Promoted

Posted on 06 Mar 2014 @ 9:21am by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Lieutenant Min Zhao & Lieutenant Olsam Mott & Lieutenant Teth Miir & Commander Luke Wyatt

2,823 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 1, Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD -08 - 1325 hrs

[ON]

After exchanging a quick set of notes with Holliday via PADD from her office down on Deck 2, Lirha now made her way up to his ready room on Deck 1 and stepped into the turbolift for a short ride. Most of her recent time had been preoccupied with intelligence analysis, task group management, and of course, the always-present administrations duties which accompanied every senior task group commanding officer. Most recently, however, Lirha had spoken briefly with John regarding several crew members and their recent performance on the ship, and while she had been pleased with some of the performance reviews, others had given her cause for concern.

Tapping her commbadge, she summoned several of Galileo's officers to meet with both her and the captain. "Lieutenants Mott, Miir, Zhao, and Chief Wyatt...report to the captain's ready room immediately." She did not sound pleased, and her usually light and airy voice was instead tense resulting in the notable distinction of her native Yrevish accent.

Luke was in the midst of a rifle manifest check when the commodore called over the comms, she didn't sound particularly happy so he decided to drop his routine inspection and headed straight to the ready room. The good things about being on such a small ship is that it doesn't take long to get from one place to another and he soon found himself outside the ready room. Grooming himself over with one last check he entered through the doors and braced up in respect, nodding to both the captain and the commodore who he had just spent the past few weeks drinking and taking in the sun on Rigel. "Captain, Commodore" he said wondering whether he should wait to be told to sit or just proceed.

Min was in one of the cargo bays completing an inventory of some crates that the dockmaster had left them, crates which she had no manifest for and no real indicator of their contents. Initial scans came up clear of any worrisome equipment, she just wasn't sure what to do with the equipment.

Hearing the Commodores summons, Min put down her padd and motioned to one of the crewmen to join her. "Commodore wants to see me Chief. Keep inventorying those crates and we'll figure out where to place them when I get back."

On the way up the several decks from the cargobay, Min ran through her head what the Commodore could want. She was one of several officers having been called, and given the tone of voice over the comms, Min got the impression she'd done something wrong. What was the question tho. As far as she knew, her work had been up to par. She was perhaps a little slower on her feet but who wouldn't be when eight weeks away from giving birth.

She was second in the room and seeing CPO Wyatt nearly at attention. Standing beside him, her body at attention despite the pain in her lower back from the posture, she nodded to both officers. "Captain. Commodore." She chose not to ask why she was here as all would be explained when the other's arrived.

Olsam tapped his commbadge to acknowledge the request and then temporarily suspended the vector analysis he'd been conducting in Sickbay. Wyatt, Zhao, Miir and him? That seemed like a motley assortment... On the turbolift ride to Deck 1, he mused about the purpose of the meeting. Maybe some enraged member of the crew had ripped out an EPS conduit in the wall of the captain's ready room; Luke needed to restrain him/her, Min needed to repair the conduit, Teth needed to counsel the grieving commodore and Olsam needed to pronounce the captain dead.

Prepared for an ugly scene, Olsam looked a little surprised when he first stepped into the ready room to find it intact and then a little disappointed that he wouldn't get to use the new morgue. "Oh, you're all still alive. Well. That's...good. Commodore, captain, lieutenant, chief." He said, nodding to each of them in turn before taking his place next to the wall and trying to look as officious as possible.

Teth had shadowed Olsam from sickbay to the ready room. He'd been organizing his patient care logs when his presence was requested. Though he feared that he was reporting to his own court marshall, along with the others for doing gods know what. Regardless, the diversion was welcome from clerical hell. When he arrived he silently stood alongside the other officers, waiting.

Luke looked down the file of officer that stood next to him the uneasiness growing more and more inside of him. It was at times like this he wish he was telepathic so he could prepare himself for what the Captain and the Commodore had to say as far as he was aware he hadn't done anything wrong.

Standing quietly next to Holliday while leaning against the nearby bulkhead, Lirha observed all of the different crew members as they entered the ready room and stood at attention. It was certainly a motley crew, of sorts, based on their appearances, and she looked over at John and gave him a private smirk indicating for him to address them himself. It was, after all, his ship now.

John felt a little guilty stealing the Commodore's thunder. Up until recently this had been her ship and the Captain had still expected her to step up and deal with the most recent developments on their ship. When she defaulted to his authority as the ship's CO, he took a moment to steady himself before speaking. His voice remained low and relatively monotone, speaking seriously as if contemplating his next course of action.

"Thank you all for coming. As you know, the Commodore and I both place high importance on the performance of our crew. We expect the best, and we expect the brightest."

John took a moment to reach down to the table and pick up a PADD in his hand, pulling up a series of records and flicking through them page by page before glancing at the assembled masses before him.

"I have been undertaking a review of your performance aboard this vessel, and after consulting with Commodore Saalm, we have come to be of the opinion that your conduct can only be defined with a single word."

John once more cleared his throat and looked across at the Commodore still in her relaxed position against the Galileo's hull.

"Exemplary."

In his other hand the Captain produced the small wooden box that he and the Commodore had used several times during their previous tenures aboard Galileo, opening the lid to reveal the collection of small rank pins that were nestled inside.

"If you would all stand to attention."

Luke stood his body to attention, his muscles tensing and his chest puffing out right as he had done many times before. His experience readied him for a grilling from the commanding officer and the commodore but he had no idea what had just happened.

Min was already at the closest semblance of attention she could muster so continued standing there.

Olsam's version of coming to attention was hindered by the gut that was stretching his regulation uniform; it wouldn't have passed inspection during Academy training, but he'd put on a few pounds since then... And he was doing the best he could. Mostly.

As the group came into position, John joined them on his feet and made his way around the table towards the group. He stopped first at the Bolian who had insisted on bringing their new bartender aboard.

"Lieutenant Junior Grade Olsam Mott. Your services aboard Galileo have so far been of the highest order, and your commitment to the wellbeing of this crew outstanding. It is therefore with pride I grant you the rank of full Lieutenant, with all the authority and privilege therein."

Reaching into the box, John removed a solid gold pip, reaching up to the Bolian's collar to remove the empty shell that marked his junior grade status, before pinning the new rank into place and extending his hand in congratulations.

Olsam gave a big smile and shook the captain's hand, taking the promotion as encouragement. If he could annoy the captain as much as he had and still get promoted, then exactly how far could he push things in the future? Hmmm...

"Thank you, Captain Holliday," he said, nodding and trying to rotate his eyes downward enough to see the new pip. "I look forward to continuing to serve the well-being of the crew and minimizing the number of unnecessary deaths. As much as possible. You know, sometimes people just die. I can't help that." He cut his eyes down to the line to Teth, who seemed ready to kick him. "Uh, but, um. Anyway, thank you. Sir."

Next in line was the Caitian who had only come aboard recently. John stopped once more and continued with his duties.

"Lieutenant Junior Grade Teth Miir. You too have shown dedication to Galileo and a willingness to perform your duties to the best of your abilities. It is therefore my decision to promote you to the rank of full Lieutenant, with all the authority and privilege therein."

Like he had done only moments before with the Bolian doctor, John repeated the process, exchanging the hollow rank pin for a full one to denote the change in rank for the young man before reaching out a warm handshake.

Teth couldn't breathe, but he took the captain's hand without flinching. Still otherwise at attention, staring straight ahead, in the space on the wall, just above Holliday's head. He was still in shock regarding the promotion. He thought for certain he had been caught. Court Marshal, prison. But a promotion? As the handshake ended he exhaled finally. Everything was fine.

Moving further along the line, and resisting the urge to step back a pace to allow room for the next crewmember's currently expanded physique, the Captain found himself looking into the eyes of the young Lieutenant whom he had opposed the assignment of to the Galileo vehemently as he plucked a new rank pin from the box in his hand and ushering towards her collar.

"Lieutenant Junior Grade Min Zhao. The reports from your superiors and your fellow crewmembers have gone so far as to oppose my opinions surrounding your return to Starfleet. You have proven yourself to be a capable officer, and one who is once more returned to the fold of Starfleet. It is therefore my decision to grant you the rank of full Lieutenant. Congratulations."

John again extended his hand, taking care not to catch the young woman's stomach as he did so, offering a handshake and a smile.

Min returned the Captain's handshake. She was lost for words at the promotion and the captain's apparent vote of confidence, a sharp turnaround from their last meeting several months back. Mustering something as best she could. "Thank You Captain."

Last, but by no means least the Captain moved to the only non-officer in the room, the security officer who had spent some time under Galileo's wing.

"Chief Petty Officer Luke Wyatt. You too have shown steadfast determination to serve, and the reports from your superiors are of the highest calibre. You are therefore awarded the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. Well done."

With a slightly different insignia, the Captain repeated the actions of changing the one which was currently pinned to Luke's uniform collar. He was pleased to see the non-commissioned members of his crew moving through the ranks, and knew that Chief Quinn would be more than happy to add in his congratulations to one of the officers under his command.

Luke shifted his eyes back and forth along the line, to Commodore Lirha and finally to the Captain who had pinned his shirt with his new insignia. He was proud of his deception seeking skills but was totally surprised when Holliday announced the real reason for their attendance. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips and he tried hard to suppress the urge.

Lirha was pleased to see John taking over the responsibility of promotions, and she privately agreed with his selection of personnel. The Bolian, while quirky and strange with all of his blueness, was a very competent medical officer; The Caitian counselor was, after all, a counselor, and most counselors held the rank of at least full lieutenant in Starfleet due to their medical training; and the Human Marine-turned-security officer had gotten off to a rocky start aboard the ship but had managed to eventually settle down and fit in quite well, in her opinion. Finally, the young pregnant woman who had once run away from Starfleet and was now serving on Galileo while on probation, had proved herself to be capable and competent despite the initial reservations both she and John had had about her. "Congratulations," Lirha said to all of them with a small smile.

"Thank you, ma'am...sir...uh, commodore." Olsam shifted his eyes and then cut his eyes to the caitian officer standing next to him. He wanted to give him a big hug but they hadn't been dismissed yet, and that seemed like a breach of decorum. Instead, he spoke out of the side of his mouth in what passed for a Bolian whisper. "I got promoted first, so I outrank you."

"Well, I can still declare you unfit for duty." Teth replied softly without making eye contact.

"If there is no further business you are all dismissed."

John called out, closing up the rank insignia box and allowing it to rest on the edge of the table beside him. Issuing promotions was one of the perks of being a Captain, and it was the first time he had been able to do it under his own command, instead as of Lirha's First Officer - it had felt good to give these crewmembers a new rung in their career ladder, just as John had felt when he had been promoted himself.

Teth looked down at the new pip on his collar, still feeling very surprised by the outcome of this meeting.

"Well, congratulations everyone." the counselor said, faking cheerfulness quite well. He turned for the door, but decided to wait for Dr. Mott.

Olsam grabbed Teth by the shoulder with excitement, practically dragging him to the door. "Can you believe it? We're lieutenants! I thought for sure Holliday found out I wanted to relieve him of duty, or that you... I don't know. Whatever bad thing you've done lately! But I doubt you've done anything bad lately. Have you?"

Teth clenched his jaw, he almost wanted to laugh or confess. He couldn't figure out which. He settled for what was technically the truth.

"No, not lately."

Luke made his way out of the room, he had received promotions before but this one made him more happier than any others before it. He found a place where not only he could work well but have fun with the crew and spend time with his daughter he hoped that the rest of his tour aboard the Galileo remained this enlightened.

Min was the last to exit and did so quietly. A quick smile & nod towards Teth & Mott as they went their separate ways. Those two she'd had interactions with before and were a familiar pair of faces. Heading for the turbolift she had to finish that inventory. Telling Jared would have to wait as Min had the swing watch.

With the room quiet, John turned back to the Commodore, still expertly draping herself against the wall of the room that had been her office up until recently. She was obviously comfortable in the Ready Room, and with good reason.

"So how did I do for my first time out of the blocks?"

Lirha feigned a dismissive shrug, then gave him a small smirk. "I was impressed," she answered with honesty. "How did it feel? Promoting crew members is obviously not something I have done lightly in the past, and in this case, I think they were all deserving."

John nodded in agreement. He had enjoyed the experience more than he thought he would have done, and was glad that his former Captain had been there to see him in his first official promotion ceremony.

"It was...fun. Thank you Commodore. I'm glad the Admiral allowed you to remain on board."

"Do not thank me just yet. Promotions are the easy part," she winked in reply.

[OFF]

--

CAPT Jonathan Holliday
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

CDRE Lirha Saalm
Mission Advisor
USS Galileo

SCPO Luke Wyatt
Security Officer
USS Galileo

Lt. Teth Miir
Counselor
USS Galileo

Lt. Olsam Mott, M.D.
Assistance Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Lt Min Zhao
Asst Chief of Operations
USS Galileo

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