The Miles That Lay Ahead- Epilogue

The Miles That Lay Ahead

by Gabi

Genre: Action/Adventure/Angst

This chapter is rated PG-13

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Epilogue

Dear Trip,

I really hope that you will get this transmission. The amplifiers are working perfectly with Alkira, but Enterprise is much farther away. Did you explore any unknown planets and initiate first contacts? Have you met these Merakians again your captain has told us about? I can't tell you how much I envy you such an exciting life.

But in the meantime it's gotten exciting on Renelan as well. It took the Alkiran engineers only two weeks to rebuild our comm system and to enable us to get in contact with Alkira. At the moment, however, only the governors and a few authorized people are allowed to use the new comm devices. Yes, that's right, Jeren and I belong to those authorized people. We are very busy with the resettlement plans and have to attend a lot of conferences with the governors. We are even very welcome in Tasur's palace now.

There's so much to organize and to negotiate. We thought we had arranged all the important things on Alkira, but every day there are questions and problems that need to be discussed in long conferences. I guess without the subspace transmitter that allows us to talk to the Alkiran government whenever we want to, our plans would be doomed to failure.

A lot has changed during the last two weeks. The day after their return, the governors released a message to all citizens, telling them about our plans, but also admitting that they had been using CDS to control the population. They were sorry that "for too many victims of accidents and ill people the way to the afterlife was smoothed too easily." I have to say, that's a very diplomatic way of putting it, but fortunately, that's all over now. Jeren and his colleagues had to work double shifts after the governors had announced that our Health Center has got the cure. From all over the provinces infected people came in droves to get their injection. And they have all returned to good health now. We can't thank Doctor Phlox enough for his help. Jeren will write him personally when he finds the time, to tell him that the cure they've developed together is working perfectly. Jeren has also successfully used the method to heal Renelan bone fractures. I've never seen my brother so happy.

The whole planet is in an excited mood of departure. A lot of people were skeptical at first about moving to another planet, but by now they've gotten used to the thought and the list of people who want to build a new home in one of the colonies is growing every day. I don't have a clue how this is going to work when you're back. All that equipment, all those things that we're going to need in the first months, not to mention the first two thousand settlers and their personal things, how is all of that supposed to get to Alkira? I think Enterprise is going to look like a cargo ship.

Carrin told me that thanks to you, the warp program on Alkira is improving at a rapid speed. They hope to be able to start the first warp flight around the time when you come back. Wouldn't it be great for you to witness such a historic event? Maybe there's a chance I can join the space program on my new homeworld. Although I'm almost too old to start the training, I would love to see my dream come true. But first we have other things to think about. There will be a lot of organizing to do on Alkira, once we're there. I guess it will take a while to get settled in our new surroundings. Carrin offered me and Jeren that we could stay at his place for the first time. I guess we're going to accept his offer; it'll give Carrin and me some time to get to know each other better. Jeren is teasing me all the time about me finding the guy of my dreams, but I don't want to rush things. And Jeren really has no business teasing me. Do you remember the pretty assistant to Deylan's secretary? I know my little brother has got a crush on her, although he denies it vehemently.

Please tell Malcolm Farina's sending her regards. She told me she has realized that there's really no sense in falling in love with a spaceman, but she's looking forward to meeting you again. I've got the feeling that Malcolm is going to be relieved to hear that. From what I've seen aboard Enterprise, Farina's been very obtrusive. I just hope she didn't embarrass Malcolm (and herself) too much.

Speaking of the governor's family; Tasur is very interested in the new program. I never thought he would be so cooperative. He's acting like we've never been anything but the best of friends. It's disgusting to see him act as if we are the one who did him wrong, and he is being very generous in forgiving us. He actually made it look as though he had ordered Harek and Rassik to bring you to the Health Center only so Dorsik could examine you to get more information about the cure. He claims that Jeren's kidnapping was exclusively Rassik's idea while Dorsik sent out the guards to look for you and bring you back. But Dorsik and Tasur worked closely together and I can't quite imagine that Tasur knew nothing about the goings-on at the Health Center. In my opinion, the innocent behavior he's trying to fool us with is nothing but an act, and I know for a fact that Jeren agrees with me. But it's a good thing that the scapegoats Tasur has found deserve to be treated as such. In fact, he has sacked Dorsik, and we've never seen Rassik again after Jeren healed his arm. I know what you're thinking right now, but he actually did it. My brother is too good for this world. We'll see how it's going with Tasur. Fortunately, Jeren is right: he doesn't have the courage to face the anger of a whole people, and so I think he's going to try and save face by simply changing his policy and welcoming all that we're proposing. And as soon as we're on Alkira, Tasur is history for us. At the moment, we'll just have to swallow any nasty comments and treat him as politely as we can.

Malika and her family send their regards as well. They're very grateful for Malika's recovery. You can't imagine how happy and energetic she is now. It's so good to see her like that. The whole family is going with us to Alkira, and we're glad about it. Kenan will accompany us as well. Alkira is in need of some good physicians. In many areas of life, they're ahead of us, but our medicine is much more advanced than theirs, and we can help them a lot. On the other hand, Alkira will help Renelan to develop a space program so that the Alkiran government won't have to manage the shuttle traffic all by themselves. You see, there really is a chance that my dream will come true.

Oh, I nearly forgot: A couple named Salita and Falik told me to give you their regards. You remember them? Jeren told me they found you at your shuttle after you'd landed in the forest. They asked me to tell you that they are very proud that they got to know you and they would love to meet you again when you come back. They both joined our resistance movement which has become a very popular and respected organization by now.

I hope to hear from you soon. Jeren wants to know how you're doing and whether you're still sticking to his "doctor's orders". So please give us a call when you can spare the time.

Best wishes,

Your friend Erianna.

-###-

Smiling, Trip looked up from the subspace message he'd got. It seemed that things were actually turning out well on Renelan. He was glad that he was able to stay in contact with Erianna and Jeren. Both of them had become quite close friends of his and Malcolm's.

The comm chimed. "Reed to Tucker," Trip heard his friend's voice. "May I ask what's keeping you, Commander? I've been waiting in the gym for ten minutes now."

Trip pushed the button. "Sorry, Malcolm, I had to finish somethin'. I'm on my way."

With a last glance at Erianna's message, Trip stood up, grabbed his crutches and walked out the door.

THE END

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Three people have made comments

Really enjoyed this story. Hope you write another one soon!!!!

Nice story. Would love to read another if you care to write again.

You thanked us for reading your story. I'd like to thank you for writing such a great story. Please write more!