Posted Aug. 18, 2022, 8:14 a.m. by Ensign David Michaels (Science Officer) (James Harrison)
“This committee has come to a decision. You will be demoted to the rank of Ensign and the events of the last six months will be purged from your official record. This is your last warning. Any further infractions will result in your official discharge from Starfleet.”
Those words played over and over in his head. Even as he lay in his bunk, trying desperately to sleep. The last year of his life had been the most difficult and bizarre of any of his travels through time. It had all let him to here. Returning to someplace very familiar. To some familiar faces.
During his final hearing, he had learned that it was none other than Calvin Marius himself who had lobbied for this outcome, and specifically requested his return to the Genesis. The two of them had never been friends. Cordial at best, but the fact that it was Marius who had provided a defense was a true surprise and shock.
Now David lay in the bunk on the USS Vista, en route to rendezvous with the Genesis. It had been two days since the hearings concluded back on Earth and he had been allowed to leave. Starfleet had confiscated all of his personal belongings, the few things he had brought with him on his original mission to this timeline. His old DTI uniform. His 19th century saber. The few pieces of technology that he had in his possession that the committee deemed ‘unnecessary futuristic advantage’ with ‘high risk of misuse’.
His hand slid under the pillow, his fingers wrapping around the small metal object that lay underneath. Taking it in between his two fingers, he removed it from the hiding place under the pillow and pulled it into view. It was a small silver ring, which had belonged to his mother. It all seemed so long ago, and so far away from now. This was the only physical reminder of things, of people, who were now lost to him forever.
A tear fell down his cheek as his thoughts turned to Riley. The man he loved. The man he would never forget. The man that had been taken from him. Deep in his heart, David knew that Riley was still alive, but also knew that the likelihood of their paths ever crossing again was slim to none. The past six months had been full of turmoil, but the one thought that kept him going each day was that somewhere out there in the vast universe of time, he knew that Riley was alive. Reminiscing the memories that he had shared with Riley was comforting and heartbreaking all in the same.
Yet, here he was. Being given another chance. Likely more chances than a man of his caliber ever deserved. He had made his share of mistakes, broken many rules, risked much in his career, and in his life. It was all overwhelming and confusing to him but despite all of this, he had made a vow to himself to make the best of this chance that he had been given.
Time seemed to be irrelevant, he tossed and turned, and at some point he heard the chirping of his comm badge.
=/\= Ensign Michaels we are at the rendezvous point for your shuttle to the Genesis. =/\=
Sitting up in the bunk, David ran a hand through his hair. =/\= Acknowledged. =/\= He responded.
Letting out a long slow exhale, David stood from the bunk, looking around the small cabin. There wasn’t much he had to bring with him on this trip. A few essentials he was able to pack into one small duffel bag. Everything he once had on board the Genesis in the quarters he had shared with Riley was now gone.
Looking into the mirror, he gazed at his reflection for a moment. He had auburn hair and pale green eyes. His eyes looked tired and there was a trail on his skin from the tears he’d shed during the night. Pulling out the sink unit, he reached into the cool water, cupping his hands to collect some, then bending down slightly he splashed the cool water onto his face. Repeating the process several times, he grabbed the nearby towel and dried off his face, fixing the slight curls in his hair.
Looking himself over, he decided it might not be a bad idea for a fresh uniform. Stepping over to his small bag, he pulled out his extra uniform and slowly proceeded to change into it. Feeling confident in how he looked, he took the dirty uniform to the replicator and recycled it. Then he zipped up the small bag, slung it over his shoulder and made his way out of the quarters.
Walking down the corridor, he passed a few of the Vista crew. He felt their gaze, the disapproving stares. He did his best not to care, but he knew how the gossip chains worked on starships. He was sure there had been talk about the strange guy they were transporting. The strange guy from the future who had just gotten into some major trouble with the higher ups. He did his best to ignore them, but he knew that he would only have much of the same upon his return to the Genesis. It was just something he would have to deal with. He knew that somewhere deep inside of him, he had the energy and will to repair the damage he had done to his reputation. It was time for a fresh start. It was time for him to begin again.
Nobody had to know the hell he’d been through in the past months. Nobody needed to hear the stories of his past. All that mattered to him was the now. All that mattered was taking one step at a time. That was all that he could do. He vowed to stay strong and make the best of this opportunity.
It was time.
-Ensign David Michaels
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