Forge, Chapter 1: Stoking the Flames

Posted on Sun Oct 11th, 2026 @ 2:14am by Lieutenant Zachary Addams

1,114 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Younger Years
Location: Shi'Kahr, Vulcan
Timeline: Just over 14 years ago

"I'm serious!" Cody said. "They only pretend to be all unemotional and boring. Vulcans are as bad as humans about emotion, they just hide it better." He cocked a smile and leaned back in his chair. "You just gotta know how to reach them."

"Riiiiiight," Zach said, "and you 'reached' T'pela last night on a date?"

Cody grinned proudly. "She thought I was 'handsome for a human'."

Cody's grin turned confused as the other guys laughed. "Not sure that was a compliment, bro," Blake said, snickering.

"Yeah that may have been a pity move," Justin said, making the guys laugh.

"Yeah, whatever," Cody said. "I'm still the one who got to second square with T'pela, while you guys were home, choking up on your ion mallets."

Another roar of laughter from their group and a chorus of "dream on" and other doubtful phrases rose from their corner in the outdoor gardens. The squad of thirteen-year-old boys often sat together there, joking, chatting and in general doing the things that young teenagers with no responsibilities, but also no real autonomy, liked to do. They preferred to spend time there as it was shaded, cool, and had a view of the locals-- specifically the girls. They'd tried the local arcades in the tourist districts, but found Vulcan games a bit too cerebral.

Zach looked over as some more visitors walked by, and his gaze froze as he saw a small group of a half dozen (he assumed local) students, most of whom appeared to be around their age. On the edge of the small group was what he at first thought might be an actual angel. She wore the standard robes of a student at the secondary school, but it did little to hide her figure from his imagination. When she glanced his way, he felt his breath catch in his chest. Her eyes were a dark chestnut brown, her lips looked soft and full, and her ears were naturally pointed, but looked regal and made her appear like some magical pixie. Overall, she was, without a doubt, the most beautiful girl Zach had ever seen. At least, that’s what his brain was telling him. It didn’t register that one of his friends was trying to talk to him until he felt the elbow to his ribs.

“Zach, close your mouth before a ch’kariya thinks it's a den,” Jacob said.

“Did you see her?” Zach said.

“What am I, blind? Of course I did,” Jacob said.

Zach licked his suddenly dry lips and stood up slowly. “I’m going to talk to her.”

A couple of the guys scoffed and wished him a sarcastic “good luck”, but Jacob looked worried. “She’s with a lot of friends, man. You’ll be pretty outnumbered.”

“Fortune favors the bold, right?” Zach said, grinning as he stood. He left his friends and casually made his way over to the small group of Vulcans.

He approached quietly, hoping to sidle up to her before the others noticed, but there was no avoiding a dozen, sharp, Vulcan ears. The six other children turned as one as he approached and regarded him with cold, sharp glares.

He faltered a step, but quickly regained his cocky composure, brimming with unearned confidence, giving the girl a very reserved but (in his mind) charming smile. “Nashaut,” he said, using a greeting he’d overheard Vulcans use.

A few of the Vulcan boys pressed their lips together in disdain. One raised an eyebrow and gave a disapproving look, and another’s cheeks flushed and his nostrils flared in a shameful show of emotion.

Zach took no notice, as his eyes were focused on the feminine face in front of him. She didn’t offer a smile in return, naturally, but she clasped her hands politely in front of herself and gave a small nod. “Hello,” she said in Federation Standard.

“I’m Zachary. Zachary Addams,” he said. A moment’s awkward silence passed before he realized she was not reciprocating on her own. “I’d be honored to know the name of the most beautiful girl on Vulcan.”

Vulcans have the concept of emotional control instilled in them at a very young age. Nonetheless, children will be children, and impulses are hard to control during those early teenage years, even for them. Therefore, it was understandable that some of the boys would lose control of themselves and openly roll their eyes.

The girl regarded him coolly, raising an eyebrow and saying simply, “Siral.”

Zach grinned at his victory. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Siral,” he said. He knew Vulcans were keen on manners, so he was trying to put on his “best behavior” voice.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your enjoyment of the gardens, but I was wondering if you would do me the honor of joining me for a beverage in ShiKahr tonight? There’s a new interplanetary cafe that has quite the cosmopolitan menu. We could explore some different cultures and compare our tastes.”

Two of the older boys were definitely showing cracks in their composure and one took a step forward, but Siral turned her head towards him ever so slightly, and he stopped. She looked back at Zach and spoke calmly. “Thank you for your offer, however I am not available.” She started to turn away.

“How about another night, then?” Zach said, not giving up. “I can be free any night this week.”

“She has given you her answer,” the tallest boy behind her said. His voice was level, but hard, and there was a clear undercurrent of impatience.

“Actually, she only gave an answer to the first offer,” Zach said. He finally looked at the others around her, and quickly read the crowd. He looked back at Siral and gave her another smile. “Why don’t you just let me know?” He gave her his personal comm channel and smiled again.

“As I stated, I am not available. However, you seem very kind. I hope you have a pleasant time on Vulcan and find suitable companionship,” Siral said politely. “Goodbye, Zachary.”

With that, she turned and walked away, the boys following and now encircling her. One of them looked over his shoulder and gave Zach a stare, a warning not to follow.

Zach gave a small sigh and shrugged to himself. He turned and strode back to his friends, who were more than happy to tease him mercilessly at his inevitable failure. Zach shrugged good-naturedly and took it in stride. He took a chance, and missed the mark. Worse things could happen to a guy.


A Flashback Post By

Zachary Addams
USS Tokyo
Chief Engineer

 

RSS Feed