Moving on Up, Round Two

Posted on Tue May 16th, 2017 @ 7:03am by Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant Illise Hale

1,176 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Pulling Together
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: En Route to Vulcan

ON

Now that reports were filed and things were settling down, Sam had some overdue business to take care of. "York to Hale, could you please come to my Ready Room?"

"On my way." Illise replied and glanced over at the time display beside her bed. She still had had an hour until her duty shift started. She stood up, placed the bound softcover book she had been reading on the bed and stretched out a cramp that had developed in her left leg over the last several hours. It was a bad habit, reading one the bed, but one she'd had since childhood and couldn't be bothered to break.

Truthfully the book was not really her taste, but she had borrowed it from one of the scientist in her department and knew he was eager to discuss it. So she had decided to put in some time and endeavored to make it to the end.

She quickly changed into her uniform and after a brief glance in the mirror to assure herself that everything was in order, Illise exited her quarters and made her way to the lift. A few minutes later she was standing outside the Commodore's Ready Room. She touched the chime.

"Come in," Sam said, standing to greet the newcomer. When she saw Illise, she smiled. "Please, have a seat."

Illise stepped closer to the doors and the opened at her approach. "Thank you Commodore," she replied and sat in a chair opposite Sam's at her desk.

"I appreciate the work you did on Jenefra," she said.

"Thank you." Illise shook her head sadly, vividly recalling the horrors she had seen in the burnt villages. A momentary flash of anger came up at the thought of what had been done to the people, the children in those villages. Skinned and left in the sun. All for power and profit. "I am just glad to have helped identify the true malefactor in this sorry affair." She shook her head again, banishing the images. "It is terrible that Jennifer was harmed in the process and that Keelan escaped." She said.

"As am I. Unfortunately, there's been no sign of Keelan," Sam said. "But I've alerted Starfleet. I am pleased that the people of Jenefra can now find peace."

"As am I." she agreed, nodding thoughtfully. Then she pushed it aside and cleared her throat, shifting to sit straighter in her seat. "What can I do for you, Commodore?" she asked.

"Well, I'm afraid that no good deed goes unpunished," the Commodore began. "And because of your meritorious work, Starfleet has authorized me to give you this." She pulled a small box out of her drawer and handed it to Illise.

Illise took the box and opened it. Inside was a gold pip. She looked quickly back up at Sam. "Thank you Commodore." It was a simple statement, but she found that she could muster very little else to say. It had been a year since her assignment as Chief Science Officer aboard the Calypso. Although it had never been discussed, there was an ever-present possibility that the position was only temporary, as the role of Chief could not long be held by a Junior Grade officer. She had accepted that a new higher-ranking and more experienced officer could transfer to the ship at any time to assume tor role. This did not cause her distress as it was just the way things worked. But now as she saw that possibility fade, she found that in it's absence she had been a little concerned after all.

"Your work has been exemplary. The promotion is well-deserved," Sam said. She smiled at the other scientist. "We're fortunate to have you on the Calypso."

"I am proud to be here." Illise replied.

"We'll be doing some upgrades on the ship, so if there's anything you want to add to the department, let me know," Sam said.

"I will send you the short list." Illise joked, feeling somehow lighter than she had in months. She smiled, excited at the prospect of upgrading her department.

"I look forward to it." Sam smiled. She tried very hard not to be biased, but she had a soft spot for science. "Is there anything I can do for you or your department?"

"I think you've already done it." Ilise replied, "The upcoming shore leave is being greatly anticipated by the staff. I've already caught a few daydreaming on-duty." Illise chuckled. "It's good to see them with a spring in their step."

"It is. We've had a long run without a break. This will be good for all of us." Sam was looking forward to some time off as well. She already had a short list of places she wanted to visit with Damon while they were on Vulcan.

"There is one matter I would like to ask you about." Illise said, trying to appear serious but pretty sure she was failing. Sam would know what she was feeling anyways, and there was no way she could hide her pleasure, so she abandoned pretext and grinned. "We are throwing Ronnie Lancaster a surprise baby shower, and would like to know if you could come?"

Sam grinned. "I'll be there. Just let me know when and where." Ronnie had been her assistant when she was Chief Science Officer on the Orion. She, along with most of the crew, transferred over to the Calypso when the Orion was badly damaged. Even though they didn't spend as much time together as they used to, Ronnie was still a good friend.

"Excellent!" Illise beamed. "I know she will be happy to have you there."

"I wouldn't miss it." Sam was still having a hard time imagining Ronnie as a mother, but she was looking forward to it. "If there's nothing else, you can go."

Illise stood up, and feeling it was the appropriate thing to do, extended her hand to Sam. "Thank you Commodore." she said, "I appreciate the trust you have placed in me. I will not disappoint you."

Sam shook her hand and smiled. "You've already proven yourself," Sam assured her. "Just let me know if you need anything."

Illise smiled back, then turned to exit the Ready Room. The doors opened and closed behind her, and she was standing in the corridor. She glanced down at the small box held reverently in her hand. The wood was warm against her skin and it felt strangely light despite the weight that rested within it. When she had stated this journey as a junior cadet with a scarred past, her only ambition had ever been to bring honor to her family, to a memory, and to her House.

Illise started walking towards the lift. Her shift started in forty-five minutes. She would go back to her quarters and add the pip to her uniform. Then...what? For certain she was not going to finish that book. No. She had some letters to write.

____
OFF

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Illise Hale
Chief Science Officer

 

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