Capt. Rouiancet, Cmdr. Promontory, & Lt. Cmdr. Herrick: All That You Touch You Change, Part 1
Tony Colella
(( Main Engineering Lower Level, Deck 11, USS Octavia E. Butler ))
Was it silly that Lia felt a little nervous in front of the gathered engineers? She so rarely was among these members of her crew, and only these crewmembers, and she was oddly aware of the fact that she was the only non-engineer among them. Even Josh, who was their chief, the ship’s second officer, and a soon-to-be-officer-of-another-type-entirely, was much more of the place than she was.
Well, silly or not, this moment wasn’t about her, and she set aside her feelings in order to honor those who the engineers had gathered to honor.
She grinned at Josh before they began. He’d already helped Avander bestow ribbons and promotions once, but she hadn’t been there for that. This was their first time in the dual role, and she was pleased as a tribble in quintotriticale to have him there with her.
Rouiancet: Feeling ready?
He gazed around the room. There was a bitter sweet atmosphere here as he already knew what would be unfolding. As ordered, they had all shown up in the dress uniforms, which admittedly look a bit out of place in their current locale. Each ribbon rack was a testament to the success and triumphs of their contributions in the service. He held his hands behind his back and tried to keep as much emotion out of his voice.
Herrick: I am.
So she pitched her voice out over the crowd of engineers and began.
Rouiancet: Thank you all for attending this gathering to honor some of your fellow engineers. I want to begin with your chief, Josh Herrick. (beat) I’m sorry to announce that, effective immediately, he will no longer be your chief.
She let them simmer for a moment. No one could accuse Lia of not having a sense of humor, though it was occasionally a macabre one – and since she’d only just been hauled back from ending her own command, she was definitely indulging it more than a little at the moment.
Rouiancet: He won’t be leaving the ship, have no fear. As you all know, he’s already second officer, and following some (beat; glance at Josh) unusual events over the last few months, I’ve decided to promote him into the position of intelligence officer as well. That post has been vacant since Commander Promontory’s promotion, and I’m delighted to have Commander Herrick fill it. Congratulations, Josh.
Though, as the engineers applauded, she wasn’t sure that she oughtn’t have phrased that as “Congratulations, Josh?” Intelligence was not necessarily the most forgiving of postings.
Rouiancet: Before he changes into a black uniform, I want to recognize him with a few ribbons for his service in his final mission as chief of engineering.
She pinned the three ribbons – POW, Diplomacy, and Department Chief – as she continued, speaking both to him and the gathering.
Rouiancet: I hope it’s not cruel to recognize your time as department chief with the ribbon that recognizes that. Moreover, I want to also recognize your actions during the previous missions, and the actions that were taken against you, with the other two ribbons, the Diplomacy Ribbon and the Prisoner of War. Thank you, Josh, for your service.
Following the initial surprise, he found that each of the ribbons carried a weight with him. He hadn’t considered himself a PoW but in retrospect he had; he hadn’t thought himself a diplomat, but he’d avoided the detonation of a mine; and while he thought of himself as a chief, the young academy graduate two years ago wouldn’t have guessed he’d be here now. He spoke a bit louder over the raucous applause happening in the background.
Herrick: Thank you. (beat) It’s an honour and a privilege to serve on your ship.
Rouiancet: (with a slight smile) And you’ll continue to do so, just in a slightly different capacity.
He did his best to recite the speech he’d practiced over the last few days.
Herrick: Thank you, Captain! ::turning to the crowd:: Words alone cannot express how impressed I am with each and every one of you. You make the Butler proud, and while I may no longer be the head of this department, I’ll only be a few decks away.
How many decks, Josh had no clue, as he’d still been unable to ascertain where the intelligence suite was located.
Herrick: But, with this move comes the fact that we need to fill that vacancy and ::stealing a glance to Lia:: we’ve landed on my successors rather. ::speaking a tad louder over the murmurs:: Those individuals are Lieutenant Lahl, now Acting Chief of Interior Systems, and Lieutenant Caras, Acting Chief of Exterior Systems and Propulsion.
He waved them over, a broad smile now plastered across his face.
Caras/Lahl: Response
Rouiancet: (to the gathering) Lieutenants Caras and Lahl will serve concurrently as acting chiefs. They will share the responsibilities of that post in addition to focusing on their new specialties. (beat) Now, Lieutenant Lahl?
She paused for a moment as Lahl joined her and Josh in front of the engineers.
Rouiancet: Lieutenant, I was able to appreciate firsthand your fine work during this mission, including not only your engineering skill but your ability to handle high-stress situations on the bridge, the highest-stress environment aboard a starship. I have two ribbons to award you, both for your work aboard the Butler and for your part on the surface of Koreli IV.
Lia hesitated ever so slightly before she continued, since the former was a large part of her near-decision to give up her command. That decision-that-wasn’t, however, had nothing to do with Lahl, and so she did her best to continue smoothly.
Rouiancet: First, allow me to present you with the Innovation Ribbon for your, well, innovative tactical take on the Butler’s encounter with the Zet fleet, in addition to your unparalleled skill with computer systems that allowed you to gain unauthorized data access at just the right moment. Then, I hope you’ll also accept the Captain’s Commendation, both for your shipboard work and for the integral part you played in identifying the extent to which the Zet had tampered with the local watercourses. Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Lahl: Response
Josh also shook Lahl’s hand, shaking it with a smile.
Herrick: And, Morro, you performed with distinction. You’re hereby awarded the Legion of Merit and Explorer ribbons based on your ability to battle through the Zet’s defensive and ad-ridden systems to help the ship get insight to activities on the ground, as well discovering a new fledgling species. Congratulations.
He leaned in and pinned the two ribbons on the rack, before moving back and extending his hand.
Caras: Response
Rouiancet: Congratulations to you, Lieutenant. Please, join me in one more round of applause for your new chiefs.
Lia led this round herself.
Caras/Lahl: Response
Herrick: (with an apologetic smile) I’ll catch you at the after party; this isn’t the final stop of the day.
Tags! and TBC!
–
Captain Lia Rouiancet
Commanding Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
V238208LV0
she/her/hers (this character) & he/him/his (simmer)
&
Lieutenant Commander Josh Herrick
Intelligence Officer and Second Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)