# 1648: 4.32 At Last, 2999

By [edwardrooster](https://paragraph.com/@edwardrooster) · 2021-10-16

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2X99 December 31, The DeepShip Birmingham

"Captain, we're approaching the first marker."

"Very well. I'm coming."

The shipwide alert of a defolding began, flight checklists activated. Shipmates nodded as the Captain headed to the control room. Everyone was smiling even if they didn't show it.

"Attention crew, defold in progress. Entering local space. First marker connection underway."

The DeepShip Birmingham was connecting with a DeepProbe sent many years ago from Earth.

"Local space conditions, plotting flight path. Connection with marker, plotting coordinates and updating position."

"DeepProbe's telemetry was updating DeepShip records and navigation."

"Flight path plotted, Captain." **"Very good."** "Captain, we're connecting with the advance crew that docked at the DeepProbe."

"Birmingham, this is Trailblazer 8, welcome, we're ready. It's great to have company."

**"Trailblazer 8, this is the Birmingham. Thank you, we're ready as well."**

"This is the Captain to the crew. Orbital insertion underway. Prepare for intra-system protocols."

"Happy New Year, Captain."

"Thank you. Happy New Year. Attention "June"."

"Yes Captain." said the ship's mind, named "June" in honor of Earth ShipBuilder June Birmingham.

"Reset the Calendar when the clock strikes midnight."

The sound of cheers and champagne was all over the ship.

Captain Elena Firmina May smiled at the sight of the new world on the holos and screens.

**"Home at last."**

YEAR 2X99.... YEAR 2X99.... YEAR 2X99...YEAR 1

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/c9e4d8c9530180dfa911b2286ae11fdbed3696e047acc4445f0c168b97b02bd2.png)

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*Originally published on [edwardrooster](https://paragraph.com/@edwardrooster/1648-4-32-at-last-2999)*