Speed Demons

Posted on Mon Sep 27th, 2021 @ 11:56pm by Lieutenant JG Jane Sinclair & Commander Ichika Misono & Lieutenant JG Takumi Fujiwara 'Tak'

2,512 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Handling the Fallout
Location: USS Myogi (NCC-65918), Bridge, Deck 1
Timeline: After 'Last Minute Additions'

Exiting the Captain’s Ready Room, Jane walked to the helm station to talk with her new colleague, subordinate, and possible friend Takumi. She didn’t know if they had much in common, but there was one thing: that drive to fly through the sky or space or whatever medium was available.

“So, Mr. Fujiwara,” she said, leaning against the helm console, “been aboard long?”

"Honestly, not all that long." Takumi responded. He was now standing behind the seat of the helm station, his right hand on his walking stick. "I came by shuttle, and I couldn't have landed more than an hour or so beforehand."

“I’m jealous,” Jane said. “I wanted to fly in by shuttle but was told I couldn’t. I think you carried aboard the last one. Instead they made me ride transports. As a passenger. A passenger, Takumi!”

"Come to think of it, I think you might be right:" Takumi responded, putting a finger of his free hand to his chin. "I believe one of the last shuttles was a load of supplies to help get Science set back up, and that's what I was carrying."

Takumi switched hands to hold his walking stick with.

"Anyway, what exactly do you like to do in your free time?" He asked. "You know, like when we're not on duty and stuff."

“Honestly?” Jane began. “I’m likely to be in the Shuttlebay working on the shuttles. It’s very zen to tinker. I also have a holo program where I work on custom designs and race them. Takes me back to my racing days.”

"Is that so?" Takumi asked, his interest now piqued. "You know, I used to do a lot of racing when I was younger. Well, until I crashed, and... You know, became bound to a walking stick."

“I won the Under-Eighteen Centauri Grand Prix in ‘73,” Jane said proudly. “I couldn’t race the following years because the war cancelled most of the events, but I worked on my craft whenever I could. I tried to join races whenever I could during my Academy days, but just amateur events.” She grinned at her new friend. “I have some holo programs I can show you later.”

"You know, that might actually be interesting:" Takumi responded. "I never did any flying-type racing when I was younger: I street raced for a couple years with my dad's car until he practically gave the damn thing to me, then I did some rally for a few years until that practice run..."

“So you’ve never raced in the air, and I’ve never on the ground,” Jane said with a laugh. “Sounds like we both have something to rectify.” She cocked her head at the walking stick. “So what happened at the practice run?”

"Oh, you could probably find videos of it out there if you wanted to; just search 'Takumi Fujiwara practice run crash.'" Takumi explained. "Basically, at the time, my team had recently decided to make the switch to Mitsubishi from Toyota, and had acquired some Lan Evos from another team that had gone under. What nobody bothered to tell me before that practice run was that that particular Evo's driveshaft was faulty, as was found out in the investigation afterwards."

Takumi looked at the big viewscreen, displaying a live feed of Spacedock beyond.

"I don't remember much from the accident:" He admitted. "One moment, the practice run was going swimmingly, the next... I really don't know how to describe this feeling. You said you raced spaceships before, yes? Well, picture yourself being strapped into a crippled spaceship, spiraling out of control and about to impact on a planet's surface, and knowing there's nothing you can do to recover, and that's what the sensation felt like in those final moments before everything went black. The next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital feeling like I had only gotten a good nights' sleep, when in reality I had been in a coma for several days."

Before Jane could reply, the doors to Turbolift opened with a loud whoosh, and all heads turned as the Myogi's new Executive Officer stepped out onto the bridge, her tail-like protrusion swaying back and forth as she took in her surroundings.

"Executive Officer on the bridge!" a senior conn officer called out as the veteran officers who had previously served under Miyhara dropped whatever it was they were doing and snapped to attention, their postures straight and rigid, their arms firmly tucked behind their backs, and their expressions so devoid of emotion, you could almost feel a chill in the air.

The newer staff members could only sit there and exchange confused looks; some awkwardly attempted to follow the example set by their peers, but their effort could be considered halfhearted at best.

Jane was surprised by the reaction of the veteran officers, but understood what was expected. She snapped to attention but was a second or two later than most.

As soon as the turbolift doors swooshed open, Takumi had turned in the direction of the new arrival, and when the bridge crew began to stand at attention, Takumi followed their example best he could, given his posture and walking stick.

"As you were," the Executive Officer dismissed politely (albeit nervously). "I'm just here to conduct a routine inspection."

The veteran staff nodded and returned to their seats, though not before giving the newer staff members a dirty look.

Contented, the Executive Officer resumed her inspection, slowly making her way down the port ramp and scrutinizing anomalies on the LCARS displays, occasionally stopping to take notes on her PaDD when something wasn't as it should be. Slowly, but steadily, she made her way over to the central pit, and the two officers at their respective helm stations.

"Lieutenant," she began, nodding first to Jane before shifting her attention to Takumi. "Ensign; how are we looking over here?"

Having watched the First Officer, a woman of a species she had never seen before, do her inspection, all she could do was wait to be addressed before she could get off the bridge and get herself settled aboard the ship.

Finally addressed, she answered. “Very good, Commander. Thank you.” This woman was more than a head shorter than Jane, but nevertheless the helmswoman was intimidated. “I’ve just met my Assistant Department Head, and we were just getting to know each other. Yeah. How are you?” She winced at her own inability to stop talking.

The Executive Officer chuckled. "Doing great, thank you," she replied as she pulled up a crew manifest. "And let's see... Flight Control... ah, yes; Lieutenant JG Sinclair and Ensign... Fujiwara..."

Her voice trailing off as she recognized those names, she glanced back up from her PaDD and realized that they did bear a striking resemblance; but there was no way...

"As in... the Jane Sinclair and Takumi Fujiwara?" she inquired, attempting to allay her evident disbelief.

“Um, yes? I think?” Jane said. She had been interviewed for the Federation News Service a couple of times in recent years, plus for her racing as a youth. She didn’t look the same as that teen that competed in the under-eighteen league, but the Antarian Rally was just last year.

"All the live long day..." Takumi admitted modestly. Both his rally career and practice run crash had been big sports news. Furthermore, Takumi had filmed a documentary with FNN five years ago titled 'Takumi: Triumph after Tragedy' to commemorate the 1 year anniversary of his crash and show how far he had come in that year since.

"No way!" the Executive Officer gasped, quickly moving to shake their hands. "Where are my manners? It's truly an honor to have the both of you serving in our company; I used to have a dorm mate back at the Academy who'd hang posters of you two up on her walls!"

"Surprisingly not the weirdest story told about me today:" Takumi responded, shifting his walking stick to his left hand so his right was free to shake the Executive Officer's pawlike hand. "The captain recognized me because of my mother's work, something about Project Jomo being the last thing she worked on before she died. Not that it really matters; I was never really close with my mother..."

“My goodness, I’ve not thought about those posters since I joined the Academy,” Jane said, grinning. “I never did see one on a wall.” She was instantly more relaxed; despite the reactions of the other crew, the XO seemed to be much less formal than she expected. “We’re proud to be on the team, ma’am. And you know we’ll get the ship out of trouble fast as possible.”

"We're going to need it," the XO chuckled. "So, I take it you two have had no trouble getting settled in?"

“None yet,” Jane answered. “A lot to do tomorrow, but I have quarters and my belongings are there.”

"What she said." Takumi added. "Though, I'd imagine at some point, I'll have to pay a visit to the lounge, because I ran into someone on board I haven't seen in years, and no doubt he'll want to catch up. But you're lucky to have someone like him on board, I'll tell you this much."

"Am I?" The XO smiled. "Well, I hope I'll be meeting him sometime in the future!"

"I hope you do!" Takumi smiled. "I've come to consider him something like a brother. By the way, just out of curiosity, what poster did your dorm mate have of me? Because I remember I did this really awesome poster shoot just before my crash to promote my team's switch to Mitsubishi; the end result turned out really sweet."

"Hmm... I'm afraid I'm not all that familiarized with human transportation," the XO admitted. "And it's been a while since I saw the posters, but I remember it being white with a red roof... I think it was jumping a dirt hill? Oh, and the photo was taken from the front, but situated slightly so as to showcase the right side of the vehicle."

"Hmm..." Takumi pondered. "I don't believe that was it; the one I'm thinking of was this beautiful angular piece, with a juxtaposition of me in my racing suit, back turned, looking over my shoulder, and this beautiful 3/4 shot of the Lan Evo, oh, it was so epic: They did it in a variety of color hues, but personally, I prefer the black and white version the best; there's something of a bygone elegance that version captures. You know, I should have a few spare copies back home; if you keep in touch with your dorm mate, I could always send them one with my autograph on it."

“My best poster was from the ‘81 season,” Jane said, by now leaning against the wall. “I was twenty. My ship at the time was a Bennett wedge hull with a Kloratis Drives model 33-gamma sublight engine. Everything customized to within an inch of recognition. Beautiful ship. Photo was taken from above and had me lying on the dorsal hull in my flight suit. Probably one of the better photos taken of me, actually.”

"I think she had that one!" the XO remarked. "She had it mounted at the foot of her bunk, so I was always had a clear view of it from my desk."

Jane couldn’t help but blush.

"So," the XO continued, turning her attention back over to Takumi. "Autographs, huh? Well, it's been a while since I last spoke to my dorm mate, but if I ever cross paths with her again, I think she'd get a kick out of it!"

"Well, first opportunity I get for shore leave, I'll swing home and pick one of them up and get it signed for you." Takumi responded.

"Oh, and while we're at it," the XO added, glancing back over at Jane. "Would you mind if I got your autograph as well?"

“Sure!” Jane answered. It had been many years since anyone had asked for her autograph, but she never tired of it. “I’ll replicate one of those posters, sign it, and drop it off with you later, yeah?”

"You know, if she's just going to do that; it might be easier if I replicate the poster as well." Takumi said. "Provided your dorm mate's okay with a replicated poster instead of a real one, but I think the signature should make it worthwhile."

The XO chuckled. "Like I said, I haven't spoken with her since I graduated, but I'm sure she'll appreciate whatever you can give her."

“What’s her name?” Jane asked. “We can customize it a bit.”

"Ooh, yes!" Takumi said. "That's just what I was about to suggest!"

"Nanase Maiba," the XO replied. "Though she always preferred to go by the name 'Nana'."

“ ‘Dear Nana-chan, Commander Misono said you were a fan, and that you were pretty cool. Obviously you have great taste. Much love, Jane Sinclair,’ “ Jane said, reciting what she might write. “What do you think, Takumi? Is it too much?”

"I don't know, I think it sounds a bit too formal." Takumi said. "How about something like 'Nana-San; I heard from Commander Misono that you were a fan; obviously you have great taste. -Fujiwara Takumi' short and sweet."

“You’re right, that is better,” Jane agreed.

"Well, it appears as if you two have been doing your homework," the XO smiled pleasantly. "The two of you already appear to know who I am without me having to introduce myself; looks as if this ship is going to be in good hands."

"I'd say so:" Takumi said.

“We won’t let you down, Commander,” said Jane.

"I'm counting on it," the Commander Misono nodded. "Well, if you two won't be needing anything else, I suppose I'll be on my way."

"None here, ma'am:" Takumi said.

“Nothing from me either, Ma’am,” Jane said in agreement.

And with one last nod of approval, Commander Misono moved on to inspect an adjacent station.

"Well, I believe my next step is to get settled into my quarters, then get that poster signed for the commander." Takumi said. "It was nice making acquaintance with you, Lieutenant."

“Same, Takumi, on all counts,” Jane agreed. “We’ll give the posters to the Commander tomorrow. Have a good evening, Takumi.” As a relief watch officer took over at the conn, Jane went a separate way from Takumi out of the bridge, to get properly settled into her own quarters. And sign her own poster.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Posting by (in order of appearance):

Lieutenant JG Jane Sinclair
Chief Flight Control Officer, USS Myogi (NCC-65918)

Ensign Takumi Fujiwara
Flight Control Officer, USS Myogi (NCC-65918)

Commander Ichika Misono
Executive Officer, USS Myogi (NCC-65918)

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