Awakening

Posted on Fri May 29th, 2026 @ 2:20am by Captain Taiga Aisaka & Lieutenant Commander Ryuuji Takasu & Lieutenant Commander Nyxala Valentine

2,420 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Flight Of The Valkyries
Location: Starbase 43
Timeline: March 17th 2397

Nyx adjusted the standard uniform of the day on Starbase 43 and even the white lab coat that the nurse had insisted she wear, embroidered with 'Doctor Nyx Valentine' on it. She missed her own standard uniform, but when visiting another place, do as the Romans do was the standard. She accepted a PADD outside the room in the ICU that belonged to her Captain, from yet ANOTHER nurse, glancing over the vital signs and blood chemistry readings and nodding, "Any indications towards regaining consciousness?" She asked.

"We have an increase in cortical stimulation in the last ten minutes, Doctor, no signs of active waking up, but it's an improvement from the overnight."

"And her husband. I can't hope that he found a set of quarters and hasn't stayed in there with her the whole time, can I?" Nyx shook her head.

"Only up to use the head, ma'am, we've taken the baby only long enough for changes and intermittent examinations, at your order."

Nyx accepted another PADD proffered and glanced over it as well, "I think we can forego more exams, everything is steady and all signs point to healthy." She gave the nurse a smile, "I'll take it from here for now."

"Yes, Doctor, if you need me, just press the call button and I'll be right in." The nurse gave Nyx the same smile and headed towards the central station.

Sliding both PADDs into one of the lab coat pockets, Nyx gave a gentle rap on the side of the door to announce herself as she walked in to see Ryuuji still in the comfortable chair next to Taiga, their baby sleeping peacefully in the bassinet between them, "Good morning, Ryuuji, how are you today? Had breakfast yet?" Her voice was soft so as not to disturb.

Ryuiji jumped slightly. He had obviously been asleep in the chair. He looked rather rough too, stubble around his chin had begun to form from not shaving and his hair hadn't been combed. Dark bags around his eyes were also evident, and he gave the impression of a man who was not only tired, but full of worry.

"Oh..." he said. "Good morning doctor." He looked over at Nyx and attempted a smile, but it faded as quickly as it came.

“I’ll take that as a no to breakfast..” Nyx said solemnly, “You’re going to need to keep your strength up so you can help Taiga, you know. She’s going to be perfectly all right, probably keep her here in bed for another day or two before we go back to Tokyo.” Nyx crouched down next to him, “And if you don’t do it willingly, We’ll see what I can do.”

Ryuuji looked up at the doctor, it was obvious from how he looked at her that he knew; he wasn't going to win this one. "I could eat..." he replied. He looked down at Taiga. "I'm sure she'd only get pissed at me if she knew I wasn't looking after myself..."

She patted him on the knee, "You can bet that she would, then she'd tear ME a new one because I wasn't watching over you. Go take fifteen, twenty minutes, get some food and coffee in you, you'll feel much better. Besides, I need to make some follow-up scans and a bit of paperwork and all it would do would bore you to tears. By the way, have you named your daughter yet, or am I still just calling her 'baby'?"

"We have a name in mind." Ryuuji said. "In fact, we had actually decided on a name for her. However, I want us both to name her together." he explained. "Trust me, Taiga would want to be awake to do that. I can't go ahead, but if she needs it for paperwork. Her name begins with an R."

"Paperwork can wait, I was mostly just curious." Nyx shrugged as she stood again, "Baby Aisaka it is for now. Go get some food, take a shower if you need one, I'll be here when you get back."

Ryuuji gave her a single nod of the head and then pulled himself up out of the chair. He made his way to the door, glanced back at Taiga and his daughter before stepping through.

Nyx keyed the diagnostic on the bassinet first, the readings of an infant still soundly asleep coming up, every sign that the little Aisaka was perfectly healthy. She reached in and adjusted the blanket ever so slightly, smiling down at the little girl as the words of Dawn from half an hour before came back through. From that moment, I knew I had another purpose in life. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

She moved over to Taiga's bedside next and keyed a fresh scan there as well, tapping her PADD and bringing up blood chemistry readings to go along with the newly blossoming information on the screen. Everything was back within parameters and holding steady, though the steady drip of fluids entering her arm meant she wasn't at 100%. There would be things to be getting used to for Taiga when she was back on her feet, "But, life begins anew, Captain, when you wake up. The entire galaxy has changed."

Taiga's hand twitched, as if some sort of response came from her.

The twitch was noted and Nyx glanced towards the door, but it had only been about five minutes since Ryuuji had left and he needed the time away desperately. A glance at the brainwave readout showed activity, "Captain Aisaka, if you can hear me, try to open your eyes or raise your finger. It's time to return to the land of the living."

Taiga didn't open her eyes at first, however her mouth did start to move. "R..." her voice came through, it was hardly audible at first. Slowly she spoke again. "Ryu..." she seemed to whisper out this time. Eventually after a few more seconds she finally got out what she was saying, although her voice was weak. "Ryuuji?"

Nyx reached out to touch Taiga's hand, relief flowing through her, "Ryuuji stepped out for a few minutes, but he'll be back shortly. He's been here the entire time, watching over you, watching over your daughter." Nyx paused for a heartbeat, "She's perfectly fine, Taiga, she's right here next to you."

Slowly Taiga's eyes began to flutter. After what seemed a long time she eventually opened them and looked directly at Nyx. "Doc... Doctor?"

The smile on Nyx's face was warm and welcoming, "Yes, ma'am, it's me. We're on Starbase Forty-Three right now, ma'am, you crashed and... I made the call. We almost lost you there, Taiga, but with the help of some rather good doctors, we got you back going again."

Taiga seemed to understand, she gave a very small nod. "Ryuuji?" She asked again.

"He should be back just about any time, he's been a bit worried about you." Nyx confirmed, "Commander Johnson was returning to assume command for the operation, so the ship is in good hands."

In response, Taiga shifted, trying to push herself up in the bed. "Ouch..." she said as she pushed herself up. She waved off Nyx as she was determined to sit up properly. After a few attempts she was finally in a sitting position, now propped up against a couple of pillows.

She looked over at the baby. Her eyes softened and a few tears emerged in the corner of her eyes. "Boy... or.. girl?" she asked simply.

"Girl. She had a bit of time of it early on, but she's perfectly healthy, no issues whatsoever. Ten, ten, two, two and one." Nyx said, referring to fingers, toes, eyes, ears and nose.

A smile spread across Taiga's face as the tears ran down her face. The room seemed lighter and more full of joy at hearing the news.

At that moment, the doors opened and Ryuuji walked in, a cup of coffee in his hand and a rice ball in the other. As soon as his eyes landed on Taiga, the coffee and riceball were suddenly relocated to the floor as he rushed over. Before Nyx or Taiga could stop him he was on his knee's by the bed, his arms wrapped around his wife.

"Taiga!" he cried out as he held her tightly. "Thank god you're alive! Thank god!" he continued to cry out in pure happiness.

"Ryuuji..."

"Thank god! I love you Taiga!" Ryuuji continued.

"Ryuuji..."

"Don't ever scare me like that again! Taiga!"

"RYUUJI!" Taiga finally shouted.

It was only than that Ryuuji came to his senses. "What is it Taiga?" he asked, happy tears running down his cheeks.

"I like to breathe..." Taiga gasped.

"Oops sorry..." Ryuuji said as he released Taiga and took a step back. Taiga took a deep breath as he released her, settling back into the cushions a little.

He returned to his feet and looked up at Nyx. He couldn't help but smile at the doctor. Then, as quickly as he rushed over to Taiga, he rushed up to Nyx and pulled her into a just as tight embrace as he gave Taiga. "Thankyou Doctor! Thankyou! I'm so happy you saved her! Overjoyed! Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou!"

Nyx's eyes widened, but there wasn't any space to evade or deflect so she just braced herself and tried to suck in a breath before he started his death-hug. Awkwardly, she patted him on the back and tried to wedge him loose unsuccessfully, "I've gotta breathe too, you know." She got out, but it wasn't as dire a need... Yet.

Ryuuji released the doctor and took a step back. "Sorry. I'm just so happy." he explained.

It was then that Taiga spoke. "Doctor..." she said.

This time it was Nyx who brushed past Ryuuji and to the Captain's side, "Yes, ma'am? Are you experiencing any pain or discomfort? You did have a blood clot in one of the capillaries of your heart, so feeling some weakness is going to be normal. Plus, a couple of major surgeries isn't going to help in that regard either."

"I feel a little sore..." she said. Her stomach then rumbled loudly. "And hungry..." she added. "But, I would like to..." she looked over at the baby. "Hold her?"

"Of course." Nyx turned and ever so gently reached down to pick up the child, supporting her head and eliciting a small sound of protest as her sleep was suddenly disturbed. The doctor cradled her as she turned around to place her in Taiga's arms, "Taiga, let me introduce you to your daughter."

Taiga gently took the newborn and pulled her in close to her chest. She looked down at the little baby girl. She had a few brown hairs on her head. She seemed to coo as she opened her eyes and looked at her mother for the first time. They were almost identicle to Taiga's. Taiga looked down at her daughter and smiled.

"Hello." she said softly as she ran a thumb over the baby girls cheek. "Its nice to finally meet you... Welcome to the galaxy litle one." she paused. The baby girl cooed again making happy sounds. Taiga looked over at Ryuuji, he simply nodded in response.

"Nyx," Taiga said informally as she cradled the baby. "I know that Ryuuji wouldn't have named her without me here." she said softly. "Now that I'm awake, we can introduce you properly to our daughter. We want you to be the first to know her name." She held the little girl out slightly so that Nyx could put her back into her bassinet. "We have decided to called her Riko. When written in Kanji, her name means Moon and Love." Taiga explained giving Nyx a smile.

"Riko." Nyx said, trying it on for size as she took the baby from Taiga and tucked her back into the bassinet, "I think it suits her perfectly. Here in a few months, I'll be having to start considering names for my own." She turned back and smiled at Taiga, "I think I'm going to keep mine after all. I just don't have the heart to do otherwise."

Taiga smiled. She had a feeling that this would be decision she made. "Good choice," she said simply. "Good choice indeed."

"Now, as for you, Captain, I'm going to prescribe a mild pain reliever to counter the soreness, but it probably won't handle it all. Food-wise, I'll have an orderly bring in something nice and easy to eat, it won't be anything to write home about, but you'll have the nutrition and something in your stomach that should stay there." Nyx had her PADD out and was typing in notes on it, "We will re-evaluate you in a few hours and probably move you to the general ward with a recommended release in my care in a day or two. Any questions?"

"Nope," Taiga said in response. "I think I can handle that. Actually...." she paused. "I have a rather large craving for some chicken ramen. Can I get a bowl of that?"

Nyx gave a chuckle, tapping another note into her PADD, "It won't be the best one, ma'am, gotta watch the sodium intake for the moment, but I believe we can arrange that. Now... If you don't mind, I've got a standing invitation for my own examination by the local medical team and they outrank me, so I have to attend to it. But, if you need anything or if you you feel anything out of the ordinary, I want you to comm me at any time of day." She smirked at Ryuuji, "Or bother him, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to rub your feet for you."

Taiga chuckled in response. "Oh trust me, I know that he'll help." She said as she took Ryuuji's hand. "Thankyou doctor. I'll be fine. Afterall, I'm too stubborn to get any worse... apparently."

Nyx's face fell as she remembered time on the shuttle that would contradict those terms, "Let's not tempt fate, Taiga, at least, not today, all right?"

"Erm. Sure ok." Taiga replied as she snuggled down into the pillows a little. She seemed more relaxed now. "Thanks again Nyx. We'll call you if we need anything."

Posting By:

Captain Taiga Aisaka
Commanding Officer
USS Tokyo

Lieutenant Commander Ryuuji Takasu
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
USS Tokyo

Lieutenant Commander Nyxala Valentin
Chief Medical Officer
USS Tokyo

And Introducing:

Riko Takasu
Child
USS Tokyo

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