Lieutenant Elaine Davies turned off the communications, but didn't turn around immediately. She was fighting back the tears. The words 'welcome home' had almost sent her over the edge. She had been so certain she'd never see Earth again. Yet, for her paralyzing fear, she was days away from receiving an award for her bravery. The irony of that thought almost made her laugh out loud. She successfully kept the tears back, then dared to turn around and look at the viewscreen. The diameter of Earth loomed so large, they could only see a portion of it on the screen. In the center, looking like a giant, white mushroom, was Spacedock Alpha. It all looked so peaceful... and such a stark contrast to the collisions, explosions, and chaos from just a few days ago. Yet, it seemed so distant. Unknown to everyone on the Warlord, including her new friend, Tony Moreaux, she had seriously considered leaving Starfleet. The reality of this ship's mission had almost gotten the better of her. War wasn't something she wanted to be a part of. Yet, something Tony had said sparked something in her. "We didn't fight a war," he told her, "we prevented one." If that was Warlord's true purpose, she could actually live with that.
Lieutenant Tony Moreaux looked at the rapidly growing image of Earth on the viewscreen anxiously. The food replicators came close, but there was just no substitute for a slice of genuine, Chicago-style pizza and a good beer to chase it with. Tony had to make a number of adjustments to his thinking lately. Thankfully, Chicago was something he could always rely on. In his mind, he had always held back some ill feelings towards his friend and now superior officer, Steve. Rumors littered Steve's military career regarding his family lineage and the doors it may have opened or closed. The way Steve got into the Academy, his grades, even his promotions added some merit to the rumors. Tony had to admit he had believed them at least to a point. He had convinced himself that Steve's coat-tail riding was going to be his downfall during their battle. Yet, against horrible odds, the enemy was destroyed and he could make out North America. On top of that, Tony now had a new friend, Elaine. Things were really starting to look up for him. He could smell the pepperoni already. He wondered if Elaine would be interested in joining him...
Warlord had come too close to the northern hemisphere of Earth for Lieutenant Tom Kelly to see Australia. He didn't mind, though. He knew it was there. If pressed, he would be willing to admit there were times when he thought his time had come. It got especially bad when the left support wall collapsed on him and his team. He was pinned under a secondary power tube, but to his good fortune, the tube wound up deflecting a number of chunks of wall that would have killed him. Four of his crew weren't so lucky, though. Still, Commander Kirk was right. We had a good crew and a sturdy ship and that combination had seen them to victory... just like he said. Kirk looked rather young for a first officer, but he had handled himself well. This was going to be a great assignment. Everyone was regarding Tom as a step short of God. When the award ceremony was over and the crowds left, though...he'd be content to sit in that little rowboat of his just outside of Brisbane and fish...not that he ever caught anything.
Ensign Tyler Bristol watched as the islands of Great Britain slowly moved past under cloud cover. Sure, in the end, Commander Kirk took the controls, but with good reason. After all, he was one of the best fighter pilots in recent Academy history. Up until then... he was the principal helmsman. He had flown in actual combat, taken on a brand new, all powerful Reman warship... and they won! It was even better than the books he had read. Now, he's going back to a hero's welcome! This was exactly why he had joined Starfleet. This would be his first medal since his first assignment a year ago. Tyler already had a place for it set aside in his quarters, on the shelves next to his model hyperbike collection. That way, there would be room for more... and he intended to earn more. This ship was his ticket to respect... from himself and from his father.
Lieutenant Commander T'Nia considered the bluish-green planet covered in blotches of white for several seconds. It was an alien planet full of people who were virtually the exact opposite of her own culture. Yet, even though she had only known Earth during her Academy days, it was a place of comfort for her. Her parents had been reluctant to embrace her entrance into Starfleet Academy. They had been rather insistent on her continuing the family work of archeology. Her mind drifted back to the reddish-brown planet of Vulcan and her parents. She had already contacted them and informed them of her 'adventures' as they put it. Eventually, even they had to admit T'Nia was invaluable to this crew and her friends. She had finally earned their respect and blessing. Now...if she could just convince her betrothed.
Doctor Rass Dorrin sat in his seat to the left of the captain's chair. He was getting quite comfortable sitting there. It was a seat of authority...importance. When the crew of the Warlord was seen by others, this seat featured prominantly. He did carry the title of 'Lieutenant Commander', though not as a bridge officer. Perhaps, one day, he would finish that. These past several days had been quite taxing on him. He had over thirty people with various injuries come through his office. At one point, it had gotten so bad, he actually had to let that damned EMH loose for awhile. Thankfully, the EMH was capable of performing the examinations and certifications of the deceased. That was a job he'd never get used to... after all, he was a doctor and in the business of healing. That he had done splendidly, if he did say so himself. This medal he was due to receive was certainly deserved. As he surveyed his crewmates, he freely admitted he was surrounded by an astonishing amount of talent. Now...if only he could get a real nurse, he could turn off that stupid EMH once and for all.
The great ship slowly made its way around the space station. Spacedock Alpha was one of the few man-made structures that dwarfed Warlord. Eventually, the viewscreen revealed a large, rectangular opening with blinking lights all around. As Warlord approached the opening, the maneuvering thrusters powered down to half. Bristol turned to Commander Kirk with a smile. "Commander, I no longer have control of the ship."
"Understood, Ensign." Kirk replied.
Elaine removed her earpiece. "Commander, the dockmaster has asked us to just sit back and enjoy the ride."
Kirk turned back to her. "Send our acknowledgement, Lieutenant. By the way, did you ever find out how the Broncos did Sunday?"
Elaine acknowledged the instructions. "Oh, I'm sorry, Commander. Yes, I did. They beat Tennessee twenty-seven to seventeen. They're four and five now."
"See?" Kirk asked with a smile. "Things are just looking up all over."
Warlord had to pivot a bit in order to get through the door. The slanted image on the viewscreen made most of the bridge crew momentarily uneasy. It cleared, though. The viewscreen now displayed a giant room with a number of retractable walkways against the walls. The room was illuminated by over a dozen lights mounted to movable arms. Each light was easily the size of a large shuttle. Windows dotted all the walls with one dome directly in the center. There was one other ship in this hangar, the USS Horizon. Seven shuttles could be seen moving this way and that. One was carrying supplies, another building material, and others hauling away waste parts.
Warlord's maneuvering thrusters activated again. This time, it was to re-align the ship to parallel and move it up and to the side. As the vessel came to an eventual stop, a number of slight, dull thuds could be heard indicating the walkways had successfully attached to the ship. Kirk clasped his hands together and stood up. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are home."
