LT Toxin Arlill: Well Done…
Toxin Arlill
(( The Writers' Room, Deck 8 Saucer, USS Octavia E. Butler ))
This marked the second time that Toxin had entered the Writers’ Room. His lack of interest in reading could have excused his rare visits. However, the constant stream of operations requests since the last mission, coupled with the ongoing shore leave, Henri, and his issues with Lhandon, had kept him really busy.
The room's doors seemed familiar, they had a mahogany-like appearance, with round inset windows and the ship's seal. The seal was fitting for the writers' room, considering the ship was named after a writer. This was something he planned to delve into further when he had the "time". He straighted out his uniform and entered.
The room was already fully packed and he’d planned to maybe sit with other senior officers and give his operations junior officers and crew some camaraderie time without the chief, but it wasn’t in the cards, the only seat left open was one saved by the operations folks. As he approached it seemed like Lahndon barely made eye contact with him, something he was getting used to.
Rouiancet: Thank you, all, for attending this first promotion ceremony for the Octavia E. Butler. I thought it would be appropriate to begin with a reading from Octavia E. Butler herself, from her pioneering work completed during Earth's twentieth century, Parable of the Sower.
oO The captain looks very snazzy tonight, should compliment her later on that. Oo Toxin was getting used to keeping his inner thoughts, well inner, with Henri always being around. But sometimes it seemed Henri could read his mind anyways, even though tests proved otherwise and Henri denied it.
oO Henri: I bet you want to tell her how great she looks you kissa$$. Oo
Rouiancet:
Embrace diversity.
Unite—
Or be divided,
robbed,
ruled,
killed
By those who see you as prey.
Embrace diversity
Or be destroyed.
(beat)
Your teachers
Are all around you.
All that you perceive,
All that you experience,
All that is given to youor taken from you,
All that you love or hate,
need or fear
Will teach you--
If you will learn.
oO Henri: Is she the ship’s librarian or captain? Oo
Toxin was sure this was Henri’s most recent attempt at humor, something he’d been exploring starting this week. It was so far a less than desirable type of humor.
Rouiancet: Butler is one of those figures who put humanity on the course that led to our part in the ethos and establishment of the Federation, by imagining the good that could come from respect, equity, and change. The Federation is a manifestation and a consequence of the imagination of Butler and those like her, and I am honored to stand before you today and share in that dream.
Toxin tried he hardest to just focus on Ro’s words, they were intriguing and Henri was just taking away from them for Toxin.
Rouiancet: Commander Etan Iljor, will you please stand? (beat; when he does) Iljor will be leaving us shortly, but I want first to thank him for his service as my first officer for our first mission. I could not have asked for a better officer to support me, and (beat) it is therefore appropriate that Iljor has been promoted, and will take command of the newly relaunched 'Oumuamua. Congratulations, Commander!
Toxin was going to miss Etan, he’d been somewhat of a mentor to him since he arrived on the ‘Oumuamua and while they hadn’t been interacting much on the OEB he knew that his absence would take an emotional and mental hit on Toxin’s leadership abilities.
Rouiancet: With Iljor's incipient absence, I decided to make two offers, and I'm delighted that both officers I made those offers to have accepted. As such, please offer your heartiest congratulations to Lieutenant Commander Promontory, who will be my new executive officer, and to Lieutenant Commander Sherlock, who will be second officer in addition to remaining chief of security. Thank you and (a slight smile) may space grant you luck.
Toxin harbored some resentment towards Promontory's rapid rise through the ranks. Both he and Avander had joined the 'Oumuamua straight from the academy, which now felt like a distant memory. Toxin couldn't help but question his own actions, wondering what he had done wrong or right as Promontory's career progressed so quickly.
Again she paused for applause, and when it had died down again, she directed her attention for a final time. Alone of the officers she'd named, this face was new to her.
Rouiancet: Avander will no longer serve as director of intelligence, so I've requested a new officer for that position. Commander Walker has agreed to serve, and brings with her decades of experience. I look forward to working with her.
Toxin was still happy for his old academy buddy, even if he felt like he should be a Lt. Commander by now too.
Rouiancet: I've almost finished speaking before you, but before I wrap up my remarks, I have two additional promotions to bestow. If I call your name, please join me on the dais. Lieutenant Herrick?
Rouiancet: Engineering is the heart of any starship, and in this case the metaphor is literal, since we would go nowhere without our propulsion systems and the infrastructure necessary to make the ship, well, work. Lieutenant Herrick has overseen that massive project not only for the Octavia E. Butler since our launch, but also for the 'Oumuamua before it, and he has cultivated talent in his subordinates and respect from his peers. He has served as acting chief of engineering, but I am very pleased to retract the "acting" element of that title and promote him to permanent chief of engineer, as well as to the rank of full lieutenant. (more quietly) May I?
That promotion was well deserved in Toxin’s mind, Josh was a hell of an engineer and he’d appreciated Josh being by his side on many missions, he always seemed so supportive.
oO Henri: Before you know it, you’ll be left to history! Oo
Toxin was very irritated he couldn’t engage Henri here, it would be too obvious and raise far too many questions, but there was no doubt, the benefits that Henri brought to the table were beginning to seem less significant in the light of finding a way to “kill” him.
Rouiancet: Please, join me in congratulating the lieutenant!
Herrick: Response
Toxin was smiling at Herrick as he walked back to his table and gave him a thumbs up when they made eye contact.
Rouiancet: Lieutenant Nilsen, please. (beat; waiting for him to join, then smiling at him) Lieutenant Arlill has seen fit to designate Lieutenant Nilsen as acting assistant chief of operations, a decision that I have agreed with from the beginning. Lhandon is not only a fine officer who continues to excel as he gains experience and pushes his own boundaries -- he is also my friend, and I am honored to command with his confidence. (beat) Lhandon, from this time forth, you're no longer simply acting at your role, but you are now officially the Butler's assistant chief of operations.
Nilsen: Response
Rouiancet: Please, feel free now to accept food and drink from the servers who will begin circulating around the room. I will join your tables to present individual ribbons as you do so. Remember to congratulate your shipmates!
As Nilsen returned to the table it seemed the accolades weren’t over, the entire ops table seemed aglow with excitement for the official nature of his new title as Assistant Chief of Operations. Toxin wasn’t displeased, he was quite happy that his old roommate and friend was achieving his goals, even if they weren’t currently on great terms.
oO Henri: Good for him (beat) before he knows it, or you for that matter, he’ll be running Operations. (beat) Oh, shoot I’m sorry, where will that leave you? Oo
Arlill: Well Done. ::to Nilsen::
Tags! and TBC!
Lieutenant Toxin Arlill
Chief of Operations
USS Octavia E Buttler NCC-82850
Writer ID.: O239910TA4