<USS Avalon> Journey On

Journey On 
By  Captain Keith Ketchum 
Keith returned to the Avalon, much  more relieved and calmer.  The  
court-martial was finally over and he was cleared of the charges, though the  
diminished mental capacity worried him.  
After talking with Lieutenant  Commander Marksbury and he decided it was time 
for him to say goodbye to  John 
Walking to a holodeck, Keith passed  several crewmen who nodded and smiled.  
He was sure that they were glad that he would be their commanding  officer. 
Reaching the entrance to the  holodeck, "Computer load program Forester One, 
command authorization  Ketchum-Seven-Alpha-Alpha." 
"Program loaded, enter when ready",  and the doors parted. 
Entering the peaceful surroundings of  the holodeck, the blue sky, no clouds 
and no visible source of sunlight, he  walked across the rolling green hills 
until reaching the plaque.  The site overlooked a bay with crystal  blue water. 
 As he walked, a song  prepared for the program started to play quietly in 
the  background. 

Lay  down 
Your sweet and weary head
Night is  falling
Youâve come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones  who came before
They are calling
From across the distant  shore. 
Looking down at the plaque, with  Johnâs name on it, Keith knelt.  Silently 
he prayed.  A silent  single tear rolled down his cheek for the son he never  
knew. 

Why do you weep?
What are these tears  upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe  in my arms
You're only sleeping 

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why  do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships  have come to carry you home. 
He stood and walked to the edge of  the cliff.  While looking out over  the 
water, he let his mind wander to what life could have been had he truly  known 
John.   

And all will turn
To silver glass
A  light on the water
All souls pass 
Slowly, he turned and walked along,  thinking of John at his mother's 
funeral, when he last really talked to  him.  He had only seen John once on  
the 
Avalon, and that was in passing, and neither really made notice of the  other.  
Keith was determined to  honor Johnâs motherâs wishes. 

Hope fades
Into the world of  night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say: 'We  have come now to the end'.
White shores are calling
You and I will meet  again 
Walking along the top of the rock  face, he saw the only other thing that was 
part of this environment, and that  was a boat down in the bay.  The  masts 
were unfurled and a slight breeze caused them to be full and billowy.  As he 
walked the lament  continued. 

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why  do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships  have come to carry you home. 
Turning from the cliff and starting  back towards the plaque, he stopped once 
again and looked down upon it, another  silent tear run down his cheek, as 
the solemn song  concluded. 

And all will turn 
To silver glass
A  light on the water
Grey ships pass 
Into the  West.* 
"Journey On, John, Journey On",  walking away from the plaque, "Computer, end 
program."  The scene disappeared back to the yellow  grid, as the door opened 
and he returned to the Avalon.   
He had said goodbye to his  son. 
___________________________________________ 
"Into  the West" sung by Annie Lennox from the âLord of the Rings â Return 
of the  Kingâ Soundtrack

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