Alex pulled out the last of his uniforms and clothes from his carryall and stowed them in the built in bureau. He zipped up the carryall and put it in the closet then slid the door shut. For a moment he stared at himself in the mirror in the door and studied his lined face. His grey shot red hair wasn’t really red anymore but his shoulders were still broad and strong.

He turned as he straightened his uniform jacket and surveyed his small, cramped quarters. More than likely he wouldn’t be in here much other than to sleep as he would have a lot of work to do in the Armory.

Had he made the right decision to come out of retirement and take this assignment? He could be back in Aberdeen, looking across rolling green hills and here he was, looking at plain grey metal walls.

But he was in space! He had dreamed since he was a little boy about serving shipboard in space. It was why he had joined Earth Starfleet.

He shook his head to dispel his momentary despondent musings and headed out the door.

~Lt. Commander Alexander Stewart CAO