And Gondolin, who Now Beyond - Part Eight

Posted on Wed Mar 18th, 2020 @ 3:40pm by Lieutenant JG Rachael "Ripcord" Yamaguchi-Cullen & Major Cheol-hee "Razor" Lee & Lieutenant Colonel Brigitte "Crusader" Abbendis & Colonel Hadar "Jem" J'Herim & Colonel Leslie "Fireball" Isaacs & First Sergeant Grade Two Kelly "Rabbit" Shaddock

Mission: Mission 98: Building Our New Home
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 0900Hrs - June 27th, 2393

Staff Warrant Officer Rachael Yamaguchi-Cullen finished slipping on her dress uniform jacket and she zipped it closed, before she snagged the last of her breakfast from her table, before she popped it into her mouth, she quickly finished breakfast and out the door of her quarters she went, she was not sure of what today's plan was but that was only because she had not been on the flying schedule for today, she had been called in the previous evening and asked if she could report for assignment as normal except they were a few pilots short as there was a bug going around. Except for today she had been specifically asked to wear her dress uniform, the reason why would be forthcoming but no explanation was instantly given.

Ripcord mentally schooled her thoughts while she wondered why she was wanted, she sighed before she dismissed the thought with a healthy push. There was no use speculating on what she was wanted for until someone told her why they wished her presence.

Major Cheol-hee Lee regarded the small gathering. "Morning Colonel. Colonel and Colonel." he addressed Isaacs, Hadar and Abbendis, all in turn. "So everyone is here?"

"Our victim will be arriving in a moment," Hadar commented with a wide smile on her lips. "It was awfully nice of Fleet Admiral Duval to expedite this matter. Don't you think?" the short Bajoran female commented in a happy tone of voice, a wide smile on her lips.

Isaacs shrugged. "I get another commissioned officer in my wing, I don't have nowhere near enough people and this will greatly help our cause," he commented. "Besides, we've all seen her work ethic, does anyone have an issue with this?" The tall man inquired. "if so, then speak now."

"Not I," Abbendis answered. "She has worked harder than most of the senior guys, she's making half the wing look bad. Granted she doesn't get a lot of flying hours but whenever I see her, she's in the classroom. Working longer hours than most but I know we're not gonna be able to keep her around forever." she paused. "When she's not in the classroom, she's home with her two new children," she added.

"I'd like to keep her for a time." Isaacs nodded. "She's got the drive and the determination, she's got the heart too. As you said Hadar, she's separated from her family. What was it again?"

"Seven children, four of those are less than a year old. A child of about six and one of ten years of age and one of twelve." she paused a moment. "Two of those are infants who are not hers but she is fostering them for someone else. One of her relatives I believe." Hadar recited from memory. "The separation has been hard on her." the shorter then average Bajoran female explained.

"Wait, Ripcord is what? twenty-five?" Abbendis asked, she too was surprised by this revelation. "No wonder she's having such a hard time with recent events." she sighed. "My kids are all young and close together in age.."

"Yep," Hadar answered with a smile. "As are mine."

The door opened and in walked Rachael Yamaguchi-Cullen, she regarded the small gathering present as she paused. "Oh, I apologize. I didn't realize there was a meeting going on." she paused as she looked around First Squadron's ready room. "I'll go find my squadron." she paused at the doorway, wearing her dress uniform.

"No need Ripcord," Lee commented, to prevent her from leaving. "We were waiting for you, is all."

"Me sir?" Ripcord inquired.

"Yes. Don't worry, you are not in trouble." Lee turned to Hadar. "You didn't tell her, did you?" the Asian male asked of the blonde haired Bajoran in the room.

"No. I thought you were going to." Hadar answered before she sighed loudly. "Fuck me!"

Lee sighed. "No. What would you have me tell Ripcord here?, I didn't know this was going on until ten minutes ago." the Asian officer sighed, this was going sideways rapidly.

"Wait, tell me what?" It was Ripcord who asked, now looking and sounding more confused than ever.

It was Fireball who answered. "Rachael. Today you are getting several things. Your long overdue commission, a medal for heroism and your promotion to Lieutenant junior grade." he explained. "Congratulations Lieutenant Yamaguchi-Cullen." as he grinned at the younger female before him.

Ripcord wanted to dance, to jump and weep for joy, but instead, he did none of those things. Her eyes went wide in shock as her hand went to her mouth. "That's, that's not what I expected sir. I thought I was overworking myself and, and I was about to get told to stop... or something, anything but this.."

Hadar regarded the younger woman before her. "What will you do now?"

"I have, no idea to be honest," Ripcord answered in a quiet tone. "Find out what my new assignment is and then report for work, same as before." she paused. "I'll also need to tell my husband and the other members of my family."

Fireball nodded. "Well, we'll give you the day after tomorrow, in exchange for us calling you in and surprising you like this."

"Thank you, sir." Ripcord commented. Fireball came over to stand before her before lifting a PADD that he had been holding in his hand the entire time that Ripcord had seen him in this room. Once he made eye contact with it. "Attention on deck, attention to orders." Fireball commented.

Hadar came to stand next to Ripcord on her left while Abbendis did the same on her right side, Lee stood just behind Ripcord while Fireball began reading.

"The President of the United Federation of Planets" Fireball stared after coughing to clear his throat.

"To all who shall see these presents, greeting: Know Ye that, reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of Rachael Yamaguchi-Cullen. I do appoint her "Lieutenant Junior Grade" in the Starfighter Corps to rank as such from the 26th day of June 2393. This Officer will therefore carefully and diligently discharge the duties of the office to which appointed by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging." he read from the PADD while watching her carefully.

"And I do strictly charge and require those Officers and other personnel of lesser rank to render such obedience as is due an officer of this grade and position. And this Officer is to observe and follow such orders and directives, from time to time, as may be given by me, or The President of the United Federation of Planets, or other Superior Officers acting in accordance with the laws of the United Federation of Planets."

While he spoke, Hadar gently leaned in and gently plucked Rachael's old single rank badge off of her uniform before she handed it off to Abbendis before her Squadron commander gently pinned her two new pips to her neck, one of them was a single golden pip while the second was a black pip, which marked her as a Lieutenant junior grade.

"This commission is to continue in force during the pleasure of the The President of the United Federation of Planets for the time being, under the provisions of those Public Laws relating to Officers of Starfleet, the Starfighter Corps and the Marine Corps of the United Federation of Planets and the component thereof in which this appointment is made."

"Done at Starbase Vanguard, as of Stardate seven oh four eight three point one." he then lowered the PADD before he saluted her. "Congratulations Lieutenant. Wear your new rank with pride."

"I intend to sir," Ripcord answered, sounding a little breathless as she returned his salute with her own.

Hadar smiled as she congratulated Ripcord on this achievement of hers before Abbendis did the same. Lee nodded before he likewise saluted her. "Congratulations Ripcord. However, this also means I'm losing you as one of my pilots."

"I'm sorry Razor," Ripcord answered softly.

"Don't be." Lee smiled at her. "My loss is your gain, today, is 'your' day and you have earned this. You worked hard and you sunk in the time." Lee paused as he produced a small box. "Colonel. Mind if take care of this?"

"Oh, by all means, Razor." Fireball answered, a jovial smile on his face. "Please do."

Razor opened the box to reveal a metallic cross with a dark blue piece of fabric attached to it. "Lieutenant, the Christopher Pike Medal of Valor is awards for acts of conspicuous heroism and daring, your actions in assisting Divison Admiral Lasky with his efforts to save an allied homeworld from a WMD attack were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, your courage in the face of impossible odds reflect great credit upon yourself and Starfleet as a whole. Congratulations. Lieutenant." and with that, he gently placed the medal onto Rachael's uniform, just underneath the combadge. "You helped to save billions of lives."

Ripcord's eyes went wide as the significance of the medal sunk in, it meant that she was a hero to billions and her actions were indeed heroic.

Hadar grinned. "Congratulations Ripcord. I think you might end up getting your choice of duty, anything, anywhere."

"I think I need to sit back and process all of this," Ripcord responded in a jovial tone of voice. "I do not want to rush into something."

"Well. You are a hero, never ever let anyone else tell you otherwise." Fireball answered. "Why this didn't come to you last year, I will never know but it's my task to see it done and I do so very happily," he answered.

"Thank you Colonel." the younger woman answered, a wide smile on her lips.

"Your dismissed El-tee. Go enjoy yourself and celebrate." Fireball answered with a smile. "I'll have your new assignment when you get back in two days time," he added. Ripcord shook hands as she accepted the congratulations from everyone present before she saluted Fireball who saluted her back. Then she departed in silence.