Akabayshi Mark Four

Author's Note:

This is the final of the Trees in the Forest shorts created in 2007 for the Good in Red .creative challenge. It is firmly placed as in the Marrissa Stories, introducing characters that appear in Not Indefatigable. This places it in the Stargazer Missions, which due to the use of the Dominion War has often been coded differently. It has at various times been coded as TNG, DS9, and TNG/DS9. I have chosen on to place the entire series as TNG, and thus am coding this the same.

"You look good in red, 'Sumi," Ichiro said, as he spotted his sister entering the ship from the starboard docking port. The Ensign had just arrived from the Essex Fighter School, and it had been a while since he'd seen his little sister.

"Well, it's not like you didn't do everything possible to get me here," Kasumi said. "I'm pretty sure that you had something to do with my invitation to Essex, and Lieutenant Gordon said he wanted another like you, so someone had to let him know there was another Akabayshi pilot."

"Actually, Kasumi, Jay said Marrissa told him about you," Ichiro smiled. "Something about managing to vipe her during her last stop by Essex. Let me carry your case."

"Jay? Marrissa?" Kasumi asked, as she let Ichiro take her luggage

Ichiro had to wonder if his sister actually checked the news. "Lieutenant Jay Gordon, the Fighter Commander, he likes to have people use his first name, as Lieutenant Gordon has him looking for his father. As for Marrissa, that would be our First Officer, Her Royal Highness, Lieutenant Commander Marrissa Picard, or as you probably heard her called, when they told you who you were against, Princess."

"Wait, you mean that pilot that I did one on one with before I graduated was the Princess? In the first class with Golden Boy, Excelsior, Nazarene, and Grubby?"

"Oh yes. She had to stop by Essex and can't resist trying out the latest fighters, and challenging new pilots. Oh, and if you want to try your hand against Golden Boy, that's Jay ... the guy responsible for your new assignment."

"You know, that sounds somehow ominous, big brother."

"Well, he's got the gold, so he makes the rules," Ichiro said as they came to a stop in front of a door. "As Yellow Leader, I do have one more thing to say, welcome to Yellow Wing, little sister."