Attending to Honour

Posted on Fri Jul 7th, 2023 @ 5:56pm by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nakata Akira & Lieutenant Magnus Volsung

1,464 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The devil wears tripolymer
Location: Security Office

ON:

Carrying the long saya in one hand, Nakata Akira moved into the Security office, glancing around with curiosity. It wasn't often he found himself in this part of the ship, but he realised he'd been remiss. Not that it was unusual for him. His mind had a tendency to get lost in 'the other' rather than focus on 'the practical'. He just hoped it wouldn't get him written up. He needed to be on the ship at least a year to get away with a bad mark against him.

Lieutenant Volsung looked at the man, his eyes going to what to him looked like a curved sheath for a narrower sword. He raised his eyebrows and smiled, because the young man looked...well, if he sneezed he might startle him. "Anything I can help with?" he asked, aloud.

"Sir," Akira straightened before clearing his throat, considering the best way to put it, to lessen the chance of punishment. "I came onboard a few months ago, but I have yet to ask permission to keep my weapon," he lifted the sword, but kept it sheathed. "I...always intended to, just...time...ran away with me..." he added falteringly.

"It's okay," Magnus said, holding his hand up to silence the nervousness. "It's okay...come into my office, Petty Officer." He motioned for him to follow, leading him to the office and taking a seat.

Akira followed him in but remained standing as he set the sword on the table for him to inspect if he wished. "Thank you, Sir. I am fully trained to use it, responsibly," he emphasised the last word. "It should be in my record."

He nodded, reaching out but not touching the sword. "May I?" he asked, meeting his eyes and holding them. He wanted his permission before touching his weapon.

Akira relaxed at the question. If he was more interested in the sword, then he doubted he was in any real kind of trouble. "Of course..." he motioned for him to take it. The saya was made of wood, black, with delicate willow branches painted down the length.

Magnus reached for it, gently inspecting it before he turned away to draw it. His eyes went to the blade, considering it. He held it up, his eyes running along the edge. He had worked with pattern-welded swords at home. This was slightly different. Yet strong and sharp too. He put it back, slowly, before he met Akira's eyes. "It is a beautiful weapon. Has it been with you long?"

"My whole life," Akira smiled almost proudly at that, motioning to it. "It was made for me, when I was still a babe in arms. To give me strength for all that was to come."

He nodded, taking the PADD before he added the clearance for him to have the weapon in his quarters. "Then who am I to take that strength away," he said softly. "You are cleared to own it. You may train with it and keep it in your quarters. But do not wear it around on the ship. If we are ever under attack and get boarded...feel free to use it on anyone threatening us."

"Of course," he straightened at the subject turning back to the official. "I would never wear it. Or want to. In truth, it has become more of an artform to me now."

"If I had a weapon like that, I would..." he said lightly, but with a small smile. He was curious though, about the way he had said that. "Take a seat...I'm curious, was it ever not an artform for you?"

"Only when I was very young," Akira gave a half smile at admitting that, sitting carefully as he watched him. "A child with a head full of romantic histories, of great samurai and legendary warriors. When I was old enough to understand what that meant though...then I just wanted to be a master of my art."

"Even when I was old enough to understand the...killing that went with a warrior's weapon, it didn't...change my affection for it," Magnus admitted, smiling at the realisation how like they were. At least the common...point of origin, despite years and cultures. "Although I ended up focusing on...the exploration side of the tales I grew up with."

"What tales are they?" Akira asked with interest, unable to hold his curiosity back as he smiled gently.

"Warriors and explorers, who sailed across oceans...just to see what was there," Magnus said softly, watching him. "Stories of our gods, fighting and protecting and...behaving badly in all the worlds above and below. Of honour, of belonging."

"It sounds wonderful," Akira admitted with a soft laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "How did you ever get anything done? I would have been sitting by the fire and listening to stories for hours."

"Oh, there were always chores to do. The stories were part of our education, our culture, history and religion," Magnus laughed as well, shaking his head. "As I got older, I had to learn like everyone else. I was often behind, due to the years without."

Akira watched with confusion, shaking his head lightly. "But...you would be the same as the other children in your home?"

"Yes...but not the same as the others when I was sent to school," he said before he rubbed the back of his neck. "I was raised in a luddite protected area. Who embraced...the ancient ways of the country I was born in. We were always offered to go to the mainland and learn the way of the rest of Earth. They had to, or else...well, it was a condition for us to be independent. Most decline. I didn't...and I liked it so much I started questioning. So I stayed on the mainland and eventually found my way to Starfleet. I know the old ways of my mother and father, of their parents, going back in time...but I chose this life."

Akira watched him with awe for a long moment before laughing softly. He shook his head and looked down. "Sorry, I'm not laughing at your story, it's just...well, I come from a similar place, only, it has remained faithful to the traditions of my people."

Magnus chuckled, nodding as he looked at him, studying him. "Well, at least we understand each other then. Walking in two worlds, listening to the ancestors..." he said softly, meeting his eyes.

"There is beauty in both worlds," Akira nodded gently, his eyes losing focus for a moment as he smiled gently. "And honour. Honouring ancestors is a worthwhile way to spend your time, but also looking forward, bringing more to the world..."

He nodded, watching Akira with interest as he talked. "Remembering who you came from, but also what you can be. So much more, the sum of their lives as much as your own."

"And adding more to the legacy, leaving something to be honoured by the descendants to come," Akira smiled softly, but his eyes refocussed as he saw the other man again.

Magnus gave a small smile at that, nodding as he studied him. He seemed older than his years when he spoke, and Magnus sympathised with it. "And something to talk to your ancestors about when you fall," he said, softly. His of beliefs, that should he die in battle he would join others who had fallen. And if not, he would just join his ancestors who hadn't. Either way, he would have stories to tell.

"That sounds beautiful," he agreed, nodding gently as he watched him with a warm smile. "I....would really like to learn more about your people, sometime."

"And I of yours, for what is knowledge except the exchange of experience..." Magnus said softly, nodding before he took a deeper breath. "Perhaps a drink, some evening when we are both off duty?"

"I'd like that," Akira said quickly, before he could change his mind, grinning at the prospect. "And then I expect to hear all about your ancestors, their stories."

"And I of yours," Magnus said, softly, meeting Akira's eyes before he smiled. "Perhaps tomorrow?" he suggested, because it was better to have it planned than to let it drift.

"Great," Akira grinned, sitting a little straighter. "We can go to the Lounge, and order what you would drink at home. Talk and watch the stars, it sounds just about perfect to me."

"I'd like that," Marcus said with a nod, letting out a soft breath. "I will see you there, tomorrow." And he was looking forward to it...learning from Akira, getting that connection with the people he served with.

OFF:

Lieutenant Magnus Volsung
Chief Security Officer

&

PO3 Nakata Akira
Operations

 

RSS Feed