Matthias strode into squadron ops to find Commodore Morez and Commander Callahan had arrived ahead of him. He dropped the book in his office before crossing to where Morez and Callahan were standing.

“Anything from the Midway yet?” Matthias asked.

Morez shook her head. “Not yet.”

A brief silence descended on them before Callahan spoke. “We were just discussing our favourite vacation destinations.”

“For me, it has to be somewhere with sun, sea and sand,” Morez told them with a fond smile. “I love visiting Whixby during event season.”

Callahan nodded in agreement. “I visited Whixby once. It was beautiful, but it doesn’t hold a candle to Risa.”

“What about you, captain?” Morez asked.

A smile slowly crept onto his lips. “Wherever the surfing’s good.” 

“You’re one of those people who can’t sit still, even on vacation, aren’t you?” Morez’s mouth morphed into a moue of disapproval.

Matthias’ smile widened as he nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

A shrill beep from the duty officer’s station cut the conversation short. 

“Incoming transmission from the Midway,” the duty officer announced.

The conversation had been a pleasant distraction, but Matthias had continued to feel the tremor beneath his skin, which only intensified as the holographic avatar of Captain Taro Niya appeared before them.

“Report, Captain Taro,” Morez ordered.

A smile pulled at Taro’s lips. “We found her. Intact but disabled.”

“Casualties?” Matthias asked.

Taro paused. Matthias took a deep breath to brace himself.

“No major injuries or fatalities,” Taro’s smile widened.

Matthias let go of the breath he’d been holding. His shoulders slumped.

“What happened?” Callahan asked.

Placing her hands behind her back, Taro replied. “The Buckingham encountered a probe of unknown origin. Their initial scans indicated it was ancient. Those scans triggered some kind of defence mechanism, emitting a powerful energy pulse that overloaded the Buckingham’s systems.”

“Lucky that’s all it did,” Morez commented. “What’s the Buckingham’s current status?”

“Partial main power has been restored,” Taro replied. “They should be fully operational in the next two hours.”

“And the probe?” Matthias added.

“We’ve managed to disable it and have towed it into the shuttlebay for study,” Taro told them.

Morez nodded slowly. “Very well. Provide whatever assistance you can to Captain Calloway. Tell him I look forward to reading his report.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Taro replied. “Midway out.”

As the transmission ended, the hologram of Captain Taro vanished. 

“It’s nice when these things work out well,” Morez commented.

Matthias’ heart contracted. When he spoke, his voice wasn’t much louder than a whisper, “Yeah.”

A stillness settled over the room. Morez held Matthias’ gaze a moment too long.

“Go home,” Morez finally told them. “Get some rest. I’m sure you’re both exhausted.”

Matthias left squadron ops without saying another word. Words like betrayal and disloyalty followed him all the way back to his quarters. He began shedding clothes the instant he was safely inside, throwing them over nearby surfaces as he padded into his bedroom.

His body felt heavy as he tossed the book on the bedside table and climbed into bed. Those words followed him to bed, keeping him awake. Sleep eventually came, but it was a fitful rest. Morning came again much too soon. 

Snapping at Commander Callahan had been the sign that Matthias needed to get out of squadron ops. He blamed the headache that pounded behind his dry eyes. 

“This looks like something churned out by a first-year cadet.”

He cringed as he recalled the words. When he returned, he would need to apologise and was already formulating the words in his head.

Excelsior Plaza was bustling in the early evening. The shop fronts were all open, with people moving to and fro. There was a low-level din as multiple conversations happened simultaneously around him. The smell of lavender from nearby flowers was a pleasant addition.

He didn’t realise he was being watched as he exited The Daily Grind with a to-go cup in his hand until a now familiar voice called across the plaza.

“Just can’t stay away, huh, Starfleet?”

Matthias turned to find Taren sitting on a nearby bench with a bright smile. “Looks like I’m not the only one.”

“I agreed to swap shifts,” Taren replied. “Just out here enjoying my break on the plaza.”

Reaching the bench where Taren was sitting involved dodging people walking through the plaza. Above them, a holographic sky and sun gave the illusion of being on a planet instead of in Bastion Station’s habitat ring.

“It’s weird to see you in the daylight,” Matthias commented as he approached Taren.

With his arm casually slung across the back of the bench, Taren looked up. “You prefer me at night, Starfleet?”

A twinge pulled at Matthias’ conscience. The words that haunted him on the way home the night before returned.

“Did you find the Buckingham?” Taren asked, smoothly changing the subject.

Matthias narrowed his eyes. “How did you know she was missing?”

“The person who summoned you last night, Callahan,” Taren replied. “She said the Midway was approaching the Buckingham’s last known co-ordinates. That suggests you didn’t know the ship’s current whereabouts.”

Matthias quickly explained what they’d learned.

A smile crept onto Taren’s face, his emerald eyes shining. “All’s well that ends well. That’s the human expression, yes?”

“Yeah,” Matthias nodded, but he couldn’t bring himself to make eye contact.

Taren didn’t say anything immediately. When he did speak, his voice was softer. “Of course, that’s not always the case.”

Not trusting himself to speak, Matthias simply shook his head.

“What was their name?”

It felt like Matthias’ mouth was full of cotton. He finally met Taren’s sympathetic gaze and swallowed hard before croaking out, “Tom.”

“What happened?”

Taking a steadying breath, Matthias answered, “He was kidnapped by a Romulan mercenary. We didn’t know what happened to him for months. It took us almost a year to find out where he was being held, but by the time we reached him, it was too late. He-”

Matthias looked down at the cup as his grip tightened. He couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.

“What was he like?”

The question caught Matthias off guard, and he did a poor job at hiding that. Taren waited patiently while Matthias considered how to respond. Eventually, one word came to mind, and caused the ghost of a smile to pull at Matthias’ lips.

“Oblivious.” Matthias snorted. “We were at the Academy together. I had such a big crush on him, and he had no idea. Back then, his only priority was command of a starship. It wasn’t until we ran into each other twenty years later that he finally got the message.”

Taren smiled. “And he’d grown less oblivious in that time?”

“No,” Matthias said with a chuckle. “It took his best friend pointing it out to him and me making my attraction very clear for him to get the message.”

Saying Tom’s name to this man had been like opening a door, and he wasn’t sure if he could close it. Did he even want to?

“He was also fiercely loyal to his friends and those under his command,” Matthias continued, while Taren listened silently. “He could be incredibly stubborn, but recognised talent when he saw it and used whatever authority he had to nurture it. And even though he wasn’t great at sharing how he was feeling, he left me in no doubt of his love for me.”

When it was clear Matthias had said everything he needed to, Taren said, “Sounds like he left his mark on people.”

“He did.”

Taren pushed himself to his feet and gestured towards The Daily Grind. “I’m sorry, but I need to get back to work. I’m glad you have your memories of him. I appreciate you sharing them.”

“Thanks,” Matthias offered him a warm smile.

“I’ll see you later, Starfleet.” Taren returned Matthias’ smile before starting towards the coffee shop.

Remaining rooted to the spot, Matthias watched his retreating back until he was out of sight inside the shop. It still felt there was a weight, pulling him down, but for the first time since Tom’s death, it felt almost endurable.