Before you go...

Posted on 19 Nov 2017 @ 4:41am by Captain Akio Tachibana & Vice Admiral Anin

Mission: He ho'omaka hou 'ana - A New Beginning
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: 23 Dec 2388

"Captain we have an incoming message from Pollux Command, it is Vice Admiral Anin of Fleet Command that wishes to speak with you, something about your personnel file," a bridge officer spoke over the intercom.

Akio was going over supply reports. He didn't want to be dead in the water because of their own incompetence to bring enough material with them.

"Patch it through," Akio replied. "Also, send a message to Providence Fleet Yards that we have more torpedo storage. We're going into combat, so fill her up beyond the standard complement. I don't want any empty space."

Akio wondered why the Vice Admiral would be calling over about his file. He knew she was presiding over the commissioning ceremony, in a couple days, but his file was updated with his current posting.

Unless this was a mistake by Starfleet or some sick joke? Akio wondered. She was calling with his real orders that he was going to Starfleet Academy.

The Admiral's face came in view as she just handed a PADD towards her assistant. "On my way Admiral," he said as Anin looked at the screen.

"Commander Tachibana, I was hoping you had some spare time," Anin spoke as she grabbed another PADD at her side and carefully looked at it then back at the Commander. "I wanted to get something cleared up, before the ceremony."

"I always have time for a flag officer, ma'am. I wonder if you have time yourself," Akio joked.

If this was a 'bad' call, maybe he could alleviate any mess with humor.

"What can I help you with?" Akio asked.

Tapping her finger on the PADD and not responding towards the attempt of humor as she was indeed busy, "It seems you need to change your uniform coding." She taps her PADD as a beep came towards Akio side. The profile update stated a new rank "Starfleet Command has finally received your final grades and therefore you are now a full Commander."

Akio was shocked. He had taken the command course en route to Providence Fleet Yards and wasn't expecting a promotion. He almost felt bad he had griped so much about how Starfleet was sending a junior officer to command a ship in war time. This also meant that the command was indeed real.

"Thank you, ma'am. I don't know what else to say except I hope to follow your leadership example," Akio said with a slight bow.

Nodding towards the newly promoted Commander as Anin narrows a bit her eyes: "But understand me clearly that the missions I am sending the Hawaii to are not to show muscle."

She wanted to press the matter of possible ego boosting, "It is a conflicting thought to send a young and inexperienced Commander into battle and at the same time on such a battleship. But even I have to make drastic choices to keep my fronts safe."

It might sound harsh as if Anin had no choice in the matter. But it was a fact that a new Commander like Tachibana normally would not even be assigned towards a battleship or even get missions at the borders of such a hostile environment. "Stay safe Commander, contact your Task Group Commander if you need assistance."

Akio bowed again, "I understand ma'am."

He was not sure if he was just prematurely berated for what was sure to be mistakes in his future or if he was genuinely warned. It was clear though that he was not VADM Anin's first choice for this command and someone at Starfleet had pushed it. Who?

OFF:

Akio Tachibana, CDR, SF
Commanding Officer, USS Hawaii

Cameo by:

Anin, VADM, SF
Commanding Officer, Task Force 93