Honor Guard
Posted on Mon Sep 2nd, 2024 @ 5:45pm by Captain Piraa sh'Zamhlass
Edited on on Mon Sep 16th, 2024 @ 3:51pm
617 words; about a 3 minute read
Mission:
Project EDEN
Location: Shuttlebay
Timeline: July 17, 2401
The bosun's whistle loudly summoned the color guard to attention. Fourteen Starfleet commissioned and non-commissioned officers clicked their heels together and stood upright, each half lining one side of the corridor that extended from the main shuttlebay.
Piraa sh'Zamhlass was no stranger to these color guards. It always began as a rite of passage, one of the first menial (or honorable) tasks to do once one first earned their ensign pip or crewman's bars. Then it became clear that it was a mandatory activity for any newly promoted personnel. Knowing this, the Valiant's first Captain stood in the shuttlebay portal to take stock of the one ensign, three lieutenant junior grades, two lieutenants, one warrant officer, three petty officers of varied grades, and five fresh-faced first-class crewmen. She smiled in response and her Andorian antennae stiffened, honored to share this occasion with them.
"At ease," ordered the rear admiral escorting sh'Zamhlass. Instantly, all four clasped their hands behind their backs and placed thirty centimeters between their feet. "Captain, I think you'll find that your crew, though small, is built of some of the finest Starfleet has to offer."
Piraa's deep blue eyes did their best to hide the guilt that nearly extinguished the spark behind them. Of the fourteen before her, she could tell that most of the guard bore the same guilt. Typically, promotions were earned and sometimes fought over. For the lieutenants and the petty officers, Piraa had the feeling that their promotions were granted due to Frontier Day, and the sheer amount of vacancies created by the massacre.
Hell, Piraa's own fourth pip was earned this way. Had it not been for the Borg/Changeling effort, Piraa would have had at least two more years aboard the Zantra. The position she was assuming now was meant for Captain Gizko of the Relentless, but he'd been vaporized by his assimilated helmsman in the first minutes.
"Excellent," Piraa replied at last to the rear admiral. There was no sarcasm or false fronts in her tone. The Andorian really was grateful to have the best. Whatever this Project EDEN was, they'd break it in, refine it, and turn it into one of Starfleet's best tools. "I see that Haxin Mariwat couldn't be bothered to join."
The Trill rear admiral grunted. "You mean the most antisocial Bolian the species ever produced? The man's brilliant, and so's his EDEN. But I wouldn't count on him to be helpful."
Piraa smirked. "Maybe I should get him a Zakdorn or Zaldan assistant."
This time, the warrant officer joined the rear admiral in the chuckle. A single glance from the Trill put the warrant officer right back in his place. Turning to face the Captain, the Trill said, "Computer, load Starfleet Order 2402,01-2852 and transfer command codes to Captain Piraa sh'Zamhless."
The familiar beeps, burrs, and whirrs could be heard from the concealed speakers in the corridor. A moment later, the computer announced, "Transfer complete. The USS Valiant is now under the command of Captain Piraa sh'Zamhlass."
"Honestly," the flag officer then said to the Andorian, "I don't give a damn what you do. Mariwat and EDEN are your problem now." He stepped forward, placed a hand on her shoulder and offered a half smile when he said, "Good luck, Captain." Then the admiral walked away, disappearing into the shuttlebay.
Piraa could not stop the frown from asserting its dominance. She turned to the honor guard, scanned them one final time, then uttered, "Dismissed."
As the crew walked away, Piraa stood fast outside the now-closed shuttlebay door. This assignment sure was going to be an interesting one. It couldn't be that bad... right?
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