Commodore V'Airu & Commander Rouiancet: Passing the Torch, Part 1

[tonyrc...@gmail.com]

(( Intel Suite, Deck E Catamaran, USS 'Oumuamua ))

It was entirely bizarre, Lia thought, to be up on Deck E without the reassuring psychic weight of the mission pod overhead.

To be sure, she couldn't have seen the mission pod from Deck E even if it had been there, but the knowledge of its absence weighed on her much more heavily than she'd expected. Maybe it was because she'd played a role in removing the pod, and if so, the responsibility dogged her. She glanced over at the commodore as they entered the intelligence suite, but if the absence also bothered Commodore V'Airu, she was keeping her own counsel about it.

As Lia had expected, she and V'Airu found Avander Promontory hard at work, decommissioning any devices or access stations with the ability to connect to the intel databases. Or, Lia imagined, double- or triple-checking work he'd already done. He didn't seem to notice them come in, and V'Airu didn't make her presence known. It was up to Lia, then, to clear her throat to get his attention.

Rouiancet: I'm sorry to interrupt.

Promontory: Response

Rouiancet: (with a smile) I think you'll forgive us.

She looked to Commodore V'Airu to add her thoughts, but the commodore simply nodded. Very well. She'd warned Lia that she wasn't feeling her best and that Lia would need to take the lead. Lia was agreeable, but it was very strange to suddenly step into the role that V'Airu had occupied as commander of this crew in front of her.

Promontory: Response

Rouiancet: You already know that I've been assigned as CO of the Octavia E. Butler. What you don't know yet is that you're coming with me -- and the whole crew, too. For at least as long as 'Oumuamua is being repaired, its crew has been assigned to the OEB. And for you, that comes with a bonus.

How many times had Lia seen Commodore V'Airu, and plenty of COs before her, reveal the ornamental box that Starfleet replicators made when senior officers requested new pips? Now, it was her turn. V'Airu carried the opal-inlaid teakwood box full of ribbons, but Lia had asked to be the one who handled promotions. She removed a hollow pip now, and beckoned Promontory closer, close enough that she could pin it to his collar.

Rouiancet: I'm genuinely thrilled to promote you to the rank of lieutenant commander, Avander -- and, like we already discussed, to recognize you not only as the Octavia E. Butler's intelligence officer, but as the Director of Intelligence for the whole Gamma Flotilla Expeditionary Task Force. Congratulations!

Promontory: Response

Rouiancet: Well, I certainly hope so!

Promontory: Response

With that, Lia looked to the commodore, who opened up the box's lid. V'Airu didn't seem her usual and unshakeable self, but she also seemed to be making a concerted effort to embody that standard.

V'Airu: Promontory, in my final act as your commanding officer, please allow me to recognize you twice over. First, for the responsibilities you continue to handle with professionalism and ease, not the least of which was your capably provided guidance and leadership of your away team at Alpha Brenkelvi, I recognize you with with the Leadership Excellence Ribbon. Then, for the work you did with your team to translate the ancient language you found and connect it to modern Bajoran, and in so doing illustrate a totally unknown link between the Alpha and Gamma Quadrants, I recognize you with the Scientific Discovery Ribbon. Please accept my congratulations, Commander.

Lia reflected for a moment that the commodore had, as she so rarely did, addressed Avander by his rank. His new rank, and one that he'd have to get used to in the future. As she thought, V'Airu pinned both ribbons to his uniform.

Promontory: Response

Tags! and TBC!

--

Commodore Ossa V'Airu

Commanding Officer

USS 'Oumuamua

&

Commander Lia Rouiancet

Commanding Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

V238208LV0

she/her/hers (these characters) & he/him/his (player)