Capt. Lia Rouiancet: Two Ships

[Tony Colella]

(( Solar Sail Observation Hall, Deep Space 14 ))

Every time Lia looked through the domed ceiling -- which took a little getting used to, since it looked out onto New Bajor, which felt like it was down, even though that was meaningless in space -- she saw the ships' silhouettes, both the Octavia E. Butler and the Thor. They were joined by other ships of the Flotilla, but it was those two that continued to draw Lia's eye. Her ship, and the ship that would shortly earn the service of many of her officers and crew.

Shortly after this ceremony, both the OEB and the Thor would be shipping out on their next missions, and while Lia was happy for Trake Promontory, and Josh, and Sevantha, and Morro, and all the rest -- and Avander, who'd been promoted to head up intelligence ops in the quadrant aboard DS14, directly under Commodore V'Airu -- Lia couldn't help the melancholy she felt in that moment.

However. It was perhaps not the moment to indulge those feelings, as the whole hall was looking at her as they waited for what she had to say next. She was standing up before them, alongside Toxin and Lhandon, and the time since she'd last spoken was growing by the moment. Her smile of a moment later was true, if similarly melancholy.

Rouiancet: Sorry. My mind wandered. (beat) As I was saying, I want to wish the departing Thor officers and crew the best from all of us staying on Butler. I want to especially recognize Commander Trake Promontory, the Thor's new commanding officer; Lieutenant Commander Josh Herrick, the Thor's new executive officer; Lieutenant Morro Caras, the Thor's new chief engineering officer, and...

Even while she'd spoken, Lia had strolled away from the slightly raised dais where she, Toxin, and Lhandon had been standing, to the table where Sevantha was sitting. As she did so, with Lohkina on her tail -- her last time, since Lia had approved her requested transfer into Lhandon's diplomatic department -- she took the small box Lohkina offered.

Rouiancet: Lieutenant Commander Sevantha Saa, who will not only be the Thor's new counselor and head of health, but also its new second officer. Please, join me in congratulating Commander Saa on her promotion, and all these officers on their new, deserved positions.

As the room applauded, Lia added the third, hollow pip from the box Lohkina had handed her to Sevantha's collar. 

Saa: Response

The applause continued, and Lia returned to the dais.

Rouiancet: You'll also no doubt have noticed that I'm joined by Lieutenant Commanders Arlill and Nilsen up here, and that Commander Arlill is also wearing an entirely new uniform color. I hope you'll join me again in a round of applause for the new members of the Butler's command team, executive officer Toxin Arlill and second officer Lhandon Nilsen.

Arlill / Nilsen: Responses

During this round of applause, Lia also accepted a larger box from Lohkina, even as crew around the room descended on the small tables where the Butler's (and the Thor's) officers were sitting. Lia almost glanced up again at those ship silhouettes, but she kept herself focused.

Rouiancet: All officers and crew who participated in the previous mission are now receiving the Explorer's Ribbon, or the appropriate star for repeated citations. Before I, and the new command team, descend upon to award additional ribbons and promotions, I hope you'll allow me to recognize these two fine officers publicly -- with, for Commander Nilsen, the Innovation Ribbon -- for Commander Arlill, the Distinguished Service Ribbon and the Captain's Commendation -- and, for both, the Leadership Excellence Ribbon. Each and every member of this crew who has served directly with these fine officers will know that these ribbons are deserved, not only for dealing with the chaos of the previous mission, but for the long histories of leadership and exemplary service that allowed my new command team colleagues to be in positions where their authority and experience was able to do the most good. One more round of applause, please!

She clapped herself, too, and pinned the ribbons and stars -- four for Toxin and three for Lhandon, since she had Explorer's Ribbons for both of them, too. When the applause died down, she opened her arms to the room.

Rouiancet: Now! We'll be roving amongst you, handing out ribbons and pips, but don't let us interrupt your drinks and dinners to too great a degree. Enjoy!

Arlill / Nilsen: Responses

Tags! and TBC!

--

Captain Lia Rouiancet

Commanding Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

V238208LV0

she/her/hers (this character)