Home Is Where the Heart Is

Posted on 31 Jan 2024 @ 6:47am by Commander Marisa Wyatt

508 words; about a 3 minute read

It had been a long day and Marisa was grateful to be back in her quarters with Luke. He'd been her rock for 25 years and she needed his calm assurance.
 
But when she got there, Luke was still out. With a sigh, she got herself a drink of spiced nectar and sat on the couch. "Computer, open log."
 
The computer chimed its readiness.
 
"We brought the Galileo-A safely to our time, but it will be more difficult than we expected. The scientists I knew then have changed. I can only assume it is due to their experiences on the Cold Station. They are suspicious, argumentative, intractable. At least they are now willing to look at the program and the data. But they still feel that we tricked them and that the Federation is at fault for this war. I only hope they will accept the information so many scientists spent years verifying. Time is so short…"
 
She paused, reflecting on the day. She shook her head and continued. "What is most surprising is Commander Terin. We were continually at odds before I left, not agreeing on policy or how to unite a team of scientists. But when she was presented with what happened, she accepted the information and argued that her crew needed to listen to us and to give us the help we need. If this continues, I will have to reevaluate my opinion of her. She is a far better officer now than I remember."
 
She took another drink and sighed. After so many years working out the temporal science, finding the exact place and time to find the Galileo-A and bring the ship and crew forward, it was both better and worse than they expected.
 
"Repairs on our ship are underway. Both operations departments are working hard to meet Admiral Saalm's deadline. I don't know if we have that long. It depends on where the enemy is and how long it will take them to get here. I only hope we have enough time to repair our ship, convince the scientists that the data is correct, and send them back to their time. If not, we'll all be lost."
 
She stood and took care of her glass. That sounded less hopeful than she felt. Maybe it was the day. Maybe it was her concern about the children. The Romulan and Klingon ships were now targeting the outlying colonies. Anyone who would not surrender were destroyed. Even some of those who did, if they were thought to be a threat. She didn't know where her kids were, but she hoped they were far enough away from any conflict. She hoped she would see them again. But if not…
 
That had slowly become her mantra. But if not… At least she and Luke were together. They would face this future, however short it may be, together. He was her home, her sanctuary, her everything.
 
The door opened and she turned to smile at her husband. "I'm glad you're home."
 
Commander Marisa Wyatt
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo-B
 

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