It takes a village

Posted on Sat Jun 28th, 2025 @ 11:52pm by Captain Taiga Aisaka & Lieutenant Nezuko

1,460 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Preserving The Past
Location: Ready Room

With the Tokyo now back at Starbase 234, everything was in a constant state of change. The civilian population aboard the Tokyo had now been removed due to the Iconian Threat and the roll out of new armoured uniforms and equipment was well underway.

Taiga pulled at the collar of her new command uniform, black, with a red stripe across the chest and white shoulders to indicate she was a command officer. The ranks once again now sat on her collar, four silver rectangle pips. The only part that remained the same was the comm badge, which she tapped.

"Lieutenant Nezuko. Report to my ready room when you're next available." Taiga said. She knew that her Chief of Operations had been very busy with sorting out all the new equipment, uniforms and supplies that Starfleet were putting aboard the Tokyo.

Nezuko herself had still found herself pulling at the seams of the new uniform style as she worked. It certainly looked nicer than the last one, and was a lot more flattering on her. Most importantly, the bright primary colour top was now mostly black and grey, her operations gold a subtler stripe instead of a loud statement. Overall, it was a much more muted tone that didn’t make the predator feel like she was painted white and thrown into the jungle.

She had been overseeing the installation of a new sensor suite when the call came. She gave her commbadge a quick double-tap, her own mute acknowledgment, notified with a gesture to another officer that she was summoned away, and headed for the turbolift.

Two minutes later, she was invited inside the Captain’s Ready Room, where she stood wordlessly with her hands behind her back, curious about what the Captain would say to her.

"Take a seat Nezuko." Taiga said warmly, indicating to the chair in front of her.

The Ops Chief had maybe been a little bit nervous before arriving, unsure what this had been about, but the Captain’s tone made her relax a little. She took the seat and gave a quick sign with her hand, a simple gesture that she had taught a few crew members, the Captain included, was an open question, something like ‘What’s up?’ or ‘What can I do for you?’.

"Relax. You're not in trouble or anything." Taiga smiled. "I wanted to get your opinion on what happened on the Dyson Sphere. And I heard that you and Commander Nishikigi found some data from M'Tara downloaded into our computer core?"

This was a more complicated question, needing a complex answer. She could sign it to the XO but for the Captain Nezuko would type it into her PADD to be read aloud for her. “Upload was fast. Urgently done. Portions of computer core fully isolated to ensure Iconian content does not spread or cause damage. Information not harmful but alien enough that it risks causing crashes. Text difficult to translate but working on it. Need Iconian archaeology specialists.”

"That makes sense." Taiga sighed. "I also heard you were essential on the away team. From what I saw in the reports, your efforts saved the entire team."

“I also touched the map,” Nezuko admitted. “Inconclusive whether that started activation process or if coincidence.”

"Yeah, but in doing so we got home." Taiga said. "But before the map, you managed to access a 'drone defense system'? If these reports are correct?"

Nezuko nodded. “Had the basics of it. Drones attacked us. Probably could have taken full control if given sufficient time but lives were on the line.”

"That's good enough for me." Taiga stated. "So, tell me. How long have you been in Starfleet as of now?" She asked curiously.

“Graduated in 2-3-8-9,” Nezuko answered.

"So eight years." Taiga said as the cogs in her mind could literally be heard turning. "Nezuko, you've been an exemplary officer aboard this ship. You've done your job with dedication and shown impressive skill doing so." Taiga told her. "I think it's about time you had this..."

Taiga pulled our a small red velvet covered box from under her desk and slid it over to Nezuko. Inside a brand new single solid silver pip to replace the half pip on her collar.

Nezuko’s eyes widened when she opened the box and saw the new rank pip. A promotion!! Full Lieutenant!!! She had worked hard for this but it was still surprising.

She repeatedly signed another oft-taught simple sign, thank you, and bounced in her seat before she unclipped her hollow pip and attached the solid one. Two solid pips on her collar. Lieutenant.

When she was done, she typed again. “Permission to hug?”

Taiga blinked a few times. "Erm... sure... I guess..." she replied.

Lieutenant Nezuko stood and came around the desk to envelope her Captain in a hug. Not a long one — she could read the room — but just enough to show appreciation.

“Thank you,” she typed as she got back to her side of the desk. “May I ask, how is baby?” She gestured to the Captain’s pregnancy bump.

Taiga chuckled. "Keeping me on my toes. And doing evasive maneuvers against my bladder." She told her. "It's kicking now actually, just here." She said pointing to a spot just above her navel which was now visible through her clothes as it had now 'popped out'. "Have a feel if you want. No doubt you've felt Talia's," She added with a sly wink.

Nezuko grinned mischievously and winked back at her Captain. She approached and gently placed her hand where Taiga had pointed. It took a moment but then she felt the distinct pressure of a little arm or leg pushing up against its confines. It was incredible. New life, coming soon to their wonderful world.

When she let go, she picked up her PADD and typed “Strong little one. On Amphei Prime could be lead pack hunter, or possibly footballer.”

Once again Taiga chuckled. "It would seem that the Amphea share similar predictions about unborn children." Taiga stated. "I think this one will be fiesta, probably a bit like me. But regardless of how he/she turns out, we'll love them regardless. Poor Ryuuji is going to have his hands full with us both." She laughed.

“Will have many. Big ship, large family.” Nezuko gestured a circle. All of them aboard. “Villages raise children. Mother, father, and big support system helping all. Proud to be part of it. Proud to be here on Tokyo.”

"Good." Taiga replied. "Humans have a saying. 'It takes a whole village to raise a child'." She told her. "I like to think that here on the Tokyo, we all help each other. This baby, Talia's and Amu's belong to us all. I see this crew as family after all."

Nezuko nodded eagerly. “Not just a saying on Amphei Prime. Many children aboard. Sad to see Alice leave. Chiyo and Tatsuo needed to do what was best for all three. But you, Talia, Amu needed here, and you need babies and babies need you.”

She smiled and bounced excitedly again. “Thank you for promotion Captain. Will not let you down.”

Taiga nodded. "Just don't celebrate too hard. I'd hate to have Engineering have to reinforce the deck plating in Commander Johnsons quarters..." Taiga said with a wink. "Oh yes, I know all about 'that'. There's not much on this ship I don't know..." she added with a smirk.

Nezuko’s head seemed to bounce lightly in the way that her people expressed laughter. “Not meant to be a secret, but humans, not you but others, can be judgmental, so just trying to be private. Loving people they are. Sometimes are with me in my quarters, with my air. Act of respect, friendship, and love.” She held a moment before typing “And very generous,” followed with a wink of her own.

"Oh I bet." Taiga chuckled. "Well, go and celebrate your promotion. You've earned it." She told her indicating that she could leave. "And congratulations Lieutenant."

With a nod and giddy smile, the Chief Operations Officer left the Ready Room, unnecessary hollow pip in hand, eager to recycle it. First stop, her quarters, to compose a message to her family, especially Tanjiro, to give them the good news. Being at Starbase 234 meant she might even be able to see them live! Then to Thomas and Talia, for who else would she want to celebrate with than the people she loved.

Posting by:

Captain Taiga Aisaka
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant (no JG) Nezuko
Chief Operations Officer

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