Enter the Trill

Posted on Tue 3rd Dec, 2024 @ 5:49pm by Commander Heriah Rex & Captain Gordon Francis

1,260 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Phoenix Gamble
Location: SB109 Docking Port
Timeline: After "Views Costs Cakes"

Gregor Bauhaus and Heriah both walked about the corridors of the U.S.S. Eumenides returning to her to SB109. She had already in-processed initially and returned to the Eumenides for her idiot's check to ensure nothing else of hers was aboard.

'An idiot's check...because...you are an idiot.'

"The captain is a good guy." Captain Bauhaus said. "Captain Gordon Francis."

"I know him," Heriah said. There was a smile. It was short-lived. Yes, there was a history between Gordon Francis and Rex, although Rex had a different host all those years ago. It was Garantula Rex whom Gordon was familiar with. Garantula Rex was something of a loudmouth, egotistical, playboy with a knack for bending rules for his own benefit. It was during his final cycle at the Academy that he acquired a new roommate, Cadet Gordon Francis. Garan was already close to flunking out of the Academy, but the arrival of his new roommate turned something around and helped him skyrocket his grades.

Though there was hardly proof, it only took Gordon about a year on his first mission as a Lieutenant to review the final exercise at the Academy, the very same where he and Garan managed to become co-valedictorians, to become very confident that Garan somehow cheated on the test. The two were separated by hundreds of lightyears and enough time had passed that the Academy might not even look at his findings, but that did not stop the two from becoming rivals.

Now, decades later, Rex was stepping back into Gordon's life, as the Executive Officer for SB109. Heriah hoped he did not hold any ill-will or rivalous thoughts.

"Time heals all wounds," her counselor, Rikata Mol, liked to say.

Now it was coming closer fer Heria to find out if time also had a tendency to wound all heals.

She and Captain Bauhaus were at the end of the docking bridge. She was not sure if she wanted Gordon on the other side of that final door or not.

The doors swished open, upon their parting, they hit the walls with a mighty "clunk!" While the sound was perfectly normal and the doors completely functional, the sound nonetheless was like a death thrum as they revealed Cadet... no, "Captain" Gordon Francis. Immediately, he looked different than the down-home country boy he used to be at the Academy. He had aged well into his sixties, despite the receding gray hairline and a slight paunch. His face was weathered with experience and, oddly, he was wearing glasses in the twenty-fourth century when poor eyesight had been fixed in the late twenty-second century with the advent of Retinax. The trait was all but gone, but there was a small percentage of humans allergic to the treatment.

Francis' posture was rather intimidating, compared to his usual nervous stance at the Academy. He stood straight and strong, with an authoritative air and, through the glasses, a bold stare. It was very strange when, upon locking eyes, Francis smiled.

"Commander Rex," he said, "welcome to Starbase One-Oh-Nine." When he spoke, his voice sounded loud and authoritative, if not aged a bit, which was another shock. Even when giving his valedictorian speech at the Academy, his voice hadn't completely dropped. Now it emanated a baritone sonority. Still there, however, was his unmistakable Missouri farm boy accent, which added a degree of charm to his tone. As intimidating as he looked and spoke, there was a warmness as he welcomed Heriah aboard.

Francis stepped forward and held out his hand. This was even stranger. As his career had moved up, and into his Admiral days, it was a well-known rarity for one to receive the "Francis Handshake." It was unknown why the former Admiral had an aversion to the gesture. Only certain people, mostly those already acquainted with him in some way, were given the Francis Handshake.

Heriah smiled; was nearly bouncing with excitement. "Captain Francis," she said as she took his hand, "It is an honor to be here."

Through Rex's memory, Heriah recalled Frank's handshake. The last time Rex had experienced it, his host was Garantula Rex. The man had always attempted to handshake a bit harder than those he had handshaked with. If someone gave him about 10 PSI, Garan sought to return with that plus 1. Sometimes more depending on the look he read from the handshaker's eyes.

Heriah's hands were, borderlined, silky smooth with but a hint of hardness to them from the work she had done over the years. She moisturized regularly and looked after herself meticulously. Her handshake to her captain was but a mere fraction of the PSI with which he held hers.

Though it had been thirty years since Cadet GordonFrancis and Cadet Garantula Rex had been roommates, she felt he would want to hear that, "You were right to be mad. He would not admit to it, but, in the end, he did want your blessing."

Francis gave a curt nod. With a great bit of seriousness, he said, "We can discuss that later." Then he added, "I am happy to see you."

Their hands parted and she reached for her PADD. "Commander Heriah Khatain Rex,"

'The old fart knows your name already'

"Reporting as ordered." She held her PADD out to him for him to provide authentication of her arrival.

"At ease, Commander," Francis replied, typing in his authorization on the PADD.

Heriah relaxed her stance and waited for him to hand her PADD back to her. "And I am happy to be here, sir. I understand 109 has had its share of action and adventure. Believe me I am ready for whatever comes our way." She suddenly remembered the captain beside her. "Might I introduce you to Captain Gregor Bauhaus of the Eumenides," she said as she motioned to the man as though presenting an extraordinary gift.

"I'm aware of you, Captain. It's good to finally meet," Francis said. He did not extend his hand this time. "Do you intend to stay a while? I would love a Captain-to-Captain chat if you're interested."

"Just a few days Captain," started Gregor, "as we resupply before heading out further. I was hoping to grant my crew a few days R&R here...with your permission of course. And I would love a chat. You might also enjoy knowing that our orders extend to being are your disposal while docked. So, I guess that means I and the Eumenides are yours should you need."

Francis handed the PADD back to Heriah, but remained looking at Gregor. "Of course the station is open to you and any of your crew. There's plenty to do here, so your crew should have plenty to do while on leave. For now, I'm afraid I must excuse myself." Captain Francis turned back to Heriah. "Commander, I hate to toss you into the deep end so early, but we're due for an important meeting in about fifteen minutes and I need you to be there."

"Of course, sir," she said with a nod. "You will see that I am always ready." She turned to Captain Bauhaus as Frank started away. "Captain," she regarded the man with a nod then started after her captain.

"Khat," Gregor regarded her in return to which Heriah turned back to him with an i-cannot-believe-you-called-me-that-in-uniform look before catching up to and walking beside Gordon.

She wanted to inquire toward the purpose of this meeting, but if it was important enough to cut this introduction short, she decided that could wait.

 

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