Three Captains, One Problem (Part 2)

Posted on Sun Nov 12th, 2023 @ 4:19am by Captain Maho Takahashi & Captain Shimakaze Zh'gero & Commander Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke

1,357 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Operation Tokyo Return
Timeline: After 'Three Captains, One Problem (Part 1)'

Previously, on Star Trek: Myogi:

"But why would he do that?" Minna asked. "Up until recently, Miyahara seemed like a respectable fellow who stood for law and order, not against it."

"Simple;" Shimakaze spoke. "By using his influence to undermine public confidence in our justice system, Miyahara was hoping to have a revote called, and that would be when the previously free and fair trial would be overturned, and he would re-seize power. Classic dictator strategy."

"So, something like Leyton's attempted coup in 2372?" Minna asked.

"Something like that." Maho said. "Though I believe the circumstances were somewhat different back then. But, anyways, our mission is clear: Taiga Aisaka is aboard the Myogi, and we are taking her to Beta Antares, where her ship, the USS Tokyo, is undergoing final repairs."

"You don't seem too pleased about it, Captain." Shimakaze said. "I can feel your thinly-veiled anger from across the room."

And now, the continuation:

"Of course I'm not happy about it!" Maho snapped. "In fact, try fucking livid:I mean, who the fuck at Starfleet thought it was a good idea to task us; perhaps the one vessel in the whole damn fleet she holds contempt for, to return her to Beta Antares? Believe me, I've torn a couple admirals some new assholes already, and I'm just getting started!"

"So... What do you plan to do about it?" Shimakaze asked.

"I know that little shit is planning something:" Maho said. "Why else would she want a tour of the damn ship?"

"Um... Perhaps because she's genuinely curious as to the daily operations of a different class of starship other than her own?" Minna suggested.

"Commander, perhaps it might be in your best interest to shut your mouth and let the higher ranking officers talk." Shimakaze said coldly before turning back to Maho. "I can see now why you've brought us here: You brought us here to discuss contingency plans in case you lose control of your ship."

Maho nodded.

"That is also why the secrecy." She said. "I don't want any record of this meeting taking place on the books. If that little shit has just one inch of leverage over me, she is going to use it!"

Maho leaned forward and folded her fingers.

"Now, here's the plan: Starting with the next shift rotation, the Myogi will begin transmitting an all clear signal to the Haruna and the Akina at regular intervals. We will begin running evacuation drills. Quietly, so Captain Aisaka doesn't suspect something is amiss. I'll also be sending both of you the Myogi's prefix code in a memo for Captain's Eyes Only. Now, if the Myogi misses an all clear signal for any reason, I want you both to go to red alert and power up your weapons. If this happens when the Myogi's shields are up, that is when you will need our prefix code."

"Captain, you're not seriously suggesting-!" Minna gasped.

"Hope that us missing an all clear signal is just a glitch on our end." Maho said. "But, if it indeed turns out to be what we all fear, with Captain Aisaka wresting control of my vessel from me, I will trip a silent alarm for my crew to begin moving to escape pods. If at any point you detect escape pods ejecting from the Myogi in a manner to suggest an evacuation is underway, your orders are to lock your weapons onto my combadge and open fire!"

"Oh, my god: Captain, are you okay?" Minna asked.

"The combined destructive power of the Haruna and the Akina should be enough to eliminate Captain Aisaka as well as neutralizing myself and destroying the Myogi." Maho said. "It'd be a hell of a way to go out, but I'd rather sacrifice myself and my ship before I ever let that wench take it from me!"

"Diabolical..." Shimakaze said, an almost evil grin spreading on her face. "Count me in."

"Wha-? Captain, you can't be serious to go along with a plan like that!" Minna objected.

"If I had a pink skin that I particularly disliked aboard the Haruna, and felt they had the capability to take it from me, I too would want an insurance policy." Shimakaze explained. "One of the first things you learn as a commanding officer is that you must be willing to do anything and everything to ensure the safety of your ship and your crew."

"But not like this!" Minna protested. "Captains, this isn't insurance, it's fucking suicide! It shouldn't take an education at Starfleet Medical Academy to see that!"

"Do you have any alternative suggestions, Commander?" Maho asked. "I'd be open to hear them."

"For one, how about not endangering your life and your vessel?" Minna suggested. "I don't know what the hell Captain Aisaka did to you, but you're making this sound like she came into your living room on Christmas morning and punched you right in the stomach!"

"You know Captain Aisaka, Commander?" Maho asked.

"She and I have a mutual friend in Captain Minori Kushieda." Minna explained.

"Then you know how dangerous she is, and the necessity of these precautions." Maho cut her off. "She'd cut her nose off just to spite her face, so we can't place hijacking a starship out of the realm of possibility."

"Captain, if I may speak freely?" Minna asked.

"Granted." Maho said.

"Captain, I've met Captain Aisaka before; and it doesn't seem in character for her intentions to be hostile." Minna explained. "And as such, I don't believe it is necessary for you to jeopardize your life and your vessel on a grudge. If I might suggest that instead we rotate hosting Captain Aisaka between all of our ships, that might lower your stress level enough for you to think rationally?"

"Forget about it, Commander:" Shimakaze said. "Your idea won't work after the first time she steps foot on the Haruna. The work culture I've fostered on that ship is one of hostility by my Andorian senior staff towards the pink skins that remain. She wouldn't want to be rotated between us after experiencing it for herself."

"And whose fault is it that they're a big racist who can't see past skin color?" Minna questioned. "I've seen your personnel file, even the stuff you had classified to cover your ass. I know you once worked for one of the extremist organizations that attacked Starfleet Headquarters. Frankly, I'm surprised that work didn't get you kicked out of Starfleet."

"I didn't know until I found the plot to kidnap Governor Hartley's rival that the group was malicious." Shimakaze defended herself.

"Well, I think this has been a very informative discussion." Maho said. "Commander Wilcke, your suggestion has been noted. However, as Captain Zh'gero has pointed out, the execution would be flawed. So, unless anyone else has any bright ideas; we move forward with my plan."

Neither captain said a word. Though Minna did give Maho a look of strong disgust.

"Very well, then:" Maho said. "Now, that that matter is settled, I'll let you two return to your ships. I have a request from our guest that I must fulfill. Computer, unseal the room: Raise blast shields and resume normal operations."

The computer beeped in acknowledgement, and the doors unlocked with the same clicks that locked them as the blast shields raised up to reveal the stars zooming past at warp once again.

"Good luck, Captains." Maho bade her visitors farewell.

"Same to you, Captain." Minna responded in a tone of evident disgust.

When the doors closed behind Minna and Shimakaze, Maho let out a great sigh.

"We're going to need it." She muttered to herself, swishing around her non-alcoholic beverage.

Maho had a lot of thinking to do before they reached Beta Antares. The fate of her ship and crew now depended on her decisions and actions for the rest of the voyage. Certainly not an easy burden for any officer to carry.

Posting by

Captain Maho Takahashi
Commanding Officer
USS Myogi

Captain Shimakaze Zh'gero
Commanding Officer
USS Haruna

Commander Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke
Commanding Officer
USS Akina

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