Promotions of Rank and Character
Posted on Tue Apr 11th, 2023 @ 11:44pm by Captain Ewan Darrow & Rear Admiral Yoshi Minawara & Commander Martin Sorenson & Lieutenant Commander Asahi Kita & Lieutenant Njalia Sayffier & Lieutenant Rufus Marocain
Mission:
R&R: The Reprieve
Location: Vesta's Main Shuttlebay
2166 words - 4.3 OF Standard Post Measure
The Starfleet Dress Uniform, is at its core, the most uncomfortable piece of clothing one can wear in the late twenty-fourth century. At best it was restrictive, and at worse it was itchy and ill-fitted. Still, when it came to ceremony, there was little excuse for it not to be done in Uniform. And this was a pretty important ceremony. The rumour mill had already done it's thing, there was no one on the station unaware of the new Rear Admiral, or that the Vesta once she had her repairs completed, would become the new flagship of Task Force Seventy-Two. A buzz therefore surrounded who would be the next Captain of the ship, while the Admiral was attending to other duties. Still, standing in the shuttlebay, there was a hum of chatter as people milled about, assembled into their various departments and standings, with their department heads around. Towards the bay doors a podium had been assembled, and a long carpet laid out with Federation banners draped. The various auxiliary craft had been put into storage, leaving the space feeling massive and empty. The entire affair screamed "pomp and circumstance" from the top of its lungs. Still, people were arriving, being shoo'd towards their respective entrances.
The din slowed and died as the large doors opened, the powerful motors humming away as the two hangar doors slowly slid out of the way. A shuttle could be seen approaching from the distance, not with a ship or station's name, but proudly wearing the banner of Starfleet Command. As it approached the forcefield to slip in, a Chief Petty Officer barked "Atten-tion!" Boots snapped on the deck as the shuttle approached the deck, rotating in the air so it's back door faced the podium. The large hangar doors hissed closed, and a moment of silence fell, before the shuttle opened it's hatch, and out stepped Rear Admiral Yoshi Minawara. He was flanked by a pair of Captains, Kai Penner and Ewan Darrow, as he stepped forward to the podium. Stepping up, he cleared his throat, and nodded to the Chief Petty Officer, who barked "Stand at- ease!" Yoshi waited a moment, letting people settle before he spoke.
"Members of Starfleet, and specifically the members of the USS Vesta. Thank you for joining me today for a ceremony I am sure we all want to keep short and sweet. Before I get started, I wanted to thank all of you, without whom we never would have arrived at home safely. Your dedication to everyone should be commended." He paused for the applause, and when it slowed, carried on. "I don't think there is much more to say than what stands before you. I have been assigned as the new Task Force Commanding Officer for Task Force Seventy-Two. Which of course leaves the elephant in the room, who is your new Commanding Officer?" He paused again, looking back to his friend, and smiled.
"Captain Darrow, if you'd be so kind." He said, gesturing to the spot beside him.
Ewan took a step forward, moving to stand up beside his former Captain, now Task Force Commanding Officer and most of all his best friend. He smiled as he stopped beside them before he had a look of realization on his face and held up a hand. Looking over at Rufus stood just to the front, Ewan called out, "Catch Ensign," as he threw his tea mug towards the junior officer.
The beat of surprise was hardly noticeable as ambush predator reflexes activated, snatching the mug smoothly out of mid-air. He held it up, displaying it safely in his hands, and nodded to the Captain.
Hands now free, Ewan tugged at his uniform pulling it straight, "Wouldn't do to have my hands full right now." He said to everyone gathered as he turned to face Yoshi.
Looking at his long-term friend, Yoshi gave him a look that was a mirror of the mock unimpressed look his own wife was the master of. "Now Captain, if you are quite done," he said, mock indignation holding onto the words. Picking up the PaDD, he read from it carefully. "Computer, transfer all Vesta command functions to Captain Ewan Darrow, authorization Minawara Six-Twelve-Epsilon-Bravo." There was a series of chirps, as the station's computer interfaced with the Vesta's systems and processed the command.
"Authorized." It spat out formally.
"And lastly," he now passed the PaDD to Ewan. "By order of Starfleet Command, and Task Force Seventy-Two, Captain Darrow you are ordered to stand up as commanding officer of the crew for the USS Vesta. Do you accept?"
"I do." Ewan said as he took the PaDD from Yoshi and stood up to his full height and at attention, he pulled up his hand into a salute, "I relieve you sir."
Yoshi crisply returned the salute. "Thank you Captain, I stand relieved," the Admiral said, and then turned back to the crowd. "Under normal changes like this, I would take the time to introduce your new Commanding Officer, but I fear this ceremony will drag on for too long - and I am sure many of you don't need another long winded Admiral puffing their chest out. Instead, I will hand over the ceremony to the good Captain, who I believe managed to con his Task Force Commander into a few promotions?" With that he turned to address the man, this time stepping away from the podium.
Standing to the side, Martin had to practically bite his cheeks trying to contain a laugh at the interplay. This might possibly turn out to be the least formal transfer of command and promotion ceremony in the history of Starfleet.
"Indeed Admiral, I believe I have a few that need to be taken care of right away in fact and shouldn't wait." Ewan said as he stepped up to stand directly behind the podium, "Now I cant take credit for all these promotions, in fact most of them were put through by our rather lazy former Captain, took him a while to file it all I understand." He paused as the crowd let out a chuckle and he looked over at Yoshi giving him a grin, "Either way, Lieutenant Kita, Lieutenant Junior Grade Sayffier and Ensign Marocain, if you would please attend the stage."
Rufus' ears perked at his name. He straightened to his full height, making an effort to keep his tail from more than a small swish of a wag, as he moved to the stage. He held Ewan's mug a little uncertainly, not sure whether to hand it back yet or not.
Njalia made one last check that her uniform was straight and correct and then made her way purposefully to the stage.
Only last because he was curious to see if Rufus would maintain tail wagging to a minimum, Asahi stood tall next to the others.
Ewan turned to Yoshi and handed him the 3 small oak boxes that were stored under the podium before the pair of them moved down the line to stand in front of Rufus, the first in line. “Ensign Marocain, you have been with the ship for a number of years now, originally in an acting capacity as the Chief Helmsman while we attempted to find a permanent one. During those initial months you showed yourself to be a competent and talented pilot, enough so that the acting role become permanent despite your junior rank.”
Ewan took one of the Oak boxes from Yoshi and opened it, revealing a hollowed out pip, “And while I understand you’ve been an Engisn for a little over 7 years now, far too long, I understand in human years that’s only 1 year so really you’re getting promoted early.” Ewan delivered the line with a straight face, pulling the pip out and reaching up to his collar and placing it beside the his full one, “And so, it’s my esteemed pleasure and that of the command staff to hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, and hopefully a shorter time until you hit full Lieutenant and all the rights and privileges that it brings with it.”
Finally, Ewan chuckled as he turned to face the crowd, “And hopefully HR doesn’t come looking for me for that joke.”
Rufus' ears had rotated back a bit at the joke, but in the Kainan version of an eyeroll. "No offense taken, sir." He let his mouth open a bit in a canid grin and help up Ewan's mug. "Especially if I get to keep the mug as a souvenir."
"Maybe you'll get your own," Ewan said as he took his mug back from the Ensign and tucked it under his arm before moving on.
With that done, Ewan and Yoshi moved down to the next Officer in line. “Well Lieutenant Junior Grade Sayffier, I hope what we’re here for today is now obvious to you,” Ewan said as he turned and took the proffered oak box from Yoshi, “Compared to some of the crew, you’ve only been here a short time. In that short time however, you have facedown down alternate realities, a broken ship and more, taking every event in stride and doing your best to be a strong positive influence on the crew under your command. You’ve shown to the command staff and your fellow crew that you’re talented and resourceful, anticipating the needs of the ship and her crew.”
Opening the box, Ewan revealed a full pip to the younger officer, “With that, It is my pleasure and that of the command staff that you are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Full Grade and all the rights and privileges that it brings with it. Congratulations Lieutenant.” He reached up and placed the pip on the young Andorian's tunic collar before taking a step back.
Although it hardly seems possible, Njalia stands even straighter after getting the new rank pip. "Thank you, sir, I will endeavor to uphold the best traditions of Andoria and Starfleet."
Stepping back, Ewan made a point to take a step towards Asahi before stopping and looking around, “Well I will admit I’m surprised that Hojo has not made an appearance yet, that little fellow seems to be quite good at getting himself into trouble, especially when theres a crowd like now.” He smiled as he took the final oak box from Yoshi before stepping towards the shorter man.
“Lieutenant Kita, I wont lie and say I see you all the time, in fact like most intelligence officers I know, you always seem to show up and something is about to go wrong,” Ewan said as he opened the oak box and showed the hollowed out pip to the man infront of him, “That being said, you’ve shown over the years to be an integral part of this crew, especially with your willingness to always jump in and help out in other departments when the need arises and Intelligence has little to offer. Its thanks to your resourcefulness and selflessness that it’s a pleasure to have you up here today.”
Reaching into the box, Ewan pulled out the pip and reached down to place it on the collar of Asahi’s tunic, “It is this my pleasure and that of the Command staff that you are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and all the rights and privileges that it brings with it. Which includes a new physical, the doctor expects you promptly.” He added with a sly grin.
Whether the Captain realized it or not, Asahi had been given just enough information by this point. He made a face, but straightened up when the pip was pinned on his lapel. Hopefully in this reality, Asahi was less allergic to promotions than he was to physicals. "I'll make sure to give the docs a run for their money, Sir."
"I've been pushing my 5k time in anticipation," Martin deadpanned.
Ewan chuckled as stepped away from the line and faced the crowd. "That's all folks. Admiral, back to you." He gave a flourish and a small bow as he took a step back.
"Thank you Captain, for the complaints I no doubt will receive," Yoshi said, taking the podium once more. "I won't drag this on any longer than it already has. Starfleet would be damn hard fought to find a better crew than all of you. From the hard work and dedication you have all put in, to the family I feel this crew has become. I wouldn't have wanted to spend my tenur as a Captain anywhere else. And while you're not truly rid of me - it's still my Flagship after all, I know that Captain Darrow is taking over a fine crew. While the Vesta undergoes repairs, take the time you need to rest and relax, and ensure you enjoy the station. And until we talk again, you are dismissed."
