Cmdre. V’Airu, Lt. Col. Greaves, & Lt. Cmdr. Etan: The Golden Gate View, Part 1
Jacob Rittenhouse
(( Georgiou Memorial Ballroom, Starfleet Academy Main Campus, San Francisco, Earth ))
Being a commodore definitely had some perks.
In this case, it meant that when Ossa requested one of the most prestigious rooms at the main Starfleet Academy campus, the CPO-in-charge didn’t immediately laugh her off the comm channel. However, she knew that her rank alone wouldn’t have done the job, and so she reminded the chief (and whoever they reported to by association) that her request came on behalf of the crew of the ‘Oumuamua, the flagship of the Federation’s presence in the former Dominion territory of the Gamma Quadrant. That request definitely carried some weight, and enough mystery and intrigue that, simply in exchange for a few stories, she was able to book the Georgiou Ballroom.
Now, several days later, and Ossa gazed northeast through the ballroom’s wide windowed wall, across San Francisco Bay and with the Golden Gate Bridge in pride of place. Behind her, she heard the various quiet clamorings of her arriving crew, as well as the bustle of the enlisted officers who’d been roped into serving that evening. Still she didn’t turn around, and she felt rather than saw Greaves and Etan join her. Her outgoing XO was on her right, and her incoming XO was on her left.
V’Airu: Colonel. Commander. Ready?
Greaves: Ready as ever ma’am.
Iljor tugged the hem of his uniform once at the same time that he nodded. It was more of a nervous affectation than anything else. It had been several days since the Commodore had asked him to succeed Greaves as ‘Oumuamua’s XO and he was not sure how to feel. Would the crew accept him, having only been in their midst for a short time? And how did one go about following the Marine? He had been an incredible First Officer, after all- one of the best in Starfleet, no less. He acknowledged those concerns but chose not to dwell on them- they could be addressed in counseling with Lieutenant Salo if the need arose.
No, tonight was about honouring the crew of the ‘Oumuamua and bidding Colonel Greaves a fond farewell.
Etan: Ready. :: he replied. ::
Ossa nodded crisply, then turned. She, Greaves, and Etan were slightly behind a raised dais, and while the ceremony included a dinner, they wouldn’t be dining apart, since the dais had been emptied of everything except a podium and the various flags – of the Federation itself, of the member states. The room was nearly full, with officers and crew around dozens of tables that sat between three and six each, and although there was an excited murmur, she had only to take the podium for that to die away quickly.
V’Airu: Thank you all for joining me here today to celebrate your accomplishments during our thoroughly unexpected adventure to Gelf. I am gratified that, thanks to your diligence and service, we were able to provide a real, tangible solution for the Gelflings when they were threatened by the rogue pulsar, and were also able to render aid before, during, and after the crisis. We also have history on our side, and I can confirm that Gelf joined the Federation not long after the Intrepid assisted with the pulsar crisis. All that, thanks to your efforts. Please, give yourselves a hand.
She joined in the applause, of course, and then looked to Greaves and to Etan, to see if they had anything to add.
Iljor shook his head, almost imperceptibly. While he was grateful for the opportunity to address the assembled, the Commodore had said what needed to be said with such grace and beauty that there was nothing else he could think to add.
Wes looked between the Commodore and the incoming XO and shook his head as well. He had never been one for speeches.
Ossa returned her attention to the gathered men and woman of the ship.
V’Airu: Before the supper service begins, I ask your attention for another few moments only. Unfortunately, I’ll also be interrupting the dining of a few tables of senior staff officers directly. Junior officers and crew, look to your department heads for any promotions and ribbons you may have earned. (beat) But speaking first of promotions, I ask Lieutenant Promontory to join us, please.
She stood slightly back as Promontory detached himself from the table where he’d been seated, with several science officers including Lieutenant Katsim and Ensigns Dahlquist and Emond. As he came up, Ossa subtly accepted a small box from Etan.
Knowing what was to come, Iljor smiled. The Intelligence officer had been a true bright spot of his tenure aboard the Luna-class vessel and this promotion was more than earned. The El-Aurian/Human hybrid had proven himself to be utterly indispensable and the incoming First Officer was truly glad to have his skill and expertise on hand.
Promontory stepped onto the dais and, at Ossa’s request, stood beside the podium.
V’Airu: I want first to recognize the amount of time and energy you devote to your post, Lieutenant. You have taken on the monumental task of intelligence officer on the lead vessel in a region in which the vast majority of our post-war intelligence is decades out of date. Nevertheless, you do so with humor and dedication, and apply your knowledge and craft no matter the context – as your work at Gelf clearly demonstrates. In many ways, this promotion is retroactive recognition for the job you’ve already been doing. Nevertheless, it gives me great pleasure to promote you to the rank of full lieutenant.
She turned to him and removed the hollow pip from his uniform. She replaced it with the gold pip she took from the box Etan had handed her.
V’Airu: Congratulations, Lieutenant Promontory.
Promontory: Response
The Marine smiled widely at the young man’s face as the skipper finished pressing the full gold pip into place. Leaning in slightly as he shook his hand Wes spoke just loud enough for those close by to hear.
Greaves: Stand proud, you earned every ounce of those pips, though I’m guessing they’ll feel heavier and heavier the more you wear them.
Iljor extended his hand as he offered Promontory a friendly grin.
Etan: Well deserved, Avander.
Thus dismissed, Promontory returned to the science table, and Ossa again addressed the room from the podium.
It was then that Iljor noticed the Commodore’s gaze had fallen upon him. He swallowed and drew in a deep breath. This was it, he mused. There was no going back now. He felt an ethereal sense of warmth cloak his body and in that moment he knew The Prophets were with him.
V’Airu: You already know that we will bid farewell to Colonel Greaves this evening, and although my full remarks must wait until the reception later, I admit that the theme of legacies has long been on my mind. Greaves and I have served as your command staff since the launch of the ‘Oumuamua, and while I am sure – absolutely sure – that he cannot be replaced, I have great faith in his successor. Lieutenant Commander Etan, records of your stellar service and glowing reputation ill prepared me for how resolute and diligent you are in person. I was delighted to see that you passed the bridge officer’s exam with the highest scores, and I’m even more grateful that you’ve accepted the post of first officer. Greaves, if you please?
She turned to Greaves for a moment, who handed her another box, very similar to the one she’d received from Etan a few moments before.
V’Airu: In addition to naming you first officer, please accept this promotion to full commander.
As with Promontory, she removed his hollow pip – his third, where it had been Promontory’s second – and replaced it with a solid gold pip from the box.
V’Airu: Congratulations, Commander.
His nerves melted into nothing and he smiled anew, proud that his career in Starfleet had led him to this moment. He had walked the long, and often winding, path that The Prophets had laid out for him, and this was his reward. He wished that he could have stopped time in that instant, to savour the feeling as Commodore V’Airu affixed the third gold pip to the funnel neck of his black undershirt.
Etan: Thank you, Commodore. I won’t let you down. :: he turned to look at Colonel Greaves. :: I will keep the ship in one piece for you, Colonel.
Greaves: I know you will.
Wes, still wearing a smile from Avander’s promotion, offered the new Commander a handshake. As their hands closed on one another the Marine pulled Iljor into him and clapped the man on the back in a half hug.
Greaves: (Quietly) Some quick advice, that position changed me as an officer. Just make sure when it changes you, that you don’t lose the things that got you here along the way.
With a final squeeze, Wes released the man and took a step back.
Greaves: Congratulations.
Once more, Ossa turned to the crowd from behind the podium.
V’Airu: Thank you for your attention, and please offer your congratulations to the promoted officers at your leisure. Enjoy your suppers!
With that, the enlisted servers sprung into motion, the murmur returned, and Ossa raised her eyebrows at her companions.
V’Airu: Well, shall we?
Iljor swept an arm towards the myriad of tables dotted around the ballroom, his eyes twinkling with merrimeent.
Etan: After you, ma’am.
Tags! and TBC!
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Commodore Ossa V'Airu
Commanding Officer
USS 'Oumuamua
V238208LV0
she/her/hers (this character) & he/him/his (player)
&
Commander Etan Iljor
Executive Officer
USS ‘Oumuamua
NCC - 81226
C239203TW0
(they/them or he/him - IC and OOC)
&
Lieutenant Colonel Wes Greaves
Former Executive Officer
Former Marine Detachment Commander
USS Oumuamua NCC-81226
E239702WG0