The Upcoming Patrol (Part 1)
Posted on Mon Jul 28th, 2025 @ 5:19am by Captain Maho Takahashi & Commander Keisuke Takahashi 'K.T.' & Lieutenant Commander Chrirhc Chihc & Commander Ichika Misono & Lieutenant Commander Kurumi Ebisuzawa & Lieutenant Commander Brennyn Scott M.D. & Lieutenant Ami Rori & Lieutenant Kael Ryo & Lieutenant JG Jane Sinclair
Edited on on Mon Jul 28th, 2025 @ 5:22am
1,199 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
The Next Myogi
Timeline: Before 'More of the Tokyo's Table Scraps'
The USS Myogi was docked at Starbase 234, having been escorted to the base by the USS Akina under the command of a newly-promoted Captain Minna Dietlinde Wilcke. The resupply had so far gone according to plan, and the upcoming patrol with the USS Akagi was certainly nothing to write home about.
For once, the post-Confederate mundanity had been a welcome change for Captain Maho Takahashi and her crew, even if tensions were running high during this time. Maintaining a sense of normalcy was vital for crew morale.
When Commander Takahashi reported that the resupply was about 90 percent complete, Commander Misono had arranged for a senior staff briefing relating to the Myogi's upcoming patrol.
Naturally, Maho was the first one into the conference room. She was wearing the new maternity uniform that had been issued to her: It was something of a throwback to the uniform that had been in use when she was a cadet, yet also had plenty of new features that the uniform of that era sorely lacked, key among them being the belt buckle's hidden surprise. Now, Maho's pips were on her collar, and her white shoulders denoted her status as a command officer.
However, the uniform did come with its drawbacks: The uniform's composition nestled Maho's baby bump a lot tighter than the previous one had. Either that, or it was a sign that she was only five weeks out from giving birth, and it was this struggle to get her uniform to fit right, yet comfortably that Maho walked into the conference room in the middle of.
Ichika was next to arrive, having come fresh out of fitting and still breaking in the new uniform. Granted, the thicker fibers didn't breathe as well and would certainly take some getting used to, but in light of the threat that was now looming on their doorstep, she recognized the necessity of Starfleet Officers being fitted with a more durable, impact-resistant uniform for a galaxy that was teetering on the brink of mass violence.
"Captain," she nodded, though her greeting was a lot less jovial than it usually was and tinged with the slightest bit of dread.
"Commander." Maho returned the nod. "Still getting used to the new uniform?"
"Well, it's not the most... Breathable," Ichika admitted truthfully as she took her seat adjacent Maho. "Though, I understand the necessity for it being designed the way it is; and at the very least, the outfitters were kind enough to make some modifications in order to accommodate my tail, so at least there's that much going for me."
Jane loved the new uniforms! The red was subtler, like they had when she was fresh out of the Academy, and the snug fit looked good. And the white across Maho’s shoulders looked sharp.
Her engagement to Alisha had not been long ago, and she had not really engaged socially with too many of the crew since it happened, aside from Mia and Ami. But the previous night Alisha had given her her own ring and she now wore it with pride. When she sat in her usual spot, she may have laid her hand down in such a way that it was on display…
"Good to see you're in high spirits, Lieutenant," Ichika greeted as her gaze steadily wandered down Jane's arm and came to rest on the ring that most certainly hadn't been there the last time she'd spoken with the CFCO.
"Er... pardon me for asking Lieutenant," she began. "I'm not usually the gossip type, but I couldn't help wondering... is that what I think it is?"
“Oh this?” Jane said playfully. “Yeah, a few nights ago I proposed to Alisha.” She grinned, holding back a giggle. “She said yes! And last night she gave me this.” Finger wiggle. “Gorgeous, innit? Blue diamond.”
"Well, congratulations, Lieutenant:" Maho responded with a nod. "I'm sure Keisuke can tell you there's nothing quite like making her yours. I still remember the day he proposed to me like it was yesterday..."
“That was before either she or I joined the Myogi family,” Jane observed. “I’d love to hear that story some day.”
Kurumi arrived into the room. She suited the uniform well, but didn't comment on it. Instead she gave everyone a nod before taking a seat.
Ami walked in, carrying three PADDs, but her eyes quickly glanced around the room and locked onto Jane. She picked a seat and slid the PADDs across the table to it, one teetering on the edge of the table before falling into the chair and squealed as she ran over to Jane and grabbed the hand with the ring on it, "So THIS is what she was talking about?” She leaned in closer to the jewelry and examined it briefly, before throwing her arms around Jane, "I'm so excited for you Oneechan!"
Jane squealed and giggled at her adoptive sister’s sudden hug attack. She returned the hug. “Thank you.” Another giggle. “Now c’mon, get to your seat, Imouto.”
"Haaaaaaaai.." Ami drew out before making her way around the table to her seat, plucking the errant PADD and dropping into it before burying herself in data.
''Excuse me" Kael bumped into someone else before taking his seat. He was mentally reciting the 300 Tang Poems so he didn't pay much attention to where he was going. ''The Yellow River seawards ever flows-'' he mumbled to himself, confident that was the exact spot he was interrupted at.
Chrirhc contemplated voicing his displeasure at being rudely bumped into by the doctor, but the Hebitian decided to hold his tongue and return to reviewing the intelligence he had received from his counterpart on Tokyo. If an older ship like the Myogi wished to survive what was coming, then it was important to know as much as they could about the looming threat.
Bree entered the briefing room and offered polite nods and smiles to those who made eye contact with her. The crew was still coming to terms with all they had been through, and Bree felt the weight of the crew's well-being on her shoulders, but times like this, she appreciated seeing the senior staff come together as a team. Briefings were necessary, but they also served as reminders none of them battled alone.
Last into the briefing room was Keisuke. He had been the last to be informed of recent developments, and appeared visibly distraught as he took the last available seat at the table.
"I believe that's everyone, so we can get started." Maho nodded, pressing a button on the table.
Up above the table flickered a holographic star map:
"This is Sector 811:" Maho introduced. "Up until a few weeks ago, it was home to territory claimed by the Confederacy of Independent Planets. Many of the fortifications that the Confederacy has installed have remained in place, however, due to the ongoing... Situation within the Romulan Neutral Zone. I'm sure most of you by now know about the Dyson Sphere that appeared in the Neutral Zone a few weeks ago, in the Iconian System."
To be continued...