Final Class

Posted on Sat Aug 22nd, 2026 @ 4:00pm by Dr. Rita Mehta

824 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Escape Velocity
Location: Alpha Centauri University

Doctor Rita Mehta stood in the front of the full classroom as she concluded her final lecture. Without warning, the class stood and began applauding in unison. For the past couple of weeks, she had been teaching here as a guest lecturer. Rita loved being out in a field, but the opportunity to teach and share her experience was something that she found very rewarding. This was the last class; she would be teaching before heading off to the Eventide. After thanking the class, the students quickly exited the room onto their next classes.

The only people who left in the huge classroom were her friends. Adrian and Natalie. Standing from their seats, they approached Rita who was still at the front of the room, gathering her things.

"I seriously can't believe you, of all people, accepted a posting with Starfleet," Natalie said. "Typically, you're not too fond of working with them."

"That would be true often," Mehta admitted. "But I have done my research on this Commander Tapper. And he is a man of science, and his career has reflected that. Not really sure why he took a command. But he is commanding a ship dedicated to exploration and research, hence the group of us he has gathered together."

Adrian smiled and shook his head. "Basically, an offer you couldn't refuse."

Rita shrugged. "What can I say? The opportunity to explore and possibly meet new civilizations. The thing I can't stand about working with Starfleet is that safety and security tend to get in the way of really getting to explore."

"Lord forbid staying alive is a priority," the man countered. "Its kind of difficult to share research when your dead."

"And I understand that. But I don't want to feel like I am being handcuffed either. Just like them, I have a job to do as well."

"Regardless, I am going to miss seeing you every day." Natalie wrapped her arms around Rita, embracing her.

Following suit, Andrian moved in, putting his arm around both women. "Definitely a group hug moment."

"You two are just loving on me in order to get me to stay with you here forever," Rita joked.

"Would that really be such a bad thing?" said Natalie.

"Perhaps that would be something to consider in retirement, but I still have my whole life to live." Bursting out laughing after allowing those words to come out of her mouth, Mehta then went slightly. "Seriously, I will miss you both and plan on staying in contact with you both as much as I can be."

"And the feeling is mutual." Adrian reached and grabbed the biggest box. For the life of him, he wondered how Rita had accumulated so much stuff in just a few months. Exiting the classroom, the three made their way down the hallways.

As eager as Rita had been to take on this new assignment, she wished that there was at least some time to completely finish the semester. She felt like she was abandoning her students, but the Eventide wasn't in the position to wait that long, even for someone with her particular skill set. Walking out in the parking lot, they put her items in the vehicle and drove to the transport. The car ride was quiet and somber, the opposite of what a car ride with the three of them normally consisted of for the most part. Normally, the vehicle would be full of jokes and laughter. But today, no one was feeling particularly happy.

In the distance, shuttles could be seen leaving the port, taking passengers up to Cochrane Station. Doctor Mehta wondered if the high traffic was transporting those to the Eventide. She also wondered whether her items that were picked up by Starfleet had been delivered. Along with the request made for what would be needed for the long journey. Pulling up to the curb at the space port, they exited as she said her final goodbyes while loading up her things on a cart. Rita did her best not to cry, but seeing Natalie crying uncontrollably brought out a few of her own tears.

Adrian clearly handled his emotions better, though the look on his face was that of a man on the verge of breaking down. This was indeed the life that Rita had chosen. Going off to some far away world, searching for a new civilization. Being pulled away from family and friends. But it also provided the opportunity for new friends and a life of adventure. Entering the spaceport, the doctor checked in her items and made her way to the transport docked in section A-5. In two hours, she would be arriving on Cochrane Station, which had earned a reputation for being a busy station. This would be followed by walking aboard the USS Eventide. It was too late to change her mind, and her entire future awaited her.

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Dr. Rita Mehta
Anthropologist
USS Eventide

 

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