Returning in defeat

Posted on Fri Jan 16th, 2026 @ 1:14pm by Captain Alexander Johnson & Lieutenant Jade Celes-Johnson

1,061 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Licking our wounds
Location: Ready Room

With the ship returning to base Jade had been checked over by medical, after taking quite a knock to the head during the battle with the Iconians. With a minor concussion she’d been treated, and allowed out on the proviso that she returned home and got some rest. Having agreed to it she made one stop on the way knowing that Alexander would be in his office. Arriving at the door she pressed the chime, her senses too fuzzy to tell if he was alone or not.

Alexander was standing staring out the window. Taking a break from reading the damages, and the casualty list. It was overwhelming. A ship the size of the Iroquois and they escaped because Lt Commander Summers convinced him they could enter slipstream to escape, which it did, for a brief moment, before being thrown out, and the shields failing, causing even more casualties when parts of the hall opened up, sucking out anyone unfortunate enough to be in the area. But they succeeded in escaping, and now limping back home at a measly warp five. Starfleet was already sending some other ships to join then and assist with the repairs.

"Enter." He called, he had a feeling he knew who was on the other side of the door. Checking his forehead, the blood had dried finally, it would leave a scar, his shoulder had to be popped back into place, and could possibly need proper medical attention. Being thrown across the bridge was not the way he wanted to see if he could fly, turns out he couldn't.

Walking in Jade walked across to her husband, protocol thrown aside as she walked across to him. “Let me take a look at you” she offered a smile even though she had a headache thanks to her concussion. “Haven’t you been to Sickbay yet?” She inspected his head wound making sure it had stopped bleeding, as for his shoulder that was something she couldn’t do for him.

"Its fine, I will get to it, when the ships arrive to help bring it into the shipyard."

Jade went to shake her head but thought the better of it, instead she went to sit down. “This didn’t go according to plan, but then we didn’t really know what to expect anyway.” She massaged her temples. “I promised medical I’d go home and rest, I wanted to check on you first.”

"Listen to medical, I will shortly." He paused, "Ive been Commanding Officer for years, and I have never seen anything like the Iconians. We didn't stand a chance."

“That’s what worries me” Jade sighed. “How can we fight something we know absolutely nothing about?. Granted we have their methods from this battle, but that doesn’t give us a lot to go on.”

"Thomas stated that we would be finding losses if we were to meet them. I assured him the Excalibur class was good enough to put a dent in it."

“We didn’t know what we needed to face them, now we have an idea what we’re truly facing” Jade offered. “We learn and move on, we have to!”

"Or we lose what we have," Alexander agreed.

Jade nodded. “I know you wouldn’t let anything happen to any of us, not your crew and not us.” She rested her hand on her rounded stomach.

"We lost half the crew, I wouldn't exactly say that." Alexander replied softly.

“I know we did, I’ve been dealing with the aftermath of it ever since, but you couldn’t have done anything differently we were just…unprepared for what we were faced with.” Jade added.

"Given what information I have been handed, and from what my brother has stated, its going to be hard just to match them."

Jade nodded and sighed. “Then what happens next? We can’t just give up.”

"Not saying that, but we need to be smart when and how we try and go up against them from here on in."

Jade nodded. “That’s true, the crew are struggling right now, what we need is something positive to raise morale.”

"What possibly could raise morale after this."

“I’d say a victory, but we both know that’s not going to happen right away” Jade paused. “I’m supposed to be one of the experts who looks after the mental health and well-being of this crew, and even I’m struggling with how to help them right now!” She sighed.

"Lets get the ship repaired first. Once we get to space dock, I’m going to give everyone a month leave. Including you."

“I don’t…” Jade paused as she saw the look on her husband’s face. “I know don’t argue!” She nodded. “I’ll take you up on that provided you’re with me for that month, either that or I’m right here with you.”

"I have families to contact." He motioned to the stack of lost officers, and crewmen.

“Then I’ll assist you, as ships Counsellor that’s part of my job.” Jade responded knowing very well Alexander could veto that in a moment.

He knew better than to argue with her. "If you can handle it with your current situation."

“I’m pregnant, it’s not a disability. I can cope” Jade smiled warmly.

"Its also added stress."

Jade had to admit her husband was right. “True, it is. I just…want to be useful that’s all.”

"Don't ever think you are not. In fact you will probably be more useful than I in the coming months."

“I doubt that” Jade smiled. “I’ll be off for maternity leave in a few months, with our baby to look after.”

"I know you. You won't let that slow you down."

“No, that’s true” Jade nodded. “You know me too well Imzadi.”

"Thats why I married you."

“That I know too” Jade smiled warmly.

"I suppose if you want to join me in writing those that need writing you can help me with it."

Jade smiled and nodded. “I can help where needs be, I don’t want to interfere after all. Just count me as moral support.”

"You are even when its not in this situation."

Jade nodded. “Isn’t that what wives are for?” She smiled warmly.

 

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