Lieutenant Udas -"Spoils of war" (NT)

[Josh Faust]

((Captain's Ready Room, Deck 1, USS Vigilant-A))

::Udas finished his brief conversation with the newly introduced Ensign Avery. Pleased to have dinner and drinks lined up, he leaned back in his chair, smiling in content satisfaction::

::From behind him, he felt a delicate hand upon his shoulder. Turning slightly, half expect to see Avery, he was instead confronted by the other blonde Terran female on the senior staff::

Pavlova: Should I be jealous?

::She had caught the Andorian off guard. Instantly, his feelings about the death of so many of his people at the hands of the Russian welled to the surface. Gulping them down, forcefully, Udas's antennae twitched::

Udas: ::tersely:: Of what, Lieutenant?

::He inwardly scolded himself. He did like Pavlova. Now, he just seemed like a jerk. She appeared to pick up on his apprehension::

Pavlova: In all seriousness, I'm sorry.  Their shields were extremely stout, their hull plating not so much.  I was only trying to take out their warp drive, didn't expect those ships to have so little armor under all that shielding.

Udas: ::shuffling in his seat:: I know. You were defending us and the crew. It's just a tough shot to swallow. 

::The Andorian offered his old friend an awkward smirk and nodded his white haired head. He then shrugged his shoulders slightly.::

Pavlova: Anyway, I'm sorry.  Oh, and I think you should go for it.  I hear earth girls are easy.

::Typical Pavlova::

::Udas's smirk grew into a full grin and be playfully shoved at the Lieutenant from his seat::

Udas: ::teasingly:: Boy, someone DOES sound jealous. ::noticing the Captain shooting him a look::

Udas: Uh, sorry. Sir, I'm a popular guy today, it seems.

Herrera: Just figured you wouldn't want to miss this, Lieutenant. 

::The Andorian nodded firmly and smiled back at the Captain.  Briefings like this were not to be a missed.  The Captain smiled back slightly and shook his head in a friendly manner::

Herrera: Well, by now, most of you know the drill. ::He lifted up the rosewood box.:: This time, though, this is actually for someone who hasn't been to one of these before. Ensign Avery, come join me at the top of the table.

::Nervously, the attractive young Ensign made her way to the front of the table.  Udas knew what was in store.  He had been promoted following the Battle of Prak Zel.  He smiled to himself::

Avery: Yes...sir.

::In a flash, the pip was affixed to her collar and she was a Lieutenant Junior Grade.  The Andorian couldn't help but feel her excitement.  He leaned back in his chair, comfortably, and rested his hands on his stomach::

Herrera; Ensign Avery, for your excellence in handling a complicated technical situation and serving the Vigilant and the Federation in our recent battle, I'm promoting you to the rank of Lieutenant junior grade, with all of the privileges and responsibilities associated with it. Congratulations, Lieutenant!

Avery: Thank you, sir. Thank you.

::Udas joined the well deserved applause for the young Lieutenant (jg) as she moved back to the seat next to the Andorian, her face flushed red::

Herrera: I'm also pleased to announce that the Joint Meritorious Unit Ribbon is awarded to Lieutenant Commanders Tagren and Pavlova, Lieutenants Udas and Avery, and Dr. Adair-Walker. The Peacekeeper ribbon is awarded to all of us for our work in trying to keep things from flaring up with the Romulans. Thank you all for everything you did.

::There was a general clamoring of nods and small chatter as the crew processed their recent ribbons.  Udas would be carrying too more ribbons to add to his collection.  Normally, the Andorian would have been thrilled. However, there was something in the Captain's voice that caused him to feel a moment of pause.::

Herrera: Ari, if you could give me a hand...

::He and the First Officer split the ribbons into two piles::

Herrera: This part of the briefing will be a little harder to announce. I've had a long talk with Starfleet Command. They're convinced that things are changing and I think they're right. I've always been proud to serve with you as a crew, but there have been some reassignments and this will be our last meeting all together as members of the USS Vigilant.

::Udas felt the blow hit him like a hammer.  The Vigilant...his home...would be no more.  The Science Officer sat in dumbfounded silence waiting to here what was next. Those feeling seemed to be shared by the majority of the officers onboard.  Silence filled the tiny briefing room.  Udas looked towards his friends, Eerie...Pavlova...and then briefly to Avery.  His gaze shifted to T'Mihn and Tagren.  All of them good people.  All of them no longer his crewmates::

Herrera: There's going to be a personnel shuffle, and I will be taking command of Deep Space 6. As things stand, Captain Hallam, the CO of the station, will be transferring here. Most of you will be headed out of the Zeta Gelis region, but almost all of you will be stepping into roles that are a step forward on the career ladder. :: He smiled.:: I don't know about you, but I know that things like this happen in Starfleet and I don't want to have anything other than positive memories about this ship and the people I've worked with aboard it. I hope to hear from all of you in the future with updates on how you're getting on, how things are progressing, for you personally as well as in your professional lives. And I hope you'll all be just as proud as I am that we had this chance to serve together on the Vigilant.

::Udas could barely believe what he was hearing.  Following shoreleave, he would be assigned to another ship...somewhere else far away from all these people he had come to know and care about.  He felt a lump growing in his throat.  Pulling his chair into the table slowly, he leaned heavily on the conference table, resting his elbows before him.  There would lots of discussion in the coming days.  Shoreleave would be filled with lots of drinks and a few tears, he was sure.  Letting out a sad sigh, the Andorian listened as the Captain continued::

Herrera: I'm not a huge fan of goodbyes, and I doubt we'll have much chance to hang around once we get back to the station, but it seems like a pattern for people to say something philosophical at times like these. Our ship's motto is "The candle of liberty has always been kept lit by a vigilant few." Well, you guys are the Vigilant few. Anyone who served on this ship fits that bill. I am counting on you to keep that candle lit. And you know what? I can't think of a group of officers who are more suited to that job.

::Udas rose slowly from his chair, a somber mood filling the air around him.  Everything had changed::

TBC...

Lieutenant Udas

Chief Science Officer

USS Vigilant-A