Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kaylee Baxter (CNS) in Kaylee Baxter - Arrival to Starbase 243
The faint hiss of the main hatchway being opened on the transport shuttle was followed by the quiet bustle of passengers collecting their belongings. Kaylee Baxter stepped into the flow of people, travel bag slung over one shoulder, the soft chime of her boots against the deck plating almost drowned out by the chatter around her.

“Excuse me, ma’am? Could you—”

A young ensign, clearly fresh from the Academy judging by the stiffness of his posture and the nervous edge in his voice, held out a misplaced PaDD. “You dropped this.”

Kaylee smiled warmly, shaking her head. “Not mine, but thank you for the rescue attempt.” She glanced at the PaDD’s label. “Crew roster for the USS Avenger. You’d better find its owner before they think you’ve stolen their quarters.”

The ensign blinked, then gave a sheepish grin before jogging off. Kaylee watched him go, her smile lingering. She’d seen that same look of quiet panic on countless junior officers — and more than a few diplomats — and it always reminded her how far she’d come since her own first posting.

She joined the line at the security checkpoint, offering her transfer orders to the Andorian officer manning the station. He glanced over the file, antennae flicking once. “Lieutenant Commander Baxter. Counselor, USS Memorial. You’re early — your ship’s still a few hours out.”

“That’s fine,” she replied easily. “Gives me a chance to stretch my legs. Maybe sample whatever the promenade is famous for this week.”

“Café Lorien’s been getting good reviews,” the Andorian offered, stamping her orders with a brisk motion.

“I’ll take that as a local’s recommendation,” she said with a nod of thanks before moving on.

As she walked, the station’s wide windows opened onto a view of the docking arms and the busy waltz of incoming vessels. It was a familiar sight, yet never one she tired of.

Her mind wandered briefly — to her childhood spent following her mother, Ambassador Barbara Baxter, from one negotiation table to the next; to her years as a counselor aboard the Greenville and Athena; to the crisis on Starbase 202 that had tested her in ways she still thought about. Most recently, the diplomatic initiative at Starfleet Headquarters had been her entire world — months of delicate talks and endless reports. The work had been important, but it had also been… draining.

Shore leave had given her the space to remember why she’d joined Starfleet in the first place: to connect with people, to help them find their footing when the ground felt unsteady. That was what she was returning to now.

Kaylee adjusted her bag and stepped onto the promenade, its soft hum of voices and aromas from alien food stalls wrapping around her like an old friend. Somewhere on this station, other new transfers were waiting for the Memorial too. Soon enough, introductions would be made, and another chapter in her career would begin.

For now, she decided, a good cup of coffee — and maybe a pastry — would be the perfect start.

-Kaylee Baxter, CNS

OOC: Awesome post! So glad to have you back!

-Harley