Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter TextAn endless sea of stars, each with their own stories, spread out before Eli's eyes as she looked through the windows of the lounge. The atmosphere of relief was plain in the way that the crew acted. Sporadic laughs, some playing 3D chess or Strategema and others just sitting at the bar. A stark contrast to the turmoil Eli was feeling. Outward, she was the stoic, logical Vulcan she wanted to be, inside doubts as to her performance on their first mission clouded her thoughts.
"Mind if I join ya'? I thought I might find you in Haven." a voice said to her.
Eli looked up… into the green eyes of Lieutenant Tojo.
"Lieutenant, I…" Eli began.
"… look like you need company." Nozomi interrupted and sat down.
Eli said nothing.
"How are you feeling?" Nozomi asked.
"I'm Vulcan, I don't…." Eli tried again.
"'Course you do. You might not show it, but you do."
She is correct.
Eli steeled herself.
"I find myself in a position that in order to be of most use, I have to disappoint someone I respect."
"I see." After a sip from her drink Nozomi continued, "I think the Captain will understand. You just have to be honest."
"I do not subscribe to dishonesty- wait. How did you know I was considering the Captain's reaction?"
"Call it… intuition ."
"That's illogical." Eli shrugged.
Nozomi leant closer.
"But so human… and we're both human."
"I did not come here to be insulted." Eli increased the distance.
Nozomi looked around.
"No, you came here to see that life goes on, the endless stars and all their possibilities. And to see me." She grinned.
"I did no such thing." Eli protested.
Nozomi stood up and placed a piece of paper on the table.
"Yes, you did. But don't worry, your secret is safe with me." She straightened her uniform, "See you on the bridge."
Eli looked at the paper and turned it over. An illustration of a star decorated it.
Diplomatic Aide Koizumi looked around as she peeked out of her quarters.
Good. No guards.
She quickly stepped out of her quarters, leaving her com-badge behind.
She touched the wall panel.
"Computer, can you direct me to Engineering?"
"Main Engineering is located on deck 14. Please follow the guide light to reach your destination."
A few minutes later, she stepped out of the turbolift into Engineering. The hum of the warp drive and the little bleeps and chirps from the consoles lent the area an air of quiet efficiency. The crew was occupied with, as Hanayo saw it, engineering things . Nobody seemed to have noticed her.
"Can I help you?" a friendly voice behind her said, making Hanayo jump
"I… I… "she stammered, to her surprise, the crewman, a Vulcan, waited patiently.
"I'm looking… for the Chief Engineer." She said.
The Vulcan looked around.
"The Chief's not here. Just a moment" he tapped his com-badge, "Chu'Lak to Hoshizora. Where are you Chief?"
"In a tube from the second gantry. What's up, nya?" The voice echoed from somewhere around the warp core and the com-badge.
"There is… I'm sorry, you are?" Chu'Lak inquired.
"Diplomatic Aide Koizumi."
"Diplomatic Aide Koizumi wants to speak with you."
After a moment's hesitation and the sound of tools being stowed, the voice came back, "Please escort her to exit for Jefferies tube 14-3B, I'll be right there, nya."
"This way." The Vulcan gestured towards the open lift by the warp core and smiled.
Hanayo took the lift and Chu'Lak pointed towards a maintenance shaft.
"Chief will be right out." He said and left.
Hanayo heard noises from the shaft and stepped closer. She heard a whop and a mere second later a body hurtled towards her. Not being able to move away in time, found herself in the embrace of whoever had used the shaft as a makeshift slide. It was… cozy.
"Kayo-chiiiiiin, nya!" a familiar voice said, smiling from ear to ear.
Voices. Murmuring. Or maybe just far away? Honoka couldn't focus enough to make out words. Where was she? Back on the planet? No. Umi had come back for them and Maki had brought Honoka to sickbay and then...Honoka winced, and was surprised when she felt her hand being squeezed. Surgery, Maki had needed to perform surgery so her leg could heal properly. Another squeeze, a strong, gentle hand holding hers...Kotori?
Honoka opened her eyes, immediately drawn to the blue black hair of her best friend. Umi was leaning forward, one hand in Honoka's, eyes closed, muttering something too soft for Honoka to hear.
"Umi-chan?"
"Honoka!" A wide grin brightened Umi's worn features. She looked tired enough that it pained her, Honoka thought suddenly. "You're awake."
"Yeah."
"Maki...Dr. Nishikino said you'll have to stay overnight to give your muscles a chance to rest and recover."
"And you're here for the slumber party! I can eat now. Let's have french toast and ice cream and…
Umi laughed. It was a happy sound Honoka had not heard enough since their Academy graduation. With one last squeeze, she dropped Honoka's hand and stood. "I'll take a rain check, Honoka. I have to get back to the bridge."
Umi had a ship to worry about. Honoka knew what a burden that was for her friend…"I lost the Norikura, Umi-chan, I'm sorry."
Umi shook her head, a hand resting on Honoka's shoulder, making sure bright blue eyes saw the sincerity in her own, "You brought them all back, Honoka. I'm so proud of you."
"Me too." Honoka bounced up and Umi's hand turned into a restraining one, "You should have been in the cockpit of the Norikura, Umi-chan, we were flying with this huge hole that Nico had only managed to patch a small shield over…"
"Tell me about it over dinner. I look forward to hearing all of your adventures."
"You betcha." Honoka grabbed a PADD, pulling up a flight simulator. She had to stay in bed, but she didn't have to sleep.
Umi paused at the door, her voice a bare whisper not reaching outside the room, "Thank you, Honoka, for bringing her back."
It had been a blur. The transporter, Nico working on her tricorder until Maki couldn't see her anymore, the disorientation of only half the party appearing on the transporter pad, Honoka fainting, the Transporter Chief's taciturn reassurance that Nico and Eli had not been left behind, updates from her team, getting Lt. Kosaka to sickbay to prep for surgery once the battle was done, dealing with her share of the minor post battle injuries, successful surgery on Kosaka's leg, and then there was a break, Maki nearly sprinting out of the medbay, down to the mostly empty flight deck, where Lieutenant Shidou was getting used to reports of the doctor wandering the empty bays during the night shift. When they brought in a full complement of fighters, Maki would have to find a new out of the way location to roam. But right now, it was Maki and the night crew, jazz playing over the speakers as Ensign Ar'kh'yr!lthz sorted the incoming pilots into wings.
Maki loved the acoustics. And no one actively noticed when she started to sing along with the vintage 21st century Earth vocalists. Was Lieutenant Commander Yazawa asleep? Maki kept opening and closing her hand, the phaser's weight a heavy memory. If there were going to be more away missions like that one, Maki needed weapons and self defense training, as would the rest of her team. She could discuss that with the Tactical chief. Nico seemed to thrive on overly ambitious plans that blurred the usual lines of Star Fleet protocols.
Before she could talk herself out of it, Maki strode out of the flight deck, a quick wave to Ar'kh'yr!lthz.
"Computer, locate Lieutenant Commander Yazawa."
"Lieutenant Commander Yazawa is in her quarters."
"Location."
"Deck 2."
###
Leaving the turbolift, Maki had increased her pace, nervousness bringing her to a near jog so inertia threw her hand into Nico's door control. She heard the computer inform Nico that Dr. Nishikino was waiting outside and after a pause, the door opened, and Maki walked into the pinkest explosion she'd ever seen, Nico in the center of it, hair in towel, tying her fluffy pink bathrobe tight, some kind of green gunk on her face.
"Is there a problem, Doc? Nico's had a long day."
Maki was staring, eyes wide. She'd been expecting something dark, hung with Klingon weapons, maybe flickering lit torches, and tactical schematics of enemy ships. But there were pillows, pink, so much pink, so many pillows, dotted with hearts.
"Doctor Nishikino? Nico is talking to you."
"It's so pink."
Nico frowned, "Of course it is. Pink is cute. Nico is cute. Didn't you notice?"
Maki stepped backward, jaw now clamped shut before any reply could leak out. Nico fell back into her couch, staring curiously at Maki.
"Do you have a tactical problem?" Nico asked slowly.
Ah, something Maki understood. "Yes. I have a tactical problem."
Nico froze, in mid pillow hug, "Huh?"
"I have a tactical problem." Maki repeated.
Nico recovered faster than anyone, "A mutiny in the medbay."
"Teach me to shoot."
A pause, because Nico had not expected to hear that. "Shoot who?"
"Enemies. Threats." Maki was pacing Nico's room, counting through the list she'd rehearsed.
Nico leaned forward, eyebrow quirked, "So definitely not Nico."
"I am not going to shoot you, Nico." Exasperated, Maki grabbed a pillow. Soft. Maybe she could throw things at Nico, who seemed to be deliberately misunderstanding her. "I want to be able to defend if…" Remembering J'kins, Maki shuddered.
"Hmmm…" Nico pointed Maki to a seat, "That might actually be a Security problem, but Nico has the highest marksmen rating on the Helicon so you were smart to come to me."
"And that cross discipline training you have Senior Chief Theotara working on could include self defense training for my team."
"Yeah, you probably won't be on every away team. Have to keep the ship's doc safe."
"I'll decide the medical away teams and just call me, Maki, please. Doc sounds like the Ancient West."
Nico giggled, "But aren't you here to learn how to win a shootout?"
Maki stood, "Good bye, Lieutenant Commander, I'll contact Security…"
Nico raised a hand, "Meet me tomorrow before dinner in the armory. If you're going to use a weapon, you have to learn how it works."
"All right." Maki opened the door, "Thank you."
"See you tomorrow," A pause, then a wink, "Maki."
Captain Umi Sonoda was sitting in her ready room, holding a cup of green tea.
"Captain's log supplemental:
After Captain Camisa was killed and the away team went missing, I wasn't sure if I belonged on the Helicon anymore. I was prepared to be court-martialed, prepared to pay any price to assuage my guilt.
Without the professionalism, integrity and ingenuity of my officers and crew I doubt we would have made the rescue, bringing both away teams back and escaping the Romulans.
As a result of this, my promotion has been made permanent and I find myself the captain of an experimental star ship with a loyal and dedicated crew. We have seen each other at our worst and have come out stronger because of it, gaining mutual respect, camaraderie and understanding.
Admiral Koss had some final orders for us. We are to take on Envoy Minami and Aide Koizumi as permanent crew and our mission parameters are getting extended. After reading Lieutenant Kousaka's report on …."
The door-chime sounded.
"Computer, pause log. Come."
The doors slid open, and Commander Ayase walked in, standing at attention, the doors closing behind her.
"Commander?"
"Captain. Permission to speak freely. If you are not busy of course."
"Nothing that can't wait. Permission granted."
"Demote me!" Eli's voice was filled with emotion.
"Excuse me?" Umi looked at her first officer, surprised at the emotion in Eli's voice.
Eli took a deep breath, recovering control, "Our mission has clearly demonstrated that I am not fit to be first officer."
Umi sighed.
"Eli, in those circumstances…"
"Captain… Umi. Please. I… I am a scientist. And I'm by every objective measure a good scientist, even innovative. I take information, test it, learn. And I have learned command requires different..." Eli hesitated, then took a deep breath, "I got a crewman killed."
"In the field, we never know what happens. J'Kins was aware of the risks." Umi tried to explain.
"Not only did I limit our combat options by limiting Lieutenant Commander Yazawa's team, I gave them non-essential tasks, not respecting their skill sets. Yes, chance killed J'kins but I did not optimize his survival probability..."
Umi regarded her first officer. Was Eli aware how serious a thing it was she was requesting? A look told her that Eli had thought about the matter long and hard. And that she was determined. But who would Umi be able to call upon to take her place?
"You are aware that a demotion will be on your record."
"Yes, Ma'am. It was, however, a field promotion so the demotion will seem natural."
"Without you, I'll have to find a new first officer and that…"
"I have a candidate." Eli interrupted.
Umi stood up and gestured towards the small sofa. Eli sat down, Umi joining her.
"Let's hear it: who?"
"Lieutenant Commander Yazawa."
"I see." Umi leaned back.
"She is resourceful, takes pride in her work and goes above the levels of duty to ensure success. She is also not afraid to take initiative for the sake of the mission."
"She's... impulsive."
"She saved the saucer section."
"She's argumentative."
"She is a fighter."
"She's obsessed with battles."
"She is a tactical officer. Probably one of the most resourceful I've served with."
Umi shook her head.
"Our new mission parameters are centered on diplomacy and stealth."
"We know there is someone in the shadows. She will find them and bring them to justice."
Umi exhaled.
"You're certain."
"Yes."
Umi stood up, Eli followed.
"In that case…" Umi held out her hand, "Consider yourself reinstated as science officer, Commander. Please make the changes in the ship's log as soon as you are back at your station."
"Ay. Ma'am." Eli took Umi's hand, shaking it.
"And Eli… thank you."
"You are welcome."
"Dismissed."
Eli stood at attention, nodded and left the room.
Lieutenant Tojo looked over at Ayase as she left the ready room, a small smile playing on the otherwise stoic face.
"Got what you wanted?"
"I did find my wishes respected." Eli acknowledged.
"Good. Now why don't we cele…"
A chime and the Captain's voice interrupted her.
"Lieutenant Commander Yazawa. Please report to the ready room."
Nico stood up, straightened her uniform, and entered the Ready Room. Umi was standing in the middle of the room with her back turned.
"Lieutenant Commander. Do you have any idea why I called you in here?" Umi's voice was stern.
Nico was trying to think of a reason but came up blank.
Umi turned towards her.
"Well?"
"I… I don't know, Captain!" Commander Ayase had just talked to the Captain. Was there anything Commander Ayase could have filed a discipline report about?
Umi tapped her foot.
"Nothing comes to mind?"
Captain Sonoda seemed to know something. Nico thought feverishly; could Nishikino, no, Maki, they were friends now, right, would Maki have entered anything regarding her actions on the planet when she'd gone after the Romulans in the warehouse?
"No, ma'am. Sorry."
Umi let out an amused chuckle at Nico's poorly hidden panic, further confusing the Tactical Officer.
"In that case let me ask you this: Will you be my first officer?"
"Ma'am?" Nico's voice sounded uncertain.
"Ayase is stepping down and I find myself in the position that I need a first officer. You have proven yourself to the ship and to me. Will you accept?"
"Yes. Thank you, Captain." Nico nodded eagerly, "Nico has one condition."
"And it is?"
"Nico wants to remain in charge of tactical for the time being. "
"I see. Your experience certainly speaks for itself. Consider it done. Dismissed, please note the change in…."
The door chime sounded again.
"Computer, who's at the door?"
"Envoy Kotori Minami."
Nico noticed Umi's expression change.
"Nico will see herself out, Captain." Nico said and turned to the door, it automatically opening as she approached, "Envoy." She said, nodding to Kotori as she walked past her.
Kotori looked at Umi, "Is… it a good time?" Umi nodded and Kotori stepped inside, the doors closing behind her. Kotori took a step closer to Umi.
"Captain, thank you for…"
Kotori was suddenly silenced by Umi's embrace.
"U—umi-chan…" tears found themselves on her cheeks.
"I've missed you." Umi said quietly, holding on.
"Umi-chan." Kotori's arms slowly closed around Umi.
As the two held each other, mistrust a thing now eclipsed by present relief, the USS Helicon nacelles began to glow, and the ship leapt into warp.
A/N: lonelypond: Howdy again! Hope you enjoyed the resolution of our initial arc and the KotoUmi reunion. This has been fun and I'm grateful to vnvdarkangel for working on this with me. Stay tuned for further adventures and take care of yourselves.
