EPILOGUE
He checked the rest of the ship. It had only held two dozen of the aliens, and he had killed them all in his blind rage. He teleported outside to make sure that the scene on the viewscreen was real and not an image created by the aliens to deceive him. Confirming that it was truly real, he let out a howl that made his scream on Seneschal IX pale in comparison. The scream, naturally, could not be heard in space, but his aura brightened to a point where it would have eclipsed even the Valiant's explosion. Starbase 13, which they had just left, registered it, and their scientists felt, for that moment, that they had discovered a new star.
But it had only lasted a moment, and the last survivor of the USS Valiant, spent from his rage and expulsion of energy, returned to the alien's ship. He used what energy he had left to vaporize their remains. Then he half-fell into one of the chairs as darkness overtook him.
~ * ~
When he reawakened, Apollo took a day or two to study the ship until he had a basic grasp of its functions. He then opened communications. "Captain Racer... to Starbase 13." His voice was flat and low, completely lacking in emotion. Throughout the study of the ship, he would be struck with another moment of rage, and he would scream again; as a result, he was also hoarse. "Effective immediately, until further notice, I am placing myself on inactive service, and I am taking a leave of absence for an indefinite period of time.
"My reasons for this are the logs from the Valiant, which were ejected automatically prior to her destruction, as per Starfleet regulations; the logs from the vessel of which I have currently commandeered and claim as per right of salvage; and finally, personal reasons which I am unable to give at this time.
"Unfortunately, these logs will be sealed in Federation archives, per my final orders. Only the president of the Federation and myself will have access and authorization to read these reports, and they will remain sealed until, and unless, I find it appropriate to return."
He paused for a good minute, constructing what he had to say next. "I regret that in my current frame of mind, I am unable to continue my duties. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in such a grand organization, and it is my hope that, in the event of my return, I am able to continue serving.
"I wish condolences to be sent to friends and next of kin of each and every crew member aboard the Valiant who died without a purpose. It is among my final orders, and my sincerest request, that these condolences be carried out in the truest form of my command. To my remaining friends, goodbye. You will not likely see me again in your lifetime." He signed off, and with almost mechanical movements, he operated the controls.
The ship turned gracefully in the direction from which it had come and cloaked as it simultaneously shot into warp speed.