JP: LtCmdr Promontory, Lt Herrick, Capt Rouiancet: A Time for Awards: Intro(s)
Avander Promontory
A Time for Awards-Intro(s)
((Corridor adjacent to the grand hall, Prophet’s Gaze))
Although they were just renting the vessel for the evening, the staff of the luxury cruiser was treating the Octavia E Butler crew like they were royalty.
oO Good. Oo Thought Avander Promontory. oO After what this crew has been through, they certainly deserve it! Oo
An awards ceremony on the evening of the terran new year was decent justification for the party. Avander turned to the man who had been his acting XO over the last mission, who was beaming with excitement.
Promontory: You got them all?
Herrick: Triple counted, they’re all here!
There were plenty of ribbon boxes, but more exciting were the large number of pip boxes.
Rouiancet: (eyeing the pips) You know, this is the greatest number of promotions we’ve given out since the Butler launched.
And that included for the two men with her, a fact that was not lost on Lia – or that she neglected to take pride in. She just wished, for the thousandth time, that she’d been there to support them.
Promontory: Josh, why don’t you put these at the front table before we go in and start the announcements. (beat) Are you nervous?
The man felt redness fill his face as a flush settled in; had it been that obvious? He looked at the towering boxes, hoping that he wouldn’t embarrass himself, Lia or Avander.
Herrick: Just a bit… opening day jitters… I’m sure they’ll settle down.
Rouiancet: (reassuring) They will. Remember, the folks out there are your friends and colleagues. They want to see you succeed.
Just like he – both of them, truly – wanted to recognize the officers and crew for the excellent service they’d rendered during an event whose unprecedented nature was matched only by how unexpected it had been.
Promontory: I understand that Celestial Cruises INC got conceptual clearance from the Vedek assembly first. (beat) It probably helped that their first charter was the Vedek assembly!
Rouiancet: (dry) So no pressure. (normal; a grin) Are you both ready? You’ll do great, trust me!
((Grand Li Nalas Observation Dome, Celestial Cruises’ Prophet’s Gaze))
The room was expansive and elegant. The floor appeared to be some sort of marble inlaid with intricate designs reminiscent of nebulae. The seating was plush and the tables were done up in layers of fancy silks, but the real star of the show wasn’t in the room at all. Topping the room was a giant dome of transparent aluminum that gave view to the pulsating energies of the Celestial Temple.
The command team strode up to the dais at the head of the room.
Rouiancet: Your attention, please.
Not that she needed to ask for it, really. There had been a low buzz of conversation when the three officers had entered, but it had fallen to silence naturally as they took the dais.
Rouiancet: I won’t take too much time up here, I promise. In fact, I want primarily to recognize the excellent command team who flourished under extremely unusual circumstances. Before I do, though…
She nodded to Avander, then stepped back.
Avander nodded to the Captain, then moved to center stage.
Promontory: We want to start by welcoming a few new faces. (on cue the spotlight shown on each officer as their name was announced) Lieutenants Saa and Forsyth have recently transferred to our ship and I understand are already making themselves invaluable. And, we also want to welcome our special new Temporal Affairs Officer, Iliac.
Avander stepped back and began a round of applause.
Rouiancet: (stepping forward again) I also have the pleasure of welcoming back two officers who I have served with across ships and years, and who I am very fortunate to serve with again: Colonel Wes Greaves and Lieutenant Jack Kessler.
The spotlight found the marine and tactical officer at the same table and another round of applause ensued.
Rouiancet: Now, I want to make good use of those (a nod to the pip boxes). Avander – I couldn’t have asked for a more capable officer to succeed me as the Butler’s commander. Even if I had been there, I would have entrusted that command to you in a moment. You’ve met and exceeded any expectations I had for my executive officer, and any of those Starfleet has of you as well. You’ve earned this, truly.
One full pip, one of several, waited for Lia to pluck it from its ornate box. She replaced the third hollow pip on Avander’s dress uniform with this third full.
Rouiancet: Congratulations, Commander Promontory. (low; a smile) You’re in it now.
Avander stood right by the Captain in the limelight. He had applied for the promotion, filled out the paperwork, sat for the command exam and done a hundred other things to lead to this moment, that it actually felt more surreal than anything. He was already XO, most of his duties wouldn’t change, but somehow, there was now even more responsibility on his shoulders. He didn’t trust his voice for more than a couple words.
Promontory: Thank you.
At least his rank pips were symmetrical again.
Avander smiled at the crowd, his friends, his space family. He caught Josh’s eye, leaned out and mouthed “you’re next!” as if it were a threat.
Rouiancet: Before these two (a glance at Avander and Josh) and I join you on the floor, I have an additional promotion to present. Josh – since Aine transferred to the Chin’toka, I’ve been looking for someone to succeed her as second officer. You’ve run your department commendably and with a real flair for command, but it was your impromptu service as Avander’s acting executive officer that convinced both him and me that you were the right officer for this honor. Or sentence, perhaps… At all events, it’s my great pleasure to promote you to the rank of lieutenant commander and to officially recognize you as the Octavia E Butler’s second officer, in addition to your continued presence as chief of the engineering department.
She added the third hollow pip to Josh’s dress collar, officially recognizing him with the rank he’d earned. She eyed it for a moment, considering – since Avander’s promotion had occurred moments before – how long it would be until Josh’s hollow pip was also replaced by a gold one. Well, one step at a time.
The ‘second officer’ role was not a surprise to Josh considering Lia had approached him prior to the ceremony to make sure he’d accept, wanting to avoid a public rejection should the engineer choose to decline. However, what had caught him off guard was the increase in rank. His mouth hung open for a second before he remembered that there were several hundred eyeballs on him.
He stepped in front of Lia, who affixed a new hollow pip to the left of the two that were filled in.
Herrick: Thank you! (with more confidence) I won’t let you down.
Rouiancet: (a smile) I know you won’t.
She almost leaned in for a joke about spacing him if he did, but – no, no, there’d be time enough for that later.
Josh went to take his previous position before being stopped in his tracks.
Promontory: Not so fast, Commander!
Avander grabbed the top ribbon box and double-checked the name before proceeding.
Promontory: We also have some ribbons for you. (turning to the crowd) Commander Herrick served as my acting XO during the last mission and I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that we all might not have made it back if it wasn’t for him and his leadership. (turning back) It is my absolute pleasure to present to you the Superior Support and Leadership Excellence ribbons.
Avander plucked each of the ribbons out and pressed them to Josh’s current collection.
Herrick: I —
He looked down at the ribbon rack that a year and a half ago (or two years, if he counted the repeated 6 months) had been empty. He’d survived and thrived thanks to the crew of the Butler, which was truly his home. He took a moment to collect himself, and then gave an appreciative nod to the members of the command team he was joining.
Herrick: Thank you. ::glancing to the crowd:: Shall we?
Avander flicked his eyes to the Captain for confirmation that there weren't any more surprises waiting in the wings.
Rouiancet: Well! I’m ready if you two are?
Promontory: Our first stop isn’t too far.
He indicated a table near the dais that had Lieutenants Arlill and Toz. As they had arranged, the spotlight followed them as they walked over
Lieutenant Commander Josh Herrick
Chief Engineer
USS Octavia E. Butler
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)