Brotherly Advice

Posted on Sat Feb 21st, 2026 @ 2:55pm by Captain Steven Jenkins

937 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: One Year Later…
Location: Yorktown Bridge
Timeline: MD01 1100 Hours

Steven moved around the Bridge, checking on the work crews. They were completing the finishing touches and he wanted to be sure that everything was just so. Technically, he was supposed to be reviewing Starfleet Personnel files to arrange his senior staff, but to him, this felt more important.

He moved over to the centre seat, keying in a few commands on the panel in the arm of the chair. As he did, various readouts appeared on the main viewer. ETA for completion of multiple works throughout the ship, as well as the designated departure date in a week.

"You know you don't have to show everyone your calendar?" Came a voice from the turbolift, Steven spinning on his heel to see the visage of his older brother, stood there in his Starfleet Captain's uniform. Steven found himself tensing slightly, assuming a position that almost resembled standing at attention "At ease, Captain. I'm your Brother, not your senior officer."

Steven relaxed his muscles slightly. His reaction had been so practiced, it happened as second nature now. Kevin walked over, running a finger over the other arm of the chair, inspecting the dust.

"Mum would have a field day." He grinned before slapping Steven's arm playfully "Come on, little brother. Lighten up a little."

"I would of thought you'd be somewhere else." Steven noted "What's the Hawthorne doing here?"

"Picking up her new Captain." Kevin responded without missing a beat "I've been re-assigned a new Command. Neo-Constitution Class. You might have seen her."

Steven felt a lump forming in his throat. Was he already having his Command taken? And given to his older brother, no less. Finally, Kevin laughed heartily.

"Breath, Steve!" Kevin half ordered his younger brother, almost reading his mind as he added "They're not giving me your ship. I just came to see what one that's mostly in one piece looks like. I've been assigned as the Captain of Columbia when she launches next month. I'm just due to oversee the final leg of the construction. Commodore Beckett is taking over the Hawthorne."

Steven knew Commodore Beckett. He'd served under the woman on the Charon as her Chief of Security while he was a Lieutenant and she a Captain. After Frontier Day, the old Luna Class had been ear marked for decommission; apparently, the attack run by the then Titan had done a number on the ship. Presumably, Commodore Beckett had wanted to keep her flag on a slightly older ship, so she'd chosen the Sovereign Class Hawthorne.

"Surprised it's taken her so long to get back out there." Steven finally spoke "When I was her Security Chief, she was always chomping at the bit to get out of dock."

"Well, I think the rebuilding round these parts kept her busy. Most flag officers have been assigned to this sector since Frontier Day." Kevin noted "It's fine by me. Leaves the fun stuff for young blood like us."

"Some younger than others." Steven teased, finally cracking a smile "So, seriously, what brings you here? I don't believe for a second you just popped in to take a look at a Neo-Constitution that's not half completed. You'd have gone to Enterprise before she left last week if that were the case."

"You got me." Kevin held up his hands "Mum's worried about you, asked me to look in, offer a little brotherly advice."

"Not heard any of that yet?" Steven questioned "What have you got?"

"Easy." Kevin smirked "Regulations will tell you your place in on the Bridge, that you need to leave the fun stuff to everyone else. Unwritten rule is every Starfleet Captain takes that regulation as optional. Do with that what you will."

Steven nodded. He was all too familiar with Captains ignoring regulations regarding away missions. That that was the best advice his brother had concerned him a little, but then, maybe it said good things for the work he'd done with his predecessor on Yorktown.

"I'll bare it in mind." Steven replied "So, how are Kendra and the kids?"

"They're good." Kevin beamed, laughing as he added "Ian was telling me last week how he wants to be a Starship Captain like his uncle when he grows up. I asked if he meant like his Dad, but he said I'm not as cool."

"I don't think anyone has called me cool in a long time, Kevin." Steven laughed "Tell him if he wants to see a really cool Captain, he needs to ask Grandma for some old stories."

"I did." Kevin noted, adding "We're staying at Mum and Dad's. Only an hour or so by shuttle if you wanted to come by for dinner."

"What's Dad making tonight?" Steven cocked an eyebrow.

"His famous Shepherds Pie." Kevin grinned, the grin turning to a grimace "This kids love it. Which is probably why we've got it for the third time in as many days tonight."

Steven laughed. Knowing his Father, the Shepherds Pie they'd had the first night was probably the same as the one they were having tonight. His Father was a great chef, but having spent years running a restaurant, he didn't really know how to cook for small groups.

"I'll make it happen." Steven replied with a smile "How did you guys keep your arrival under wraps until now anyway?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets, Stevey." Kevin smirked as he turned and walked towards the turbolift "Dinner's at seven. Try to swing by sooner. The kids would love to see their uncle."

 

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