Stardate: 80224:2300
Title: Selah
Author: Captain Scott Deadilus
Time: Current
Scene: USS Horizon, Captain's Ready Room


As the Horizon slowly made its way from the Turnquist system and back towards Starbase 9, Captain Deadilus sat alone in his Ready Room, listening to the silence around him and the gentle thrum of the ship. Closing his eyes and relaxing in the big chair, once again in Starfleet standard-issue uniform, he rested for a few moments as a feeling of calm descended over him.

[Captain, we have Admiral Foster on subspace communications,] Ensign Ross reported from the bridge.

"Thank you, Alex. Put her through."

The small desk-mounted screen popped open slowly, the familiar Federation logo emblazoned across its screen, promptly replaced by Elizabeth Foster.

"Admiral, please excuse the interruption; I realise it is late."

[Nonsense, Captain. We were all worried about the Horizon; Deep Space Mitra detected the supernova and none of the vessels we sent could detect anything in the aftermath. We had begun to fear the worst.] The Admiral smiled warmly at the Captain.

"Everyone is okay," Deadilus quickly laid to rest any concerns the Admiral might have about the crew. "However, we have taken some damage and could do with a repair crew sent out to initiate some of the more extensive work before we get back to Starbase 9."

An expression Deadilus couldn't place his finger on passed over Admiral Foster's face before she regained her composure.

"With all due respect, Ma'am, is everything alright?" The Captain sensed an unease coming from her, something he had never known from the strong and inspirational CO of Starbase 9.

[You won't be coming back to the starbase, Captain. We'll dispatch the Exeter to meet you and effect deep space repairs...]

"Admiral, our damage is a little beyond that!" Deadilus interrupted.

Again, the Admiral paused for longer than the Captain had ever known.

[The Exeter will carry out resources, crew, an SCE team and an assortment of workbees in addition to her own usual complement. Things are a little unstable along the borders right now - we have had several border skirmishes break out between nearby colonies and I would rather keep the Horizon out of the danger zone right now. You are to proceed to the co-ordinates I am sending you and await the arrival of the Exeter and your new crew. That's an order, Captain.]

Deadilus looked at the transmitted co-ordinates. It placed them firmly in the middle of nowhere and far from any Federation colony...

"Understand Admiral. Do you have any further orders for us?"

[Captain Nagama will bring them out as well.] Elizabeth Foster paused once more. [Godspeed Captain. Starbase 9 out.]


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Captain Scott Deadilus
Commanding Officer
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
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