Capernum: Internal Combustion Pt.2

Posted on Tue Aug 26th, 2025 @ 7:03pm by Captain Sean Loewen {Meji} & Lieutenant Commander Sheyla {MD} & Lieutenant Griffon Resch & Lieutenant JG Jynxza Dahl {Meji} {AKA: Toots} & Lieutenant JG Ken Kudo {Meji} & Lieutenant JG T'Pri

Mission: The Inner Flame
Location: USS Capernum
Timeline: Current

ON:

With his eyes suddenly popping open, Ken Kudo found himself on his back looking up at the overhead (ceiling). Having experienced plasma burns in his past he was well aware that her had quite a few of them now, feeling that constant burning sting along his left shoulder and back. He was woozy and disoriented, his vision blurring and clearing at random. Concussion, he thought. Ken's memory flashed before his eyes; grabbing the Captain to get her free of the manifold about to blow, the explosion, his body tumbling through the air and his head impacting the wall. Even now his hearing was still a bit muffled from the concussion from the explosion, its cacophany also contributing. Out of the corner of his eye Kudo saw movement and keeping his face upwards, used his eyes to look towards it, seeing Loewen coming in and lifting someone next to him. It was Captain Taavis, limp and unresponsive in Sean's arms, her body a ragged, tattered mess. She had bad plasma burns all over, green blood smeared into the ashen black flesh and he caught sight of green blood steadily drooling from her mouth with no effort on her part to stop it. Taavis had a chunk of plasteel in her skull where her left eye used to be. He did not have to be a physician to see that Captain Taavis was no more. Before Ken could try and speak, or cause himself to react in a way to catch the attention of the XO, more bodies came in to aid him. People in red, gold, and blue shirts; aiding the wounded and deceased. How many had died? That was Kudo's last thought before he lost consciousness again.

***

Lt. Commander Sean Loewen arrived back on the Bridge, his mind on a hundred different things at once, the front of his uniform smeared and soiled with green blood. Every set of eyes on the Bridge looked his way, glancing at the gore on his torso before they came back up to meet his gaze. The Force had told him, along with the mundane physical factors, that Captain Taavis had indeed become one with the Force. Ignoring the askance expressions of the crew before him, Loewen stepped down to the lower Bridge, approaching Dahl's left side. "Sheyla," Sean said, keeping his eyes on Jynxza as he spoke and reached out his right hand for her to take. "Call a relief for Lieutenant Dahl, I need to speak to her privately in the Ready Room."

"Aye, Sir." Sheyla responded, setting to it.

T'Pri, her ever-stoic face having noted the same sight as everyone else, watched the Commander's body language. Although she was Vulcan, T'Pri still felt a twinge of sorrow for those around her, what they had to deal with since they did not have Vulcan mental discipline. What most people did not realize due to their own misinformation was that Vulcans did have feelings. It was a life of logic and discipline that allowed her people to overcome emotion, to purge it and remain in the moment when focus and intellect were needed most. When she saw Loewen reach a hand out for Dahl to take, T'Pri got to her feet after waving in another to take the SCI station. Her steps carried her over near to the port turbolift.

Jynxza looked at the offered hand, then her eyes went all over the front of Sean's body, noting the gore there. He also had a slight chemical odor on him. "What's this?"

Loewen's eyes said it all. "Please, just come with me to the Ready Room."

Without taking the hand, Dahl got to her feet and walked with her XO to the lift. They both stopped when they came up to T'Pri. Loewen looked at her askance. "Can I help you, Miss T'Pri?"

"Begging the Commander's pardon but, I request an audience with you and Miss Dahl. Not for personal reasons, Commander, but to make sure that the future of Captain Taavis is seen to." T'Pri stood straight and tall, no emotions on her visage.

For a moment Loewen wanted to deny her, but then instinct told him he needed to hear what she had to say. "Of course, Lieutenant. You may join us." Looking over his shoulder, Sean gave orders. "Sheyla, you're acting Number One, so note in the ship's duty logs. I am acting Captain. Maintain position and status and continue with repairs. Carry on." He got the women into the lift, which spun around and opened again for the short corridor/foyer to the Ready Room. Entering first, Sean went in so far and then spun around to face the two guests. Loewen could see it written all over Jynxza's face that she knew exactly what this was about, and although her eyes showed emotional turmoil she was holding fast to her self-control. "It is with deep sorrow that I inform you, Jynxza, that Captain Taavis has passed away. Sickbay has not yet made it official but I held her in my arms. She was gone before I got there."

"Understood, Sir," Jynx responded. "I am grieving, but after several lifetimes of dealing with death I can maintain my cool. Thank you for your sympathies."

"It took everything I had not to break into tears as I held her body," Sean admitted. "Kudo was lying there with her, also burned and a bit broken, but he looked alive. When I caught sight of the recovery team coming in I laid Taavis down and returned to the Bridge."

As Loewen finished speaking, T'Pri stepped in a bit closer. "You say that Mister Kudo was close to her, Captain? If I may ask. How close? Could she touch him?"

Jynxza's eyes widened a bit as an epiphany entered her mind, her eyes going to T'Pri. "Her katra!"

"Indeed," T'Pri replied, clasping her hands behind her back as she gave a nod to Dahl before her eyes went back to Sean. "Captain, could she touch Mister Kudo? This information is vital to her future."

"What future?" Sean asked, trying to figure out what these two were on about. "I see no future."

"Please, bare with me, Captain." T'Pri continued as her hands returned to her sides. "This matter concerns the living spirit known as Taavis; her katra. If she could not touch another then she is forever lost. If she could touch another and had the ability for a quick, intense mind meld, she could transfer her spirit to another to give the katra a chance to live on."

Loewen listened to what was said, and being a Force user it all made sense. The Force was an energy field created by all living things so it stood to reason that other cultures had their beliefs that were similar to many others even if done differently. "When I found them, Taavis was face down next to Kudo, her right hand on his neck as her right arm rested on his torso. She was touching him when she passed."

"Yes!" Jynxza broke into a smile. As sad as she was at losing Taavis, that was now lessened by the knowledge that the very nature of Taavis, what made her who she was, was still viable; possibly.

T'Pri gave a nod of agreement at the Trill's outburst. "It is possible that Taavis passed her katra into Ken Kudo. Once Sickbay has settled down and seen to their duties I will need to mind meld with Mister Kudo to make certain."

Sean gave her a few nods. "I see no issue with that, T'Pri. We will honor and respect Vulcan tradition. As you said, we'll see how Doctor Holbrook feels when Sickbay isn't so busy. I don't even know how many we have lost. With that in mind I have some calls to make before I inform the crew of the facts. Right now I'm sure the rumors are running rampant. T'Pri, I know you are ready," he then looked at Dahl. "Jynxza, can you return to duty or do you need some time? I know you and Taavis were close..." Loewen let that hang in case T'Pri was note wise to that bit of information.

Jynxza had to be honest. "I'm hurting, Captain, but I can continue my post. I'll try not to be too snappy at times." She gave a crooked grin.

T'Pri, ever logical, discerned what the Captain had meant by Dahl and Taavis being close. Plus, she had heard the rumors. "Same sex relationships are extremely rare among Vulcans. However, as long as it is done with discretion like anyone else, it is a matter of privacy. What is done in private is between the parties involved and is not open for others to discuss."

That made Jynxza grin even as Loewen got them back on track. Thank you, ladies, for your time. Return to your duties. We have a ship that needs us. Dismissed." The two women departed, with Sean going around the Captain's desk and sitting down. Tapping away at the keypad he sent his clearance codes and contacted Starfleet Command, requesting Admiral Aaron Stone. Leaning back in the chair and taking up a PADD, Loewen read through the damage reports and the work teams now busy with figuring out what happened and looking to begin repairs. A bleep sounded with an incoming visual communication so Sean sat back up to face the holoscreen.

Admiral Aaron Stone appeared on screen, his face casual. "Commander Loewen. I hear you need to speak to me. Please, what can I do for you?"

There was no way to sugarcoat this so Loewen just went into it. "We have a situation Admiral," Sean said before he told the whole story and sent all the data they had so far about the incident. It took a few minutes of waiting while the Admiral went over the reports. Sean was a speed reader and he could see that Aaron was too.

Once finished reading the reports, it was Stone's turn to lean back in his chair and rub his face. "Damn it. Her death is confirmed?"

"It just came though from Sickbay, Sir. Captain Taavis was dead on arrival and there was no chance to revive. Too much plasma and radiation damage, and too much trauma to the body." Loewen was now all business now that he had confirmation.

Stone sat forward again. "How is your crew holding up, Commander?"

"For those directly involved, as good as it can be," Loewen said. "For everyone else it's just rumors and hearsay. I haven't had time to give a full crew statement on the matter."

"I see," Stone replied, his face showing he was thinking even as he was speaking. "Do you think you can complete your mission with all that has occurred?"

Loewen was not sure about that. He had already decided to let the crew make the call once he told them. "I'm going to leave that to the crew by a vote. I know that's not normal, Sir, but if they feel they can go on as expected then we shall do so. If not, we head to M-69 for repairs and allow them time to grieve."

Admiral Stone, again thinking while speaking. "The manifold is in a section that is not vital to warp power or impulse. Will Capernum be solid enough to continue if you do so?"

Sean gave a nod. "Ejo is one of the best in the fleet, Admiral. The secondaries in the damaged sections for decks four through six are all operational and rerouting power. Other than the damages to be repaired, USS Capernum is as solid as ever. As is her crew. Lieutenant Dahl and Taavis were lovers, and even she is back at helm ready to move forward. I know it's a front, and that she will grieve over time but, she has put duty first, personal feelings second."

"Excellent," said Stone, a subtle grin coming to his face. "I'm field promoting you to the rank of captain and seating you as Commanding Officer, USS Capernum. Once you have an answer from your democratic vote, let me know so I can send another ship out that way if need be."

The expression on Loewen's face was a bit cynical. "Admiral, we've been here before. With all due respect, Sir, if you do this then Capernum is mine. You did this with Nazgul, and just as I got comfortable, others moved in. Was I ready then? Not entirely. Now, I am. If you try to take this ship away from me I will go all the way to the top, Sir. First, the Fleet Admiral, and then to the Federation Council if I must. Should I expect a fight in my future or is this on the level?"

Aaron gave a chuckle, liking this new version of Sean Loewen. It was obvious that he had matured as an officer. "Captain Loewen, the only way I take that ship away from you is if you break so many regulations I have no choice. USS Capernum is now your command. M-69 will be informed of the changes, and I will let Captain Green know, personally."

Loewen smiled in return. "Glad to hear it, Admiral. But, I need to get things arranged if I'm to let you know what we're doing. Thank you for your trust in me, once again."

"Don't mention it, Captain." Said Stone. "We'll talk again soon. Stone, out." The transmission was cut.

Standing up, Loewen went to the replicator and ordered captain's pips. Since he was wearing his uniform it was easy enough to switch them out. Taking in and letting out a few casual breaths, Captain Sean Loewen then made his way to the Bridge. Entering the command deck, with all eyes going his way, he casually made his way over to the dais upon which sat the CO's chair. Sheyla, her eyes dancing to his collar and widening a bit, gave a grin and nod and stood up, stepping down off the dais and standing to the side of it. Sean got in behind the captains chair and held onto the back of it. "Mister Resch, shipwide comm, visual and audio." Griffon acknowledged the order and set it up, saying it was ready when finished.

Loewen, facing forward towards the main viewport, began to speak to the crew who could not only hear him but could see him on all secondary screens and readerboards. "Good afternoon, crew. I wish I could be speaking to you under better circumstances. As I am sure you have all heard by now we had a plasma manifold go critical on deck 5, causing substantial damage to decks four through six. In that incident we lost several of our shipmates, including Captain Taavis. Doctor Ito pronounced her dead at 10:17AM. As you can see I have been given the rank of captain, and am now the Commanding Officer for the USS Capernum, so ordered by Admiral Aaron Stone." His face was serious even as his eyes showed the level of sorrow he felt for the losses they had all suffered.

"All I ask," Sean continued. "Is that we maintain that level of trust with one another. Getting through this will be difficult but, if we rely on each other for strength, then there is nothing we can't overcome. A starship is a family, and as such we will have our good times and bad times. Our current mission is to aid a colony in need of a power core that operates correctly. Their power issues are effecting their colony. So, I will leave it to you to cast a vote. Do we keep going, or do we let hardship stop us in our tracks. Lt. Commander Sheyla is now Number One, so please send your vote to her. Just keep in mind before you cast that vote, that if we run back home to be coddled every time something bad happens then we really don't deserve to be out here, anyway. Ex Astris Scientia, the Starfleet motto; From the stars knowledge. Let's show the cosmos that we may stumble but we'll never be stopped. Thank you for your attention. Captain, out."

Resch closed the intercom and nodded at Sean with a smile. "Here we are again, Skipper. Congrats."

"Thanks, Griff," Sean said as he took his seat and grabbed the pad from its holder. "You good being Number One, Sheyla?" He gave her a smile.

The tough-as-nails Andorian woman smiled in return. "I think I can handle it, Captain." Sheyla said. Her eyes went wide as the PADD in her hand bleeped and she looked to it. "The votes are already in, Captain. Unanimous; we continue on mission. All but one vote is in."

"All but one," Loewen asked. "Who's vote is still pending?"

Sheyla's eyes went passed the Captain to the SCI station. So, Sean spun his chair enough to look over at his Science Officer. "T'Pri? Are you not in agreement with the crew?"

T'Pri gave him a stoic look. "I agree to continue on mission, Captain. However, the matter of the katra may intervene. Lieutenant Kudo may begin to exhibit strange behavior due to the shared consciousness. If too much time is taken to transfer the katra to a proper receptacle then Mister Kudo may have trouble distinguishing between who he is and the katra."

"I see," Leowen responded, giving this some serious thought. "How much time do we have?"

"That is hard to determine, Captain." T'Pri said. "Captain Taavis was extremely strong-willed and her katra would exhibit that. If Kudo cannot match her willful spirit it could be very little time before the katra causes him mental issues."

"I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there." Sean allowed his chair to spin back to center forward as he went back to reading and catching up on the CO's PADD. Taavis was nothing if not efficient and he spent the first hour recoding for his own CO status. After another hour Loewen stood up after placing the PADD in its holder on the side of the chair. "I'm going down to Sickbay to look in on things. Sheyla, I kept the seat warm." He grinned and nodded and then entered the lift.

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