Soleta shrugged off her jacket and hung it carefully in her closet. She made several quick mental notes regarding lesson plans for tomorrow's class, and— since she was eminently capable of accomplishing more than one task at a time—she said briskly. "Computer. Messages."
"Two messages," replied the computer. "Playing first message."
The screen wavered for a moment, and then the image of Commander Seth Goddard from Starfleet Central appeared. His hair graying at the temples, Goddard was all business. "Lieutenant Soleta, this message has a callback command built in. Wait for live transmission, please."
Soleta sat down in front of the screen, folding her hands neatly in front of her. She wondered what Central could possibly want with her. She'd been fairly low-profile since taking on the teaching duties at Starfleet Academy. It was not precisely the life that she had anticipated for herself, but it was one that gave her satisfaction. Her journey of personal discovery as she endeavored to deal with her mixed heritage had been a long and rocky one. But that was far behind her now. She was at peace with herself.
At least, she liked to tell herself that.
The screen flickered to life and Goddard's image appeared on it. 'Ah. Lieutenant. I appreciate your prompt response."
"How may I help you, sir?"
"You can help me by packing."
She looked at him blankly. "Tacking,' sir? I don't. . . ?"
"You're being reactivated, Lieutenant. You're shipping out next week on the Excalibur."
"Sir. . . no," she said with as much surprise as she ever allowed herself. "I do not. . . I am not seeking a shipboard position. I had thought that was clear to all concerned. That my place was here on Earth."
"It's called 'Starfleet,' Lieutenant, not 'Earthfleet.' I'm afraid you can't hide here forever."
"With all respect, sir, I am not hiding. I am doing a job, and a valuable one at that."
"You're doing a job that can be filled by at least a hundred people currently in the pipeline, all equally as capable as you. You're needed on the Excaliburas science officer, and you are the person singly suited to the job. Besides, you came highly recommended."
"Science officer . . . ? Recommended . . . ?" She was becoming frustrated by her communication skills, or apparent sudden lack thereof. " Recommended by whom?"
"Ambassador Spock."
If she had not become as skilled as she was at covering her surprise, she would have had to pick up her jaw off the ground in front of her. "Ambassador . . . Spock."
"I presume the name is familiar to you."
"Oh yes. Most familiar. And we have met. But I am still unclear as to ... as to why he would recommend me for anything. Science officer, sir?"
"That's correct, Lieutenant."
"On the Excalibur."Despite her hesitation, she was annoyed to find a tingle of anticipation. It wasn't as if they had abruptly decided to stick her on a science vessel and send her into the middle of nowhere. This was the Excalibur,a starship with a long and illustrious history. But then she tried, with determination, to shake off her momentary anticipation of the new assignment. "But sir, I still do not understand why, of all individuals, I am being assigned to this vessel. It has been three years, five months, and eighteen days since I logged any space time at all."
"You'll get your space legs back in no time," Goddard told her. "But you're probably wondering why we've zeroed in on you. Why the ambassador singled you out."
"Yes, sir, I believe I have asked that repeatedly."
The faint tone of criticism didn't appear to register on him. "The Excaliburis going to have a very specific assignment, Lieutenant. Sector 221-G."
Soleta did not even have to search her memory to pull that very familiar number up. "Thallonian space," she said slowly.
"That's right, Lieutenant."
"I had heard that there were difficulties. There were stories of refugees . . . civil war . . ."
"All that and more. And we're sending the Excaliburinto the heart of it. It's going to be one hell of an adventure. I wish I could go with you."
"If the commander wishes. I would most happily step aside from my new post in deference to his own desires."
"Very funny, Lieutenant," said Goddard. "Let's not forget, you're still in Starfleet. The powers that be feel that, considering you're one of a bare handful of people who spent any time there, that your presence is essential."
Her instinct was to protest, to go over Goddard's head. Spock's recommendation aside, she was happy teaching. She had no desire to thrust herself once more into the rigors and dangers of space.
But still . . .
She couldn't help but feel that the mystery of Thallon remained an open door to her. There was something about that planet, something that intrigued her, and she'd never been able to investigate it. It had nagged at the back of her mind on and off for years, and the pronouncement from the commander catapulted it straight to the forefront.
"Very well, sir. I'll be ready."
"Good. Goddard out."
His image vanished, to be replaced by a blank screen and the computer voice saying, "Second message. Visual only."
She stared at the screen in confusion. There was just blackness; surely it was a mistake. But then, slowly, letters began to appear on the screen. Two words formed.
And the words were, Don't move.
"Don't move?" said Soleta in confusion. "What kind of message is that?"
And then she felt the blunt end of some sort of blaster weapon lodge itself securely in her neck. She couldn't believe it. Whoever was behind her, either they had entered the apartment while she was speaking to Goddard, or else they had actually been present the entire time and Soleta— despite her keen hearing—had been utterly oblivious.
"It is the kind of message," a soft but threatening voice said, "that you should pay attention to, if you know what is best for you. Now . . . you shall do exactly what I say . . . and may God help you if you do not, because no one else will be able to help you. That, I can assure you."
INTO THE VOID
THE
EXCALIBUR
Captain's Personal Log, Stardate 50923.1. " Captain." Captain Mackenzie Calhoun. I thought I had left the Fleet forever behind me, and yet now I find myself not only back in the Fleet, but commanding a starship.
TheExcalibur is currently a hive of activity. She's an Ambassador-class ship, registry number 26517. Funny. I've only been on herfor a few hours, and I'm already taking pride in her. Not all crew members have yet reported in, but the final work is even now approaching its completion. I have spoken extensively with Chief Engineer Burgoyne 172, and s/he assures me that we will be ready to launch for Sector 221-G on the expected date. Burgoyne is the first Hermat I've ever met, and frankly, s/he's odd even for a Hermat, But s/he definitely knows engines, and that's what counts.