The Ruxomar Resurgence Vol.2 Ch.4 'Formation' Pt 2

"Docking complete, Captain.  Initiating preparation procedures for total power down."  "Thank you, lieutenant." The Captain said, glancing around the interior of the base.  Claire walked onto the bridge and tapped Logan's shoulder.  "She's huge, isn't she?"  "She's massive.  She's ours, Claire."  "She looks absolutely amazing!"  Teva piped in, from across the bridge.  "Sorry to interrupt you two's little romance over the Athens, but I believe we're due on board Starbase 57."  "You're right, thanks for the reminder."  Logan switched on his communicator for a ship-wide broadcast. "Attention All Hands, this is Captain Reiko, you have 30 minutes until the ship is completely powered down.  You have that long to vacate the ship.  By now, you all know the other reason we're here, so I'd like to give the man of the hour a chance to speak."  Reiko gestured to Logan to begin.  "Everyone, it has been my honor to serve on board the Thanatos with each and every one of you.  I've had chances to create so many memories, but there has also been some loss.  Now I emb... now WE embark on a new journey.  Though we will be on a different ship, in different sectors, potentially in different quadrants of the universe, I can promise you, we WILL meet again!"  As Reiko closed the communication channel, the bridge crew started clapping.  Chants of encouragement rang out from several of the crew.  "Alright Logan, if you're ready, we can make our way to the mess hall of the Athens, where the ceremony will take place."  He said that, as he stepped out of the Captains ready-room, holding several PADDs in his hands.  "I'm ready, Admiral.  Let's do this."


"Admiral on the Deck!"  The Officer of the Watch rang out, almost immediately as the Admiral entered the room.  At that moment, every person in the room stood at attention for the Admiral.  "At ease, at ease.  No need to be so formal we're just promoting a new captain, that's all!"  Laughter rang out from several of the people there.  "Logan... there has to be at least 100 people here!"  "There's probably more, Teva.  C'mon, lets follow the Admiral."  The Admiral signaled for the Boson's mate to blow the whistle.  At that moment, everyone who was gathered there took their seats and faced the stage.  

"Thank you to everyone who has showed up.  Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the newest Captain of the Ruxomar fleet, Logan Kuro!"  Cheers and clapping grew louder by the second, to the point it sounded like thunder.  "Logan Kuro, you have proven yourself to be an exemplary officer, and have proven yourself to be an excellent leader.  Therefore, by the power invested in me, by The Ruxomar Military Command Division, I hereby promote you, Logan Kuro, to the rank of Captain, with all of the rights and responsibilities thereto.  To quote Starfleet's Captain Jean-Luc Picard, "May God have mercy on your soul.""  To make it official, the Admiral pinned the insignia defining that he was the captain to the collar of his uniform.  Cheers and clapping twice as loud as before rang out.  "Hold up, hold up, we're not done yet.  I still have to give you a ship, don't I?"  Some laughter from the crowd made the Admiral smile.  "Captain Logan Kuro, by the power invested in me, by the Ruxomar Military Command Division, I hereby grant you command of the R.X.S. Athens.  Do you accept command of this ship?  "Logan looked at his bridge crew he has chosen, then to the crowd, and back to the Admiral.  "I do."  "Then it's official!"  The Admiral picked up one of the PADDs.  "Computer, recognize: Okawa, Joanah H, Admiral, R.X.S. Athens."  "Okawa, Joanah H, Admiral Recognized." The computer voice repeated back to the Admiral.  "Computer, recognize: Kuro, Logan J, R.X.S. Athens."  The computer voice repeated his credentials back to him." "... recognized."  "Computer, transfer all command codes and abilities to Captain Logan J. Kuro.  Authorization Code Okawa-Omega-5-1-4-2."  "Confirmed. Awaiting confirmation from Captain Kuro."  "Computer, accept and register all command codes and abilities.  Authorization code Kuro-Phi-2-7-5-1."  "Confirmed. Awaiting Final Transfer Order Code from Admiral Okawa."  "Computer Initiate Transfer of Command Codes to Captain Logan Kuro.  Authorization Code Okawa-Delta-2-2-5-7-Alpha."  "Confirmed.  Command Codes Transfered.  The R.X.S. Athens is now under the command of Captain Logan Kuro."  The attending crowd erupted in cheers and claps.  "Congratulations, Captain Kuro!" The Admiral led a cheer to christen the new Captain.

"Alright Captain Kuro, now here is where you take over.  As Captain, you have the right to promote your bridge crew the way you see fit, so that's what you're going to do."  The Admiral gestured for Logan's bridge crew to step up front and center.  Logan looked at each member of his bridge crew.  "Ok, I'm going to do this in ascending order.  Ensign Reiner Taschke, your expertise in the pilots seat is something we're going to need on the Athens, so therefore I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant, with the station of helmsman, with all of the responsibilities thereto."  Logan made it official by pinning the lieutenant rank insignia on Reiner's uniform.  "Thank you, sir."  He said, his green eyes shining with excitement.

"Lieutenant Sara Almas, you have been in medical trianing on the Thanatos for 2 years now, correct?"  "Yes Sir, 2 years and 12 days."  She replied, her voice reflecting a sense of pride in her accomplishment. "Then I believe you are the most qualified officer I could have to me the Athens Chief Medical Officer.  Therefore, I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with the station of Chief Medical Officer, with all of the rights and responsibilities thereto."  As with Reiner, he made it official by pinning the insignia on her uniform.  "Thank you, sir!"  She said, the same sense of pride and accomplishment in her voice as before.

"Jade Valeska.  Up until this point you have never been in the Ruxomar Military before.  However, you have more advanced training in security than some of the other security officers I've seen." He glanced over to the Admiral. "No offense, of course."  He turned his attention back to Jade, who has a small smirk on her face.  "You were able to view the specifications of the Athens, as well as all of our procedures.  So, you are the most qualified person I could get for Chief of Security.  Admiral Okawa has granted you an official commission as an officer in the Ruxomar Military, under my command.  By that, I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with the station of Chief of Security, with all of the rights and responsibilities thereto.  Welcome to the Ruxomar Military, and to the Athens, Jade. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Ping Pong, that's still going to be our first mission."  As with all the others, he pinned the insignia on Jade's brand new uniform.  "Thank you, for everything."  She said, reflecting on the last few days.

"Teva Ray Harris.  I've known you for about 5 years now, and those have been an amazing 5 years.  At the academy when we first met, I remember watching you do... engineering... stuff... which I don't know all that much about.  You do, though, so that's why I asked you to join me on the Athens. You are more than ready to take on the roll of Chief Engineer, and that's exactly where I'm putting you.  I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with the station of Chief Engineer, with all of the rights and responsibilities thereto."  He pinned the insignia on her uniform.  "Thank you, Logan.  I'll be sure to let you know if we have a coolant leak or a magnetic lock failure."  She gave Logan a playful smile, Logan let out a laugh. "Thanks, Teva, that's why I have you here."

"Last, but not least, Claire Lotas.  I've known you for as long as I can remember, and now we're serving on our own ship, with each other, and with our friends.  This is going to be a great opportunity for us all, You, Teva, Jade, Me, and everyone else to grow closer, to make new friends, and doing it while we're serving.  I look forward to these coming years."  Claire smiled, and said "As do I."  "Claire, you have been there for me more times than I can count.  When things haven't been going right, or when I just needed some advice.  That's why I have decided that you will be my first officer.  I know that I will need your advice many more times coming up in the future, and I know that you will be able to help me lead the crew.  I hereby promote you to the rank of Commander, with the station of First Officer, with all of the rights and responsibilities thereto."  He pinned the insignia on Claire's uniform.  "Thank you, Logan.  I will do my best to provide you with my input, and to be there for you when you need me."

"Ok Admiral, that's everyone."  "You did well, Logan.  Now, if everyone will turn their attention to the viewing window."  Everyone did as the Admiral said, and turned to the window.  The Admiral clicked his communicator. "Now."  At that moment, the lights in the mess hall dimmed out, and a salvo of over 2500 antimatter fireworks were launched from a carrier ship that had taken position during the ceremony.  "Oohs" and "Ahhs" came from some of the crowd, while others just watched.  The new bridge crew of the Athens grabbed each others hands. Claire and Logan looked at each other, smiled and then returned their attention to the show.

After the show ended, the Admiral closed out the ceremony and dismissed everyone, except for the bridge crew.  "Ok.  The Athens construction will be complete within one month, so all of you are free to do whatever until then."  Everyone acknowledged, and then exited the Athens to return to Starbase 57.  "Hey, Claire, if you don't have anything planned for tonight, I know something we could do!  There's a new holodeck program I just finished having programmed, and I want to take someone with me."  Claire smiled and said "Sure, I'd love to go!"  

END CHAPTER