Graduation 2292

Posted on Wed Oct 29th, 2025 @ 5:11am by Ensign Shanice Winters

755 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Tales of the Twenty-Third Century
Location: Starfleet Academy
Timeline: May 2292

Shanice Winters was one of the last in her class to walk the graduation stage. The ceremony was finally over, and the young people who were Cadets an hour ago, were now officially Ensigns. Walking over to her parents in the crowd, Shanice had the biggest grin on her face. Four long years which seemed to fly by now that she thought about it.

Captain Abraham Winters and Lt. Commander Janet Winters smiled at their daughter who was making her way towards them. The two had almost missed the graduation due to the USS Stanford having to intercept a Tzenkethi ship that had crossed into Federation space about three weeks ago. After dealing with that incident, the Miranda class vessel sped its way back to Earth, before moving onto their next assignment.

"Mom and dad you made it," Shanice spoke as she embraced both parents.

"Nothing was going to stop us from getting here to see you walk that stage," Janet responded. "There were times I thought your father was going to fly that ship apart."

"Had to see that reward you received for that article you written for the Academy paper," Abraham replied. "How you managed to get an interview from officers who had been on the frontlines still baffles my mind."

Shanice smiled at her parents. "I find that most people want to share their experiences. Providing an outlet is simply what I do."

"What made you decide to go that route for an article?" her mother questioned.

"The Federation and the Klingon Empire have been fighting even before there was a United Federation of Planets," the graduate answered.

"And you feel that things will be coming to an end at some point?" the Captain inquired.

Shanice thought carefully about the question. "The last decade or so we've seen an increase in our confrontations with the Empire. Its either going to lead to all-out war or some form of mutual respect leading to peace. Either way and end will come, because war doesn't last forever."

Abraham thought about his daughter's words. Like most young fresh out of the Academy graduates. His daughter was extremely optimistic. But his own experience, facing the reality of what was out there. He happened to be less optimistic. "Klingons tend to have a fight to the death mentality. They would rather watch the entire Beta quadrant burn in glorious battle. Not even sure if there is a word for peace in their language."

Janet looked at her husband and simply chuckled. Once thing she missed was watching these two debate around the kitchen table.

"I agree that they have a fight to the death mentality," Shanice admitted. "But there has to be a few Klingons who simply want better for the future of their own children. The Federation and Empire are the biggest power in the quadrant. A long war leaves both sides open for anyone to take advantage."

Placing an arm around Shanice's shoulder, the proud father smiled. "Perhaps this might occur in your lifetime. But in the meantime, I'm famished. Let's grab something to eat and celebrate."

"You two are likely to debate so long that you'll end up shipped off to your first assignment before we can really enjoy any time together," Janet spoke up. "Debating can take place during calls, but we rarely get a chance to be together as a family."

Both father and daughter looked over at each other, nodding in agreement. Shanice had no clue where Starfleet would assign her within the next couple of days. The same could be said about her parents. Starfleet had a way of not being too family friendly. There were times, she found herself staying wtih her grandparents for long periods of times whe her parents were out assigned ti ship duty or living with her mother on a space station. The only time they found themselves together was when both parents were assigned on a space station and colony. Then her father accepted a position as Executive Officer, which split up the family.

The day she arrived at the Academy; her mother was transferred to the Staford to be with her father. Ensign Winters often wondered if she would have a similar career, while somehow trying to balance family. Shaking those thoughts out of her mind, Shanice chose to focus on the now, rather than a far too distant future.

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Ensign Shanice Winters
Media Relations Officer
Starfleet Academy

Captain Abraham Winters
Commanding Officer
USS Stanford

Lt. Commander Janet Winters
Chief Medical Officer
USS Stanford

 

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