Commodore V'Airu & Commander Rouiancet: Passing the Torch, Part 8

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(( Arboretum, Deck 2, USS 'Oumuamua ))

Although Lia knew that Commodore V'Airu wouldn't mislead her, she also wasn't entirely sure why she was following the commodore to the arboretum. V'Airu said that she'd arranged this meeting, but it still seemed an odd place to meet this particular officer.

Nevertheless, when they arrived, Lieutenant Herrick was immediately visible, in part because he appeared to be waiting for them, and in part because the arboretum had been gutted. Even as they approached Herrick, several crewmembers worked around them, uprooting and relocating plants. Some of them went out in hovercarts, while others were transported whole-cloth -- though to where, Lia didn't know.

Rouiancet: Where are they going?

She directed her question to anyone who knew -- V'Airu, Herrick, the working crew.

Herrick: Response

V'Airu: Indeed. Some of them may end up aboard your ship, Commander.

It made sense, now that Lia thought about it. The plants could remain healthy in the 'Oumuamua for weeks, probably months, possibly even years, with no care beyond the computer's monitoring and adjustment of water and fertilization routines as necessary. However, given that 'Oumuamua would undergo an extended and crewless period of retrofit and repair, it made more sense to her to make use of the plants elsewhere.

Rouiancet: Well, I'll welcome them. (beat; to Herrick) And you, Lieutenant. I'd be honored to have you continue as acting chief engineer aboard Octavia E. Butler.

Herrick: Response

Lia gave a brief, pleased nod, but before she could do anything more, the commodore had interjected. It was only fair, Lia supposed, given how she'd hijacked the commodore's conversation with Doctor Toz.

V'Airu: I refuse to release you without bestowing one final set of ribbons on you, Herrick.

Of course, the commodore came prepared with her emptying box of ribbons -- but there were still two in there she hadn't yet given out, and that were apparently Herrick's, since she slid them out.

V'Airu: As with all members of Commander Etan's away team -- Lieutenants Arlill and Maxwell, and now you -- you'll receive the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon. Your team conducted a thorough and exemplary investigation on Alpha Brenkelvi, to the extent that we likely wouldn't all have left with our lives except for the knowledge you levied on our behalf. You are all to be commended -- but this second ribbons is yours alone. In the best traditions of engineering officers, you took the material you had and made use of the time you were given to create, repair, and generally innovate in ways that, frankly, require some suspension of disbelief. Nevertheless, you did so, and so it's my honor to honor you with the Innovation Ribbon.

And she stepped forward to pin the pair of ribbons on Herrick. To Lia's great surprise, there was then a smattering of applause. The working crew had paused in their plant evacuation to watch the impromptu ceremony.

Herrick: Response

Tags! and TBC!

--

Commodore Ossa V'Airu

Commanding Officer

USS 'Oumuamua

&

Commander Lia Rouiancet

Commanding Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

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