Thank You

Posted on Sat Apr 25th, 2026 @ 9:01pm by Commander Kelly Kerrigan & Lieutenant Malcom Hunt

1,036 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Forgotten Wounds
Location: Captain's Office
Timeline: BACKPOSTED

Lieutenant Hunt had just received the green light to return to duty from the doctor. Now his stop was to see Commander Kerrigan to officially report in. At the moment, the Arcadia was docked at Starbase 6, undergoing repairs for the time being, so flying off anytime soon was out of the question. Arriving at his destination, Malcom pressed the chime and waited to be called in.

Pacing around for the past several minutes, Commander Kelly Kerrigan was near the door at the time of the chime. "Just a moment," he called out as he straightened his uniform. While docked at a Starbase, there was no telling who would pop aboard.

He answered the door, stepping towards it and triggering it to slide open. The relief expressed on his face was an understatement. "Lieutenant Hunt," he said calmly. "For a moment there, I was dreading an Admiral being on that side of the doorway. Please, come in and have a seat."

Malcom simply smiled as he entered, taking the seat that was offered. "Glad my arrival has relieved you of that feeling of dread. Never got a chance to properly thank you for rescuing me out there."

"You're welcome, but just doing what Stafleet taught us to do, Lieutenant," replied Kelly. He gestured for the lieutenant to come into his Ready Room. "You have a home here aboard the Arcadia as long as you want. I am confident that you're going to end up a real asset to the crew, and someone with your skill level on a Constitution class starship just makes sense to me."

Entering, he smiled at the Captain. "Definitely plan on putting myself to good use around here. You have a fine ship here."

Kelly nodded in full agreement. "Arcadia is a very fine starship, but it's the crew. They make this place what it has become. I was never intended to be the Captain of the Arcadia, but I have tried to do my best while I am in command. Those days grow fewer in number though."

"What do you mean, Sir?"

"I have custody of my little brother. He's still a kid, and let's face it, The Arcadia is not exactly the ideal place to raise a child. I cannot give him the safety and structure that he needs aboard this starship. It's just too dangerous, Lieutenant. He and I lost our parents a while back, and I don't want him losing me. It would break him. I can't do that to him," explained Kelly. "So, I'm looking at other options, a different assignment."

"Growing up in Starfleet," Hunt replied. "This all just seems normal to me. But I wasn't always fond of my father being away from my mother and me."

"You followed in his footsteps, though?" Kelly asked, curious as to the logic and reasoning behind all of that. "He was Starfleet, wasn't he. You weren't fond of him leaving as a kid, but here you are."

Malcom thought about those words. "My father is my hero. Even as a child, I wanted to be in Starfleet. But like most children, I missed my parents. Its a good thing that your brother gets to accompany you."


Kelly Kerrigan’s expression softened, the initial flicker of surprise giving way to something more reflective. He shifted his weight slightly, arms folding loosely as he considered Malcolm’s words. Ultimately, Kelly knew that he was making the correct decision. It was the right course if action to take his brother away from all of this.

“Yeah… I get that,” Kelly admitted, his voice quieter now, more personal. “I can see where you're coming from. For some, their parents are the reason they ever dare to put on a uniform in the first place." He looked at Malcom. "Is it wrong that I hope my brother doesn't follow in my footsteps, that he doesn't idolize me like a boy would his father?"

Kelly hesitated. He didn't mean to offend. Then added with a faint smirk, “I value Starfleet. I do, but Starfleet can be… a lot. Having me around might be the only thing he has to keep him grounded."

"I understand exactly where you're coming from," Malcom admitted. "Due to my own experience, I often wonder if starting a family should come after retiring from Starfleet or at least ending up in a stable posting like a space station or starbase at the end of my career." Thinking about how he wanted to ask the question, he came right out with it. "Is Starfleet the issue, or being in a parenting role while in Starfleet the issue?"

"Parenting role in Starfleet, I think," replied Kelly. "I put myself in too much danger with these deep space and explorative assignments, as Captain of a starship... too much risk. I don't want him growing up resenting me or resenting Starfleet if something were to happen to me. So, I have to make this career choice to limit that risk, but still do something that I am proud of."

Raising a curious eyebrow. Though it really wasn't his business, he felt the need to ask. "Are you seriously considering stepping down from commanding this ship, Captain?"

"The ink is drying as they say," Kelly replied. "I am more than considering, Lieutenant. It is a done deal."

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that. I was looking forward to working with you."

Kelly stood from his seat and reached across, meeting Hunt with a hand extended. "Our paths will cross again. The stars have a way of doing that, I am sure of it. For now, I wish you and the rest of the crew the best of luck. I know my successor will be different, but undoubtedly a fine Captain. Perhaps, and more than likely, far more experienced than I am. Arcadia needs that. The crew needs it."

He smiled and looked around the Ready Room. "I will miss this place, the crew, this office space, my quarters. All of it. Thank you for staying aboard, Lieutenant. I am officially accepting that you are cleared for duty and to resume your position permanently aboard the Arcadia" [refaced Kelly. "Dismissed," he added, and gave a polite nod.

 

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