I Forgive You (Backpost) (Part 2)

Posted on Wed Sep 6th, 2023 @ 8:00am by Takeshi Nakazato 'Zack' & Commander Ichika Misono
Edited on on Wed Sep 6th, 2023 @ 8:01am

1,289 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Fast & The Fleet
Location: Executive Officer's Office - Deck 2
Timeline: After 'I Forgive You (Backpost) (Part 1)'

Previously, on Star Trek: Myogi:

"No, they still would have acted as unhinged as they did, if not perhaps more so." Takeshi sighed. "The crew of the Enterprise are seen as the Federation's poster children, so if they had been the ones to expose Miyahara's misdeeds, they would have seen it as a direct declaration of war on their ways of life."

Ichika smiled.

"I must confess, Mr. Nakazato, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I took you aside, but I think it's safe to say that you've surpassed those expectations," she admitted, jotting down a few more notes as she did so. "You've been extremely cooperative in answering all my questions, and you don't appear to be holding anything back so far as I can tell. But that does beg the question: for someone with as strong a moral compass as yourself, what led you to falsify your testimony during Captain Aisaka's trial? You had to have factored in the repercussions if you were caught; this couldn't have been a decision you reached lightly."

And now, the continuation:

"It definitely wasn't." Takeshi agreed. "As you probably already know, I'm close friends with the Takahashis. I've known Maporin since we were cadets, and she helped open my eyes to K.T. We had all shadowed Miyahara when he prosecuted cases where he did manage to successfully lock up corrupt Starfleet Captains, and when the cases were wrapped, Miyahara always made a point to mention to all of us that if we ever found ourselves standing against him in court, he would make sure we were dead to him. This would include a sort of excommunication from the Myogi, where we'd be forbidden to speak to any of the friends we had made here on this ship again. Which, in on itself was a fate worse than death for me."

Takeshi lowered his head.

"Add onto all of that the fact that I had spent the days leading up to the trial having nightmares of Captain Aisaka killing my wife and I, and then either killing our children or raising them as her own... Frankly, I'm still not sure which version is worse, and the decision for me was a no-brainer:" He elaborated. "Stand in solidarity with Miyahara so that Captain Aisaka would never breathe free again."

"And what gave you the impression that Captain Aisaka had murderous intentions?" Ichika asked. "This seems like a pretty substantial leap in logic, at least without hard evidence to prove that this was, indeed, her end-goal."

Takeshi sighed.

"I think for that, it would be best if I take you back to the start:" Takeshi said. "So, it all started when the Myogi picked up the Tokyo's automated distress signal. The ship was, at the time, disabled along the Cardassian DMZ, and we had a debate on what to do. I believed we needed to help them, as they were Starfleet. Maporin and K.T. agreed with me, so the command staff had a majority vote. Miyahara later stated he regretted agreeing to respond to the distress call, but we're getting ahead of ourselves. I volunteered to take a shuttle and render assistance, but Miyahara pulled me aside and told me that such a move would be a permanent transfer, as, understandably, he didn't want whatever was affecting the Tokyo to come back here to the Myogi. I understood and so, I said goodbye to everyone and just like that I was off to the Tokyo."

"At first, everything seemed fine." Takeshi continued. "They seemed grateful for what Miyahara had sent, and I seemed to be welcomed alright. Then, we were scheduled for a routine fighter training op, and I had the bright idea to build trust with the pilots and join them in the air. However, some asshole didn't take too kindly to my idea, and called me out on it. I never found out that asshole's name. Aisaka went to the asshole's defense and snapped at me right there and then, told me to act like quote 'A Damn Professional.' So, I figured 'well, if she wants professional, that's what she'll get,' and I grounded all the pilots until I found out who the asshole was and I could deal with them properly. Aisaka didn't like that either, and snapped at me again, this time in her ready room, and she took away the very position I had applied for; that of Second Officer. That was when I found out that the position wasn't as prestigious or respected as it is here, but that's a different kettle of worms. Both times Aisaka yelled at me, there was this murderous rage in her eyes that I just couldn't describe to you. It was those looks alone that told me all I needed to know, and that she was after my kids, and, as a father, I'd do anything to protect the little rascals, even if it meant blowing a hole in my commanding officer's head."

Takeshi knew he had likely presented himself as a total ass. He had recalled events to the best of his knowledge, and no doubt omitted some details.

"I understand."

"What?"

"You acted reasonably in response to a perceived threat against your family's well-being, whether that be perception be real or exaggerated," Ichika explained. "Were it me in a similar situation, I can't say I wouldn't have acted any differently."

Takeshi was quite surprised. He didn't know much about Inuto culture, but it was good to know that they had a rather strong emphasis on family as well. However, his relief was short-lived, as a thought crossed his mind that perhaps Ichika might attempt to use the notes she had taken to further damage his reputation.

"So, uh... What exactly are you planning on doing with those notes you took?" He asked.

"Well, I'm hoping to submit my findings to Intel and Counseling, under the hope they'll be able to use this information to develop a psychological profile of Miyahara, so that we have a better change of determining his next move," Ichika explained as she powered down her PADD and reattached it to her belt. "I will, of course, uphold your right to privacy if requested."

"That might be for the better." Takeshi sighed. "If my name continues to be attached to Starfleet inquiries, it's not going to make me look too good for what I have left."

Ichika smiled. "I don't think that makes you a bad man, Mr. Nakazato; while I can't fully condone your actions, I can tell that deep down, your heart is in the right place. Perhaps in another timeline, you might've made a fine Captain."

A moment of silence passed before Takeshi, in an out of character move, placed his hands together in a show of gratitude.

"Thank you, Commander." Takeshi said. "You have no idea how refreshing it is to hear the words I've come to accept as Miyahara grooming me coming from your mouth."

"Well... I'd best be getting this over to intel," Ichika sighed as she stood up from her chair. "Why don't you go ahead and get some shuteye, Mr. Nakazato? We've both got a long day ahead of us."

Nodding, Takeshi rose from his chair and left the office. The quarters he had been temporarily assigned weren't far, and he remembered the route like the back of his hand when he frequented the office while Maho was its tenant.

Perhaps Maho was right when she told him that the Myogi was in good hands...

Posting by

Commander Ichika Misono
Executive Officer

Takeshi Nakazato
Disgraced Starfleet Officer

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