I ran away to join Star Fleet at the age of 16. My mother never approved of my interest in space, and my father left when I was a young girl. My mother told me he had been murdered by a local group of Klingons, but I never really believed her. Klingons were rare in our area of the galaxy. My mother was obsessed with making me a valuable bride. She thought someone overly educated and fascinated with the stars wasn't valuable. When I was 10 she began to steal my books about space and burn them, so I had to hide my books places she wouldn't find them. At 12 she attempted to have me removed from my advanced physics class, telling my teacher I would have no need for physics formulas in the future. Luckily my physics teacher taught me in secret, having me placed in a homemaking class on paper, while teaching me physics instead.

On the night of my sixteenth birthday, I snuck out of my bedroom window bringing with me only a few essentials: some clothes, my book on dilithium crystals, my book of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, and a locket my father gave to me before he left all those years ago. I had been saving up money I had earned by caring for children of local families, so I had just enough to purchase passage on a supply freighter headed to the nearest star base.

Once there I begged a Star Fleet officer to let me join the academy. Initially he refused, but after nearly a week of my constant badgering, he gave me part of an entrance exam; the portion on astrophysics and engineering. To his astonishment, I passed with one of the highest scores ever seen in Star Fleet history. I was told only one person had ever beat my score. Without being given any more entrance exams, I was accepted.

I proceeded rapidly through the program, exceeding everyone's expectations. What usually takes a student four years to complete, I did in three. At the age of 19 I graduated from the academy and was promoted to Ensign. I remember looking down at my assignment slip with awe.

Koranna Martin

Assignment: USS Enterprise

The Enterprise? I was shocked. Only the best are chosen to serve on the Enterprise. I was very flattered. However, when I thought about it, I wasn't too surprised. I was an engineering student, with a specialty in dilithium crystals. The Enterprise extensively used dilithium crystals and had a history of coming up with creative uses for them. I was being sent to understand these ideas, and to create more applications for dilithium crystals in other technologies.

I remember being nervous the day I was beamed up to the Enterprise. The butterflies in my stomach would not quit, though my stomach had already voided itself of my breakfast and lunch. I stood shaking on the launch pad, barely able to spit out the word "Engage".

Once on the ship, I was greeted by several people. It was quite an eclectic group. There was a tall bearded man, his blue eyes sparkling with playfulness and kindness with a posture that said all business. There was a beautiful woman standing next to him, her curls cascading down her back. Though she looked human, there was an unhuman quality to her. I couldn't quite put my finger on what species she was however. Next to them was a man with a visor instead of eyes. I knew who he was. Lieutenant Geordi LaForge. I had read about him in some of my books. The last person puzzled me most of all. He had piercing gold eyes and his skin had a light gold sheen to it. His black hair was slicked back and he was staring at me. I almost felt probed by his gaze.

"Welcome aboard the USS Enterprise Ensign Martin," the bearded man greeted, smiling at me in a way that had me returning his smile, before I realized it.

"Thank you Commander" I replied, making note of the three pips that stood on his collar. "I am most glad to be here."

I nearly tripped stepping off the transporter, my nerves causing my legs to be unsteady. Before I could even reach the ground, the man with the gold eyes steadied me, helping me down. I couldn't figure out how he reached me in time to stop me from falling.

"Oh, um, I…" I stuttered, staring in to his eyes. The gold pierced deeply in to my own, making me feel foolish. I blushed, breaking eye contact. "Thank you Lieutenant Commander."

"My name is Data." He replied as he helped steady me on my feet.

"Your eyes are… most unusual." I remarked. "I have never seen a species with that color before."

"I am an android." He responded.

"You are Noonyan Soong's android?" I exclaimed, my nerves dissipating some.

"Indeed" He replied, giving me a small smile.

"You are much more… human… than I would have imagined." I mused, getting lost in his face again. A small smile danced on the corners of his lips.

"Ensign" The commander's voice pulled me away from the intriguing creature.

"I… I apologize sir. My nerves are getting the best of me. Serving here has been a dream of mine for most of my life." I blushed even redder than I already was.

"It is alright to feel nervous" The beautiful woman stated. "It's quite natural. Though I could feel your nervousness all the way from the planet."

"Betazoid." I remarked. She looked startled. "I… apologize. Again. I had been trying to figure out which species you reminded me of, but I couldn't remember."

"I am only half betazoid." She clarified. "I am Deanna Troi, the ship's counselor."

"It's very nice to meet you" I responded, bowing my head in embarrassment.

"My name is Commander Ryker" The bearded man stated. "First officer here on the Enterprise. And this," he gestured to the man wearing the visor next to him "is…"

"Lieutenant Geordi LaForge." I responded before he could finish. "I am extremely excited to meet you. I have read all your current theories on the uses of dilithium crystals."

"I also have heard a lot about you Ensign Martin. I look forward to working with you." His praise glowed in my chest, causing my nerves to fade even more.

"I apologize." I said to the whole group. "I am usually not this clumsy, or speak out of turn. I will do better when on duty."

"Nothing to apologize for." Commander Ryker said with a smile. "We understand that you are eager. It is an honor to be chosen for duty on the Enterprise."

"Yes sir it is" I replied.

"You were just what we were looking for too. I hand selected you out of all the other transfer requests. You had the expertise I wanted." Lieutenant LaForge stated.

"Thank you Lieutenant. I hope to be of use to you in engineering."

"Would you like to be shown your quarters?" Data asked, snapping my attention back to him.

"That would be lovely." I smiled. "Though I didn't bring much with me."

"If you require anything we can create it from the replicator" he responded.

"I need you on the bridge Number One" A voice echoed out of Commander Ryker's communicator.

Tapping it he replied "On my way. Data, would you see to her accommodations?"

"Yes sir" Data affirmed as Ryker strode out of the transporter room. "Follow me please" he requested, and I scampered off after him. As I followed him, I observed his actions. He walked with what I could only describe as a slight swagger in his step, though he seemed not to notice it. His shoulders were very broad. If I didn't know better, I wouldn't have thought he was a machine at all. After moment we reached the turbolift.

"Deck 13, please" Data stated.

"Lieutenant Commander?" I asked. "Can I ask a question?"

He looked at me confused. "You just did."

"Can I ask another after this one?" I asked, chuckling to myself about how literally he took things.

"Yes, of course" He replied, not looking at me.

"Did you know Dr. Soong?"

"No, I did not know my father. I was only activated after the entire community he was a part of was destroyed by a crystalline entity. Though knowing him might unravel some of the mysteries about my existence."

"What mysteries?"

"Such as, why do I not feel emotions?"

"You can't feel anything?" I asked.

"No." he said, meeting my gaze. "Nothing. Human emotions are something I have gone through great effort to understand, but often they elude me."

"I'm sorry" I said. He looked confused for a moment.

"Why? This is not your fault."

"That doesn't mean I can't empathize."

"Yes, I suppose that is true."

The turbolift opened, revealing a hall with rooms.

"Here are your quarters." He stated, gesturing to the nearest room.

"Thanks. Do I need to tip you?" I grinned.

"Tip me?" He asked confused.

"It's an ancient earth custom." I responded.

"Accessing" His eyes flitted back and forth. "Ah. A tip: a sum of money customarily tendered, in addition to the basic price, to certain service sector workers for a service performed or anticipated. But… why would you give me anything for taking you to your quarters?"

"It was a joke." I grinned

"I do not understand those either. Humor continues to elude me as well."

"Well… I'm sure some day it will just come to you."

"I highly doubt that. I must return to my duties. Good day Ensign." With that he turned his back to me and left. I remember that as the day when, though I didn't realize it yet, I first became enamored with the android that could not feel.