The shuttlecraft Eliseo settled down onto the deck with a subtle bump. Gale had spent most of his time gazing out of the shuttle as the small craft blurred through space at faster than light speeds in a compressed pocket of real time space. Like a cosmic surfer riding a wave. Now that they’d finally reached Starbase Bravo he was forced back into the present. He waited patiently, opting to wait as the others all undid their restraints and rose to fetch baggage. As the pilots strode out of the shuttle he fetched his own bag now that there was more room to move. He still didn’t trust large crowds. Not after… a cold shiver rippled up his back and he took a deep breath.

This was normal he reminded himself. They said it would take time to get past what happened. He didn’t notice that he’d drawn his arms together across his chest protectively as he stepped off the protection of the shuttle. It’d become like his own suit of armor. He knew the other people within it, and thus, felt safe. Here on Starbase Bravo though? There were so many more people to worry about. So many more potential them‘s. The black vacant eyes. The black spider webbed veins. He could still remember the whispers. At the back of his mind like a crowd of people talking about him just out of earshot. Gale gripped his bag till his knuckles whitened.

He flinched at a hand on his shoulders until he realized it was a chief trying to clear traffic. “Are you ok?”

He smiled, wanting to say yes but shrugged, opting for a half truth. “Not really. It’s been a rough lately. I’m new on assignment here. And appear to lost as well as overwhelmed.”

She smiled, it was reassuring but looked well practiced. He wondered how often she’d had to do this particular bit of song and dance. “Well, the station map is there, and can be downloaded to a padd. And as for the people, it can be a bit much at first. But eventually you’ll get used to it. Do you know who you’re first line leader is? Or you’re to report to?”

Again he shook his head. He felt like an absolute stupid new guy. She shook her head reassuringly again. “No worries. Do you have a copy of your orders?”

“Yeah. Right here.” He called them up on his tablet to show to her. She skimmed it over and then nodded finally. “Ok, Security Division. That would be Lt. Cmdr. Peri Anya. I’ll let them know you’re aboard and to expect you soon. Your orders allow for an extra day of transit. My advice? Use it. Go unpack, settle in and walk the station some. It’s easy to get lost. And if you’re security you’ll probably want to start learning the lay of the land.”

Gale blinked. “The what of the where?”

The chief nodded with a smirk. “Exactly. You go ahead, I’ll send word along. And welcome to SB Bravo.”

Gale offered a thankful smile as he tugged his duffle bag higher up on his shoulder and turned to face the yawning mouth of the shuttlebay exit. The doors constant humming open and closed reminded him of a large metallic titans mouth, chewing up people as the entered its gaping maw. He frowned at the thought, realizing that made him more comfortable to think about than the cold whispers that had clawed at the back of his mind. Imprinted physical and mental trauma they’d called it.

His ring beeped and he swiped up in front it displaying the rings sensor readings showing his deuridium levels. He was just falling out of the green. He’d be fine for a while yet. But checking in with sickbay was on his list. He already knew he’d be a frequent visitor. Maybe he could get some quarters in sickbay instead? Then he wouldn’t have to go as far for his infusions at least. Something to ponder perhaps.

Finally, he slowly made his way for the stations ever devouring maw. As he passed through the doors, the noise of the stations interior washed over him like wave. It was just loud enough he couldn’t hear himself think. So many ambient conversations at various levels about various topics. It was all so harmonious and yet, discordant. No unity. No conformity. A white noise of words. He found comfort in that, surprised that it came at all.

“Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.” He let himself muse aloud above a whisper. Check in and relax. He could do that. Gale did what he could to focus on anything but the last few weeks. Most especially that day. Granted, he was pretty certain that would be the case for many his age going forward. Like a massive shared scar. Communal trauma. The new team builder. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He used to have a lot of enthusiasm for starlfeet. But lately it was difficult to admit that joy had been stolen from him. So what now? Carry on and pretend it didn’t happen? Push forward? What was right for him?

He didn’t know. But at least he had the time to find some answers now.