Star Trek 39: Was it all Worth It?

Captain's log stardate 86753.09. Long away from earth and now I'm here in the vastness of space. It's a beautiful day to ride the wild wind. The crew grows restless, ready to tear it up with some Klingons, ready for action this day, they are. But nevermore will the Klingons fight from the inside, as they are all dead.... all dead. The end will be coming soon and it would seem we are the champions: the princes of the universe. But are we? I myself find the boredom makes me stone cold crazy and can feel my mind straining under pressure. I never thought I'd be the loser in the end. I'm going slightly mad.......

Kirk woke from his drowse. He looked up at the main view screen of the Enterprise and saw one vision that sent his brain reeling headlong. It was the Genesis planet, the miracle planet of the galaxy and one that Kirk hoped some day, one day he would forget. "Is this the world we created, Spock?" he asked in wonder, "I thought we had left it in the lap of the Gods."

With a flick of the wrist Spock's hands flew like a kind of magic over the instrument panel. "Originally this planet was the scandal of the galaxy," he said. "It was created in only seven days by a breakthru of Doctor Marcus. When you and I were here last it seemed no one could put out the fire and the planet was destroyed. Now it seems that life is real here once again." Spock looked up from his console with a confused look, "It would seem that the planet is doing all right again, Captain."

Suddenly Kirk cried out, "Attention crew! I know leaving home ain't easy, but I'm suggesting that you all stay with me here on Genesis and keep yourselves alive! Are you with me?" With a twinkle in his eye he asked his crew, "Who wants to live forever?"

Kirk looked around slowly to each of his bridge crew members. One by one they gave their answer.....

"Friends will be friends," said McCoy, "I'm with you, Jim."

 "Teo Torriate, let us cling together," echoed Sulu.

 "Who needs you Starfleet!" announced Scotty.

 "I want it all," said Chekov.

 "Don't stop me now, Captain," answered Uhura.

They all turned to look at Spock who pondered for a moment, one eyebrow raised in thought, and finally turned to Kirk. "You're my best friend, Jim," he said. "My life has been saved by you many times, so it seems we should be together when the night comes down. Take us home, Captain."

One by one the crew made their way to the transporters and were beamed to the planet. Kirk was the last to go. He looked around longingly at the Enterprise one last time. "My sweet lady...." he said sadly, "the love of my life, goodbye." Kirk stepped onto the transporter pad and activated the transporter with his voice activation. "Let me live," he said, and in a twinkle of light he was gone.

The ship continued silently in its orbit, slowly revolving around a strange planet that just might be Heaven for everyone.