8.30 Worlds in Evolution on Tour
A UFP Infonet report on the 2178 launch of the USS Dewey's "Worlds in Evolution" flying-university program, which would take handpicked students to planets exemplifying different evolutionary eras.
UFP Infonet — 18 July 2178
Beginning next school term, a most unusual university will be joining the ranks of academic institutions across the Federation. It is the USS Dewey, a starship built for the purpose of serving as a flying university. A group of handpicked students, representing the best and brightest in the Federation’s various pre-college and university establishments, will spend the next year visiting a group of planets selected for being prime examples of their evolutionary type. This “Worlds in Evolution” program is designed to teach students about planetary development and the evolution of associated life forms.
Dr. Chun Ji, the Dewey’s archaeology and anthropology officer, was quite ecstatic about the new program. “We’re going to the Phygon proto-planet and we’ll be dropping by Tan Tauri to show them a world where the lifeforms are just on the verge of crawling up on land. We’ll also be going to Episolon Reptus to show them some honest-to-goodness dinosaurs. Forgive me if I sound like I’m babbling, but frankly I’m excited and a little nervous. I haven’t seen some of these things myself! To think that I’m finally going to see a dinosaur. Oh, if only I didn’t have to worry about a bunch of students nipping at my heels! The things I could learn.”
Jarnak of Tellar is one of the students who will be boarding the Dewey for its maiden voyage. “It is an opportunity to expand one’s horizons, so long as our instructors don’t get all moon-eyed during the trip. I’m here to learn, not tell my teachers how to do things. That was my problem back on Tellar — I was ten times smarter than the stupid bores at the front of the hall. Would you believe that I could pass every one of their so-called tests with ease but that they could never pass mine? Of course you do. This program should be grateful to be graced with my superior intellect. I have in mind a number of changes which will make it more beneficial and educational for all.”
Fortunately, at that point, young Jarnak was called away on other business.