Aftermath

Posted on Sat Jun 21st, 2025 @ 12:25am by Lieutenant Marques Hunt

1,336 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Tales of the Twenty-Third Century
Location: USS Houston docked at Deep Space K-9
Timeline: 2286 Two Months After In the Thick of It

The USS Houston currently rested undergoing extensive repairs at Deep Space K-9. For the last two month, this Miranda class vessel and its crew had been assigned to assist with the repair work and had been questioned regarding the investigation of the failed attack that had taken place. Out of a crew of three hundred and sixty. Forty-two deaths and one hundred and three injuries. The first month was Starfleet Internal Affairs running a full-blown investigation. Questioning the entire crew on what took place. Afterwards, they all were allowed to return back to work, minus the Captain and Senior staff.

A few days ago, the senior staff returned back to duty. But Captain Ricky Barron had officially lost command of the Houston. Given a demotion to Lieutenant and reassigned elsewhere. Ensign Hunt recalled when the days after they finally cleared the Azure nebula. Out of 11 Starfleet vessels, only two made it back. The Captain of the Constitution class, USS Emory received a demotion to Lieutenant. The losses on the Emory were worse than what the Houston had experiences.

Being back at Deep Space K-9 had brought memories of his early childhood when his father had served here as the Chief Operations Officer. Marques had loved seeing the many ships come through. But he also recalled how afraid he was when there was a possible threat of a Klingon attack, K-9 was still huge and very important station in this sector, but now it didn't seem so large and vast to him. Amazing how children perceived things compared to adults.

They were saying that the Houston had at least another month of repairs now that the crew was available to assist with the repair work. Still no word of who their next commanding officer would be. There were those who thought the First Officer, Commander Dartano Mendez would be next up for the job naturally. But since he did nothing to stop Captain Barron. Rumor was that Starfleet Command was questioning his decision making and were not going to offer him the center chair.

The Cold War continued to rage on and after their loss, this gave the Klingon Empire some bragging rights, which only embolden their houses even more. The House of Doube, who is own family had been in conflict with for the majority of the twenty third century was racking up the wins on their end. The House was being led by Colonel Doube who Hunt had to admit was extremely impressive in battle.

Staring out the window at the Houston, Marques thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. Turning around, he was face to face with his cousin Maurice Flessner who was dressed in a Starfleet uniform. A few months ago, Maurice had rejoined Starfleet. This time around, the Lieutenant Junior Grade opted to work in the security field versus science. He wanted to fight as many Klingons as possible and this provided the opportunity.

"What brings you the K-9?" Hunt questioned as he embraced his older cousin.

Returning the hug, Maurice simply smiled. "The Savage is passing through here for two days, before posting along the Klingon border. Going to be relieving the USS Marshall which is in need of repair. Last run in with a Bird of Prey did a number on them."

"Oh, I did hear about that. Glad to know that Starfleet is sending in some relief finally. The Klingon Empire has been doing a number on us, and morale isn't looking too good."

"That is because we grow tired of war," the Lieutenant explained. "The longer this Cold War continues the more embolden and eager they become."

"So you think this will turn into a full blown war?"

Flessner turned to his younger cousin. "Thousands already dead, ships either lost or heavily damaged. War has begun, the Federation just refuses to acknowledge that fact,"

"Captain Barron believed that to be true as well," Marques responded with sigh, "He was so frustrated with how Starfleet was handling things, that he got with some other Captains and decided to go on the offense."

"Captain Barron and those others madde the right choice and now their being punished for what those siting on the Council and in Starfleet Command didn't do themselves."

The Ensign raised a curious eyebrow. "Maurice what are you implying?"

"Listen cousin. The plan wa clearly flawed, but making the decision to go on the offensive was not. The Klingons attack we defend, but we never go on the offensive. Klingons don't respect weakness and they can smell the blood in the water. They're will to die to achieve their goal and we think that we're going to simply talk them out of it. Their just trying to secure the border at this point."

His older cousing made a point. Captain Barron went against his orders and was dead wrong. The end result was the loss of so many. Not just to their own ship, but all those losses on the others ships. Most of those captains were dead and didn't have to answer or live with those decisions. "And your sitting on that border was well?"

"My Captain handles things differently," the Lieutenant explained. "When the Klingons come for us, we don't allow them to go back home. If they want a glorious death, then we'll gladly give it to them."

The hatred in Maurice's eyes were quite obviious. Marques could remember that Maurice would often avoid a fight, The man was a scientist, but now was taking up a security role. Klingons had broken his gentle spirit and replaced it with what he was seeing today. The saddest part, he wondered, if this is what he was starting to become. Marques too wanted the Klingons dead or in ruin. And he wasn't the only one. By the time this conflict would end, if it ever did. The young man wondered if any of them would ever be the same. "Have you spoken with anyone about what your going through?"

"You mean like a counselor," Maurice scoffed. "They keep saying that all things get better with time bullshit. My mother isn't feeling any better and neither am I. But killing Klingons does give me a certain level of satisfaction to be honest."

"So that's a no to the couseling actually helping," Hunt replied sarcastically. "Look Maurice I can't judge you. I hate the bastards myself. But I don't want you to get to a place that after all this is done. That you don't even recognize yourself. You mentioned your other. She still needs for you to be you when its all said and done."

Taking a deep breath, Maurice wanted to yell. But he knew that Marques was right. This wasn't him, but its who he needed to be at this time. "I hear what your saying Marques, But this is what I need right now. Who I was is not capable of doing what needs to be done. Do you understand that?"

Placing a gentle hand on the Lieutenant's shoulder. Marques gave a big smile. "Believe it or not. I understand completely."

"You and that big goofy ass grin," said Maurice joking "Figured after you grew up, it would go away. You would just walk around, smiling at every damn thing."

"Don't be mad at me for having a happy childhood," the younger cousin shot back. "While your head was in some damn book. I was off living my best life with actual flesh and blood friends. And imaginary people."

Flessner burst out laughing. "Those were real people. They just didn't want to be around the likes of you."

Marques continued laughing. "How about I not take your word for that. But in the meantime, let's go grab a bite to eat and do some catching up."

"We should definitely do that," Maurice agreed. "Life is short and being in Starfleet pulls are family in way too many different directions."

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Ensign Marques Hunt
Helm Officer
USS Houston

Ltjg. Maurice Flessner (NPC)
Security Officer
USS Savage

 

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