Lieutenant Commander James Anderson looked around the bungalow that had been his home-away-from-quarters for the last few weeks.  Unfortunately, his leave was at an end.  A welcomingly-restful leave it had been, too; beyond a fine night of drinking with a fellow officer, he’d swum in the oceans, done some hiking, and even enjoyed a party or two.  The ghosts of his mission to Norfan III were still present, but quieter now, at least for the moment.

After one last look around the bungalow, Anderson, in his duty uniform once more, as he was when he first arrived, picked up his duffel bag and exited the building, walking back up the path towards the main area of the resort; around him as he walked, people frolicked on the beaches, or conversed at food stands, or took watercraft out onto the water.  They lived; not merely survived, but lived.  Anderson smiled at the sights.

When he arrived at the main area, he walked to the concierge stand, where Serin was on duty; when his turn came to check out, she looked up at him and smiled.

”Mr. Anderson!  How can I help you?” she asked brightly.

“I’m here to check out,” he replied.  “Duty calls and all that.”

She nodded sympathetically.  “As it does for all of us.  Did you enjoy your stay?”

He nodded.  “I did!  And I’ll definitely be coming back.”

“I’m glad to hear that!”  She beamed, then made a few notes on her console.  “Okay, I’ve got you checked out” she turned the monitor around “if you would, I just need your thumbprint on the final paperwork, and you’ll be all set.”

He pressed his thumb to the scanner, and after a moment it beeped and a ‘Checkout Confirmed’ notice flashed up on the screen.  “Thank you!” she said.  “Will you be waiting for a shuttle, or beaming?”

“The transporter; I’m just going back to the starbase,” he replied.

“Okay!  The departure transporter room is just over there,” she pointed in the direction.  “I’m glad you enjoyed your stay, and look forward to your next visit!”

“As do I, Serin; as do I,” he said with a smile.  “Have a good evening!”  With a small wave, he picked up his bag and headed to the departure transporters.  The transporter operator was very prompt, confirming his travel to the starbase, and in only a couple of minutes he was cleared to step up onto the pad; from there, it was a few nanoseconds up to the starbase, and a return to work.