Just A Sign Of The Times

Posted on Sun Sep 20th, 2026 @ 1:24am by Commander Ichika Misono & Captain Maho Takahashi & Commodore Tohru Honda

1,436 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Futou Fukutsu
Location: USS Zodiac
Timeline: March 27, 2397

When the Myogi had arrived at Algonquin Fleet Yards, the flagship of Task Force Jomo- The USS Zodiac- was already there, holding position. A communique had been sent to both Captain Maho Takahashi and Commander Ichika Misono to beam aboard at once. Commodore Tohru Honda had requested a meeting with the two officers, and had made it mandatory before any shore leave could take effect.

Leaving Keisuke with Kyoko to pack up for their return to Japan, Maho had beamed over with her first officer. Though she didn't show it; she knew Commodore Honda wouldn't turn up to meet with her in person unless it was a serious matter, and she suspected that by now, Ichika had known the Commodore long enough to know the same.

"So, what do you think this is about?" Maho asked as they stepped off the turbolift onto the Zodiac's bridge.

Belonging to the Sovereign class, the Zodiac's bridge was much sleeker and higher tech than the Myogi's, which retained Galaxy-era architecture.

"Considering that we've potentially secured ourselves a game-changing alliance, I suspect it will have something to do with the Breen," Ichika postulated.

"Word travels quickly, if that's the case." Maho remarked as the two officers arrived at the doors to the briefing room.

Attempting to enter, the two officers were shocked to find the doors locked from the inside.

"Locked? This is highly unusual." Maho remarked, turning back towards the crew on the bridge.

Maho approached an Ensign manning the nearest console to the briefing room doors.

"Excuse me, Ensign:" She began. "Is there a senior staff briefing going on in there?"

"I'm afraid not." The ensign shrugged. "Most of the senior staff are in their offices filing paperwork."

"Well, we were supposed to meet with the Commodore in there." Maho explained. "It's a little hard to do that when the doors are locked, isn't it?"

"Sorry, Captain; my orders are to not let anybody into the briefing room until Captain Sohma returns to the bridge." The ensign explained, checking the chronometer on his console. "He should be back momentarily, though."

Ichika tilted her head to one side. "And why might that be, Ensign?"

Before the ensign could respond, there was a click, followed by the doors to the briefing room opening, and Captain Kyo Sohma stepping through onto the bridge. He saw the two visitors grilling a nearby ensign, and stepped towards them.

"Because it's need-to-know, and Ensign Hamilton here doesn't." He began in a firm tone. "Sorry for the wait, Captain, Commander." His tone softened. "The Commodore will see you now."

With a shrug, Maho led Ichika into the Zodiac's briefing room. Tohru stood with her back to her two visitors, gazing out at the various yard vessels whizzing past. As the doors swished shut behind them, there was the sound of the same click from before as the doors locked.

"Captain Takahashi, Commander Misono. You may take a seat." Tohru instructed in a stern tone.

Instinctively, Maho made her way over towards the head of the table, and was almost about to sit in Kyo's usual seat, but out of respect for the flagship's captain, she instead slid into the seat next to the head of the table.

"Are we in trouble, Commodore?" Maho asked once she and Ichika were seated.

Tohru didn't respond or even turn around, continuing to look out the windows.

Taking the silence as indication of the fact that they were indeed in trouble, Ichika sat back and lightly cleared her throat.

"Commodore," she began her appeal. "While we understand that assisting the Breen did not fall within our mission parameters, by the specific terminology outlined in General Order 6- that being that all personnel and vessels must aid and assist any space-faring vessel signaling a distress call- we really had no choice in the matter-!"

"While it is impressive that you've managed to bring the Breen Confederacy towards joining our alliance, this isn't the reason I've called the two of you here." Tohru explained, finally turning to face Maho and Ichika.

"I've been in contact with Admiral Tempest:" She continued. "Two days ago, the USS Spiegel Grove was towed in after being involved in a firefight with Heralds. She's heavily damaged, and most of her crew are either M.I.A or K.I.A, but the Corps of Engineers believes it's possible for her to be rebuilt. When she does re-enter service, she'll need to be re-crewed. Among her casualties list were both her Captain and First Officer."

A period of silence passed before Maho spoke again.

"Commodore, I'm not sure what you want us to do about this." She said. "My responsibility is to the Myogi, unless you're not planning on having her repaired-?"

"Don't worry, Captain: The Myogi will re-enter service with you in command." Tohru explained. "Admiral Tempest has only requested consideration to be given for First Officers looking to advance their career. Barkhorn went down with the Akagi, Sh'gero won't let her quartet be broken up, Sakamoto is too afraid of failure, Shikanoko is off the table, and Kaga says Olston isn't necessarily Command material. So, that just leaves you, Commander Misono."

Ichika blinked in surprise. "Me, Commodore?"

"Commander, Task Force Jomo isn't usually called upon to provide candidates like this." Tohru explained. "The fact that we have is a telling sign that Starfleet is facing an unprecedented personnel crisis. If we're going to win this war, we're going to need leaders as much as we're going to need followers."

The greater implication of what she was saying was difficult for Maho and Ichika to ignore, and for a moment the two officers sat in stunned silence as they each came to terms with what this would entail.

"...I understand, Commodore," Ichika finally accepted, though the reluctance in her voice hinted at the fact that it was not as easy a decision for her to reach as one might initially expect. "How much time will I have?"

"Like I said earlier, the Spiegel Grove is heavily damaged." Tohru explained. "The Corps of Engineers estimates the repair time could take anywhere between ten to twelve weeks. Which means..."

"The Myogi will be shipping back out before the Spiegel Grove is even done." Maho realized.

"That is correct, Captain." Tohru nodded.

"So I'll have until then before I ship out?" Ichika surmised.

"That is correct." Tohru also nodded. "Which means you'll have time to say goodbye to any friends you have on the Myogi."

"Understood, Commodore," Ichika nodded sadly. "Is there anything else I should be aware of?"

"That should be all for you, Commander." Tohru said before turning towards Maho. "But, if I could have a further word with you in private, Captain?"

Maho nodded, turning to Ichika.

"Sounds like you're dismissed, Commander."

"I'll see you outside, Captain," Ichika nodded as she got up to leave.

Once Ichika had left, Maho turned back towards Tohru.

"So, what else did you want to speak to me about, Commodore?" She asked.

"I brought up Commander Barkhorn earlier, and that's reminded me of something I wanted to tell you." Tohru remarked. "It's about Captain Hartmann."

"Something's getting renamed after her?" Maho asked. "She's earned her legacy, for sure."

"No, she's..." Tohru trailed off. "...Alive."

"Alive?" Maho went wide-eyed. "But... How?"

"I'm afraid I can't go into detail now." Tohru said. "I'm putting my bacon on the line just telling you that she survived. The last thing we need is to cause a mass panic."

"I understand, but... Why would you even bother telling me this if it jeopardizes even your career?" Maho asked.

"Because of what you managed to do with the Breen." Tohru said. "If this war drags on, we could very well need some assistance from the Gamma Quadrant, and Captain Hartmann might be the key to making that happen. And that's all I can say on that matter."

"I see." Maho nodded.

"This should go without saying, but what was discussed here does not leave this briefing room." Tohru stated. "The consequences are more dire than being stripped of rank: We're talking swapping white shoulders for an orange jumpsuit kind of dire."

"Commodore, you have my word:" Maho said. "Not a peep to anyone else. not even Keisuke..."

"I expect you to keep it that way." Tohru said. "Dismissed."

A Mission Post by

Commodore Tohru Honda
Commanding Officer
Task Force Jomo

Captain Maho Takahashi
Commanding Officer
USS Myogi

Commander Ichika Misono
Prospective Commanding Officer
USS Spiegel Grove

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