Commander Lia Rouiancet: The Only Lasting Truth is Change, Epilogue

[Tony Colella]

(( The Writers' Room, Deck 8 Saucer, USS Octavia E. Butler ))

Vignette 3, continued

The final ribbon Lia had to bestow at the engineers' table went to the group's newly-confirmed chief, who took the ribbon from her with a smile. Lia recognized most of the officers and crew at the table -- her gaze lingered on Eli Kovacs, after Lhandon's announcement on DS14 -- but she found, too, that there was an Orion ensign she didn't know. Even as she shook Josh's hand, her eye lingered on him.

Rouiancet: You're very welcome, Chief. (beat; to Caras) But I don't think I know you, Ensign...?

Herrick: Oh yes! Have you two had a chance to meet yet?

Lia shook her head to confirm, but Lohkina was already on it. She spoke quietly into Lia's ear.

Rouiancet: No, not yet. Morro Caras, I'm Lia Rouiancet, commanding officer. It's good to meet you, and (beat, to Josh and the other engineers) please make his transition to starship duty as smooth as can be.

Herrick: I make no promises, but we’ll try to go easy on him.

Lia caught the wink Josh aimed at Morro Caras, and she rolled her eyes. Morro seemed much further from panic than other new ensigns Lia had met, but still, there was always that uncertainty of your first assignment. He seemed be taking the good-natured razzing well, though.

Caras: (practically stammering) No need to go easy on me sir. You can go hard on me. I can take it.

Lia barked a laugh before she could help herself.

S. Sherlock: (making a face) Yeah I don't think they're going to do that. (looking at the others) We're pretty laid back.

Kovacs: (nodding) The hard things tend to find us versus us looking for them.

Rouiancet: And if they're too hard on you, well. I'm not opposed to liberal use of the airlocks.

She glared in mock ferocity around the group, punctuating things with a protracted growl. This, surprisingly, seemed not to set Morro at ease.

Caras: Pleasure to meet you Commander. er.. Captain. Er….Acting Captain. (shaking his head) Ma’am. My hope is to not let you down. (to Josh) or you sir.

Rouiancet: (gravely) The only thing that ever lets me down on this ship is the turbolift, so I think you'll be fine.

The engineers didn't immediately groan at this pun, and Lia imagined for a moment that she might have been mistaken in not pursuing engineering, because perhaps these were her people. Then again, maybe they just wouldn't shout down a joke from their CO. Josh wisely continued on.

Herrick: You’ve won the ship lottery in my mind — state of the art and out here in the Gamma. It almost hearkens back to the early days of the Federation. We’ll lean on you just like everyone else (motioning around the table). It’s a collective effort.

Caras: Yes, well I will (beat) do my best to do so.

Rouiancet: I'm sure you will.

She favored Morro with a broad smile before she left the engineers, and her gaze again passed over Eli Kovacs with some curiosity -- but her final glance was for Josh, who, after even that brief interaction, she was quite certain was ready for command of his department.

Vignette 4, continued

Lia's time spent with Yinn answered several questions she hadn't yet asked about the ensign's unexpected adventures with the transporter systems, and she was very happy to learn that, at least for now, Yinn was as ready as could be for duty. Even when that duty was just this ceremony, and when "ready" was defined as "responding as a very normal person might," which was to say spluttering and nearly drowning in a water glass as Lia awarded the commendation.

Yinn: Thank you, sir. I just wanted to keep everyone safe. And I'm looking forward to continuing our diplomatic efforts with the UDP. (beat; drawing the water glass) If they begin to see us as a partner and not an adversary, we could be helping to usher in an era of peace and prosperity in both quadrants. It's a very exciting time to be serving in the Gamma Quadrant.

Rouiancet: Oh, I very much agree, and I'm glad you do as well.

Despite how she'd joked with the engineers and others around the room, Lia was completely serious as she confirmed Yinn's interest. In fact, after the mission to Cheyd'lang, and the successes they'd found there, she fully expected to be assigned more diplomatic missions and additional interactions with the UDP in the future.

Yinn: Thank you again, sir.

Vignette 7, continued
Rouiancet: (more lightly) Congratulations again, too. I'm so happy that it's the 'Oumuamua for you, even if I and this crew lose out on having you around. How are you feeling about it all?

Etan: A little scared. But also… strangely excited? (head shake; small laugh) I don’t know.

Lia laughed her own little laugh. That all sounded very familiar, and while she'd been able to dredge up some older memories over the course of the night -- her time as an ensign, for multiple conversations -- the connection with Iljor's experience was particularly fresh.

Rouiancet: That sounds very familiar. When are you expected to report?

Etan: I officially take command at 2200 Hours. (beat) So in a couple of hours or so. (beat) And Promontory is now officially your XO. I received a message to say that my XO clearance on the Butler had been rescinded about half an hour ago. (glancing to Avander) How’s he taking to the role?

Rouiancet: Very well, I think. (beat) To be honest, when I was sure that you were sure would receive your own command before me, before the Butler had even made it to DS9, I was going to ask him to be my XO. (another beat; soft smile) We all got there in the end, and I'm absolutely certain he'll make an excellent XO.

Etan: (smiling warmly) I knew he would. (beat) You know he was one of the first people I met when I transferred to the MooM- uh, the ‘Oumuamua- He was an Ensign. And now he is your XO.

Rouiancet: (fondly) They grow up so fast. (beat) Any idea where your first mission will be?

It was probably too much to hope that the OEB and the 'Oumuamua would be assigned together, especially since Lia was certain she would have received a notification with Iljor's transfer orders. But there was always the future.

Etan: I got our orders a couple of hours ago. We’re going to be conducted a metaphysic analysis of the Chamra Vortex. Nothing too stressful for a first mission. (beat) I hope.

Rouiancet: Well, then, I'll simply wish you good luck -- and I'll try to see you off properly before you go. Look for me then!

TBC!

--

Commander Lia Rouiancet

Commanding Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

V238208LV0

she/her/hers (this character)