OOC: Nudged it ahead ever so slightly 😉.
(( Conference Room 04-118, Deck 4, Deep Space 14 ))
Ryhl Th'shriathik looked around the room, all the red-cladded officers gathered as they awaited the arrival of the commander of the Gamma Quadrant Expeditionary Task Force’s flagship.
Normally, he’d elect to skip an event like this and suffer the political consequences after the fact. However, given the events of Frontier Day and the Unity Dow, and the fact that he did in fact like the woman — she’d proven herself against impossible odds — this was also a morale boost for the team. It was no secret that many of the captains felt some illogical guilt of not being able to save those lives on F-Day.
His antennae fidgeted as the time approached, impatiently, and then finally a hum filled the room, and a swirl of light brought a bewildered Rouiancet into existence.
Rouiancet: What am I doing here?
T'Valek: Our sincerest apologies for any
interruption in your routine.
Rhyl wondered how sincere the Vulcan’s apology was given that they had intentionally kidnapped her off ship.
Fletcher: Good to see you Rouiancet.
Kruwii: (inclining his head in greeting) Commander.
Rhyl: (antennae straightening and nodding) Lia.
Captains: Responses
Acknowledgements done, Rouiancet was the one that moved on to their first order of business.
Rouiancet: I don't understand. Why'd you have me beamed in?
T’Valek: This assembly of commanding officers has a number of items for discussion, but one is centered around you.
Kruwii: (with fuax sternness) Don’t think Command has been ignorant of your recent activities.
Rhyl: And to be honest ::waving a PADD:: with your latest report, we wanted to make sure that you showed up — lest you hallucinate yourself into your next mission.
He wondered if he was playacting a bit too harshly for a pink skin.
Captains/Rouiancet: Responses
Fletcher: Yes, well, there are some things to discuss. Especially about what you’ve been doing.
T’Valek: I believe what the captains are attempting to relay is your time as commander has shown great accolades, advancement, and support for our presence here and your actions must be recognized.
Fletcher: Don’t get so excited, T’Valek. Your smile’s about to show.
Rhyl: (with a sly grin) Now now, I don’t think they’d know how to even work those muscles.
Now, if Rouiancet didn’t clue in to what was about to happen, he’d question the merit of this entire ceremony.
Captains/Rouiancet: Responses
Kruwii: (turning to Bridget) Captain Fletcher, if you would?
A smirk crept across Fletcher’s face, followed by the expression flattening out a wagging of the finger. Rhyl’s own first officer did this on occasion and he never understood why it was a sign of getting admonished.
Fletcher: Do you know what you’ve done young lady?
Captains/Rouiancet: Response
Kruwii: The exploits of the Octavia E Butler are becoming infamous, and not just in this Quadrant.
On cue, Rhyl started laying down PADD after PADD on the table of various mission reports.
T’Valek: Responses
Fletcher: You really are a barrel of monkeys, aren’t you, T’Valek? ::shaking her head and thumbing in the Vulcan’s direction::
Fletcher: The point is, it’s time for a change. Commander Rouiancet, your time is up. This is it. I’m afraid you’re going to have to give up your rank.
Kruwii: Effective immediately.
Captains/Rouiancet: Responses
Kruwii: I believe Commodore V’Airu personally insisted.
With V’Airu’s arrival in the room, Rhyl had to stop his own mouth from dropping open. This item had not been on the itinerary he’d been sent, and he’d honestly not expected to see her again after the incident on the ‘Oumuamua, which was then transferred to Etan.
V'Airu: Indeed. ::taking a seat at the table:: Please, continue. I am here to observe only.
An antenna bent in disbelief.
T’Valek: You’ve made a name for yourself in the Gamma quadrant Commander.
Captain/Rouiancet: Responses
Kruwii: Well, not quite. There’s a bit more… ::looking around at the others::
While eager to see this change, he did his best to nod solemnly.
Captains/Rouiancet: Responses
T’Valek: Indeed
Captains/Rouiancet: Response
T’Valek: Well, Commander, can you tell us what your goals are for the future?
Rhyl: oO The final test. Oo
Captains/Rouiancet: Response
Finally, the wooden box was produced. While Andoria had its own customs and ceremony, this faux bait and switch was certainly something unique to humanity.
Tags/TBC
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Ryhl Th'shriathik
Captain
USS Pilgrim
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)