Capernum: Waiting/Surprise Visit

Posted on Sun Aug 3rd, 2025 @ 1:41am by Captain Rogue "Ro" Green {Meji Master} {Flt. Cpt.} & Lieutenant Commander Sean Loewen {Meji} & Lieutenant Griffon Resch & Lieutenant Ainkara "Kara" {Meji} & Lieutenant Lenore (Len) Holbrook

Mission: Stellar Problems
Location: Dark Harbor
Timeline: Current

ON:

Dropping from hyperspace near to the Dark Harbor system, Green had Cosmo switch the power readings back to a warp core, even though the internals for the X-wing were scan shielded to protect against unwanted reverse engineering. He did so and told her as much.

"Dark Harbor control," came a male voice as they began to enter the system. "To unknown vessel. Send transponder codes or turn back. This is your only warning."

"Nice greeting," said Green sarcastically. "I wonder if they serve cookies and milk with that tone?"

"Highly doubtful, Master." Cosmo replied

Ro giggled and then tapped the comm open. "Dark Harbor control, this is the private craft Angel One. Just here for a pit stop before continuing on. Please, instruct me as to how to proceed."

The man in the seat, and the one looking over his shoulder, gave each other a glance. Whatever ship that was, neither of them had ever seen one before. The standing man nudged his fellow. "Oh, right." He then hit the comm key. "Angel One, you are cleared to land on the surface. Do not stray from the vector or you will be fired upon. Respond."

Green rolled her eyes. It was like dealing with the Galactic Empire. Prudent but ignorant. "Understood, Control. I have no intention of straying. Please, provide my vector so I may proceed." A few moments passed and then Cosmo whistled that he had the vector and put it up on Ro's canopy in HUD style. "Thank you, Control. Angel One, out." She clicked off and then proceeded to enter the atmosphere of the primary planet.

***

Sitting in the suite, Sean Loewen glanced around at the others. Len was next to him at the dining table, with Resch and Kara sitting on the main sofa together, with Griffon sitting close enough to grab her if need be. Resch had received a coded text from the SS harbinger that they were inbound and would arrive in one and a half hours. All they could do was wait. Sean moved his left hand over to Len's, clasping it gently and giving it a slight shake of adulation. "You did well, today, Honey. You held it together. I can only imagine all you felt during that escapade."

"I felt all that rage and it felt overwhelming. I had to bring my Senses back to just myself in order to maintain control. It's still all new to me." Len said as she squeezed his hand.

Sitting up and leaning into the table, he kept his gaze on her as he spoke with a warm grin. "In many ways it does get easier dealing with all that sensory input. In some other ways, it gets harder as you feel the emotions and intent of those around you, especially when they are negative." His eyes glanced towards the couch as he caught movement there, but seeing Griffon getting up, his eyes went back to Len.

Resch stood up and stretched, then looked over at Kara. "Don't just sit there, Kara, get up." His face was alight with a casual stance, his eyes being more playful towards her than previously.

"Get up?" Kara was confused. "Why? Where are you taking me?"

"The bar," Griffon said, thumbing somewhat behind himself. "I need a drink and you need to be next to me, like I said."

"Oh, okay." Kara was relieved to hear that. She stood up next to him and did follow him when he moved to the suite bar.

Loewen grinned at the interplay between them, then his eyes came back to Len again. "You've began your journey into a larger universe, Len. I'll instruct you as best I can, be there for questions, all of that. There are two types of Meji and I'm pretty sure I know which category you'll fit into."

"What are the two types of Meji and which one do you think I'll fit into?" She asked curiously.

Sitting back in his chair, his brain switching to teacher mode, he told her. "There are Meji Guardians, and Meji Consulars. Guardians are more the fighting arm of the Meji, though we all train in saber combat and diplomacy. In understanding the viewpoint of all species before we take rash action. Consulars are more the academic side of the Meji. Teachers, healers, counselors, that sort of thing. Also, they delve deeply into the nature of the Force and try to understand it better and, to pass that knowledge along to others. Being a physician I can't help but think you'd be prone to the Consular path. But, I've been wrong before." He smiled and kissed her hand and kept holding it as it went back to the table top.

"Being a Consular does sound closer to what I am like over being a Guardian. You did a good job in keeping Kara's focus on you instead of the others." Len said with a smile.

"All thanks to the nature of the Force, Len." said Sean. "The Dark side is quicker, easier, more seductive. But, not stronger. However, one thing you can always count on with the Dark side is pride; arrogance. Knowing that you can distract an opponent of the Dark side by merely making light of them or making fun of them is wise. I did just that. Kara got overconfident and charged in, thinking her power was greater than mine so I used that weakness against her. That was my first engagement with sabers, so I had no idea if it would work. Thankfully, it did."

Len nodded. "I will definitely keep that in mind if I have to go up against someone versed in the Dark side. When will I be getting a lightsaber and what are the different colors? "

Loewen had not thought about her having a saber, but when she asked he had to admit that at some point she would receive one whether by her own build, or one given to her by another. No matter how they obtained it the Meji become one with the weapon, as much as they do with appendages. "Well, that would be up to Master Ro, or Captain Green as she is known more openly. I'm sure she'll have no problem in getting you started in training as soon as possible." He gave a grin. "As for color, that is user's choice usually. I like the cloud-blue, myself. As you saw, Kara went with crimson, although Master Ro has a reticence against that color for a reason she has yet to explain. Blue, purple, green, copper...whatever floats your boat."

"I like blue and purple over the other colors. They seem to be more calming colors than the others." She said with a smile.

Smiling at that, Sean showed his understanding at the color choice. "Why I chose blue, as well. Plus, it stands out as a weapon, but doesn't evoke eerie feelings due to shade. That crimson blade stokes anxiety in others and probably why Kara chose it given where she was. Plus, Master Ro prefers blue as well."

Just then the front door chime sounded. Resch, at the bar, set his small tumbler down and took up the borrowed disruptor pistol and held it behind his back as he headed for the door. He had it held up under his jacket at the lumbar region so he could quickly tuck it away if it was just hotel staff. He hit the key and the door slid open and his eyes widened as he saw Captain Green.

"Room service," said Green with a smile.

Not sure how to react, Resch simply stumbled over his greeting. "Captain! I..uhh, hello. Come in, come in." He stepped aside so she could enter, tucking his pistol away as she passed him by.

"Hello, everyone. Glad to see you're all in one piece." Ro's eyes went over each person in turn, lingering on Kara a moment before they came back to Loewen and Holbrook since they were sitting together. "I felt a disturbance so I got here as quickly as I could. Is everyone okay?"

Loewen had stood up when Green entered, and Len had stood up with him as their hands parted. "We're in good health, Captain."

Len smiled at Green. "Glad to see you Captain."

Ro returned the smile. "Always good to that smile, Len. Puts me at ease." She then turned herself to the right. "Lieutenant Kara. Good to see you, too. Despite what you have been through I am glad we found you. How are you?"

Kara seemed to have shrank down where she stood, now under the watchful gaze of a Starfleet captain. "I, uhm. I am good, Captain, thank you." Her eyes danced from one face to another among her rescuers before coming back to Green.

Ro stepped in and reached out, clasping the woman gently but firmly on the shoulders as she gave her a smile. "Oh! Ohhhh." Her eyes showed she had discerned something and she stepped back a pace. "Now I know where that dark vibe came from. Have you been playing where you shouldn't, Miss Ainkara?"

Even as Kara opened her mouth to respond, Resch cut in. "Let's just say she was hard to wrangle into peaceful negotiations, Captain. It took some effort on all our parts, but the thanks goes to Mister Loewen for a conclusion."

Green looked over at the two, Holbrook and Loewen, feeling the connection between them. Deciding now was not the time to address that particular subject, she casually went into the conversation. "Len, Sean, you have something to tell me?"

"Kara is a Force user, Master." Loewen answered. "She...reacted, and tried to kill Captain Bjorgo and Commander Billi. There was a struggle to get her to concede and she surrendered herself."

"Bjorgo and Billi? Here? Interesting." Green's eyes went to Holbrook. "Len, anything to add?"

"I have recently found out the I am a Force user as well." She said while looking at Ro.

Green's eyebrows raised at that news. "Wow. Seems more are popping up every day. Welcome to the fold, Len. We'll discuss more once we get back." She met the eyes of Commander Loewen with her gaze. "Since you two are so close, Sean, do you feel comfortable in becoming her master. To teach her what she needs to know to progress and gain control?"

"I can do that, Master Ro. I appreciate the confidence in that." Loewen replied.

"I need a teacher." This came from over by the bar, Kara piping up, with all eyes coming her way. "I am lost in my own understanding of the Force. As they have all seen. I need guidance...Master Ro." She dipped her chin in humility. "I do not want to lose my friends because I am becoming something I cannot control. Please, help me."

Ro waved the Voran woman in, and as she came up beside Green, she put a hand around her waist and pulled her into a side by side embrace. "I know the perfect teacher." She glanced at Len, whom she had always liked, and winked. "Len has her teacher, you shall have yours." Ro glanced around at them all. "Any objections to her training, folks?"

"Not at all," came from Resch, now sitting on a bar stool and sipping his whiskey. "She needs it, for sure, Captain."

"I agree," said Sean. "However she became Force sensitive, her path has definitely taken a dark turn. She needs to learn Control."

Green's eyes landed on Len. "Any thoughts, Doctor?"

"She seemed to calm down when she was touching me, as though she was absorbing my calmness." Len said.

"That is a good sign," said Ro, smiling and looking over at Kara. "Knowing you are about to lose control is a good first step. It prevents rash actions that could lead to disaster or death. We will work on that."

"We?" Asked Kara.

"Yes," replied Ro, giving the woman a couple of friendly shake-squeezes before releasing her. "You are now my learner. My student. If anyone can keep you under control it's me. Take that to heart because I will destroy you if I have to. Not trying to scare you, just stating a fact. Do you accept learning from me, Master to Acolyte? Just know it will not be easy, you have a lot to learn."

"I accept, Master Ro." Kara's entire demeanor had changed from anxious instigator of violence to the calm, casual person she normally was. She even gave a grin.

"Good." Looking at Sean, Ro saw the two sabers on his belt. "Is one of those Kara's?"

Loewen took the one from his left side and handed it over. Speaking of sabers, Master Ro. Len is empty handed."

As Ro turned Kara's saber hilt over and over in her hands, examining it and its exquisite detail and construction, she responded to Sean's statement. "When we get back to the Capernum that can be remedied." Looking up she set eyes on Len. "Is blue okay as your blade color?"

"Either blue or purple would be fine." She said.

"Both are good choices. I have an extra saber with a blue blade," Ro explained. "All of you will learn how to use the replicator to create more crystals should you wish to change the blade color. Be wary, Sean. One wrong move by your love could remove appendages. Both of you, be careful during training, please."

"Damn, I feel left out." Resch spouted off from the bar. He had finished the minimal amount of whiskey he had poured and now sat spinning to tumbler on the bar top out of boredom. "All you wizards and your magic. I'm just a lowly soldier."

"As if," said Green, smiling. "There is nothing lowly about you, Griffon. And FYI, you don't have to be Force sensitive to join the Order. To live by its code as best as you can. We need doctors, engineers, soldiers, just like anyone else. People who want to live by the laws of the Federation and our own code of conduct. The wizards, as you put it, need support."

Resch gave a face of contemplation as he rubbed his chin. "I'll have to read more about it. Something to consider."

"Do that," said Green with a smile. "You're the right sort, of that I am sure. Plus, you'll have Sean, Len, and Taavis as fellow Meji on board. Let any of them know and we'll take the steps to add you to our Order."

"Will do. Appreciate it." Griffon gave a nod of thanks.

"Here," Green casually handed over Kara's saber to her. "Put it on your side where it will remain unless needed." She saw Kara hesitate so she thrust it at her once. "Take it."

Taking in a breath and then releasing it slowly, Kara finally reached out and took the offered weapon, hooking it immediately on her belt. "Thank you, Master."

After that, Ro finally looked at them all and raised her eyebrows. "So, why are we all still here? Awaiting a ride?"

"Yes Captain. Griffon said it would be about an hour and a half for pickup." Len stated looking over at him.

"Oh, well," said Green. "We can wait then. Harbinger, Griffon?"

"Yep."

Green gave a positive nod to that information. After which the group sat around talking as the time ticked by, with Resch finally getting a signal they were landing and provided the landing pad number. Ro said she would meet them in orbit and then they could all proceed from there. Loewen gathered what little he had with him, as did the others, then closed their account with the hotel and left the building. Arriving at the landing pad, they ascended the lowered ramp and entered the plush interior of Taavis's private vessel; though borrowed to her trusted privateers. As good as her word, they lifted off and Green met them in her fighter in orbit, ordering Cosmo to prepare to attach to the Harbinger's hull at the dorsal section. Once landed and attached she ordered him to stay with the ship and had Harbinger beam her aboard. In short order they were all in the main hold/common area.

Ro looked to Cookie. "How long until we rendezvous with Capernum?"

"Roughly 3 hours, Ro."

"Alright. Let's get underway." She went and sat down in a lounge chair with a twin right next to it. "Kara, sit here, please." She motioned to the empty chair next to her own. Kara complied and they began to discuss what was expected of her as an apprentice.

Loewen had secured a section of the large sofa, getting Len in next to him. "We'll be doing a lot of that," he said, motioning towards Green and Kara, speaking low to keep it more between them. "My training was rushed by a Q. You've got some work ahead of you but I will be there every step of the way."

"I will do everything you teach me to the best of my ability to do so." She said with a grin, looking at him with love in her eyes.

Sean returned that loving gaze with his own, leaning in and kissing her lightly. "I know you will. You're nothing if not studious."

"Ahem." This came from across the lounge area, Green eyeballing them both even as Kara's interest was piqued as to why Ro would intervene between Loewen and Holbrook's affections.

"Be careful, you two." Warned Green, giving them both a locked gaze. "I am not opposed to relationships in the Meji as long as they do not interfere with your oaths. All too often, attachments lead to suffering over jealousy, the death of the loved one, and many other reasons. I don't want to see you sucked into darkness by the folly of your hearts. Always be mindful of your feelings and maintain control for your own sakes. Please?" Sean glanced at Len, letting his student answer first.

Len looked at Green. "I have always been mindful of my feelings and maintaining control, first as an Augment and now as a Force sensitive. Sean and I have been together for over a year and a half. I respect him and we both know what our duties are. Death is a part of life and if what I have already been through in my life has not turned me to the Dark side, then loving Sean would not."

Instead of giving a response like Len just did, Sean shrugged and smiled at Green. "What she said. I know the consequences, Master Ro. We will comport ourselves as Meji, no matter what."

Ro gave a nod at their understanding for her concern. "Good. You may continue to mash faces." She said this even as her face turned from them and back to talking to Kara, though the teasing barb had elicited a subtle upturn of a grin in the corners of her mouth. Kara gave them both a smile and returned to talking to Green.

"Another hurdle we overcame together. I'm getting used to this." Sean said.

"It is good to have someone to overcome hurdles with." She said with a laugh. She leans against him, laying her head on his shoulder.

Sean held her as he leaned his head back, with sleep quickly overtaking him as he felt Len also slip into a nap. The time went by and there was a nudge on his foot. Opening his eyes he lifted his head to see a smiling Ro. "You two comfortable, or would you like to beam to Capernum?"

"Oh, yeah." Sean said as he felt Len stirring against him. As she sat up more it allowed him to sit up better. "We're home?"

"Can get anything over on you eh, Commander?" Green gave a giggle and walked away with Kara, explaining to her that she had to dock her fighter but would be on board for the trip to M-69. "Be patient. I'll see you on board." Despite what Green had been told, she knew that Kara had gone through quite a bit of trauma no matter how well she held it together and played it off. One of the reasons she took Ainkara as her Acolyte. Her traning would greatly enhance her ability to overcome all the mental demons from her time as a slave. She gave the Voran a hug, which was returned warmly, and then stepped onto the pad, squatting down as low as she could.

"What are you doing, Master?" Kara asked, smiling at the sight.

"Getting beamed into a fighter cockpit, Padawan." Opps, that was a slip of the tongue, and not meant to be spoken but, it was too late. "I gotta be able to not become one with the canopy."

Kara did not let the slip of the tongue go unanswered. "Padawan? What is that?"

"A title for another Order similar to our own, a long way from here. I was a member for a great many years. It slipped out." Green explained, still crouched.

"Hmm. I like it." Kara admitted. "See you on Capernum."

Green gave a nod and then told the transporter tech to energize, disappearing in a swirl of energy.

"Almost home, hon." Loewen said to the waking up Len. "I napped too."

"Then let's go home, shall we?" She said as she stood, holding her hand out to him.

Tough Cookie was still at the transporter controls and waved the four into the enclosed pad area. "Step into my parlor, folks. I'll have you back home in moments."

Kara and Resch stood next to each other, which provided the room for the other two to be next to one another. "Energize," he said, and the next thing they all saw was the familiar transporter room of the USS Capernum. "You two, go home and chill. I'll escort Kara to her quarters until we all get called by the Captain. Take care." He looked at Ainkara. "Come on, toots, time to unlock your quarters and let you rest."

As they left, Loewen gave Len a peck on the lips before they too walked out of transporter room two.

OFF:

Lt. Commander Sean Loewen
Executive Officer
USS Capernum

Lieutenant Lenore Holbrook
Chief Medical Officer
USS Capernum