Epilogue, Final Entry

Posted on Mon 20th Apr, 2026 @ 2:43pm by Captain Gordon Francis & Criswell Sandbags

866 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: [MAIN] From The Ashes
Timeline: end

Station Log, Final Entry, Captain Gordon Francis reporting.

As I start this entry, regarding the end of operations on Starbase 109, I have trouble summing up everything from the beginning. This station has been a workhorse in this sector, with a fine and distinguished legacy, and it has been an honor to be given the opportunity to command what has become its final days. Starbase 109 was a good home for me, but it was more than a good home for so many more people... even ones not wearing a Starfleet uniform.

I'm not a literarily articulate person. This entry has been a struggle so far and I'm just winging it. But just now I was visited by Criswell Sandbags, one of Garden District's more colorful individuals.

He came into the room and asked me if there was anything I needed.

“I see you're working on something,” Criswell said, his hands in that awkward position that looks more natural on a Ferengi, for good reason. Criswell was raised by a Ferengi couple in Ferenginar's capital city. It's important to note that he is a human.

“Just the final entry to the station's log,” I said to him. “I don't need anything, but thanks for the offer.”

Criswell nodded and turned to leave. Grabbing a hunch, I called after him and he turned around. “I'm not good at log stuff,” I admitted. “I am trying to express how this feels, but at the moment but can't think of diddly-squat. Any suggestions?”

Criswell thought for a moment, then replied with, “In your time here, has anything changed for you?”

“Not really,” I said, giving the answer no serious thought. “Why?”

“Well,” Criswell started, his eyes shifting left-to-right and his head tilted down, as he does when he talks. “When I was young, all I wanted to do was serve on a Ferengi starship. I wouldn't be an officer, of course, but perhaps a ship could have me as a servant. It would have been a big honor to do that. The first hoo-mon to work on a Ferengi ship! Of course, I was rejected. They didn't want to have any hoo-mon blood or other bodily fluids tainting their ship. I understood this, as it is well known hoo-mons are incredibly inferior to Ferengi.”

I almost begged to differ, but he continued. “After serving on a few merchant ships, I ended up here with no money at all and thus no honor either. I don't know what kept me going after that, but I started examining all of the people here. I wanted to learn everything about everyone. In my observations, I've learned everything from mixing a cocktail to flying a runabout. I learned it all because I knew I was unimportant, so people never noticed me.

“I went unnoticed, until I met Mr. Qaraq. I was so thrilled when he gave me such a prestigious job as his servant. When I told my father—that is, my adopted father—he was so proud of me! He was the one who secretly taught me reading and math when such luxuries were forbidden for young hoo-mons. With this new job, I could finally put both to good use.

“But then people started acknowledging me. Speaking to me. Making eye-contact. They even knew my name! And it wasn't just people. My master, Mr. Qaraq, did the same things, as if I was equal to him! I got a home of my own. I had money to buy nicer clothes. I even learned how to work the sonic shower.”

Criswell began fidgeting with his hands again. “Now I'm not so sure I want to serve on a Ferengi ship. On Ferenginar, growing up, all I wanted was to become a good Ferengi. On Starbase 109, I became a good hoo-mon. Something ignited in me that made me better than what I was. I think that's what I loved the most about 109. I could be anyone I wanted to be.”

I didn't know what to say to that, but in true Criswell fashion he abruptly disappeared.

Upon further reflection on Criswell's question, I believe I have changed here. I took command as a disgraced Admiral, given a choice of demotion or discharge, due to a whole load of hogwash politics. I took this assignment out of pride. I didn't actually want to be here, but I didn't want to just skedaddle from Starfleet with my tail between my legs.

Doing this shed what little was left of my ego. I stopped caring about image, about every detail to protocol. I learned to listen to my crew instead of shoving orders down their throats. And you know what? I enjoyed it a great deal more.

Criswell was right. Starbase 109 made me better. It made everyone better. This was a place where everyone could get away from all the chatter out there and just be who they wanted to be. It was a safe hub for so many people over its long existence. So I'm not letting go of it. This place has the ability to be rebuilt into something greater, and I will be right here when it happens.

End station log, signed Gordon Francis, Captain, Starbase 109.

 

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