SHUT UP
" goodbyes aren't so bad "
CHAPTER NUMBER ONE

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ALEXANDER HAD WAITED HIS WHOLE YOUNG LIFE FOR THAT MOMENT. Taking his first step aboard the Starship Enterprise, his chest couldn't help but swell with happiness from how far he'd come.

He did have much behind him on Earth. He'd stayed with his uncle since a young age, both his parents having died so long ago. Ever since their death, he had worked hard to achieve what his dad never could; to find a place aboard the Enterprise. It was his father's life obsession, and as soon as Alexander was old enough to find it out, it consumed him, too - as if achieving it would make his deceased father proud.

Alexander had a keen mind, and was incredibly intellectual, even from a young age. He worked hard, and studied for numerous years in his adolescence, when all the other children were outside, playing and having a good time.

He supposed it was worth it, because at the age of sixteen, he was one of the youngest people to become a resident scientist on the ship. He would be living by himself aboard, but it didn't worry him much.

While he was sad to leave his uncle - who had raised him single-handedly, and helped him tremendously in his life's mission - he was also beyond excited for what lay ahead for him. His life was promising, and as he would travel through space and study other beings in the galaxy, he knew it was all worth the fleeting pain he'd felt, leaving everything behind.

"Welcome aboard, Mister White," Ensign Coubert greeted him, arm extended to indicate that they'd be walking leftwards. As he lead Alex, he continued, "I won't be showing you around the ship entirely, as I need to get back to my post. But I will show you to the lab, where I'm sure we can find someone to help."

Alex nodded his head justly, not bothering to mention that he somewhat knew his way around, as new members of the crew were required to study the blue-prints of the ship itself.

There were many twist and turns in the identical hallways, before they entered a room through an archway, the glass doors separating smoothly in order to let them in.

Before them lay a large labratory, only occupied by two other figures. The one was a woman, perched on a high-stool in the corner; she hadn't bothered to look up at their presence, as she seemed to be fervently writing in her notebook.

The other figure glided between the counters to Alexander's right, lab coat fluttering as he took beakers and vials in his slender hands.

"Ah, Owen. Come over here, will you?" Coubert asked towards the boy, prompting him to look up from his work with wide, inquisitive eyes.

"O-of course," He replied, shifting to the other side of the room to place his apparatus on a counter near the woman, before joining them in the middle of the room. He found himself in front of the new passenger, wringing his hands with a wry smile. He couldn't have been a year or two older than Alex, and he had the height to prove it. His shoulder were broad, and his eyes were transfixing, but despite that, he managed to be as intimidating as a mouse.

"Owen, this is Alexander White. Alexander, this is Owen Sinclair," The ensign introduced, gesturing between the two boys suitably.

"You must be the new guy that's joining us in the lab," Owen smiled meekly, offering out his hand.

Alex obliged to shake it, and watched the way the stray golden hairs that curled over Owen's forehead flittered because of the vigorous movement. "That's me," He confirmed, retracting his hands and wiping them on his slacks slightly.

"Alright, now that you're acquainted, I'll be leaving. Make sure to show him around . . ." He looked over at Owen. "Properly, Mr. Sinclair," He emphasized. With those last words, he left the labratory in a hurry, in order to return to his work.

As he exited, Owen called out to him slightly, hand lifting up. "Actually, i-its Doctor. . ." The ensign was gone by then, and didn't give any indication that he'd heard, or that he cared. Owen dropped his hand with a sigh, tilting his head back to Alexander. Realizing how his correction might have come across, he cleared his throat, cheeks flaring.

"So, you're a Doctor? How old are you?" Alex enquired, clearly impressed as he slipped his hands into his slacks.

Glad that no comment was made about his behaviour, the other boy adjusted his glasses and said, "Yes, I am. And I'm seventeen . . . My dad made me study real hard when I was younger, but I guess it payed off." He shrugged smally, avoiding eye-contact.

Alexander tilted his head at the strangely humble boy before him, "You must be the youngest Doctor for-"

"The past half-century . . . yeah," Owen confirmed. "But anyways, I should probably show you around, huh? Let's start with the lab."

[845.]