JP - Commodore V’Airu & Maj Greaves - End of an Era, Part 2
Jacob Rittenhouse
((Main Mess Hall, Deck 7, USS ‘Oumuamua))
Greaves: I’d say they’re ready sir.
Kells: Well, then, first I’d like to turn your attention to Wes Greaves, who, until very recently, served as my intrepid executive officer.
Aron turned to Wes with a grin as the Marine’s own grin faded away. The spotlight was never something he was comfortable with. As a key leader aboard the ship Wes had grown used to being the center of attention when giving orders, but receiving public praise was still something that made him uncomfortable.
Kells: This does put you in the awkward position of fishing out your own ribbons, so why don’t I take that for a moment?
He pushed a half-smile to his lips as Aron held out his hands for the ceremonial box that Wes held, and opened it up as soon as Wes handed it over.
Kells: (gravely) Few commanding officers suffer through the loss of their ship. Fewer still lose their ship as dramatically, as traumatically, as the Thor was downed and disabled. Fewer still aren’t their vessels’ primary commanders. In short, there’s no real way to prepare for the sort of situation that you helmed, Wes, and that makes the excellent service you showed all the more notable. It’s my pleasure to recognize you with the Federation Cross and the Gold Lifesaving Ribbon for your command during the crisis with the marauders, your cool under fire after you ordered abandon ship, and your organization of the recovery efforts – and that’s not even considering how you carried Doctor Kel to safety on the battlecruiser. (beat) And a Purple Heart for that wrist injury. Take care of yourself!
Low chuckles at that, while Aron pinned the Federation Cross (his first), the Gold Lifesaving Ribbon (his first), and the Purple Heart (most definitely not his first) to Wes’s breast.
As each medal was pinned onto his tunic one by one Wes stood solemnly at attention until the procedure was complete and he finally broke back into a more relaxed stance.
Greaves: Thank you sir.
Kells: Congratulations, Major. Now, if you don’t mind me handing this back over…
He reached across the small distance and took the small metal case which contained all of the ribbons and decorations from the Commodore and took a half step back. Once Wes had taken control of the box again, Aron looked from the stage to the crowd.
Kells: Toz, would you please join us?
Once the young medical officer had done so, Aron removed two ribbons from the box Wes held open. One of them was a perfect copy of Wes’s Gold Lifesaving Ribbon, while the other was a deep matte red.
Kells: Toz, the kind of boldness you showed on the surface of Okaea – and flying above Okaea, now that I think back on it – does you credit. You confronted the pirates at the risk of your own life to treat both me and Lieutenant Richards, and provided what I think was lifesaving aid. You also acted resourcefully when you broke us away from the pirate ambush, by dropping a ceiling on them. Literally!
Again a slight undercurrent of laughter, and Aron pinned the Gold Lifesaving Ribbon and the Captain’s Commendation to Toz’s uniform.
Kells: I’m also pleased to report that you’ve officially put in your time at the bottom of the officers’ ladder. Wes?
Fishing the small pip out of the box, Wes spun the tiny dot of metal in his hand and placed it into the Commodore’s open palm. Aron held it between thumb and forefinger for a moment to show Toz, and then pinned it to her collar.
Kells: Congratulations, Junior Lieutenant Toz. I see great things in your future.
Greaves: Lieutenant, it’s not everyday someone has to undergo something like that on their first assignment. Those awards and that rank is well earned.
Toz: Response
Aron and Wes both shook Toz’s hand as she left the stage, and as she was taking her seat again, Aron called for the next officer:
Kells: Isabella Basilia.
Toz and Isabella Basilia were the two ensigns who had seen Aron through the ordeal on Okaea and the Ra. As with Toz, Aron beamed at Basilia as she came up to the stage.
Kells: Isabella, you followed my orders without question, even when threatened with grievous harm. At great risk to your own life, you escaped from the pirates and were able to jam their communications – and without doing so, I doubt very much whether we would have been able to escape. You were also harmed in the course of your extraordinary duties, and for all you did, I want to recognize you twice over.
Accordingly, he took the Silver Star and the Purple Heart that Wes passed over from the box of pips and ribbons. He pinned both to Basilia’s uniform.
Kells: I’m also very happy to say that you, too, have put in your time, and that you’re now officially the-Isabella-Basilia-formerly-known-as-ensign. Congratulations, Junior Lieutenant!
Again, Aron held up the hollow pip that Wes deposited in his cupped hand, then pinned it to Basilia’s collar.
Greaves: (Leaning in; quietly) That’s not an atta-boy. You saved lives. Be proud of that.
Basilia: Response
As the newly promoted JG took her seat the crowd quietly applauded and Wes stepped slightly forward on the stage.
Greaves: If you’ll allow me Commodore, I’d like to do the next couple.
TBC
JP by:
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Commodore Aron Kells
Commanding Officer
USS Thor
V238208LV0
he/him/his (character & player)
&
Commodore Ossa V'Airu
Commanding Officer
USS 'Oumuamua
she/her/hers (this character) & he/him/his (player)
&
Major Wes Greaves
Executive Officer
Marine Detachment Commander
USS ‘Oumuamua
E239702WG0
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