PIKE ABANDONED CEREMONY When a captain steps out of the spotlight on purpose SHUTTLECRAFT STAMETS Approaching USS Enterprise NCC-1701 Stardate 2259.42 The pilot glances back. “All scrubbed up and good as new, sir.” Pike doesn’t answer. He just watches the USS Enterprise drift in spacedock light—hull plates catching the glow, nameplate bright and proud. A ship that looks like it’s waiting for a speech. He closes his eyes. “Wish it were that easy.” Then he says it, quietly: “Energize.” The Choice