Ad Astra :: Star Trek Fanfiction Archive ^{Beam me up, Scotty.}

Spock slips out of the house just as the sun is rising. He travels light, carrying only food, water, and a knife for protection. It is a long walk to the mountains, but he is used to it, finding the motion of putting one foot in front of the other almost meditative.

He has taken this journey many times, the mountains becoming larger as he approaches, until he reaches the foot and begins to climb. By now the sun is high in the sky, the heat of the day beginning to build.

The path up the mountain is steep, but he is used to it, long steps taking him higher and higher.

Around halfway up he reaches a hollow in the rock, too shallow to be called a cave, and pauses to gaze out over the view. He can see ShiKahr in the distance, his parents' house barely visible on the outskirts. From here, the tall and gleaming buildings seem almost insignificant, and he turns away and keeps climbing.

Finally he reaches a spot where he can go no further, and sits down against the rock, leaning back to watch the birds fly past far above him.

His mind turns to tomorrow; his meeting with the Vulcan Science Academy, and the choice awaiting him. Stay, and do as his father wishes, or leave and strike out on his own.

Here, in the shadow of the mountain, it seems like an easy choice. He only hopes he can bear the consequences.