On The Ranch

Posted on Sat Sep 19th, 2026 @ 1:32pm by Commander Thomas Johnson & Rear Admiral Rimuru Tempest

1,735 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Kintsugi

Thomas settled into his ranch office, it overlooked his meadows where the cattle, and horses were roaming, he opened the computer, and logged in, opening a channel to the Admiralty, namely Admiral tempest.

It took a few moments for the call to be answered. Soon, the image of Admiral Tempest appeared. "Hello Commander. I see you got back to Earth with no problems."

"Yeah, considering my decision. I will need time with both of my women... one has decided to remain on the Tokyo once I take command." Thomas replied. "Here for a few hours before I'm off to Amphea to meet the family, so that should be interesting."

"I see," Tempest said. "I do believe that you put in for a shoreleave request and it was granted." He leaned forward in his feet, and intertwined his fingers together. He seemed to be studying Thomas as if trying to read the other man's emotions. "So, tell me. Whats this call for? I doubt that it was just to tell me something I already know."

"I never did officially give you my decision. Thought you deserved that much. Just common courtesy." Thomas replied. "I have already sought Captain Aisakas permission to remain on the Tokyo until the Akagi is ready for personnel. She has agreed and shes asked me to help with her lectures at the academy, so we will still have a working relationship, even off the Tokyo."

"Yes, Captain Aisaka did inform me that she wanted you to assist her at the Academy. But, that was after both of you had finished your shore leave." Tempest replied giving the other man a smile.

"I'm actually surprised you got her to take that much." Thomas replied, "Just wanted to verify, what you wanted at the academy. I know tactics, information of the enemy, anything precise?"

"Actually yes." Tempest said. "I want you to keep a close eye on Aisaka. She's a capable captain and leader. But, lets just say there have been some doubts about how she would fare in a room in front of wet behind the ears cadets."

"I challenge anyone to come to my face and say that. She's the expert... Besides myself, who has seen and been in captivity with these Iconian leaders. Speaking to their council, talking to their leaders. She's the bloody go to for this stuff, and they have doubts. Have them sit in one or two of her lectures. There won't be any questions once the lecture is finished." Thomas replied defending his captain, but more than that his mentor and friend. Even though he had to look down, he looked up to her quite a bit. "I invite you to sit in on her first lecture, front and centre."

"Oh trust me. I fully intend to." Tempest said. "She did mention that its not just a cadet class didn't she?"

Smiling. "Oh I know, and I can't wait for people to challenge her... what she lacks in size, she makes up for it in attitude." Thomas replied. "Given she has a kid, and homones going wild at the moment. I feel sorry for anyone going against her. That goes for any commanders thats going to question her in our lectures."

"Indeed..." Tempest said with a small smile. "I have full confidence in her abilities and her experience. However, I have read her file. She can be a very emotional person at times. She has a history of being a bit... well..." he paused as he looked off screen, most likely at another screen. "Hands on." He finally added. "Many other Commanders in Starfleet have already requested to link in remotely to the sessions. It seems that many of them are wanting to know how she seems to always beat those damn Heralds. Especially since we're losing ships, bases and planets now on the daily."

"Don't give her all the credit, we were able to do it without her last time. But even if she's emotional, that should scare the heralds all the more. More people should be listening in. I mean, who better to learn from, from the first people to encounter them. And survive."

Tempest nodded in agreement. "I agree with you Commander. That is why I was pleased to see that it was you that she requested as her assistant in this position." He leant forward slightly, changing his pose from relaxed to more firm and formal. "I need to know when you and Captain Aisaka plan to start your first lecture. The Academy is eager to get to work on this one. No doubt you'll be pulling full houses every time."

He then paused for a second. "I also want to see if your.." he pondered for the right words. "Partner. Would be interested in being assigned temporarily to the Academy as well. From the reports I have read, Lieutenant Nezuko has been able to access Iconian computer systems and has even been able to retrieve information from them. She would be a huge benefit to our Operations and Engineering cadets to learn from her."

"With Lt Col Ashok, off to train the KDF on how to fight them, I have no doubt we would be expecting visitors from the Romulans and the cardassians as well... since this is going to be a galaxy affair." Thomas paused as he looked out the window, with Nezuko, looking at the cattle, obviously choosing which is going to be her next meal. "For Lt JG Nezuko, I can get her to do it for a few things. I don't think it would be too much."

"That would be appreciated. Of course, the Academy will be in touch." Tempest replied. He remained in his formal forward position. "Also, I understand that you've only just had a child. I want to pass on my congratulations... Usually, I would allow you all to have more time for shoreleave. However, we are at war."

He seemed reluctant to say what was coming next. "Starfleet Medical is over run from the sheer losses we've been taking. We have plenty of doctors and medical officers to attend to them. However, what we need are more counsellors and psychiatrists on site." He paused for a few moments. "I thought, since Lieutenant Nezuko and yourself will be in San Francisco, would it be possible to persuade your wife in lending a hand to those who need a little... reassurance?" he paused. "I won't order her to do so. Not after what you have all been through recently."

Pausing, "First for Lt nezuko, she will need an interpreter, she does have her pad, that helps her communicate. Amphian sign language is one of the more difficult sign to learn. I only learned it in the academy to impress a fellow cadet i wanted at the time. I learned it, she still didnt want me, but it worked for the best."

He paused got up walked towards the coffee machine, brewing real coffee, looking ou the door way watching talia, snuggled with Wyatt on the couch. Tahuna, was at the table, reading, what he could imagine being the origins of her people on earth. Picking up his coffee, he turned to the desk, walked over and sat down.

"You're right admiral we are at war." Thomas replied, "I will talk to her, however, we do have our adoptive daughter from Amerind. I would like her to have a week to help her come to terms with the loss of her people, its only been a few months since she lost her entire people, the sole survivor, and shes just a kid. Let her have that. You will have her on site, shes already asked about it."

"it would seem that great minds really do think alike." Tempest replied. "You will have the week you need. After all, you requested it. I would have waited until you came back to ask, however..." he smiled at Thomas. "You called me."

"And do we have any expert in Amphean language besides myself?"

Tempest had to ponder that for a moment. "With all honestly, that is something I would have to look up." He replied. "I imagine that there will be someone available, if not I believe that Lieutenant Nezuko has those special translation gloves that were developed for her? Unless I am mistaken?"

"Translation gloves?" Thomas asked, "Ive never heard of them." He looked out the window. "Also we had a mission back when when her breathing apparatus drained, and we almost lost her because of the battery pack. Anything our research and development can come up with to avoid that from happening again, except for enabling her to breath our atmosphere. I know its not war related. But as the fleets leading expert on Iconian computers... we owe her that much."

"I may be misremembering..." Tempest said. "Ah yes, I believe it was a PADD not gloves." He finally added. He seemed to be at a sense of ease at his correction. "One hundred and twelve, I still make mistakes from time to time." he added. "As for the battery packs. I'll have Starfleet Corps of Engineers work on the issue."

"Well then before I sign off... the forth pip... does it go on now or right before I take command." Thomas replied with a raised eyebrow. "Want to make sure I am in proper uniform when I show up to my first lecture."

Tempest pondered for a moment. "Officially when you take command of the Akagi, you'll receive the rank increase to Captain. Until then, you may go by your current rank." He explained. "But you know what they say, rank isn't everything. Have a good time on your shore leave."

Nodding he closed the channel, looked out to the fields. They were leaving for amphea in six hours. for a few days. The sun was shining, the whole sunset, glistened, as if there wasn't a war being fought. Turning back to the desk, he picked up the small box with the extra pip. Staring at the solid, one that would be added to the collar in a few months. Part of him wanted it right now. Another didn't mind the wait. Hearing Wyatt stirring in the next room, he opened a drawer, placing the box in before closing, and heading out.

Posting by:

Rear Admiral Rimuru Tempest
Starfleet Comnand

Commander Thomas Johnson
Executive Officer
USS Tokyo

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