10-30-2026, 03:19 AM
<< Casino <<
The Bajoran restaurant on Level Seven was pleasantly busy, its warm lighting and traditional décor offering a welcome change from the noise and activity of the Casino. Mike followed Vesa inside, his eyes instinctively sweeping the room before settling on an available table.
Vesa noticed, of course.
“Really, Mike? We're going to have dinner, not conduct a security inspection.”
“Old habits,” Mike replied, pulling out a chair for her.
“Some habits are harder to break than others.”
“Especially the useful ones.”
Vesa laughed as she took her seat. “You haven't changed much, have you?”
“I'm not sure whether that's a compliment.”
“Mike, you once spent three hours arguing with a Vulcan archaeologist over the proper way to secure a doorway.”
“That doorway was unsafe.”
“It was a doorway.”
“It was an unsafe doorway.”
Vesa shook her head, smiling. “Still stubborn.”
“I prefer determined.”
“Of course you do.”
Mike settled into his chair, looking considerably more relaxed now that they were away from the Casino. A server approached, and after they had ordered their drinks and something to eat, the two old friends continued catching up.
“So, how long are you staying on the station?” Mike asked.
“I'm not entirely sure. I was on Trill for a linguistics conference, and I was supposed to be on my way back to Betazed. Then civilian traffic was diverted here, so I've been making the best of an unexpected stop.”
“Sounds like you've had a change of plans.”
“An opportunity, really. I don't get to see old friends nearly as often as I'd like.”
Mike smiled. “Well, I'm glad you got stuck here.”
“I'm glad too.”
They continued talking about the conference, their travels, and people they had known from the archaeological expeditions. Vesa was particularly interested in hearing about Mike's time aboard the Aquila and the people he had come to know there.
“You seem to have settled in rather well,” she observed.
“I have. Took me a little while to get used to the ship and its crew, but they've grown on me. Good people. They look after one another, and that's something I respect.”
“And Jez?”
Mike's expression softened. “She's doing well, all things considered. She's got a good group around her. I keep an eye on her when I can, though she's not exactly someone who enjoys being fussed over.”
Vesa smiled knowingly. “I imagine she gets that from you.”
“Could be.”
“Speaking of people looking after one another, I have a rather interesting proposition for you.”
Mike raised an eyebrow. “That sounds suspicious.”
“Not at all. I have a friend who teaches fine arts. He's been looking for male models for a life-drawing class. I mentioned that I had run into an old friend who might be just the person he needs.”
Mike stared at her for a moment.
“You didn't.”
“Oh, I did.”
“Vesa, I'm a retired security officer. I'm not exactly the artistic type.”
“That's precisely why it would be interesting. He wants people with different builds and physiques. You'd make a rather fascinating focal point.”
Mike shifted slightly in his chair, suddenly looking a little less comfortable.
“Fascinating focal point?”
“Certainly. You're six-foot-seven, broad-shouldered, and hardly lacking in character.”
“I'm fifty-eight years old, Vesa. And I've put on a little weight.”
“A little?” she teased, glancing briefly toward his middle. “I think your paunch might be exactly what he's looking for.”
Mike looked down at himself and gave a quiet sigh.
“Wonderful. My stomach has finally found a purpose.”
Vesa burst out laughing.
“Come on, Mike. There's nothing wrong with it. Besides, I think you'd be surprised how much artists appreciate a body that looks like it belongs to a real person.”
“I'm not sure that's making me feel any better.”
“Think about it. It might even be fun.”
“Do I at least get to keep my boots on?”
Vesa laughed again. “I'll ask.”
“That's all I ask.”
Their laughter gradually subsided, and for a little while they simply enjoyed one another's company. It was easy to fall back into the familiar rhythm of their friendship. Despite the years and everything that had happened, there was still a comfort in being able to tease one another without having to explain themselves.
Eventually, however, the conversation took a quieter turn.
Mike settled back in his chair, his expression growing more serious as Vesa's question hung between them.
“Mike, what happened?” she asked gently. “I heard about the massacre from Noli. She told me that Velo, Fet, T’Sara, and the entire archaeological team were gone. But she didn't have many details herself. I never heard the full story. Where were you? What happened to all of you?”
Mike took a slow breath, his gaze drifting toward the window for a moment.
“We were working on an uncharted planet near the borders of Federation, Klingon, and Romulan space. We'd found some remarkable ruins. An advanced civilization, possibly even one capable of spaceflight. The team was excited about what we'd uncovered. There was so much left to learn.”
He paused, rubbing a hand over his jaw.
“I was conducting a security survey of a temple that morning. Checking for booby traps, unstable structures, anything that might put the team at risk. It was routine work. When I returned...” His voice trailed off briefly. “They were all gone. Thirty people, Vesa. Every last one of them. Velo, Fet, T’Sara...”
Vesa reached across the table and gently placed her hand over his.
“Oh, Mike. I'm so sorry.”
Mike nodded, swallowing before continuing.
“We found evidence of several weapons being used. Klingon and Nausicaan weapons, along with a number of other energy weapons. Whoever did it came prepared. They knew what they were doing.”
“And you were away when it happened,” Vesa said quietly.
“Yeah. I keep going over it in my head. Wondering if I missed something, if there was a warning I should have picked up on. I was doing my job, but that doesn't stop me from asking myself what I could have done differently.”
“Mike, you couldn't have known.”
“Maybe not. Doesn't make it any easier.”
He looked down at his hands.
“Jez was aboard the Aquila when it happened. I had to be the one to tell her. Her parents, T’Sara... everyone who had been part of her life on that expedition. Gone. I don't think I'll ever forget that conversation.”
Vesa's expression softened. “She must have been devastated.”
“She was. Still is, I'd imagine. She's had to carry a lot these past few months.”
Mike took a sip of his drink before continuing.
“Commander Talion has his Valkyries looking into the murders.”
Vesa tilted her head. “Talion? Alex Talion?”
Mike nodded. “That's the one. He's the Aquila's Chief Science Officer. Brilliant man, one of the sharpest minds I've encountered. He's also rather close to Jez and has taken what happened to her family personally.”
“I know the name,” Vesa replied thoughtfully. “The Talion family has a considerable reputation on Betazed.”
“I'm not surprised. Alex is a Betazoid himself, so he understands Jez in ways that some people simply can't. He's also been helping her with the custody battle. He's stood by her when she's needed someone in her corner, and I respect him for that.”
Vesa's brow furrowed. “Custody battle? I hadn't heard about that.”
Mike's expression tightened slightly.
“Jez is expecting a child. The baby is being kept in cryogenic stasis for now, and the father, Dvyyn Ukinix, is trying to gain custody. He's from a very influential Betazoid family, and let's just say he hasn't treated Jez particularly well. He's made it painfully clear that he considers the child his, and that Jez's wishes are secondary.”
Vesa's expression turned serious. “That's awful. And Jez has to contend with all of this on top of losing her parents?”
“Unfortunately. She's been through more than enough already. The last thing she needs is another fight, but she's not going to back down when it comes to her child.”
“Then I'm glad she has someone like Talion supporting her.”
“Me too,” Mike replied. “He's been a good friend to her.”
Vesa was quiet for a moment before asking, “And these Valkyries?”
“That's where things get a little murky. From what I understand, they're some kind of covert intelligence unit Talion put together. I'm not entirely sure how they operate or what their official status is. Frankly, I don't think Starfleet knows quite what to make of them, and I doubt they've given the group their formal approval.”
“Yet he's using them to investigate the murders?”
“Apparently. I don't know all the details, and I'm not going to pretend I do. But I trust Talion's judgment. He's exceptionally intelligent, and I know he wants to help Jez. That's enough for me.”
Mike's expression hardened slightly.
“Whoever did this made a terrible mistake if they think the matter is going to be forgotten.”
Vesa studied him for a moment. “Do you think they'll find the people responsible?”
“I certainly hope so. Jez deserves to know what happened to her family.”
He leaned back, letting out a long breath. The weight of the past few months seemed to settle over him again, but when he spoke, there was a quiet affection in his voice.
“She's stronger than she gives herself credit for,” he said. “Always has been. She's got her mother's heart and her father's determination. Velo could be remarkably compassionate, even when she was buried in her work, and Fet had that Vulcan discipline and stubbornness. Jez inherited a little of both. Sometimes I think she's too stubborn to know when to quit.”
“And I suspect you had a hand in that, too,” Vesa observed.
Mike chuckled softly. “I might have encouraged it once or twice.”
“Once or twice?”
“Fine. Maybe more than that.”
For the first time in a while, a genuine smile crossed his face. Vesa smiled back, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.
“I'm glad she had all of you in her life, Mike. And I'm glad she still has you.”
Mike nodded, his smile fading into something quieter.
“I'm glad too. She's family. That hasn't changed.”
The Bajoran restaurant on Level Seven was pleasantly busy, its warm lighting and traditional décor offering a welcome change from the noise and activity of the Casino. Mike followed Vesa inside, his eyes instinctively sweeping the room before settling on an available table.
Vesa noticed, of course.
“Really, Mike? We're going to have dinner, not conduct a security inspection.”
“Old habits,” Mike replied, pulling out a chair for her.
“Some habits are harder to break than others.”
“Especially the useful ones.”
Vesa laughed as she took her seat. “You haven't changed much, have you?”
“I'm not sure whether that's a compliment.”
“Mike, you once spent three hours arguing with a Vulcan archaeologist over the proper way to secure a doorway.”
“That doorway was unsafe.”
“It was a doorway.”
“It was an unsafe doorway.”
Vesa shook her head, smiling. “Still stubborn.”
“I prefer determined.”
“Of course you do.”
Mike settled into his chair, looking considerably more relaxed now that they were away from the Casino. A server approached, and after they had ordered their drinks and something to eat, the two old friends continued catching up.
“So, how long are you staying on the station?” Mike asked.
“I'm not entirely sure. I was on Trill for a linguistics conference, and I was supposed to be on my way back to Betazed. Then civilian traffic was diverted here, so I've been making the best of an unexpected stop.”
“Sounds like you've had a change of plans.”
“An opportunity, really. I don't get to see old friends nearly as often as I'd like.”
Mike smiled. “Well, I'm glad you got stuck here.”
“I'm glad too.”
They continued talking about the conference, their travels, and people they had known from the archaeological expeditions. Vesa was particularly interested in hearing about Mike's time aboard the Aquila and the people he had come to know there.
“You seem to have settled in rather well,” she observed.
“I have. Took me a little while to get used to the ship and its crew, but they've grown on me. Good people. They look after one another, and that's something I respect.”
“And Jez?”
Mike's expression softened. “She's doing well, all things considered. She's got a good group around her. I keep an eye on her when I can, though she's not exactly someone who enjoys being fussed over.”
Vesa smiled knowingly. “I imagine she gets that from you.”
“Could be.”
“Speaking of people looking after one another, I have a rather interesting proposition for you.”
Mike raised an eyebrow. “That sounds suspicious.”
“Not at all. I have a friend who teaches fine arts. He's been looking for male models for a life-drawing class. I mentioned that I had run into an old friend who might be just the person he needs.”
Mike stared at her for a moment.
“You didn't.”
“Oh, I did.”
“Vesa, I'm a retired security officer. I'm not exactly the artistic type.”
“That's precisely why it would be interesting. He wants people with different builds and physiques. You'd make a rather fascinating focal point.”
Mike shifted slightly in his chair, suddenly looking a little less comfortable.
“Fascinating focal point?”
“Certainly. You're six-foot-seven, broad-shouldered, and hardly lacking in character.”
“I'm fifty-eight years old, Vesa. And I've put on a little weight.”
“A little?” she teased, glancing briefly toward his middle. “I think your paunch might be exactly what he's looking for.”
Mike looked down at himself and gave a quiet sigh.
“Wonderful. My stomach has finally found a purpose.”
Vesa burst out laughing.
“Come on, Mike. There's nothing wrong with it. Besides, I think you'd be surprised how much artists appreciate a body that looks like it belongs to a real person.”
“I'm not sure that's making me feel any better.”
“Think about it. It might even be fun.”
“Do I at least get to keep my boots on?”
Vesa laughed again. “I'll ask.”
“That's all I ask.”
Their laughter gradually subsided, and for a little while they simply enjoyed one another's company. It was easy to fall back into the familiar rhythm of their friendship. Despite the years and everything that had happened, there was still a comfort in being able to tease one another without having to explain themselves.
Eventually, however, the conversation took a quieter turn.
Mike settled back in his chair, his expression growing more serious as Vesa's question hung between them.
“Mike, what happened?” she asked gently. “I heard about the massacre from Noli. She told me that Velo, Fet, T’Sara, and the entire archaeological team were gone. But she didn't have many details herself. I never heard the full story. Where were you? What happened to all of you?”
Mike took a slow breath, his gaze drifting toward the window for a moment.
“We were working on an uncharted planet near the borders of Federation, Klingon, and Romulan space. We'd found some remarkable ruins. An advanced civilization, possibly even one capable of spaceflight. The team was excited about what we'd uncovered. There was so much left to learn.”
He paused, rubbing a hand over his jaw.
“I was conducting a security survey of a temple that morning. Checking for booby traps, unstable structures, anything that might put the team at risk. It was routine work. When I returned...” His voice trailed off briefly. “They were all gone. Thirty people, Vesa. Every last one of them. Velo, Fet, T’Sara...”
Vesa reached across the table and gently placed her hand over his.
“Oh, Mike. I'm so sorry.”
Mike nodded, swallowing before continuing.
“We found evidence of several weapons being used. Klingon and Nausicaan weapons, along with a number of other energy weapons. Whoever did it came prepared. They knew what they were doing.”
“And you were away when it happened,” Vesa said quietly.
“Yeah. I keep going over it in my head. Wondering if I missed something, if there was a warning I should have picked up on. I was doing my job, but that doesn't stop me from asking myself what I could have done differently.”
“Mike, you couldn't have known.”
“Maybe not. Doesn't make it any easier.”
He looked down at his hands.
“Jez was aboard the Aquila when it happened. I had to be the one to tell her. Her parents, T’Sara... everyone who had been part of her life on that expedition. Gone. I don't think I'll ever forget that conversation.”
Vesa's expression softened. “She must have been devastated.”
“She was. Still is, I'd imagine. She's had to carry a lot these past few months.”
Mike took a sip of his drink before continuing.
“Commander Talion has his Valkyries looking into the murders.”
Vesa tilted her head. “Talion? Alex Talion?”
Mike nodded. “That's the one. He's the Aquila's Chief Science Officer. Brilliant man, one of the sharpest minds I've encountered. He's also rather close to Jez and has taken what happened to her family personally.”
“I know the name,” Vesa replied thoughtfully. “The Talion family has a considerable reputation on Betazed.”
“I'm not surprised. Alex is a Betazoid himself, so he understands Jez in ways that some people simply can't. He's also been helping her with the custody battle. He's stood by her when she's needed someone in her corner, and I respect him for that.”
Vesa's brow furrowed. “Custody battle? I hadn't heard about that.”
Mike's expression tightened slightly.
“Jez is expecting a child. The baby is being kept in cryogenic stasis for now, and the father, Dvyyn Ukinix, is trying to gain custody. He's from a very influential Betazoid family, and let's just say he hasn't treated Jez particularly well. He's made it painfully clear that he considers the child his, and that Jez's wishes are secondary.”
Vesa's expression turned serious. “That's awful. And Jez has to contend with all of this on top of losing her parents?”
“Unfortunately. She's been through more than enough already. The last thing she needs is another fight, but she's not going to back down when it comes to her child.”
“Then I'm glad she has someone like Talion supporting her.”
“Me too,” Mike replied. “He's been a good friend to her.”
Vesa was quiet for a moment before asking, “And these Valkyries?”
“That's where things get a little murky. From what I understand, they're some kind of covert intelligence unit Talion put together. I'm not entirely sure how they operate or what their official status is. Frankly, I don't think Starfleet knows quite what to make of them, and I doubt they've given the group their formal approval.”
“Yet he's using them to investigate the murders?”
“Apparently. I don't know all the details, and I'm not going to pretend I do. But I trust Talion's judgment. He's exceptionally intelligent, and I know he wants to help Jez. That's enough for me.”
Mike's expression hardened slightly.
“Whoever did this made a terrible mistake if they think the matter is going to be forgotten.”
Vesa studied him for a moment. “Do you think they'll find the people responsible?”
“I certainly hope so. Jez deserves to know what happened to her family.”
He leaned back, letting out a long breath. The weight of the past few months seemed to settle over him again, but when he spoke, there was a quiet affection in his voice.
“She's stronger than she gives herself credit for,” he said. “Always has been. She's got her mother's heart and her father's determination. Velo could be remarkably compassionate, even when she was buried in her work, and Fet had that Vulcan discipline and stubbornness. Jez inherited a little of both. Sometimes I think she's too stubborn to know when to quit.”
“And I suspect you had a hand in that, too,” Vesa observed.
Mike chuckled softly. “I might have encouraged it once or twice.”
“Once or twice?”
“Fine. Maybe more than that.”
For the first time in a while, a genuine smile crossed his face. Vesa smiled back, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.
“I'm glad she had all of you in her life, Mike. And I'm glad she still has you.”
Mike nodded, his smile fading into something quieter.
“I'm glad too. She's family. That hasn't changed.”