Captain Kirk sat amid silence on the bridge. All eyes were on the viewscreen, watching a Romulan bird of prey bombard the dwarf planet. A large patch of its surface had already turned into glowing, churning lava. At last, it seemed the Romulans were satisfied, and turned away, vanishing under their cloak as they went.

"Status on the Ghost, Mr. Sulu?"

"Checking sir," Sulu examined his readings, and his voice was suddenly cheerful. "She's clearing the Neutral Zone border now, sir!"

"Lt. M'Ress," Kirk called to the junior communications officer, "Open a channel!"

"Channel open," M'Ress purred.

"Enterprise to Ghost, report!"

The viewscreen changed to show Uhura and Spock sitting behind Hera and Sabine. "Captian Kirk," Hera said, "We did it. We've recovered forty-six Andorians. They're receiving medicine now."

"Well done," Kirk said.

"Can you teleport them off as soon as possible," Hera asked, "They're straining the life support a little!"

"We can do that," Kirk agreed. "Stand by."

Captain's Log, Supplemental

With the help of the Ghost's crew, we've rescued Federation citizens from an illegal mine in the Neutral Zone. After a few hours examining the captured navigation charts, we've determined the course that will take the Ghost safely back to their own reality.

"You don't know how much this means," Hera said feelingly, as she stared up at the transporter chamber, packed solid with new medical supplies.

"It was the least we could do, considering," Captain Kirk said amiably. He turned to Mr. Scott, "Energize."

As the medical supplies dematerialized, Hera offered her hand to the Captain, "I'm sorry to have to leave you, Captain. But we have a war to fight, and people counting on us."

Kirk grinned rakishly and shook her hand, "With you on their side, I'd say your Rebel Alliance stands every chance of success."

Ezra said, "Why don't you come with us? You could take on the Empire single-handed."

"It's the law of our Federation not to meddle in the affairs of others, and we can't fight for principles that aren't rightly ours to defend. Besides," he smiled, "I don't think the Enterprise would fit through that anomaly."

"Are you going to continue your patrol," Kanan asked.

"No, we have another mission coming up: an uncharted star system about a month's travel away."

"Nice change," Kanan said, a little wistfully.

"It's our primary mission, actually. To seek out new life, meet new civilizations. I'm glad that even this patrol allowed us to do the same."

"Now those are fine principles," Kanan said firmly.

"If you don't end up at war with the Romulans," Zeb said cynically.

"For all our differences," Kirk said, "I don't think the Romulans are so bad. After all, the Ghost was right in front of them. If we could track you, so could they. They could have destroyed you too, but instead they only struck at the slavers!"

Zeb took this in thoughtfully.

Kanan said. "I hope our galaxy can be like yours someday."

"Me too," Sabine agreed.

"Time to go everyone," Hera said, and led the way to the transporter chamber, and there was a shared regret at leaving this place between them all.

As they stood on the pads, Hera said, "Thank you again, all of you."

"Good luck," Uhura said, beaming at them.

Spock, standing beside Scotty at the controls, said, "I anticipate that you will make your galaxy one of noble principles. No matter what may happen," he raised his hand, splaying his fingers in a strange gesture, "Live long and prosper."

The Ghost's crew smiled at the officers of the Enterprise, and Ezra said, "May the Force be with you."