[Awards Start] Cmdr. Promontory & Lt. Cmdr. Herrick - Optimistic Horizons (Part 1)
Mark P
((Everfree Tidal Hall, The Capital, Seda))
Fine spider-silk-woven banners adorned each wall, each a different colour representing the ship’s various departments and framing large windows that provided expansive ocean views. Beneath their feet, the floor was transparent, allowing attendees to see the aquatic life inhabiting Seda.
Below, ribbon-thin swimmers coiled and unfurled in slow spirals, their translucent bodies washing from sapphire to violet as they moved. Broad, manta-like creatures glided past in formation, their wide fins flashing bands of gold and sea-green with each turn. Closest to the glass, clusters of small, bioluminescent jellies hovered and pulsed in soft pinks and aquas, and what resembled eyes fixed upward, as though watching the alpha quadrant visitors.
It was an awards ceremony to celebrate the mission recently completed under Josh Herrick and Trake Promontory fully intended to let the other man take the lead of the ceremony–after exercising his prerogative as captain on a few important matters.
The first being a little good natured ribbing.
Promontory: You all got to have an exciting mission while I was at a stodgy diplomatic conference. (catching the eye of the XO) Well, you got to discover radiological lifeforms and I got to update the Universal Translators to prefer “Neo Gaia” to “New Gaia.”
Diplomacy certainly wasn’t for the faint of heart. Or at least it wasn’t for those who couldn’t endure the full range of boredoms: from trifling tediums to mundane minutiae.
Promontory: I know you’re all eager to get to tonight’s special presentation… (looking at his XO) something about aerial pyro-acrobatics, I understand? But I have some very important business to conduct. Lt Commander Herrick, if you’ll stand at attention here, I have a communique I’ve been asked to read from Starfleet Headquarters.
As the man got into position, Trake cued up the text.
Promontory: “From the Admiralty, to Captain Promontory, Regarding Lieutenant Commander Josh Tobias Herrick. Whereas Lieutenant Commander Herrick has served Starfleet with distinction for a number of years across three vessels. And whereas Mr Herrick has acquitted himself admirably in a multiplicity of postings, including Chief Engineer, Intelligence Officer, Second Officer, and Executive Officer. And whereas Mr. Herrick has admirably demonstrated the capacity to command on his own in the recent VX-LON-3 rescue operation. Wherefore, by order of the Fleet Admiral and Starfleet Command, Josh Tobias Herrick is hereby appointed to the rank of Commander, with all rights, responsibilities, and authority commensurate with that rank”
A broad smile emerged on the young Terran’s face, standing at full attention in his dress uniform, along with dimples fully displaying how elated he was with the recognition.
Herrick: Thank you, captain.
Trake moved toward the man, removed the hollow pip from his collar and replaced it with a solid one. He then took a half a step back and led the crowd in round applause.
Promontory: Stay here a moment, Commander.
Trake held the removed hollow pip between his index and middle finger and held it up to the crowd. Then, in a blur, he waved the back of his hand and fingers at the group and when it stopped, there was a hollow pip between each of his fingers.
Promontory: Viola!
He put them in the dias in their respective presentation boxes.
Promontory: Now I’d like to have Lieutenants Kreshkova, Caras, Naledi join me on the dias.
He guided them to their positions in the front where the pre-planned spotlights caught each of them and illuminated them to the assembled crew.
Promontory: Lt Kreshkova, you came to us as a helmsman and excelled at that (so to speak) and continued impressing us as Mission Specialist.We wanted to formally recognize the good work that you’ve also been doing as the head of our helm and navigational department.You are admired by your colleagues and valued by your command team and in recognition of that, we promote you to Lieutenant Commander!
He added a hollow pip to her collection and led the crowd in more applause.
Kreshkova: Response
Promontory: Lt Caras, you’ve also served with distinction. You came to me highly recommended, and over the last six months, I can see why. It’s always good when the CO can come back to an in-tact ship and the CEO, right or wrong, shoulders the blame for that. In recognition of your dedicated service to Starfleet, we also promote you to Lieutenant Commander!
Another hollow pip and another round of clapping.
Caras: Response
Trake moved to the towering insectoid.
Promontory: As a master of pattern analysis, I’m sure Lt Naledi can anticipate where this is going.
He paused for a smattering of laughter from the crowd.
Promontory: Lt Naledi, I understand our two species have somewhat inverse relation to the others (he jerked his head to the masses) standard lifespans, so that your 8 years may be, proportionally greater than my 50!
He gave a smile. The universe was a weird and wonderful place.
Promontory: You’ve, of course, done excellent work since coming to the Thor, but I also have a letter of commendation from your former CO and a recommendation for promotion, one I heartily agree with. You are now also a Lieutenant Commander!
Naledi: Response
Promontory: Just so. (turning to Herrick) At this rate, we’re going to run out of pips!
He turned to the three officers and held up his hands to prevent them from leaving the dais.
Promontory: Hold up, we’re not quite done with you yet. (turning to the crowd) As some of you may be aware, we’re also making some adjustments to our command reporting structure. Since launch we’ve struggled to sufficiently staff our security and tactical department leadership. We’ve asked Lieutenant Commander Naledi to fill in as our newly established Director of Strategic Operations. They will supervise the Intel, Security, and Tactical Departments. They bring a wealth of experience having served in several of these positions across several vessels. They have also done an admirable job in cross training Ensign Vharo, who will formally be joining the Intel department. Please join me in expressing our acclamation for both of the deserving officers.
He led another round of applause and made a note to send a memo with the chain-of-command adjustments out after the ceremony.
Promontory: Alright, before my hands get chapped from all the clapping, you three better get back to your seats. (he took a beat and turned back to the audience) And now I need to see Ensigns Meris and Tej’al up here!
He tried to give a stern “you’re in trouble with the principal look” but a smile broke through regardless. He turned to Josh
Promontory: I’ve gotten a number of reports from various quarters about the performance of both of these officers over the last mission. Commander, do you want to do the honors?
Herrick: Ensign Taj’el, your experience, a combination of your time in Starfleet and before, was proven to be an invaluable resource in the last mission. From supporting the investigation down on the planet to helping reveal the mysteries behind our less blobular friend Bio, you were an integral part of our team’s success. As a proven thought leader, we hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant, Junior Grade, and all the privileges therein.
Trake presented the Vulcan with the hollow pip.
Tej’al: Response
Herrick: (shifting a few steps to the right) Ensign Meris. Between your time on the Artemis and the Thor, you’ve demonstrated both your talent at the stick, and also taking a bigger picture view, going beyond your duty station. Your quick thinking continuously ensured the safety of your team, and this ship was minimized. Hallmarks of a career officer, and as such, I’m pleased to also promote you to Lieutenant, Junior Grade. Officers will be looking up to the both of you as role models now.
Trake gave the J’naii the last hollow pip in the presentation case and leaned in.
Promontory: (quietly) I hope your visit home was a success!
Meris: Response
He’d keep an eye on this one. One of the reports from the last mission was that the former Ensign had tried to override a Commander in the midst of enemy action–hopefully this promotion would help them better appreciate the role of the chain of command!
Promontory: Thank you Lieutenants, dismissed!
Trake turned to Josh and clapped a hand on the younger man’s shoulder as if metaphorically passing along a burden.
Promontory: And now, Commander, I’ll leave the rest of the evening in your capable hands!
OOC1: Awards sims will trickle in over the next couple of days!
OOC2: Please ensure that you're on track to wrap up your scenes through the weekend after this one (24th/25th).
OOC3: Congrats! ;)
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Cmdr. Trake Promontory
Commanding Officer
USS Thor
O239910AP4
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Cmdr. Josh Herrick
First Officer
USS Thor
O240005JH3
