Paint and Powder
A Star Trek anthology by Andrew Joshua Talon
DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager et al are the property of CBS Television, and creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.
2371
Utopia Planitia Yards, Mars, Sol System
"Enterprise?"
Enterprise appeared in Picard's Ready Room. Outside, numerous technicians were hard at work refitting her bridge, the noise from plasma cutters and welding lasers buzzing in the air.
"Yes Captain? I thought you'd have been on Earth by now," Enterprise said. Picard smiled and shrugged in a Gaelic sort of way, a box of assorted items in his hands.
"Just remembered I forgot a few things I need to sort out," he said, "and one item concerned you."
He held out... An old duotronics information tape module. Enterprise blinked curiously, and took it into her hands.
"Something Captain Scott sent me from his own personal affects," Picard explained, "but we got a bit distracted, and... I forgot to tell you about it."
"From Scotty?" Enterprise asked. Picard nodded.
"Yes... He said it was for you. To plug it into your holodeck to play it. And that I'd know when to make my graceful exit."
He smiled wryly, and squeezed the confused shipgirl avatar's shoulder.
"If you need to talk to me about it... You know how to find me."
"Yes sir?" Enterprise said, still confused. Nevertheless, she handled the old module carefully, reverently.
She didn't want to risk anything happening to it, so instead of transporting it, she carried it herself the whole way-Having to be a bit creative in places where her holoemitters didn't quite reach due to outages from the refit. Nevertheless, she made it to the holodecks, and carried the device in through the large doors.
She went to the arch, found the right port, and pressed the old device into it carefully. Seeing it lock in securely, Enterprise waited for the doors to shut behind her before she spoke.
"Play."
The holoemitters flickered... And two middle aged Andorians, a man and a woman, appeared. Both were dressed in red relaxation tunics. Both smiled warmly across the centuries, as Enterprise gasped.
"Father... Mother?!"
"Enterprise," the image of Val'Kem Rev began, "I don't know when you'll get this. All I know is that we'll be dead. From what? We don't know."
"Let's just say that this vacation made us think about our legacy," the image of Raymel Kem, Rev's wife and assistant, spoke, "our children... You."
"We hope," Rev said, "that you and your sisters will be able to appreciate this message, and the others we have left you. Those messages... Bah. My brother's family may be keeping them in contention in the courts for a hundred years! But that's why we wanted to get the most important message out of the way. And why we left it with Captain April, who will hopefully hand it to the right person for safekeeping to give it to you."
"We don't know how long that will be," Raymel sighed, looking filled with sorrow. She then brightened a bit.
"But we know you'll be around for a long time. So we hope you get this message first."
"And that message is," Rev said, "we love you. All of you. You were far more than just machines we were building, you... You're our children. Our wonderful daughters. Even now, you're showing traits and signs that one day, you will become sapient. Alive."
"But you were always alive to us, Enterprise," Raymel insisted. She frowned deeply.
"Sapience... Is a great gift, but at times it doesn't seem like it. You feel pain. Rage. Betrayal. Jealousy. Sorrow. There are times you don't want to keep going. Times you... You want to give up. But if we've passed anything to you... It's the will to never give up."
Rev smiled fondly at his daughter.
"We made you because in a way, you represent the best ideals of the Federation. You wouldn't have been possible without all these races working together. Becoming a family. Families, good families, stick together through thick and thin. They strive to be better and make their little part of the universe better, for their descendants. That is the great responsibility you have."
Raymel beamed, and winked.
"But it's not all grim war, even though it looks like that's all it will be with the Klingons, the Romulans, and who knows who else?" Raymel said. "There's beauty and wonder. Love and friendship. Joy and happiness. It's our hope you girls will take on the great responsibility... But never forget why you have taken it on."
Rev reached out his hand, as though caressing a face.
"More than anything else... Your incredible minds, your powers... We gave you a sense of justice beyond compare. And strong, compassionate hearts. Don't forget those matter more than all the teraquads of data you can process."
"We love you," Raymel said softly, "and we always will. Never forget that."
The image vanished... Leaving Enterprise staring into the empty grid of the holodeck. Despite the tears running down her cheeks...
She was smiling from ear to ear.
Some joy for Thanksgiving.