Captain’s Log – Stardate 60173.6 It’s been three months since we settled the New Horizon colony by re-establishing Starbase Deep Space Fifteen in orbit of the sixth planet of the system. Life on Deep Space Fifteen is increasing day by day, as shops on the Promenade open, schools hold regular classes, and people go about their daily routine with little worry. Starships stationed here and passing though also have experienced some ease. After a hard fight to get this system, thoughts of possible Avkar reprisals seem to be straying from people’s minds. Not mine, though. Captain Bruce J. Space, like the rest of the Eagle Star senior staff—those who hadn’t managed to worm their way out of attending the ceremonies, which was all but himself, Dana Space, and Kevin Doran—slumped in chairs on the embassy grounds, eyes at half-mast trying to pay attention to what was happening on the dais, but not too hard. He’d listened to Ambassador T’Konos’ speech, only because it had been interesting, albeit a bit Klingon. Vice Proconsul M’Tan’s speech, on the other hand, might as well been a Romulan funeral dirge. Admiral Bolter’s wasn’t coming up too much better: “…Mahatma Gandhi, an old-Earth leader and founder of a peace movement in his time, said, ‘The future depends on what we do in the present.’ We look toward that future as much as we look toward what we do today. Today we offer friendship, hope, and an outstretched hand. So with the hand of friendship outstretched, we break this ground today, establishing a new home based on mutual cooperation and friendship.” Another three minutes of speech and then Bolter, T’Konos, M’Tan, a couple of other representatives from allied worlds and a representative of the Federation Council, all picked up a shovel and drove it into the earth in front of them, pulling up a clump of the soil. A month later, Bruce knew, the Embassy of the United Federation of Planets, Planet New Horizon VI, Gamma Quadrant would be complete. That brought a smile to his face. Bruce and Dana left the afternoon reception early—or least as soon as diplomatic protocol allowed—and strolled through the promenade of Starbase Deep Space Fifteen. The first time they’d really gotten a look, many of the available shops were unoccupied. Now, many shops operated, catering to nearly all needs of the residents of DS-15. People, Starfleet and civilian alike, milled about; some window shopping, others just taking a stroll as they were, and some passing through to their destination. Further up from the Spaces, a couple of boys tossed a ball back and forth. “It’s like we’re at home,” Dana said, watching the boys as they played. Bruce stopped in his tracks, staring at his wife. She stopped realizing why Bruce stared at her. She whistled and asked, “Since when did I start thinking of this place as home?” “Home is where you happen to be,” Bruce replied, “Not that I’m disapproving.” “Sure, but what about Earth? The real homeland.” “Dana, Earth will always be home. No matter what remote corner of the galaxy we get stuck into, Earth is always home. It’s just that we have a habit of creating ‘summer homes’ closer to where we happen to be working.” They walked along a bit further, stopping in front of a sports outfitter shop. Bruce said, “You know… I remember a while back me telling you that I didn’t need a vacation. It wasn’t the time.” “Are you having second thoughts?” “I think I am. I mean, we’ve got enough leave time between the two of us to sink a Galaxy-class starship and nothing has been happening out here. The Federation embassy is under construction, while the colony has managed to get through some pretty tough weather lately. We’ve been out of it for a while, taking patrol missions. ” “I’ll definitely agree with you that it has been quiet lately, I don’t think we have enough combined leave to sink a Galaxy-class starship, considering that the ship’s not designed for atmospheric work.” “My point is, my dear, why not take a week off? We can go back home, Earth, spend some time, just the two of us?” She smiled at him, “Why not?”
In the outer reaches of the final frontier, new enemies lurk in wait. In the great unknown, darkness rises. Yet, one crew will stand against the dark and explore the unknown, mounting up with wings as eagles to the stars.
Episode #201 “Home and Hearth” Written By Michael A. Slagenweit Kevin, reclining in one of Bruce’s visitor chair in the Eagle Star’s ready room, said, “Anything you want done while you’re gone? The Tactical array recalibrated? A Sensor overhaul? The carpets scrubbed?” “Surprise me,” Bruce replied. “How come you’re not taking the Cassandra or the Captain’s Yacht?” “You might need them, besides, this way we we’re not under any major obligation to get it back right away if something come up. Admiral Bolter is lending us a runabout.” “Good idea. You should make good time with the runabout.” “Are you sure you don’t want to join us, Kevin?” Bruce asked, “Get out on the back roads and let the Harley out of the box?” Kevin was a long-time Harley Davidson aficionado owner and loved to take the machine out on some back-country road, riding as fast as he could possibly go. Bruce knew he missed it while working in deep space. “I thought about it, but there’ll be plenty of time for that later. You two go and have a wonderful time. We‘ll have everything ready for when you get back.” “Don’t work too hard,” Dana said, feigning seriousness. “I wouldn’t worry too hard about that. We’ll have enough to do with Avkar patrols and surveys on New Horizon.” Bruce took the helm of the Runabout Indiana, while Dana cleared their departure with Operations. “Have a good time, Captain, Commander Space,” Tricacious’ voice said over the comm. System. “Will do. We’ll have her back in a week, Tricacious,” Dana replied. She closed the channel, turned to her husband, and said with a grin, “Let’s go.” Bruce punched the controls and the runabout snapped into warp. A moment later, Dana had a road song playing on the speakers, the pair of them signing along like a couple of kids enjoying a joyride in the backfields of a farm. They’d enjoyed such rides in their youth, driving fast and recklessly with loud music playing; much to the chagrin of their parents and the detriment of Bruce’s car. Yet, every now and then, they recreated those rides on the holodeck. To them, such rides were an example of the freedom they enjoyed and the bonds, which had kept them together for so long. Upon their approach to the Terran solar system, Bruce slowed to impulse power and
cleared their landing in the Des Moines, Iowa, shuttle field. A transport would take them back to Cedar Falls. Bruce set the runabout down, giving their clearance to the attendant, enduring a few questions about the mission in the Gamma Quadrant, and then boarded the transport, which would take them home. Dana stepped down from the transport, a short while later, admiring the old house. She knew the original house was finished three months before the stock market crashed and that after the fire which destroyed it, Bruce and Ted took painstaking care to ensure it was rebuilt in the same way. Their dedication, that she believed, was what she admired most: to rebuild their old house, in the same style, wood and stone, and keep it as close to them as possible. Even some of the original woodwork, which had managed to survive, found a new place in the new structure. Now, of course, the Space house was probably one of the oldest structures still standing on the planet Earth. She strode up the front walk to the wraparound porch, Bruce following with their luggage. They’d spent many a summer sunset out here in the swing, lemonade or iced tea in one hand and the other on each other’s shoulder, watching as the world passed by. So many life decisions had been made here: having kids, getting back into Starfleet, and wondering about grandkids. Bruce unlocked the door, dropped the baggage in the foyer, and surprised his wife by taking her up into his arms. He said, “Remember when I carried you across the threshold that first night?” “Not only across the threshold, but through the living room, up the stairs, and into our room,” she replied. “So what do you say to doing it again?” “I’ve got a better idea. What do you say we go in, get unpacked, run into town and get a good dinner, get in the mood and then you can carry me upstairs and well, who knows where things will go from there?” “Sounds like a plan to me.” Bruce carried he though the doorway, though the foyer, and into the living room, depositing her in the overstuffed leather recliner. He returned to the foyer and carried their baggage upstairs to the bedroom. Meantime, Dana strode into the study checked for messages, finding none, sent a quick message to the Eagle Star, and then went upstairs herself to help Bruce unpack. She pulled out a navy cocktail dress she hadn’t worn for a while, while Bruce found a suit. They cleaned up and changed clothes. Dana applied a touch of red lipstick and sprits of Chanel Number Seven. Bruce gave her the perfume for their first wedding anniversary, insisting that she only wear it on very special occasions. This was special enough. At the Broom Factory, an old restaurant in Cedar Falls, which had been built in an old broom factory, they ordered a bottle of wine and pasta, talking over the Eagle Star crew. Bruce expressed how impressed he’d been with all of them and was thinking about considering bringing more families aboard. Dana replied with caution, mainly as the ship was not well equipped for it, but maybe something could be worked out. They returned home late in each other’s arms, Bruce carrying his wife across the threshold as he promised. If there was one thing Bruce and Dana Space relished, especially for how little it came, it was a chance to have one long night where their long romance could have the limelight. By the light of a couple flickering candles, to the sound of their song, they made love, relishing their first night spent in their home in quite some time. Bruce and Dana woke late the next morning. Dana rose before her husband. When he did, he found her in the foyer. Dana said, “I don’t know why we keep these old portraits. You only look at them once in the entire time we’re home, every single time we come home.” “Mementos, Dana,” Bruce replied. “Weren’t any of these wrecked in the fire?” “No, believe it or not. Mom and Dad had them all taken down two weeks before the fire to have them cleaned. Ted and I got a call two days after the fire, telling us they were done.” “They’re going to have to be cleaned again, I think.” “We’ll get Mr. Tayan to take care of it when we leave.” Mr. Tayan was the Space’s house
and groundskeeper. A very tall, dignified alien, who spoke very little and left the household liquor locker a little emptier every time he performed his services. “What have you got planned for today?” “Might go into town for a while, drop by UNI, walk around campus; otherwise I have an afternoon planned on the back porch with my Life of Greece and an iced tea. What about you, Dana?” “Maybe go shopping. I’m not sure.” “Well, why don’t you take a shower and I’ll get breakfast together. We can talk about it more over some decent food.” Bruce had prepared scrambled eggs with cheese and mushrooms, toast, and orange juice when his wife joined him. Dana dressed in a sweatshirt from her undergraduate alma mater, Ohio State University, and a pair of white capri pants. She took a seat at the breakfast table, Bruce placing a plate before her. Dana smiled. When it came to who wore the apron in the family, she gladly passed it off to her husband. About half way through, a knock came from the front door. Bruce went to get it, while Dana finished the orange juice. “Dana, I think we’ve had a change of plans.” She turned around and understood. Bruce stood in the kitchen doorway accompanied by a young man in a command Starfleet uniform, captain’s rank on his collar. He might’ve been mistaken for Bruce’s twin, by the beard he wore and his somewhat unkempt hair, except for the fact he possessed his mother’s eyes. Dana rose to embrace her eldest son, Brian. “What’re you doing here?” she asked. “The Durango has been hosting senior class cadets on training missions, we got back yesterday to return them to the Academy,” Brian replied, “Since we have a few days before we go back out on patrol, I thought I’d come home. Word got around that you and Dad were back, at home on Earth, so here I am.” Bruce said, “Put your stuff in the hall, Brian. Then help yourself to breakfast. I made enough. Dana, I’m going to the shower. Back in a short.” When Bruce returned in a flannel shirt and a pair of jeans, he found his wife and eldest son at the table engaged in conversation over coffee. Brian was saying, “I don’t know how it happened but Tommy and I worked out a good arrangement in creating Blue Squad. He gives them the technical and simulator training at the Academy and I put them through the ropes in the field.” “Blue Squad?” Bruce asked. “It’s a special program recently developed at Starfleet Academy. Tommy is spearheading it. Advanced Starship Training.” “I see, you train them then give them practical experience, letting them ‘test the waters’ so to speak.” “Right on, Dad.” “Any success, so far?” “We’ve only had one cruise as yet; Starfleet Command is a little cautious sending cadets out on a starship during a time of war.” “Starfleet has a committed fleet to protect Earth and the core systems,” Bruce said, “And the Tholians and Breen haven’t made an attack against Earth in months.” “Well, you know Starfleet.” “Anyway, Brian,” Dana broke in, wishing to change the subject off work related matters, “How are things for you outside of the job?” “All right, but I wanted to ask you both something.” “You know that we’ll help you in anyway we can.” “I’ve been having trouble balancing my career with my personal life. We’ve got a new Chief Medical Officer on the Durango recently and she and I have gotten to know each other…” “You’ve found yourself attracted to her,” Bruce finished. “That’s the long and short of it.” Bruce closed his eyes a moment, thinking of the responses he’d given to fellow officers, yet now he had to give the same advice to family. That made things just a bit harder. When he opened them, he said, “Brian, you have to remember to keep a balance between your career,
your duty, and your emotions. You don’t get to be a starship captain without knowing that. There will be times when you have to have to put duty and career above your emotions.” “I know, Dad.” Dana added, “Your father and I took the time out of our careers to have a family. Once you and your brothers and sister were grown, we got back into our careers. Now this is not the only solution, and since you’re early in this relationship, you’ll have more time to consider your options. Just be careful and take into consideration what she wants.” “Your mother and I are a rare exception in Starfleet: a couple that can make a marriage work, despite an active Starfleet career. We got even luckier when Starfleet let me assign your mother to the Eagle Star. She’s in line for my job, remember, because she qualified for it.” Brian took a drink from his coffee, taking his parents’ advice in. Eventually he said, “I think I understand. And I think a short vacation might do some good.” “So when do we get to meet the young lady?” Dana asked. “Her name is Laura, Mom. And soon, I promise.” Although they now had a son home, Brian told his parents he didn’t want to disrupt their plans, insisting that they go into town. Bruce spent most of the morning and early afternoon at his alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa, where he’d not only been a student, but a teacher. Dana enjoyed her afternoon by window shopping at several little boutiques in downtown Cedar Falls, catching up with a couple of friends she hadn’t talked to since being assigned to the Eagle Star. They caught up with each other in the afternoon for a leisurely lunch in a downtown bistro, chatting about their mornings. After lunch, they shopped at a farmer’s market bringing home several sacks with fruits, vegetables, and other foods. Even though Bruce had installed a replicator in the house, he rarely used it while home, preferring the real thing. Aboard ship, he knew the replicator was the primary food source. At home, more options existed. Striding up the front walk, engaged in conversation, both Bruce and Dana failed to notice the front door open before them. Bruce might’ve stumbled up the front steps to the porch, but he looked up at the last moment, noticing both the steps and the person standing in the front doorway. “Tommy!” he said, “What’re you doing here?” “Hello Mom and Dad, and why don’t you bring the groceries inside before we talk,” Commander Tommy Space said. After Bruce and Dana put the food away in the kitchen and distributed a cup of tea to their son, retired to the living room. The Space living room was in a step-down variety, a bay window looking out on the front lawn, a fireplace opposite. A large oriental rug lay in the center of the room, a coffee table atop it, flanked by a pair of leather couches. Bruce and Dana sat down, Tommy took the opposite one, and Tommy said, “Now to answer your question, Dad, I’ve been all right. But, I’ve been thinking about something lately.” Dana said, “Please tell me that you’re not thinking about getting into a relationship.” “Or ending one,” Bruce added, “We’ve already dealt with that.” “It’s the career,” Tommy said, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not thinking about resigning or anything. It’s more that…” “You’re stuck in the Academy, teaching, while watching your older brother out in space. And, you’re thinking, ‘I want to be out there, not here behind a desk.’” “Exactly.” “But I thought you liked teaching,” Dana said. “I do like teaching, Mom. I enjoy teaching so much, preparing cadets to be officers. At the same time though, I see Brian on the Durango, and he’s teaching while aboard ship, doing what we do as Starfleet officers.” “And you find that you’re missing out on the action by staying behind a desk at Starfleet Academy?” Bruce asked. “Yes.” “I can sympathize. I spent a while teaching at the Academy while your mother and I were at home, having a family. I darn near went insane a few times, but we wanted to have kids and it
was required of us to stay grounded if we wanted to be a part of your upbringing. Once you kids were grown, we got back into Starfleet.” Tommy’s eyes fell down for a moment, taking in what his father said, thinking about the possibilities. Eventually, his eyes rose back to his parents. He said, “What if I went to Starfleet Command, and asked to continue my position as Director of the Advanced Starship Training Program on detached duty aboard the Durango?” “You’re thinking, Tommy,” Bruce said. “Brian’s first officer is an older man and he’s been thinking about retirement or taking a planet-side assignment. I could apply for the position.” “It’s a tough pull with Starfleet, to have close family serving together in a close capacity,” Dana said, “But if your father can pull it off, I’m certain you can pull it off too.” “Thanks, Mom.” Dana suggested that Tommy stay a few days, to which he agreed. Brian went with him to get some things from his apartment in San Francisco. Bruce went back to the kitchen and began to prepare things for dinner. Though Dana occasionally cooked, frequently with larger meals, Bruce was the one wearing the apron in the Space household. This didn’t bother him, as he enjoyed cooking. Aboard the Eagle Star, most meals were taken out of the replicator, and very little real cooking was done. However, Bruce still made his quarters’ dining area into a kitchen and made a real dinner for the crew. Late that night, Bruce reclined in the leather desk chair behind the desk in his study, closed his Life of Greece. He so enjoyed the conversational language Durant used in his work. He laid the book on the desk, considering what book to begin next when Dana tapped on the door, and then entered. She said, “Busy?” “Nope, just finished Durant’s Life of Greece,” Bruce replied. “Ah. What are you thinking of reading next?” “I’m not sure. Kinda thought of delving into my fiction collection with I, Claudius.” “A good book. I read it in college and in the Academy, I think. There were times I thought it was the Roman version of ‘sex, lies, and videotape.’” “No disputing that.” Dana came over and sat in Bruce’s lap, saying, “I thought that was what we were going to be doing on this vacation: having seven days and seven nights of sex and disputation.” “And we only got one night of sex, a wonderful night I might add, and then the boys started coming home.” “Some vacation…” “In the same breath, Dana, sooner or later, we’d start thinking about the kids and call them up wondering if they’d come home for a little while.” “That’s true,” she paused, then added, “If we’re not careful, we’ll have all of our kids home.” “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” “Oh, no. It’s not a bad thing, but I would have preferred to plan this before it happened.” “Even the best laid plans end up falling by the wayside,” Bruce said. He smiled, “Why should we be any exception? So let’s go upstairs and at least try to relax, if not have fun.” “All right.” A full day later, Bruce was reading in the study when his communications signal sounded from the computer terminal on the desktop. He heard the signal over the recording of Alexander Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances” from the opera, Prince Igor. He loved the opening duet between the soprano and alto chorus members. He turned down the music—and against his better judgment—activated the terminal, opened the frequency and said, “This is Captain Space.” “Hey, Captain. It’s Kevin.” “This better be an emergency for you to be disturbing me on my vacation, Kevin,” Bruce replied, half seriously. “It’s no emergency, but we’re rerouting a communication we received for you.” Finally, Bruce thought, somebody who didn’t know that they were back on Earth. On the
flip side, it still aggravated him that he was on vacation and people still wanted him for one thing or another. “Send it through.” Kevin worked a nearby console, said, “See you in a couple of days, Captain.” Then the image blanked out replaced by a “working” screen by the computer. A moment later, the Computer said, “Incoming transmission from Starship U.S.S. Yorktown.” “Accept transmission.” The working screen appeared again for a moment to be replaced by the image of his youngest son, Jason, Science Officer on the Yorktown. “Hi Dad. Last transmission I got said that you were aboard the Eagle Star. I didn’t know you were back on Earth.” “Jason, you have no idea how much it pleases me to hear you say that.” His son looked confused a moment. Bruce continued, “Your older brothers found us the day we got home. Your mother and I figured that everyone in Starfleet knew that we were taking a vacation on Earth.” “Whoops. Sorry to interrupt your vacation, Dad. I can call back at another time; it’s nothing important.” “It’s always important to me when you kids call me. You know that.” “Well, I wanted to ask for some advice.” “Seems to be the way I’m having. Brian came home asking for advice on his personal life, Tommy for his professional.” “Brian always needs help with his personal life,” Jason said, with a grin. Bruce smiled, “He does sometimes. Is your request personal or professional, son?” “Professional,” Jason’s smile fell and he said, “I just feel like all my superiors are comparing me to my other brothers and sister. Heck, sometimes they even compare me to you and Mom. It’s really starting to bug me.” “I suppose it probably is, Jason, but you have to remember that you’re the youngest so comparison to those who have come before you is inevitable. I was compared to your Uncle Ted all the time; he was a high-caliber athlete while I was struggling to just make the team. Your Grandpa was always pushing me harder to rise to your Uncle’s level.” “But is it fair to hold me back, just because I’m not making the high standards that they set ahead of me?” “Certainly not, but are they doing it deliberately, Jason? Or are they trying to get you to distinguish yourself from your brothers and sister? While your Uncle was the athlete, I was better in the academics. I earned my respect with intellectual accomplishment. Heck, I earned a Master’s degree before Uncle Ted earned his Bachelor’s degree. What you need to do, son, is find the areas in which you excel, make them your own, and use those to rise above your siblings.” “It’s hard to find your abilities when you’re stuck on the bottom.” “True, but even from the bottom there is a unique perspective on a situation. You use that to your advantage, son.” Jason thought a moment, then nodded, “I guess you’re right, Dad.” “You have to remember, Jason, we all worked our way up to where we are now. I started on the bottom too. I started lower than the bottom in Starfleet, remember?” “Sure,” Jason replied, “You started in Starfleet as an enlisted man on the NX-01. That was before the Federation was even founded.” “Exactly. And it wasn’t until after the Battle of Wolf 359 that I took command of a starship. I did want to take command many times, but that’s what it took for Starfleet to notice a long-lived Commander with a penchant for pulling his shipmates out of trouble situations. They thought: if I could do it as a Commander, why not as a Captain? That way I could do it for the Federation.” “Which is what I hear you’re doing in the Gamma Quadrant with these Avkar, I’ve been hearing about.” “And the rumors are not far wrong, but still somewhat exaggerated,” Bruce said, “If there is one thing that your mother and I have tried to teach you kids, it’s have some patience. Things
do work out for the better.” Jason smiled again, “Thanks, Dad. I better get back; I’m supposed to be on duty in a few minutes.” “All right, son. Call again if you get a free moment, so you can talk with your mother.” “I will, Dad. Love you.” “Love you, too.” The screen blanked out, replaced by the seal of the Federation. Bruce deactivated the terminal and restored his music. He wondered, half in jest, if he’d gotten into the wrong profession the way he’d been parceling out counseling over the last few days. Nah, he thought, there’s nothing more that he’d rather be than a starship captain. The next morning, Bruce and Dana woke late to a pleasant surprise from their sons: breakfast in bed. Brian came in holding the trays with a plate of pancakes, maple syrup, bacon, and peaches. Tommy followed with a pot of tea and tea cups. Brian served, saying, “We owed you both something for crashing your vacation.” Dana said, “This isn’t necessary, boys.” Tommy broke in, “Yes it is, Mom. You and Dad have been getting up early to make us breakfast and keep us cared for. Just as if we’d never left home. Well, we’re taking the initiative to make it up to you all little.” Bruce turned to his wife and said, “Now if they’d only done this when they were kids, I think we could have avoided some of the therapy we’ve needed after raising five children.” She laughed and said, “Thank you, Brian, Tommy.” “Yes, thanks, boys. We’ll be down in a little while.” After their sons left, Bruce said, “Are you still having lingering doubts about having fun while the kids are home?” “Not anymore. We should try to have a family dinner or something before we go back to the Eagle Star and get Kristi, Troy, and Jason on the holo-communicator. When was the last time we had a family picture taken?” “Dana, I agree we should get a conference call together, but we had a picture taken before we left on the Eagle Star. It’s a pain to get all the kids home for that and we’re only here for a couple of days more.” “That just put a bit of a damper in the morning,” she said, flatly. “Then, let’s try not to think about it.” “All right.” Later that afternoon, the computer said, “Incoming holographic communication from Starship U.S.S. Agamemnon.” Brian, passing by the study and hearing the computer, stepped in and said, “Computer, activate holo-communicator and accept message.” The platform sitting on the floor activated and the figure of an attractive young woman, wearing a red command uniform and a commander’s rank on her collar appeared. Like her mother, she had tousled strawberry-blonde hair, but Kristi Space had inherited her father’s eyes. She said, “Brian! What’re you doing home? I thought Mom and Dad were home.” “They are. They’re out back right now with Tommy,” Brian replied, “I’ll go and get them.” Brian took off for the back porch, bringing Bruce and Dana in tow when he returned. Knowing that his parents hadn’t seen their daughter in some time, Brian left them alone, shutting the study door behind him, and returning to what he’d been doing before Kristi’s call. Bruce started off the conversation with the question he’d pretty much started every conversation he’d had with his children since their arrival: “So how did you find out we came home?” “Mama should have been able to tell you, Daddy,” she replied, “The Federation has one of the best communications grids in the quadrant. The word—” “Yeah, yeah,” Bruce interrupted, “The word gets around.” He turned to Dana, “That’s it, Dana, we’re investing a couple of Romulan Cloaking Devices. We‘ll have to start using them when we come home if we want a modicum of peace and quiet.”
“How have you been, Kristi?” Dana said. “I’ve been all right. The exploration mission in the Erisan system is going well. But that’s not the reason why I’m calling.” “We’re getting used to it, but it’s all right.” “Well, mine’s good news. I’m engaged.” Smiles broke across Bruce and Dana’s faces. They’d both worried about Kristi, being the only girl amidst four brothers. Bruce particularly felt a twinge of guilt that she’s taken more after him, when Troy took more after Dana; though once both they got into Starfleet, neither worried too much more. “So Neil finally proposed, did he?” Bruce asked, after taking a look at the diamond ring on her finger. “Yeah, the other day,” Kristi replied, “He actually stopped operations on the bridge to do it. I think Captain Harrison had a hand in it.” “So tell us about our future son-in-law,” Dana said, “Scotsman, right? An engineer?” “Yes. You might know his cousin, Daddy. He serves on the Intrepid.” Bruce thought a moment, then said, “Don’t think so, but then again, I’ve met so many up and comers in Starfleet these days, it’s hard to say. Wait a moment, isn’t he the same guy you…” “The same guy I dressed down while he was wearing nothing but a bath towel standing in the corridor. The same. Don’t remind me, it’s still so embarrassing.” “That’s what you get for not listening to your old man’s advice, Kristi.” “That’s the other reason why I’m calling, Daddy. I was looking for advice on how you and Mama handle careers and marriage.” Bruce and Dana glanced at each other, wondering how they actually did balance their marriage and their careers. Dana shrugged, which said to Bruce, “you can answer this one.” “Honey, it’s not an easy thing. We’ll tell you that right now. It’s a fine line to draw, but you’ll have to learn to make decisions based on one more factor added to the equation: Neil. What does he want, his goals, what’s his dreams for the future? Your mother and I serve together, just because it’s easiest on the both of us, but we’re both aware that either can be transferred without the other.” “You have to remember, Kristi, this will be a challenge you’ll face for the rest of your career. Whatever happens, you know that we support you. But talk it out, heart to heart, with Neil. Make sure that you both understand what you’re facing,” Dana added. Kristi took it to heart a moment, then replied, “I understand. Thanks Mama, Daddy.” “You’re welcome, baby girl,” Bruce said. “My comm. time is running out, I’ll call again when I get the chance.” “Keep in touch and don’t wait too long.” “Love you guys,” “Love you too, Kristi,” Dana said and her daughter’s image faded away. Dana continued, “Well… Brian thinking about romance and Kristi on the way to marriage.” “Since when did we become counselors?” Bruce asked, with a smile. “The minute we decided to have children.” After supper that night, while Bruce was on the back porch watching the sun go down, Dana passed by Bruce’s study, just as Brian had earlier, when the Computer spoke again, “Incoming holographic communication from Starship U.S.S. Renegade.” She rolled her eyes and entered, activating the holo-communicator. On the platform this time, the image of her son and Kristi’s twin, Captain Damian Troy Space appeared. Troy’s hair was constant mess, but he’d inherited his mother’s eyes, which sparked with intensity. He spoke with a lighter voice than his siblings, “Mom, how are you doing? I expected Dad to answer.” “I’m all right, Troy. And your father is out on the back porch with your brothers. I’ll go and get him.” “Hold on a minute, Mom, if you would. I’ve got something I want to talk over, but not with Dad.” Dana raised an eyebrow, but encouraged her son to tell her what was on his mind. He continued, “I’ve been under a lot of pressure from Starfleet lately, with being on the front with the Tholians, and… I don’t know… I guess I’ve been feeling kind of burned out.”
“That’s natural, Troy. It’s part of the responsibilities we bear as command officers.” “I know that, but I’ve felt that I’m not living up to those responsibilities. I know that if I slip up though, I’m responsible for the 156 people on the Renegade.” “So, why not take a rest leave? That’s basically what your father and I have done.” “I know. I found out that you were home from Kristi.” “Listen to your mother’s advice then, Troy.” “Mom, I’ve gotten to a point where I’m not sure a rest leave would do me any good.” Dana gave her son a hard look, “I can see now why you didn’t want your father in on this call. You’re thinking about resigning from Starfleet, aren’t you?” “Yes, I am,” Troy replied, quietly. “Let me tell you something before you make a hasty decision, which I think you will end up regretting. You worked too hard to give up now, Troy. Even when you were a science officer, you kept telling your father and me about how you liked leading away missions and taking the night shift, even when it was a pain in getting any sleep. You worked hard when you switched from science to command and you earned your place on the bridge of the Renegade. Don’t be so quick to throw in the towel.” “I can’t handle it anymore, Mom.” “Yes you can, but you need to learn to ask for help, Troy. You’re taking too much on yourself and you need to learn to let some of it go. Talk to somebody you trust. It doesn’t have to be the ship’s counselor.” “You’re right, Mom,” Troy said, sounding like he meant it. Dana grinned at her opportunity to do the consoling this time. She said, “I’ll go get your father.” Dana stood on the back porch, watching the cornstalks in the backyard sway in a light breeze. She could smell the scent of fresh growth on the air; rain might be threatening later, she thought. Bruce walked through the back door, coming behind his wife and laying a hand on her shoulder. He said, quietly, “The bags are on the transport. Ready to go?” “Yeah,” she replied just as quiet as her husband, and after a pause, “It’s strange to be going home after coming home.” Bruce entirely understood what she meant. They had enjoyed their last night at home, with a casual meal with their sons and a large, holo-conference call to their other children aboard ship. That night, the fell asleep in each other’s arms, resting and waiting for the morning to come when fun was ended and the time to go back to work came. “We knew this wasn’t going to last forever,” he said, “But you know what? Even though this vacation was nothing like I’d thought it would be, I still had a hell of a good time.” “Me too, and I think that’s why I don’t want to go back to the Eagle Star.” “We’re needed out there as much as we’re needed here, tending the home-fires and watching the hearth.” “Yes, we are.” “At the same time, we’re assured that our kids will be all right for a little while longer, aren’t we?” “Indeed. What do you think will be waiting for us when we get back?” “That’s a good question, what do you say we find out?” Bruce put his arm around his wife and led her back through the house, taking a last longing look to preserve the memory of the trip. Locking the front door, he carried the baggage to the transport. They looked back at the house one last time, the climbed into the transport. Much like their trip to Earth, Bruce and Dana enjoyed a trip of music and high speed back to the Gamma Quadrant. Upon their arrival on Deep Space Fifteen, they were greeted by Commander Kevin Doran. He asked, “How was the trip?” Bruce gave Dana a look for a moment, and then replied with a bit of a chuckle, “Eventful.” “Very eventful,” Dana added. Kevin gave his friends a questioning look, wondering what they were talking about. Bruce did nothing to quell the look. Instead he said to Kevin, “Come on Kevin. We’re back home, and we’ve got a job to do.”
Star Trek: Eagle Star Episode #201 “Home and Hearth” Written By Michael A. Slagenweit Based on “Star Trek” Created By Gene Roddenberry Star Trek®, Star Trek: The Next Generation®, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine®, Star Trek: Voyager®, Star Trek: Enterprise®, and all associated marks are registered trademarks of CBS Studios, Incorporated. All rights reserved. No infringement is intended. No profit whatsoever is coming from the use of "Star Trek" by this fan fiction. No part of this fan fiction may be reproduced or otherwise copied without express written permission of the author.