Assistant finally speaks to chief

Posted on Fri Oct 30th, 2026 @ 7:16am by Lieutenant JG Connor Carey & Lieutenant Commander Devon Hunt

1,305 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Kintsugi
Location: Starbase

Connor looked around the bar, it was small cozy and exactly what he needed. After the last battle hejust needed to relax. Walking up to the bar, he ordered a tall glass of betazed wine.

Entering the Devon had quite a bit on his mind and was hoping that a drink or two would somewhat relax him. Moving closer to the bar, he spotted a very familiar face. "Lieutenant Carey, interesting running into you here."

"Commander. I suppose nows a good a time to meet than any." He took a drink. "Whats your plan next few weeks."

His arrival to the Tokyo had been so quickly a brief when he volunteered for the assignment that never had the chance to meet anyone in the security department. Which was an embarrassment on his part. "Yes, I was on and off the Tokyo so quickly. Heading to Earth to drop Jasmine and Anthony off with my parents. How about yourself?"

"No idea, My father is head of starfleet security, One of my mothers is retired counsellor. My other is off commanding the Resolution."

"How is the Resolution faring with this war?"

"Better than the original, the Horizon class sleeker and more teeth than the Galaxy." Connor replied. "Its seen its fair share, lost a lot of crew, its mainly being used for hit and runs."

"Sounds like they have right idea," Hunt sighed. "Not sure if trying to go toe to toe with the enemy will ever work to our advantage."

"Something will give, and I have a feeling the Tokyo is the place to do it." Connor replied. "Have you heard, Commander Johnson has been promoted to Captain, and given the new Armitage class to command."

"Heard a rumor about the offer. Did he actually accept the promotion and the position?"

"I am hearing he did. I wonder who will replace him."

"Suppose that would be the current second officer," Hunt considered out loud. "Starfleet has taken a lot of losses. Guess none of us should be surprised by him receiving and accepting the offer."

"Considering he is probably the foremost expert on their governing body, he was in their... what we would call council chambers." Connor replied, "Talking, as much good that did."

Devon nodded. He was still fairly new to the dynamic of the crew and was stil getting to everyone. "So how about yourself? Any command aspirations?"

"Honestly, I am still enjoying things. My father always lamented that rushing to command is not necessarily a good thing. You have to be ready or else you can be shooting yourself or others in the foot. I have time. I am in no rush." Connor replied as he took a drink

"Wise advice from your father," Hunt acknowledged. "Living in the moment and not being stuck in an unknown future would drive you, if not most, crazy."

Taking a sip of his own drink, he considered everything in his career that put him right at this bar, across from the young man. In all honesty, he would use this time to meditate"

"He often reminisces about times when he was commanding Officer, and wishes he was still in command."

"I can't help but if this is how it will always be," Devon mentioned as he took a gulp of his drink. Always another fight around the corner. Space is so vast, yet we still find ourselves in a fight."

"If what always will be?"

"Always being under the threat of war. Fight over the bare minimum of space in this galaxy. When there is so much to go around."

"Theres always going to be a threat when we are out here looking for it. When we go out there, and try to actively stop threats. Its our job to stop threats when they arrise. Unfortunately, some threats are bigger, and trying to stop it takes a lot more to stop."

Devon thought about those words carefully. The Lieutenant was quite mature for his age. But on another note he likely hadn't been around long enough to lose anyone due to career. For that, he envied the young man. The last thing he wanted to do was lower the morale for the number one person in his department. "Conner, you're definitely right about that."

"Although I know my career is still young. You don't need to hold anything back, being half betazoid, I am able to pick up on certain feelings." Connor replied gesturing for 2 more drinks, one for him and another for the chief. "My career is somewhat new, I understand. But I understand loss. The loss of the Resolution at the end of the dominion war. Then seeing losses in different battles growing up. It was what brought me here to starfleet. Not just because my father was flag officer at the time, but I know first hand what losses can do to people. Both emotional, and physical." He paused a moment. "I know you haven't had a chance to meet with a counsellor for a while to deal with your loss. Being strong for the kids is admirable, but in the long run. Its going to affect you even harder."

Thing about those words carefully, the Commander allowed himself to smile and lighten up a bit. "Didn't think you were old enough to actually remember the Dominion War. I was in the last year of high school when the war came to an end." He fell silent as the bartender interrupted them, bringing over the two drinks.

Taking a sip, Devon considered where he had left off before continuing. "Had one session with the counselor after my wife died, then got thrown into fighting again. I probably should use this time to get back into counseling."

"I hear commander Talia Johnson is free when we get back."

"I have the feeling this relationship is going to consist of you pushing me," he chuckled. "But let's talk more about you. I'm all about seeing my people move up. So, what are your overall goals?"

"Well the centre seat before i retire, but im in no rush." Connor replied as he took a drink. "Guess its kinda the counsellor part in me, my mother was chief counsellor on the Resolution. But if you dont take care of yourself, I will be getting your position, earlier than any of us would want."

"I am definitely catching the hint," he chuckled. "Any particular counselor you would recommend on board?"

"Preferably one thats breathing... I know the chief is off, somewhere, the assistant should be available if he isn't off somewhere. Being relatives to the chief counsellor, is a little biased on my part. So, thats who i would recommend you too. Plus I hear, some of his previous hosts were soldiers, they may be able to help you more than Lt Commander Johnson will."

"And how are you two related?" Hunt inquired.

"Cousins... Sky Carey was Sky Jansen, Talia Johnson was Talia Jansen. Sky Carey is my mother."

"The Carey family is clearly as deep as my own family. Are you an only child or do you have siblings?"

"A few siblings, and a twin." Connor replied as he took another drink, signalling for another.

"It was just my older brother and myself," Devon mentioned as he finished his drink. When the bartender showed up, the Commander simply waved him off, indicating that there wouldn't be a need for another drink for himself. Being sad and drinking too much was never a good combination. "Let me track down this counselor. See if they can squeeze me in."

"If they can't you know where I work." Connor replied "I think its time I hit the hay. Ill see you around."

=================
Lt. Commander Devon Hunt
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Tokyo

Lt Connor Carey
Assistant security chief
USS Tokyo

 

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