Finally Home

Posted on Thu Sep 24th, 2015 @ 9:34pm by Lieutenant Hope Beckman & El'Shar Blackhorse

Mission: Further Challenges
Location: USS Hidalgo / SB900

* * USS Hidalgo * *

El’Shar could almost feel the comfort of her own bed as the Hidalgo exited the wormhole into the Delta Quadrant. It would still be a bit before they would be able to look outside and see the station, or Archadia, but they were definitely close enough for her to let Rick know she was almost home.

“Computer,” she said as she sat down in front of the terminal, “contact Admiral Wegener at Starbase 900.”

After a few moments a young lieutenant’s face appeared on the screen. =^= Oh, Capt--er, El’Shar. =^= She blushed a bit for calling her by her rank, which El had expressly told everyone to stop doing. =^= I’m sorry, but the Admiral is on an away mission to Valhalla Colony. I believe he is on his way back, however. Maybe just a few days out. =^=

“Oh,” El replied with a frown. “I have been gone for a while and I guess life does go on. If he makes contact, could you let him know that we just exited the wormhole and we’ll be home soon?”

The lieutenant smiled. =^= Of course. I hope you had a good trip. 900 out. =^=

She sighed and stood from the desk, looking around her quarters. “Three days,” she grumbled. “May as well be three years.”

* * *

As much as she had wanted it to go quickly, the three days felt exactly like three full, agonizing days. She and Hope had tried to make the time go by faster with use of the holodeck, cooking their own meals from scratch and wandering around the ship to talk with the crew. It was always harder going home than it was heading to your destination. There was some element of excitement and surprise on the way that kept the trip fun.

But all of that had changed once they could actually see the station. She and Hope had packed what few things they brought with them and were almost standing at the airlock with their bags when the ship docked with the station.

The hiss of the airlock was what they had been waiting for.

Hope let out a frustrated growl and could feel a difference in herself once she stepped onto the station. “Oh, wow, El,” she said as the two made good time down the corridor. “It’s like night and day being on that ship and now being here. I never thought we would make it back!”

“It’s not as bad when you actually have a job to do on the ship to keep you busy, but yeah...being a passenger just sucks.”

Hope stopped short and turned to El. “I know I told you a million times, but I wouldn’t have been able to make this trip without you. I really do appreciate you coming along.”

El’Shar rubbed her arm briefly. “Think nothing of it. Besides, I enjoyed getting to visit home myself.”

The continued walking. “And Rick’s house!” Hope said with a grin. “Now don’t forget me when you guys go there and get married. I really need to see that place!”

“Don’t you worry. We won’t forget you.”

They found a lift and stepped inside with three others.

“Deck ten,” El’Shar said.

“Deck fourteen,” from Hope.

Then two more deck choices from the other riders.

“Well, part of the good news of being back is that you’re off the next two days anyway,” El’Shar said aloud. “Do you want to come over for dinner with Rick and I day after tomorrow?”

“I’d like that. It’ll also give me the opportunity to bug him about some of his history. It’s fascinating, don’t you think?”

“It is, but I’ll warn you,” El paused as the doors open and a couple stepped off, “he doesn’t talk about all of it. So don’t be surprised if he changes the subject or dismisses it.”

Hope nodded. A few moments later the doors opened again and the other rider exited, leaving El’Shar and Hope alone.

“Out of curiosity, is there anything I should steer clear of? I just don’t want to get him upset, or bring up bad memories.”

“Mainly his first wife and the first time he came back to visit Earth after he left,” El replied. “She died horribly and, well, Earth was his home despite him being alien to them. When he visited the first time it was still a horrible mess and he just couldn’t bear actually making landfall. So he left. It really broke his heart.” She turned to see Hope looking sullen. “He obviously went back and is happy he did.”

Hope nodded. “I’ll remember that.”

The doors opened on deck 14. “This is me. Thanks again, El.”

“Anytime, kiddo.”

El’Shar was alone again. The doors opened on her deck and she walked the quiet corridor to her quarters. She hated that Rick wasn’t home. She missed him.

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Captain El’Shar Blackhorse (ret.)
Lt. Hope Beckman