Commodore V'Airu & Commander Rouiancet: Passing the Torch, Part 7 1/2

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(( Bridge, Deck 1, USS ‘Oumuamua ))

Commodore V'Airu took a step back after presenting the pair of ribbons to Commander Etan. Etan had, of course, been her XO -- and now he would be Lia's, with the commodore's strong recommendation. Lia had overseen Iljor's final command exam many months ago before his promotion to his current rank, and she found the assignment particularly appropriate for that reason, and for many others.

Etan: Thank you ma’am. I serve Starfleet and my world.

Rouiancet: And I'm honored you'll continue to serve at my side.

The assignment of an XO had been a real worry for Lia. Not that she'd doubted that she and the assigned officer would be able to create a working relationship, but how long would that have taken? This way, she and Iljor very much already knew each other, and while their relationship would change, they weren't starting from scratch.

Etan: Commodore, can I just say what an honour it has been to serve alongside you since I joined this crew. You have taught me a lot about command and what it means to lead. Your support has been invaluable and much appreciated. May the Prophets walk with you.

V’Airu: (gravely) And with you, Commander.

He turned then to Lia, and stood at ease.

Etan: Is there anything you need me to do, ma’am?

Lia shook her head, and smiled easily.

Rouiancet: Enjoy the remainder of your leave. There's little enough of it left, and there's no telling how long we'll be out in the Gamma Quadrant this time...

(( Gym, Deck 7, USS 'Oumuamua ))

Rouiancet: (a smile at Nilsen) Oh, I'm sure we'll do just fine.

Nilsen: It wasn’t just me sir…wait! did you say new CO? We? Me and you Ro?

Rouiancet: Well, in a manner of speaking.

Yet it seemed to Lia gauche in the extreme to name herself as the new CO in question. The commodore, however, had no such compunction.

V'Airu: Commander Rouiancet is your new commanding officer.

Rouiancet: (another smile) And I'll be relying on you as my newest junior lieutenant.

Nilsen's reaction to that was not at all what Lia expected.

Nilsen: Are you sure?

He seemed to have vanished into his own thoughts even before he's spoken, and even a gentle verbal shake from Lia wasn't enough to bring him out. When the commodore spoke, though, he attended.

V'Airu: We are, both of us, very sure.

That didn't seem to reassure him, unfortunately.

Nilsen: I…if…I…I don’t deserve this. These are no…not mine.

V'Airu: They are. You've earned them.

Nilsen: I’ve…written my resignation letter (beat) I am going to submit it after I finished up everything on the Oumuamua.

V'Airu: That would be unwise--

Even as she spoke, Lia shook her head at the commodore. V'Airu raised an eyebrow, but she nodded once and fell silent.

Rouiancet: Please don't do that, Lhandon. I don't know what we, what I, would do without you out in the deep dark. Even if you don't want to keep going for you, do it for the people who care about you, who you care about.

Lia didn't think at all that she had a monopoly on that care, but she hoped that Lhandon would listen to what she was saying.

Nilsen: Response

Rouiancet: Then -- what do you think? Will you come?

She could understand if he needed time to make up his mind, but regardless of his choice, she hoped that the pip and the pair of ribbons would at least indicate the high esteem in which both of his COs, outgoing and incoming, held him.

Nilsen: Response

Rouiancet: (tentative smile) I'll see you out there.

Nilsen: Response

And, with that, the two COs left Lhandon to his thoughts.

Tags! and END SCENES!

--

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)