JP: Cmdr. Promontory & Various Captains - Promontiontory
Tony Colella
OOC This promotion sim for now-Captain Promontory went to the Thor's list back in January, and I figured IC it takes place soon after the Butler puts in for leave time.
((Conference Room 04-118, Deck 4, Deep Space 14))
Commander Trake Promontory had a fairly certain idea why he had been summoned to report in his dress uniform to the conference room on the Admiralty's administrative deck on the station. There were rumors, after all, and he had spent a number of months on the station himself.
Besides that, he had had to fill out an application and plenty of PADD work. Still, he couldn’t be certain.
But when he arrived and saw a veritable conclave of captains assembled, he knew. This was it.
It, or some sort of disciplinary hearing!
There was Bridget Fletcher, Captain of the USS Carol Marcus, the Andorian Ryhl Th'shriathik, Captain of the USS Pilgrim, the Rigelian Captain Jnaxlo Kruwii of the USS Vulcana Regar, Captain of the USS Janaran, Vixis (a Betazoid/Klingon hybrid!), Captain Lia Rouiancet, of the Octavia E. Butler, and Rear Admiral Ossa V’Airu.
Off in the corner was another commander with a cheeky grin, Trake’s three-quarters brother, Avander. With a familiar looking hammer in his hands. The presence of that man was surprisingly comforting to Trake.
Captain Vixis of the USS Janaran, stood at attention, black betazoid eyes fixated on the door where she felt his arrival.
Vixis: Finally, the elder Promontory arrives.
Rouiancet: (muttering) Why in the vastness of space does Avander have a hammer?
Fletcher: It’s Thor. Get it? Like from the Nordic gods?
Bridget lightly elbowed Rouiancet, a grin plastered on her face. She actually thought it was cute and wished she’d thought of it.
Th'shriathik: At least properly attired… ::antenna bending::and ready to further his career in diplomacy.
Vixis: We have selected the next ambassador for you to meet with too. ::suggestively quirking a brow:: He too has a daughter you can impress.
A faint smirk tugged at her lips as Vixis reveled in the game and confusion their statements caused.
Trake didn’t often embarrass, but he felt a strain of scarlet flush his cheeks at that last comment. He even opened his mouth to respond, before closing it. oO Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than open your mouth and confirm it! Oo
Silence? Glorious! Vixis did not gloat over the hint of scarlet, and instead chose to wink in response.
Fletcher: You’ve caught’ people’s attention, Promontory.
She nodded even as Kruwii picked up on the shift and threw it to first base.
Kruwii: I hear your excellent negotiations with the worlds of the Solace system have put you on the short-list for permanent Ambassador to the region! Something about deft work distinguishing “New Gaia” and “Neo Gaia!?”
The Regilian grinned as the color drained from Trake’s face. It was apparent that a lifetime (particularly an El-Aurian lifetime) of such delicate diplomatic discussions was not at all presently appealing to the man.
Vixis: Hand-chosen by the FDC, what an honor.
She clicked her tongue to the roof of her mouth with a gentle shake of her head. Permanent ambassador? Vixis figured a retired life breeding targs would be more satisfying than the diplomatic bureaucracy the New Earths had brought the Federation.
COPA, or the Commanding Officer Protection Association, had formed to cope with some of the more unique demands coming down to them from the admiralty. Over the years, it had softened in a similar fashion to JOPA and SOPA; however, rather than pranking the higher ups, they pranked inductees.
Th'shriathik: Those prospects of Alpha Quadrant alliances won’t monitor themselves.
Fletcher: And it sounds like you’re just the man to do it.
Bridget bobbed her head once, then glanced around at the others, her eyebrows wriggling upward.
Fletch: Oooh, take a look at that face!
Poor Promontory had no idea what he was facing when he walked into that room. Bridget was all too obvious about the glee she took in teasing anyone whom she had the pleasure of helping ‘promote’.
Finally, the jig was up. Each of the captains took their usual places around the table and deferred to Rear Admiral V’Airu at the front of the room.
V’Airu: Captains, your attention. (beat) Thank you. We are gathered again to recognize the elevation of one of our own.
Promontory, but not the Promontory she was most familiar with. The younger half-brother (though “younger” was a fraught descriptor when time displacement was part of the context, as it was for Trake) had served as Ossa’s intelligence officer on the ‘Oumuamua from the time he was an ensign to her promotion to regional commander and Deep Space 14. Avander, however, was not her focus today, Trake was.
V’Airu: I took a chance on the reactivation of the Thor after its near-destruction. Then, too, it is a powerful ship, hardly a suitable command for an inexperienced CO. (eyes locked with Trake) Yet its new commander has exceeded expectations in every way. The relaunched Thor and its crew have already carved a niche for themselves in our operations in the Gamma Quadrant, and ultimately their success is the success of their CO. (beat; very slight smile) Any difficulties and all problems are ultimately the responsibility of that same CO, too. As all here know well.
Fletcher: And any failures too.
Hey, it had to be said, because everyone was thinking it!
Fletcher: But that’s the thing, Trake. Ya did good.
Vixis: A house divided against itself cannot stand. ::She quoted:: Even in your absence your crew stands strong, which is a testament to what you have built.
V’Airu: I would be honored to recognize Trake Promontory with the rank of captain, but I have already acceded to another Promontory’s reasonable request. Although, hm. (eyeing the hammer) Perhaps not so reasonable.
Nevertheless, she yielded to Avander, and hoped she wasn’t about to regret what happened. As the captains were responsible for their ships, so was she responsible for the captains, and that was sometimes an even taller order.
The younger man leapt forward enthusiastically. If he was intimidated by being in a room of Captains and an Admiral, he didn’t show it. Or perhaps he showed it through an exaggerated flourish.
Avander Promontory: The Admiral said I could do this part.
With a certain younger-brother glee, the man swung the hammer over his head before bringing it down, almost gently, on each of Trake’s shoulders. That elicited a chuckle from the red-headed human captain.
A. Promontory: I dub thee, Captain. And now, if you would.
He presented a PADD with the projection of holographic words.
Trake cleared his throat and read The Oath:
I, Trake Promontory, solemnly swear to obey and uphold the laws and principles of the United Federation of Planets, to defend its security, and to uphold the principles it stands for.
I affirm the chain of command and my duty to follow all lawfully given orders. Non-interference is the Prime Directive.
I pledge to lead with dignity and compassion for all and to put the safety and security of my crew before my own.
I commit my command to the exploration of space—the final frontier—to seek out new worlds, new life, and new civilizations, and to go boldly where none have gone before.
With the oath spoken, Captain Vixis grabbed herself the mug she had replicated for the occasion and lifted it in toast.
Vixis: Qapla’! ::toasting to him:: Congratulations, Captain.
T.Promontory: (nodding back) Captain.
Kruwii: (with a hearty clap on the back) Captain!
T.Promontory: (another nod) Captain.
Th'shriathik: (bowing his head) Captain.
Rouiancet: To our newest captain!
T.Promontory: Captain; Captain.
V’Airu: My congratulations, Captain Promontory.
T.Promontory: Admiral.
Bridget wasn’t about to remain silent, and she chuckled a fist into the side of Trake’s arm, a grin spread across her face.
Fletcher: Good job, T.P.!
Starfleet’s newest captain winced.
T.Promontory: Thanks… (thinking quickly) BF?
The Andorian captain of the Pilgrim, Rhys, procured a tall, slender bottle with cerulean blue liquid sloshing around inside. Accompanying it were shot glasses that bore Starfleet Command on one side and the USS Thor’s emblem on the reverse.
Th'shriathik: A gift from home, and a memento to remember the occasion. ::slapping him heartily on the shoulder:: Two missions in; you and your crew are certainly making a name for yourself in the Syren Hinterreach. ::pouring several shots, offering one:: Fast and furious, like a Makra.
Without hesitation, in the presence of the other captains and admirals, Vixis grabbed a shot and dropped it into her mug of firewine. Steam hissed as the bright red liquid shifted to a more purple hue.
Vixis: Compliments of the Leian Colony, there is a cask of bloodwine for your crew and a feast of Jalaran Boar for revelry. ::She tosses back the shot:: BaQa’, it chills!
T.Promontory: Na zdrowie!
Fletcher: Hey! No one said we were bringing gifts!
The bright green eyes flashed, though not with anger, and she quickly leaned over, murmuring softly.
Fletcher: I’ll make it up to ya next time.
The El-Aurian hybrid looked at the human woman’s cowboy boots and wondered what sort of gift this character might come up with.
T.Promontory: (with sincerity) You really don’t have to.
Vixis: Does the Captain have his next assignment already?
Trake’s eyes flicked towards the Admiral’s. The new orders had come down just this morning. She would’ve known this was coming in the interim.
T.Promontory: Yes, actually, and it’s a good one! A real exploration of where no one has ever been–at least no one from the Federation. A wide survey mission, making the unknown known.
Trake was justifiably proud of the Thor and her capacity for long-range missions of exploration, but he wanted to be careful not to come off as too braggy in front of the other captains, particularly if they might be inclined to a bit of jealousy. And he definitely didn’t want the cute Klingon/Betazoid captain to be mad at him.
Vixis: You will have to regale me with your findings, Captain ::sipping her drink:: The Janaran is on border patrol south of the Zet exclusionary zone for the next few months, on the other side of the Tangle where two new research outposts are being established.
A hint of envy at the idea of exploration surfaced, yet, she did not regret her station either. Protecting Federation research outposts while simultaneously keeping the dishonorable, hyper-capitalist, self-important Zet or the greater UDP, the party responsible for giving the Zet warp technology, away from the Tangle anomaly was a satisfying station.
Fletcher: Gotta admit, this is the best part about being a Captain - and in the Gamma Quadrant. There’s lots to explore, lots to learn, and lots to discover.
And wasn’t that why most of them had become Starfleet officers? Well, Bridget couldn’t actually say, but it was certainly her motivation, and she’d never lost that sense of purpose.
The conversation and well-wishing (as well as the celebratory libations) continued well into the evening.
((Later…))
((Bridge, Deck 1, USS Thor))
Trake Promontory had walked onto the bridge–his bridge–many times before, but never with four pips.
He hesitated a moment. Why did this feel different? He had been the commanding officer, the captain of the boat, for more than a half a year now, but still… He took a deep breath and told himself this time was no different and walked through the doors.
There was a loud boatswain's whistle.
Herrick: Captain on the Bridge!
Ok, that was different. The yeoman at the entrance stood at full attention. Trake waved him down only to see that the rest of the bridge was unusually full as well; it seemed that every seat and station was occupied, save for the center seat.
All the way aft, in the Engineering nook Chief Caras and Assistant Chief Ral were joined by a pair of intel officers Morro and Wyatt in the Engineering nook along with a pair of intel officers, Lt Wiecek and Ensign Vharo. Lt Commander Naledi itself was at the tactical station, an odd Xindi chair parked directly behind the center chairs.
The starboard stations housed a contingent from the sciences, their Chief–a woman named Alora that Trake had somehow still never had a conversation with–and flanking her, Trake’s new sparring partner Tito, to port were the Doctors, Nera and Taj’el, as well as Lt Commander Tam, the Ops Chief, then forward, at helm, Lt. Meris.
In the center of it all, Josh and Sevantha in their position by his chair. Trake strongly suspected he had the pair of them to thank for this impromptu assemblage.
Trake made his way to the center of the bridge and to the captain’s chair. His chair.
He sat down and it felt like it was the first time.
He opened his mouth, but had to swallow his words–if he tried to talk now, he might choke up. Instead, he took another deep breath and looked around at his crew, his friends.
He gave them a solemn nod, and then a smile.
Finally he was ready for his first order as Captain.
Promontory: Take us out. Bring me that horizon.
[End Scene]
Captain Trake Promontory
Commanding Officer
USS Thor
&&
Cmdr. Avander Promontory
Intelligence Officer
Quadrant Chief
Deep Space 14
&&
Captain Jnaxlo Kruwii
Commanding Officer
USS Vulcana Regar
O239910AP4
&&
Captain Lia Rouiancet
Commanding Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
V238208LV0
she/her/hers (this character)
&&
Rear Admiral Ossa V'Airu
Regional Commander
Gamma Flotilla Expeditionary Task Force & Deep Space 14
V238208LV0
she/her/hers (this character)
&&
Captain Vixis
Daughter of Sonna
Sutai of Line Mirrin,
Daughter of the 14th House of Betazed
Commanding Officer
USS Janaran
A240105SS2
&&
Captain Bridget Fletcher
USS Carol Marcus
M239008AD0
&&
Captain Th'shriathik
USS Pilgrim
&&
Commander Josh Herrick
USS Thor
O240005JH3