Captain Lia Rouiancet: Community

[Tony Colella]

(( Conference Room 04-118, Deck 4, Deep Space 14 ))

Rouiancet: (solemn) I will, and I do.

Amazing, Lia thought, that the avalanche of emotions under which she felt herself being buried could be caused by the presence of a single, tiny metal cylinder. Of course, that wasn't all that the pip signified.

Kruwii: The weight of a captaincy is more than the command of a vessel. You are to embody moral leadership, diplomacy, and mentorship while inspiring your crew and representing our ideals.

T'Valek: Indeed. The role of captain is one of great responsibility and influence. It requires not only tactical acumen and scientific curiosity, but also the wisdom to navigate complex ethical dilemmas. A captain must be prepared to make difficult decisions that may impact countless lives, all while upholding the core values of the Federation. It is a position that demands unwavering dedication to duty, compassion for all forms of life, and the ability to inspire those under one's command to reach their full potential.

Fletcher: As a captain, your duty is not only to the Federation, but also to your crew. Do you swear to lead by example, and take care of all who are under your jurisdiction, to encourage and exhort to the high standards as befitting a Starfleet officer, and to ensure discipline and respect are given to all

T'Valek: The responsibility of leadership extends far beyond mere command - it encompasses the nurturing and development of each individual under your care. Can you accept such a charge?

And although she understood the gravity and importance of what the captains were saying, Lia's answer was immediate:

Rouiancet: Yes, I can.

Fletcher: And finally, do you swear to honour and respect all people with whom you come into contact with, to abide by the Prime Directive, and ensure peaceful relations throughout the galaxy?

Kruwii: Or as best as you can!

This time, Lia took a little longer to answer. She didn't doubt herself or her resolve, but she had examples aplenty already of the importance of a captain's diplomatic acumen, from the Cheydalanga to the UDP.

Rouiancet: I do swear.

With that, Captain Fletcher was the one to step forward and actually pin the fourth pip to Lia's uniform.

Fletcher: I hereby declare that Commander Lia Rouiancet has been promoted to the rank of captain, and is hereby afforded all the rights and privileges of that position. Captain Lia Rouiancet, please recite your Captain’s Oath for the Octavia E. Butler.

Rouiancet: (solemn) I swear to lead my crew into the final frontier, on a continuing mission to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no one has gone before.

The captains' reactions were immediate.

Fletcher: Attention!

The captains all snapped to attention. Even Commodore V'Airu joined in.

Kruwii: Captain!

T’Valek: Captain.

Rhyl: Captain!

V'Airu: Captain.

Captain Fletcher ended the salute, and the entire company relaxed.

Rouiancet: Captains. (beat, nod to V'Airu) And Commodore. Thank you for this honor. I can't tell you how much it means to have the support and respect of my peers.

Fletcher: Now it’s time to party!

T’Valek: If we must.

Was that almost a smile on T'Valek's face? Lia thought so, and she knew for certain that she saw V'Airu roll her eyes behind the captain's back.

Rouiancet: Ha, well, you won't get a "no" from me.

Kruwii: I believe the traditional indulgence is fermented fruit drinks!

Somehow, Lia had known that the drinks were going to come from Rhyl. He had the satchel, after all ... but more than that, he just seemed the type to bring the drinks. V'Airu looked the other way as the drinks came out, but once they were out, she looked back with interest, and Lia couldn't help but laugh.

Rhyl: We raided the bank and made sure we had the real stuff — becoming captain is no small feat! (pouring a drink) Officially, welcome to the club.

Lia took the drink he offered and sipped, and in the moment that she might've coughed the harsh edge out again, Kruwii approached, palms out, a good wish for peace.

Kruwii: Congratulations again. We need more Captains out here.

T’Valek: I agree with Captain Kruwii, and I belief they’ve filled the position admirably.

Rouiancet: I'll try my best to do as well. (beat; slight cheek) Though I may well try to do better. Fair warning.

Fletcher: Response

Kruwii: All in all, a good meeting of the Command Officers Promotion Association!

Rhyl: Hip, Hip… Hooray.

The other captains quickly joined in, even V'Airu. However, as the captains settled around with their drinks, Lia saw the commodore grab a bottle of tequila, salute briefly, and continue on her way, as mysteriously as she'd arrived.

Fletcher/Kruwii: Responses

Rhys: Have you got your next orders yet… Captain?

Commodore V'Airu might know, but given she'd just vanished with a particularly potent Earth beverage, Lia didn't know. She shrugged.

Rouiancet: Not yet, but I'm sure it'll be soon.

Rhys: Those number crunchers back at HQ (beat) sometimes I think they’re just making it up as they go along. I’ve been hearing rumours about the Zet starting to procure larger amounts of weapons.

Rouiancet: (sighin) That tracks, unfortunately.

At least they were no longer alone, as the crew of the Thor had been, and as the smaller force that the 'Oumuamua had headed had been, though to a lesser extent. She glanced over at T'Valek, whose ship had been out there since before the Caboto disaster, too.

Fletcher/Kruwii/ T’Valek: Responses

Rhys: (shaking his head) I haven’t been able to substantiate anything yet… they mentioned that Starfleet Intelligence would ‘look into it’. I’ll be heading on a diplomatic run myself with a representative from New Bajor to establish another trade route. (motioning his glass to Lia) Kudos to your team for setting up one with the I-Kiyoan.

Rouiancet: (slight shrug) If our experience is any indicator, few on the ring will be displeased to see more Starfleet personnel in the future.

She couldn't speak for everyone, of course, but then even the friendliest havens -- Port Coray, for example -- didn't harbor a population in unanimous favor of more Starfleet contact. They did the best with what they had regardless.

Fletcher/Kruwii/ T’Valek/Rhys: Responses

As the drinking and talk continued, and even though much of it crossed into the realm of shop talk, Lia found herself surprisingly at ease. These were her fellows, now more than ever since they were the same rank. They saw her as one of them -- and she was. She was one of them.

She smiled to herself, for this community she hadn't even known she had.

TBC! and (I'm thinking) closing of the scene for Rouiancet!

--

Captain Lia Rouiancet

Commanding Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

V238208LV0

she/her/hers (this character)