Back to the beginning

Posted on 03 Aug 2026 @ 5:20pm by Lieutenant Ryan Collingway
Edited on on 03 Aug 2026 @ 9:19pm

1,075 words; about a 5 minute read

///Starboard Nacelle Control Room////

Ryan was working on examining the circuitry in the control room, searching for signs of any flaws in the wiring or replacements needed. So far, so good. It was simple work, but it was good to have something easy to do while he waited to hear back from Commander Batenburg. She had assured him that he done the right thing, but it was still difficult to admit that he needed help. His record wasn't spotless, and he knew he was probably being watched closely. It was a big department, so that was understandable.

But even the beginning hadn't exactly been free of turmoil.

Ryan began a level three-diagnostic. As the scan started, he leaned back in the chair.

And remembered what he could as he waited.

///Xin///
//Six years ago///

Eighteen-year-old Ryan Collingway traversed the dark road that was full of potholes. It was raining hard. A rare thing for Xin. He hadn't been prepared for it when he left the house. His hair was drenched.

He found what he was looking for at the end of the road and up a flight of stairs. Nearby were empty buildings, or ones used in warehousing. It was an area designed for most to pass by. He climbed up the steel steps and reached his destination-a single-level dwelling that overlooked the city. He pressed the buzzer. No answer. He knew it was late.

Instead of leaving, he banged on the door. "Hello? Anybody in there?"

The door abruptly opened. Inside was an office and a small kitchen that was probably supposed to be official but retrofitted to be cozy. A woman with short grey hair and a red uniform was looking at him, not without a bit of irritation. "Kid, I'm about to close up for the night. Come by tomorrow."

"I want to join Starfleet Academy," Ryan blurted out.

"Fantastic. Come by tomorrow."

"Please," Ryan said before the door closed. "I know Starfleet recruitment centers aren't popular in Xin. I was hoping you can spare me a few minutes."

The woman considered, studying him. Then she gestured with her head. "Come in. You're letting the heat out. You can hang your jacket there." She pointed at a nearby coat hook.

As Ryan settled in, the woman poured herself a tea. "I'm Lieutenant Walkins. And you are?"

"Ryan. Ryan Collingway."

She gestured at a device hooked up near the computer. "Plop your ID card in there and put your hand on the palm scanner," she said.

Ryan obliged. ID cards were a dime a dozen at Xin and they both knew it. The scanner, however, couldn't be faked.

Walkins looked at the information on her screen, looking for any signs of a criminal record. "Squeaky clean. All right, which gang are you trying to run from?"

"I'm not part of any gang," Ryan protested.

She studied for a moment, skeptical. Then it clicked as his last name finally registered. Most people knew who his father was on this planet. Something changed in her facial expression. Not exactly sympathy, but understanding as a few things suddenly became more clear. "What field?"

"Sorry?"

"For the Academy. Is there any field you are looking into? Or do you plan to figure it out when you get there, assuming the Academy takes you? That is an option as well," Walkins said, sipping her tea.

Ryan hesitated, then looked down, as though he was confessing something he shouldn't. "Engineering," he finally said. "I created a water filtration system for Minsk as a school project."

Walkins raised her eyebrow. "I heard about that on the news. Shoddy engineering, they said."

Ryan folded his arms. "The engineering was sound. The government on the other hand, wasn't too happy when they found out they could no longer charge the residents there a premium on water."

There was a pause. "All right, kid," Walkins said. "You're growing on me."

She leaned forwards. "But let me give you a piece of advice. If you're just trying to escape something, there are shuttles that leave this planet every other week. There are easier ways of starting a new life somewhere. *If* the Academy takes you, and that is a big if, you will be tested in ways you will not expect. Honor, duty, commitment. Every single part of you is going to be put under a microscope, and if you're not ready for it, tell me now. This is not a 'get-out-of-whatever-trouble-you're-in-card. It's a lifetime commitment to something greater than yourself."

"I know," Ryan said quickly. "I just...I have to be in the Academy."

"Why?" Walkins pressed.

"Because I want to be something better. I want to do things that help people," Ryan confessed. "And in this type of place, the only thing I can be is worse."

There was a moment of silence.

"All right," Walkins said. "I'll process the paperwork tonight. Even if they do consider you, don't expect it to be easy getting in. The Academy has a vigorous entry exam. If I were you, I'd take the time to study up on that before they make a decision."

"Thank you," Ryan said.

"You're welcome." Walkins stood. "You got a place to stay for now, where I can contact you? Call me crazy, but something tells me that you don't exactly plan on going back the way you came from."

Ryan nodded. "There's a hotel nearby. On Elpida street." He planned to keep his head down in the meantime.

"All right. Stay there, study the crap out of what you're doing, and wait for my call. Good luck, kid."

They shook hands.

///USS Arawyn///

A beep broke Ryan out of his musings. Some of his past still was suppressed, or didn't make sense to him. After everything he had gone through he didn't really want to think about it right now. But he could still remember Walkins' going to bat for him, and helping him get on a transport to the Academy. She was right, of course. Being in Starfleet had tested him in ways he never could have imagined. Like being in 1984 and living a double-life. No one could have imagined that. He had grown quite a bit since being on the Arawyn, but at the same time, still falling short.

Maybe Commander Boren could help fill in the gaps.

Thinking about it some more, Ryan got back to work.

Acting Lieutenant Ryan Collingway
Acting Chief Engineer
USS Arawyn

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