The Night Shift

Posted on Wed Dec 1st, 2021 @ 8:22am by Captain Maho Takahashi & Commander Ichika Misono

1,163 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Christmas Vacation
Location: USS Myogi (NCC-65918), Bridge, Deck 1
Timeline: December 15, 0330 hours

"First Officer's Log, Stardate 72953.8252156267:

"After a lengthy 2-month patrol along the Federation/Gorn border, we are currently docked at Starbase 48 over Cestus III waiting to replenish our supplies. The Captain-- along with several others, it would seem-- have requested some down time so that they can spend the holidays with their loved ones; consequently, myself and a few other officers have stepped up and offered to work a few extra duty shifts in their absence. While I can hardly blame them for their decision, it's at times like these, when everyone's talking about spending time with their families, I can't help but reminisce about my own family back home. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've been so caught up in my obligations to this ship and her crew that I've been somewhat lax about keeping in touch. Not that I think they mind, of course; Akane's first litter should be arriving any day now (if it hasn't arrived already), so I imagine it's at the forefront of everyone's thoughts.

"Perhaps all things considered, I should make some time out of my own schedule to pay them a visit; Inuto's approximately 20 light-years from Cestus III, so given that the Captain's willing to make an accommodation, I could always take a shuttle there and see how everyone's doing-- possibly even meet my nephews and nieces for the first time...

"I suppose it's something to think about. Until then, I send my love to the folks back home.

-End log."
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The past few months had been draining for Maho.

2 months ago, she and Keisuke had been planning to take a leave and make their rounds with the parents and introduce them to their new grandchild. However, Starfleet had other plans when they handed her a two month patrol along the Gorn border. While her mother and Commodore Takahashi were not pleased by the news that they would have to wait a little longer to meet their new grandchild, Starfleet had assured Maho that the patrol should be over by Christmas, and so Maho and Keisuke had promised their parents they would be home by Christmas.

This, of course, was less than ideal, as Maho wished to bring the Myogi back to the Sol System for winter layup, as Miyahara had done, as there were much more transportation options for the crew out of Sol than there was out of Starbase 48, but Maho trusted her crew would be capable of making arrangements to make it home for the holidays.

Even so, a number of crew had elected to remain on board over the course of the holiday and layup, including Ichika, and Maho couldn't help but feel bad that she was consciously leaving her ship with crew behind to selfishly spend time with family. However, if it was the will of the crewmember to stay, Maho couldn't force them to go anywhere, but that didn't stop Maho's guilt of feeling like she was abandoning them, even though she and Keisuke would be back once their leave was up.

But at the same time, Maho was happy to be going back to Japan to see her parents and in-laws again, especially after hearing Miho and Ryosuke would be home for the holidays as well. This meant that in addition to the grandparents, the young one would also be able to meet Auntie Miho and Uncle Ryosuke as well.

Maho had left the little one in the care of Keisuke and a nanny hologram while she gave the ship a final once over and ensure that the skeleton crew who had elected to remain behind would be capable of keeping the ship in operating ship whilst their captain and second officer were away. As there was no Third Officer to call upon, that meant Ichika would be essentially running the ship and the small skeleton crew by herself.

Safe to say, the feeling of walking through the ship's corridors and passing crewmembers far less frequently than normal was eerie, and none was this more evident than on the bridge, which, while normally teeming with activity, was but a ghost town, as there was only a fraction of the normal bridge crew on the bridge snapping to attention as Maho stepped off the turbolift. She was quick to find her XO observing an NCO working and approached Commander Misono and the NCO.

"Commander; I've done my final preliminary checks, and it seems to me like the skeleton crew remaining behind shall be capable of keeping the ship running while I'm gone." She said as she approached. "Our ride back to Sol will be docking here in the overnight hours and leaving early tomorrow morning. I take it you will be capable of overseeing the layup while I'm away?"

That was one of the perks of being a CO; in that she could call upon fellow COs to give her a ride in situations such as this. In this case, the USS Chimera happened to be bound in the direction of the Sol system as soon as they completed their own brief resupply at Starbase 48, and the CO was happy to give her and Keisuke a ride.

"Aye, Captain," Ichika affirmed with a smile. "How are you and Commander Takahashi doing?"

"Oh, the usual:" Maho responded with a shrug. "We're both in for the usual rough night's sleep with the little one; then couple that with the stress and excitement of having to get up early to catch the Chimera back to the Sol system to spend the holidays with family."

"Sounds like fun," Ichika remarked, though there was evident sadness in her voice as she said it. "Enjoy your leave, Captain; after these past few months, I'd say you've earned yourself some downtime."

"Indeed." Maho said. "It's a shame that we couldn't be back at Earth for winter layup, but what can you do about it?"

"Not a whole lot, unfortunately," Ichika sighed. "We were already running a little thin on resources, so we would've had to make a stop anyways."

"It's just that it would have been a little nicer for the crew." Maho sighed. "There's lots more transportation options out of Sol than here. That, and I'd already be home instead of having to call upon a favor from a fellow CO to get home."

"Well, not much we can do about that now," Ichika shrugged. "Anything else you'll need from me before you turn in, Captain?"

"That'll be all, Commander;" Maho responded, extending a hand. "As we say on Earth; you have a Merry Christmas."

"You as well, Captain," Ichika nodded sadly.

Unaware of Ichika's hints, Maho stepped into the waiting turbolift and left the bridge, excited at the prospect of finally getting home and spending some time with her family for the holidays.
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Posting by (in order of appearance):

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

Commander Maho Takahashi
Commanding Officer, USS Myogi (NCC-65918)

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