Good, Bag, & Ugly News

Posted on Thu Jul 17th, 2025 @ 2:53pm by Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker & Lieutenant Fang Lee & Lieutenant JG Zai Walker & Commander Kelly Kerrigan

1,482 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Captain's Ready Room | USS Arcadia

ON:

Fang rang the chime to Kelly's office. He had been summoned. Apparently there was a call waiting and they wanted to speak to him, Kelly, & Walker. He sighed. He wondered why they wanted to speak to all three of them.

Commander Kelly Kerrigan felt more weight on his shoulders than usual, or rather more weight on his sleeves with the intricate embroidery. He was a Commander now in rank and the Captain of this starship outright. He stood at the sound of the chime and proceeded to the door, allowing it to open. "Fang," he said gesturing the other man in.

Fang walked in. "Hello Captain." Fang smiled a goofy smile, one that always seemed to come on him when he was face to face with someone who threw him off balance in a most wonderful way.

Seeing him was bittersweet. Kelly was soon going to deliver layers of news that he didn't particularly want to deliver, but Starfleet Command was forcing his hand. Fang was more than his Chief Engineer and more than his First Officer, soon to be former. He was quite possibly his boyfriend. Though whether that remained to be the case was certainly in fate's delicate hands.

Before Fang could say anything else the door chimed again. On the other side stood Sabastian and Zai.

Kelly looked at Fang. "Grab a seat, Lieutenant." He proceeded to answer the chime. More of the invited parties. As the doors opened once more, Kelly ushered them in.

"Everyone take a seat. This is going to take some time to work out and discuss. Starfleet Command and I have been back and forth" he prefaced.

Sabastian smiled. "I can imagine. My CO on Base 2 sent me a message saying he needs a chief engineer so I'm guessing you're going to tell me I'm on my way back." He had the two options that he and Zai discussed in his pocket. One was a transfer order for Zai to base 2 and another was a resignation. He would let Zai decide what he wanted.

Zai and Sabastian seated themselves. Fang stayed quiet and just watched from the chair by the CO's desk.

Kelly took a seat behind his desk and leaned forward. "No, Sebastian. I was made aware of their needs, and frankly, they can find another Chief Engineer."

Kelly looked at Fang. "I'm sorry. There is no easy way of putting this. Results came back from your last command examination, and Starfleet Command has reviewed the logs from our Sinkhole adventure. They do not believe you’re ready for the First Officer position, and you’re being relinquished of those duties effective immediately."

Fang blinked. He took a breath. Was he surprised? No. He was not. That was the truth. The test had felt off, the sink hole adventure? He'd had a stowaway and then Walker was injured. They had brought some info back but he understood.

Sabastian looked over at Fang. "I'm sorry Lee. I know you wanted this." He could sense the disappointment but also a resignation and something else. His comfort words were genuine. No matter if they were on good terms that was not easy to hear.

Fang snapped out of it. "It happens. I understand." That and the fact that he'd owned up to his high jinx at the academy. He'd confessed about the shuttle, Starfleet had been pissed but he'd done a lot of good and from his understanding they had talked to Walker and Walker had told them that he'd put it all behind them. He could tell it was true. Zai was the only one who held the grudge. He turned to Kelly. "Am I also relieved of the Chief Engineer post?"

"No," replied Kerrigan shaking his head. "If there's any good to come of all this, it is that you are innovative and know this starship bow to stern. Starfleet Command agreed with me that Arcadia needs you as Chief Engineer, and that will remain your sole responsibility."

He gave a nod. "Okay." At least he had that. Fang turned to look out the window a moment sorting things out.

"So, that left me in a predicament. Starfleet Command was going to assign me a new First Officer. I did not want that. I can't go through yet another change with an unfamiliar face. Then it dawned on me, I have a qualified candidate already aboard. I countered Starfleet Command and presented my case. They conceded."

"That's great." Fang said. "We have a lot of great people here. I'm assuming it's Adriana or the Counselor?"

"The Counselor has no command experience and little aptitude in that direction. Lieutenant Baciami is comfortable where she is, but you" he said pointing at Sebastian. "You are an anomaly on this ship. Too much experience and too transient. Sebastian Walker, your orders will be official come morning as First Officer of the USS Arcadia."

Zai's eyes widened. He reached out and took Sabastian's hand. "Congratulations love."

Sabastian was stunned a moment. "So...I'm not ..." He shook his head. "Bloody hell I was ready to resign or take Zai with me but...This is... Thank you Captain. Oh... no wonder the Base CO was pissed all he said was 'I need an Engineer. Go see Kerrigan."

"I know I am not particularly fond of you, Sebastian, but that's alright. We can get to know one another more, and frankly, we clash in the right ways. I need someone to kick me in the ass now and then then."

Fang smiled a little. "Congratulations Walker. I think that is an excellent choice."

Zai snorted and Sabastian squeezed his hand. "He's being sincere Darling. I appreciate it Lee." He said. It was an olive branch. He turned to Kelly. "I promise to try and live up to your expectations sir."

"We start fresh from here on out. Zai, you will remain as Assistant Chief Engineer. Sebastian, typically the First Officer holds another position, but because of my lack of experience, Starfleet Command agreed with me that putting you in this position exclusively was for the best. On the bridge, you may man the auxiliary engineering station. Fang can run everything from the engine room."

Sabastian looked over at Fang. "You okay with that?"

Fang smiled. "I think I am. Walker you are a better man then I am."

Sab sighed. "You're trying. You didn't have to tell the brass about the shuttle incident at the Academy."

Zai raised an eyebrow. "He did what?"

"He told them and I guess that's part of the reason you are not XO. I told them that I hold no grudge. It's in the past." He looked over at Zai. "It's in the past, okay? Like the Captain says. We need a good fresh start. Even if we're not all bonded we can be professional."

Fang gave a nod. His gaze returned back to the window and the stars beyond. Sabastian sighed. "Well then...I guess Zai and I are moving to the XO quarters."

"That would be suitable. Fang, you may move your belongings to my quarters, if you want. If not, senior officer quarters will be provided to you."

Fang's eyes widened. "I ... did you just ask me to move in with you?"

"Well, I did just fire you and evict you from your quarters. The least I can do is offer my bed" teased Kerrigan. "Yes, I offered, but you needn't accept. My quarters are large as you are aware. My brother lives with me and has his own bedroom, but if you can handle an annoying brat eating cereal in the morning then my quarters are your quarters."

Sab squeezed Zai's hand. "We'll let you two talk in private." Sab and Zai stood up.

Kelly nodded appreciative of that.

Fang spoke, "I want to say yes. Everything in me wants to say yes." He looked at Zai. "Gods know I've done things the wrong way in the past. I think that I'll move into the senior quarters for now. I want to....court you, if that's okay. I want us to get to know one another and date and I would like to ask your brother's permission to date you if that's okay. It's not fair to him that I just move in."

It wasn't fair to me that he moved in thought Kelly.

Zai snorted. "Oh my Goddess. Did you get switched in the space hole?"

Sab covered Zai's mouth with his hand. "Captain, with your permission we'll leave."

"More than granted, XO. Please. I think Lieutenant Lee and I would appreciate that."

Sab pulled Zai out and the two left to get their day started.

Kelly looked a Fang. "Okay. Court me, but the offer is there whenever you're ready."

Fang smiled and reached over putting his hand on Kelly's. "You're worth courting. Never forget that."

OFF:

 

RSS Feed