A Quiet Promotion
Posted on Sun Dec 6th, 2009 @ 3:39am by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Lieutenant Commander Kaylis Kirana
954 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Balowlli System
Location: Golden Crown, Officers' Lounge
Timeline: Prior to "The News"
ON:
Far be it from Coltan Kerr to deny a ceremony when service and dedication warrants such an occasion. However, with the loss of life onboard the Archimedes over the past few months, and with their second assigned mission now underway, the Trill decided on a less lavish and more intimate persuasion.
Calling Lieutenant Shalie Montgomery to the Golden Crown, the officers’ lounge, he had already taken the liberty of ordering a celebratory bottle of chilled champagne and had brought with him a single, golden pip.
“Ah, Lieutenant,� he called out across the empty room as the Orion stepped in. “Come in, come in, please.�
Shalie wasn't sure what this was about. She figured she hadn't screwed anything up lately so she wasn't in trouble, and if she had been I doubt the lounge would be the place to discipline her. She smiled as she spotted Kerr, which was easy in the empty room. She had grown to respect her new Captain. "Hi Captain." She moved closer to where the Captain was standing. "What is this all about?" She gave him a questioning smile.
“Oh, don’t worry yourself, Lieutenant,� Kerr replied, mirroring her smile with one of his own. “You’re not in trouble.� He bent backwards slightly, plucked two champagne flute from the table behind him and handed her one. “A small gratitude of your services not only to the Archimedes, but to the Fleet as a whole. Congratulations, Lieutenant. You’ve been promoted.�
He pulled the small pip from within its confines of the wooden box and leant in closer to the Orion. Fastening the solid, golden seed onto her collar, he stepped back a little to give her room. “Lieutenant,� he nodded with a smile.
Shalie stood amazed. This was a day she had never seen coming. It wasn't often a screw up made Lieutenant. Granted it had taken her longer then most and the thought made her smile. "Th..Thank you sir." She picked up her old hallow pip and rolled it between her fingers. "I have been a Lieutenant Junior Grade for seven years...not that rank has ever meant much to me." The look she had on her face was one of complete gratitude.
“Then it’s about time,� he replied, the smile now growing into a grin. “You deserve it.� He raised his glass between them and nodded. “Congratulations, again, Lieutenant.�
Shalie hesitated in raising her glass. She knew she should just let it go and enjoy the moment. Captain Lange wouldn't be able to take this away from her so easily. "Sir?" She started meekly. "I have to ask...does this come in spite of my transfer order to the Slyvinia Station or have you not been notified yet?" Shalie knew this was a punishment. One she was more then willing to take.
“No, Shalie,� he replied after a moment. “I know of your transfer orders to the station, and despite my best efforts, can do little to prevent or obstruct them. Captain Lange seems to have friends in very high places.� He raised his glass once more, smiled, and took a sip. “This was the best I could do for you before you left. If you ask me, it’s been a long time in coming, however, I wanted to give you the best tools to tackle this challenge head on.�
He looked at the woman before her. A hybrid, an outcast but magnificent. As with all his crew, he thought of Shalie Montgomery like a daughter. One that he had not borne but adopted along his path of life. Promoting her was a gift. Sending his child out once again into the big openness of space, braving the perils alone but with her head held, hopefully, a little higher for what he had given her.
Shalie raised her glass and took a sip. "Thank you sir." she was sincere in her gratitude. She set the glass down on the table top. "Well, I hope you don't mind...I took the liberty of arranging a replacement. She has been stationed at Starfleet Command for a while and hasn't served on a starship since the Academy.... but she is the brightest I have met." She smiled as she looked down at her hands. "I don't want this situation to affect the ship."
“It’s okay, Shalie,� he replied, placing down his flute and turning to face her. “It’s out of your control and there’s nothing I can do. It’s not your fault.� He smiled widely and warmly at her. “Taking liberties already, are you?� he said, taking a seat. “Naturally, you’ll have to run the reassignment by Commander Arkham but I doubt that she’d have a problem with it. Is there anything else I can do to help with this transition for you? I have to admit, it’ll be a shame to lose you.�
Shalie smiled. "I have already sent the paper work to be approved." She moved to stand behind the chair opposite Captain Kerr. "And as far as the transition goes...I have a few things I need to wrap up and I am sure tomorrow will come sooner than I think."
“Good, I’m glad,� he replied. “I wish you well, Shalie.�
"Thank you sir." Shalie said with a nod. "It has been great serving with you." With that she turned and exited the lounge. She needed to get ready for her evening plans. Something she was not looking forward to.
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