Hold Fast

Posted on Thu Aug 20th, 2026 @ 4:08pm by Captain Tristan Faust & Ensign Tobias "Toby" Dienstag

1,104 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 6: Echoes of the Interphase
Location: Deck 1: Bridge
Timeline: M6 MD11 (2268.10.14) 0200

The maw of the Interphase bathed the bridge of the Midway with blue light, drowning out the yellow alert signals. The ship’s chronometer read 0200 and the bridge was manned with a cadre of junior officers with a Lieutenant manning the Captain’s chair.

Ensign Dienstag was standing at the science console, leaning over the science scope. His brown eyes darted from point to point as sensor data from the ship fed directly into the simulation. The monitor readout was displaying the progress tracker of the latest simulation on the working theories being developed in coordination with the Sciences and Engineering divisions.

The turbolift opened and the Captain stepped onto the bridge. For 0200 his uniform was pressed, hair was immaculate and showed no signs of fatigue, except the bags under his eyes which were concealed by the black rimmed Persol eyeglasses. They were good for something after all.

The Officer of the Watch turned and the young man’s face was filled with shock, “Captain on the Bridge,” he said, darting up.

Tristan held up his hand, “No need Mr. Cortez,” he said, as he stepped into the well, “As you were…” He headed towards the navigation console. “However,” he said, looking down at the young Andorian officer.

“Sir?” the navigator asked in confusion, his antennae moving in circular patterns.

The Captain gave a reassuring smile, “You are relieved, get a good night’s sleep and enjoy the break,” he said, before taking the navigator’s station which was being vacated. A nostalgic smile spread across Tristan’s face. He was almost misty eyed as he checked the status of the ship’s course.

“Mr. Dienstag,” Tristan said.

Now the sound of the Captain’s voice shocked Toby out of his work. His posture stiffened as though struck by lightning, “Aye,” he said, looking over.

“When is navigation due for refreshed data from long range sensors?” Tristan asked.

“About sixty seconds sir,” Toby responded.

Tristan cocked an eyebrow as he looked at the young ensign. “That is well below spec,” he questioned.

Toby’s eyes widened, “I know sir, but with the computer running the Interphase simulations, the dutronic relays are being taxed quite heavily… It should clear up soon,” he said.

The Captain nodded before returning his attention back to the navigation console. A moment later he noticed light footsteps. He looked over his shoulder and caught Toby peering at him from the railing. Toby stiffened up when he was detected. “At ease Mr. Dienstag, what’s on your mind?” he asked.

“Oh, I… I don’t recall ever seeing you on the bridge this late sir… At least in a non-emergency,” Toby asked.

The Captain chuckled, “Maybe next time I’ll break out my Lt. Commander braided uniform from the Republic,” he said, “Then no one will notice… Insomnia’s a bitch Toby. And this is the best seat in the house, at least to me any.”

Now Toby was intrigued, “Best seat in the house?” he repeated and shot a look over at the lieutenant who was still sitting in the Captain’s chair, at Tristan’s chair

“You tell me Mr. Dienstag,” Tristan asked with a smirk, “Are you more comfortable in that chair or at your scope?”

Toby nodded and understood.

“So, Toby, did you enjoy your time on Earth?” Tristan asked as he turned his attention back to the console. He tapped a few buttons.

“Well… Mike and I visited my family and… his family,” Toby responded.

Tristan stopped working and his posture stiffened up, “I see,” he said, “How did that go?”

“Seeing my parents was fantastic, got to sleep at home, cook in my parents’ restaurant, showed Mike how to make Saftgulasch,” the young man responded with a big smile. He noticed the Captain was still looking at him intently. Toby’s smile faded, “Mike’s family… There’s a lot going on,” he added.

“Always has been,” Tristan responded as he turned in the chair to face Toby. He looked at the young man’s face, “Something on your mind?” he asked, knowing the answer to the question.

Toby sighed and nodded as he looked down at the steps, “May I?” he asked.

Tristan nodded as Toby took a seat on the step next to the Navigation console.

“Mike’s met my family many times, but I haven’t met his,” Toby said, “Which was always weird to me… But I get it there’s different family dynamics… He tried to prepare me for it and I don’t know… They were nice and all, but.”

“Preoccupied?” Tristan asked.

Toby nodded.

“Well, I haven’t talked to Mike’s Dad in a long time, but I know what he can be like,” Tristan responded.

The monitor at the science station beeped. Toby looked over. Tristan gave him a nod to go check it out, before rotating the chair back to face the Interphase. It was easy to lose one’s thoughts staring into something of immense beauty and awesome destructive power. He didn’t think they would be back here again. He noticed Toby sit back down.

“He graduated with you right… Err Mike’s brother?” Toby asked.

Tristan nodded, “Served together during the war,” he commented before scanning the young man’s face. The captain’s face lit up and the misty-eyed look returned, “I was a skittish nerdy kid, 19 and in a war,” he commented with a chuckle of disbelief and then scanned Toby, “Why?”

“The house was covered in pictures and there was one officer who looked like you sir, but I wasn’t sure,” Toby responded. The Captain looked starkly different especially in the war time and academy photos. Gone were the trappings of authority and experience, as was the Starship Captain swagger. All that was left was an awkward kid with big eyes in a blue uniform.

The Captain just nodded and then looked towards the Interphase again.

“Sir,” Toby said.

The sheepish word broke Tristan’s train of thought. He looked over at Toby.

“I don’t know, how to ask this but… Were you ever comfortable there?” Toby asked.

The Captain shrugged his shoulders slightly and then paused for a few moments. “I’m sure it’s a different dynamic than when I was last there,” he said, “How was Mike?”

Toby stared at the Captain for a few moments, “Lost,” he said.

The Captain looked back at the Interphase. “Hold on to him,” he said as he stared blankly at the stellar phenomenon.

 

RSS Feed