The Ones We Fight For

Posted on Mon Jul 20th, 2026 @ 10:32am by Captain Taiga Aisaka & Lieutenant Commander Ryuuji Takasu

1,632 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Flight Of The Valkyries
Location: Starbase 43
Timeline: March 18th, 2397

Taiga was sat up in the bed. She ran her fingers through the small locks of brown hair on Riko's head as she suckled against her breast. As the baby fed, her eyes had wandered to the viewport that looked out at the depths of space. She could see the Starships and shuttles entering and leaving the starbase, as well as the star dotted space blanket beyond.

The doors swished open and still Taiga continued to stare out at the voids of space. Ryuuji entered, carrying two cups of coffee. One with plenty of milk and sugar, and another which was black and unsweetened. He made his way to the chair which had been placed next to the bed and lowered his tired body into it.

"Lots of sugar, lots of whole milk. As usual." he said with a smile as he placed the drink onto Taiga's bedside table. Lifting the other cup to his mouth he took a sip and allowed the warm bitter flavour to flood his taste buds. It was then that he noticed Taiga was staring out of the window as little Riko fed away in her arms.

"What's up, Taiga?" he asked simply.

"I wonder how they're doing out there..." she said simply as she continued to stare out of the viewport at the stars. Ryuuji's gaze followed that of Taiga's into the depths of space. He wasn't even sure if they were looking towards the star system where the Tokyo and the other Armitage Class ships were engaging the Iconian Starbase or not.

"I'm sure that they're doing ok," he told her softly taking another sip of his coffee. Truthfully, his gut was telling him otherwise. An unsettling feeling sat at the bottom of his stomach as he thought about what they were up against. "After all, you trained them well. You're a good Captain Taiga. I am sure that Commander Johnson is doing all he can to ensure that we win this one."

"I should have been there Ryuuji." Taiga stated. Her shoulders drooped a little and she flexed them a little. She stifled a wince as she moved into a slightly more comfortable position.

Ryuuji shook his head. "Not this time Taiga."

Taiga let out a long sigh as she finally looked down at Riko. The little baby had finished and now pulled away. "Take her a second will you?"

Without hesitation, Ryuuji took the delicate and fragile baby girl and held her softly in his arms. She felt so delicate, so small and so fragile. Compared to him, she was made of glass and he was a little scared that his own strength would shatter her in an instance. Meanwhile Taiga buttoned up her pajama's to cover herself. "I still can't help but think that I should have been the one leading the mission. It was my plan after all."

"Taiga, I know you have that desire to be at the front of everything. And I know it was your plan, but your daughter decided that she was going to make an appearance before that happened." Ryuuji replied. He looked down at Riko, who was now back to snoozing in his arms. She didn't seem at all fazed by their conversation. "And honestly, I am glad that she did. I wouldn't want to put either of you in such a dangerous position. Especially when we've lost..."

"I know Ryuuji." Taiga said as she looked down at her legs. "I know she's our little miracle. I know we've lost one before..." She told him as she kept her gaze low. Finally she lifted her head and smiled at her husband. "I am thankful though. She's finally here, and now we can finally be a family. We can..."

"We were always going to be a family Taiga." Ryuuji interrupted her. "Even if we never had any children. I would have been happy." He ran a thumb through his daughters brown hair. It was smooth and silky, just like her mother's. "I know you've always wanted children Taiga. I have too, but after the loss of our first, I admitted that even if that never happened... I would be perfectly happy with just you."

Taiga blinked a few times in surprise. "And... now that she's here?"

"I'm the happiest man in the galaxy." Ryuuji admitted as a genuine soft smile spread across his face. "Because I have my two girls. And I have already fallen in love with her. If anyone, even thinks of laying a finger on her. I will go to high hell and beyond to ensure that..."

A short snort of laughter escaped from Taiga. She then settled back amongst the cushions as she took a deep breath in. Her body felt heavy, and she sank back into the cushions.

"What?" Ryuuji asked, as he looked over at her.

"You. In fully 'daddy mode'." Taiga said with a gentle smile, "I guess that you'll be the protective father type huh? The one who won't let her have a boyfriend until she's sixteen? The one who won't let her marry another when she's older without the understanding that you have a phaser rifle and you're not scared to use it?"

"You're damn right." Ryuuji replied with a wink. "Don't get me wrong. I'm not going to be oppressive, or over bearing. But, I never had a father when I was growing up. He left my mum when she was pregnant. So I don't know how to be a good dad to her."

Taiga reached out and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "You'll do fine dear. I'm sure that no matter what you'll do, she will look up to you and you'll be the best dad to her that you can be." She assured him softly. Ryuuji leant his head to one side and brushed his cheek against Taiga's hand.

"And what about you?"

Taiga withdrew her hand, letting it flop by her side back onto the bed sheets. She let out a sigh. "Honestly. I have no idea how I will be with her. Will, she see me as her mother? A Starfleet Captain? Or her partner in crime?"

"Knowing you... Partner in crime without a doubt." Ryuuji chuckled.

"Why do you say that?"

"Oh, I don't know... Let me think. She looks like you, she's got your eyes and hair. Hell, its like my genes didn't even try! Plus, if that's true. Then there's no doubt she's going to inherit your habits for getting into trouble, and causing chaos. If she inherits your temper then I'll be grey by the time I turn forty!"

Taiga let out a full on hearty laugh, tears escaping her eyes as she leant forward slightly, her hands on her stomach. After a few seconds, she straightened up and whilst wiping the tears from her eyes replied, "You know, I can actually picture that! It's funny, because Riko is already turning into a mini-me!"

Ryuuji rolled his eyes as Riko opened her eyes and looked around. Her eyes looked up at Ryuuji and she seemed to be a bit confused at her relocation to a different set of arms. She let out a small cry, which was then followed by a full on scream as she wriggled slightly.

"There, there, Riko," Ryuuji spoke to her softly in an attempt to soothe her. However Riko continued to scream and make a fuss.

"Pass her here Ryuuji." Taiga finally said as she held her arms out. It was almost instinctive of her. Riko's screams flicking a switch in her brain. Ryuuji held out Riko and gently transferred her back to Taiga.

Leaning back, Taiga held her close to her chest. She wrapped the blankets around her a little tighter and allowed Riko's head to sit just above her heart. After a few seconds Riko began to soothe and finally settled. The gentle beats of Taiga's heart lulling the newborn baby back to sleep. She let out a small sound of content as she soon fell back asleep, safely nestled in Taiga's arms.

"She already dislikes me." Ryuuji chuckled.

Taiga looked up from Riko and shook her head. "No. She's just used to me. She knows my heartbeat. She knows my voice better than anyone, and she knows my scent. After all, she did spend nine months in my belly. She listened to everything I said, from our conversations at home, to my orders on the bridge. She knows that she'll always be safe with me."

Ryuuji couldn't help but smile. "And I know that no matter what, you'll do anything to keep her safe."

"Indeed I shall. But, she's always going to be by my side."

Ryuuji sat back and took another sip of his coffee. ""You aren't going to touch your coffee?" He asked.

Taiga shook her head. "I'll have it later. Right now, I'm plenty awake. I've got a lot on my mind." Her gaze returned back to the viewport and the depths of space. "I can't help but worry, I know that they're all capable. But they are my crew, and my extended family. At least, I see them that way..."

"I know you do..." Ryuuji nodded in agreement as he also stared out into the inky blackness. "I feel the same way. Plus, they need to get back here alive. To meet the newest member of our crew and the Tokyo family..."

Taiga nodded as her expression continued to be that of worry and concern. "Come on guys. Please, come back to us alive." She paused as she continued to stare out at the stars beyond the viewport "Riko is waiting to meet you all..."

Posting by

Captain Taiga Aisaka
Commanding Officer
USS Tokyo

Lieutenant Commander Ryuuji Takasu
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
USS Tokyo

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