Long Overdue

Posted on Wed Nov 1st, 2023 @ 5:49am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Lieutenant Commander Thriss Kla'ren & Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali & Lieutenant Commander Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell

Mission: Repairs and Retribution
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: During repairs.

Captain Kaylen Rhenora sat in her ready room with three small black boxes in front of her. These were very long overdue and she needed to reward certain members of her crew from their continued dedication and hard work. Commander Savar had been invited to be present at the impromptu ceremony as first officer, having completely recovered from his ordeal on Kunar. She paged the three officers in question and waited for everyone to arrive.

Thriss was just finishing up another long shift when he got the page to report to the ready room. While the repairs weren't nearly as extensive as the crash landing, there still needed to be some tidying up after the transwarp stunt. He was happy that it was mostly successful. In his hand he also had a complete status update for the engine room and the Sunfire's systems. He had pretty much finished it up by the time he received the order to the ready room, save for a few details that he had to finish on the go. Once he entered the turbo lift, he had completed the report.

"Bridge" he called out before the doors slid closed and the lift started moving towards Deck One.

Savar had accepted Rhenora's invitation to be present at the ceremony. He arrived at her ready room and pressed the chime and once allowed he made his entrance. Entering he saw Rhenora with three small black boxes. "Captain." He said in greeting.

"Commander" she replied in turn and offered a warm smile. He knew what was about to go down.

Aurora arrived shortly after Savar, she was getting used to feeling queasy, and was learning how to deal with it. Little and often was the term used, so that’s what she was doing alongside ginger tea and biscuits. Pressing the chime she awaited entrance before walking in. “Captain, Savar” she smiled warmly and took a seat.

Her shift over, Bonnie had already retired to her quarters and was in her pajamas reading a book to refresh herself on transwarp mechanics when the call came through. Immediately worried that she was in trouble for some reason, she panicked. "Frick, oh frick..." she said as she hurriedly changed back into her uniform and rushed out of her quarters half undressed and disheveled. She would manage by the time she reached the bridge to straighten herself up and make herself at least appear 'normal'.

Feeling eyes upon her as she tucked and closed her uniform jacket, she took a deep breath and pressed the chime. As she did the doors parted and immediately her face flushed as she could tell those within were a group one would call together if something were wrong. She froze, waved, eyed the Captain, "Um, you called for me?"

"I did indeed" the Captain rose from behind the desk and rounded to stand in front of the assembled officers.

"Lieutenants Vali, Durnell and Kla'ren please come to attention" her voice was stern, as though she were winding up to give them the biggest dressing down of their lives. She stood a few paces back from them, casting her eyes over them. "It appears that we have a problem here, one that needs to be rectified at the earliest possible moment." She started, her eyes never leaving the assembled trio.

Thriss had entered just after Bonnie although he hadn’t had any time to acknowledge anyone. That didn’t bother him. What did was the feeling that he did something wrong and he forgot. Or he overlooked something? He couldn’t be certain. Regardless, he stood at attention as ordered. He didn’t respond however, in the event that they were in trouble as he didn’t want to get his fellow officers in even hotter water then they were already possibly in.

Bonnie, suddenly realizing Thriss was behind her and snapping to attention, did the same. He was rigid and looking tidy in his uniform. She could only hope she were in a similar state. As if to prove her point a single clump of hair fell down in front of her left eye. As soon as the Captain looked away, Bonnie attempted to blow it out of her own face. It was then, in the act, she noticed Savar looking at her with one eyebrow raised, and stopped.

Aurora stood to attention as well, she had to wonder if she’d done something wrong or whether she was just reading the situation wrong.

The Captain strode in front of the assembled officers, giving them a casual glance to ensure they were still convinced there was some punishment about to be dished out.

"Commander Savar, would you kindly assist me in rectifying this issue" Rhenora stopped before the first officer and looked up at him. She inclined her head towards the desk on which the three small boxes sat.

"Captain, it would be both my honor and extreme satisfaction to do so." Savar answered as he walked the short distance to the desk where the three boxes sat and collected them, holding them carefully while he walked back to Rhenora and the three officers standing there.

Following Savar’s movements with her eyes as far as she could Aurora couldn’t help but notice the black boxes Savar was carrying. A more relieved expression crossed her features as she stood waiting.

Thriss also noticed the black boxes. If this was a promotion it had been a good few years since he received one, but there was the dreadful fear that it could be a demotion as well. So many engineering-related things had gone wrong recently. Maybe that was cause for a Chief Engineer to be demoted even if he did his duty to run things properly and fix said issues?

Spotting the boxes, her brain went spastic as it began running through different scenarios. She had managed to break soooo many things including the ship itself. The thought caused her to roll her eyes knowing that alone was enough for her to lose her job. Never in her random thoughts di she ever think something positive would come from whatever was within one of those black boxes.

"Lieutenant Thriss Kla'ren please step forward" Rhenora stopped pacing in front of the Sunfire's Chief Engineer. The man was one of the best engineers the Captain had ever seen and it was a privilege to have him on her senior staff.

The Lieutenant stepped forward as ordered. Internally he was terrified. But as usual, he was alright at keeping his composure with events like this.

"Lieutenant Kla'ren, it is my honor and privilege to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander." She paused whilst Savar passed her the black pip. With a smile, she fastened it to Kla'ren's collar. "Congratulations Commander"

Thriss was definitely surprised but relieved that he wasn't demoted. He was also grateful that he had made it this far in his career and the opportunity to serve on the Sunfire as the Chief Engineer. After the Captain placed the hollow pip on his collar he extended his hand. "Thank you, Captain. For everything."

"Congratulations Commander Kla'ren. Your promotion is richly deserved." Savar intoned sincerely.

Still frozen, Bonnie noted Thriss was being promoted and she immediately felt proud to be serving, to have served alongside him. If they weren't being formal, and she wasn't terrified, she would have patted him on the back and celebrated this moment with him.

"Lieutenant Aurora Vali, please step forward" Rhenora stepped in front of the ship's exceptional counselor.

Aurora stepped forward trying not to grin from ear to ear as she looked at Rhenora.

"Lieutenant Vali, it is my honour and privilege to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander" Again the Captain paused to accept the black pip from Savar before fastening it to Aurora's collar. "Congratulations Commander"

Aurora’s smile practically shone. “Thank you, Captain, you too Commander” She looked proudly at Savar before stepping back again still grinning.

Savar hesitated a brief moment in front of Aurora. His love for her was evident as was the pride he had in her accomplishment and promotion. "Congratulations Commander Vali. Your promotion is richly deserved." He intoned while his eyes flashed mischievously at her.

Bonnie smiled as Aurora was also receiving her promotion. Two out of three increased the odds that she too was receiving an honor. increased, but there was that chance they would all turn against her. She imagined briefly all of them turning around and laughing as she was suddenly shoved out of an airlock. All in the name of maintaining ship safety.

Finally, Rhenora moved to stand in front of Bonnie who appeared at that moment to be utterly terrified.

"Relax Bonnie" Rhenora soothed, resting a friendly hand on the young woman's shoulder.

Savar gazed at Bonnie's terrified expression and wondered what she thought was going to happen to her. Did she think they were going to push her out of an airlock?

"Lieutenant Bonnie Durnell it is my honor and privilege to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander." The final pip was fixed in place. "You can breathe now Bonnie" There was a mirthful smile that she hoped would help Bon relax.

Eyes wide, a warm comfortable hand upon her shoulder, Bonnie did let out the breath she had been holding without realizing it. "Ma'am, yes ma'am. Thank you, ma'am. I won't let you down." Her arm shot up to her temple into a salute. On the way up her elbow hit Thriss in the rib cage on her right. It was enough to set off a mini panic attack. "Eek, sorry, um, Commander."

Thriss winced slightly before recovering and straightening his posture again. "It's quite alright Commander" he smiled slightly.

Rhenora stepped back and addressed the newly promoted trio. "This is well and truely overdue. I had plans to conduct this ceremony months ago but as things generally do around here, stuff happened. I apologise for my tardiness." She smiled widely. "At ease, and dismissed"

The officers left the room in a buzz of happy vibes leaving Rhenora once again alone in the ready room..feeling accomplished, she set about updating their personnel files and making the notes in the ship's log. It was a good day today.