Escort Complete/Home

Posted on Tue Feb 10th, 2026 @ 5:10pm by Captain Rogue "Ro" Kudo {Meji Master} {Flt. Cpt.} & Commander Sean Loewen {Meji} & Lieutenant Griffon Resch & Lieutenant JG T'Pri

Mission: STELLAR NURSERY
Location: USS Capernum
Timeline: Current

ON:

USS Capernum was cruising along at warp four, escorting three Starfleet Merchant Marine transports to the Messier Sector, and starbase M-69. Captain Ro Kudo sat in the captain's chair, legs crossed at the thigh as she read over ship reports and put her marks to them. Captain Loewen, now Commander, had stepped down as CO temporarily so as to see to his family, what with his first child near to being born. Sean had felt that being XO would provide more family time for himself and his wife, Doctor Loewen, during the formative time necessary for child connection to parents after birth. She could not fault him for that, and therefore, had gladly taken command of USS Capernum to allow the family the time they needed. The rest of the crew had adjusted as expected, some glad to see Captain Kudo back in the center seat. Ro had told Commander Loewen to keep the CO's quarters, since she had been aboard since after the destruction of the previous incarnation of M-69, using Capernum as her mobile office for administering to Starfleet assets until the new starbase was completed and ready for boarding.

With the base having been attacked by Remans, Starfleet Command had insisted on escorts for transports and freighters. The slipstream drive was outstanding for quick supply runs by the Capernum, but for escorting, standard warp procedures were the way to go since not all ships in the UFP had a slipstream. So, here they were. With her report checks done for the ship, Captain Kudo slid the PADD into its sleeve on the side of her chair and sat quietly, her ears taking in what was being said around her even as she did not hone in on anything in particular. Her mind was still on the loss of her twins due to a miscarriage.

Despite his best efforts, Doctor Nazarov could come up with no reason why her body had rejected the new fetuses but...it had. It had gutted Ro to have lost them, however, she could not help but think there was a reason why. What that reason was remained elusive and all she could chock it up to was that her body simply was not ready to have more children. Being an Augment was a blessing and a curse. Just when she thought she understood how she functioned biologically another surprise popped up. She had spent the past few weeks in deep meditation as she mourned the loss and emotional adjustments necessary to remain functioning. It had produced an edge to her personality, one that was both stern and forthright. Everything happened for a reason and she had to have faith that the Creator had spared her further pain by seeing to her needs even if she did not understand why.

Sean, standing over by Resch at his Security post, looked in the direction of the Captain with a side eye, the Force telling him she was once again wrestling with internal turmoil. He had heard from Ken that the twins had been lost and he felt for them both what with his own child due at any time. He felt better now that he had stepped down to XO, with Sheyla completely understanding the changes he needed for his family. For an Andorian she was quite the cool cat when it came to understanding the needs of others. "Captain, we're two minutes out from the station at warp four."

Kudo looked his way, a grin forming. "Thank you, Number One." Ro got to her feet and came over to stand near to the two men, speaking as she did so. "Escorts are necessary but, damn boring."

"I concur," Resch added with his own grin as he glanced at her briefly. Captain Kudo wore the form fitting black trousers tucked into her calf high black Starfleet boots. Her top was an old captain's variant style, command red in color, but an exact duplicate to the shirt Captain Kirk had worn occasionally; a green shirt with all the trappings of a captain on it, and a V-neck due to how the material was designed and folded over the front. Kind of like a double-breasted top. Of course, she had gone back to wearing a light waist belt with her lightsaber continuously on her side. He had heard about the Kudos losing their twins, having given his condolences to both friends when it was appropriate. "I'm sure Doctor Williams will appreciate the medical supplies for the station, as well as, the other resources provided for the other departments."

"From the reports I've read from HQ," Ro said. "The station is pretty much completed. All that's left is to test the systems and then move the thing to wherever Commodore Sureth feels it needs to be. Capernum will aid in that endeavor."

Ensign Borelli spoke up from Helm. "Captain, we're due to drop from warp in thirty seconds."

Kudo went back to standing between Ops and Helm, just behind them on the main command deck for the Bridge, her new position putting her just in front of the captain's dais. "Mister Resch, contact the transports and see if they are prepared to drop from warp." It took him a few moments to make the call to the lead transport before he turned to look at his CO, stating that they were ready.

"Thank you, Lieutenant." Kudo's eyes went forward. "Mister Borelli, tie in with the lead transport and drop to sublight when they do. Act when signaled." The order was acknowledged and fifteen seconds later the USS Capernum and the three trans ports all dropped from warp at roughly the same time. Far in the distance, a small white speck in the starfield could be seen.

"Secure from warp, Captain." Lieutenant T'Pri announced from her Sci station. "The lead transport has received its approach vector from M-69 and is proceeding forward at one-quarter impulse."

Kudo spoke up. "Mister Borelli, match course and speed with our lead. Miss T'Pri, keep your scans to short range, high intensity. We don't need any further surprises from those who mean to do us harm."

"Aye, Captain." T'Pri did as instructed.

Ro stepped back up and sat down in her chair as the Bridge continued with their duties. As Fleet Captain, and now a captain back in single vessel command, she had done her duty to the letter and, would gladly continue to do so.

Resch reached his left hand up and touched the earbud in his left ear, making sure to hear what was being said. Once the message was conveyed he told the transport comm officer to hold before he muted the call and turned to Ro. "Captain, there's an officer aboard the lead transport due for a transfer to the Messier sector, and assigned to the USS Capernum."

Kudo gave a nod to that even as she casually looked Griffon's way. "There have been a lot of those recently, what with all the lives lost in the battle. Very well, Griff, see to it, please."

"You got it, Sir." Griffon conferred with the transport and then waved in an Ops officer to man his post while he stood and left the Bridge. He would meet the new officer in the transporter room as was his job.

Ro noted that Resch stopped in the doorway of the lift, holding the door open, even as he looked at Loewen. "You coming, Commander?"

Loewen looked to Kudo, a sheepish grin on his face.

Ro gave them a look, the expression humorous as she formed her own grin. She gave a chinning motion. "Go ahead, Sean. I think I can handle the Bridge."

"Thanks, Captain. I'll be back shortly." The two close friends stepped into the lift together, both smiling like kids who just got away with something.

Kudo gave a silent chuckle to herself, shaking her head at the two men. Since taking command she had often wondered if they got separation anxiety when not around each other for a day. Ro was sure that Resch would be hard-pressed for friend time once Sean and Len had their daughter. She had no doubts that Sean would be a very attentive father, and good dad, and had the best of intentions for his wife and child. Speaking of which, she thought, I need some quality time with my own husband over the next few days. USS Capernum was back and other than Fleet Captain concerns, Sheyla could command while she and Loewen saw to their loved ones.

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