Promotion

Posted on Sat Oct 27th, 2018 @ 3:01am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Gary Taylor & Commander Liselle Qwyyn

Mission: Season 2: Mission 2.A: R&R
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: TBD
1516 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

IC

Phoenix sat in her ready room and looked over the report before her. Transfer papers for Lia Holmes. Brilliant, just brilliant... not!

She hit her comm. "Commander Taylor and Commander Qwyyn to the ready room please."

Gary was on the bridge, when Phoenix called to both Liselle and himself. He tapped his combadge, "Acknowledged. On my way." As
he rose from the center seat and motion to another bridge officer to take over. With that he moved to Phoenix's Ready Room and pressed
the chime.

The chime on the door sounded. "Come" Phoenix called out.

Hearing her voice call out for him to enter, he did so coming to stand in front of her desk. "You wanted to see me Captain?" He asked as the doors closed with a soft hiss behind him.

Phoenix nodded. "Yes please sit. I can catch up Liselle when she gets here. Lia is being transferred off due to medical reasons."

Gary stared at her for several seconds, the color slowly draining from his face. "What?" He managed to get out. "You can't be serious." He was unwilling to believe what he was hearing.

"I wish I was Commander" Phoenix handed him the orders. "effective as soon as we get back to DS9. Which leaves us in a pickle."

Gary struggled to keep his composure. It wouldn't do to get mad. This wasn't Phoenix's doing. Still he was stunned by the revelation. He heard Phoenix use his rank instead of his name and he knew that this was indeed on the up and up. He gave a short quick nod. His mind going to the current problem. "We need a Second Officer as well as a Security/Tactical Chief." He answered knowing both positions needed to be filled quickly to keep the chain of command intact.

Phoenix nodded. "The second officer I can fill rather swiftly. In fact once Liselle gets here, I will inform you both of the choice. As for security chief... Lieutenant Kaz is the current Assistant."

Gary nodded, "As you wish Captain. He had a sneaky suspicion that Liselle was going to be named as the new second officer but he didn't want to ruin Phoenix's moment. "Lieutenant Kaz." He repeated, "Well she is one of ours. She knows the ship." He pointed out.

The doors hissed open and Liselle walked through in quick steps. "Sorry, sorry," she apologized, hands raised. "There was a bit of confusion surrounding who was supposed to relieve..." She froze, her eyes moving from Phoenix to Taylor. "Who died?" she joked. Something in Gary's expression told her that something serious had just happened. Liselle's eyes widened. "Oh Gods, did somebody die?"

Gary shook his head and managed a weak smile. "No one died Liselle. Come in and sit down. The Captain has something to say.'' He knew he was cryptic and he hated it for Liselle but this was Phoenix's moment and he wouldn't take that from her.

Liselle awkwardly kept her attention turned to Gary as she blindly found her way to the offered chair and lowered herself down. Completely unaware of what to expect, she was not unlike a child fearing the consequences from her mother for misbehaving that day in school.

For his part, Gary tried to offer Liselle a reassuring smile but he was afraid that what was displayed on his face would probably make Liselle more upset, more uneasy.

Phoenix studied her best friend as the Trill took her seat. Liselle had been her first and for a while only friend on the Elysium when Phoenix and Miran had come aboard years ago under the command of Admiral Sharr. They had, been through good and bad times together. "I was just informing Commander Taylor that Commander Holmes has been transferred off Elysium due to medical reasons." She paused. " And with that transfer, we will need a new second officer. I have with the blessing of the Fleet command been able to choose my own second officer. Commander Liselle Qwyyn, it is with a lot of satisfaction that I can inform you of your promotion to Second Officer of the USS Elysium, effective immediately."

A genuine smile appeared on Gary's face as Phoenix officially named Liselle as Second Officer of the Elysium. As devastated as he was at Lia leaving he was happy for Liselle. She deserved the promotion and he had no doubt she would do a fine job in the role. "Congratulations Liselle. I know you are going to make an excellent Second Officer." He said sincerely.

Liselle held a hand over her heart, physically restraining a gasp from escaping her body. "Holmes Transferred?" she stammered. She shook her head slowly in disbelief. And then the other bit of news struck her. "Second officer? Are you...are you serious? Are you sure?"

Now Gary chuckled, "Why Liselle are you suggesting that the Captain in making this decision and me in supporting it, are somehow making a wrong decision?" He said in mock reproach.

"What? No. I would never. You know I wouldn't --" she cut herself off, realizing only now that he was playing with her. Normally she wouldn't be so guilible to some minor teasing, but the recent double-dose of news had thrown her. Instead she stood up and threw herself into Gary with a hug. "Thank you," she said. "I'm sorry about Lia..."

Gary's arms came up and around Liselle in an answering hug. He was glad she was here. "You are more than welcome." He answered truthfully. His eyes holding a grateful look on her comment about Lia. "Um. Make sure you thank the Captain as well."

Liselle let her arms slip from him and she turned to face Captain Lalor. Phoenix. Her longest and closest friend. In any lifetime. "You don't know how much this means to me; you putting this kind of trust in me."

Gary was glad for Liselle. She deserved the promotion "Keep this up Liselle and you may be First Officer by the end of the week."

Phoenix gave Liselle a warm smile. "You've earned it Liselle. " then she looked at Gary. "And you Commander Taylor are not allowed to resign."

Gary met Phoenix's gaze head on. "Aye Captain." He replied in an even voice.

Silver blue eyes narrowed at him for a minute. Then she looked back at Liselle. "It will mean you will have a few more responsibilities than your department Lise, but I am sure you will be fine."

Gary caught the narrowing of Phoenix's eyes and knew he had aroused curiosity if not suspicion by his rather vague reply. So, he wisely kept his mouth shut. No need to rain on Liselle's parade.

"I think I can handle a few more responsibilities," Liselle said, stepping forward to hug her captain. When she let Phoenix go, she held her at arm's length, her hands cupping the woman's elbows. "Is this...will this have an impact on my time at the conn?"

Gary couldn't help but smile at Liselle's question. She was a true pilot. It was in her blood and her connection with the Elysium seemed to take on mythic proportions. He spoke from behind her, "It shouldn't Liselle. It's an added responsibility being Second Officer in addition to you being Chief Flight Control."

"Elysium is still yours to fly Lise. Do not worry I am not going to change that anytime soon." Phoenix smiled and calmly slid her hands down so they met Liselle's. She squeezed them. "You will be fine."

Qwyyn pulled her grip from Phoenix so that she could cover her mouth with both hands. "I'm sorry," she said. "I can't seem to stop smiling. This is just so exciting!" she said. "I can't wait to tell Mati -- I mean. Nothing. Nevermind. Sorry. So what happens next?"

Liselle's excitement was infectious. Gary was happy for her. He caught her slip about the CEO but said nothing, Not wishing to put a damper on Liselle's good humor. "What's next? Why you walk the plank." He teased.

"The...plank?" Liselle looked from Taylor to Lalor. "Is that...what is that? Oh, Gods. Is that something a Second Officer should know about?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Gary replied, shaking his head in disbelief. "I'm surprised at you Liselle." He teased, his voice even but his eyes dancing with delight. "Yes, that's your first task. Find out about walking the plank."

Hiding her own laughter, Phoenix inclined her head at Liselle. "Enjoy your research Commander. We have both been through it."

Gary caught Phoenix holding her laughter, he was grateful she had joined in the joke. "Yes Liselle, have fun." He added stifling his own laughter.

Phoenix straightened and said "We shall let you get to it Liselle. You are free to go."

"Of course." Qwyyn gave a nod and turned for the door. She hesitated. "And, thank you, guys," she added. And she disappeared back onto the bridge.

--

Captain Phoenix Lalor
Commanding Officer
USS Elysium

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium

Commander Liselle Qwyyn
Second Officer / Chief Flight Control
USS Elysium