Swimming in the Smoke

Posted on Sat May 27th, 2023 @ 10:20am by Commodore Tohru Honda & Captain Maho Takahashi & Commander Keisuke Takahashi 'K.T.' & Commander Elisabeth Churchill & Lieutenant Commander Tristana & Lieutenant Terrence "Terry" Johnston & Lieutenant JG Takumi Fujiwara 'Tak' & Commander Ichika Misono & Commander Queed & Lieutenant Commander Brandon Pratt & Lieutenant Commander Kurumi Ebisuzawa & Lieutenant JG Jane Sinclair & Lieutenant Alisha Reno & Lieutenant Karen Kujo 'Union Jane' & Lieutenant JG Sterling Archer & Lieutenant JG Mia ‘Banshee’ Amaro & Ensign Ruby Kurosawa & Ensign Dillard Klee Dr. & Senior Chief Petty Officer Victoria Aries & Chief Petty Officer Kozakura Kikuchi & Petty Officer 3rd Class Shingen Miyazawa & Petty Officer 3rd Class Kiyohira Kabuto & Petty Officer 2nd Class Mai Ichihara & Crewman Recruit Yoshiko Tsushima 'Yohane' & Crewman Recruit Hanamaru Kunikida 'Maru'

2,027 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Insurrection
Location: USS Myogi
Timeline: Several Hours after "The Upper Hand"

Maho sat back in her ready room, watching the news as the Federation Council was reconvening to certify the results of Captain Aisaka's trial. The death toll was staggering: 144 already confirmed dead: 104 rioters and 40 Starfleet Officers; a figure that was expected to rise, as over 203 people split roughly evenly between both sides were in critical condition.

Though she had already transferred command of the Myogi back to Maho, Tohru remained behind at Captain Takahashi's request, and was watching the news with her:

"To those of you who stalked these hallowed halls today; you did not win." The speaker of the Federation Council spoke to the cameras. "Violence never wins. Freedom wins. And this is still the people's house..."

Tohru turned from the news to Maho as the young captain finished sending out her announcement to the crew.

"Are you sure you still want to do this, Captain?" She asked.

"Yes, Commodore." Maho nodded. "I have to do this..."

"Okay, Captain, but don't overdo it." Tohru suggested.

The two women then rose and left the ready room. Now that things were returning to normal, Maho had taken a few moments to send out a message to all members of her crew:

All hands - Please report to the shuttlebay in one hour. Please secure your stations before leaving duty positions. Attendance is mandatory. -Captain Takahashi.

---

[Shuttlebay]

A somber procession of officers began filing into the Myogi's shuttlebay after Maho's announcement had gone out. In the center of the shuttlebay sat a shuttle waiting to take Commodore Honda off the Myogi, and the officers, many unsure of what this announcement would entail, began congregating near the shuttle to wait for the news from the Captain.

The XO looked like death itself as she shuffled silently into the shuttlebay, her cheeks red and puffy after she had spent the past hour mourning Captain Felnoir's untimely demise. Regardless of what one might have thought of him in life, to serve in Starfleet Command was a high honor for any Inuto, and there was no doubt in her mind that news of his death would send shockwaves across her home world.

Queed entered the shuttle bay looking a little more serious than usual. He was still getting to know his crew mates and could see some were stressed out about the recent events.

Pratt stood back in the assembling crowd of the shuttle bay as he leaned against a bulkhead people watching, waiting for anyone he might sit near if he chose to sit. Looking through updates on his data logs on his padd, Brandon awaited the start of the speech from Captain Takahashi.

Kurumi stood by the back wall of the shuttlebay, she was armed with a phaser rifle resting up against her chest and shoulder blade. She didn't need to be armed, but she had thought it best to be safe than sorry. She hadn't yer met Captain Takahashi, but she had seen and heard a lot about her. She stood there looking relaxed, but keeping an observant eye on everyone in the room.

Jane had actually arrived early, to make certain the shuttlebay was fully clear of vehicles (aside from the one in the centre) or tools and capable of housing the entire crew. She had then gone back to her quarters to wash up and came back, clean and ready for something likely semi-formal. She leaned against the back wall, near the bulkhead where Pratt stood. She nodded to Ichihara, Kabuto, and Miyazawa, her initial team before being divided on Earth.

Mia and Alisha arrived together, talking quietly amongst themselves. The Hispanic pilot had been truly apologetic about shooting the Intelligence officer, but Alisha had taken it in stride, pointing out that to be fair, she HAD been screaming to be shot, and she didn't look like herself. They couldn't look more different right now, Mia in her rumpled flightsuit and Alisha, looking back like herself, in proper uniform, nice and neat, aside from the dark circles under her eyes.

---

A hush fell over the crowd as Captain Takahashi emerged from the shuttle. She looked into the faces of the gathered crew silently waiting for her before climbing up on the shuttle's port nacelle to be seen better by those in the back.

"I have called you all here because..." Maho began before her voice trailed off. "You're... Probably here expecting me to give an inspiring speech about there being light in darkness. Unfortunately, my name is not Jean Luc Picard, and what I have to say is... Far from inspirational:"

Maho paused.

"Many of you standing here probably think what happened today, an unprecedented assault on Federation Democracy, was out of the blue." She continued. "Unfortunately, what happened today was premeditated. And it's been premeditated ever since I took command of this ship."

Maho paused to let her words sink in before continuing:

"Many of you standing here today weren't on board back then, but for those few of you who were, you already know what happened:" Maho said. "The Starship Myogi's final mission under the command of Admiral Tanaka Miayahara was, at least on paper, routine: The Romulan Star Empire was upset at the Federation because evidence at the time was pointing to a Federation starship, an Armitage class carrier called the USS Tokyo, having destroyed a Romulan Colony called Alvatar. We know now that the destruction of Alvatar was caused by a race called the Elachi, contracted by the Tal Shiar to frame the Tokyo for the colony's destruction so the Romulans could declare war on us. But back then, we didn't know any of that."

Maho paused again, looking down at the floor.

"Our orders were simple: Take the Tokyo's commanding officer, Captain Taiga Aisaka, into custody and transport her to Earth before assisting the Romulans and leading a Starfleet side of the prosecution when Captain Aisaka stood trial for the destruction of Alvatar." She explained. "I should have known from the moment we took Captain Aisaka on board that this assignment would be far from routine: When we led her to our brig, she refused to enter, and instead berated not only Miyahara, but me personally for doing my job. But I was ignorant: I had recently said yes to marrying the love of my life, and we were looking forward to being back in the Sol System to tie the knot."

Maho took a deep breath.

"I should have known when Miyahara began suggesting even before the trial had concluded that the trial was being rigged in Captain Aisaka's favor." She said. "Yet still I remained blissfully unaware as my wedding day approached. I only started paying attention after it was already too late; after I had taken command of the Myogi, when Miyahara was now actively spreading lies about the trial and its outcome to whack jobs and conspiracy theorists the Federation over, and a movement to overturn the trial's outcome, known as "Stop the Steal," was fast emerging. By then, there was nothing I could do, and the Federation's right was on the warpath."

Maho's fist clenched as she fought back the tears.

"We've already lost so many of our brothers and sisters defending democracy today..." Maho's voice wavered. "Including Captain Arles Felnoir, commanding officer of our sister ship, the USS Akina. And sadly, that number is expected to rise, as over 100 more of our brothers and sisters lie in critical condition at this hour. I am responsible for their deaths, as at one point I held in my hands the power to stop all of this from even happening, and I didn't do it! I sent more of you than I can count into the line of fire, and I knew that I was putting each and every volunteer in danger, yet I still permitted people to volunteer!"

Maho had begun to cry as she was talking, and she took a minute to calm down and wipe the tears away before continuing.

"I am a terrible Captain for letting this happen." She said. "I have let not only all of you down, but the 40 Starfleet officers we've lost thus far down. I have made mistakes, some of which cannot be forgiven. But that won't stop me from being sorry for them..."

Maho looked up at the gathering of officers standing before her.

"Therefore, if any of you wish to leave the Myogi, I will personally see to it that you are placed into the hands of a better Captain:" She said. "There will be no hard feelings, no regrets, nothing of the sort. It is my duty as Commanding Officer of the Myogi to keep you all safe, and I have failed in that duty. Perhaps for some, such a failure is inexcusable..."

Maho looked around at the gathered officers.

"I can't require any of you to stay, but I can incentivize it:" She said. "If you decide to give serving under my command a second chance, I will put in a good word to Starfleet Command for each and every crewmember that decides to stay to receive a promotion in rank, regardless of whether or not you went planet side to defend our democracy today. Thank you. That will be all."

"Like seriously?!" Kurumi said from her spot against the wall of the shuttlebay. Her tone sounded more annoyed or simply fed up. "Honestly Captain, this whole thing is just stupid. No one is perfect for heavens sake, how about we all stop moping around like children and actually do something about it?" She asked rather abruptly. "We're Starfleet aren't we? Let's stop crying over spilt milk and start to mop up these bastards who threaten the safety and peace of the entire Quadrant!"

"She's right."

All heads in the room shifted towards Ichika.

"Standing around and feeling sorry for ourselves isn't going to do us any good," Ichika agreed. "Regardless of who's to blame, the fact still remains that there's a very dangerous fugitive out there- one who will continue to undermine our integrity as a Federation as long as he remains at large. So if you think that any of us here will be leaving before Tanaka Miyahara is brought to justice... I'd suggest you reconsider that notion."

Maho looked up and smiled. She hadn't expected any kind of reaction to her speech.

"Well put, Commander, Lieutenant." Maho nodded in Ichika and Kurumi's directions. "The road ahead won't be easy, but we all have a job to do. Dismissed."

Queed intended to stay despite all the turmoil and unrest. It was part of his job to aid in making peace and he wasn't about to shirk his duties.

Pratt then gave a solid nod to the speeches by the brass officials. Everything they had said rang true to being. Brandon felt proud when he listened to the speech.

Posting by

Commodore Tohru Honda
Task Force Jomo Commanding Officer

Captain Maho Takahashi
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Commander Queed
Diplomatic Corp

Lieutenant Brandon Pratt
Chief Engineering Officer

Commander Ichika Misono
Executive Officer

Lieutenant Kurumi Ebisuzawa
Chief Security Officer

Lieutenant JG Mia Amaro
Fighter Pilot

Lieutenant JG Alisha Reno
Chief Intelligence Officer

Lieutenant JG Jane Sinclair
Chief Flight Control Officer

--- Background appearances by: ---

Commander Keisuke Takahashi
Second Officer

Lieutenant Commander Elisabeth Churchill
Assistant Chief Diplomatic Officer

Lieutenant Karen Kujo
Squadron Leader

Lieutenant Tristana
Assistant Chief of Security

Lieutenant JG Sterling Archer
Assistant Chief Flight Control Officer

Lieutenant JG Terrence "Terry Johnston"
Engineer

Ensign Takumi Fujiwara
Flight Control Officer

Ensign Dillard Klee
Science Officer

Ensign Ruby Kurosawa
Assistant Chief Operations Officer

Ensign Connor Talmage
Chief Science Officer

Senior Chief Petty Officer Victoria Aries
Computer Systems Specialist

Petty Officer 1st Class Kozakura Kikuchi
Security Officer

Petty Officer 3rd Class Mai Ichihara
Nurse

Petty Officer 3rd Class Kiyohara Kabuto
Security Officer

Petty Officer 3rd Class Shingen Miyazawa
Security Officer

Crewman Recruit Hanamaru Kunikida
Operations Officer

Crewman Recruit Yoshiko Tsushima
Operations Officer

 

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