Difficult Decisions

Posted on Thu Aug 27th, 2026 @ 6:24pm by Commander Thomas Johnson & Captain Taiga Aisaka

2,310 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Kintsugi
Location: Captains office
Timeline: April 1st 2397

Thomas walked up to the door, rang the chime, and adjusted his uniform. The decision he made, he knew was the best, for him, and Talia, it would mean a lot of changes. But for now. It was time for the first one.

"Come in," Taiga's voice called. The doors opened to reveal Taiga, standing by the desk. However she wasn't wearing her uniform. Instead it had been replaced by a casual black turtleneck jumper accompanied by a red skirt and black stockings. "Oh, hi Thomas." She greeted him with a smile. A small bag was set on the desk and was placing PADD's into it one by one. "You caught .e on my way out, but I have a few minutes. Whats on your mind?"

"I just thought I would let you know, I have come to a decision. I have decided to accept the promotion." Pausing "It isn't exactly the way I expected it. But everything I have done up until now has prepared me for it."

Taiga stopped what she was doing. "I'm glad you did. Although you've still got a lot to learn, just like I did. You will fit the center chair well."

"I don't believe anyone goes and they know everything. I have one request however."

That got Taiga's attention. "A request huh? What do you need?" She asked, a spark of curosity igniting inside her.

"I would like to remain onboard as your first officer, while awaiting the Akagi" Thomas replied. "Nezuko, has stated that she would remain here, and with it being completed in nine months... I can deal with my crew selection in my off hours, and deal with anything that comes my way as we deal with our issues."

"I thought you were heading to Earth?" Taiga asked simply.

"For vacation with nezuko and Talia yes." Thomas replied, "But once the ship is spaceworthy again, I would like to still be at your side on the Tokyo. I've still got a lot to learn. I can learn a lot in those 7 months."

A sense of warmth filled Taiga. She did enjoy Thomas's company, he had become someone she could rely on in a pinch. "I'd like that too. Actually, I do have a little something to tell you. Well, it would be more like a proposal if anything." She explained as she fumbled around in the bag for one of the PADD's she had just packed.

After a few seconds she pulled one out and turned it on. "I've been assigned to two weeks minimum of shoreleave. Apparently having a baby come out of my belly, warrants that sort of thing." She said with a slight nervous smirk. "However, once thats over. The Commandant of Starfleet Academy wants to borrow me for a few weeks." she turned the PADD around to show him the request from the Academy, its triangular logo clearly visible in the top right corner.

"I haven't replied yet. But they want me to do three days a week, an advanced tactical and command training course. They want commanders that have had experience with the Heralds and Iconian threat to teach others in tactics and strategies on how to defend and defeat them." She explained as she returned the PADD to face her. "I've been thinking that it would give me something to do, and it does state I can choose an assistant lecturer."

"Minimum two week? Back in the 21st century some maternity leaves were 18 months." Thomas replied as he looked it over. "It would mean more time on earth on my ranch... I think I would enjoy it. Give a little something back."

"Oh, they wanted me to take more time off. But I... well I kinda... I told them that wasn't going to happen. I have no intention of sitting around doing nothing when millions of lives are being lost every day. So this was the compromise." Taiga said as she rubbed the back of her head trying to look somewhat innocent. Truth be told, that discussion was been a full blown argument between herself and the Admiralty back at Starfleet Command, but she wasn't going to tell Thomas that.

"Of course, if you need the time, I can do this by myself. I'm not going to push you into this. It does mean three days at the Academy each week. It's not exactly the bridge of a starship." She explained.

"It will give me something to do, and if I decide one day to teach at the academy. A long ways into the future. Its practice." Thomas replied as he looked around. "So where are you off to? Japan? I need to brush up on mine, I haven't used it since our captivity with the heralds."

Taiga gave him a small nod. "Thats the plan. We actually have a small place that we own just outside of Tokyo. Its nothing fancy, but it's a place to call home." She told him. "Of course, I'll be catching a transporter to San Francisco when I start at the Academy. However, we have a few other... loose ends... to tie up as well." The tone and emotion in her voice dropping was noticeable as she spoke about her loose ends.

"Care to let me in on these loose ends Taiga..." Thomas dropped rank for just a moment, a rare thing for him to do. "If you need help with anything."

It was a rare tom see Taiga let down her shields. She had always kept a respectable distance from her crew, but since the pregnancy and now the arrival of Riko she had started to change. Whether that be the maternal instincts kicking in, or something else she didn't know.

"I don't have the best relationship, or any relationship really; with my parents." she explained as she leant against the desk. "They split up when I was younger, and since then they have only ever been concerned with their own affairs. I was just a 'left over' from their failed relationship choices." She explained. "Hell, my mother got remarried and even had another kid when I was just a teenager. I haven't seen her since I was fifteen and decided to run away to Starfleet."

"As for my good for nothing father. We tried to patch things up at the wedding on Risa. But he's just a compulsive liar who only thinks about himself. He always makes promises that he never keeps." She looked away, to stare out at the vastness of space beyond the window. "I know they're both back on Earth, I've already confirmed that. But, I'm still trying to decide if I want them to meet Riko or not."

She turned back to Thomas. "Part of me wants to bury the hatchet. But, then there's a part of me that wants to forget that they even exist. But how will Riko respond when she's older knowing I kept them from her?" she let out a long sigh of frustration. "I honestly am stuck, I can command a damn starship, co-ordinate battles and fleets. But I can't solve a stupid problem like this. I guess I really am pathetic..."

"No, that makes you human... I'm not good with family matters. But, people are idiots. We make choices we regret and don't realize it until something happens. For your mother, perhaps her getting remarried was her way of dealing with things, try and fix one problem with another. It might have worked, with her new husband. Her having another kid, shouldn't reflect negatively on you. people remarry, and have kids with different spouses."

He paused a moment, and walked over to the replicator. Ordering them a drink. Once it materialized. He took a drink of his, and handed hers to her.

"In the end, we change what we can, accept what we can't." Thomas replied, "You can't change your parents, but you can accept that without them, you wouldn't be who you are today without them. Sure it may be to spite them. But still... As for your father, his attempt... was probably as hard for him as it was for you. Things don't change over night. There will be fumbles, it may look the same at the beginning. But if you let it run its course, you may find something blossom. Not a full relationship singing koom-ba-yah kind of thing. But acceptance of each other."

Taiga took the drink, but instead of drinking it, she looked down into its contents. Thomas knew her coffee order by now. She didn't even have to correct him now. "Its just, I've always felt like the after thought since I was a teenager. When they split up, I would often find myself alone. The feeling of being a 'spare part' loomed over me every day. Its one of the reasons why I joined Starfleet. I wanted as far away as possible from them..." she paused as she continued to stare into the liquid.

"I have a half-sibling that I haven't even met. I don't even know if I have a half-brother of half-sister." she admitted. "I was more accepted by Ryuuji's mother. When we started dating back in the Academy, she basically took me in. She became more of a mother to me than my actual mother. Yet, we haven't had much chance to see her either."

"Have they ever explained their side of the story. Parents screw up. I will with Wyatt, and I am sure you will with Riko. By no fault of our own. But if we deny them an explanation. Problems cant be fixed. Not to mention your sibling or siblings are missing out on a bad ass sibling even if it is half sibling."

That brought a somewhat tiny curl of Taiga's lips upon hearing that. "So, you believe I should at least hear them out?" She asked.

"They may have been lousy parents, but they may be great grandparents. Then when Riko is old enough, she can choose." Turning, "If you don't like what they have to say, there is always the door. Or if you are worried about making a scene, choose a public place, a restaurant, and determine from there, where you want to go from there. But hearing them out... I think for now... considering what contact has been. Should be a given. Thats my advice to you as your friend. And your first officer. Consider it your most difficult mission yet."

"You can tell that you married a counsellor." Taiga stated. She finally took a sip of the coffee. "Thanks Thomas, I think that if I treat this like a mission. I should be ok. At least, thats if I don't end up getting cold feet..."

"Consider it a top priority mission. One you can't come back from until its done."

Taiga crossed her arms and pouted. "Thats not fair. Thats exactly like what Ryuuji would say. You can't use that sort of stuff against me..." she pouted like a child.

"Considering I am technically the same rank as you by accepting the promotion... I can arrange it so that I commandeer the Tokyo until you do." Thomas replied.

"You wouldn't dare..." Taiga growled. But she could see the smirk on his face, she knew it was simply playful banter. She relaxed, her shoulders dropping. "I get it, you're making it clear that this is something I can't run away from any longer." She gulped down the rest of her coffee and reached out to grab the bag.

It was heavier than usual, causing her to stumble off balance for a brief moment. However she straightened herself as she adjusted the strap so she could carry its weight. "Well, I best make a start. No time like the present. Plus, I still need to meet Ryuuji and Riko before we catch the transport to Earth."

"One minute." Thomas replied as he walked over, "Let me carry that for you, I will walk you to the shuttle bay transporter room? How are you departing."

Taiga shook her head. "No, its alright. I've got it. If this experience has taught me anything, its that I need to be less reliant on others. I need to pull up my socks and get back to working for myself and for my family. Trust me, I need this."

"Then you learned the wrong lesson. You have a support system. You are not alone. Ive been trying to tell Nezuko the same thing... shes been having issues sleeping but instead of coming to Tal and I, she stays in her quarters." He paused "But I'm not trying to tell you what to do."

The shorter woman let out a sigh. "I know when to come to people. That much I have learnt. But I still want to be better, to push forward and to show everyone out there that I am more than just the Captain. I'm Taiga Aisaka and I can fight my own battles when I need to." She gave him a smile. "It sounds stupid, but it makes sense to me."

"It would." Thomas replied. "But this isn't a battle. This is helping with a heavy bag... which probably weighs as much as you do."

Taiga simply smiled at Thomas. "This is nothing to the other baggage I am carrying around in my heart." With that said she walked towards the door which swished open. Before she stepped through she turned back to look at Thomas. "Thanks for the advice, congratulations on the promotion. And, I'll see you on Earth in a few weeks. I expect you and the family to visit for dinner one night."

She then proceeded to step through the door and out into the corridor, leaving Thomas alone in the office.

Posting by:

Captain Taiga Aisaka
Commanding Officer
USS Tokyo

Commander Thomas Johnson
Executive Officer
USS Tokyo

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