Blast from the Past

Posted on Tue 13th Jan, 2026 @ 9:40am by Commander Heriah Rex & Commander Mindo

1,015 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: [MAIN] From The Ashes
Location: SB 109 Corridors
Timeline: Current

The stunned sparring partner in the boxing ring was aforementionedly stunned. The crewmates that were cheering him on were all stunned. The entire gym was stunned...and silent. Some found themselves in mid rep and mid lift when they froze at the sight.

Commander Heriah Rex had stepped into the ring and, 30 seconds later, the crewman preparing himself for the 109 Boxing Tournament, was on the mat without air in his lungs. Heriah, sporting only a growing bruise on her shoulder, stepped out of the ring, gathered her belongings and started away. This was, of course, all after her normal workout routine. Winded, sweaty, sore muscles, and one knockout later, she was done in the gym for the day.

'You see? When you need the guidance, I can be a treasure trove of knowledge. Refkin's training comes in quite handy.'

Heriah smiled as she passed a few others. Some looked on in amazement, others in fright. Some of the men instinctively flexed their shoulders and poked their chests out as she happened by. She eyed each and every one of them.

With her gym bag hanging on her shoulder, Heriah exited the parting doors.

Commander Mindo emerged into the same corridor, as he too had just finished a thorough workout in the Olympic-sized pool. He noticed the looks on the faces of the overly-buff bodybuilders who were still watching Rex as the doors whished shut behind her. Mindo shook his head. Bodybuilders were so stupid with their constant competitive natures, who enjoyed silently shaming each other while faking nonchalance as they flexed and posed.

For a man his height and build, Mindo hardly had any reason to be ashamed of anything. He had a trim physique with a kind and extremely handsome face, and also other aspects of him that really grew on people. Mindo was a prime example of how someone less "built" could be more evenly nuanced than the average roided-out bodybuilder, particularly in the more perfervid areas.

Mindo fell in step with Rex more by happenstance than anything. His hair was still disheveled from drying off, and he still had the smell of chlorine on him. A pair of goggles adorned his hairline and a white towel was draped around his shoulders. He was wearing bright green swim trunks--he hated speedos--and a white tee.

He took one look at Rex and said, "I think you need to give those men their eyes back. They're still stuck to your hind end."

Heriah stopped in her tracks.

'I know that voice.'

"I know that voice," she said as she slowly turned toward the owner of said voice. Also, her gaze lowered as her eyes finally fell upon, "Mindo." She did not speak his name with any hint of surprise. Nor did she say it with disgust. Nor with happy excitement. She said it flatly as the memory all those years ago returned.

'What the Hell is Little Tyke doing here?'

"What the...what brings you to 109?"

"Admiral... er, Captain Francis," Mindo replied, somewhat confused at the Trill woman's apparent familiarity. "I'm doing a few odd jobs for him, one of them being Chief of Security. I'm sorry, have we met?" His eyes widened. "Wait... Laish? Is that you?"

Heriah furrowed her brow, wondered who Laish was, then gave up. "Heriah. Well Commander Herieh...Rex. Yes, we've...well a previous host of my symbiont, Rex, and you worked together. You may recall Davmorda Rex, USS Tornado, several years ago in fact. You didn't like her much I think." Heriah looked up and around. "Come to think of it, I don't blame you."

'Hey, don't knock the Dav. A lot of good came out of her. We had fun times her and I.'

"Those were different times," she finished.

Mindo nodded, trying to place where he'd known a "Rex" before. "Wow! Tornado times. I was different too, back then. Cocky, impatient, horny... well, I guess I wasn't that different. But a lot has happened since, and I do feel changed. What position did Davmorda have on the Tornado?"

Heriah motioned with her head to the side, inviting him to walk with her. "She was the yeoman of the Tornado. That was her official position. Her true position though, was to be the eyes and ears of Commander Shaqdac. He was in charge while Captain Takado was captured. And he personally wanted Davmorda by his side. Shaqdac had an unhealthy disdain for that Changeling first officer and wanted me...erm...Davmorda...that is...to dig up any and all dirt, which included keeping an eye on you, and report it all back to him later."

Mindo snapped his fingers. "Rex! The annoying Yeoman!" he exclaimed. "Now I remember. You were a bloody nuisance!" Mindo laughed. "Wow. So what brings you here? I came aboard just a couple of days ago." With a flick of his toe, Mindo's rockets adjusted to match Rex's height and gait.

Heriah made eye contact with him and maintained that until they were both on the same level. "I am the First Officer of 109," she said. "Again, your superior officer."

'But not the highest. Not...yet.'

"And yes...she was annoying. I promise I won't be Davmorda."

'Promises...promises. Need I remind you of that Ensign you warm your bed with?'

"We operate far different than a starship. For one, you can ditch that starship uniform of yours for the starbase variant."

"Who needs uniforms?" Mindo said with a small grin. "But I see what you mean. I do like the zipper in front."

'Remember when Davmorda wanted to unzip him in the front...with a knife?'

After her workout, Heriah could feel her muscles begin to want to cramp up. She needed something more than walking. "I am about to hit up the local mess. Not the Officer's Mess. This one is public. Care to join me? Are you hungry?"

"After a swim?" said Mindo. "I'm famished! Lead the way."

 

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