===== Conference longue, USS Chimera ===== It was just 10 minutes ago that Shane asked all senior officers to come to the conference longue. He wanted to brief the senior crew about the General's leave, but before that there was a pleasant duty to perform. Shane, siting in the chair an the head of the table, looked at the little green velevet box lying on the table. Promotions were always a special occasion and Shane hoped that this time there will be no difference. He knew from his own experience that recognition from one's superior officers was always a thing that boosted one's will to go on. The duty on board a star ship was a hard way to earn his credits, often dangerous and rarely a smooth way through one's life. A promotion meaned always the recognition of one's deeds and abilities ... and Shane was always happy to take part on them. Especially when this promotion was very well earned. Shane wanted to do the promotion just before they would start with the briefing, but had little concerns about the pie ceremony ... an unevitable part of one's promotion on board the Chimera. He already made appropriate arrangements ... The senior staff began to sit down in an assortment of seats in the conference lounge. The seats formed an elongated circle and Commander Guzman stood at the top. The round table had its history at the court of the legendary King Arthur, who used a rounded rable to make all knights equal at it. The legacy remained, although the military nature of Starfleet required a chain of command with varying levels of subordination. The crew was casual and they all watched Guzman intently. Shane looked at at the senior crew. Rangi to his right, then Oriana and Acheson. To his left were Athena and Jack. Mike's seat was vaccant ... the good engineer was still unconcious from the 'pollen' effect and Shane started to worry about him. {lets hope he will be all right soon} he said to himself. He took a deep breath and stoof up from his chair. "I summoned you here to inform you about the current status of General Bretam, but there is one more thing that needs to be done prior to that. Shane saw that almost everyone looked at the velvel box in front of Shane ... and he 'knew' that the senior crew was just guessing who will be the lucky one this time. "First Lieutenant Acheson, front and center" Shane said firmly. Acheson looked back and forth, not sure if he had heard his own name of if he was daydreaming again. He stepped forward and returned to attention. "Yes, sir?" Shane looked directly in Nathan's face and continued in the firmly tone: "Lieutenant, it is already some time left since General Bretam appointed you to the position of Chief tactical officer." He paused for a moment before continuing: "I have been in that position for some time back on SB 742 as well, so it was only natural that i watched your performance with more then an XO's interest. Now i would be interested to hear from you what do you think about your own performance in that position." Shane hoped that this didnt became a clishe by now ... and that Acheson wouldnt be too sure about what was about to happen next. "Sir, I think I've performaned adequately. I was able to calibrate our systems during the USS Simpson test and helped lead the away team from Starbase Kinsi. That's all I've really had to do since I took this post." Shane shook his head: "Thats not correct Lieutenant" He saw the slight surprise in Acheson's eyes but resisted to smile: "Your performance during the sighting simulations with the USS Simpson was above average. A good CTAC is not made by the count of torpedoes hitting the enemy or number of destroyed ships, but by the ability to estimate the enemy and to learn from his own faults. I am not saying that you did excelent during teh simulation, you didnt in fact, but your performace increased with an astonishing rate and I am proud to have a Chief Tactical like you, Lieutenant" Shane smiled at Acheson who's stone expression melted slightly. "On board the station you acted like a true Starfleet officer, tryin gto save your fellow comrades first, thinking about yourself second. Therefore I am very glad that I am hereby promote you to the rank of Marine Captain, with all priviledges and responsibilities coming with this rank." He came closer to Acheson and removed the single silver bar from his green collar and from teh velvet box he got the two bar Mcaptains insignia. He put the insignia on Acheson's collar, stepped a step back and shook Acheson's hand. "Congratulations Marine Captain Acheson" Nathan smiled, at not only the prospect of being promoted but also at the attention he was receiving. "Thank you, sir." He saw a reflection of the new insignia against a console and was downright amazed at how stunning it looked. He entered Starfleet with the hope of commanding a ship someday, and he was coming one step closer to it. Shane smiled as all the others officer stood from ther chairs and came to Acheson to congratulate him. It was a great feeling to see one's officers growing in expereince and advancing through the ranks. Shane grinned slightly when he thought that Acheson wasnt the last one who was about to be promoted soon. As the joy and congratulations eased somehow, Shane went back to the table and said: "Ladies and gentleman, lets go on with the briefing. There are two more major point i need to brief you about. Acheson got ready to be pied again. He was wondering where it would come from. When he made first lieutennt, it was a frontal pastry assault. He wasn't even really a pie man. For dessert, he preferred ice cream. He waited a moment and nothing happened. Hmm, I guess the tradition was over. Shane hardly resisted to grin as he noticed Acheson standing there for a moment longer, obviously expecting being pied from behind. But nothing happened ... Nathan sat down and looked toward Guzman, to hear his briefing. From his peripheral vision, he saw some motion, but before he could look that way, he felt something hit the side of his face. A pie had flown from the side and hit him right on the side, covering his right eye. He could chuckle momentarily, as it slid down his face and dropped to the table. He brushed away the excess pie remnants from his face. Trying his best not to laugh, Shane put a serious facial expression and slightly grinned at the fresh backed Marine Captain and said in an pretending annoyed tone: "Captain, please clean yourself a bit up and when there is noone more hungry I could maybe go on with the briefing" ===== End of log ===== <<OOC: Congratulations Jason to your promotion, 'Marine Captain' HAS something on it, doesnt it? ::grins:: >> MCpt. Nathan Acheson CTAC USS Chimera & Cmdr. Shane Guzman XO/ACO USS Chimera