Where the Light Enters You
Posted on Mon 31st Aug, 2026 @ 1:32pm by Commander Paul Graves PsyD & Captain Mindo & Commander Heriah Rex & Captain Gordon Francis (Ret.)
2,899 words; about a 14 minute read
Mission:
[MAIN] Learning to Fly
Location: Starbase 109
Timeline: Current (Grand Reopening Day)
Paul Graves took a deep breath as he prepared to step onto the platform in Thunderchild's transporter room. Part of him was excited, glad, and thankful to return to duty after spending three months recovering from a brain bleed; the remaining part of him was gut-terrified. Can I handle the workload? Will I be able to talk intelligibly? Walk without stumbling?
=^="You will do fine, sir,"=^= came Alidade's voice over the speakers. Her avatar flicked into existence in the teleporter room. "You are more than capable if you don't mind me saying, sir."
Even if he hadn't been able to tell by telepathy that Alidade was indeed a biological life form--though apparently one of pure soul and not part of a corporeal form--her perception as to what he was thinking and feeling would have verified it, at least in Paul's opinion. He had spoken with her (it?) when she'd initially joined with Thunderchild and had spoken with her often during the past three months.
"Thank you, Alidade," he said. "I remember what the job entailed, and jumping back into it makes me nervous. Thank you very much for the time you spent helping me relearn how to converse." A smile flickered over his face as he glanced at her. "I'm sure my patients will appreciate that, and I certainly did."
He forced himself to slow his breathing and pulse. He'd been able to talk and walk for a few weeks, now. He was probably in better physical shape today than he had been in years, Paul thought, thanks to 12 weeks of intense physical therapy.
You'll be fine, and if you aren't, you'll deal. Quit whining and beam over, he told himself.
Paul let out his breath and stepped onto the transporter platform. "One to beam to Starbase 109," he said.
The teleporter personnel on duty started working the controls.
When the world resolidified itself around him, Paul saw that the old docking port transporter room he'd been familiar with for years had received a fresh coat of paint and a new decor. He also saw Heriah Rex and Captain Francis waiting to greet him.
Somehow, he had not expected Heriah to be there. It had something to do with her symbiont, but he couldn't remember what, and it was too exhausting to dig around in his memories for whatever niggled at him about Rex. Doesn't matter; I'll figure it out later, Paul told himself. A delighted smile spread over his face as he stepped down from the platform. "Rex! Captain Francis! It's good to see you both."
Why am I so overjoyed to see her? Paul wondered. We're not dating, so...It's odd.
'Oh we are off to a wonderful start. He's calling you Rex. Encourage this.'
Heriah smiled at him in return. "Thank you Paul. And you. Good to see you. I have been keeping up with your progress; reporting to the captain."
'Long-term memory fine. Short-term...shot. Spotty at best. Maybe he forgot that last session of ours.'
"I saw to it that your personal effects were beamed directly to your quarters," she said.
"That's very kind of you, Heriah." Paul gave Heriah a wry look. "My--homeowner's insurance--probably doesn't cover a terrorist attack. Lanis--Dr. Dhuro--says the place--still stands in Tivoli Gardens but probably--is damaged inside. Thank you for beaming my things over."
Captain Francis laughed. "You could probably say the same for the whole station. But at this point all that's needed are mostly finishing touches. Glad to see you, Paul. Captain Mindo couldn't be here, but he sends his regards. A lot's changed while you were recovering from your conk on the noggin."
"It has," Paul said, nodding at the room they stood in. "Before the explosion, Mindo was being moved to Intelligence. Now he's to be captain of the base."
'That's what you get when you miss a few staff meetings.'
"That's what you get when you miss a few staff meetings," Heriah said. "You were focused on healing. We...needed you to focus on healing," she continued as she looked to Frank briefly. "Don't worry," she approached Paul and smiled at him, "we are still in orbit of the same planet, still have the same Federation President, and no new wars have started."
Paul chuckled. "Well, that's a relief. So what is new, aside from the obvious? I heard the station was upgraded? I saw some of that from Thunderchild. Are there other things I need to be aware of?"
Frank grinned. "A lot. Starfleet livened up the whole shebang. We're now state of the art, and quite a bit larger, with increased capacity for ships, more room in the Promenade and Garden District, better safety precautions and defense measures, a core with top of the line security systems, larger shuttle bays, expanded command center, a brand new embassy, and Qaraq has a new steakhouse."
"We are still pulling plastic wrap off the new screens," Heriah commented, "but there are so many."
"The Promenade was--100 decks," Paul said, purposely picking the least important of the changes. "It needs more room?" He looked at the other two. "Now, the steakhouse sounds interesting. Is it just Terran beef, or does Qaraq serve other kinds of meat, too?"
Francis shook his head. "I'm afraid I have yet to see the menu. But Qaraq once told me ever since he moved to 109 he learned to love foreign food. As for the Promenade, it's still a hundred decks. I think I'm just used to all the businesses, kiosks, and general rabble of the place. It's almost a ghost town at the moment. Hopefully it'll fill up in no time."
"I did ask Qaraq to see about a supply of real Trill Sabrebeast steak," Heriah said. "Even hooked him up with some connections on Trillius Prime to make that happen."
"Is the steakhouse open yet?" Paul asked. "I'd like to take both of you out to dinner, and I think you two like a good steak as much as I do."
Frank put up a hand. "Hold your horses, Paul. You're not out of the stable yet. But I will hold you to that steak."
"Gladly, sir," Paul said. 'Not out of the stable?' What is he trying to say? Paul wondered. "Is that similar to being 'not out of the woods?''"
"More like 'Not yet away from the Tenaran Ice Cliffs.'"
'I don't think either of these bozos got that one.'
"They are...ice cliffs..." Heriah explained, "on Trillius Prime in the polar region. Dangerous to even be near."
"It means you can't go off exploring yet until you've been fully caught up," Frank said. "For that, we need Captain Mindo present. He's been holding a table for the four of us at Qaraq's new steakhouse, so I'm afraid we'll have to meet him there."
"And it is best we not keep him waiting," Heriah said. "I have not tested his patience yet to see how short it is."
'His stature is short. I would think his patience is about equal.'
Heriah smiled to them both and stood to the side allowing easier access to the door.
If we were going to the steakhouse anyway, why warn me to take things slowly? Paul wondered but didn't ask. "It'll be good to see Mindo again. He gave me a rather fascinating get-well gift while I was cooped up in Sickbay. It helped a lot."
'The Little Tyke will be tickled pink to hear that.'
"The...Captain would be glad to hear that," Heriah said.
"I'd have brought it with me," Paul said, "but I didn't want to be carrying it around everywhere. I'll show it to you once I get settled into wherever I'll be living for now." He too stepped aside as Heriah had done, to let Captain Francis lead the way.
Taking the lead, Frank gave Paul a smile. "Oh, you're going to love your new quarters!"
Soon, they had reached the new steakhouse, very simply called "Qaraq's Steakhouse," but on a banner outside the door. It was possible Qaraq hadn't figured out a name for it. The place was all hustle and bustle, as it was one of the few major restaurants open at the moment. While the Promenade had been rather quiet and did indeed feel bigger, Qaraq's was loud and on the verge of rowdy. A blues band played lively music, and there was a very crowded dance floor. Most of the tables and booths were occupied, but when they got there, they were immediately taken to an upper level with tables overlooking the stage and dance floor, with nicer booths and fewer patrons. A sign at the top of the stairs announced, "Owner's Club."
Awaiting them in a booth that dwarfed him was newly-promoted Captain Mindo, who stood on the seat and waved to Frank, Heriah, and Paul. The hostess led them to the table, where there were already several elaborate appetizers. As everyone sat down, Qaraq emerged from the stairway and came over to the table.
"Welcome my friends!" Qaraq bellowed. "It is an honor to have you all here. Please enjoy yourselves to the fullest! Stay as long as you wish. Eat and drink as much as you like. Everything is on the house!"
Mindo put a hand up. "Korfmagers all around, please!"
"Good to see you again, Mindo!" Paul said as he took a seat along with the others. The aroma of grilling meat filled his nostrils, and he inhaled deeply. "This reminds me of how starved I felt when they finally let me eat solid food. I wanted to skip the pureed stuff and go directly to this. It smells wonderful, Qaraq."
"You are most kind, Mr. Graves. It is an honor for us to serve you," Qaraq said with a small bow. "I must now take my leave, but do enjoy yourselves."
"It's good to see you too, Paul," Mindo said. "How do you feel? Last time we talked, you were struggling with words. Have you fully recovered?"
"The therapists say I'm making an unusually rapid recovery," Paul replied. "They originally told me I would likely be in rehab for half a year or longer. I'm very thankful that wasn't necessary." He gave a wry look. "I still had to work as if I were training for a marathon, though. There were days when I hated the speech exercises and the training stairs, but I have those therapists and Dr. Delling to thank that I'm sitting here with you today."
'Dufus seems to have forgotten that last counseling session of yours. Maybe none of this rehab will jog that memory.'
"I have been keeping up with Nurse Breidinger's reports," Heriah said. "Seems you are making progress by leaps and bounds." She smiled at him.
Paul glanced at his menu, chose a middling-priced meal, and looked at the others. "What looks good to all of you? Since it's on the house, I'd like to indulge a little and get the bacon-wrapped 6-oz. filet with some of these ponibur things on the side."
"Ah, a wonderful choice, Mr. Graves," said Criswell, making the notes in his PADD. No one else had seen him there. It seemed odd that Criswell would be taking their order instead of another server, but then again they were getting the best treatment. Certainly no one in the kitchen was going to mess up an order taken by Criswell. No doubt he would personally supervise the kitchen staff as they prepared the meals. "Will that be Earth-cut?" he asked Paul.
"Earth-style cut, medium-rare, please," Paul said to Criswell. "I'd like to have that and a side chef salad with ginger-lemon dressing."
"I do not need to look at the menu to know the Butter Grilled Sabrebeast Steak is something you will never forget," Heriah announced.
'Hopefully that shove we gave him will remain forgotten.'
"That is what I am having," she finished.
Criswell nodded. "I'm a fan of that myself. Will that cut be gently aged or fast seared?"
"Gently aged," Heriah replied.
All eyes were on Mindo, who had already thoroughly examined the menu. He grinned. "You guys probably think I'm getting the Fun Meal. Well, I hate to disappoint you, but I'm getting the poached ponibur omelet, extra zingo sauce, with a spinach souffle, and deep-fried gravy tots in place of the seasoned Broot chips. I figure the extra zingo sauce would clash too much with seasoned Broot chips."
"I would have to agree," Criswell said. He looked around the table once more. "Will there be anything else?"
"Rivals Talanack for me," Heriah spoke up. "And a glass of water...no ice."
"Water on the side for me, as well," Paul said to Criswell, "with ice."
Francis set down the drink menu. "Give me a Quark's Hard Lemonade."
Criswell nodded, jotting down the order. He turned to Mindo.
"I'll take a glass of Chateau Picard 'Baldly Geaux,'" Mindo said, and looked at Paul for some reason. "Or is that too cheap? Qaraq is paying, so..."
"If you want the Chateau Picard, order the Chateau Picard, Captain," Paul said to Mindo with a smile. "I think we're here to celebrate, and what better way can you do that than with friends who you don't have to impress and who won't judge you for simply being the person you are?"
"And you are the Commanding Officer here," said Heriah. "Last I checked, we do not have an Admiral or Commodore on board to launch any complaint."
Mindo grinned. He thought for a moment, then looked up at Criswell. "Criswell, does this place sell a 'chalice?'"
Criswell's eyes lit up and his usual hunched posture suddenly straightened. He cleared his throat. "Um, yes! We do sell souvenir chalices. Um, I should say that this establishment sells only the chalice and is not responsible for anything that may be found in said chalice, nor anything that may be put back into said chalice. They are a little... expensive."
"Qaraq's fronting the bill, remember?" Mindo said, his grin growing wider.
"Oh yes, of course," Criswell said. "I will be back with the two beverages and the... souvenir chalice."
Mindo, still grinning, watched Criswell leave before he turned back to Paul and Rex. "Giving me the keys to a starbase is probably the biggest mistake you will ever make, Frank."
Frank laughed and said, "Fortunately, it will be my last! As for you, my pint-sized successor, your first mistake is that chalice order. It looks bad on a new CO when the first thing he does to celebrate is order a chalice of Romulan Ale."
Mindo puffed out his chest and said, "You heard me. I only purchased a chalice."
"So that's why Criswell was falling all over himself with disclaimers. I wondered," Paul said. He looked at Mindo and winked. "I won't tell if you don't."
'Let him order what he wants. A few mistakes and bad reports to Starfleet later, blame it on the alcohol and...bye bye Little Tyke.'
"Captain's prerogative," Heriah said. "Besides," she shouldered Paul playfully, "I won't tell if you don't."
Paul gave a brief snort of laughter and grinned at Mindo. I don't recall Heriah ever being this chummy with me before, he thought. It's...odd, but...rather nice. I'm glad she's finally feeling comfortable with me--and she hasn't even had a drink yet.
Their drinks arrived, and Francis stood, holding his glass out. "To a total mess... God help the station he now commands," said Frank. "May 109 rise from the ashes and stay a monument to all those who were here before, and a sturdy home for those whose fate is yet to be decided."
'And a fist of the mighty against any and all who dare stand against us.'
Heriah stood and held her glass likewise. Despite, Rex's sudden thought, "And a signpost," she said, "to our enemies and those who wish to exploit this region of space. We are here to stay, to bring peace, and any setback we endure is only a springboard to catapult us forward, stronger, and ever vigilant."
Mindo stood then. "To this chalice and its content," he said. "A metaphor for rules and those who bend them."
Paul could not entirely restrain a chuckle at Mindo's toast. Clearly, he was going to put his own unique stamp on the job of station commander. He raised his own glass. "To friendships made and grown here, and to friendships yet to form. May they be as sturdy and resilient as this station."
"To Qaraq..." said Criswell, who had been standing nearby unnoticed, "may his korfmagers flow like a mighty river, may his horns incite fear in his enemies, and may his songs reverberate throughout this stalwart hall of diplomacy and honor as an orchestration of its undying spirit!" Criswell looked around the table. "Um, too much?"
Laughter broke out among those seated at the table. "Well said!"
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