Just about thirty minutes outside of a little town named Coffeeville was a series of small lakes and rivers. It was a perfect place for someone to hide away from life. Donning a pair of camo waders, the man stepped out into the river. Holding his fishing pole firmly, he sent his lure skimming across the lake. “Perfect,” he spoke barely above a whisper.

Moments like this made the world around him almost make sense. He didn’t need therapy or sessions with some trained professional. He didn’t need someone looking into the recesses of his mind. What he needed was a quiet riverbank, a stringer full of fish, and the sound of a broken twig. “A broken twig,” he thought to himself. He sighed. “No,” he muttered in a stern voice.

“I haven’t said anything yet,” a voice replied.

“You didn’t need to.” Austin reeled in the line. “I have a pad full of missed communications.” The tone of his voice definitely expressed he hadn’t ‘missed’ anything.

Captain Peter Mitchell stepped out from the trees, his uniform contrasting with the natural camouflage of Austin’s waders. He looked very out of place amidst the greenery and flowing water. He approached Austin carefully, the sound of his boots crunching the gravel under his feet. Austin continued to reel in his line, ignoring Peter’s presence.

“AJ,” Peter began, his voice softer than usual, “you know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.”

Austin didn’t turn to look at him. “What you think is important and what I think is important are two very different things right now, Peter.”

Peter sighed, removing his cap and running a hand through his hair. “AJ, I get it. You needed time. But it’s been months. The Federation needs you. I need you. She needs you.”

Austin finally turned, his expression cold. “Need me? The Federation needs a lot of things, Peter. But it doesn’t need me. Not anymore.”

Peter took a deep breath, “That’s where you’re wrong, my young friend. You are one of the best. We need leaders who have been through what you have, who understand the stakes.”

“The stakes?” Austin’s voice was anything but calm now, the sound of the river unable to silence his growing anger. “I lost my entire senior staff, Peter. I watched them die. Do you know what that was like? You want me to come back and do what exactly? Watch more people die under my command?”

Peter stepped closer, his own emotions beginning to flare. “You’re not the only one who lost people, AJ. We all lost friends, people we cared about. Frontier Day was a massacre. But we don’t get to just walk away because it’s hard. It was hard on all of us.”

Austin’s jaw tightened, the muscles in his neck twitching. “Maybe you don’t get to walk away, but I do. I can’t go back there, Peter. I won’t watch more people die.”

“And what about the people who are still out there?”

Austin took a surprised look at Peter, “You don’t…”

“What about the ones who are counting on people like us? We need leaders who know the cost of wearing this uniform,” Peter interrupted.

Austin’s shoulders slumped as he sighed. “I don’t know if I can do it again, Peter. I don’t know if I can watch more people die.”

Peter reached out, placing a hand on Austin’s shoulder. “No one wants to watch people die; we do it.” He paused. We do it because we have to. Because if we don’t, then everything we’ve lost means nothing; they would have died in vain.”

As Peter’s words sank in, Austin closed his eyes. The river flowed steadily around him, “I just… I don’t know if I’m ready.”

Peter squeezed his shoulder gently. “No one ever is. But sometimes, you just have to take that first step. Come back with me, AJ. If not for the Federation, then for the memory of those we lost. For the chance to make things right again.”

Austin opened his eyes, his stubborn resolve beginning to crack. He looked at Peter, seeing a fellow officer and a friend. “Alright. I’ll come back. But if I do this, it’s on my terms. You tell Elena I need to do it my way.”

Peter nodded, relief washing over him. “Of course. Whatever you need. Just come back.”

Austin turned back to the river, casting his line one last time. He watched the water ripple around the hook, thinking of his former crew, the ones he’d lost.

“Give me a bit to settle things here,” Austin said as he reeled in his line one last time. “Then I’ll meet you at Eos Station.”

Peter nodded, a small smile crossed his lips. “I’ll see you there, Commander.”

As Peter turned to leave, Austin remained by the river, surrounded by the silence he’d called home. He wasn’t sure if he was ready, but he knew one thing for certain: he couldn’t hide forever. Whatever Peter had in store for him, it was time to stop hiding.

“What’s the name of the ship?” Austin called out.

“The Edison.”

Austin watched as Peter disappeared back into the treeline, the sound of his boots fading into the distance. He rolled his eyes, turning his attention back to his campsite. It was now mid-morning, and his campfire had all but died out. The warm ash that was left behind was the only reminder of his adventure. He moved methodically, packing away his gear.

Austin heard a rustle in the nearby leaves. “Peter,” he stopped. He was greeted by the lovely face of Bella, his German shorthair. “Seriously, now you show up? Where were you a minute ago when I needed you?”

Bella barked warmly, greeting her master. Austin patted her head, turning his attention to the tent. The tent came down with ease, the poles and canvas neatly stowed in his pack. The fishing rods were next, carefully disassembled and stored in their cases. He paused as he folded his camp chair, looking around at the surroundings one last time.

Austin took a deep breath, the fresh air filling his lungs. He knew this peace was temporary, a break from the responsibilities he couldn’t ignore forever. He doused the fire, making sure there were no lingering embers. The campsite was left as he found it, no trace of his presence remaining.

Hoisting his pack onto his shoulders, he whistled for Bella. Taking one last glance at the river, he laughed. “I should have stuck to my guns,” he looked at the dog. The uniform was pulling him back, and he knew he couldn’t resist it.

“The Edison,” he smiled. Looking at Bella, “They better like dogs. Someone has to keep me company on the bridge.”

As if understanding her master’s words, Bella barked, prancing up the path ahead of Austin. “I should have said no,” he shook his head. “Let’s go, girl.”