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The Enterprise-A was in orbit around Bajor. From space and at the surface, it was a beautiful world. But after just four days there, Jim was ready to leave. Oh, it wasn’t that he wasn’t made to feel welcome. The Bajoran government, and the world’s religious leaders, treated him and his crew with respect and with cordiality. The receptions were well attended, and the food was of the highest quality. But a diplomat can tell when he’s wanted, and when he’s perhaps better off elsewhere.
Bajor had nothing against him, Starfleet, or the Federation. Trade was welcome. All ships, even heavily armed cruisers, could visit. The peaceful relations between the Federation and Bajor were strong. But the idea that Bajor would even consider joining the Federation seemed impossible. They were content to coexist. It wasn’t quite insularity so much as just assurance that such an alliance was not in the best interests of Bajor. And that the Prophets didn’t approve.
That bothered Jim more than he wished. Every race, every individual, had a right to his or her or its beliefs. The Vulcans believed in a single God with more certainty than any human ever could. But to let these unseen “prophets” guide interstellar relations seemed foolish. Perhaps even primitive. Never mind that from what he had heard of the “tears of the Prophets,” they were little more than artifacts of another race. Surely the Bajorans, with their ancient civilization, with art and culture the equal of any world, could think for themselves.
There must be, he thought as he looked out the window of the observation deck, more than meets the eye. But it wasn’t his place to question them. He was only able to talk about the benefits of membership, and perhaps of the risks of war with Cardassia, perceived by many in Starfleet as a potential threat while it was in an expansionist phase again. And he did that, and the Bajorans smiled and nodded.
They would be leaving orbit in two days, for a return trip that would take over a month. Ten weeks travel time in total, towards what end? To test the new ship? To test its crew? Or to test its captain? Things had changed since the five-year missions. The Federation was larger, its ships were a key part of a delicate web of diplomats, soldiers and explorers, and assignments weren’t always glamorous. Or interesting, it would seem.
But Jim guessed there was a message here for him. A message from those who wished he would just go away. “This is your career now. No more seeking out new worlds. That’s for younger men. That’s for those who play by our rules.” It offended him so much that such people could rise unquestioned within the fleet. And it worried him that he was on Earth for years and never saw it coming.
But he wouldn’t give in so fast. He’d live with the dull assignments if he had to. And then he would remind them of his record. Make his voice heard. And go exploring again.
He reached to the comm on the nearest wall. “Commander Sulu.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Have you given any thought to our route back to Earth?” There was a silence, but he could imagine Sulu’s smile.
“Aye, Captain. And it seems that there are a few rather interesting phenomena we should be careful of.”
“I thought there might be. Have you plotted the careful course?”
“I anticipated this request, Captain.”
“Very good. Captain out.”
Well, he thought, as he looked out to see a Bajoran sunrise, maybe the trip back will be a bit less dull.
Bajor had nothing against him, Starfleet, or the Federation. Trade was welcome. All ships, even heavily armed cruisers, could visit. The peaceful relations between the Federation and Bajor were strong. But the idea that Bajor would even consider joining the Federation seemed impossible. They were content to coexist. It wasn’t quite insularity so much as just assurance that such an alliance was not in the best interests of Bajor. And that the Prophets didn’t approve.
That bothered Jim more than he wished. Every race, every individual, had a right to his or her or its beliefs. The Vulcans believed in a single God with more certainty than any human ever could. But to let these unseen “prophets” guide interstellar relations seemed foolish. Perhaps even primitive. Never mind that from what he had heard of the “tears of the Prophets,” they were little more than artifacts of another race. Surely the Bajorans, with their ancient civilization, with art and culture the equal of any world, could think for themselves.
There must be, he thought as he looked out the window of the observation deck, more than meets the eye. But it wasn’t his place to question them. He was only able to talk about the benefits of membership, and perhaps of the risks of war with Cardassia, perceived by many in Starfleet as a potential threat while it was in an expansionist phase again. And he did that, and the Bajorans smiled and nodded.
They would be leaving orbit in two days, for a return trip that would take over a month. Ten weeks travel time in total, towards what end? To test the new ship? To test its crew? Or to test its captain? Things had changed since the five-year missions. The Federation was larger, its ships were a key part of a delicate web of diplomats, soldiers and explorers, and assignments weren’t always glamorous. Or interesting, it would seem.
But Jim guessed there was a message here for him. A message from those who wished he would just go away. “This is your career now. No more seeking out new worlds. That’s for younger men. That’s for those who play by our rules.” It offended him so much that such people could rise unquestioned within the fleet. And it worried him that he was on Earth for years and never saw it coming.
But he wouldn’t give in so fast. He’d live with the dull assignments if he had to. And then he would remind them of his record. Make his voice heard. And go exploring again.
He reached to the comm on the nearest wall. “Commander Sulu.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Have you given any thought to our route back to Earth?” There was a silence, but he could imagine Sulu’s smile.
“Aye, Captain. And it seems that there are a few rather interesting phenomena we should be careful of.”
“I thought there might be. Have you plotted the careful course?”
“I anticipated this request, Captain.”
“Very good. Captain out.”
Well, he thought, as he looked out to see a Bajoran sunrise, maybe the trip back will be a bit less dull.
