Capernum/Meji: Common Ground & Philosophy

Posted on Sun Aug 3rd, 2025 @ 5:21pm by Captain Rogue "Ro" Green {Meji Master} {Flt. Cpt.} & Lieutenant Ainkara "Kara" {Meji}

Mission: Stellar Problems
Location: USS Capernum
Timeline: Current

ON:

During the cruise aboard the USS Capernum, to return to M-69, Green and Kara had remained in shuttle bay two. Master and apprentice were together going over the ins-and-outs of the X-wing fighter. Currently, Kara sat in the seat of her fighter as Ro went over the controls, pointing and explaining as she went. She covered every conceivable detail and had instructed her Padawan to use the Force to Control her mind, and Sense to 'feel' her way into each control and what it would do for her. Heeding the instructions Kara did as she was told, and to her surprise, everything she was learning stuck in her memory. Now, the only true test left to accomplish was to actually pilot the fighter and learn how it would respond to her commands.

Green had her feet on the cockpit ladder, sitting side-saddle along the edge of the cockpit and grinning at Kara and her willingness to learn. Ro could still sense a darkness within Kara, and that was a concern that would cause her to keep a close eye on her student, but it was not something to focus on. Bringing too much attention to it daily could have the opposite effect and drive Kara further into darkness should she come to feel that she is not trusted. A fine line every master has had to walk, but to fear an outcome was to invite the Dark side. Anger, fear, and aggression were the paramount, base emotions that fed the Dark side, and she could feel that Kara had all three in droves after what she had been through.

"How you feeling, Kara?" Ro asked. "You think you can handle your ship?"

Kara ran her left hand along the other side of the cockpit edge, the left hand caressing the metallic armor of her ship in a loving and respectful way as she thought on that. Her hand pulled back and she looked to Green. "I am ready, Master. More than ever," she beamed.

"I'll trust you in that," said Ro. "There is a fine line between arrogance and confidence. Be mindful and make sure you are confident, not arrogant. That pride can twist your mind and make you do horrible things to prove to others just how great you are." Having read the after action reports from Resch, Holbrook, and Loewen, she knew what had transpired on Dark Harbor. ~A place I plan to return to~ Green thought to herself. It had been pride and arrogance that had caused Kara to slip up during her battle with Sean. She got cocky and paid for it.

Kara nodded along at the teaching. When Master Ro finished speaking she spoke up. "It is why I asked to be trained, Master. The peace and serenity I felt from you, from Loewen, and especially from Doctor Holbrook, made me realize that my path was not a good one." As when she was with the Iconians, Kara did have hidden places deep within her mind and the core of her being. Places no one could access nor sense. Her secret thoughts and beliefs. In those places the dark thing she had become was still clawing away at her, trying to get out, opposed to becoming what Green wanted; a Meji warrior. A warrior that brings light to all, not darkness and despair. Her dark side wanted to bring pain and chaos to a galaxy that had spit on her, tortured her, and threw her away like so much refuse.

As the two kept talking the personnel door opened and in rolled Cosmo, Rollo, and another droid of the same BB-class astromech. Like Cosmo this droid had white surface panels and plates, but where Cosmo was orange and Rollo was black, this droid was a lime green. "Would you look at that. I think your co-pilot has been created. Come on, it needs to meet you." Ro hopped down to the deck and went to a knee, hugging Cosmo as he came in.

"We worked diligently since you instructed us to do so, Master." Cosmo said. "Rollo came up with the idea of using one of the engineering labs to activate all the robotic manufacturing arms, so we did. We programmed them for Astromech droid, BB unit construction and here he is. Rollo and I have a brother."

Green was sure that if Cosmo could smile he was doing so now. His demeanor was that of a being who just found out he now had a little brother. She was happy for him. "That's great you two," Ro said with a smile even as Kara came in and went to a knee next to her.

"It always amazes me, Master, the love you have for a machine." Kara said, even though she too was grinning at the exuberance coming from Cosmo. "He is unique, I grant, but your devotion to him is..." She could not come up with a decent analogy.

"That of a proud parent?" Ro finished her thought, and the analogy fit perfectly.

"Precisely," Kara smiled. "He does bring forth joyful feelings to those around him. Curious."

"Rollo, you know better than to sit in the back. Come on," said Ro, waving Taavis's droid in and giving him a hug. Even though you could not tell from the outward appearance, Kara could feel that the droid she had just hugged appreciated the affection. It was so odd, and something she would have to get used to since the green one was more than likely the one she would be granted.

"Now to you," Ro addressed the green droid with a smile. "You are?"

The green droid spoke English (Fed standard) to Ro. "I have no designation at this time. I am BB-3MW."

Ro gave a quizzical expression as she looked at Cosmo. "BB-3MW? What does the MW stand for?"

If a droid could square its shoulders to stand proud, Cosmo was doing his best. "He is a BB unit, the third such creation in this galaxy; the Milky Way. MW stands for Milky Way."

"Clever," said Kara. She waved the green droid in towards herself. "BB-3, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine Padawan Kara. I was created to serve." BB-3 responded.

Green interjected briefly. "BB-3, Padawan Kara is now your master. You belong to her and she to you. A symbiotic relationship that will rely on one another for years to come."

BB-3 took a few moments to contemplate that, his mechanical body committing all that to his memory core. "Master Kara. I am ready to serve."

"BB-3 seems so impersonal," said Kara. "It is your unit designation, but not you. Let us see..." her voice trailed off and she closed her eyes, searching her inner being for the right name, something that would tie them together for life. One word popped into her mind and with a grin she opened her eyes and looked at BB-3. "Nano. From this moment forward your name is Nano."

"Nano," said BB-3. "I find it agreeable. I am now Nano, property and companion to my master, Padawan Kara for as long as I function."

Ro could not help but smile at the exchange. However, she had to step in and tease her student just a bit. "Well? Go on, do it."

Kara looked over at Green. "Do what?"

"Hug him, of course." Ro stated, the mirth plain in her eyes. "You will begin to understand, through that simple gesture of love towards Nano, why I am so close to Cosmo, and he to me. I respect him as another living, intelligent being. That little guy has saved my butt on more than a few occasions."

Nano's domed head and eye had been spinning back and forth between the two females as they spoke. Finally, after listening for a few moments, he rolled over and put his rotund body against Kara's. At first she simply remained still. But then, seeing his immediate devotion caused something to stir within her, to feel an affection for an automaton. Smiling, Kara wrapped her arms around him and gave a slight giggle. "I could get used to this." Releasing him and sitting up straight again, Kara looked at his eye like she would into the face and eyes of Green. "Are you ready to save the galaxy, Nano?"

"Of course, Master. I am ready to uphold the ideals of the United Federation of Planets as originally intended. To bring justice to the lawless and to protect the innocent." Kara imagined a proud smile on that head dome. "I could not have said that better myself, Nano," Kara replied. "We will accomplish great things together. Now, give our X-wing a once over and prep it for flight. We will be leaving the Capernum soon." Nano acknowledged the order and the three droids rolled away, each to begin their own tasks.

Green and Kara stood up, with Ro looking her way. "I told you. They grow on you in ways you could never have imagined. You and Nano are a good fit. And, now that he is here, your flight experience just got enhanced a hundred fold. He is a navicomputer, a chat companion, an engineer and a scientist all rolled into one, and sitting just behind you. Cosmo angles the deflectors for maximum protection on any side we need them during battle so that I can focus on flying and fighting. Through the Force I trust my instincts, feel where I need to go and how I need to maneuver, all at once. As your strength grows, as you begin to feel the Force as another part of your body, your reactions and actions will only be enhanced."

So, it controls our actions?" Asked Kara.

"Partially," said Green. "But, it also obeys your commands. Trust in the Force, Kara, and it will never let you down. Ever. Can it have difficulties, of course it can, but it is a part of you now. Does it alert you to everything? Mostly, but there will be times when the Force cannot aid you in discernment, at which point you rely on your training and your own perceptions. If something doesn't feel right, in your gut, it is probably a good idea to trust that feeling. Always be mindful and vigilant."

"I will, Master Ro." Kara looked to her fighter, seeing Nano up in his cubby hole as he worked on the ship. It felt good to have a being who was her companion, a friend for life. Yes, she loved those around her, but there was something special about having a being who was totally committed to you. A being she could trust without hesitation or doubt. "When do we take flight?"

Green looked across the bay, at a chrono on the wall. "We'll be at the outer markers for M-69 in about twenty minutes." Ro gave a head motion for her to follow, with Kara doing so. Going through the ship to the VIP suite Green had been granted as a guest whenever she was aboard, they entered. Sitting in the middle of the common room was a small crate the size of a footlocker. "Go ahead, open it. The contents are yours."

Stepping forward and going to a knee, Kara reached out and released the latches and lifted the lid. Within were garments, some leather, some cloth. The make of the garments matched Green's Meji outfit or, 'uniform'. Taking up the leather tunic with both hands, holding it at the shoulders, Kara's eyes examined the entire tunic. Where Ro's was a greenish-brown this one was stark white. And, like Ro's having the gold edging this one too sported that bit of flare. The leather and silver bracers and the leather knee high boots with silver armor pieces were all white leather. The equipment belt matched the color of the Tunic; white and gold. "It is...it is beautiful."

"Resch told me that the Dark Harbor folks referred to you as the Woman in White," explained Ro. "So, as a Meji I figured you should go with who you are. When you first came aboard a Starfleet vessel, and many times after that, you wore an all white catsuit. Ainkara; the Woman in White. Now, I know that white designated you as unmated, not married, in Voran culture. A virgin. That was ripped from you in the most heinous of ways. However, the Kara I know seeks to be pure, to make a difference for those around you. Hence, the white."

Kara laid the garment over her thigh as she knelt, holding it from falling to the floor. "You honor me, Ro. It fits me well. I shall shower and change." She placed the tunic back into the chest, seeing that there were three sets of the same design within. The women stood and Kara hugged her Master. "Time is getting short. I will shower and change and then meet you in the fighter bay."

"See you then." Green gave her shoulder a squeeze and then departed, giving the Voran privacy to bathe and change.

***

Kara arrived back in shuttle bay two dressed in her white Meji garb. Instead of an overcloak like Ro wore, she had gone with a white shawl. She had expertly wrapped it around her shoulders in such a way that there was a hood she could lift and place over her head if she felt the need to do so. The garb was quite comfortable, utilitarian, although with the way it formed over her body her breasts seemed to be on display as the leather material conformed to their exact size and shape. Whether by design, or simply a side affect of the design, Kara was glad it was leather. If not, any time she was in a chilly environment she would be showing off her 'points' of view. It was the little things in life, she thought, that gave one satisfaction. Seeing Green over by her own fighter, Kara approached. "I am ready, Master."

Green turned to look at her Padawan, her eyes widening a bit at the appearance. It was exactly how she had seen it in a the visions, minus the shawl, which she found to be a nice touch. An individual choice by Kara that Ro approved of. "You look...well, you look stunning, Kara. The boys won't be able to look away."

"They better," Kara popped out, her tone going a bit harder than she had intended. "Apologies, Ro, but appeasing the leering eyes of men is not my intent--ever."

Seeing she had overstepped, Green answered sincerely. "No, Kara. I owe you the apology for making such a statement. Please, forgive me."

"Master," Kara responded. "You were forgiven the moment you said it. Your conduct is not mine. You have your ways and I have mine. That is all. I cannot find fault in your ways simply because I disagree with them."

"Spoken like a true Meji." Ro smiled. "I see that you have as much to teach me as I have to teach you. It is a welcome surprise."

"We learn by doing, Ro." Kara then returned the smile. "Anyway, enough philosophy. Let us ride the lightning."

That stopped Ro in her tracks. "Ride the lightning? That is very Human of you to say. If I may ask, where did you learn that?"

"Music," Kara answered simply. Specifically, Earth music, from the past. Metallica; Ride the Lightning. I took a device from a..." She had to be honest here. "From a victim. It had earbuds and he had thousands of old Earth songs stored within it. In my days hiding in my lair, or cavern, I would don the earbuds and lose myself in the music. Some of which really hit hard within me."

Green burst out laughing before she spoke. "The Force does work in mysterious ways." She laughed again as she caught the confused expression on Kara's face. "I am an avid fan of Earth's past, especially music. Matter-of-fact, I can play every instrument ever created and I make my own music from time to time. Nothing like beating on drums to help on relax and exercise at the same time. Plus, it keeps my rhythm strong for when I go into combat. A piece of music enters my brain as I engage, and all my actions are done in accordance with that rhythm. Add in the Force and I can be quite unstoppable. You better not let me down, Padawan, it would crush me now that I know this." Ro gave her student another smile.

Kara gave a nod to that, not expecting Ro to be so on board with her love of music. Perhaps she was correct. The Force had brought them together because they were so much alike. She could definitely get used to this. "That is not my intention but the future is ever in motion, Master. In time, through patience, we shall see what comes."

Again, Ro was impressed with her choice in student. Kara knew exactly what to say, was well-grounded even if she had a problem with self-control, and spoke in a very Vulcan fashion most times. She kept her emotions close to the chest. "That we shall. Let's mount up and prepare to vacate this tug." Spinning on her heel Green made for her fighter, stopping when Kara called out.

"Ro." Kara spoke up to get her attention. "What about suits and helmets? Starfleet fighter crews always wear suits and helmets in case they have to eject."

Green gave a crooked grin, showing that she knew something that Kara did not. "Kara, we don't need space suits. Helmets are optional to the pilot. Reason being, the X-wing ejection system is self contained. The entire cockpit pod ejects and becomes, essentially, a shuttle pod for the pilot. A dedicated power core for providing power and engines for weeks. Also, a self contained nutrient system that also lasts for weeks if needed. The small ion engine can attain one-quarter impulse power so that you can move towards a friendly location while awaiting rescue. The closest approximation to the pod would be the Starfleet workbee. You'll be safe, trust me. Now, go." Turning from her Padawan once more, Green mounted her fighter and sat down.

Kara though on what was just said as she too ascended into her cockpit and sat down. "You good to go, Nano?"

"I am, Mistress. All systems functioning within normal parameters. Pre-flight complete and engines warming."

"What would I do without you, Nano?" A rhetorical question.

There was a pause in conversation before Nano spoke up again. "Do you expect an answer, Mistress?"

Kara giggled. "No, Nano. It was rhetorical. Also, drop the Mistress and just go with Master, or even just Kara."

"Very well, Just Kara."

That caused Kara to break into a laugh. "Is the sense of humor programmed, or just something you developed?"

"It is all mine, Just Kara. Would you like to hear more?"

Another giggle before she answered. "Not right now, my friend. For now, let us shoot through the stars."

Nano backed off from his humor. "As you wish, Master.

Both X-wings lifted off using the repulsors, their engines now active but not thrusting. Kara followed Ro's instructions even as they did so, getting her own fighter ready for departure. Eventually, both X-wings were pointing out towards open space, side by side. "Okay, Kara. A full repulsor push to leave the bay and then an immediate switch to your engines to get us up to speed. I let Cosmo handle that most times but I do like doing it myself to stay in practice. Your choice. So...in 3-2-1, depart." Both ships shot forward, with Ro seeing Cosmo switch to the engine thrust for speed.

Over in her X-wing, Kara wanted to do the switch herself. She needed to know her fighter intimately, in every conceivable way. This was just another step in that quest. Quick as could be, once free of the bay, she switched over and got pushed back in her seat slightly at the change in speed. Looking to her engine readings she saw she was at a slow cruising speed for the X-wing. ~Damn~ she thought ~I can only imagine being at full speed in something this small~

With Capernum now at half impulse and approaching the outer marker for starbase M-69, the two X-wings formed up on each other and then got in alongside the cruiser, with each escorting the other. Starfleet and Meji working together just as Green had envisioned.

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