Fight for the Future Part III
Posted on Thu Oct 9th, 2025 @ 4:24am by Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Hunter
Edited on on Thu Oct 16th, 2025 @ 8:38pm
1,506 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
All Our Yesterdays
Location: USS Aquarius
Timeline: Two Days Prior to Arrival at Empok Nor
“You’re a damn fool, Hunter,” Jax said, falling into step next to him as he and the security guards made their way toward the brig.
“Yeah,” Jack muttered, rubbing his sore ribs. “But I’m a fool with principles.”
Jax chuckled, clapping Jack on the back. “Don’t worry. I’ll cover for you while you’re cooling your heels in the brig.”
Jack smirked. “Appreciate it.”
Jack entered the turbolift. Two security guards flanked both sides as the doors hissed closed.
12 Hours Later
The brig was cold and quiet. The hum of the ship’s systems was the only sound in the background. Jack sat on the narrow cot, stretching out his legs and rolling his sore shoulder. It wasn’t the first time he’d taken a hit for someone else, and it probably wouldn’t be the last.
As he leaned back against the wall, he allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction. Brill was safe, and Radek had been dealt with. At least for now. Jack knew it wouldn’t end Radek’s antics entirely, but it sent a message to everyone else on the lower decks, and he had no regrets.
He sat quietly, his thoughts drifting to the future. He knew the reprimand would stick to his record. A blemish that might slow down his career. But that was a price he was willing to pay. If looking out for his team meant bending the rules from time to time, so be it.
The doors to the brig hissed open. Commander Sovan entered the room and dismissed the guard at his station. She approached the invisible force field, her hands clasped neatly behind her back.
“Time is up, Lieutenant,” she said evenly as she tapped some buttons. The force field de-energized.
Jack rose from the cot, rolling his stiff shoulders as he approached.
“Thank you, Commander,” he said, his voice steady.
“By the way, your transfer request to the Pioneer has been approved.”
Jack’s brow lifted slightly in surprise, though he kept his expression controlled. “I didn’t expect it to go through that fast.”
“You leave tomorrow,” Sovan replied.
“Thank you.” Jack said with a small nod. “I appreciate you letting me know.”
Sovan didn’t immediately respond. She studied him with that familiar Vulcan precision, her gaze unwavering. “I am curious, Lieutenant. You are a capable officer, well-regarded by your peers and respected by your subordinates on this ship. Why seek a transfer at all?”
Jack exhaled slowly, choosing his words carefully. “It’s not the work,” he said after a moment. “I’ve loved my time here. But it’s time for a new challenge. Something different. The Pioneer is more than capable for me and I'm ready to break her in.”
Sovan raised a single eyebrow, the Vulcan equivalent of intrigue. “From my understanding, the Pioneer is a small vessel. Intrepid class. Respectfully for those on the Pioneer, she is no match for this Galaxy-class ship.”
"Ah... small but sturdy. It can respond, hit, and get out fast." Jack shrugged, a hint of a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Either way, I’ve always worked well under pressure. Maybe smaller is better for me.”
Sovan inclined her head slightly, acknowledging his point. “Indeed. However,” she continued, her tone softening just slightly, “It is worth considering that you leave behind more than just your post. Your team looks up to you, Lieutenant. They will feel your absence.”
Jack looked down for a moment, the weight of her words settling over him. “I know,” he said quietly. “That’s the hardest part. But my absence would not only be growing paid for me but also for them.”
Sovan allowed a brief silence to pass before she spoke again and moved on to another subject. “I’ll repeat what I said earlier, what you did for Ensign Brill was commendable. You demonstrate a level of loyalty to your team that is… rare.”
Jack gave a small nod, sensing the underlying compliment hidden beneath her Vulcan demeanor. He responded, “Sometimes rules don’t cover every situation. Sometimes the rules only delay the inevitable. Meeting a threat head-on is sometimes the best way to solve it. I’ve known bullies my whole life, Commander. A bully can only be beaten outside the rules.”
Sovan’s gaze sharpened slightly. “You’re probably right, but rules do exist for a reason. Even if they are not the best way to solve conflicts, we have them for a reason and we must maintain order. Without it there’s chaos.”
Jack crossed his arms, not confrontational but thoughtful. “Maybe. But I couldn’t stand by while one of my own got pushed around. I made the decision I made, and I accept the punishment freely, with no regrets.”
Sovan regarded him with a measured gaze. “And that, Lieutenant, is why you will do well in Starfleet. But, please, do your best to follow the rules.”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Is that your way of saying good luck, Commander?”
A flicker of something. Amusement, perhaps?
“I do not rely on luck, Lieutenant. However, I do offer you this. Continue to apply the same loyalty and dedication on the Pioneer, and you will excel.”
Jack smiled, small but genuine. “Thank you. I’ll try not to disappoint.”
Sovan gave him a slight nod. “You never have, Lieutenant Hunter.”
For a moment, there was nothing but the soft hum of the brig’s systems between them. Then, with a final glance and nod, Jack left the room. The door hissed open and he disappeared.
The brig was now still and quiet. Commander Sovan took a moment to look around, then turned to the panel on the wall and pressed it. The lights dimmed as the room reduced power usage.
As Commander Sovan exited the brig, Major Santiago waited just outside, arms folded across his chest. He leaned casually against the wall, his sharp gaze following her as the door closed behind her. The hum of the corridor was the only sound between them for a moment.
“I have to say, Commander.” Santiago broke the silence, tilting his head slightly, “Hunter reminds me of someone.”
Sovan raised a single eyebrow, the barest hint of curiosity crossing her Vulcan features. “Oh? And who would that be, Major?”
“You.” Santiago smirked, clearly enjoying the moment. “Back at the Academy. You did exactly what he did.”
Sovan’s gaze remained steady, though something flickered in her eyes. A fragment of memory she preferred to leave untouched. “You are mistaken. My situation was different.”
Santiago gave a low chuckle, standing up straight and folding his arms behind his back. “Yeah? Funny how I remember it differently. You went toe-to-toe with some hotshot cadet who thought it was funny to bully another student. Decked him right in front of half the classroom, if I recall correctly.” He grinned. “You even dislocated his shoulder. They called you ‘Logic Fist’ for a whole semester.”
Sovan’s expression didn’t shift, but she clasped her hands behind her back. It was a subtle sign she wasn’t as unaffected as she appeared. “The matter was handled appropriately afterward, in accordance with regulations.”
Santiago gave her a knowing look. “Oh, sure. Afterward. But you still threw the punch first, didn’t you?”
Sovan’s gaze narrowed slightly, though her voice remained cool and even. “What I did was a lapse in judgment. One I have ensured was not repeated.”
Santiago grinned. “Maybe. But don’t pretend it wasn’t satisfying.”
Sovan remained silent for a moment, as if calculating the worth of engaging further. Finally, she allowed herself the smallest of nods. “There may have been… a sense of resolution. And I will say, Lieutenant Hunter demonstrated loyalty and initiative; qualities essential to leadership. Though his methods require refinement.”
Santiago gave a small shrug. “He’ll fit right in on the Pioneer. They are going to need officers who think on their feet and aren’t afraid to punch above their weight. Literally and figuratively.”
Sovan tilted her head, as if in agreement. “That is my expectation.”
The conversation had ended and she turned to leave, her posture as measured and precise as ever.
As she walked away, Santiago called after her with a grin, “By the way, ‘The Logic Fist’ still has a nice ring to it.”
Without missing a beat, Sovan replied, “I would advise you not to test the theory, Major.”
Santiago’s laughter echoed down the corridor as Sovan disappeared around the corner, her expression neutral but perhaps just a little more satisfied than usual.
A Post By
Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Hunter
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer, USS Pioneer
RSS Feed