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Posted on Fri Aug 28th, 2026 @ 10:11pm by Ensign Scout

934 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Maintenance and Recovery
Location: Personal Quarters, USS Astrea
Timeline: Nov. 2, 2389

The airlock opened with a hiss. Ensign Scout, having finished his shift in engineering, stepped into the dark fog of methane and ammonia that occupied his quarters. "Computer, set illumination levels to personal preference," he said through his vocal synthesizer.

The computer chirped and complied. Gradually the room went from utter darkness to faint visibility. To an Arae Octan it was just like home. Meanwhile, the airlock closed behind him, sealing his quarters off from the rest of the ship. Scout made his way through the small space, his eyes casting their glow as he walked. An outside observer might have found it humorous.

Scout plopped down on the nearest chair. Then he reached up and unlatched the manual release on his helmet. The faceplate came off with another faint hiss. It was always a relief to get it off at the end of the day. He set it down on the reading table next to him, then leaned back and breathed in a lungful of freedom.

After a few minutes he stood and peeled off the remainder of his environmental suit. The necessary evil that protected him from the lethal class-M environment of the Astrea. Now, in his natural state, his bioluminescent skin began to ripple with light, creating patterns that were a component of his speech. The computer picked up on it, along with the high-frequency sounds coming from his natural voice, and understood the question. "Have I received any messages today?"

The computer responded as it was programmed to do. The nearby wall monitor lit up and undulated and strobed in hundreds of fantastic combinations, accompanied by the imperceptible harmony of sound that completed the answer. "You have one message."

Scout stood next to the replicator as a bowl of odd, pinkish, glutinous paste materialized. He took it and stood in front of the wall where the holo-projector was located. "Play message."

A holo-image of another Arae Octan appeared, just as lifelike as the real thing. Scout instantly recognized her as his friend Ensign Pilgrim. They, along with a handful of others, had been the first from their home world to attend the Academy. She was currently a science officer aboard the USS Bretagne, several thousand light years away.

Pilgrim spoke. "Greetings, my dearest friend. I take solace in your light. I hope this message finds you well. I would have much preferred to speak to you in real-time but it seems our duty schedules never align. This will have to suffice. I am still on the USS Bretagne. My transfer to Starbase 580 has been put on hold due to territorial skirmishes with Syndicate pirates. It seems they're more in need of Marines rather than science officers. So I continue here..."

Scout could only imagine Pilgrim's disappointment. She had been looking forward to studying the unique subspace phenomena around Starbase 580. Her assignment to the Bretagne was meant to be only temporary. He took a small bite of his meal and continued listening.

"Our friend Wayfarer is there on the starbase. He's on the security staff. I was looking forward to seeing him. It would have been nice to spend time with someone of our own kind. To speak to someone in our own language. It often feels so lonely here on the Bretagne. The others are very kind, but there's only so much they can do to make me feel at home. Because this is so unlike home, and it always will be. I think you understand what I mean."

Scout understood very well.

"Sometimes I feel so confined in environmental suit. I feel like I'm in a prison. Then I think to myself, 'Does Starfleet truly expect us to serve this way for several more years until there are enough of us to serve on our own ship together?' It seems like such a faraway notion."

Scout nodded sympathetically. They had expected to get lonely after each went to their new duty station. At the Academy all the Arae Octans had banded together. They had been their own little support group during the difficult days of training and academics. Now they were separated by long distances, and that support system was no more. Scout felt those pangs too. This was where the test began in earnest for their kind. He was determined, however, to carry on.

Pilgrim took a deep breath and continued. Her eyes were full of regret. "I am sending you this message to tell you that I plan to quit Starfleet when my tour on the Bretagne is over. I have already contacted some of the others. They were mostly sad, but supportive. Ranger was a bit angry, but that's her way. And Sojourner played counselor, of course, and encouraged me to think it through some more, but I've decided firmly on this matter. I hope I have your support, too."

Scout cast his eyes downward.

Pilgrim continued. "I simply can't continue like this. I thought this was my greatest ambition, but circumstances have taught me that I would be happier doing something else. I am ready to go home. Please do not be disappointed. I want the rest of you to remain in Starfleet and continue with your careers. To continue representing our world. Send me a return message when you can, yes? I hope to see your light soon. All my best to you. Pilgrim out."

The holo-image vanished. Scout set his food down and gazed forlornly at the stars outside his windows.


Ensign Scout
Engineering Officer
USS Astrea

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