," when his combadge sounded. Tom pressed his combadge and said, "Paris here…what's going on." Vorrick voice came out in between the static. "Terrick here…I found Jenny…she badly sprained her ankle." "Do you need help bringing her back to camp." "No…I can carry her in. I'll meet you in camp in 20 minutes." As Tom entered the campgrounds he saw Terrick walking towards him. He ran up to him and saw Jenny in his arms. Her uniform was dirty and she had a pained look on her face. Her face was dirty and tear stained." To took her from Terrick's arms and smiled. "Hey Jenny I know some girls liked to be carried off by a bring strong man…but Jenny a Vulcan." Jenny gave a faint smile and said, "Very funny Paris." Tom carried her to a pile of blankets that the others had gathered by the campfire and placed her on top of the blankets. Cathy walked over to Jenny and ran the medical tricorder over her body. She gave a small frown, "Jenny you have a really bad sprain. I can bandage it for you but it still is going to hurt a lot when you put any weight on it." With tears filling her eyes Jenny said, "Guys you better go on without me in the morning. I'll call for emergency beam out. I don't want you to all fail the test because I tripped over a rock." Tom said, "No Jenny…we'll help you." Terrick turned to Tom and said, "The official rule of the test is to have the entire team cross together but in my research it says that when there are incidents of a team member getting injured within the first 24 hours of the test the reminder of the team can go on a member short.": Tom shook his head no, "'No…we started this test together and we will finish it as a team." Jenny said, "But Tom.." "No…you made me the leader…so I make the final decision…Now lets all get something to eat and then go to bed …we have a long hike tomorrow." Dan and Sarah handed out bowls of soup and cups of coffee to the members of the team. Tom who was sitting on a nearby rock watched his team- mates. He had to figure out a way to get his team to the finish line in time with Jenny's bag ankle. He was lost in thought he didn't notice Dan coming up to him with a bowl of soup and a cup of coffee. "Hey Tom…It's dinner time…this soup we made with some of the vegetables we found this afternoon" Tom gave a faint smiled and said, "Thanks, Dan." Dan patted Tom on the shoulder and said. "You made the right decision…we can't leave anybody behind…were Starfleet." Tom looked at Dan and smiled, "I hope you still think it's the right decision after the test is over." After dinner was over and Tom and Terrick cleared away the dished the team got ready for bed. Tom watched as his team members took out their blankets from their backpacks and arranged them all around the fire. Terrick and Cathy helped Jenny get settled and then they laid down by the fire. Tom was too wound up to sleep and he just so he volunteered to keep the first watch. He told Dan that he would wake him up in two hours to take the next watch. Tom then took a blanket and wrapped it around his arms and sat on the rock to keep watch. Three hours past and Tom was starring into the campfire when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and saw Dan standing next to him. Talking softly so he wouldn't wake the others Dan said, "Tom…you were suppose to wake me up an hour ago." Frowning Tom said, "I guess I just lost track of time." "Yeah you better get some sleep…We have a lot of kilometers to cover tomorrow…I'll wake up Sarah in two hours to take the next watch." Tom nodded and gave Dan the blanket and went to the empty blanket near the fire and laid down. He most of been more tired than he thought because the next thing he remembered was Dan shaking him awake. "Tom come on… It's time to wake up." Tom slowly opened his eyes and then sat up. He saw Dan smiling at him. "Come in sleepyhead…breakfast is all ready." Tom sat up and saw Sarah, Jenny, Cathy and Terrick eating breakfast by the campfire. He stood up and walked over to them. Sarah stood up and handed Tom a bowl and said, "Come on Tom…it's time to eat up we have to get going if were going to reach the rendezvous site in time." Tom smiled at her and said, "Yes, ma'am." Dan then walked up to the camp- fire carrying two long sticks. "I took these down from a nearby tree…but I think they should be the right length to be crutches for Jenny." Tom turned to look at Jenny who was sitting across from him and said. "Jenny how does your ankle feel." Frowning Jenny said, "It's still hurts…but I think I can walk on it with crutches". Tom stood up and walked over to her, He helped Jenny up but everyone saw the grimace on her face as Dan handed her the two sticks. Using the sticks to help support her weight Jenny made a few small steps and then gave a faint smile. "See…I cam make it." Tom smiled at her and then said, "Jenny if it gets too bad just tell us and we will take turns carrying you." Angrily Jenny said, "Thomas Paris…I may be a little clumsy but I'm not helpless. I intend to finish this mission on my own two feet." Smiling Tom said, "Okay…everybody make sure you have your backpacks secure. I want to get going in five minutes. Jenny put both sticks in her left hand and reached for her backpack with her right hand." Tom grabbed the backpack before she could reach it. Jenny said, "Tom…I can carry my own backpack." Frowning Tom said, No…Jenny. I want you to concentrate on walking. I'll carry your backpack for you…besides I was raised to be a gentleman." "That's not what Shirley Jensen said." Gulping Tom said, "Shirley…how do you know her?" Smiling Jenny said, "She's my roommate. Shirley says that flying is not the only thing you do at a warp five." Smirking Tom said, "That's a lie…I never went after her more than at warp two." Four hours later the group stopped for a rest. Jenny was struggling to hide the pain but everyone could tell she was struggling to continue. Tom walked over to Cathy and then asked, "Is there anything we can do for Jenny to help her?" "No…if I had a dermal regenerator I could fix her up in a few minutes but all I have in the med kit is bandages and small doses of pain killers…but I only have enough for three shots." Tom nodded and walked over to Jenny who was sitting on a rock massaging her sprained ankle. Tom sat next to her and said, "Jen…if Cathy gave you a pain killer do you think you could go on for a little longer." With tears in her eyes Jenny nodded. "I can't believe I was so clumsy. Tom I want you to promise me something. If I can't go on promise you will leave me." Frowning Tom said, "No way Jenny…were finishing this as a team even if I have to carry you to the finish line." About twelve hours later Tom noticed that it was getting dark and told everyone to break for camp. Jenny gratefully sat down on the ground. Cathy went over to her and unwrapped the bandages and saw that Jenny ankle had swollen up. Tom walked up to them and said, "Cathy there is a lake two meters away. Think the cold water would help Jenny ankle." Cathy said, "Yes that should take the swelling down." "Good." Tom then picked Jenny up in his arms and said, "I'm taking Jenny down to the lake to soak her ankle. Terrick you set up the camp. Dan, Cathy and Sarah you scout around for food. Remember don't eat anything until its checked out and remember stay in view of someone at all times. We'll be back in about half an hour." Jenny was silent as Tom carried her to the lake and sat her down on a rock. He gently placed her ankle in the water and massaged it. Jenny gave him a little smile. "Tom you have a gentle touch. You should of gone into medicine like Cathy." Tom laughed, "Yeah right. I once told my Dad I wanted to join the Naval Patrol and he got so angry at me…I thought he was going to have a stroke. When my Dad is mad he gives you this look that scares Captains…My Dad has my whole future laid out for me. First I graduate the Academy…with honors of course. Then after a few years of flying I'll go to Command school and I'll go up the ranks and eventually I'll be the next Admiral Paris." Jenny gave him a small smile. "How about what you want?" Tom gave a little smirk. "You know I don't think he ever asked me what I wanted." "Well I'm asking…what do you want?" Smiling Tom said, "I want to fly. My dream is to fly …I want to fly the flagship of the fleet." "Enterprise." Tom smiled. "Yeah…So Jenny what do you want?" " I would like a position at Starfleet Headquarters…I've spent most of my life on spaceships…I would really like to stay put in one place for a couple of years on Earth." Tom laughed. "Not me…I want to get as far away from my father as possible." Jenny gave Tom a slight smile. "Who knows maybe we will both what me want." Late morning the cadets were again traveling through the jungle at a slow pace so Jenny could keep up. Dan had made her a crutch out of a tree branch and she was able to hobble along with only a few rest stops. Terrick was two kilometers ahead scouting for the group. Tom's commbadge beeped and they all head, "Terrick to Paris." Tom answered, "Yeah Terrick go ahead." "The clouds are getting darker ahead…I think a rainstorm is approaching." Tom frowned, "Terrick wait for us to regroup…I think we better find some shelter quick…Jungle storms can be dangerous." Ten minutes later the cadets had regrouped. Tom took checked the tricorder and found a cave about fifty minutes away. The group waked to the cave as it started to rain and by the time they all got inside the cave they were all soaked. As the other wanted by the opening of the cave Tom scanned the cave to make sure there was no wild animals in the cave. Tom turned to his group and gave them a small smile. "The cave is empty We should be safe here until the rain lets up." Tom looked around the cave and saw his teammates shivering in their wet survival uniforms. "Terrick you and I will go outside and gather some firewood. Sarah you and Dan start a fire. Everyone as soon as the fire is warm enough take off your uniforms and put in near the fire. Jenny you and Cathy you hand everyone a blanket and set up camp." Tom looked outside the cave and saw the rain coming down even heavier. ""It' looks like were stuck here for the night." Terrick said calmly. "We only have 43.4 hours to reach the shuttle." Frowning Tom said, "We'll make it." Jenny who was sitting on a nearby rock was rubbing her sprained ankle. "Tom I'm slowly you all down. I'll call up from a transport…you all should all go on without me." Angrily Tom said, "Damn it Jenny…I told you before…we're all staying together…Starfleet officers don't leave anybody behind. Now everybody do your assignments." As the other cadets left Sarah stayed behind and said in a low voice, "Tommy…we're only first year cadets…Maybe your pushing everyone a little hard because you want to impress your Dad." Tom smirked, "Sarah I gave up trying to impress my father years ago." "Then why don't you let Jenny beam out…she needs medical attention…Cathy says she's amazed that Jenny can still walk on it." "She'll make it." Frowning Sarah asked, "What if she can't?" "Then I'll carry her out myself." and then he walked out into the rain. The next morning they continued their trek to the rendezvous point. Dan sneezed for the fourth time in the last ten minutes. Tom who was walking behind the others and keeping his eyes on Jenny as she struggled to keep up with the others walked up to Dan and asked in a quiet voice, "Dan are you okay?" Dan sneezed again and then gave a little smile. "I'm from New Mexico…we hardly get any rain." Tom smirked, "You better get used to it…we're approaching the rainy season in San Francisco." "Have you always lived in San Francisco?" "Mostly…a few times my Mom and sisters followed my Dad to a long posting on another planet or a spaceship but that was mostly during school holidays. My Dad always insisted that school always came first…How about you?" Dan sneezed again. "My parents insisted we spend every holiday on Earth. We went away every summer but I've never been off the Earth." With a sparkle in his eye Tom said, "Wait until you get into space…Once you feel warp for the first time…you never want to be trapped on a planet." Dan looked perplexed, "Do you feel trapped on Earth?" "Sometimes…." Tom licked his dry lips and took a deep breath. He smelled the grass and the trees and flowers in the distance. It reminded him a little of his mother's garden behind the house in San Francisco. He remembered flying his spaceships in his mother's gardens when he was little. He felt so free and happy back then. Everything chanced when he got older and then Admiral's expectations became harder to fulfill. Tom loved his father but there were times he wished he could just get far away from his father and just have the freedom to live his life as Tom Paris…not Tom Paris…Admiral's son. Tom turned to see Dan just staring at him. Tom gave a faint smiled and glanced at his chronometer. "Dan why don't you scout ahead…I'll check on the others." Knowing that Tom just wanted to end their conversation, Dan nodded and went ahead to see what was ahead of them. Tom waited for Jenny, Sarah, Cathy and Terrick to catch up. Jenny's limp was very noticeable but Cathy and Terrick watched her closely to make sure so was able to keep up. Tom smiled at his teammates and realized he was happy that Sarah convinced him to join her group. These five cadets were just as determined to finish the survival course on time as he was. He took his tricorder out of his backpack and began scanning ahead. His tricorder beeped. Terrick whose Vulcan hearing heard the beep said, "What's wrong?" Frowning Tom said, "I'm reading some sort of alien live sign?" Cathy looking frightened asked, "I thought there was not suppose to be any alien life forms on this planet." Tom frowned, "There not suppose to be." Tom pressed his communicator. "Paris to Dan…Dan come in?" The only thing that came through the communicator was static. Terrick, Cathy, Jenny and Sarah all tried their communicators but there was still no response, Taking a deep breath Tom said, "We better find Dan fast." Tom pressed some buttons on the tricorder. "He's should be about twenty- fives meters ahead…You guys make camp here…If we're are not back by sunrise go on ahead without us. We have to reach the rendezvous site by 2000 hours." Sarah said angrily, "No way Tom…we're not leaving without you and Dan." Tom just looked at Sarah and the others and said in an even and calm voice. 'That's an order…all of you." Cathy who looked frightened but determined. "But what if Dan is hurt…you are going to need someone with a medical background." Tom started to say, "Cathy…" Terrick said, "Tom…Cathy is right." Trying to come up with a logically reason for Cathy to stay behind and unable to think of one. Tom just said, "Okay…Cathy will go with me…but the rest of you head for the rendezvous site if were not back by sunrise." Sarah gave Tom a little kiss on the cheek and said, "We will…but Tommy be careful…" "I will." Tom and Cathy followed the signal from the tricorder and noticed it was starting to get dark. Cathy was starting to tremble a little but Tom took her hand and gave it a soft squeeze. "We will find Dan." Trying to hold back tears Cathy asked, "Tom how can you always be so positive….you are always joking around like nothing ever gets to you…Dan can lying same place bleeding to death." "We will find him…My Dad always said that Starfleet officers never leave anybody behind." Cathy looked ahead and shouted, "I think I see something." and pointed to a group of trees about two meters away. Tom ran over to the trees and saw Dan Simpson's lying on the ground next to a tree. His eyes were closed but Tom saw that he was breathing because his chest was moving up and down. Dan's eyes were closed and Tom saw that he was bleeding from his right leg and his right arm. Tom starting gently shaking him awake as Cathy joined them on the ground and was scanning Dan with the medical tricorder. Slowly Dan's eyes opened and he groggily saw Tom and Cathy kneeling next to him. In a hoarse voice Dan said. "Are they gone?" Tom asked, "Gone?" Dan tried to sit up but Tom held him down. "Hey buddy…wait until Cathy checks you out .Dan what attacked you?" Trying to hide in the pain as Cathy examined his wounds. "I'm not sure…I was scouting ahead and then I heard this growling sound…and before I know it these two creatures were attacking me?" "Creatures?' "Yeah they looked a little like wolves but there were about a meter in a half high and they were blue?" Tom started scanning the area with his tricorder but found no trace of the creatures. "It looks like they are gone." Tom gave a light smirk . "I guess they didn't think you tasted that good." Dan gave a little chuckle and then gasped out in pain. "Damn it…this really hurts." Cathy gave him a slight smile and said, "Dan…I'm going to have to give you something for the pain so I could bandage up your leg and arm." Gasping from the pain Dan said, "Look just bandage me up. Tomorrow we reach the rendezvous site and then I can get medical treatment then." Angrily Cathy said, "Dan you have lost a lot of blood…I don't think you should go on. We can call out for a medical evacuation." "No…Cathy…I can finish this." He turned to Tom, "Tom tell her I can go on." Looking from Dan to Cathy Tom said, "Dan can you walk on it?" "Let me try…Damn it Tom…I worked too long and hard to get into Starfleet to fail because I was attacked by some creatures…I can do it." Tom nodded and said, "Okay…Cathy bandage him up without the medication and then we'll rest over night and catch up with the others in the morning." Cathy looked at Dan and then said, "Tom can I speak to you a minute." Tom nodded and him and Cathy walked a few feet away. Cathy making sure they were too far away for Dan to hear them. "Tom your making a mistake…Dan needs treatment…So does Jenny. You've got our entire team so obsessed with impressing your father that they are risking their lives to finish this stupid test." "That's not true." "Yes it is…Tommy you are a good person. I've been watching you. You have great leadership abilities but calling out for help in not a weakness…We never even knew about the animals that attacked Dan…I'm sure Starfleet will give us another chance to take this test after Dan and Jenny recover." Frowning Tom said, "Cathy look…tomorrow the last day…we are almost through the test…if Dan is unable to go on tomorrow I'll call for help…I promise." Cathy gave him a small smile, "Okay…I'll bandage Dan up…you better call the others and tell them the plan." Tom watched Cathy go back to Dan and then pressed his commbadge. "Paris to Terrick." A voice over the commbadge said, "Terrick here." "We've found Dan…he was attacked by two wolf like creatures." "What is his stasis." "Cathy is fixing him up know…Terrick watch out for those creatures and then start out the rendezvous point as sunrise." "Shouldn't we wait for you to catch up." Tom licked his dry lips and said, "No Terrick….You go ahead…If we don't catch up go to the shuttle yourselves and then send for help." Sarah voice interrupted, "But Tommy…we should wait for you…We should finish the course as a team." "No Sarah…You have your orders. Paris out." Tom turned and he saw Cathy staring at him. She smiled "Putting the welfare of the team over your own…I think you going to be one great leader someday Tom." Tom smirked, "Don't tell my Dad that…he'll already pushing for a Captaincy by thirty…now he'll want me to be an Admiral by thirty-five." The next morning Tom, Cathy and Dan were on the move. Dan had his right arm around Tom's shoulder as he hopped along beside him. Dan couldn't put any weight on his right leg. The terrain was getting rocky and the walking became hardly. About midday they stopped for a rest and Tom heard a beeping on his commbadge. "Paris here." Sarah voice said, "Tom what is location?" Checking his tricorder Tom scanned for the lifesigns of the rest of the group. "We're about an hour behind you…Do you see the rendezvous site yet?" "Negative…Terrick says we are about another three hours away from the site…are you guys doing alright." Tom looked at Dan and Cathy. They were both dirty and sweaty and he could see by the look on Dan's face he was in a lot of pain. But they both had a look of determination on their faces. Tom gave them both a small smile and said, "We're fine. We will meet you at the rendezvous site. Paris out." Three in a half hours later Tom helped lower Dan to the ground and took out his tricorder and scanned the area. He smiled at Cathy and Dan and said, "Guys were almost there. We are going to make it." Cathy looked at the sky and said, "Tom it's starting to get dark." Tom frowned and said, "We'll make it." Dan frowned at him and said, "Tom ….I can't walk anymore…you two go on without me." Angrily Tom aid, "Dan…we're almost there…" With tears in his Dan said, "Tom…I can't go on…My leg hurts too much. You and Cathy go on." "No…Cindy…you go on. I'll carry Dan the rest of the way." Frowning Cindy said, "No…I'm not leaving you two behind." Tom looked Cindy straight in the eye and with his best command voice said, "Cadet Sanderson…report to the rendezvous site…That is an order." Meekly Cathy said, "Yes, sir." And walked off Tom then looked at Dan and smiled. "Come on Dan…were almost there." He lifted Dan over his right shoulder and after making sure he had a good grip on him Tom started to walk. Cathy ran towards the shuttle when she saw it come down out of the sky. She smiled when she saw Sarah, Jenny and Terrick waiting by the shuttle. She ran towards them and hugged Sarah and Jenny. She smiled at Terrick knowing Vulcans didn't like being touched. Sarah hugged her back and said, "Cathy…where is Tom and Dan?" With tears of worry and exhaustion in her eyes Cathy replied, "Tom ordered me to the rendezvous site. He's carrying Dan the rest of the way." Just then the shuttle door opened and out came a man wearing a lieutenant uniform. He smiled at the cadets and said, "Welcome back…I'm Lieutenant Sanchez. " He frowned at them and said, "Where are the other two?" Terrick said respectably. "They are coming." The officer looked at his chronometer and said, "They have two minutes…then we take off." Sarah said, "Wait…they are almost here?" The lieutenant just frowned, "Sorry cadets…I have my orders." Sarah turned to Terrick. "We have to go back for them." Terrick said, "That is against the rules…It is logical for us to stay here and hope they return in time." Cathy then yelled. "Damn your Vulcan logic…Tom would not leave any of us behind…I'm going back for him and Dan." Jenny nodded, "Me too." Terrick said, "Jenny you are already limping…You stay here and we will get Tom and Dan." Jenny nodded and watched as Terrick, Sarah and Cathy ran towards where Cathy last saw Tom and Dan. Tom finally saw the shuttlecraft but he knew he would arrive too late. He heard Dan snoring and knew that exhaustion finally took. He gave a small smile and whispered, "Rest up Dan…maybe my Dad will let us take a make-up…I heard he did that once about fifteen years ago…I just hope the others made it there on time." Just then Tom heard a voice call out "Tom." Tom looked up and saw Terrick, Cathy and Sarah running towards him. He shouted, "Go back….I don't want the rest of you to fail too." Terrick grabbed Dan off of Tom's shoulder and started running to the shuttle craft. Sarah and Cathy both grabbed one of Tom's arms and started pushing him towards the shuttle. They all ran as fast as they could but the shuttle was lifting off. Just then the shuttle door opened and they saw Jenny standing there waving them to jump in. The shuttle was about a meter in the air but Terrick was able to lift Dan onto the shuttle and then he gave Sarah, Cathy and Tom a boost so they were all lying on the shuttle floor. Terrick then jumped and reached the door as Tom and Sarah pulled him in. Jenny then closed the door. Tom looked at Sarah, Cathy, Terrick, Jenny and Dan who just woke up during the commotion and frowned, "You know you guys disobeyed my orders…I told you to get to the shuttle and take off…Terrick you're the one I'm most surprised out…I thought you would follow my orders. Terrick said matter of factly. "I tried to sir…but I was dealing with human woman…They aren't the most logical species in the Federation." Tom then burst out laughing. "I couldn't agree with you more." Tom then smiled, "Thanks guys…you made one hell of a team." Tom turned to see the lieutenant who was in flying the ship. He smiled at them and said, "Cadets…I've seen you all made it…barely." Tom smiled back at him, "But we did make it…as a team." Tom sat on a biobed in his Starfleet issued underwear. He had just finished his post survival test physical and except for exhaustion and dehydration all his tests checked out fine. All the rest of his team was already examined and sent back to their quarters except for Dan who had to stay over night for observation. Tom yawned and hoped the doctor would return soon so he could go back to his quarters and get some sleep. Tomorrow morning him and the rest of the leaders had to report to Admiral's Paris office to make their final mission reports. Just then the door opened but instead of the doctor coming in, Admiral Paris walked in. Tom stood at attention. Owen Paris smiled at him. "At ease, son…this is not an official visit. How are you feeling?" Tom changed to at rest position and said, "I'm fine…Just a little tired." Owen looked at his son making sure for himself that he was really okay smiled. "Although climbing into the shuttle as it is taking off is usually frowned upon in Starfleet…You still all made it in time…barely." Looking at his father Tom said, "Sir…we were told that there was no dangerous lifeforms on the planet…but Cadet Simpson was attacked by two wolf like creatures…" "I know that…but Thomas it was a survival course. Out there you never really know what you are going to face…son you have to prepared for anything." Realizing that his father knew about the beast tom angrily said, "You knew about those creatures….Someone could have been killed." "Thomas you were all constantly monitored…If one of you were really in trouble we would of transported you out." "But Dad…you could of least warned us…it wasn't a fair test of our skills." Owen looked at his son and said, "Tom a Starfleet career is very dangerous…there are a lot of unknown dangers out there…I just want to make sure you are prepared." "By making my test harder than anyone elses." Angrily Owen Paris said, "Damn it boy…I'm trying to keep you alive…You know the real reason I'm covering this class for Jerry Winston…His son Scott was badly injured on an away mission on the Potempkin. He's in a coma…they don't know if he will every wake up.." Tom didn't know what to say. Scott Winston was three years ahead of him in high school but they were on the same Parises Square team and became good friends "Dad…I'm sorry. I didn't know." "Jerry wants it to be kept quiet." Owen looked at his son and smiled, "Tom I know I'm tough on you…but I just want you to be safe…You'll understand when you have children of your own. Now Tom get dressed and go back to your quarters…You need to get a good nights sleep ..Tomorrow we will go over the mission." "Yes, sir." Tom watched his father leave the room and then put on his a fresh uniform that was replicated for him. As he left the infirmary and walked towards his quarters he looked at the nighttime sky and wondered what strange things was going to face out in space. He gave a little smirk and then said to himself, "Well Dad…I guess after surviving your survival tests the rest of my Starfleet career will be a piece of cake."