The Long Way Home
The shimmer of the transporter beam resolved, depositing Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock onto the compact bridge of a vessel unlike any in Starfleet's records: a gleaming, rotating saucer topped with a transparent dome...
The unmistakable Jupiter 2.
"Captain James T. Kirk, USS Enterprise," Kirk introduced himself, shaking hands with a composed man in a blue uniform. "This is my First Officer, Mr. Spock."
Around Captain John Robinson stood Maureen, Judy, Penny, Will, and the family's loyal Robot, its sensors whirring attentively.
"A pleasure, though unexpected," Robinson replied. "We find ourselves significantly off course."
"Your displacement is not merely temporal and spatial, Captain Robinson," Spock confirmed, his gaze sweeping the bridge with intense focus. "The quantum signatures suggest a transdimensional shift."
"Fascinating," Spock continued, "your vessel's design exhibits an unexpected efficiency and elegance."
A lean man in a slightly modified flight suit, leaning against a console with practiced ease, grinned. "Thank you, Mr. Spock," Major Don West said, patting a nearby bulkhead affectionately. "We quite like her."
Kirk outlined their solution: a precisely calculated slingshot maneuver around a nearby neutron star to propel the Jupiter 2 back to their Earth.
As the ships prepared for the complex operation, Kirk contacted the Robinson saucer one last time.
"All personnel secured and ready for transit, Captain Robinson?"
A shadow briefly crossed John's face. "All current personnel, Captain Kirk. We... lost Dr. Zachary Smith years ago. His final act of betrayal endangered us all. He didn't survive the consequences."
His voice held a somber finality. Maureen placed a comforting hand on his arm. Nearby, the Robot extended a claw gently towards Will, a silent gesture of solidarity.
Kirk understood the unspoken weight behind Robinson's words. "Understood, Captain Robinson," he replied, his tone respectful. "Stand by for maneuver initiation. Enterprise out."
Back on the Enterprise bridge, Kirk nodded to Spock. "Execute when ready, Mr. Spock."
"Aye, Captain," Spock responded, his hands moving swiftly over his console. "Initiating final approach vector. Synchronizing warp field with the neutron star's gravity well. All systems primed. Commencing countdown..."
"T-minus 10 seconds... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Engage."
The Enterprise shuddered as its powerful engines surged, bending space-time around the smaller saucer nestled within its protective warp field.
On the Jupiter 2 viewscreen, the stars stretched into impossible streaks.
The maneuver executed flawlessly. Space-time rippled, and the Jupiter 2 vanished - hurled towards its rightful time and place.
Back on the Enterprise bridge, Kirk and Spock watched the starfield settle back into its familiar patterns.
"Status, Mr. Spock?" Kirk asked, his voice tight with anticipation.
"Sensors confirm successful temporal and spatial translation, Captain," Spock reported, his eyes fixed on his scanners. "The Jupiter 2 is on a direct course for their Earth, Sol system. Estimated time of arrival: twelve point three minutes."
Kirk allowed himself a broad smile. "Excellent work, Mr. Spock. Open a channel to the Jupiter 2 if possible, just before they enter Earth's atmosphere. They deserve to know they're truly home."
The Jupiter 2 Bridge - Moments Later
The familiar blue marble filled the main viewport, growing larger by the second. A collective breath, held for years, finally released.
"Confirmed Earth orbit, Dad!" Will Robinson announced, his voice thick with disbelief and joy. "All systems nominal for re-entry!"
Maureen Robinson placed a trembling hand over her heart, tears glistening in her eyes as she stared at the planet below. "It's... it's really Earth." Penny squeezed her mother's arm, beaming.
John Robinson stood tall at the helm, a lifetime of tension easing from his shoulders. He looked at his family, then at their steadfast Robot, whose lights pulsed a warm, steady green. "Prepare for landing sequence."
Suddenly, the comm crackled. "Jupiter 2, this is Enterprise. Do you read?" Kirk's voice was clear, carrying an unmistakable warmth.
"Loud and clear, Enterprise," John replied, emotion roughening his voice. "We have visual confirmation. Earth."
"Glad to hear it, Captain Robinson," Kirk said. "We can confirm that this is truly your Earth." Kirk added, "Safe journey. It's been an honor."
"The honor was ours, Captain Kirk," John said, his gaze sweeping over his family. "After all these years... you brought us home. Thank you." Maureen nodded firmly, adding her silent gratitude.
"Farewell, Robinsons. Enterprise out."
The channel closed. The Jupiter 2 hummed around them, descending towards the atmosphere, towards clouds, towards oceans, towards home.
John Robinson took the controls, a single word escaping his lips, heavy with relief and wonder... "Home."
Disclaimer: Disclaimer.html
attribution: 640kb.neocities.org
Date: 06 jun 2025
Date: 29 jun 2025 (v 1.1: removed 3 words)
Date: 01 jul 2025 (v 1.2: clarity: 2 different Earths)