Chapter 98

In The Aftermath

Provisional Starfleet Command Headquarters

New Forest City, North Carolina

May 22, 2378

The war had been over for two weeks, but the aftermath was just beginning. The Romulan Empire and the Klingon Empire were in shambles after the destruction of their respective homeworlds. Their leaders worked day after day with Federation diplomats to come up with a solution to their problems.

In Crowe Park that afternoon, Ambassador Spock, Klingon Chancellor Gowron, and Klingon Emperor Kah'less walked around and discussed the matter at hand.

"How can we simply join the Federation and maintain our culture? Our heritage is important to us, as you know Ambassador! If we decide to join, it would mean the end of our warrior heritage!"

Spock replied, "Chancellor, this is a pivotal moment in history, and I think that the Narn Ambassador, G'Kar, said it best at the meeting the other day: 'Change is a constant in the universe. One cannot swim against its tide and hope to survive.' I respectfully suggest that the Klingon people who have survived this war will be able to adapt to their new lives in the Federation."

Kah'less said, "It will be hard to adapt, but we are Klingons, and we can adapt. We face many struggles ahead, Chancellor, and I know not where they will lead our people, but as long as they live, then I am satisfied."

Gowron nodded and acquiesced, "It is agreed. The Klingon Empire will join the Federation."

Spock nodded and escorted the gentlemen back towards the provisional Federation headquarters. Looking from a hillside at them, President Hollifield and Major Hudson were enjoying a picnic lunch.

"So what did they say," she asked laughingly.

"Now you should know better to ask me a question like that," he said in mock reproachment. Her smile didn't waver and he submitted to her charming interrogation. "The Klingons are going to join the Federation."

"Well, so much for something racier. That was a given, as far as I'm concerned."

"True, but the Klingons are a lot like the Narns, in that they are a proud race. Both had to adapt to a changing universe, though, and they've been the better for it."

"So now that the war is over with, what's to become of the rift?"

Hollifield shrugged and said, "I don't know. We're not sure if we can seal it or not. We may not be able to anyway. Best to leave it as it, I say."

"I agree. I'll miss all the people I've met between Starfleet, as well as the EDF. Speaking of which, what's to become of them?"

"The EDF will be decommissioned and they will be integrated into the Interstellar Alliance. It was the choice of the crews. We'll have to discuss what to do with their ships, especially Yamato."

Hudson snuggled closer to Hollifield and asked, "So when do you want to get married?"

He smiled and said, "Well, let's get back to Earth...our Earth, mind you...and we'll see."

Miles away, at the Cathedral of the Fallen, a funeral service was being held for all those Starfleet personnel who were lost in the war. Captain Ashcroft sat next to the family of Belinda Montgomery, with Commander Litinova at his side. He still missed the blonde haired young woman who had been so eager to do her duty. She had been such a great officer and friend, and her loss hurt him as much as the loss of his first two wives and his only son did.

After the service was over with, they walked out of the cathedral. Ashcroft spoke to the father of his former tactical officer, Matthew Montgomery, who was dabbing his eyes with his handkerchief.

"She was a fine officer, Mr. Montgomery. One of the best I ever served with. I was planning to get her promoted to captain before her death, and I just wanted you to know that I intend to get her that promotion posthumously."

Mr. Montgomery nodded his head and said, "Thank you, Captain. I never wanted her to join Starfleet, but I knew she was where she wanted to be when I last saw her and she talked about how much she loved the crew, the ship, and you. You were like a second father to her."

"I did the best I could as a mentor. I had a son once, but he was lost long ago. Now that I think about it, it feels like I've lost a child."

The two men embraced and chatted some more, then the Montgomerys made their way home. Ashcroft and Litinova walked down Main Street in the Old Town section of the city. They stopped in front of the Burnt Chimney monument and looked over the ancient small town.

"Do you reckon that those who used to call this their Main Street would react if we told them this story," Ashcroft asked.

"Probably not. A place like this was more ingrained in the past than the future.," Litinova replied.

"True, and speaking of the future...," Ashcroft said, and he got down on one knee. "Will you marry me?"

Litinova knew it was coming, but not this soon. Her eyes welled with tears and she managed to squeak out a "yes". They embraced and held each other for a long time there, before finally heading to a local restaurant to celebrate.

Several thousand miles away, at a small church in Juneau, the body of Will Riker was formally buried. Tom Riker and his fiancée, Ro Laren, looked on as the body was lowered into the ground. Deanna Troi was emotionless, numbed by the loss. She had changed a lot since last he saw her. She was now a part of what was called the new Borg, as were Picard and Crusher.

After the burial, he walked over to Troi. "So this is goodbye?"

"No, but it is so long. We'll be ok. I'm looking forward to the challenge of learning with what I can do with my new abilities."

"So where are you going?"

Troi turned to Picard and she nodded at him. Picard took the question and answered it. "We're taking the Yamato back to her own universe, where we will try and convert Mars into a arable world. Once there, we intend to populate the place and go from there. But what is to become of you two?"

Tom Riker looked at his wife-to-be and said, "We're going to get married soon, then head out to the DMZ and live out on the frontier. I think it's long since time to settle down."

Back at Federation headquarters, Queen Starsha, Alex Wildstar, Valen, Catherine Sakai, and Benjamin Sisko were still seated after their last meeting with the Legendora. "When do they plan to go to Iscandar again," asked Sisko.

"Day after tomorrow. I've given them full access to the planet.," Starsha said.

"You sure about this," Valen asked her.

Starsha nodded her head and said, "My world is dead. Sasha and I are the last of our race, and we can't live there forever. It's better to let the Legendora have it and take it with them to whatever lies beyond."

Sakai asked Wildstar, "So when is your brother's wedding?"

"Dunno. It'll be soon, though, because they want to settle down and finally have a family. I'm looking forward to being an uncle."

Aboard their ship, Genon and Rigela looked down at Earth. "I wonder once we pass on if they'll be all right," said Rigela.

Genon said, "They will be. What I have learned of the younger races is that, despite their faults, their strengths more than make up for it. I sometimes wonder if they'll surpass all that we have done."

Rigela nodded and said, "Are you ready to proceed?"

"Yes. It's time for us to lay down our burdens. When they are ready to depart, we'll head to Bajor and enter the wormhole."