Crewmembers hurry around you to get ready for the warp jump. The tension is high, it can be felt. You are trying to keep your composure, but you feel scared. This is war and war always takes a toll on everybody. It brings out the worst in people, it takes away part or all the life out of them…

An ensign falls next to you, tripping over. You help her up. She was shaking. You saw her eyes and it was a hollow look. She was not present. She was already there, fighting the enemy. And she lost…

“Get up, ensign! This is no time to fall. It is your time to rise!”, you told her, trying to raise her morale.

“Yes, Sir! I’m sorry, Sir! I’ll do my best…” she answered while saluting.

You walk into the turbolift. “Command bridge”, you say to the computer and the turbolift starts moving. Your mind goes for 20 questions: “what is this new enemy? Why does he want to attack us? Isn’t space big enough?”.

The turbolift stops and the door opens. You see the crew at their posts. You walk down the path to your chair. Young women and men are waiting, without any eagerness what comes next. At the same moment, the captain walks in, looking very serious. He stops in front of the bridge: “We have our orders. It seems we will arrive late at the party… But rest assured: the Enterprise will prevail against this enemy or it will be the last thing we do! Starfleet depends on us, Earth depends on us, our galaxy depends on us. So, say your prayers and when we drop out of warp I expect you to fight and do your best, nothing less!”

It was a hell of a speech! You fell motivated, encouraged and, for the first time, believe there is a chance.

“Ensign!”, says the captain. “Set course for Earth, maximum warp. Engage!”