What Next?

Posted on Thu Feb 19th, 2026 @ 5:46am by Captain Taiga Aisaka & Lieutenant Commander Devon Hunt

1,382 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Return
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: March 1, 2397

Lieutenant Commander Devon Hunt stepped onto the bridge, making his way towards the ready room. His wife was gone, and the first chance he got, he would be transporting his children to Earth. Hunt had no clue where Starfleet would send him next but he was told to meet with the Captain ASAP, so here he was a few feet from reach the ready room. Upon arrival, Devon pressed the chime waiting to be summoned. Odds are he was going to get some update on what Starfleet was going to do with him and several of the lucky survivors. If that's really what they considered themselves.

Taiga was sitting on the couch instead of behind her desk. It was far more comfortable these days. She lowered the PADD that she had been working on and looked up towards the door. "Enter," she called simply.

The door opened as the Commander entered the room. "You requested to see me, Captain?"

"Yes I did," Taiga said as she shifted her position slightly. "Take a seat," she told him softly.

Scanning the room, he pulled out the seat and sat down.

"Commander Johnson has informed me that you stepped up and helped with the evacuation on Starbase 234. I understand from your record..." she tapped the PADD that she was holding, "That you were assigned there as the station's chief of security?"

"Those were my people on that Starbase," Hunt spoke softly. "Spent the last five years there. Feels like I failed my people back there to be honest."

"Lets set one thing clear," Taiga said firmly. "You did not fail anyone. I understand that you've lost friends and people close to you. But that doesn't mean that you failed at your duty." She paused for a moment. "From what I have read, you were actively fighting the Heralds on the promenade, protecting civilians."

Straightening himself up, the Commander nodded. "That's correct. As long as I still have life in me. I will continue to fight."

Taiga nodded. "Thats good to hear." She replied. She shiffled back placing a hand on her rounded out belly as sbe moved. "So, I know this is very sudden. But we're short of a Chief of Security and Tactical aboard the Tokyo. I'm not the type of captain to order people into a position after going through something like that. You do have the option of taking some leave with your family if you wish it. Or, you can stay here, your children included if you wish it."

Devon was clearly surprised by the offer that was just made to him. Taking a deep breath, he really didn't know what to say. Especially with the offer of his children staying as well. "Is Starfleet allowing families to stay on ships?"

"Starfleet has only advised that civilians be relocated off of Starships." Taiga stated with a smile. "I have given any civilians here on the Tokyo that choice. Some of them have indeed left the ship for a safer location, others have not." she ran a hand over her belly. "Plus, since I'm going to be a mother soon as well. The idea of splitting up families just didn't seem to sit right with me. I believe it shouldn't be upto Starfleet Command. Thats a decisions that soley sits with the family. Afterall, every family is different."

"The plan was to send my children with my parents, which I have been feeling very guilty about. But I think your offer to keep them here with me would be for the best for now. Thank you for the offer, Captain. I accept."

Taiga nodded. "While we are on this subject..." she said dropping her gaze slightly. "I want to express my condolences regarding your wife." her voice was low, soft and full of sadness. "I know its hard, I can't possibly imagine what you're going through."

Slowly she looked up to meet his gaze. "Usually I would give time for you to properly grieve, and trust me; I want to give you that time. However, you've seen first hand how bad this conflict is getting. We need everyone that can fight, to fight." She broke eye contact for a moment and then looked back at him. "I want you however to take some time with one of the ships counsellors. Trust me, they can help you through this. Its not going to be easy, not in the slightest. But now that I'm your Captain, your welfare is now my responsibility."

Looking over, he made eye contact with the Captain. "I'm well aware that all hands on deck are needed. The very survival of the Federation is at stake here. To be honest, I have been having trouble sleeping. Definitely taking up that offer to see a counselor."

The Captain nodded. "Drop by sickbay too. They may be able to help with your sleep." She added. She held out the PADD to him shifting forward slightly. "I've already drafted up your transfer orders here, if you wouldn't mind giving them a quick look over." she told him. "Of course, you do have the right to reject them should you need to. If you need time, I can arrange that." She added with a reassuring gaze.

Quickly skimming through the orders. Hunt pressed his thumb against the screen, confirming the orders. With that completed, he handed the PADD back over to the Captain. "So, what's the next move?"

"Lieutenant Nezuko should have assigned you quarters." Taiga stated. "I want you to take the next couple of days off to get settled in. Then we'll work you into the duty roster from there. I also want you to report to sickbay, your children imcluded. Have your medical records and physicals sorted. Also bool those counselling appointments." Taiga told him. "Apart from that, we're just waiting to hear from Starfleet Command as to our next move."

Hunt was actually eager to get right into working. But the Captain was right, he needed to take the time to get settled in with his family. Work could wait, especially while they were still awaiting orders. Family first, work second. "I understand loud and clear." Looking down at the Captain's belly, he found himself a bit curious. "If don't mind me asking, Captain. How far along are you?"

"Nearly thirty five weeks," Taiga replied as she looked down. "Its not going to be long now. However I still intend to keep commanding the Tokyo."

"First child?"

Taiga nodded. "Technically yes." She replied. "We had a miscarriage a few years ago after I was injured on an away mission. I didn't know that I had been pregnant at the time. The chances of me having a child after that were low, so this is a little miracle for my husband and I." she explained with a soft smile.

"Sorry to hear that," Devon responded. "I'm happy for you both. When Anya was pregnant with Jasmine, I was a complete mess. Afraid that somehow, I would mess up in some way. By the time Anthony came in the picture, all those nerves were gone."

Taiga smiled in response. "I'll admit I am a little nervous, but I am looking forward to whats ahead. I know what I say won't bring your wife back, but you should know that I am sorry that we couldn't save her." she said solemly.

"I understand that the doctors did everything they could. Other than the enemy, I blame myself for not doing a better job of defending her."

"You can't go blaming yourself Commander. If you do that, you'll never recover, never walk your own path. Its not going to happen immediately, but eventually you'll recover from this. Maybe not fully, but in some capacity you will." Taiga said softly.

Devon sighed as he straightened himself up. "That's easier said than done. But I certainly will try to remember those words."

Taiga gave him a small smile. "Good, and if you need anything. Come and see me. I might be a Starship Captain, but I'm also the leader of a community. Now, go and spend some time with your children and get settled in."

"Thank you."

Posting by:

Captain Taiga Aisaka
Commanding Officer
USS Tokyo

Lieutenant Commander Devon Hunt
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Tokyo

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