Escort Duty (Part 1)

Posted on Fri Jul 18th, 2025 @ 1:26am by Captain Taiga Aisaka & Commander Thomas Johnson & Commander Jennifer Daxer & Commander Chisato Nishikigi & Lieutenant Commander Talia Johnson & Lieutenant Jasad Yuvek & Lieutenant Nezuko & Lieutenant Teneca Quinn
Edited on on Fri Jul 18th, 2025 @ 1:28am

1,137 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Preserving The Past
Location: USS Tokyo Observation Lounge
Timeline: January 21, 2397- Approximately 2 hours after departing from Starbase 234

Just under two hours ago, the USS Tokyo had departed from Starbase 234 and was now cruising at warp seven. The Nova Class science vessel, USS Kanna led the way, taking center spot on the Tokyo's viewscreen.

Taiga stepped out of her ready room and onto the Bridge. "Commander Johnson, assembly the senior staff for a briefing." She said simply as she crossed the room and headed towards the aft observation lounge.

Thomas looked around, then tapped the ship wide communication channel. "All senior officers to the Observation lounge for mission briefing. I repeat, all senior officers to Observation lounge for mission briefing."

In her office Talia was just wrapping up with a patient, good job really as she hated having to cut short appointments. Leaving the office at the same time she made her way to the observation lounge.

Nezuko was next in the observation lounge. Ever the professional, she took her seat, PADD in hand, nodding to the Captain and others assembled so far.

Daxer arrived right behind Nezuko. Instead of the jeans and leather jacket most of the crew had seen her in, Jen now wore a crisp new Security uniform. On one hip was her pistol with a few clips, and on the other was a tricorder. Nodding to the others, she quietly took an empty seat, skimming through the contents of the PADD she carried with her.

Thomas had gotten one of the junior bridge officers to take the centre seat, and made his way down. Looking around the room and walking over to his usual seat, he sat down making him comfortable.

Lieutenant Yuvek nodded to Commander Thomas and sent a signal down to Ensign Mikko to come to the Bridge to relieve him for the just-announced staff meeting. A few minutes passed by before the relief Helm Officer arrived to take over for the Cardassian Helmsman as he made his way down to the Observation Lounge.

Last but certainly not least to arrive was a rather-beleaguered looking Chief Of Intel; with frazzled hair, baggy eyelids, and a neck that was red and puffy from ceaseless tugging at her collar, it was not an understatement to say that Chisato looked like death itself. Her arms were laden with various PADDs, and with Ramune no longer providing the energy boost that she needed on this particular level of sleep deprivation, she had graduated to a full-on gaming supplement (Ramune-flavored, naturally) that she now juggled in her free hand.

"Reporting for duty," she muttered weakly as she began going around the table and setting the PADDs down in front of the other senior staff members. "And, uh... do let me know if I start snoring?"

"Right everyone," Taiga stated. "First things first, Major Shimada and ger family have been reassigned. Therefore, our rather..." she glanced over at Chisato "Chief of Intelligence has been elevated to the role of Second Officer."

Chisato looked mortified.

Taiga took a breath. "Also, you may notice but Daxer is still here. She has been Reactivated by Starfleet and has the rank of Commander. Daxer will be our new Chief Security/Tactical Officer. Lastly, Doctor Ellis has also been reassigned. That leaves us with a few open senior positions." Taiga told them all.

"Also, we have been assigned a new Chief Science Officer. Welcome Lieutenant Quinn," She said referring to the newest member of the crew at the table.

Teneca stood. "Glad to be here, Ma'am." She said before returning to her seat, and taking out a PADD.

Daxer looked up, but didn't otherwise respond. If they had questions, they'd have their chance to ask.

"That's the housekeeping done, now onto the main topic."

"As you're all aware. We're following the USS Kanna." Taiga stated simply. "The Kanna and the Tokyo are en route to the planet Amerind." She tapped on her controls and a holographic image of the planet appeared floating over the center of the table. "Amerind is the only known location of an Obelisk belonging to a race known as 'The Preservers' " Taiga explained. "Commander Nishikigi and Starfleet Intelligence have extracted information from the Iconian data that was downloaded into our computer core. That information showed them as very interested in learning about The Preservers location."

Taiga took a breath. "Starfleet believes that for some reason the Iconians want something from The Preservers. They were the first life to evolve in this galaxy, and they are responsible for 'seeding' all life throughout it." Taiga looked around the table briefly. "We have been tasked with escorting the Kanna, whilst both crews work together on finding whatever it is the Iconians want; before they do."

“If these Preservers are responsible for ‘seeding’ all life, maybe the Iconians are either trying to get access to any remaining genetic samples that might exist” Talia offered. “Either that or maybe they need the technology to use for their own ends.”

"That's exactly why we need to investigate." Taiga stated. "If there anything that can give us an advantage, we need to find and secure it."

Lieutenant Yuvek raised his hand. "Ma'am, how do we even know what the Iconians want from the Preservers? This doesn't even seem as if we're looking for a Human needle in a haystack, because we don't even know what the Needle looks like." He said, trying his best to keep the Human metaphors consistent.

"We're simply digging blindly." He added.

"By the way the Iconians were speaking, the preservers almost a mystery to them as they are to us. We have the entire Iconian database in our computers, the answer is going to be in there. There is a massive amount of information, might I suggest that anyone willing to comb through the information, regardless of department. Maybe we can figure at least some small lead as to what they are looking for." Thomas replied.

"The crew of the Kanna are the specialists. We're only there to assist." Taiga stated. "Plus, we are to ensure their safety. We're basically on babysitting duty. But we might need to help where needed, dirty diapers don't change themselves."

"Considering the last few missions we have had... its a welcome change. But then again... if they expected just a babysitting job, they wouldn't be sending in their top of the line warship." Thomas replied.

"It seems that the higher ups are becoming more 'skittish' by the day. They know that the Iconians are coming; they just don't know when or where. If there is any chance the Kanna can dig up anything, and when I mean anything, I mean 'anything', that can help us, they want it secured at any cost." Taiga explained. "We're the only ship in this galaxy that has any experience with the Iconians. That's likely why they are sending us."

To be continued...

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