Closure

Posted on Tue Oct 20th, 2026 @ 8:31am by Fleet Admiral William Ross & Commodore Xavier Carey & Captain Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: The Next Watch
Location: Ready room: Resolution

Xavier arrived back onboard the resolution, glad to be home, with his wives, and crew. He had given the away team a few days rest after their deconstructive surgery back to their selves. Walking onto the bridge, he looked around. It was good to be home, even though this 'home' wouldn't be life before. He knew it. His next assignment. May take him off the ship. However, right at this moment, he walked over to the centre chair, after fighting off the urge to take the seat. He took the seat to the left of the captains.

"How was it Captain?" He asked.

Toni fought the urge to give him a hug. That would be very un captain like behaviour. "Oh we managed just fine without you. This is a great crew." But under her voice she added. "I don't mind giving you back the chair, sir."

"That Captain, is your chair." Xavier replied. "You have earned it. All of you. did, And I intend to let the whole crew know that. When you have time, lets go to your ready room."

She nodded and handed over command of the bridge before heading to her ready room with Xavier.

Standing, he followed her to her ready room off to the side. "So I heard rumblings about some changes you've already made?"

"I felt it made sense but if you don't agree please turn it back." She still felt like it was his ship and not hers.

"This ship is your ship, my way isn't your way. Making changes is part of a CO's perogative." He replied sitting in the chair in front of the desk.

"But it feels so weird." Toni said with a sigh. "Like you sitting there." She hesitated for a moment. "Would you mind if I promote Sky? I feel it is long overdue."

"I'd be glad, I should have done so.. but with regards to that... I fgured the crew may take it as preferential, being in a relationship with her and all." Xavier replied with a smile.

"good. I will do that soon then. Don't ruin the surprise, please." She smiled then looked more serious. "How are you, really?"

Pausing... "Things... feels like I can let them free. Its over... finally."

'That is really good." She said gently. "You know, your wives asked me for more information and I declined of course. But you may want to tell them more now."

"I have, mostly, some... I left out."

"Do you feel comfortable enough to tell them all? Do you need me to come with you or would you like a few sessions?" She was completely in therapist mode now.

"The only thing I didn't tell them was why I chose the first deep space assignment that took me five years to come back from. Its how Tal and I met, they don't know why. I also would prefer that not something to be talked about."

"Ok. That is fine with me. You know I won't mention anything without your permission. I take my oath very seriously."

"I know you do and I appreciate it."

"Good. Just remember I am here whenever you need it. I am cleared at the highest levels as a shrink."

"I appreciate it, But I think everything is finally on the back burner,"

"Good. I am so glad that everything worked out that way. So.... what is next?" She was afraid he and Sky would move away from Resolution now.

"Now I step away for a bit and..."

A chime came in from the bridge. "Captains, Starfleets calling to talk to both of you."

Gesturing to the computer. "Is your computer Captain?"

"Yes sir." Toni walked over and established a connection then waited for the message to come through.

The screen first showed starfleets logo, next it was showing the face of Admiral Ross. His face showing despair, and worry. Something that was not suited for his face. "Captains, Just got word, Betazed was just captured by the dominion forces."

Toni gasped, that was beyond comprehension.

Xavier paused. Skys parents and other family were still on betazed. "I will let my wife know..." he turned, "Our orders?"

"Captain Stoffels, your to take the resolution and maintain patrols along the cardassian border. They got one of our more strategic worlds they may get brazen and try something else." Ross replied as he looked over. "Carey, I know you want to remain with your family onboard the resolution. Ill be sending you a shuttle of a few officers to act as your new Staff. I wish it could be under better circumstances, I am hereby promoting you to the rank of commodore, and Commander of Task force 6-7. Comprised of the Resolution, Hamilton, the Ottawa, the Hood, the Melbourne, the thunderbolt and the swift. The USS Meridian has gone silent... we are expecting the worst."

"Yes sir." Toni said subdued. Then turned to Xavier. "Congratulations, sir."

Taking a seat. "How do I tell Sky her world is under dominion control?"

"Best to tell it as it is and soon, before she hears it from someone else. And after that we just have to be there for her." Toni said gently. "And the rest of the betazed crew as well."

"Ive never been good at it, I will go and give the news to Sky. How do I do something of that magnitude."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"Its fine." Xavier replied as he stood up. "When we got time, we got to talk about your second officer position."

Toni rolled her eyes. "It is such a hard one, sir. I still haven't figured it out."

"There are two I see potential, Johnson and Tar-Lexros. I could see a split second officer position between the two. With the mission detailing who gets the go ahead. Our more security tactical related missions we are on. Commander Johnson. Where as, anything logistical dealing with operations would be Commander Tar-Lexros with Johnson backing him up. However with the absense of the Doc, seeing as Commander Johnson has attended Command training. He would fill in for him with Tar-Lexros filling the second officer position."

"That is very similar to what I was thinking myself. I am very glad we seem to be on the same path. Any idea how long RJ will be gone? As we surely miss him."

"I doubt for too long. Its a break he surely needs. Given all hes been through. With the... Jem Hadar issue, he hadn't really taken a break from that... so this will do him good to finally clear his mind."

"Yes of course. It was tough on him." Toni agreed. "We are all workaholics here I'm afraid."

"You aren't kidding on that one. Im glad he took the time, he can come back fresh."

"agreed. How will it work between us? You are the senior officer. I have never been in a situation where a flag officer was on a ship."

"I have no control of the ship, that job is yours. My job is to direct you to your missions, approve any requests that you have, or need prior approval for from a flag officer. Though, the Resolution is not the only ship I will be in charge of. The list of ships that he had provided, ill be dealing with them as well."

"I thought a commodore was in overall control of the mission and as such gave orders to the ship captains."

"Overall control of a fleet, not a ship." Xavier replied, "Having more than one ship to deal with, gives me less time to control one, which is why even though I am stationed on the ship, I will not be responsible for its day to day operations."

"Understandable, but you still give the overall orders so we act as one unit, right? I can't suddenly decide I want to oh say visit earth." Toni was beginning to enjoy this talk.

"I give you orders you follo those orders you decide how the ship do those orders. If you need assistance I can help... but its your ship your decisions that will lead the crew."

"Check." Toni said then hesitated. "There is only one thing. The captain of the flagship is usually a seasoned command officer, which I am not. If you would rather..."

"Perhaps if I wasn't remaining onboard it would be different, but im staying onboard." Xavier replied. "You ain't giving up your ship that easy."

"If you are sure." Toni said. "It would really help having you around to ask questions when I am unsure about something."

"I will be around. My offices will be on ship." He replied, it was something he had thought about on the away mission. Something, that he knew that there were options when he was given a promotion.

"Thank you, sir." Toni smiled.