EPILOGUE
Entering the bridge, Kirk grinned at the sight of Hikaru Sulu sitting in the command chair. The lieutenant started slightly at the captain’s salutation.
“Hard to get it out of your system once you’ve had a taste. Isn’t that right, Mr. Sulu?”
Hurrying to vacate the seat, Sulu adopted a wry smile as he moved to the helmsman’s station. “‘Captain’ does have a nice ring to it. Chair’s all yours, sir.”
Kirk settled himself into the now-familiar seat. There had been a time when he had been mildly reluctant to do so. No longer. Now he occupied the space as if he owned it. He would forever respect the chair.
Leaning slightly forward, he addressed the chair pickup. “Mr. Scott, how’s our core?”
The response came back without hesitation. “Purrin’ like a kitten, Captain,” the chief assured him, as nearby, Keenser moved to his duty station. “She’s ready for a long journey.”
“Excellent,” Kirk replied. Leaving the command station, he favored McCoy with a friendly clap on both arms. “Come on, Bones— It’s gonna be fun.”
“Five years in space,” the doctor growled under his breath. “God help me.”
“Dr. Marcus,” Kirk said to the woman seated at the secondary science station, “I’m glad you could be part of the family.”
She smiled warmly back at him. Very warmly. “Nice to have a family, Captain.” As he smiled broadly and headed back toward his chair, she followed him with her eyes, her thoughts her own.
Kirk halted beside his second-in-command.
“So. Where should we go, Spock?”
“As a mission of this duration has never before been attempted, I defer to your good judgment, Captain.” Turning and walking away, he returned to his own station.
Taking a seat, Kirk gazed anew out the forward port.
“Mr. Sulu—take us out.”
“Aye, Captain.”