“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of faith is to see what you believe.”

Saint Augustine. (354 – 430 AD)

Have you ever noticed how things seem to work themselves out, one way or another?

Maybe not in the way you would have liked, or necessarily even to your advantage, but whether it be providence, divine intervention or the vagaries of chance, events often transpire to order themselves into a logical progression, like individual grains of sand jostling for position as they mark their passage down through the hourglass of Time?

Considering we live in a causal universe; it’s a coincidence so vast that it’s enough as to make an agnostic eat his hat and start to believe in the existence of God.

Yet, as we have seen, the nature of Space/Time is elastic. It is governed by Universal Constants that ensure that, even if the pre-destined progression of events is interrupted by unforeseen circumstances, the universe snaps back into shape like a rubber sheet once the bowling ball has been removed from it.

Order is restored and things resume as they should, possibly albeit in a slightly different order – but Space/Time is implacable and eternal.

These thoughts and more predominated the thinking of Captain Samantha Hyland as she lay in the comparative calm of her personal quarters aboard the USS Vigilant and took in the sprawling view of the outer operating space around Starbase 80, where the Duderstadt – class fast cruiser currently maintained orbit, patiently waiting for the procedure to remove the Temporal Beacon that had served as their lifeline for their return to the Prime Universe.

For Sam’s own odyssey to the subtly – inverse realm of the Terra Prime Universe had only been one such voyage undertaken by the Fourth Fleet. Displacements had been occurring throughout known space and Samantha was keenly aware that there were less ships here now, returned from their missions, than there had been when they had set out all those weeks ago.

She fervently hoped that they were just overdue and prayed from their safe return.

For, as she had been recovering from her wounds in the sickbay, Samantha had had the opportunity to get to know a little bit more about the woman who she had saved from captivity by the forces of that alternative version of Terra Prime.

Six of Eleven had been confined to the biobed next to her own and Sam had come to appreciate the parallels between Lieutenant – Commander Vanya Anouska Petrovna’s assimilation and reclamation from the Borg Collective, with her own liberation from its Mirror World contemporary, the Hive Collective.

She had found that they both carried unseen wounds that they hid from everyday life and that the knowledge that, although they were irrevocably changed by their experiences, that each considered that they were a new person born of the experience and that their transformation was ultimately not one that necessarily disadvantaged them or left them less than they were before.

Eventually Dr Kimura relented and allowed that Sam’s wounds were healing well and that she could continue her convalescence in the comfort of her own quarters.

Sam had spent this time reflecting about what Starfleet meant to her and time and time again she found herself drawn back to Six of Eleven’s courage and the clarity in which, despite being a prisoner, she had enunciated her faith in the ideals of the United Federation of Planets when she implored the First Minister of United Earth to press ahead with the signing of the Charter to realize the formation of its parent – the Coalition of Planets.

Samantha had begun this adventure seething with visceral hatred for the UFP for how it had treated her upon her return from the Prime Universe. Incarcerated in the White Room, her only crime a death sentence foisted upon her by the Hive and the Crystaline Entity, Sam was enraged that the only prize for her loyalty was the loss of her freedom.

Yet Six of Eleven, who had surely suffered easily as much tribulation as she, for a far longer span of time, had returned from assimilation, had endured the confusion and humiliation of reclamation and had survived Displacement and abduction in the Terra Prime Universe and somehow she remained a true believer.

Her example shamed Samantha and, although she acknowledged that the path back to trust would not be easy for either side, she had privately determined that she would follow Six’s example and seek to be inspired by the ideals of the Federation that had led her to the steps of Starfleet Academy so long ago.

It was just a pity that Six’s inspiring words would forever be lost in the history of the Terra Prime Universe.

When The Loom chose to end the suffering of John Fredrick Paxton, everything that he was and the deplorable political party he had founded upon the twisted legacy of Colonel Phillip Green was expunged from the minds and history of that version of United Earth and the alternate universe.

No longer would it be the “Terra Prime” Universe, with Terra Prime never seemed having existed, First Minister Nathan Samuels and the representatives of Vulcan, Andoria and Tellar – Prime, joined with the other signatories to the Charter and the Coalition of Planets was voted into being.

As in the Prime Universe, this vital defense pact would be the seed from which the United Federation of Planets would grow some six years later in 2161 AD.  Even though those notaries would never remember having heard Six of Eleven’s passionate entreaty towards unity and the importance of Starfleet, Samantha liked to fancy that some part of the ex – Borg’s rhetoric still resounded in their hearts as they signed the Charter.

Sam smiled at that thought, it was so vanishingly rare for her to experience a win that she resolved to take them where she could.

After all there was still the matter of the promise that she had made to Ensign Lewis to deal with, and that thought brought a worried wrinkle of a frown to her otherwise smooth forehead.

A chime at the door to her quarters served to rouse her from her reverie.

“Come.” Samantha called and made sure that her robe was adjusted to preserve her modesty.

It proved that that was a prudent precaution, because her visitor was none other than Commander Rozu and Sam didn’t want to encourage the incorrigible Orion’s rampant libido, which already had an inflated view of itself and needed no help in that department.

“Captain! So good to see you up and about!” The Executive Officer. “I would apologize for the view, but Six of Eleven informs me that apparently Dr Erasmus is less enthusiastic about pulling out what he was gleeful about stick in!” Rozu mugged, adding louchely “”I blame the marijuana, it’s really no good for your ‘pluck’ y’know?”

He bent his pinky finger suggestively, as if the matter required any further embellishment, which Sam considered that it definitely did not.

To save herself further embarrassment and to head Rozu off before he romped into even more awkward territory, she bade him sit.

“Commander. Please take a seat.” Sam indicated the chair across from the couch where she reposed, wincing as her ribs reminded her that healing is a process, not a certainty.

Rozu did as he was bade and Sam spoke.

“I wanted to clear the air and speak with you about the Captaincy of this vessel?” She said with all seriousness.

Rozu winced uncomfortably and held up his green hands defensively.

“Now Captain, yes I did harbor designs upon the seat when your first came aboard, but I think that I made it abundantly clear, through my actions, that I accept your position and authority and that you have my unconditional support, even if you show the poor taste not to requite my unconditional love!”

Samantha decided to let that last bit slide without dignifying it with comment and she shook her head dismissively.

“Commander. Since I came aboard this ship, I came to realize that it may indeed be filled with the ranks of Starfleet’s least desirable and that only a person with singular drive, focus and adaptability has the ability to inspire this crew and make them realize their true potential.”

Rozu sighed and nodded dejectedly.

“As I said, Captain. I bow to your….” The unconventional Orion began, but Samantha cut him off.

“That person is you, Commander Roze.” Sam deadpanned. “Or should I say, Captain Rozu?”

She leaned forward and deposited a gleaming new set of Captain’s rank – pips on the table before him.

It was Rozu’s turn to look surprised, his handsome face was a jumble of conflicting confusions as he stammered.

“I…I’m not sure I understand.”

Samantha smiled, content to be the one that blew the bluster out of the Pirate – Prince’s sails for once.

“You’re hands down the oddest Starfleet Officer I have ever served with and definitely the most inappropriate.” Sam commented earnestly. “Yet that unorthodoxy serves you well, within the context of this crew. Whilst faced with indeterminable odds, you demonstrated the bravery, flexibility of thinking and creativity to ensure the safety of this vessel and her crew against The Loom. My father once told me that character is formed under many different pressures and can be found in the most unexpected places. Do not prove him wrong.”

“My appointment to this command was only ever a temporary one.” Hyland explained. “I made the recommendation to Commodore Jalian three days ago and confirmation of your promotion came in this morning. You are assigned to the Captaincy of the USS Vigilant, effective immediately.”

Captain Roze gawped and blinked and then whispered.

“Captain, you are relieved.”

Samantha smiled broadly, she had a funny feeling that her decision was one of the first good ones she had made in quite some time.

“I am relieved.” Sam said and she meant it.

Rozu took up the four pips and held them in their hand wonderingly, this certainly wasn’t how he had envisioned this meeting going. Not that this wasn’t a very pleasant surprise.

“But what about you?”’ Rozu asked. “Where will you go next? What will you do?”

Sam puffed her cheeks out. For all she knew, Commodore Jalian still considered her the most dangerous being in the Prime Universe, by virtue of the Hive Mutagen that pervaded her blood, but was kept in check by the Crystal Virus that was surely killing her.

It was entirely possible that she might be returned to the sterile confines of the White Room, there to live out her remaining days, lest some other unimaginable disaster of galactic proportions befell the United Federation of Planets and the Commodore decided to get her out of her box once more to apply her chaos to counter the universes’ own compelling forces.

Samantha shrugged diffidently.

“Oh! I’m sure that they’ll find something to keep me occupied, of that I am sure!” Hyland smiled cryptically and added. “I’m scheduled to beam aboard the USS Vanguard when it arrives on station, later today, and transit back to Starbase 72 for ‘reassignment’, whatever that means. My things are mostly packed and I will be out of your quarters once I’ve showered and dressed.” Sam rose from the couch, prompting Rozu to do the same.

“Captain! I…I don’t know what to say, beyond that I’m incredibly grateful for the endorsement and humbled by your trust!” Rozu nodded.

Sam looked wryly at the newly – minted Captain.

“Say that you’ll be a good Captain and put the needs of your crew above all other considerations, and I’ll part happy.” She said as she made her way towards the sonic shower.

“You have my word.” Captain Rozu assured solemnly.

Sam paused at the doorway to the bathroom.

“There is still one outstanding item that requires immediate attention?” Sam advised with all seriousness.

“That of Ensign Lewis and her sister, Jasmine.”

Captain Rozu smiled that infuriating, debonair smile of his and assured her.

“Oh! Don’t worry yourself too much in that regard, Captain! Remember, I have friends in low places!