Final Flight: Ch 4 (Teacher and Student)

6/5/2265
Saratoga Gym
6:30 PM

The two men bowed to each other. "I have worked with you for six years, Jim-san," Akari said solemnly. "You have been a worthy student."

"You have taught me well, Sensei," Kirk said just as solemnly. "I could have asked for no better teacher."

Akari smiled. "And I'm looking forward to continuing to teach you in the future. We'll see if we can get you to truly master the Art of Drawing the Sword."

As the two of them headed to the locker room to change, Kirk reflected on the unique relationship that had formed between him and his Chief Helmsman. On duty he was the superior officer and Akari the subordinate. But in the gym during their regular Bottōjutsu training sessions, he was the student and Akari the teacher.

A very demanding teacher, he thought ruefully. I sometimes didn't think I'd live through it!

But live through it he had. It generally took ten years to master the forms of Japanese swordsmanship, but in the six years he'd trained he'd become quite proficient. Where once he would have felt a fierce pride in that fact, he mostly felt a calm inner confidence, combined with a huge amount of gratitude to the teacher who had passed on to him such skills.

As they changed, Kirk reflected on something else. "Do you remember when we were at Starbase Gemini?" he asked. At Akari's nod he continued. "We talked about how Starfleet was sending out more ships into deep space. Five Year Missions and how I wanted to go on one."

Akari smiled. "And so you have, Jim-san. You accomplished your goal; you took the Saratoga into deep space and soon you will have another ship that will take you deeper still."

"My crew took the Saratoga into deep space," Kirk said firmly. "A Captain is nothing without his or her crew. I would have had nothing without my crew beside me." His voice grew intense. "And if I couldn't have taken my crew with me I wouldn't have touched the Endeavor with a ten foot pole."

"You will have your crew, Jim-san," Akari said with quiet conviction. "You know that  everyone has agreed to go with you, except for those with families and one or two others who had made previous plans."

He met Kirk's eyes. Over the years a deep camaraderie had formed between the Helmsman and Captain, Teacher and Student. "And I will be honored to continue to serve at your side."

"And I you, Sensei," Kirk whispered. "And I you."

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Mess Hall
7:15 PM

As Kirk entered the Mess Hall, he spotted McCoy at one of the tables sipping a coffee and carrying on a conversation with Crewman Violet Bailey, who had transferred to the Saratoga last year. A member of the Science division, her specialty was languages, sound waves and acoustics.

She had originally worked at the Sato Linguistics Institute but had decided to serve on a starship in order to gain broader exposure. She hadn't wanted to serve as a civilian, however. No, if she was going to be part of Starfleet she'd go all the way! At the age of thirty seven she had joined the Training Program for Enlisted Personnel and after completing her training had spent six months at Mars Colony before applying for a starship, intending to return to civilian duty after 18 months in space.

Kirk smiled as he noted the admiring look she gave McCoy. Since coming to the Saratoga she had made no secret of the fact that she was interested in him.

"Hey, guys. OK if I join you?"

She looked up. "I was just leaving, Captain. I had to talk to McCoy about something."

As she left and Kirk slid into a seat across from his friend, he noticed that the doctor was looking at some sheets of paper. "What you got there, Bones?"

McCoy gestured to the papers. "She was showing me some of Robert's latest handiwork."

Like McCoy, Bailey, was a divorcee and she had brought along her son, Robert. The nine year old hadn't been keen on leaving Earth and living on a 'space ship' at first. But he had gradually warmed to it because visiting other stars and planets provided countless vistas and sights for an aspiring young artist to draw. And draw he did at every opportunity. He especially he loved to draw pictures for others and practically every member of the crew had gotten at least one drawing. McCoy had always had a soft spot for kids and had found himself the recipient of Robert's generosity on several occasions.

Kirk smiled as he looked at the vivid drawings. "We've got a future Michelangelo with us." He chuckled and gave McCoy a sly look. "And if Bailey has her way, a future Mrs. McCoy as well."

McCoy reddened and grumbled. "Come on, Jim. She's a subordinate."

"I know the regulations, Bones. Department Heads aren't allowed to date subordinates in the same department as them. You're Medical, she's Science. Not a problem."

"From Tomcat to Matchmaker, huh?"

"What can I say? I'm a romantic at heart."

"Come on, Jim, she's not even going to be on this ship for much longer."

The lighthearted mood died. "None of us will, Bones. We're all going to leave this ship soon."

"And what makes you think I'm going to stick with you?" McCoy grumbled. "You plan to go deeper into the black than before. Maybe five years out here's been enough for me and I'd rather keep my feet on the ground from now on."

Kirk looked at McCoy steadily. Bones. The first and best friend that he'd ever had. As hard as it would be without his Soul Siblings, he knew that he'd never consider going out in the black without Bones at his side. And he knew that Bones knew it too.

"It's a gut feeling, Bones."

McCoy sighed. "Five more years in space. God help me."

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War Room of the Daqtagh
7:20 PM

"Commander, the Saratoga has arrived at the Cluster," T'nog reported. "Bornel said that Kirk intended to run a standard survey of it. That would seem to be the case because his ship had dropped out of warp and is moving at impulse."

He rolled out a map and pointed to a spot on it. "This area of the cluster is the part closest to our border. Based on its projected route and speed the Saratoga should be at this location in less than 42 hours."

Kor grinned. "Excellent. Kirk faced the Nerada, it's only fitting that he face the Daqtagh, which has been given similar…enhancements, courtesy of Nero's vessel. Starfleet's Golden Boy can be the first to face…how do the Humans say it? The 'new and improved' face of Klingon might."

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Notes
Bokken A wooden practice sword
Iaito  A metal practice sword

Battōjutsu/Iaijutsu Means 'The Art of Drawing out the Sword.'
Its focus is on combat effectiveness, specifically the rapid drawing and sheathing of the sword.

San A commonplace honorific in Japan and is a title of respect used between equals.
The closest analog in English are the honorifics 'Mr.', 'Miss', 'Ms.', or 'Mrs.'