Year 2401. Mojave, CA, Earth

As the beam dissipated around her, the admiral felt the desert heat engulfed her. She had set foot on countless worlds, had visited planets that few could even dream of but she was always surprised by the desert heat. And despite what the Vulcans would lead anyone to believe, the desert of the Southerwestern United States rivaled the Forge in its beauty and dangers.

The heat was soothing her old bones and not for the first time lately, she thought about settling for her retirement. She shook her head and smiled at herself: the Federation needed her one more time. And probably the next time after that. She wasn't one to settle down.

The admiral readjusted her uniform before making her way towards the only structure present as far as the eyes could see. It was a small adobe reminiscent of early 21st century design, itself an imitation of the ranch houses standing before them. She was surrounded by pastures where Thoroughbred horses were grazing. It felt out of time, yet, if she was right, this adobe held the future of the Federation.

As the admiral climbed the stairs leading to the porch, the front door opened, revealing a small woman in her thirties. Her hair was raven dark and her skin had been tanned by the relentless sun but the admiral recognized the sparkle in her deep blue eyes. She had been staring at them for the past week. The woman handed the admiral a small box. "I've been waiting for you," she said without preamble. The admiral accepted the box with a slight frown. "She'd said you'd come." The young woman offered as an only explanation.

The admiral opened the box carefully. At the bottom was a PADD of early 24th century design and the small statue of a horse. The admiral powered the PADD up and read the letter slowly, holding back her tears. Her eyes lingered a long time over the last words: "...agonize over the path not taken."

After a long moment, the admiral put the PADD back in the box and looked at the younger woman. "Thank you." This letter would save the Federation. The admiral would make sure of it.