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Exactly two days after the Enterprise returned home, Starfleet made an official announcement concerning the return of Miguel Rameriz and James Kirk. Starfleet's public relations officer called for a press conference and, without naming the Romulans specifically, explained that the two officers had been returned from long term captivity. He then praised the Klingons for their assistance in the rescue.
Details were not discussed as Starfleet reasoned it might endanger future operations or even incite the general population to riot against the Romulan Consulate. The simple explanation that was given seemed to satisfy the news nets. It played up the involvement of the Klingons to the point of adulation, a role which delighted Koord to no end.
The rather short press conference was followed by a limited question and answer session. The main focus was the captives return and future plans. This seemed to give the two returning heroes a special place in the hearts and minds of nearly everyone, including the news nets.
After the question and answer session came speeches, food, drink, various celebrations and more. Afterwards, Kirk and Rameriz were allowed to slip away unnoticed. That is, unnoticed by most, as McCoy was still keeping a close eye on the pair.
In the following days, the two officers visited their home towns, the Academy, Federation Council chambers and many other places. Kirk actually joked that he had put more miles on Earth's surface in the following months than he had logged in space! McCoy followed him for most of the trip just to be sure his friend was okay. Even Spock checked in, following his work with the Klingons.
Eventually the two 'celebrities' were declared fit for regular duty. That's when Kensington announced their new postings. Miguel would be promoted to the rank of captain and given command of a new starbase, the latest addition to the Federation's expanding horizons.
James Kirk took the assignment at the Academy as Chairperson of the Military History and Tactics Department.
Both men were very happy and it seemed that Kensington had closed a unique chapter in Starfleet's history book in a most satisfying manner. But he couldn't have known the entire extent of '01-B's adventure.
Throughout Starfleet and the Federation, several members of the rescue mission were finding a new future before themselves.
While Kirk and Rameriz were touring Earth, Starfleet received several inquiries concerning assignments on the new Enterprise following its completion.
Of course every ship needs a good captain and Starfleet's best ship required the best commanding officer. With only a moderate effort, Hikaru Sulu had managed to talk himself out of a desk assignment and back in the center seat. The Enterprise-B would be his and, until it was ready, he worked closely with Scotty. The two shared all of the work which kept the work days shorter than usual for Scotty. Thanks to Sulu's help, as well as Riley's, the 1701-B was completed in only twenty-seven days.
True to his word, Montgomery Scott retired as soon as Starfleet accepted the Enterprise and declared it fit for duty. He and Uhura then divided their time equally between their two respective homes.
Spock's revelation that McCoy would become Starfleet's Surgeon General, came true. Although Port was due to take the post, he had decided on early retirement to enjoy his grandchildren and, in his own words, do a lot of fishing. McCoy took the position with gusto. His first promise was to reduce the red tape and paperwork within the organization. A subject near and dear to him!
Following the return of Kevin Riley and the departures of General Koord and Chekov, all of the rescue team members began to resume a fairly normal routine.
Each of the new ensigns from the Academy went on to their original, intended, first assignments. Many applied for transfer for a berth on the new Enterprise. Some actually were successful in that endeavor.
Chekov remained as captain of the Invincible until it had completed its five-year mission. After that, he secured a choice assignment at Starfleet Headquarters as Chief of Operations to be closer to Irinya. Eventually, the fine officer would become a Fleet Admiral and retired after many years of service.
Once the Kearsarge was deemed fit for service, the ship returned to its normal duties. Saavik continued as a 'front line' officer. Geoff remained by her side as her only true love, after Starfleet, of course. The two were together for many years.
Saavik's trusted helmsman, Demora Sulu, also returned to the Kearsarge, but later received an assignment, as requested, for the Enterprise. Her career was long and impressive, just as her father's.
Christine Chapel returned to the Kearsarge as well, but only temporarily. She found herself in the Surgeon General's Office at the request of McCoy and took his old position. Working with him was most satisfactory, even back when the two had served together on the old Enterprise. Now, the two made a major difference in Starfleet Medical procedures and policy.
DeSalle enjoyed his active service so much that he applied for another assignment on the Enterprise and became Sulu's First Officer.
Kevin Riley did, in fact, resign from Cochrane Industries and, with a lot of tutoring from Scotty, became Master of the Yards, just as planned. He joked about feeling more secure, surrounded by Starfleet in case the Romulans decided to get back at him for the transwarp drive deception. More importantly, he was thrilled at having control over all the ship construction and not just the ones that he was responsible for through Cochrane Industries. Of course, Cochrane Industries was sad to lose Kevin and tried to get him back on more than one occasion, but they were never successful.
Janice Rand found herself head over heels for Rameriz as he had for her. The two hit it off from the beginning. When the Spaniard received command of Starbase 49, Rand joined him as his wife and second in command. She was happy; happier than she'd ever been before and remained so.
And so it went. The majority of the rescue mission crew, returned to their prior duties, each with the satisfaction of knowing what they had done. It was a story to be told to children and grandchildren and beyond. However, it couldn't be. Considered highly sensitive, and therefore classified, each would hold it to themselves, satisfied that they had performed a service above and beyond the call of what Starfleet deemed normal duty. But even 'normal duty' was redefined as proved time and time again by most starship crews, and particularly by the crew of the Enterprise, regardless of which incarnation.
Perhaps the person with the greatest sense of satisfaction was James T. Kirk. He found a new life at the Academy. He could make a difference there. He didn't need to be on a ship after all. More importantly, he finally had time for himself and for a family.
Edith proved to be more than he could have hoped for. She was as critical a part of his recovery as he was for her. She was a joy! The two of them spent the evenings together in a different type of 'classroom.' She taught her father about her mother and old Earth history. He taught her about the last few centuries and his place in Starfleet history. He also spent a lot of time in the Starfleet library catching up on his lost eight years.
As an added bonus, Gillian had been a regular visitor to his home. She and Edith spent hours discussing their common time period. Gillian helped with Edith's reeducation and her unique perspective provided a rather remarkable 'bridge' between Edith and James. As time progressed, the threesome became inseparable. Within a few months, Kirk and Gillian were married.
But it was always just a little awkward when Kirk found himself explaining why his daughter was close to his age and his wife was almost thirty years younger.
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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