When Home is Gone

Part Eighteen - Separated Forever

Ray's Point of View - Bridge, USS Enterprise NCC-1701

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Ray watched and Kirk ordered the alteration of their phasers, as they called them, and how one of the beams had actually damaged the ship. Ray felt Kirk's hope and that hope spread to every member on the bridge. The Enterprise was still being shot at, but now they could return fire.

"Aim for their engines and weapons system, Mr Sulu." Kirk sat on the edge of his seat and watched the screen and small explosion littered a small area of Ben's ship. His ship stopped and everyone cheered as the distance between them grew.

Ray smiled as well, glad that they wouldn't have to deal with Ben ever again. The turbolift doors slid open and a woman with blonde and a red dress walked onto the bridge and over to Kirk. She handed him a PADD and waited until she was dismissed. Kirk's smile grew wider as he looked over at Ray.

"Ray, I have great news for you. We believe that we have found your home planet. And yes, both the sun and moon you described are there."

The words washed over Ray and his glow brightened and warmed up. This was it. He was going home. Kirk turned to Uhura who was sitting at the communications station.

"Uhura, contact Starfleet. Tell them that we have a new planet that will require our protection."

"Yes, Captain."

Ray was lost in thought and didn't hear Kirk order the crew to set course for the coordinated of the planet. He began to think of how Luna would react to being able to go home again. She hasn't been told yet.

"Captain, if I'm not needed, is it alright if I leave?" Kirk nodded and smiled in understanding. Ray had to force himself to walk to the turbolift. The doors slid open and he stepped inside.

Ray became lost in thought once again. How much has our home changed? Will mum and dad remember us?

The turbolift shook and stopped, pulling Ray from his thoughts. He grabbed the rail to balance himself as he looked around for the cause. He had moved over to the communications panel and pressed the white button to open a channel, just like he had seen the others do before.

"Captain, are you there?" Ray was becoming worried, but is faded slightly as Kirk replied.

"Ray? Are you alright?"

"The turbolift seems to me malfunctioning. It's shaking and not going anywhere. There also seems to be a strange noise, like a whistling. It seems to be getting louder."

Kirk was quiet for a few minutes. Rat thought that he would of been getting someone to see what was wrong.

"Ray, there is a broken pipe near where you are. Just stay put and someone will be down to get you out."

Ray relaxed knowing that someone was going to help him. But the whistling became really loud and close.

"Thank yo-"

Ray wasn't able to finish his when the turbolift burst apart and into flames. The heat wasn't like anything he felt before. It singed his flesh and muscle and began to make charcoal out of his bones.

The last thing he thought of was how quick his death came. Then everything went dark as he faded.