It had been twelve months since Evan Calder last stepped onto a starship, yet it felt like home all the same. He had taken his medical release positively, or at least told himself he had, but something still felt off stepping onto a ship out of uniform.

As he cleared the shuttle and stepped onto the shuttle bay deck, Evan paused, taking in the familiar ambience of shipboard life. The steady hustle of the crew echoed around him—cargo being stowed, voices calling out confirmations, personnel moving with practiced efficiency. Everything about it felt precise, ordered. Regimental.

“Sir.”

The voice came from ahead of him. A tall, slim security officer stood some twenty feet away, posture crisp.

“Clear the shuttle,” the ensign continued. “Where do you need to be?”

Shifting the strap of his holdall onto his left shoulder, Evan walked forward to meet him.

“Afternoon, Ensign. Evan Calder,” he said, his tone warm and measured. “Pleased to meet your acquaintance.”

The ensign gave a short nod, glancing down at the PaDD in his hand before looking back up.

“Welcome aboard, Mr. Calder,” he replied. “Your arrival’s been logged—civilian status confirmed.” His posture relaxed just a fraction, professionalism settling into routine courtesy.

“The Captain asked to be notified once you cleared the bay. If you’ll make your way to the Ready Room on Deck One, I’ll let the bridge know you’ve arrived.”

“Thank you, Ensign,” Evan said, returning the nod. “I’ll make my way there.”

Adjusting the strap of his holdall once more, he turned and headed out of the shuttle bay, leaving the rhythm of shipboard operations behind him.

Though he made a conscious effort to shed the march-like stride ingrained during his years in the fleet, Evan moved along the left-hand side of the corridor before coming to a halt at a turbolift. He tapped the call button and waited in silence.

When the doors slid open, he stepped into the empty car and took his place at its center.

“Deck one,” Evan said.

The doors closed, and the lift eased into motion.

The turbolift arrived, the doors opening onto the bridge level. Evan stepped out without pause, moving past the command space and toward the Ready Room door set just off to one side.

Arriving at the door, stood facing and did not move, eyes closed he simply listened as the bridge crew went about there daily business, a nod to his times of old. Composing himself he straightened his grey suit, adjusted his holdall strap, tapped the door chime and waiting for permission to enter.

Evan Calder
Bartender