Upon the Horizon

[Neptune Rex 0]

Lt. Neptune Rex

Sept. 6, 2154

 

>Begin<

 

Neptune’s office in Geneva was empty, not even a scrap of paper remained. And Neptune himself was no where to be found.

 

That could be because he was on a transport headed for Mars orbit—and his destiny. As he looked out the window at the streaking starfield, he took a deep breath. He had never been a military officer; he had never completed basic training.

 

In fact, the last time he held a ‘real’ weapon, he was hunting on the green rolling plains of Africa some 20 years ago. But now, he found himself in a Starfleet uniform wearing dog-tags. He even had a serial number, although he hoped he would never be forced to give that out to some alien race.

 

In deed, the last three months had been the most exciting in all of his 45 years of living. He had gone from executive management position with one of the most prestigious firms in the solar system, to the only thing standing between the Vulcans, Andorians, and the murder of every living creature in the Sol System.

 

All in all, it was a very overwhelming experience.

 

Two weeks ago, Starfleet Command had contacted him. They had asked him to serve Earth by joining Challenger. He had first told them no, his place was on Earth, not gallivanting around the Galaxy with a target on his back.

 

But thanks to the continual prodding of Command, Neptune realized his destiny lay in the stars, not Earth. He was reminded of a time when he young, when he would go out into Swiss Alps near Geneva, look up at the stars and just gaze for hours.

 

Years later, he still gazed at the stars with that some look. How mesmerizing they were, the magical enchantment they held over men. He realized this was an opportunity that would come to him once in a life time.

 

He now realized what it was like for men like Columbus and Magellan to look at the blue horizon and dream of the world beyond.

 

The horizon called to him, and he would answer.

 

His transport closed in on Mars Orbit and the stewardess called for them to fasten their seatbelts. In a few short days, the life he had known for 45 years would be changed for ever.

 

>End<