Full Circle

Posted on 11/11/2021 @ 3:08pm by Captain Cara Letsul & Lieutenant Kaylee Serra & Lieutenant Hiro Yoshida

2,496 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: The Mirror’s Edge
Location: Holo Suite 2
Timeline: Sometime after the Second bombing

ON:

Cara woke up from her slumber, looking up to see she was beneath a tree. Rising from the ground, Cara brushed the pine needles from her long red dress which had a slit up her thigh and finger combed her hair to remove the needles from her dark curls. Cara got the sense that it was late, and she didn't quite know how long she had slept. Her steps brought her out of the Arboretum, her nose catching the scent of burnt something, which she altered her course, following her nose. There was yellow tape and warning signs with another sign that said Elysian Dreams closed for repairs. A blurb on a newsfeed told her that she had missed something major. Another explosion? Looking to find a viewscreen with which to see what happened, Cara's hand went to her mouth, as she watched people running out of the Elysian Dreams, injured scared and frightened people. This was rather concerning to her. She saw Hiro and the others coming out bringing injured out from that establishment. Her hand lightly pressed against her chest as she watched in horror.

This happened was it today, yesterday? It made her head swim slightly. It happened while she slept. Cara wasn't in any position to help out here, not with her being on sabbatical. Cara was starting to think that she may need to come out of being on sabbatical, but she didn't want to be an Admiral anymore.

Cara aimlessly walked on, deep in thought not paying attention, then she stopped. Something made Cara look up and her eyes widened. What was she doing here? She was standing outside of Holo Suite 2. The one where she and Brina had fought, the one where she stabbed Hiro. Cara turned to leave, then paused once more, her red dress swirling around her ankles. Feeling undecided, Cara wanted to do something to take her mind off of what had transpired earlier. She stood there lost in thought once more.

"I really hope you're not here to fight again." a voice said. It was Hiro's. He'd just appeared from one of the corridors that lead to the Holodecks.

Cara jumped slightly and spun around. "Er no I am not here to fight. I'm just trying to wrap my mind around what happened while I was sleeping. I said goodbye to two people, and then fell asleep in the Arboretum. T'Mar is gone and Fernandez is too." Cara wrapped her arms about herself. "Are you okay I saw the news flash about what happened?"

"I'm alright, except for a few bruises and scratches,.. and a slight head ache. I've been lucky." Hiro, wearing his black cotton Kendo uniform, walked up to Cara. "I've got no idea what is going on. First Airlock 6, now this. We have all this technology and yet were not able to prevent it."

"It is rather strange, and worrisome." Cara frowned, releasing her arms. "I am feeling that there is more going on here than what we can see on the surface. I may have to ask Star Fleet to take me off of my sabbatical. Maybe I can help out. Especially with my being back to my own self." giving a bit of a smile. "Getting ready to do some katas?" Cara asked.

"Katas?" Hira asked, not having heard of the abbreviation.

"Its the forms you utilize when exercising, like for Tai Chi for instance." Cara demonstrating the stances and movements of the martial arts, it looking like a dance when she moved in her long red dress.

"Oh, that. Yes. I simply call that training." Hiro grinned. "Though this time I want to relive one of the old battles that took place in Japan."

"That sounds intriguing, are you going to do this as a solo or, would you mind having some company for this? I have taken part in some historical adventures." Cara remarked, "And I found them very fun indeed."

"Fun.. I don't know if I would call it that. It's not for the faint hearted. The wars in that period were especially brutal. I've already toned down the simulation in the respect. But still.." Hiro looked at Cara's dress. "I think that dress you're wearing will make you stand out, unless you want to be a Geisha. If you want to experience that."

Cara looked down a her dress then looked back at Hiro. "Well, I've done that before experiencing a taste of the geisha life." she remarked with a serious expression. "And I'm not above getting involved in a brutal fight, case in point." gesturing towards his side where she had pierced it before her guest was gone. Her eyebrow raised. "However, easy enough to get a change of clothing, compliments of the computer. What role do you suggest I take, minus being a geisha." the corners of her mouth rising upwards. "Or would you like that?"

For a few long moments there was a boyish smile on Hiro's face. "I'll leave that to you." He moved closer to the Holodeck and ordered the computer to start simulation Hiro-Japan-01. Once the computer announced the program was ready he turned to Cara again. "Whenever you're ready. Feudal Japan is waiting."

Cara nodded and then went to look up armor and a weapon for that time period. She noted that the armor was something over clothing that she could move around in for sword play. She entered in the coding she needed, got the proper outfit. Cara swept her hair back into a single braid, changed her clothing and stepped into the program of Hiro's to join in. She had in hand a ninjato and a tanto at her side. Her clothing was black long sleeved, with pants and something that looked like a sleeveless tunic which hit below the waist. It was an armored piece of clothing.

"Did you know that they had female warriors called Onna-musha? They fought alongside the men back in that day. Dressed like how I am." Cara giving a smile.

"I've read a little about it, though it was some time ago. There's still much I need to learn about the history of the country I was born in." He looked at Cara and the way she looked as she stood before him. "You certainly look the part."

Hiro decided not to wear armor, but only the usual clothing Samurai wore back in the day. He just decided to replicate a Katana and a Wakizashi. "I think you already know how important honor and loyalty was Samurais in Feudal Japan, right? Offending a Samurai or his lord could mean death. Just want to be sure you know."

'Yes I do know that." Cara stated, "Even the Geisha have a code of honor they follow. That is something that was brought up in the history of that time. And even now it is practiced, the art of being a geisha." Cara giving a bit of a smile, just to tease Hiro slightly then she added, "Klingons have a code of honor, that I have thought to be much like the Samurai. There are some variances though." her smile slipping away. "Do not worry, I will not bring dishonor upon you."

Hiro smiled. "I'll hold you to that." He walked away from the entrance. "Lets find some trouble, shall we?"

Cara laughed, "Oh find trouble? Be careful of what you wish for." she said teasingly. "Trouble likes to follow me everywhere." giving Hiro a wink. Walking alongside him away from the arch. "So the part I play, you are my what? What will I be for you? Your servant, your brother in arms?"

"It's a Holo simulation. You can be whatever you want to be here. Within the limits of the program of course. So you choose." He walked on and saw a village ahead. It couldn't be more than a kilometer away. "And what is it with you and trouble? I thought that, now T'Mar is gone from your mind, things would be better."

Cara chuckled. "That was me trying out some humor. And things are better, I just now have to get used to not having a room-mate in my mind, and-" she took a slight trembling breath, "And saying goodbye to someone I have loved for a long time. He needed to be set free and so I did." she looked towards the village that they were moving towards. "I think this will be perfect to get my mind on something else. Instead of a sort of tragedy."

"Oh, this will definitely take your mind off things. I bet you a bar of Latinum on that." Hiro walked on and shifted his Katana a little. As they passed a few peasants he greeted them, which they did not expect at all and in response humbly bowed their heads as low as they could get them. "I never get used to that."

"The bow of respect? Um from what I have learned that is still utilized in Japan. Sure a handshake is done as well but a bow, is classic. However, you are a humble man so I am glad to see that you do not act as if it is your due. There are those who think they must of that bow. And look" nodding towards some little boys running up to where they were at, "I think you may have some young admirers." a bit of a smile.

"I mean the way they bow. Like they almost touch the ground with their noses. In this program I expect them to respect me, because here I'm a Samurai. But still, the way the characters do it is...too much. Almost like they see me as some godlike figure." Hiro looked away from Cara to the boys coming towards them. "Yes, your right. Even in those days people had fans. They surprised me the first time I ran this program."

"That is historically accurate, there were quite a few samurai whom felt it was their due and if the peasants didn't do that sort of bowing it was the samurai's prerogative to slice off the heads of those that did what they thought was a dishonor. Not all were like that, but some were." Cara giving a shake of her head. "Musashi who was a samurai, eventually became a ronin, a samurai without a master. He was respected by the peasants, and also Samurai."

Hiro smiled as he listened. "How do you know so much about the place where I was born? Not many people today know much about Japan's ancient history, let alone the Samurai."

Cara had an amused expression in her eyes, "Remember, you had mentioned something about my playing being Geisha and I responded that I have experienced the taste of the geisha's life. Geisha and Samurai were intertwined. History and a lot of reading." lightly laughing. "Hence my knowledge. Besides I had dated a history student, and he was very much into Japanese culture and history. A lovely man indeed."

As Cara walked alongside Hiro, she glanced at him. "You know, this is really nice. And I am looking forward to getting into battle with you in this re-enactment."

Just then there was the sound of the doors opening of the holo-suite 2 and a female voice called out loud and clear. "Computer save and end program." the program shutting down to the familiar grid patterns.

Cara looked at whom had come in. It was security. And a blond woman was coming up to where Cara and Hiro both stood.

"Lieutenant Yoshida, sorry to do this but, you need to come with me." Kaylee said with regret in her eyes. "There is a problem and I've been sent to take you into custody."

"On what grounds?" Cara wanted to know.

"I'm sorry Ma'am, but he is to come with me and it will be sorted out." Kaylee stated firmly.

Cara gave a nod, something was up but she can't get in the way of Kaylee doing her duty.

Hiro was speechless and looked between Cara and Kaylee. "I'm sorry? What did I do? You can't just arrest me."

Kaylee looked uncomfortable, "Well... the grounds of you being arrested is, there have been security breaches and-" she gulped "its been traced to you, Hiro. As much as I do not believe that you have done this but, I've been ordered to bring you in. I don't want to but orders are orders. I know that you haven't done that at all." there is a shimmering of tears in her eyes. "Just I have to bring you in."

"Security breaches? When? Where?" Hiro said, utterly confused. "Kaylee, I've done nothing of the sort. This is crazy." He next looked at Cara. "You knew of this?"

Cara gave Hiro a rather confused expression. "What the heck? I had no idea about this happening as I am not of the staff yet. Now I am feeling I need to get back into the game then." Cara giving a sigh. "I know you are innocent, Hiro and I will do my utmost to get to where I can help you out."

Kaylee looked at Hiro, "I know you haven't done anything of that nature. However, you will still have to go into security until we can get this sorted out." her shoulders slumping. "This is awful and I hope you will forgive me for this." she looked pleadingly towards Hiro. "Please, come with me." then she added, "I really wish Liam were here."

"Wait he's not here?" Cara exclaimed.

"No Liam left right before that explosion at the Elysian Dreams. He was transferred, and it was all of a sudden." Kaylee gave a sigh. "I will be joining him at a later time, once things can be settled here." she looked once more towards Hiro. "Please, lets get this straightened out."

Hiro clenched his teeth and drew a deep breath before making the first step towards Kaylee and the Holodeck's exit. "I suppose I don't have a choice. Someone better have a good explanation for this."

"I would like to know myself." Kaylee responded as she and Hiro headed for the exit. "This is a total nightmare for the two of us." Kaylee remarked to Hiro, her friend. "I know you didn't do this, but having to bring you in."

Cara looked at the two who were leaving, and was following them, when Kaylee turned towards her. "Ma'am, you can't be involved with this right now. Especially given what had happened earlier. If it is advisable, then we can bring you in for questioning. For now, stay out of this."

Cara taken aback at this then she slowly nodded, what Kaylee had said to her made sense. "I will be waiting if I am needed." she said to Hiro.

---

Lieutenant Hiro Yoshida
Chief of Station Operations.

Cara Letsul
Civilian at the moment.

Lieutenant Kaylee Serra-Reynolds
Assistant Chief of Security

 

RSS Feed