Change of Command

Posted on Sun Jun 12th, 2016 @ 11:38am by Colonel Jason "Jack" Frost
Edited on on Mon Jun 13th, 2016 @ 7:35am

2,303 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: New Faces and Terror Beyond
Location: Hanger Bay 1
Timeline: Current

***Preparation***

S'iraa had prepared everything, packed everything, he was sad to admit it but he knew this would be last time he'd see the Dreadnought again and those he had come to call friends as well as colleagues. Wearing his best uniform, made himself presentable knowing that if he was going to go then he'd go to be remembered. He had with him the PADD that Starfleet sends all that are being relieved, he was to hand it to Captain Havrelli as soon as command was transferred. He'd been unusually quiet the whole morning.

In the Bawden's Quarters things were hectic, this sudden and unexpected change of command, now, caught everyone off guard. Sure we knew it was coming, sort of, but out of the blue like this left everyone with little time for prep. We were lucky to find someone to babysit the girls while the Mrs and I got ready.

Inside though was a different story, a story which seemed to come to an end, it's final page about to be turned. With Admiral S'iraa leaving us we didn't know what lay ahead. I'd heard about some Efrosian coming on board with an Andorian on his arm, I didn't hear much more then that because apparently little wanted to be heard about it so I was pretty much in the dark about it. Which considering I'm the Chief of Security didn't sit well with me.

"You ready love?" I asked Ayla as she dressed in the Bedroom.

Ayla put the last touches to her hair and uniform. She moved to join him. She was wearing authorized female version of the dress uniform. Instead of pants, a skirt that ended an inch above her knees. "I'm ready, love," She scampered out of the main bedroom to join her mate.

"Come on, let go." It was going to be hard seeing the Admiral take that walk, I'd watched my Brother take the same walk and at the time I hated S'iraa for it. Now I was watching him do the same and I felt sorry for him, for everything he had done he didn't deserve this.

I made one final check with Engineering to make sure that everything was ready to go, never knew if the new CO would want to make an inspection so why not sort two birds in one go. I dashed off to my quarters to get myself ready, I had to admit I had mixed feelings about the Admiral leaving. I hardly knew him so to hear him leaving I felt unsure of, but then he was a good leader and tried hard and now he was leaving.

As soon as I was ready and dressed I made my way to the Hanger Bay.

The Marine deck was buzzing with life, knowing the Admiral was departing the ship we made sure his send off was a good one, junior officers and ratings would line the halls as he left the ship, Sam and I would be the only senior marines attending the change of command. Jack was clad in his finest and recently altered uniform, no medals or anything like that because this was about the Admiral, not himself.

He was sad though, the Admiral was a good man and everyone knew he put his crew first and went the extra mile for them. Starfleet had screwed him over and no matter how they coated it, worded it or anything like that, everyone knew they knifed that feline in the back and deep to the hilt.

SSG Winters with her new platoon in full battle gear and weapons highly cleaned and presentable awaited at their appointed place along with the Security Forces in their version of combat gear that was part of the rescue of S'riaa. They stood along the final stretch of 'The Walk'. Winters taught the Security Forces how to salute with weapons held before them. Barrels to the sky, hand grip facing outward, shoulder stock to the floor. Eyes looked over the tip of the barrel. The Shuttle that was to take S'riaa and his mate sat gleaming in pristine condition on the ready pad in the main shuttle bay.

Miranda looked her best, letting S'riaa have his space, yet her presence known if he needed anything, all he had to do was ask or say something. She had weathered his outrage in a moment of emotional weakness. She was a calming influence as she helped him get ready without even being asked. She knew just what to do when it was needed. She made sure the uniform look splendid on him and all presence would remember the way he looked. She kept one package unpacked and with her. It had the Sender's Address blotched out. Only she knew who it was from. "You want me at your side during the Ceremony?" She asked softly, meeting him at the door to the corridor.

"No. With the crew." S'iraa replied. He had to appear strong, determined in front of the crew and with Miranda there it might go against that or that he was using her as an emotional crutch to remain stable. Losing a command was never good nor honourable and this was exactly that, losing a command. Command could make what ever excuse they liked, made what ever cover up story they wanted by S'iraa knew the truth of it all.

Miranda nodded and let him proceed her from the now empty Admiral's / Commanding Officer's Quarters. She still carried the package with her, which she wouldn't let him have till the ceremony was over with.

Charlie watched as everyone started to filter in. It felt strange to be back. She wasn't sure if she was ready for the changes that were about to happen.

Jack waited with the other assembled crew in the Hanger Bay dressed in his finest, it was always sad to see a friend go and even though Jack had not really worked directly much with the Admiral, he was still a friend.

Xavier felt sad seeing the Admiral go, he'd treated the Admiral personally for many years, helped him through some emotional times, life threatening times and he'd do it all again if it meant keeping the Admiral with them on the ship. Unfortunately that was not going to happen, word went around the ship that Starfleet Command had ordered S'iraa off the ship. Nobody knew where the Admiral was going, he didn't say much about it but everyone knew the Admiral was a private person. He hoped though it would not be the last he heard of S'iraa, what ever the future held for him.

Major Snyder was stood next to her Commanding Officer Lt.Colonel Frost, she was glad to see the effort they made in giving the Admiral a proper send off had paid off with the highly polished troops ready for his arrival. Woman's intuition told her that very few would be all smiles today, they were losing a friend, a pillar in the community they called home, someone that would go the extra mile for them.

Sam didn't know the first thing about the new CO though, not even a rumour whispered met her ear. It was only when Jack and herself walked through the door did he tell her that the new CO was someone called Ra Havrelli. She'd never heard the name before but it would be interesting to see how he'd fit in to a very large set of shoes the Admiral would leave behind.

Elizabeth stood next to Ra. Her white hair shone like glistening snow and the white formal gown with a v neck. She wasn't even showing no discomfort to the warmth generated by those present. Her antennae swiveled as she picked up the empathic vibes of those present. She took notice of the Command Staff and Department Heads of the ship. It was obvious she wasn't Fleet nor Marine trained by the way she stood, but definitely of the Aristocratic Social Class.

Ayla stood next to her husband with easy access to the podium if needed. She glanced around at the gathered Officers. She was sad that a treasured friend and fellow Officer was leaving.

As customary S'iraa arrived last. The doors opened and there stood S'iraa dressed in his finest with Miranda by his side. Everyone came to attention, everyone looking sharp, presentable but sad at the same time. As he walked to the podium Miranda peeled off to join the end of the rank of officers nearby. S'iraa took the two steps up and stood in front of the table.

"Change. Change is something that happens to everyone, we can not avoid it, often it is out of our control. For some our lives are changed forever with the birth of offspring." S'iraa looked at Ayla, then Mark. "For others change offers us opportunities, the change to grow beyond what we normally would on our own."

S'iraa saw every set of eyes upon him, sadness in most. "What is important is that we remember who we are, not let change define us. To let it change us would mean we surrender control. I believe everyone knows my standpoint on control." Which to his surprise got a few laughs from the assembled officers. "Today I leave the ship, but not the crew. I will remember you, our time together, the adventures we shared. It is my hope that you will provide your new Captain the same level of dedication, support and loyalty that you have afforded me."

S'iraa stepped back. Captain Ra stepped up and lifted a PADD to read. "By order of Starfleet Command on this stardate, Captain Ra Havrelli is requested and required to assume command of the U.S.S. Dreadnought from Admiral S'iraa."

S'iraa stepped up. Ra held out his hand which was taken by the Admiral. "I relieve you Sir."

"I stand relieved." S'iraa replied. "Computer, transfer all command codes to Captain Havrelli. Authorisation S'iraa 76-Gamma-Alpha-1."

=^=Command codes transferred, U.S.S. Dreadnought now commanded by Captain Ra Havrelli.=^=

Miranda wanted to rush to her husbands side to be the support that a good mate should do. But his pride prevented her as she waited for him for the departure of the Dreadnought. She had made friends herself and said her good byes earlier so not to delay the departure after this was over.

Ayla being XO confirmed the final orders and customs were met. It hit her that S'riaa had accepted fate and was moving on. She covertly grasped her mates hand with her pawlike one. She was unsure and life has moved on. A tear fell hidden by her fur. Remembering the good times and the bad times they faced together.

Standing there watching this unfold I just couldn't feel right about this. I was the Chief Engineer of this ship and yet without the Admiral it just didn't feel whole anymore. It wouldn't have that dominant presence, that safe feel it had. I guess now I just had to see what this Captain Havrelli was like and see how his style of command went with the crew.

So it was done, Jack felt sad, felt like he was losing a trusted friend and to a marine a friend like that was worth his weight. He didn't blame the Admiral for the losses his teams took during the last mission but he still trusted the Admiral and now he was taking that long walk to the waiting shuttle. So now the new CO was this Havrelli fella, Jack didn't know him but would give him the chance to prove himself.

SSG Winters saw the approach, she yelled out, "Attention!" The Marines and Security came to attention the way they had been taught. When Admiral reached a certain point in the walk, "Present Arms!" As one, the two different departments lifted their rifles and saluted with them. High Honors from a Marine Detachment usually reserved for Marine Brass or Highly Decorated Soldiers and rarely for Non-Marine Personnel. It was well executed by the Security Forces along with the Marines that made the rescue of S'riaa. Amanda knew she would get her butt chewed on by both the Colonel and the Major as this wasn't planned by them.

When all was said and done the shuttle waited to take S'iraa from the ship. A red carpet lined the way and two officers in red stood by the open hatch. A wordless sound was all he made indication enough for a Caitian at least to join him, all knew who it was aimed for. S'iraa climbed in, his foot lifting from the floor for the last time on the ship he called home for so many years.

Miranda waited till the orders came from SSG Winters "Order arms!" and the Marine and Security lowered their weapons by their side. She joined S'riaa at the entrance to the shuttle. She looked at him, nodded and let him enter the shuttle first.

So that was it. I watched S'iraa leave and felt Ayla take my hand. I may have not gotten on well with the feline before but he was a friend and now he was gone. Now though Captain Havrelli was the boss, lets just see how he fairs with this ship and crew. Sink or swim.

Captain Havrelli took the stage again. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I know for some the departure of the Admiral is an emotional experience, in light of that I'd invite you to retire for the day. We can introduce tomorrow when we have had some time to adjust." This way Ra was giving them time which for some was probably a good thing. He would get to the introductions at some point, but for now the crew came first.

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