“I can confirm there are no issues with Control and as far as I know, we’ve had no mention of a being called the Red Angel in any available reports,” Kirk confirmed, sitting back in his chair and letting out a soft sigh. His eyes drifted over to the windows, to the stars so familiar and strange. What must they look like to these people, even further from home?

Spock coughed and got his attention, and he considered his friend. He knew what the other was getting at. The elephant in the room for them both. The face speaking to them. It would be something the man would find out anyways as this was reported to command and they decided what to do with their visitors.

“There is one other thing you should prepare yourself for, Captain,” Kirk said slowly, choosing his words as he went. “I think it best you hear it now, as I’m sure command will have more than a few questions about it, and want confirmation, as we asked for.”

He took a breath, steeling himself. Slowly he met Pike’s gaze, resolute, though there was pain there, a welling of emotion tightly controlled.

“Stardate 2258 - Admiral Christopher Pike, formerly Captain of the USS Enterprise, is declared dead, buried with full honors.”