The USS Perseverance dropped out of warp, angling towards Montana Station.  The bridge was a hive of activity, with reports being completed and downtime plans being decided.  Captain Wren Walton sat in the center seat, her attention on her weekend schedule.  She snapped ‌up her head at Commander Park’s gasp.  She followed her XO’s stare to the screen.  Her eyes widened as she identified the starship docked at Montana Station.

The USS Mackenzie, NCC-14935.  Her plans forgotten, Wren turned to Park.  “What is she doing here?”  The Excelsior II class ship had been her first command in February 2401 after the tragic loss of the CO, Ambrose Harris.  Her later assignment to the Obena class USS Dragonfly had been less successful.  ‌ Perseverance had been her punishment.  It had been a year and two months.  She hadn’t hated it, but the initial assignment had hurt.  In the ensuing months, Wren had found ways to cope.  Acceptance followed soon after.

“Captain, message from Montana Station.  Commodore Fontana has requested a meeting.  Also, they requested Commander Park.

Wren’s eyes went even wider.  “Commodore?  How much did we miss?”

“Commodore Fontana.  That’s going to take some getting used to.”  Wren sat across from the newly promoted station and squadron commander.  Park sat to her left.

Geronimo was standing, his desk a mess of PADDs.  There was a sense of chaos simmering below the surface as he leaned on the desk.  “I’m as shocked as you are, Wren.  They seem to feel like we need more rank pips out here in the rimward.”  He noted dryly, “I don’t entirely disagree with them.”

Walton kept her eyes focused on his.  “What is Mackenzie doing here, Geronimo?”

Fontana’s smile grew a little at her question, and her look of annoyance widened it further.  He fished out a PADD, checked it and handed it to her.  “I took a long look at your record on the Perseverance, Captain Walton.  You’ve done good work this year, and put forth an incredible effort as a commanding officer with your crew and the situations you faced.  I’m pleased to offer you command of the USS Mackenzie again.”

Walton had been reading the offer on the PADD, her eyes slowly shining with emotion.  She had missed it, well and truly. She cradled the device in her hand as if it were suddenly a sacred message.  Wren looked up, her face full of feelings. “I…I don’t know what to say, Commodore Fontana, except thank you.  Mackenzie was my first command.”  She returned her attention to the document on the screen, reading it over and over in case it was just a dream that would vanish from her grasp.  Wren collected her thoughts and pulled her emotions back under control.  She frowned as the questions began.  “What about Park?”

Fontana picked up another PADD and put this one in Park’s hands.  “You were captain once, Park.  You’ve proven you deserve another chance to get it right.  The captain’s chair of the Perseverance is yours to take.”

Park blinked.  The message stared back at her.  She couldn’t believe it.  She wasn’t sure what to make of it.  Was she awake?  Was this a nightmare that would take a swing at her dreams before she could enjoy the moment?  Her mouth caught up with her feelings a moment later. “Thank you, Commodore Fontana.”  Sitting back, the shock washed over her.  She would be back in the center chair.

“You’re welcome, both of you.”  He pulled a wooden box out of his pocket and slid it across the desk to Park.  “This is overdue, Commander.”

She picked it and carefully slid it open.  A fourth-rank pip shone back.  She smiled, the feelings stirring all over again.  “I won’t let you down, sir.”

Fontana looked at them, a serious look on his face.  “This is your second chance, both of you.  I’ve got an assignment for you to work together on.  For now, take the news to your crews and get ready for the next operation.”  He dismissed them and watched them leave.  He was proud of them both.

They walked in silence out of the office, down the hall, and around the corner.  Wren and Park jumped into each other’s arms, hugging in celebration.  They’d made it.

They’d come back from the brink.