Commodore V'Airu & Commander Rouiancet: Passing the Torch, Part 6

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

Somehow, Commodore V'Airu had talked Lia into accompanying her on the next promotion jaunt well after nearly everyone else had gone to bed. 'Oumuamua was, by then, well and truly deserted, with most officers and crew occupying temporary quarters on DS9 or beginning to bring their belongings over to the Octavia E. Butler, which, along with the Phoebe, the Charity, and the Vulcana Regar, had arrived at the station for staging before they passed through the wormhole.

Rouiancet: (grumbling; just outside) I don't see why it must be now.

V'Airu: Because the logs clearly indicate that this is when he uses the facility, and that he uses it at few other times.

Rouiancet: But why here at all?

To that, the commodore only smiled for one enigmatic moment before she preceded Lia into the gym. With a final grumble, Lia followed.

As she'd expected, Ensign Nilsen was the gym's only occupant, which also meant that he couldn't help but notice when they entered. His attention was immediately fixed on them, and Lia did her best to reassure him with an easy smile.

Rouiancet: Don't worry, we're here for a good reason.

Although, from the perspective of additional responsibilities, that might not be true at all. Lia was willing to bet that Nilsen saw what they were there to give as a good thing, though, especially after his recent periods of self-doubt.

Nilsen: Response

V'Airu: Just so. Perhaps you will start, Commander?

Rouiancet: With pleasure.

She revealed the small, ornamental box that held the pips, and selected from it a single, hollow pip. Before she'd said anything more, she beckoned Nilsen closer.

Rouiancet: I'm just going to give this to you, Lieutenant, if you don't mind. No need to pin it to your workout outfit. (beat; small smile) Oops, did I say "Lieutenant"? Well, the secret's out now. Congratulations, Lhandon.

Nilsen: Response

V'Airu: (steely) We both have high expectations and a great deal of faith in you, Nilsen.

What was the commodore thinking? Lia wondered. She hadn't said much about her conversations with Nilsen of late, but then one of the qualities many COs had cultivated in Lia's experience was omniscience. She'd have to work on that.

Nilsen: Response

Meanwhile, the commodore was already removing the ribbons from her own box. There were three this time, one red-silver-black with a gold stripe, one orange with violet stripes, and one red with two silver stripes. Like Lia, she held out the ribbons rather than pin them directly.

V'Airu: Nilsen, you not only acted as a crucial conduit for diplomatic efforts at Alpha Brenkelvi, you made yourself into a physical -- and mental -- conduit for those efforts to go forward, and eventually come to a fruition that delivered justice to a people long forgotten. You more than earned the Joint Meritorious Unit and Diplomacy Ribbons. However, you also performed the admirable and unusual task of doing so successfully and, to my great relief, living to tell the tale, and for your convictions, your perseverance, and your downright bullheadedness, I also wish to recognize you with the Legion of Merit. Congratulations, and (with a glance at Rouiancet) I wish your new CO good luck.

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

Nilsen: 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)