Journal Entry, 2389 (2013), Ronald James Dennison III

It has come to my heart that much has been inside me that is so easily lost, and soon may, lest I compose a story of my travels. No tale is sufficient unless it has a foundation. Mine began with my family on Earth. Boston to be precise. An old and stately city with a noble history and people. My parents were blessed with two rambunctious boys. Mortimer and myself. Mother taught in a local high school in advanced physics no less, while father ran historical tours through the city. In his off time he poured over histories to compile even more data - factual and anecdotal. Often in my memory I would see mother curled up on the couch grading exams while father was immersed in his reading, a thick, old Oxford dictionary at his side for reference. All the while Mortimer and I would be at odds in holos after our work was done. I was two years Mortimer's younger, though often helped him with his papers. While able, his focus was often elsewhere, and like a younger brother, I was often dragged along on his shirttails. He was my best friend. Oh we each had other friends, but when there was trials in our lives we knew we could count on each other the most.

Mortimer had his life planned. He was going to Starfleet and enter the security division on a command track. I was less ambitious, more careful in my approach. Which was to say I had no clue what I wanted to do. It was Mortimer's charisma and enthusiasm that had me apply. With our ages differing, he planned to take a year at a local college to boost his grades and take classes he would encounter at the Academy. I was the egghead and was on a graduate scholarship track so required no such pre schooling. Science was my aptitude and was simple for the career counselors to rubber stamp.

I admired Mortimer. Smooth, well built, handsome, talented and charismatic, he took to the security discipline easily. I plodded along enjoying the classes though finding the 'tests' of personality and psychology to be unpleasant. We each, however, survived, and were posted to the same ship. That was my doing, and Mortimer's beckoning, that we try to retain postings together. It was costly for myself. Mortimer advanced in ranks while I did not, often having to transfer before promotions came about. He was a full commander and I a junior lieutenant by the time of Mortimer's accident that killed him. I didn't realize then how much I depended on him to be there for me. My foundation fell out under me; I was broken, and for years jumped from ship to ship unwilling to face my demons. This was before there were counselors aboard. Thus too my career suffered, remaining a junior lieutenant for four decades - this was, however also due to logistical errors that were recently fixed.

I began as one who was thin and gangly with a tussle of brown hair that didn't well sit in place. Still doesn't, though now it is much thinner and white and making a valiant effort to escape from my scalp through my ears. I take pride in my mustache, having had that since it was a wisp as a teenager. I'd complain about my brows becoming a hedge if they didn't make me look like an ancient wizard. Now, stooped and plagued with the odd pain of age, at 85, born in 2304, I see the wisdom in a wizard's staff. I should look into one, after all, Mortimer and I had walking sticks in our youth. My memory of him fades, though his nature remains in the holos I have of us, and of the cat that bears his name. A clone, this Mortimer is on his fourth incarnation now, yet loses not his nature. He is my companion now, though my lap appears to be more his foundation than the cat being one of mine.

I'm now on my 28th vessel in my career. 28! Now I am a first officer. I never thought I would see this day; even though my parents are long passed, and Mortimer gone, I smile in the thought of my parents' would-be pride, and of achieving at last a station beside my brother, now these 44 years gone. It may be a cadet ship and not one that is 'of the line', however as one who values science and, in particular, sees the need to reinforce where we have come from to point the way to the future, I see these young men and women as my charges. At my age, this seems to befit me, despite my thoughts of being put out to pasture here.