Star Trek: The Next Generation | Picard Returns After a Lifetime in The Inner Light

A few weeks after the events of “The Inner Light,” Captain Jean-Luc Picard is back aboard the Enterprise, back in uniform, and back in the familiar rhythm of Starfleet life. But returning to the Enterprise is not the same as returning to the life he had before. After experiencing an entire lifetime on Kataan, Picard is left carrying memories of a wife, children, grandchildren, and a family that felt every bit as real as the life waiting for him on the Enterprise. This short story explores what those first weeks back might have been like, and what it would mean to grieve a life that nobody else around you truly experienced. If you enjoy character-driven Star Trek stories, lost scenes, alternate continuations and original fan-made episodes, consider subscribing to The Machine-Made Muse. This is an unofficial fan-made production created for entertainment purposes. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced by Paramount, CBS, Star Trek, or their respective rights holders. Star Trek and all related characters, names, settings, trademarks and intellectual property remain the property of their respective owners. No ownership of the Star Trek franchise or its characters is claimed.