Young Captains (Part 2)

Posted on Sun Mar 8th, 2026 @ 9:43pm by Captain Violet Bluegarden & Captain Mikoto Misaka
Edited on on Sun Mar 8th, 2026 @ 9:43pm

1,350 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Preparations

Previously, on Star Trek: Ermiana:

"Noted." Was Violet's one word reply. "Was that all, Captain?"

At this point, Violet was disgusted that she had come all this way just to get talked down to. She had been expecting disappointment already, but being disrespected like she was still a Lieutenant was a step too far.

And now, the continuation:

"No," Misaka said. "I wanted to ask you what you know of the Maquis and Cardassian movements in this area? I feel that sometimes Starfleet doesn't quite tell us everything, but your ships been around here for a while. So, what might we run into?"

First a dressing down, and now Misaka was asking for information on Cardassian and Maquis movements in the region? If this weren't official Starfleet business, Violet would have wished Misaka good luck and left the ready room, but the other captain deserved to know what was going on, as it was likely the Ermiana wasn't regularly assigned to the region:

"The Maquis have stepped up their attacks." Violet stated matter-of-factly. "They don't seem to care which flag their targets are flying: Federation, Cardassian, Ferengi, doesn't matter. If it has something the Maquis needs, or would make for a great propaganda piece, they'll strike."

"As for the..." Violet stopped and corrected herself before using the offensive slur. "Cardassians, as you can imagine, they're not taking too kindly to the increased Maquis activity. Border patrols have been stepped up tenfold. There are even some scattered reports of Cardassian cruisers being spotted on the Federation side of the DMZ."

"Thats against the treaty..." Misaka said. "If they are crossing the DMZ, then it could lead to yet another war. Thats the last thing we want. Have those reports being verified?" She asked.

"The Little Rock ran into one of these Cardassian patrols." Violet stated. "When Captain Hill was questioned about it afterwards, he said, and I quote 'I know what I saw, boy.' And he had the foresight to record his conversation with the Cardassian officer as proof to back it up. Other captains who have encountered Cardassian military ships on our side of the line have also taken to discreetly recording their exchanges with their Cardassian counterparts."

"I'm not going to be so lenient if I find a Cardassian warship in our space." Misaka stated. "I think we should be firmer with them. Especially now."

"Captain Hill might have taken a liking to you." Violet remarked. "He always said it was never the Cardassians themselves that were the issue, it was always Starfleet Command afterwards asking for absolute proof."

"Speaking of Captain Hill. What happened?" Misaka asked.

Violet sighed. No matter how many times she recounted the story, repetition never made it easier:

"We were chasing a Maquis cell led by some former Little Rock crew." She began. "We'd heard reports of a Starfleet ship that had been hijacked by the Maquis... Bismarck, I think it was, so we were on higher alert than usual, as this sounded like something these particular Maquis would pull. Regardless, in our pursuit of the Maquis, we discovered a transwarp conduit in the badlands. The damn plasma storms the badlands are known for obscured a Borg cube from our sensors until we were right on top of it. Next thing I know, the Borg boarded and took Captain Hill before the cube starts to make a beeline for Federation territory... I had no choice: Maquis, Cardassians, Starfleet, whoever I could get ahold of to prevent another tragedy on the scale of Wolf Three Five Nine... We eventually succeeded in neutralizing the Borg cube, but... It was already too late for Captain Hill..."

That got Misaka's attention. "I'm glad you got rid of that cube. I was at Wolf 359, I saw what they can do. But how did you get them off your ship, once they're aboard they don't stop untol everything and everyone is assimilated into..." she shuddered as a cold chill went down her spine "...one of them."

"The movements of the Borg were rather strange..." Violet admitted. "They didn't even do their 'We are Borg' spiel... It was almost like a precision strike. Like it was only Captain Hill they were interested in... I'm honestly not sure what to make of it, and I've spoken to the only other officer who has experienced such a strange pattern from the Borg."

"We can't possibly begin to imagine their intentions." Misaka replied. "Its possible to theorise that the Badlands had some effect on them. Afterall they are partly cybernetic. For all we know they could have been cut off from their 'collective'." Misaka theorised. "Assimilating someone with leadership skills and knowledge could have been their goal to re-establish some form of order."

"But that would still beg the question of what the hell the Borg were even doing out in the Badlands to begin with?" Violet remarked. "Were they being scoped as a potential invasion point? A backdoor to sneak into both the Federation and Cardassia?" Violet sighed. "I suppose you and Riker both have a point: We may never truly know the Borg's intentions..."

Misaka nodded. "Regardless." She said. "It would seem that the Little Rock is yours now."

"Which is why we're taking supplies to Bajor now." Violet said. "Starfleet Command has approved my request to have the Little Rock transferred to the Bajor sector."

"I see." Misaka said. "Well, just be careful. The Maquis have been striking more targets lately. They prefer to attack mainly convoys and freighter for supplies. But they could try to overpower your ship if they're desperate."

"I suppose the warning should extend both ways." Violet remarked. "Even if your ship is larger and better armed than mine."

"A starship is only as good as its commander and its crew." Misaka stated. She stood up. "I'm glad we got to chat, however I can't keep you from your bridge forever. No doubt you have your own duties to attend to."

"Indeed I do." Violet also rose from her chair. "Bajoran relief supplies ain't gonna load themselves."

Misaka held out a hand. "Welcome to the center chair Captain." She smiled.

The simple act of an extended hand made Violet nervous. Having worn prosthetic arms since the age of eighteen, a simple handshake was usually how most found out about it. Even though she wore driving gloves, the feel of a prosthetic hand was markedly different from that of a hand made of flesh and bone.

"I appreciate the sentiment, but I'd best not shake your hand." Violet declined the handshake. "There's a reason they call me The Big Bruise... I've broken a few hands that I've shook over the years... Wouldn't want an arbitrary injury hampering your duties..." She laughed nervously.

"I don't mind a firm handshake." Misaka stated.

Violet sighed. It seemed there would be no wriggling out of this handshake...

"Alright, then." She grumbled, finally accepting Misaka's hand.

Even though Violet's hand was gloved, the hand still felt heavier than a normal human hand should, and the ultra keen observer might also pick up the muffled whirring of mechanical servos under the glove.

"Would you like me to walk you to the transporter room? Or would you prefer you find your own way?" Misaka asked out of courtesy.

"Nah, it should be alright;" Violet remarked, motioning towards the doors. "Just reverse trajectory the way I came, right?"

"Pretty much." Misaka replied.

"I'll see myself out, then." Violet affirmed.

As Violet made her way back to the transporter room to return to her ship, she knew that the exchange with Captain Misaka hadn't gone the way she had hoped. It was clear that the center chair had gotten to the other woman's head, and now, Violet was seen as unworthy of being called Misaka's equal. The reality check was painful for Violet, but it also galvanized her resolve. If Misaka didn't respect her now, she would come to regret it...

A mission post by

Captain Mikoto Misaka
Commanding Officer
USS Ermiana

Captain Violet Bluegarden
Commanding Officer
USS Little Rock

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