Captain on the Bridge - Part Two

Posted on Fri Jan 1st, 2021 @ 1:56pm by Captain April Yamaguchi

Mission: Mission 105: The Mirror, Shattered
Location: Various Locations - ISS Potemkin
Timeline: 1400Hrs - October 2th, 2393

Captain April Yamaguchi smiled as she strode through the corridors of the ISS Potemkin with her bodyguards. Gabby Gutierrez followed the Admiral, leading two members of the bodyguard detail. Seven other members were posted ahead of the detail making the way clear for the Captain. Since she had seized command the prior evening after killing the previous Captain while in bed with him, she had greatly enjoyed the passionate sex before she removed him from his position, forever. Captain Yamaguchi had later doubled the number of her bodyguard unit from five to ten members. Each member had been vetted by the ship's chief of security who had been the one to uncover the mutiny, just in time to save the lives of many of the senior staff, these ten members of her personal guard were above reproach in their loyalty to her. The former members of this unit have been arrested and replaced since their leader had been part of the mutiny. He was not just part of the mutiny, as he had led it and had planned to personally murder the captain. Others would have killed the senior officers and replaced them with their immediate subordinates. The decks of the Potemkin would have run red with blood.

The conspiracy had been uncovered and the mutiny crushed before it started thanks to Ltjg. Gabriella Gutierrez and Captain Yamamguchi's swift and brutal actions. The conspirators were seized unawares by loyal crew members led by the Captain herself. Several conspirators were killed during and immediately after the arrests, Yamaguchi slitting a few throats in an orgy of revenge.

The conspirators lucky enough to survive the Captain's wrath were turned over to Imperial Security. All over the fleet, there were attempted mutinies by followers and sympathizers of the traitor Robert Copland after the successful assassination of the Emperor. Order had to be restored, arrests and executions were taking place all over the empire. With the emperor's death, a power vacuum had opened and every senator, fleet admiral and power broker were vying for 'the big chair'. Several contenders for the throne had already declared and come forward, the empire was on the brink of civil war. That, in addition to fighting two other wars, was sure to be a ruinous affair.

Captain Yamaguchi has no interest in the power struggle between the 'elites'. Her world is her oath, her ship, her crew and nothing is more important to her. She seized this ship in blood and then someone tried to take Potemkin from her. She has a few more things to tend to on the Potemkin this morning. A few of the 'lesser' conspirators were left to her justice by Imperial Security and were being interrogated in the brig. These people weren't involved in the conspiracy but should have reported it because of their proximity to the conspirators themselves. The Captain's justice has been brutal, to say the least. She was and still is extremely angry, she's also paranoid which only added to the issues present. All of this makes the Potemkin an extremely dangerous place.

April Yamaguchi entered a turbolift in silence. "Main bridge," she said as four of her guards went with her. The doors opened a moment later and she stepped out onto her bridge, this was her ship and her crew. The bridge crew snaps to attention and enthusiastically saluted their leader.

Yamaguchi smiled as she slowly moved to her station, a slight smile of satisfaction on Yamaguchi's face as her loyal crew saluted her.

Lieutenant Commander Namura stood near her science station, saluting as she did not move. Namura looked to be extremely fit and an aura of malice seemed to emanate from her. She was a dangerous person with cat-like reflexes and a short samurai sword on her hip in place of the imperial dagger. Yamaguchi found herself approving of the woman before her.

Next to Namura at the communications station stood Lieutenant Ava Lehmann the communications officer. Ava was a beautiful woman. Her hair was blond at the ends but dark at the roots, obviously dyed that way to offset her piercing, steel blue, eyes. Those eyes are as cold and merciless, as April approved of this woman as well. This woman was as warm as a snake.

At the navigation station stood the figure of Lieutenant Donovon Welker. His tan skin face is so cruel-looking and his dark eyes seem devoid of kindness. He nodded to Yamaguchi in silence.

Finally by the engineering console stands the chief engineer Lieutenant Commander Al-Rashid wearing a pure white kaffia on his head and an immaculately trimmed beard on his face. He looked more like he should be leading men across the sands of far off Arabia, on Earth than saluting his commander on the bridge of a starship. He seemed to be the most confident of all of the assembled officers, knowledgeable and energetic, yet as dangerous as a viper. The ornate curved blade on his hip also shows signs of recent use.

This is the bridge crew of the ISS Potemkin. Each one had been targeted with death by the insurgents who had plotted to take over the ship. Each one owed their lives to Captain Yamaguchi and Lt. Gabriella Gutierrez. They are grateful and even more loyal to Yamaguchi now. They have been coyed by her swift and brutal actions against the traitors. They may be as dangerous as wolves, but Captain Yamaguchi is the lion of her crew.

The atmosphere on the bridge was thick with fear and determination. If they weren't before, they were now Captain Yamamguchi's loyal crew. Joined to her through loyalty, admiration, and respect... but cold fear was ever so palpable...

Yamaguchi could feel their eyes upon her and the fear in their hearts... She grinned as that feeling electrified her to her core...

The Captain slid her lithe form into her command chair as she observed her well-trained bridge crew go about their duties. The difference today is now she has three of her bodyguards stationed on the bridge permanently. Yamaguchi would not expose herself to assassination attempts ever again. She had a goal to accomplish and nothing would stop her from accomplishing her efforts.

Gabby stood close to the captain but not so close to obstructing the captain's view of the bridge personnel and stations. Captain Yamaguchi seemed to be a very confident and skilled commander. She engages her bridge personnel in a clear and concise voice and tone. She quickly processes all of the information she is given and issues appropriate orders with an ease that is quite remarkable and reassuring. She is a good officer or so Gabby thought to herself.

"Helm, set course 211 mark 14 ahead warp factor 9," Yamaguchi ordered, her voice strong and steady.

"Aye, sir! 211 mark 14 warp 9!" Lt. Kelly Okoye repeated as she executed the captain's orders swiftly and without hesitation.

Yamaguchi relaxed in her chair and turns her head slightly towards Gabby.

"We are going to the San Fransisco Shipyard for our scheduled refit. We'll be there for a few days as the technicians upgrade our ship's systems and some other things. We're going to have a new bridge as well." Yamaguchi said matter of factly.

"Yes sir.," Gabby responded.

"We will be going to Earth and meeting with the Imperial Governor. I expect you and my guard to be spit and polished. Understood?" Yamaguchi said in a flat, even tone.

"Yes sir, understood. It will be done!" Gabby responded, as she barely masked her excitement.

Yamaguchi smiled approvingly at Gabby. The captain felt good about choosing Gabby to lead her bodyguards. Gabby's loyalty and efficiency are beyond question. However, she would keep an eye on the younger woman, just to be sure. Now it's time to focus on the future... it is so very uncertain and fraught with danger...

The Imperial Federation is heading toward civil war... Bloody, and costly it will be... sides are being formed...

Yamaguchi's thoughts went back to the words her mentor said to her years ago... "Be Bloody, be bold and resolute!"