=== Crew Gathering=== Keylor walked in to the cargo with a box of items in his hands. He has purposefully arrived late so that the crew would be fully assembled and had time to settle in. he was glad to see so many of the faces, refreshed after the stressful mission. He was sure that everyone would be glad to hear of the new ship and that they would finally know that they had an assignment once again. Though he was not sure how they would take the news of his departure form command. It was not like he had gotten to know all of them personally. With the exception of Shane and Rangi, he really only knew people by their personnel files. But they had been through a lot, not just n the last mission but several missions, and Keylor and the rest of the crew survived them. That kind of experience draws connections to one another, in a sense he felt like the crew was his family. And like with his natural family, he would soon be parted from them. Keylor smiled as he worked his way through the crowd. He was headed to a table at the far end of the cargo bay. After worming his way through he finally reached the table and set the box down. One by one he pulled several items out of the box. There were several velvet boxes, the kind that usually contained rank in them and two rather large items wrapped in a velvet cloth. He arranged them in the order he expected to retrieve them and then headed to the refreshments for a drink. After retrieving a beverage he headed back to the table , where a small stand had been erected to allow several people to be elevated to see over the crowd. Stepping up on the stand he centered himself and looked out over the crowd. Many of the people noticed this and eyes started turning towards him. Smiling he cleared his throat and spoke. "May I have your attention please." He called out in a loud voice. As the noise in the romm dimmed he continued. " Thank you all for coming. It is always a pleasure to see everyone gathered in one place. And even though this is under solemn circumstances, am glad to see each and every one of you." He smiled. "We all know why we are gathered here. During our last mission we lost several members of the crew. Some of them we called friends, countrymen, and some we knew very little. But no matter who they were, they were part of a group, a group that many of us consider our second family. And like a family we all feel some sense of lost when some one leaves the family. But let us not look upon their lost as a sorrowful occasion. Let us not mourn them and linger on their passing. Instead let us look back and remember them fondly. Remember the happy times, the smiling faces and dedication to duty. Though in this universe we cannot replace the Gary Williams and Sean McTaggert's with others, we can believe that they have moved on to a better place than here. Let us not think of their passing as the end of one journey, but the beginning of the next one, and be at peace knowing they will live on in our thoughts, and our hearts." Keylor raised his glass and gestured. "Let us raise our glasses to them, the unsung hero's of our time. And not just for those whom we just lost, but to all brave souls that have servers the Chimera with the cost of their life. Cheers!" he said and then took a sip of his beverage. As the room erupted in a murmur of people saying cheers, he turned around and set his glass down on the table with the items displayed. He then picked up a large square object wrapped in velvet and turned back around. "To .. Commemorate this occasion, I have some thing to present to the crew." He unfolded the velvet and pulled out a large square piece of wood stained deep brown and with shiny gold colored metal attached to it. "I would like for the crew to the Chimera to have this. It is the dedication plaque of our former home. " he held up the wood and displayed it to the assembly. Below the original dedication plaque, were several small brass tags, each inscribed with a name. "Below the plaque are the names of every member of the Chimera who has lost their life in the line of duty. Keep this as a reminder of those who have come before you and paid the ultimate price, and to teach those who will come of their sacrifice. In this they will remain immortal." He paused for a moment and then smiled. "I think a good place to hang this would be in the crew lounge of the Chimera." He said looking at the puzzled faces. Chuckling he said, "The Chimera-A that is." "To bring a little excitement to this gathering, it is my pleasure to announce to the crew that Starfleet has assigned us a new ship, The Chimera-A, a brand new, fresh form the ship yards Katana class vessel." He paused and let the murmur of the surprise pass over the crowd. "The chimera will arrive at the starbase tomorrow. We are expected to occupy the ship at once and prepare her for normal operations at once." The crowed erupted in to a small clamor as everyone seemed to be relieved at the news. As the noise subsided a bit, Keylor changed his expression to his usual stoic look. Raising a hand to gain their attention he waited till everyone was silent. "As with every thing new, there usually is a change, and with this new ship, there is no exception. As you make preparations, and eventually set out for your next assignment, I will not be joining you." He said as the room seemed to breath a collective gasp. "Starfleet has seen fit to assign me to other duties. But have no fear, you will be lead by one of the finest officers I have ever known and had the honor to serve with." He said pointing to Shane and motioning him to the stand. "Commander Guzman has been given command of the Chimera-A and I know he will serve you all well." He smiled. The room broke out in a round of applause. Keylor looked at Shane who still seemed a bit uneasy at the idea of taking over for Keylor. Turning around, Keylor set the plaque down and retrieved another object form the table, this one long and more slender. As the applause dies down Keylor turned back to Shane. "Commander. You have been a good first officer. You have always served the ship and the crew well. You now embark on the next step in your career, commanding a starship. There will be days you are proud to wear that uniform, and days you wish you can throw it all away and leave the burden of command behind. Just remember they are there for you and they will not let you down." He said pointing to the crew. "I wanted to give you something, a token of my respect and admiration." He unfolded the velvet and pulled out the 18 inch blade he has some many times before worn on away missions. "Commander. I forged this blade long ago. And though I did not know it then, it would end up saving my life time and time again. Forged in a dark and bleak time, tested but the most foulest evil, it has been one thing that has never failed me, and lasted the trials and tribulation that I have endured." He stretched out his arms and handed it to Shane. "Take this, have it by your side, and may it serve you as well as it has served me." He said. He watched as Shane pulled the blade out form he scabbard and looked at the ornate etchings on the blade. After sheathing the blade Shane looked up . "Thank you sir." He said. Keylor though he saw what looked like a tear swell up in the corner of Shane's eyes. Then with near stiffening of his entire body, Shane smiled. Turning back to the crew Keylor then smiled. "Now since we have you all gathered here, we figured it would be a good time to dispense with some ships business. And I feel that as his first official act as ships captain, Commander Guzman should do the honors." Motioni9ng to Shane Keylor stepped back and let Shane take center stage. It was done, everyone knew. Keylor was not going to be continuing the journey with the rest f the crew and the new starship. But as he said, all things must change, and so to must he. He was not sure what would become of him now, but he had faith that the prophets would guide him to his destiny. As Shane spoke and called people to the front for promotions, Keylor reached back and picked up the various velvet boxed with rank. For the first time he was the assistant to the captain. It was a role he was not accustomed to, but one he was happy just to play a part in. As Shane awarded the promotions, Keylor handed him the boxes, just like Shane had done so many times before . One by one Shane promoted his officers and Keylor congratulated them. ===End Log=== Bgen Bretam Keylor Former Captain USS Chimera <<OOC: It has been fun all. Great 2 years. It has been an honor to serve with all of you. ::salutes::>>