Awkward return

Posted on Fri Jan 23rd, 2026 @ 11:11am by Lieutenant Commander Aeryn Jameson & Captain M'Mira

1,313 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Mission 5 - The Cold War Ends
Location: M’Mira’s Office
Timeline: MD02 - 1800

{IC}

Aeryn’s return to the station had been somewhat awkward for her, after being kidnapped because of her Romulans heritage she had been saved by Telhas and his contacts, along with her father. Now she had accepted that Romulan heritage she had moved from station XO to Chief Diplomatic Officer and Telhas’ aide.

The briefing had proved awkward so Aeryn made her way to M’Mira’s office to talk to M’Mira about events that had lead to her change of position. Arriving outside the door she pressed the chime.

M'Mira woke instantly. Damn it, why does duty always have to interfere with a good cat nap? She unfurled herself off her desk, knocking a PADD to the floor. "Come in," the Caitian Captain purred.

Walking into M’Mira’s office Aeryn offered a polite smile noting the PaDD on the floor she paused to pick it up and put it down on the desk. “My apologies for disturbing you Captain, I thought that maybe we could talk?”

"Disturrrb me? No, no, not at all," M'Mira answered, hastily taking a seat in her chair. "Please, feel frrree to sit afterrr getting yourrrself something to eat or drink."

“Thank you,” Aeryn smiled politely as she walked over to the replicator and ordered a chilled lemonade. Once it materialised she picked up her glass and walked over to the desk, placing her glass down before taking a seat. “To be honest it feels very…awkward being back here after my change of position.”

"Well," M'Mira started. "It was quite the chaotic time, and we thought that you might be dead. I am grrratified to see that you arrre back, even if yourrr rrrole has changed."

“Thank you,” Aeryn gave a more relaxed smile. “It’s all been somewhat of a learning curve. Up until my kidnapping I never really had much interest in learning about my Romulan heritage, but given that my father actually helped with my rescue I felt I should get to know more about who I am, and what my place is. As far as Romulan society goes I don’t exist, but Ambassador Telhas has been kind enough to allow me to serve on his staff, whilst learning more about being Romulan.”

"How do the Rrromulans think that you do not exist?" M'Mira asked curiously. "Clearrrly someone knew about yourrr existence that they took you."

“Enemies of my father’s, though how they knew about me was another thing” Aeryn shrugged her shoulders. “Someone obviously knew who I was, as far as Romulan society is concerned I’d be an outcast, I’m only half Romulan. My father has destroyed his own career in helping me.”

"I am told that is what a parrrent does.... Sacrrrifice themselves forrr theirrr childrrren. Unforrrtunately, morrre and morrre, it does not seem like I am going to get to explorrre that opporrrtunity."

“Who knows what the future holds Captain?” Aeryn smiled. “Don’t give up on that dream yet.”

"Well, if I'm fated just to be a Captain, or maybe an Admirrral, then I'm going to be the best darrrn officerrr that I'm going to be." She shrugged her shoulders as her tail swished out from under her. "It is not something that I need to worrrrrry about."

Aeryn nodded. “Fair enough Captain. I’m sorry if I hit a nerve, if it helps I understand. I’d like kids of my own one day, but that’s not happening anytime soon.”

"Isn't that the irrrony of command? The morrre that one moves up the rrranks, the less time one has to find someone to be with and the less apprrroachable otherrrs think that you arrrre." She sighed heavily and her head drooped.

Aeryn offered a caring gaze, “Might I suggest a gathering? One where the crew can get to know each other better? Even if it’s just a meal in the lounge or something?”

"A parrrty?" M'Mira asked, as she sat straight up. "I do love a parrrty. What made you think of that?"

Aeryn shrugged her shoulders. “It just seems like a good idea, no doubt Kara would say the same thing.” She offered a smile.

"Would it matterrr what Karrra thought?" M'Mira wondered. "Perrrhaps I am shy of anotherrr parrrty afterrr what happened on the planetarrry station. I should get overrr that."

“I can understand that, but making security tighter and knowing your own people should rule out anything like that happening again.” Aeryn offered.

"Securrrity was prrretty darrrn tight last time," M'Mira replied, her tail wilting. "Perrrhaps I should talk with Misterrr Chaim and see what we could do differrrently."

“Probably a good idea” Aeryn nodded. “I know the Ambassador has tightened his security quite a bit with recent events.”

"Just because the marrrines have appearrred?"

“No, not at all.” Aeryn shook her head. “In general, especially after what happened to me. He did partake in getting me back, which won’t have won him any favours.”

"I think that you arrre going to have to explain to me morrre of the Rrromulan politics so I can underrrstand how this effects us morrre."

“That’s why I’m here, to create a bridge between Starfleet and the Romulans. That’s if they’re ever really ready for that. There are factions who want peace, but not everyone agrees.”

"Arrre you best for the job, given those that do not want to see you back on Rrromulus?" M'mira held her paw to her face and her tail drooped. "That was insensitive of me to ask and not intended the way that it came out."

“That’s alright, fortunately I’m not dealing with Romulus, that’s the Ambassador’s job. I just report to him.” Aeryn offered a smile. “It works out for me.”

"So what can I do to assist you in yourrr new position?"

“That’s a good question actually,” Aeryn responded. “I’m not sure yet. I’ve got to get my department set up so once I do I’ll be in a better position to say.”

"Do you have any staff?" M'Mira wondered.

“I’ll have Fleet staff for the Diplomatic department, but as far as the Romulan side of things goes it’s just me. I report directly to the Ambassador, he deals with homeworld.”

"That must be awfully awkwarrrd, being in the middle like you arrre."

Aeryn nodded. “It is, but at least I know who I am now. I always felt out of place before with my Romulan heritage, but not anymore. I can move on with my life now.”

"And what do you plan to do with it?" M'Mira inquired.

“I intend to try and make the most of it” Aeryn offered, in truth she wasn’t sure yet where her life would lead. “I will go where fate leads me.”

"That sounds like you arrre leaving things to otherrrs contrrrol. I am not a counselorrr, but I do not think that is a good way to live yourrr life."

“Don't get me wrong Captain, no one will control my life ever again!” Aeryn smiled. “If I don’t like something then I’ll say so, I plan to do what I want to do not just give up and go somewhere I don’t want to go. Right now I want to be here.”

"Good!" M'Mira answered enthusiastically, her tail swishing happily. "I happen to like you herrre. So, if that changes, you had best let me know."

“It won’t change.” Aeryn smiled. “I happen to like being here as well. I don't plan on leaving anytime soon.”

"Good!" M'Mira concluded. "In the meantime, I think I have a parrrty to plan. I do apprrreciate you stopping by again."

Aeryn nodded. “It’s been nice talking to you Captain, and I’m glad to be back.”

 

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