Sunset Road

Posted on Tue Nov 11th, 2025 @ 9:31pm by Captain Tristan Faust & Lieutenant Shinobu Miyake

613 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Mission 6: Echoes of the Interphase
Location: Hoshizora, San Francisco
Timeline: M6 MD04 (2268.10.07) 2200

San Francisco was filled with Star Fleet bars of all flavors, but this wasn’t one of them. The sign flickered between English and Japanese characters, Hoshizora, meaning “Starry Night.”

A fitting setting… Captain Faust mused as he stepped inside. The bar encompassed the top floor of a hotel representing one of the many flavors of Hiltons in town. The crowd was mixed between Star Fleet officer not dressed for duty and civilians of many affiliations. How Captain Faust himself was dressed said, Star Fleet captain without being overt… His Navy peacoat, black polo shirt, khaki pants and black chelsea boots. He took a seat at a corner table and glanced at the woman across from him. “I got your message,” he said simply.

The young Japanese woman met his gaze and nodded. “That’s only part of the story,” Shinobu said, before taking a sip from her Old Fashioned. She looked around the room with her eyes, scanning for onlookers… Partially training, partially paranoia.

Shinobu looked quite different than what the Captain was accustomed to. With her short black leather jacket with the collar turned up just enough to frame her face, slim black trousers and low ankle boots gave off an air of readiness, but not Starfleet. A thin silver bracelet caught the dim bar light as she lifted her glass, the only flash against her austere silhouette. Her hair was straight, neat and just kissed her earlobes, a far cry from the tight bun she had worn on dirty.

“I had wondered why your name wasn’t on the manifest,” Tristan said calmly.

“It’s best we keep it vague,” Shinobu responded with a sigh, “I think we both want to avoid any prying eyes to what happened on our last voyage… Our former green friend.”

“By any means necessary were our orders from Admiral Fitzpatrick,” Tristan commented.

“Sure… But I am cautious…” she answered with a dry laugh, “But I’m cautious, a little crazy, maybe, but thorough. Even if someone wanted to dig, there’d be nothing to find.”

“An amazing feat given this day in age,” he remarked as the waitress set down a gin martini and left without a word.

“Well, the ship’s computer system is being replaced… Things are bound to be misplaced,” Shinobu responded with a smirk, “Call it my parting gift.”

“Care to elaborate as to where you are off to next?” Tristan asked, before taking a sip.

“Elsewhere, an intriguing offer which gives me some more latitude than what a normal fleet billet would,” Shinobu responded.

“I did do my homework, this is no desk assignment,” Tristan commented. Lt. Miyake’s file indicated a transfer to the Department of General Services, a mundane title to be sure, but Tristan had friends who had dared to peek behind the curtain. “Just remember, you have a friend with a ship,” he said, “Which is always handy.”

“And you have someone who’ll still have your back,” she replied with a devious grin. Reaching into her coat, she produced an old postcard of a California beach, Sunset Road printed across the front. She slid it across the table. “Before I forget, if you would give this to Dr. Amato.”

Tristan turned it over. On the back, in neat handwriting: The stars stopped talking back. He arched an eyebrow.

“He’ll know what it means,” Shinobu responded before standing up, “Until next time Captain Faust… Maybe I’ll send you a postcard.” She gave a smile.

Captain Faust looked up, “I’ll look forward to it,” he responded.

She smiled faintly, then slipped into the crowd and was gone.

 

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