Reid tells himself that he is in Starfleet because he wants to work with the best staff and medical equipment that could be provided, not because of any romantic notions about uncovering the hidden treasures of deep space. Anytime he hears a classmate wax poetic about the stars, the redhead's eyes begin to cross and he can feel a headache coming on.

He's almost starting to regret his decision to enlist, he feels far older than most of the people milling around the courtyard everyday, and he knows half of the information he's learning in class. Reid should have just stayed in Texas, continued to be the best neurosurgeon on Earth, probably even the galaxy. The only thing he's been legitimately interested in was the class on Vulcan physiology, they're so tight lipped about their biological make-up that only Starfleet has much information on them.

Reid is making his way down the steps of the building, tugging at his collar, ruminating on how much he has grown to hate the color red, and trying not to drop his stack of PADDS when he runs into someone and really does drop them.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" The boy (well, Reid should call him a man but he really looks no more than a boy) is smiling brightly despite his apology, crouching to grab the PADD with Compleat Terran Field Guide, Orion Perspective still on it's screen from where is has fallen between Reid's feet. He doesn't have much time to do much other than blink before they are back in his arms. "Didn't see you there, should watch where I'm going." Reid is a little blinded by his sunny smile, which matches his gold hair and sets off chocolate eyes.

"I should too, evidently," Reid replies, still a little dazed. The blonde has a little pin with the command track insignia on his collar, a little affectation among the students that Reid usually sneered at. He wasn't finding it half as annoying as usual. His hand is being shook, firmly, like all handshakes should be, in Reid's opinion.

"I'm Luke, Luke Snyder, and I want to be a helmsman!" Luke's voice and introduction make Reid think of the third grade, and an unwilling chuckle is being drawn out of him. Luke beams.

"I'm Dr. Reid Oliver, and why are you shaking my hand?"

It's the start of something wonderful, he's sure.