Fight for the Future Part 2

Posted on Tue Dec 24th, 2024 @ 4:54am by Lieutenant JG Ethan Hunt

1,078 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: To Boldly Go
Location: Cargo Bay 3, USS Lenox Hill
Timeline: 1 Week Prior to Arrival on USS Fenrir

Commander Liora Sovan, a tall, sharp-featured Vulcan with cold eyes, scanned the scene with thinly veiled disapproval. Behind her, Major Ryland wore a scowl that could melt duranium. Flanking him were two towering marines, their arms crossed and postures rigid. The four security guards stood alongside them, hands resting on their sidearms but not yet drawing them.

The crowd began to break apart, murmuring anxiously. No one wanted to get caught in the fallout of what was clearly about to become a disciplinary nightmare. They shuffled past the command officers, heads low, like kids fleeing the scene of a high school brawl.

Ethan Hunt remained in the center of the ring, his breath still heavy, knuckles stinging from the last blow. Radek, on the other hand, was rising slowly—more out of stubbornness than strength. Blood dripped from his split lip onto the deck, his face a mess of swelling bruises. But he looked up at Ethan with a twisted grin, defiant even in defeat.

“Front and center, both of you,” Commander Sovan ordered, her voice sharp and unforgiving.

Ethan stood tall, wiping the sweat from his brow. He knew he was in trouble—this wasn’t the Starfleet way, and there’d be a price to pay for it. But he didn’t regret it. Not for a second.

Radek staggered upright, swiping a hand across his mouth to smear the blood away. His eyes flickered to Sovan and then to Major Ryland, but the smug grin remained plastered on his face.

“Explain this.” Sovan’s tone was clipped, like she was already compiling reports in her mind. Her gaze flickered from Ethan to Radek.

Before Ethan could speak, Radek chuckled, his voice thick with mockery. “Just a friendly little match, Commander. Right, Hunt?”

Ethan’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. There was no point in saying anything—the truth wouldn’t help here.

Major Ryland folded his arms, his expression dark. The two marines behind him shifted slightly, their presence intimidating without a word spoken. “What I see,” Ryland said slowly, “is two of the crew engaging in unauthorized combat and stirring up a damn spectacle.”

Radek and Ethan didn’t say a thing.

Then, Major Ryland’s sharp eyes swept the room—and that’s when he saw him. Brill, standing near the far wall, almost cowering in the shadows, as if hoping he could melt into the background. The young ensign looked like a cornered animal—shoulders hunched, arms folded tightly over his chest, his eyes wide with guilt and anxiety.

Ryland’s scowl deepened. The rumors he’d been hearing about Radek’s bullying hadn’t gone unnoticed, and now everything was starting to make sense. He glanced at Brill, then back at Radek, the pieces clicking together.

Sovan’s cold gaze followed Ryland’s, landing on Brill. “Ensign,” she said, her tone precise and controlled, “do you have anything to add?”

Brill froze, visibly torn between fear and duty. Most of the people left in the room turned to him, waiting for an answer. His gaze flickered between Ethan and Radek, his throat working as if the words were stuck. Finally, after a long, heavy pause, he took a deep breath and stepped forward, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Radek’s been… targeting me. He’s been shoving me around, humiliating me in front of the others.” Brill’s voice wavered slightly, but he pressed on. “I didn’t say anything because I thought it would make things worse. But Lieutenant Hunt—he… he stood up for me.”

The crowd had thinned by now, most of them having slipped out quietly, but the few stragglers left exchanged glances—some with admiration, others with concern. Radek’s smirk faltered slightly, but he rolled his shoulders, attempting to look unaffected.

Commander Sovan regarded Brill with a cool, assessing gaze. “Thank you, Ensign,” she said with a slight nod. “You are dismissed.”

The young ensign turned and slipped out of the cargo bay, his shoulders a little straighter than they had been when he entered.

Sovan turned her attention back to Radek, her expression as unreadable as ever. “Captain Radek, bullying and harassment have no place on this ship.”

Major Ryland, still standing with his arms crossed, gave a low growl. The two marines behind him remained still, their gazes fixed on Radek, adding silent weight to Ryland’s authority. “You’re a Marine. You’re supposed to protect, not intimidate.”

Radek opened his mouth to protest, but Ryland silenced him with a glare sharp enough to cut through bulkheads.

“Radek, you’re confined to quarters until further notice,” Ryland barked. “I’ll decide your punishment once I’ve finished reviewing the reports. And trust me—it won’t be pretty.”

Radek’s jaw twitched, but he knew better than to argue. With a stiff nod, he turned to the two marines of equal weight and height to escort him out of the cargo bay. He shot Ethan one last glare before disappearing out of the room, his bruised pride as evident as the swelling on his face.

With Radek gone, Commander Sovan turned to Ethan.

“Lieutenant Hunt,” she said, “your loyalty to your team is commendable. Your method, however, is not.”

Ethan knew better than to argue. He stood at attention, knowing what was coming next.

“You will receive an official reprimand,” Sovan continued. “Violence in this way is not how we solve problems on this ship.”

Ethan gave a curt nod. “Understood, Commander.”

She held his gaze for a moment longer, as if weighing his intentions against protocol. Then, with a slight nod, she turned on her heel. “Escort Lieutenant Hunt to the brig until further notice,” she instructed the remaining security guards.

Ethan headed for the door. The security guards followed.

Jax was waiting just outside the cargo bay, leaning casually against the wall with his arms crossed. As Ethan passed, Jax gave him a sly grin.

“You’re a damn fool, Hunt,” Jax said, falling into step next to him as he and the security guards made their way toward the brig.

“Yeah,” Ethan muttered, rubbing his sore ribs. “But I’m a fool with principles.”

Jax chuckled, clapping Ethan on the back. “Don’t worry. I’ll cover for you while you’re cooling your heels in the brig.”

Ethan smirked. “Appreciate it.”

Ethan entered the turbolift. Two security guards flanked both sides as the doors hissed closed.

 

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