Alexander Espersen’s Journey Home, Chapter 1: Boarding
Posted on Thu Nov 5th, 2026 @ 1:31am by Commander Alexander Espersen & Petty Officer 3rd Class Fulvia Benvenuto & Crewman Apprentice T'Vel
1,449 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Into Our Past
Location: Deep Space 16
Timeline: A couple of days after reaching Deep Space 16
“Federation Transit starship Pearl of Sirius bound for Earth Spacedock is now boarding at Gate Delta-Four-Seven.”
For Commander Alexander Espersen, that sentence represented so much. It was a chance for well-deserved R&R after months of hard work and more crises than he cared to count. But with it came so much anxiety.
It had been more than two years since he’d left Starfleet and joined Cally aboard the Chimera. Two years since he’d been home.
He’d not had terribly many people he called ‘friend’ back on Earth. Sure there was his brother-in-law and his kids. His sister’s various caregivers had always been friendly with him. But there wasn’t anybody eager to have beer with him and catch up.
Whatever. That just meant he’d have more time with Sigrid.
“Welcome, Commander,” the gate agent said sweetly, with emphasis on his rank. He was out of uniform, wearing a comfortable black short-sleeved button-down shirt and blue jeans, but the coding in the isolinear chip that served as his boarding pass contained his Starfleet ID profile. “I see you’ve reserved a Gold Package middle cabin on Deck Six, but I am very pleased inform you that you’ve been upgraded to a Platinum Package window suite on Deck Five.” She said cheerily.
“Upgrade?” Alex asked. “Well, thank you, I suppose. May I ask why?”
The gate agent shrugged. “My terminal doesn’t say, I’m afraid. But enjoy it with our compliments, sir! My colleague here would love to take your bag and escort you there.”
One of the transport stewardesses—a lovely Andorian woman with a pretty smile and wearing a cocktail dress in the same shade of blue as the Federation Transit logo—approached and took the handle of his antigrav luggage in one hand. She offered her other hand for his. “Right this way, Commander,” she said.
She guided him through the airlock, across the gangway, and into the transport ship that would be, over the course of the next few days, taking him and the other passengers to Earth.
Across the atrium and down two flights of stairs, and they were on deck five. Moments later, they found his cabin, which his biometrics unlocked.
”I hope they’re to your satisfaction, Commander,” the stewardess said as she led him inside. “As you know, your rank already gave you priority access to one of our larger rooms, but you’ve been upgraded to one of our most elegant suites. Living area is here.” The room was decorated with wood trim and the furniture looked antique. It reminded Alex of a particularly fancy cabin at a ski resort.
She deposited his luggage onto a shelf designed for that purpose and deactivated the antigrav. “If you like, one of our staff can unpack for you?”
”No,” he said, waving off the request. “Thank you. These are all for Earth. I’ll be replicating new clothes for the trip.”
”Very good, sir,” she said before continuing the tour. “And here is your replicator, next to your dining table. The monitor here, easily visible from the sofa or dining table, is connected to all Federation entertainment services. Right this way please.”
She led him by the hand into another room. “Your washroom is fully connected to water. May I recommend the bath, sir? Spacious, and its jets are designed to hit every major muscle group. It feels divine, if I do say so myself.
”And through here is your bedroom,” she said. “Interconnected through the bathroom, in part for ease of access at night, but also for your view.” She activated a panel and the entire exterior wall of all three rooms lifted away, revealing a contiguous view of deep space. “Magnificent, isn’t it?”
”Absolutely,” he agreed.
”The bed,” she said, “is in the Romulan Imperial style. The perfect blend of comfort, style, and size. The height of luxury.”
A memory brought a smile to his face. The fantasy when first comimg aboard the Chimera. Him taking Cally to dinner on Starbase 614, dressed like nobility. The kiss she gave him upon receiving his gift of the drawing of the ship, which still hung in her Ready Room.
The roleplay with Michelle, he pretending to be a wealthy prospector, and she the Dabo girl he would take to the ski lodges on ‘aucdet IX. Their first night together.
“Thank you,” he said, nodding to the stewardess.
”As you desire, Commander,” she said, letting go of his hand and bowing to him. “May I do anything more?”
”Where can I find a floor plan showing the ship’s amenities?” he asked. “And an itinerary for activities?”
She brought him out of the bedroom and to a wooden desk along the wall of the living room, on which sat a computer terminal. “Everything can be found here, including the means to contact our support desk. We are available at all hours to serve you.”
“Thank you, Miss…”
”Sharis,” she answered, twisting her waist to show him more closely the nametag above her right breast.
“Of course,” Alex said, a bit flush with embarrassment. “I should’ve—”
”Nonsense,” she replied playfully. “The luxury is so much to take in.”
It was at this moment, looking at her nametag, that he noticed another thing she wore: a beautiful gold necklace, whose charm sitting right above her cleavage matched the one Michelle wore.
“One more thing before I leave,” Sharis said, noticing where his eyes went. Her smile went from sweet and cheerful to playful and saucy. “I should inform you that, as a recipient of our Platinum package, you are entitled to a Tier Two service of your choosing. The list of options is available on your terminal.” With both arms she reached out and gently stroked from his elbows to his hands. “Of course, I’d be happy to provide that, though our catalogue of available courtesans—all Guild certified—is also available for perusal at your leisure.”
”Th-thank you,” he said, surprised by how warm he felt. “I…I may just do that. Treat myself.”
“That’s the spirit!” Sharis said cheerfully. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll let you settle in! Departure is in one hour. And again, it’s been a pleasure, Commander.”
Alex walked her out of his cabin and watched her walk away down the hallway. This’ll be a hell of a trip.
”Look who it is!”
A familiar voice caused him to wince. He turned to look down the other side of the hallway.
He sighed and hung his head, but he could not suppress a smile. “Miss Benvenuto. Miss T’Vel.” There they were, a pretty Orion woman in the same cocktail dress and necklace as Sharis escorting them to the room next door.
“We knew you’d miss us, Mister E!” Fulvia teased as she walked up to him and gave him a hug, playfully resting her head on his chest.
“Sir,” T’Vel said, gently pulling Fulvia back, “I promise you this was coincidental.”
“I did figure that,” he replied.
“My brother knows a guy who knows a guy who’s an executive with Eff-Tee!” Fulvia said happily. “One call and boom! Free upgrade!”
“You’re going to Earth?” Alex asked.
“Vulcan, actually,” T’Vel answered. “No direct transports from Deep Space Sixteen.”
“Ears is showin’ me all the sights!”
“Well,” he said, “I hope you enjoy the trip.” He said it sincerely. His Misfits may have often been a thorn in his side but they were good people. They worked hard. They deserved a bit of luxury.
“Perhaps, sir, you would join us for a drink?” T’Vel asked.
“Only if you cut with the ‘sir’,” he answered. “We’re on holiday. No uniforms. No ranks. Just enjoy yourselves. But yes. I would love a drink. Tomorrow night though.”
“Tomorrow it is!” Fulvia agreed. “We’ll ping your itinerary calendar. Now if you’ll excuse us, the lovely Miss Nissa over here is showing us our suite.”
He nodded to them and turned back into his room. “Fate does like to make a joke,” he said quietly to himself after the door closed behind him. Still. This could be a fun trip, if you let it. You earned your new pip. You’ve been given this. May as well enjoy it.
After kicking off his shoes, he ordered a hoppy ale from the replicator, started filling the hot tub, and took a moment to peruse the long list of everything the Pearl of Sirius had to offer.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
RSS Feed