Capernum: Meji Rising

Posted on Sat Aug 2nd, 2025 @ 6:07pm by Captain Taavis {SF/Meji Intel} {Meji} & Captain Rogue "Ro" Green {Meji Master} {Flt. Cpt.} & Lieutenant Commander Sheyla {MD}

Mission: Stellar Problems
Location: USS Capernum
Timeline: Current

ON:

Ro Green sat behind her desk in her quarters, the room protected under a Code 47, as she spoke with Admiral Aaron Stone. Yes, he was her dad, but at this time it was completely professional as she laid out her plans to him. He, for his part, listened without interrupting. As an officer in the position of Fleet Captain she deserved to be heard. Even with her rank of Captain she deserved to be heard but, what Stone was hearing came as no surprise. Ever since she had presented her Meji Order to the Federation Council, and the Order had been accepted (similar in every way to Jedi and the Galactic Republic) as an ally and Order within Federation laws and parameters, he knew this day would come. Aaron just had not expected it this soon. Green finished speaking and sat back as she awaited his response.

"Inactive reserve, eh? Interesting." Stone's turn to sit up and address the holo-screen before him. "I don't have the authority to tell you no, Captain. That would need to come from the Federation Council. However, with what you have said and what you are asking, I will comply. Just know that your resignation from certain responsibilities and positions needs be done by you, to those who put you there. I will honor every request you have made, officer to officer, and you have the right to place a captain in command of a ship in your sector. Up until you resign from said position. Is that to your liking, Captain? Or, should I just call you Master Ro, now." He had not missed the fact that she wore her Meji garb, complete with the overcloak with the hood back. The only Starfleet paraphernalia she wore was her combadge. Even as an inactive reserve, she would keep that item.

"Thank you, Admiral, for not making this difficult." Green said with complete humility. "I once sought to be like James T. Kirk, but I see now that that dream has changed with what this Q has done to me and for me. For the galaxy as a whole. She says there are dangers out there that would make even the Klingons fearful. I can't do what she asks me to as a Meji unless I have freedom of movement. M-69 will have the protection of the Meji as much as the protection of Starfleet. I will answer to them and their needs, and maintain a residence there when I am not elsewhere. The inactive reserve status maintains my rank should they need me to lead a mission for Starfleet."

Stone nodded along as she spoke, a slight grin appearing on his face as she ended her last sentence. "Captain Green, even as a lieutenant you have always been dedicated to Starfleet and the Federation. Your record shows that loyalty. Hell, you even died and mysteriously came back to life a changed woman. The woman you are now, minus all the hokey Force and Meji stuff." He gave a chuckle to show he was minimizing his own sadness at her choices and trying to hide his love for the only child he had ever had. His adopted daughter he had rescued many years ago from a bombed out colony. Aaron saw her mouth open as if to speak but he beat her to the punch. "Once you have accomplished all your goals to achieve the status you seek, you have no more excuses not to call more often, daughter." He smiled.

Green's spirit swelled with her love for this man. He was stern but fair, had always chastised her when she did wrong, but did so in a way that a lesson was taught even while she was disciplined. He always talked it out with her, got her to understand his point of view and why it was wrong. Rarely had he ever raised his voice but instead had the 'dad' tone that would often stop her in her tracks even while she was ranting. That memory made her smile as much as what he had said about calling. "I will, dad. A promise I will keep. As Admiral, I thank you again for all you're allowing me to do before I give up the position of Fleet Captain. I feel useless there as no one ever consults me. They really don't need one out here, anyway. Sureth is fulfilling that purpose even as he maintains his status on M-69 and, he is a Commodore for heaven's sake." A chuckle.

"Ohhh, I see," Stone said, his tone bearing a teasing tone. "So, if I made you a Commodore you would stay then?"

"Wait, what? No! No, that's not what I me..." Ro caught herself as she saw his mirthful expression. "Dad, you're an asshole at times."

"I am," Stone said, his humor remaining. They both sipped their beverages, letting the moment pass before Aaron continued. "This is how these things will go. Once free of the Fleet Captain obligations, you as a Meji will report to me or Commodore Sureth should anything you discover require Starfleet. This is not open for discussion. You accept it for what it is and what it means or, you continue in your current duty positions. Even if you stayed as fleet captain, I would also order you to commit to the personnel change you brought up and, that you return to M-69. So, which is it, Captain?"

"I am going to resign from fleet captain and continue as inactive reserve. To focus on the Meji Order and our role within the Federation and Starfleet. I can't train a new generation of acolytes/squires/apprentices if I am bogged down by other concerns." Green explained. "I take it the X-wings are registered with the Federation, considered property of the Meji, and classified: Top Secret?"

"They are, yes." Stone replied. "The X-wings are listed as Meji technology and not to be usurped by the Federation or Starfleet for any reason. It is up to you and your Order if you choose to impart any of them for Starfleet use."

"That will come in time," Ro responded. "They could cause a great deal of good, or a great deal of chaos in regards to some of the technology they possess. When I feel the right group of people can be responsible with them then I will make the offer. Not until then."

Stone gave an understanding nod. "They could be extremely helpful, Master Ro. I'm sure you have felt it, the pressure building up around the galaxy. Starfleet Command and the Federation are both concerned that a lasting conflict may break out fairly soon. Sooner than we are prepared for. This is why I am glad to see from the reports that Mister Wallace, Commodore Sureth, and Captain Vehn are all on point when it comes to preparedness. With the Remans skulking about out there anything could happen." He noticed that the mention of the Remans caused Green's eyes to squint ever so slightly. It was subtle but he knew his daughter all too well. It was the Remans, after all, who had changed her into the-what was it she called herself?-oh yes, a Meta-Human. "Apologies for bringing up bad memories, Ro."

Green gave a slight shaking of the head. "No need to apologize, dad. I came to grips with it many years ago. I just know how wicked the Remans can be, and that their rituals are more than just myths. If they break the chains of servitude placed on them by the Romulans, then we will have another enemy to face in the days to come. As with any group they will try and carve out their own territory by any means necessary."

"HQ's thoughts, exactly." Stone responded. "M-69 is in a precarious place. I see them gathering resources to strengthen their position and I have signed off on many of those choices along with my fellow flag officers. The Federation Council wants that sector, and the regions around it, secure. If you are heading for this Dark Harbor, to do what you say you're going to do, that would be a boon for the UFP, Captain. Maybe you can discover more about this Rift Alliance and keep us apprised."

Green arched an eyebrow as she responded. "Perhaps." The brow went back to normal. "I make no promises. If they deal with the Meji, and not Starfleet, I will honor that choice and proceed accordingly. Diplomacy is give and take not take, take, take, and then give in return. The Federation has been guilty of that on more than one occasion."

"True," Aaron said. "Make the right calls, Master Ro. I have a meeting to get to so I bid you farewell, wishe you the best in your decisions, and ask that you take care in all you do. By the way," he grinned. "The Code 47 you enacted only works in your current location, not over here. I needed the proof and records to move forward on this..." His voice trailed off as he saw her give a knowing smile. "But, you knew that already and set me up."

Green gave a lighthearted laugh and a wink. "You're not the only asshole, Pops. You taught me well, after all."

"I can see that," said Stone, chuckling in return. "Alright. I do have to go. Put in your last orders as fleet captain and then beat feet to M-69 and let the command staff know. I'm sure you will cause quite a stir when you show up in your X-wing, with a Federation registry. Until YOU call me to say hi, goodbye, Sassy, and know that I love you."

Ro's eyes began to mist up at the use of his old nickname for her as a young teen. Her Control helped her maintain her composure. "I love you too," she said even as he cut the transmission. Leaning back once more to collect herself, Green tapped her combadge and asked for Taavis and Sheyla to come to her quarters for a meeting. They acknowledged and the line cut. While waiting for their arrival Green called Operations and asked them to send some officers up to her quarters in two hours to pack her belongings and store them in the cargo bay.

Taavis and Sheyla arrived together and after being invited in after chiming, Ro laid out her plans after dropping the Code 47. "Taavis, you deserve this more than anyone else I know. You had a stint on Nazgul, but now it is official and approved. The USS Capernum is officially, as of this moment, your command, Captain. The logs are duly noting the change as we speak. All command codes and privileges are now yours. I needed a witness to this," Green's eyes shifted to Sheyla. "That is why I asked you here, too, Commander." The Andorian gave a nod.

Taavis was surprised by this, not expecting Green to once again relinquish command. She had said nothing about it, nor given any hints, and that made Taavis curious as to why. "Ro, why the sudden change? I saw no signs of this happening."

"It was a very recent decision," Ro responded. "Apologies for the sudden change, Captain." She gave a grin at that, respecting Taavis in her new position. "Admiral Stone has approved all my orders before I resign as fleet captain. This means you need to name a Number One and get the Capernum in order according to your command directives. Are you ready for that, dear friend?"

Giving a nod, Taavis returned a crooked grin. "You do know how to surprise me, Ro. As for readiness, you're damn right. I was ready when the Nazgul was mine, but events," she gave Green a wry look. "Decided to change that. Know this, Captain Green, you try to take this ship back and you will have a fight on your hands. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. There will not be a third time."

"Noted," said Green. She then shook the Vulcan's hand before embracing her as only a dear friend could. Stepping back she continued. "I can't think of a better person to hand the Capernum to. With the assets Wallace is bringing in, together with Peel and Capernum, this sector can be as secure as possible. Plus, I know your love for M-69. You will be more available to them than I ever could be. It is time to be Meji, inactive reserve, and get out there and let people see who the Meji are, and will be."

Sheyla had stood quiet and watched the conversation. She respected Captain Green, but she and Taavis seemed to have a stronger rapport than she had had with Green. "Congratulations, Taavis. Or, should I say, Captain."

"Thank you, Sheyla," Taavis said, giving the Andorian a nod and grin. "Please, don't be upset by this but, I have a choice already for Number One. Lt. Commander Loewen. That is no insult to you, Commander Sheyla."

"None taken, Captain." Sheyla responded. "I prefer my Intel duties. They are fairly lax most days so that I can assist Doctor Holbrook in Medical, and see to other duties to aid the ship. When he returns..." Sheyla stopped talking even as both Green and Taavis stopped cold and began to move their heads slowly as they looked around, like two people searching for a funny sound only they could hear. "What is it?" He antennae began to wave around trying to detect what they were detecting.

"You feel that, Taavis? A ripple in the force, a dark energy wave that is quite powerful." Ro stated.

"I feel it," Taavis replied. "If I had to hazard a guess, I believe it is emanating from the area known as Dark Harbor."

"It is." Green said. "I need to get there. You're in command, so I ask permission to launch my fighter and go check it out, Captain Taavis."

"Granted, Master Ro. Rollo can continue to do the work he and Cosmo started." Taavis said, backing her friend and mentor's decision to go see what was what. "Leave when you're ready. Sheyla, see to getting Master Green's belongings stored in the personnel cargo bay."

Green gave Taavis a squeeze to a shoulder as she passed, leaving the captain's quarters and heading for shuttle bay two.

OFF:

OOC: An upcoming JP will explain their feeling of darkness.