The Last Night

Posted on Mon Mar 9th, 2026 @ 6:49am by Lieutenant Commander Emilio Navarro

570 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Memories Among The Stars
Location: San Francisco
Timeline: 3 Days before Arrival at Starbase Mojave

Lt. Commander Emilio Navarro stood in his office, a place that had become more of a home than just a workspace over time. The room was quiet, and the hum of activity was absent.

He was alone.

Lake, Cortes, and Ansol weren’t around for obvious reasons. The thought of them filled his mind with conflicting emotions. He was angry Ns felt betrayed. But this wasn’t the time for those thoughts. Additionally, although Emilio was angry, he never does look it. He has very neutral facial expressions. Or so they tell him. Today was about moving forward.

He opened a drawer, pulled out a small box, and began collecting his belongings. A few personal effects, some datapads, and mementos from his time at this post. Each item told a story. Each item was a memory, a piece of the life he had built here.

As he moved through the office, packing the last remnants of his time here, he paused for a moment, pulling out an old Starfleet Academy pin from the bottom of the drawer, one he had received when he first started the position. He had almost forgotten he still had it. The small silver insignia glinted in the dim light, a symbol of the idealism and hope almost everyone feels when they receive one.

Navarro placed the pin in the box with a sigh, the weight of the past heavy on his shoulders. As he packed the last few things, Navarro glanced at the empty desks and bare walls. It was strange how quickly the space had become devoid of meaning and life. Just four walls, a door, and a few desks. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness as he prepared to leave this chapter behind.

He took a final look around the room before sealing the box.

Now it was time to move on.

Two hours later…

The night was still and peaceful in San Francisco. The city’s usual hum of activity was slightly muted as Navarro sat in his apartment, the soft glow of his video monitor illuminating the otherwise dimly lit room. Most of his belongings had already been shipped to Starbase Mojave courtesy of the Starbase’s logistical staff and services. Only a few personal items remained, scattered around the space, waiting to be packed into the duffel bag at his feet.

It was strange to think that this place, which had been his home for so long, would soon be just a memory.

With a deep breath, Emilio stood and began packing the last of his belongings into his two remaining duffel bags. A few clothes, some personal items, and a small holopicture of his parents. He zipped up the bag and set it by the door, his mind already shifting to the tasks ahead.

He moved over to his desk, where a stack of paperwork awaited his signature. It was last-minute orders, transfer documents, security clearance confirmations and the termination of his lease on the apartment.

He signed each document with the practiced ease of someone who had done this many times before, though the weight of the moment wasn’t lost on him.

When he finished the last form, Emilio sat back and let out a long breath.

It was done.

Everything was in order.

All that was left now was to get some rest one fight night and prepare for the journey ahead.

 

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