If I Could Roam the StarsNovember 7, 1983Copyright © 1997 Property of Deborah K. Fletcher. All rights reserved.
I remembered sitting in Mr. Beriau's English class and then the next thing I remembered was realizing that I was sitting in a large chair in the center of an octagonal room facing a huge screen showing a glittering starfield. As I became oriented to my surroundings, I saw that all the walls of the room were flashing with coloured lights. Also, there was a constant undercurrent of electronic sounds, from humming and beeping to computerized voices. Very soon, a young woman wearing a red uniform walked up to me and said, "Captain, would you please sign these forms?" "What did you call me?" I asked her. "Why, Captain, of course. You are the captain of this ship, after all." "What ship are we on?" "The Starship Enterprise." "I ... see," I said, hesitantly, "and what is your name and your rank, Miss?" "My rank is yeoman, my name is Janice Rand." All this was painfully similar to the day-dream I had been having minutes ago in English class and made me fear that I had fallen asleep. I decided to accept the situation. "What is our destination, Yeoman?" "I don't know, Ma'am. I just came on duty. Ensign Sulu ought to be able to tell you." "Thank you, Yeoman," I replied and, turning to the young ensign, I continued thus: "Ensign, what is our destination?" "We are on a plotted course for Starbase eleven, Ma'am." "Change course for the planet Gateway in Sector 90.4, if you please." "Aye, Captain." After a new course had been plotted, we went at warp six through the vast eternities of space. Just as we were entering Sector 90.4, Ensign Chekov reported two vessels approaching at warp nine. They wee identified as Romular warships. Before I could utter a command, w felt the first impact of full phasers. We returned their favour in kind and a full battle commenced. Then, through the red glare of the lights, the screaming of sirens, the shouting of orders, and the static-filled barrage of damage reports, I heard a cold, calm voice and, looking up, saw the up-swept ears and eyebrows of the Vulcan first officer. "The transporter is ready, Captain. You are due to pass through the portal of the Guardian of Forever in precisely sixteen-point-three-eight minutes." "Thank you, Mr. Spock. Can you tell me where and when I will be going with the aid of the Guardian?" "You will be returning to the exact place and time you were in before arriving on this ship." "Well, I suppose I ought to go now." I was beamed to the surface of the planet Gatewat and passed through the Guardian. The next thing I knew, I was in Mr. Beriau's English class, and I was being called upon to read. I knew I would never forget my chance to roam the stars.
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