Captain Taybrim - The Moment You Have Been Waiting For

[Jamie LeBlanc]

((Recreation Deck #2 - Deep Space 2))

There was a click and the room fell quiet. That sudden electric buzz of a microphone seemed to have a mesmerizing effect on the crowd. Sal disengaged politely from the conversation at hand and drifted up towards the stage as Theo stood tall and started to introduce his awards and promotions with every inch of pride that Sal would expect from a man he knew so well.::

Whittaker: Uh, hello? ::his voice carried across the room as if by magic and people turned at the sudden question. A quiet fell across the room.:: Oh! Hello there! ::he stood tall (or as tall as his 5”7’ height would allow him) and ran one hand through his hair.:: Thank you ever so much for coming this evening! ::The Blackwell’s crew attendance had been mandatory as per usual but he was just as grateful to them as he was their visitors.:: Before I get to the ceremony, a few heart felt thank you’s and introductions are in order I think. ::his eyes immediately found his superior officer in the Task Force.:: First of all: Rear-Admiral Renos, the Task Force CO. Welcome and thank you for being here, Ner.

Renos: ?

::There was a warm, appreciative welcome for the distinguished admiral. Sal smiled, Renos was renowed for nir work on the Andaris task force.::

Whittaker: ::he smiled to the Admiral before his eyes found Captain Brell and his two spouses.:: We have also been joined by Captain Brell, Lieutenant Commander Lyldra and Hars Vlin from the Atlantis. Some of you will already know them having served alongside them in the Task Force. Welcome to this evening and thank you- from the bottom of my heart- for being here. You are always welcome.

Brell/Lyldra/Vlin: ?

::And Brell, an up and coming Captain in his own right. Sal beamed. He had met Brelkl a few times before and found the Bolian quite charming.::

Whittaker: Our final guests are rather unexpected. ::beat:: The journey through the Jenatris Corridor to the Par’tha Expanse can be a turbulent and perilous one. So I am therefore as surprised as I am grateful to see members of my previous assignment- StarBase 118- here with us. Please welcome Captain Sal Taybrim, Lieutnant Commander’s Aitas, Ishani Kasun and Trelis; as well as Lieutenant Arturo Maxwell! I am truly touched that you made the journey to be here tonight. oO Even if I don’t buy that you were ‘in the neighbourhood’ Oo ::he added to himself with a slight smirk.:::

::Sal looked back at Theo with the most innocent look a Betazoid could possibly muster. Oh, unexpected? Well that must have been overlooked. This wouldn’t possibly be a surprise. And they wouldn’t have possibly brought a lot of lovely celebratory gifts.

Nope, just not possible.::

Taybrim: Any chance to visit the Andaris Task Force is a unique pleasure. ::Sal smiled easily, sounding oh so much like a diplomat – and an earnest one at that!::

Kasun/Maxwell: ?

Trel’lis: Pleased to be here, as well.

::He settled back, being oh so patient as welcomes were given. Then promotions, and finally ribbons. Sal applauded heartily at Theo’s crew, some he knew quite well, some just a little from their work through the academy, and some not at all. Though one thing was clear – they were a fine crew with a fine Commander.

And that was about to be rectified, too…::

Whittaker: That is it for the awards and promotions save for the fact that Starfleet Command has decided to award everybody involved in the situation at P-409 Sigma with the Joint Meritorious Award for our close work with the crew of the IKS gik’tal. It was not easy, but we prevailed and we made an ally in Commander Merzan, no matter how tenuous.

Any: ?

::Theo looked so proud – and he had every right to be. He had a fantastic crew, and it showed.

Still, the night wasn’t over. Sal moved forward towards the stage, catching Theo’s attention::

Whittaker: Now, for the rest of the evening- eat, drink and be- ::he stopped as he saw Sal Taybrim approaching the stage. Puzzled and more than a little suspicious, he raised an eyebrow and regarded his former CO.:: Yes, Captain? Would you like to say something?

Taybrim: I would. ::Dark eyes sparkled in an oh so mischievous way.:: If I may?

Whittaker: ?

Dakora: I knew you all weren't here for a routine visit...

Aitas: ?

::Sal was a man of bright red hair and modest height – he even made Theo look tall! But what he lacked in height he made up for in poise, stepping forward with a gentle, easy smile. A person who enjoyed people, liked crowds and didn’t mind the spotlight one bit – especially when he was less the man in the spotlight and more the spotlight operator, pointing the attention to a well deserved place elsewhere.::

Taybrim: I actually have one last announcement for everyone. But, if I may extend the suspense a bit longer, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all of you, the crew of the USS Blackwell. You have proven yourselves in the past months to be a most intelligent, flexible and talented group of officers. I am so proud of your accomplishments and am so happy to be able to celebrate them with you tonight. ::He took up his glass and lifted it:: If I may, a toast to the officers and crew of the USS Blackwell.

Whittaker: ?

Any: ?

Taybrim: And now, to the proverbial heart of the matter, I also know that a crew follows its commanding officer. I know that this crew was formed by a fantastic Captain, who went on to become a fantastic Fleet Captain and now joins us as a fantastic Admiral. Thank you so much, Admiral Renos, for the legacy of greatness you have passed on. ::He gestured towards Renos with a gentle smile. Theo had been lucky to step in to such a well run taskforce, and be able to thrive there.::

Renos/Whittaker: ?

Any: ?

Taybrim: And in turn the Andaris Taskforce has produced many fine Captains. Brell among them. ::A gesture towards Brell as well.:: And now I am very proud to announce that Captain Theo Whittaker stands among them.

::Sal turned to Theo, his smile slowly widening to a grin.::

Whittaker: ?

Any: ?

Taybrim: Being a Starfleet Captain is something that takes not only leadership and effort, but compassion and spirit. I know you have this in droves, from the moment you stood up to face down an Orion Syndicate criminal to protect your crew on StarBase 118, to the moment you heeded the call to command the Blackwell to now with the pride and joy you use to communicate the deeds of your crew. You have a wonderful crew, and they have a wonderful Captain.

Whittaker: ?

Any: ?

::Sal Stepped forward with that last pip – the one that was perhaps the heaviest one could ever wear, and spoke in a deep sonorous voice the words that made it official – made it real.::

Taybrim: Theo Michelangelo Whittaker, by the power vested in my by Starfleet Command, I hereby promote you to the rank of Captain, with all rights and responsibilities according to that rank.

Whittaker: ?

Any: ?

Taybrim: ::Touching him on the shoulder like a brother:: I am so proud of you, Theo. You have done an incredible job.

::He smiled, an expression with all the fondness of a CO, a lifelong friend and a very proud mentor.::

Whittaker: ?

Any: ?

~*~
tags/tbc
~*~

Captain Sal Taybrim
Commanding Officer
StarBase 118 Ops






"Why do we fly? Because we have dreamt of it for so long that we must"

~Julian Beck
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