Unexpected Transfer (Part 2)

Posted on Thu May 28th, 2026 @ 2:57am by Commander Darius Cross & Captain Kaede Kayano

1,807 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Back Into Action
Location: Ready Room

"Regardless of if I asked for it or not. I am still taking over command." Kaede replied. "So, is there anything I need to know about the ship or its crew before I assume my duty?"

"Depends... do you want me to be honest with your or say something that will relax your nerves?" Jodrol replied as he took a seat back behind his now old desk.

"How about you give it to me straight?" Kaede replied as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Trust me, I can take it."

"Okay." Jodrol nodded his head slightly. "The new people will be happy to serve. Like any other officer trying to impress. The ones who have been here a lot longer will question your motives. Friend in trouble aside, you've taken it upon yourself to come on to this ship and throw a spanner into the warpcore. It's understandable people are gonna hate that. You'll want their respect, but you should focus on earning it, not forcing it because your in the chair. You're a former Commodore whose come out of retirement and took a position from someone who many onboard feel has earned it. Who I personally took under my wing to take the chair. You're reaction is going to be upset over it, but don't. It will only make things worse."

He took a moment to think, letting out a sigh, before adding. "Just do what any Captain in your position would do. Rely on them to do their jobs, come up with solutions, and give them every opportunity you can to let them show you why they are in the positions they are in. Count on their experience, because it may surprise you to learn, this ship did go on without you and it will continue to go one when you decide to leave it again. As Commanding Officer's we're told that we are responsible for our crews, which is true, but they are responsible for getting the job done. Our only job is to make the final decision and deal with the aftermath. Accept the consequences, if there are any, then move on to the next mission. We make the calls but these people are the heart and soul of the ship. They are as much a part of keeping it going then we are."

Kaede nodded as she took a moment to assimilate the information. "Thats some damn good advice." She commented. "I will ensure that I stick to it. Don't you worry though, I will ensure that I look after any of the remaining crew just like you have. If this was a family, then lets view it like this. They may be seeing you as a father role. But now, they've gained a mother." she smiled at him. "And please, don't be a stranger to them. Even in retirement, you can always call and check up on them. I know that they'll appreciate it. A lot more than you know."

"Don't just assume that role, Kaede. Earn it. Show them in your actions and they'll see you that way. It will take time, but it will be worth it." Jodrol stood up again, letting out a bit of a groan as he stood up and stretched. "I'll be back. When Darius finally gets the courage to ask Shavva to be his wife, I'll be around for their big day. I might even give her away. Aside from a small handful of people. she doesn't have much as far as family goes."

"Well, I am sure that if he is love with her. He will ask her soon enough. It took Nagisa a while, but we grew up together." Kaede chuckled. "Now we have a little one of our own. I do look forward to meeting Darius, he sounds like a good man and a good officer."

"If you can't find him in his quarters or in the lounge, you should try the holodeck. He-" Jodrol stopped before he could finish as he let out a chuckle. "Well... you'll see. Just prepare yourself for a surprising change of scenery." He walked around his desk and finally towards her. "One thing I'll tell you about Darius... you be honest with him and he'll be honest with you. No matter what it is. I learned the hard way and it nearly cost me a great officer. Just never hide anything from him and he'll always be straight with you. You'll find, when push comes to shove, he'll go the extra mile for you or anyone else on this crew." He took a second to think before adding. "And mindful of his arm. Don't ask him about it, or let him know you read about it in the report, let him tell you the story. It's good for him to talk about it and get it off his chest. Relieves the weight of it. Reminds him it wasn't his fault."

"Ah yes. If my memory is correct, he has a cybernetic arm. I briefly skimmed everyones file back at Headquarters." She replied. "I can easily pretend that I don't know about it until he explains it himself." she added. "Anything else?"

Jodrol shook his head. "All that's left is to transfer Command over to you. You'll figure the rest of the crew out as you go."

Nodding, Kaede stood up straight. "Well then. Captain, shall we do this?"

"We shall..." Jodrol replied softly, rubbing his palms together, before saying firmly. "Computer, transfer all command codes to re-instated Captain Kaede Kayano. Voice authorization: Nor-Epsilon-3-1-9."

The tone of the computer sounded before sayiing. "Transferring complete. USS Yamato is now under the command of Captain Kaede Kayano." Said the female computer voice before another tone sounded.

Kaede looked at Jodrol. "I hereby relieve you, Captain." She said.

Jodrol let out a difficult sigh before extending his hand out to Kaede. "I stand relieved."

She took his hand gently and shook it. "Enjoy your retirement Jodrol. You've deserved it." She smiled at him.

He gripped her hand, as best he could, before releasing it. Nor looked into her eyes and gave her a smile, before nodding his head. For a brief moment, Kaede saw something. Maybe it was from her years as an El Aurian or something else, but she could tell there was something more to the story than just 'retirement.'

Kaede smirked at him as she released his hand. "You have plans don't you...?" she asked curiously.

"No, Captain." Jodrol replied softly. "I'm dying."

"Wait..." Kaede said. "What do you mean by that?" She asked sudden shock coming to her voice. She hadn't expected those words to come out of his mouth, especially since she had been informed he was retiring.

"Four or so missions ago, I contracted a rare and uncurable disease. I went down with the away team, fulfilling one of the unwritten rules as Captain where you allow yourself an excuse to be involved on a mission, put myself in harms way to keep my officers from doing something dangerous. My First Officer was adamant on doing it, but I decided to do it myself. Darius was my friend and, at the time, I felt nothing would go wrong." Jodrol replied softly, looking firmly at her, while holding back how week and fatigued he was lately. "Our Chief Medical Officer checked me and found nothing, but considering this was an alien disease, our technology wasn't able to detect it. When I did start showing symptoms, I asked her to keep it private, as long as I promised that when it got worse I would tell her. From time to time, I would go to her and get injections which focused on the health and well-being of my symbiote. As you know, our symbiote's and their experiences are important to my people. So much so, our whole belief system, is based around them. When it became too much for me, I told Starfleet Command I would step down and enjoy the days I had left, with the understanding that only a select few would know what's going on. Darius and his wife have no idea what's going on and I hope you can keep it that way, Captain."

A small silence fell upon the room as Kaede looked down at the floor. Finally she looked up at him, her gaze meeting his. "Before I was a command officer, I was a medical officer." she explained to him. "I will keep your secret safe. However; I do have one condition." she told him. "That, if you will allow it. You will let me do my own research into the alien disease in my own time. If we happen to find a cure along the way, you'll be the first person to recieve it." she paused for a brief moment. "I know that you say its uncurable, but any chance is better than no chance right?"

Jodrol looked at her firmly, before nodding his head slightly, in agreement. He placed the container, with his things, on the desk and began to go through it. The Trill pulled out the frame of him, Darius, and Shavva at their wedding and turned it around. Slowly, he pushed down on three locations, before a lock could be heard releasing. Jo pulled the back of the frame off, revealing a single isolinear chip. He stared at it briefly, contemplating his next action, before holding it out to Kaede. "That's everything you need to know. All the CMO's medical results and anything related to the mission. Good Luck, Captain."

She took the chip and held it close to her chest. "Thankyou Jodrol. I can't promise that I will find anything. But I will do my best." she promised him. "Go on, go have some fun. Enjoy yourself a little." she smiled at him warmly. Her gaze was still met with his as she held onto the isolinear chip tightly in her hand.

"I plan to." Jo replied with a smile as he placed the frame and photo back in the container. As he lifted it up, he looked at her warmly, before saying. "You take care of my people, Captain, and they'll take care of you. I promise you that, They won't let you do and they may even surprise you."

Kaede nodded. "I will."

"Good luck looking for your friend. I hope you find him. I really do." Jodrol said as he walked to the doors leading in and out of the Ready Room. He's walked so many times through the doors, never expecting it to be the last time. This time, it felt like it was. Like he would never see this room again.

Posting by:

Captain Kaede Kayano
Commanding Officer

Captain Jodrol Pol
Former Commanding Officer
USS Yamato

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