Family Affairs

Posted on Mon Jan 20th, 2025 @ 1:54am by Lieutenant Marques Hunt

922 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: Hunt's Quarters

Marques sat on his couch relaxing as he was reading over the service records of those in his department. Jotting some notes down on a PADD, he found himself suddenly interrupted from a call coming from Starbase 14. Accepting the call, he found himself face to face with an older male in a Starfleet uniform with the rank of Commodore. "Dad I was expecting a call from you."

"Well son I didn't think I needed an appointment to give you a call," the older man laughed. "How are you settling in?"

"The Hecate is about ready to ship. Not quite sure yet, but the Captain should be letting us know soon enough. How is mom?"

Malcom Hunt nodded his approval regarding the Hecate being close to leaving spacedock. "Your mother is good. She took off a few days ago to work on some trade agreements on Alpha Centuri. You have a chance to speak with Othello?"

The last thing, Marques wanted to discuss was his baby brother. As much as he was all about family, he just never really got along with Othello. He had been an only child for ten years and then suddenly there was a new kid in the home that he was responsible for looking out for. Othello was destructive and followed him everywhere. Now he admittedly he could have treated his brother better. But at the standpoint of a child, hindsight was definitely 20/20. Now Othello was a fourth cadet and one tough bastard who no longer looked up to his older brother. A couple of months ago the two got into a physical altercation that left them both pretty bruised up.

Even though they were siblings, a Lieutenant and a Cadet fighting would have been a bad look. So, the injuries definitely had to be taken care of behind closed doors and off record. Needless to say, neither had spoken since. "No, we haven't spoken. And I don't think it will happen anytime soon."

"Life is way too short for either one of you to be holding grudges," the Commodore responded. "I can expect this from him. His young and really hasn't been out there. But you Marques know firsthand that your life can be over in an instant in this career."

"There you go always expecting me to be the bigger person."

Malcom quickly interrupted his son. "Because you should be. Not only are so much older than him. But you are a Starfleet Officer. But that's not even what I wanted to discuss with you."

Marques raised a curious eyebrow. As much as he hated to admit it. His father was right about him and his brother. Looking back on it, he wished that altercation would have been handled very differently four months ago. But the last thing he would do was admit to it. "What did you want to discuss?"

"Your cousin Maurice as you know is still very upset about his father's death. And he has decided to take it out on the Klingons."

"I have no idea why you're surprised," the Lieutenant responded. "His father was killed with all hands on the Grissom by the Klingons. And they Klingon Empire had the nerve to be mad at the Federation for that unprovoked attack. And now we're working to preserve the Empire."

Malcom held up his hands. "Trust me I been fighting the Klingons longer than you have. But this is the chance to finally have peace with the Klingon Empire."

Marques simply shrugged. "No need for peace if their dead or a point where they're not a threat to anybody."

"Regardless he part of a group that is attacking the Klingons which is detrimental to the peace the Federation is working so hard to maintain."

"I'm sure the Federation is denying any involvement in these attacks," Marques replied. "The biggest problem is that Maurice will eventually get himself killed when it's all said and done. But there's nothing any of us can do. That's my big cousin and I love him. But I remember see him at the funeral. Something in him changed when his father died."

Malcom's mind wondered back to the day of his cousin's funeral. There had been several pissed off family members. And Maurice was extremely upset. The young man couldn't even finish his words at the eulogy. "I remember that day of the funeral all too well. But in all honesty, there is nothing that I can do about it."

"If he does eventually contact you. Just try to talk some sense into him. The last thing I need is another member of this family getting killed by the Klingons. You two have always been close, so he might actually listen to you."

"Alright dad, if I hear from him then I will talk him out continuing on this path. Even though I doubt it will change anything. Honestly, I can't stand the damn Klingons myself. And I know you don't like them either."

The older man couldn't help but to laugh. "As you progress in your career son. You will soon begin to see the bigger picture. Which means getting past old grudges, which includes feuds for the greater good. Especially when you become a Flag Officer."

"Don't really see myself getting that far in my career," Marques countered.

"I can see you being an Admiral one day. But you be careful out there."

"Will do and tell mom I said hey."


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Lt. Marques Hunt
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Hecate

Commodore Malcom Hunt
Commanding Officer
Starbase 14

 

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