One Of Our Own

Posted on Fri Feb 6th, 2026 @ 5:17am by Captain Kaede Kayano & Commander Darius Cross
Edited on on Fri Feb 6th, 2026 @ 5:18am

1,422 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Back Into Action
Location: Unknown
Timeline: February 6th, 2410

A split second after the chirp, both Kaede and Rollins were swept up in a familiar Starfleet transporter beam, as they were taken away from the house. The two soon materialize inside a very dark room, in a circle of light. There was no way to see past the circle they were in. The rest of the room was pitch black so there was no way of knowing what lay within the darkness.

"Thank you, Captain Rollins." Came a familiar voice. Footsteps could be heard approaching them, as a figure soon emerged from the darkness. A man easily recognizable by Kaede. While he didn't wear a Starfleet Admiral's Uniform, she did recognize him as an Admiral she worked with before for Starfleet. One who was known for using methods like this before. As he stopped inside the light, the man smiled a bit, as he added softly. "Good to see you, Kayano. Sorry to pull you away from Nagisa and Sakura, but this was something only you can help us with."

"You always did have the flare for the dramatic. You know, if you'd have just ask to meet you for a cup of tea... or coffee. That would have been fine too. I'm not in Starfleet anymore, so why all the cloak and dagger, Max?" Kaede said with a slight sigh. She placed both one hand on her hip whilst holding up the comm badge to examine it again. "I'm guessing this is mine?"

"Kaede, I know you've aged, but you haven't aged enough to where you've forgotten it less about flare then it is about secrecy." Max said as he reached over and took the comm badge between his fingertips, slowly easing it out of her hand. "And, for once, this isn't about you. It's about... him." He said as he gestured behind her.

As he pointed behind her, several images appeared floating around her, transparent and slowly moving clockwise in order to rotate around them slowly. The images were all different, but they all had one thing in common. Kablam was in them. Some were shots of him with kids and people of different species. On different planets and doing different things. In some images he seemed older, but in others, he looked like he did when Kayano last saw him.

A smile began to spread across Kaede's face. "I haven't seen him in a long time." she said. "I told him he could visit at any time, all he had to do was pop over." she watched as the images circled around them. It was then that the reality of his words kicked in. "Whats going on Max?"

"For starters... He's missing." Max replied with a heavy sigh. He placed his hands in front of him and began to walk in a circle, taking one step at a time, as he spoke to her softly. "Ambassador Kablam was supposed to appear at a summit, for potential species to be allowed submission into the Federation. He attends it every year on behalf of his people. The Changelings. Every year the vote is the same... a vote of 'No'. The Changelings have made such an impact that, regardless of how many times Kablam tries, he can't sway the vote to their side." He let out a sigh, shaking his head a bit, before looking to Kayano again. "Kablam always left saying the same thing: 'Time and patience. Eventually, they will come to realize, not every Changeling was one of the Founders.' The other Ambassadors believe, this year, he gave up and decided not to bother. We both know Kablam well enough to know, if he's gone this far, he won't give up. Especially, not on this."

Kaede nodded in response. "The scars from the Dominion War run deep throughout the Alpha and Beta Quadrants" she responded. "We know that this could take a long time..." she paused for a brief moment. "Where was he last seen? How do we know he didn't choose to simply not attend?"

"Come on." Max said firmly, stopping in place, as he looked at her firmly. "How long have you known him. He's a creature of habit and would never miss out on this chance to show those who were harmed that the Changeling's he represents aren't the Founders and had nothing to do with the Dominion War." He scoffed quickly, shaking his head, as he looked back to one of the floating images. "The Klingon's were our enemies once and we forgave them. Hell, the Romulans took part in the Dominion War against us, yet we have several of them working with us. Several Cardassian's have even defected to the Federation and joined Starfleet, even becoming outstanding officers. How can we justify letting them walk around in Uniforms and earn our trust, while still denying others who were too busy floating around in a gelatinous pool and never lay a hand on a weapon against us?" He shook his head. "Bureaucrats."

"People can change." Kaede said. "I haven't seen Kablam in fourteen years. But you bring up a good point. Its not his style to go 'off the radar' so to speak." she took a step to turn and face Max. "So, have you called me here to do something about it? Or is this just a news bulletin?"

"Why don't you cut the attitude?" Max said sternly as he looked over to Kaede, stopping in his tracks. "You're here, because the Changeling's won't speak to anyone but Kablam... and you. They haven't allowed anyone on their planet and because they see no admission or trust in their future, they won't tell us anything. However, because Kablam was a part of your crew and you were there when he was brought to them, they agreed to talk to you. They want Kablam back as much as we do. He's one of them and they are concerned his disappearance might be on us. Considering what they saw of Kablams memories with us, I don't blame them." He walked over to her slowly and continued firmly. "I considered having you tag along on a ship, but I know more will get done if you're the one in the chair. I also want to give you a choice here. Kablam probably wouldn't want you involved because of your family. We don't have much of a choice here."

Kaede pondered for a brief moment. "Kablam is just like family to me." She stated simply. "I was always taught ever since I was a child that family comes first. If a member of your family is in need, then you do what you can to help them." She paused once again looking up at the pictures of Kablam. "I served twenty five years in Starfleet. Working my way up to Commodore from a lowly ensign medical officer. I only left to focus on what I wanted, some would call that selfish. Bit honestly... I left because I couldn't face my fears. I ran from that problem. Now that I know I can make a difference again. I'm more inclined to return to the stars."

She looked directly at Max. "I'm going to need a ship and crew." She told him simply. "What's on the market?" She asked.

"There is nothing wrong with focusing on family when given the chance." Max said, looking away for a moment. He was quiet for a moment, deep in thought, as he seemed to rub his hand slightly. After a new minutes, he finally looked to Kaede and replied. "I can reinstate you, but I can't bring you back as a Commodore. Too much has passed and my pull isn't where it used to be. However, I will put you back in the chair as 'Captain'. As far as a ship goes..." He let out a slight chuckle, ending it in a smirk. "It seems fate has thrown you some help long before you got her. There is a ship whose Captain has stepped down and decided to retire. Captain Jodrol Nor. He's a joined Trill and wants to spend the rest of his day relaxing until its time for his symbiote goes to a new host. He was going to transfer command to his XO, but I can assign you to it. The reason why all this seems more fated than anything else? The ships the Yamato."

Posting by:

Kaede Kayano
Retired Starfleet Officer

Admiral Max Hunter
Starfleet Intelligence

Captain Erik Rollins
Starfleet Officer

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