A letter home

Posted on Sat Jan 10th, 2026 @ 11:21am by Lieutenant JG Damien Blackford

Mission: Season 6: Episode 6: Conglomerate
Location: Damien’s Quarters
720 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Settling himself down on the desk, Damien stared at the screen in front of him. He drummed his fingers on the wood for a few seconds, before taking a deep breath. “Computer. Start recording.” The small beep sounded, and Damien took another breath.

“Hey dad. So uh. I know it’s been a while. Thought maybe it was time to give you an update. I’m not sure why you’re gonna read this. I’m not even sure if I’m allowed to tell you what’s been happening in all honesty. Hell, I don’t even know if Starfleet have told you what’s happened to us. Or whether it’s been hidden behind a ‘need to know basis.’ I’m sure someone will check this letter and make sure any sensitive information gets removed. Reminds me of when I learnt of the old wars of Earth. How a soldiers letter would have to be read by his Commanding Officer before it was allowed to be send back home. I guess that job will probably fall to the computer now.

I wish I could tell you it’s been uneventful, but I know you wouldn’t believe me. Then again, I’m not sure you’d believe me if I did tell you what’d been happening. To tell you the truth pops, I don’t always quite believe it myself. I guess I can give you the bare bones. We crash landed on an ice planet. And I tell ya what, it made winters back home seem like the height of summer! It didn’t seem like the worst place in the world. And we made do. Like the explorers we are. We knuckled down and got to work on repairs. It seemed like everything was on track to getting better. And then… our Chief Flight Officer got attacked. It… it wasn’t pretty. I didn’t think Starfleet Officers would turn on each like that…”

He trailed off, shaking his head. Yeah. He definitely couldn’t tell him that. “Computer. Delete last 3 sentences.” He took a few seconds to compose himself, before continuing.

“We soon managed to get the ship up and running again. And we were out of there. Off to find our way home again.”

He trailed off again. How much could he realistically tell him, without revealing too much. He sighed, deciding to change subject.

“Life hasn’t been the easiest since we arrived here. But, we’ve been muddling through. I guess. Me and Vira… well, things didn’t work out in the end. There was no spectacle. No huge drama. Just two adults deciding things weren’t gonna work out. I dunno. Maybe dating someone straight out of the Academy was a bad idea. Should’ve waited. Found my feet first.”

Leaving back in his chair, he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Was there really anything else he could say? Probably not.

“Well. I guess that’s all really dad. Like I said, I don’t know if you’ll ever actually get a chance to read this. But I’m keeping hope. One day you will. Cause if I don’t keep hope alive? Well, I think just might go crazy. Kiss mum for me dad. And tell her not to worry. I know how she gets. But I’ll be home before she even knows it. And dad… stay safe. I love you.”

“Computer, end recoding and save draft. File away in family letters.” The computer beeped again, and Damien pushed himself up and out of his chair. Walking over to the window, he looked out into the darkness of space and couldn’t help but wonder, is this how the crew of Voyager had been? Writing letters to relatives that they might never see again? Keeping a small spark of hope alive that they’d see home again one day?

He walked over to a nearby counter where his violin lay atop. He’d been retuning and cleaning it just before he’d decided to write the letter to his dad. Picking it up, he nestled it under his chin, and drew the bow experimentally across the strings, smiling at the sound it made. Adjusting his position slightly, he closed his eyes, and slowly started playing.