New Beginnings

Posted on Sunday July 27, 2025 @ 2:49pm by Lieutenant Commander Drayton Hunt & Lieutenant JG Melissa Gladwell-Hunt

795 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 1: A New Frontier
Location: Hunt Quarter's

Drayton and Melissa had boarded the ship four hours prior and been spending the time settling into their quarters on the Vanguard. In all his years in Starfleet, Hunt had to admit that this was most impressive ship that Starfleet had to offer. Most of the heavy lifting had been done by himself. But Melissa was decorating the place, rather quickly. The two had just had their one-year anniversary a month ago. It's funny that the two had dated their senior year at the Academy and here they were seventeen years later and finally managed to get the relationship right. Life just happened to be funny like that, Drayton thought to himself.

"This place isn't bad at all," Melissa spoke. "Hopefully my office is just as nice."

Leaning down and kissing his wife. "I'm certain that your office will be just as nice as mine."

Melissa rolled her eyes. "Better decorated, but not as big."

"Rank does have its privileges," he reminded. "I am curious where the Vanguard will head off to first. There has been rumors that were being sent to check out unchartered space."

"Now you should know better than to listen to rumors. By the way when are you heading off to meet the Captain?"

Drayton thought about the question. "Figured, I would swing by his ready room in an hour. Make all the proper introductions. From there check out security and see what things are looking like. Being a second officer is what I definitely wanted but not really sure how that places me in the system here."

"I wouldn't worry too much about it," his wife assured him. "This one step closer for you to attaining your own command one day. Today the second officer and then someone will eventually select you for their first officer. Babe don't overthink it."

"I'm probably overthinking it," Drayton admitted. "I've lead security department in several postings. Command is just taking things to another level. But enough about me. We need to focus on your goals. You've been focusing on those diplomatic training."

Melissa couldn't smile at her husband. "My career has been mostly counseling. But I am seriously thinking about making my way into diplomacy."

"Really now?"

"Seriously, Starfleet is pushing for more exploration. Which means more diplomats would be needed and possibly opening the doors for future Federation membership. You're not the only one trying to leave their mark in Starfleet."

"You continue to leave me speechless," he replied.

"Keeping you on your toes as always," Melissa responded as she leaned over and kissed her husband on the lips. Looking around the quarters, the place wasn't as big as their quarters on Deep Space Station K-7. But this one was nicer and more modern. K-7 had been around for well over a hundred and fifty years. Even with all the upgrades, the place still showed its age in certain places. "I need to check in with Commander Bann."

Drayton raised a curious eyebrow in Vulcan fashion, then nodded. "There still hasn't been a Chief Counselor assigned onboard."

"No word yet. My orders are still to report to the first officer. Without a Chief Counselor, I'm the senior officer in the department."

"Perhaps the Captain will decide to just give you the position," he mentioned. "Good work goes noticed. Plus, you spent the last four years training counselors. So, it could be a possibility.

"Well, that's the least of my worries. It just means that I have to be the one to get a new department up and running. And don't forget you need to do the same."

Taking those words to heart, Drayton wasn't too bothered by that assessment. New department means that he didn't have to change what the last person was doing. Because in this case, the Vanguard never had another Chief of Security. "Looking forward with working with a group who didn't have a previous department on this ship. Should make enacting my own rules fairly easy. Word is that things with the Tholians are not improving."

"Can we honestly handle a war with the Tholians?" Melissa inquired.

"A war with the Tholians would highly effect the quadrant as we know it," Drayton answered. "The Tholians are right behind the Klingon Empire as a superpower. I'm confident that we can defeat them, but a war opens the doors for other powers to take advantage."

Melissa thought about what her husband just explained to her. The last thing the Federation needed was another conflict, let alone a war. The war with the Klingons over a decade prior caused years' worth of losses and changed the landscape of the quadrant. "Let's hope for the best."


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Lt. Commander Drayton Hunt
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Vanguard

Ltjg. Melissa Gladwell-Hunt
Counselor
USS Vanguard

 

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