Arrivals - Part Two

Posted on Fri Mar 20th, 2020 @ 6:16pm by Fleet Admiral Heather Duval & Commander Beth Woerner

Mission: Mission 98: Building Our New Home
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Vanguard / USS Daedalus
Timeline: 1315Hrs - September 6th, 2393

Fleet Admiral Heather Duval knew what was coming, she wanted to make this fast and not drag out the details presently before her. She faced the two arrivals as she nodded her head. "Captain, Commander... You two, come with me." and with that Duval turned and departed the Daedalus as Woerner and Ral followed the older woman down the hallway.

Duval led the two people to their destination. Her office on level five which the small group reached after a few minutes of silence. Duval entered her office as she took her seat behind her desk before she scowled while she indicated the chairs before her. "Take a seat you two, those aren't for decoration, I didn't haul you up here for a bollocking, if I was going to say it then I'd have done it at the airlock and skipped this silent march here," she explained as the other two moved to be seated.

Woerner regarded the larger woman while she made herself comfortable. "What can we do for you, Admiral.?"

"It's about you Commander." she addressed Ral directly. "I want to ask you directly, do you feel slighted?"

Ral raised an eyebrow as he frowned, a look of confusion as he didn't quite understand, also he didn't wish to offend her. "I don't follow Admiral."

"Being demoted from Captain to Lt Commander like that, that would offend and slight me... How do you feel about it?" the older female inquired.

Ral regarded her as he considered his response. "Honestly, yes, I felt slighted, I still do."

"Good," Duval answered. "So you aren't willing to sugarcoat it for me and nor are you willing to lie to me about it, excellent... I asked Commander Woerner here to keep an eye on you, someone clearly didn't like you, what's more, is that I wanted to know why this was the case." the older woman explained. "When people are assigned to me with large rank adjustments like this, I tend to notice and then I tend to ask a few too many questions." she paused. "your file, however, is confusing me. I can't see why you were demoted. Were you sleeping with some Admirals daughter and got caught or something?" she inquired in a questioning tone. "I don't like what I'm seeing here."

"No, my rank was too high for the posting," Ral answered the older female in a blunt tone of voice.

Duval blinked, as she gave him an incredulous look. "What?" she paused. "Okay... So let me get this right..." Duval paused. "You were demoted for no reason, illegally by the way... All because you were told that your rank was too high to serve on the assignment at the time?" she looked confused before she suddenly looked angry. "Right. I'll have JAG look into this matter. Captain Rabb will enjoy this assignment. But... First things first... I am going to ask you, what your plans and intentions are, going forward."

Ral didn't hesitate and he didn't look at Woerner either. "I want my rank back and a command to reflect this." before he turned to Woerner. "No offense Captain."

"None taken, Ashur." Woerner settled back in her chair, she had an idea that this was the nature of the conversation but she was not sure, this was why she held her tongue. "Admiral, if all of this is true then this should be addressed."

"I agree Captain." she turned to Ral. "I have an assignment to offer you Commander but I had to be sure of you first, see I have heard of you from others and Captain Rabb has been looking at you for some time already. As I said, when someone with your sort of rank adjustment comes through my command, I tend to notice and then I ask too many questions. "

"I was unaware of any of this Admiral," Ral answered. "Should I be concerned.?"

"No Commander. Captain Rabb's report on you was quick, short and rather simple. The person who demoted you lacked the clearance to do so, thus causing you to lose not one but three chances at a command. I would be angry over this... But you seem to not be angry over this." Duval paused. "I'd like to offer you a command of your own, this ship will truly be yours to command as you see fit..." she paused as she offered him a PADD. "There are four ships, looking for skippers... Take a moment and give them the once over."

Ral accepted the PADD and looked over the four ships displayed on the PADD, two of them were carriers and the forth was a large cruiser, he rejected all three and selected the last remaining ship while Duval spoke, the beeping sound from the PADD silenced her as effectively had he told her to be quiet and stop talking. "My, that was fast, which ship did you select?"

"The Bayern, Admiral."

"Guardian class, a good choice." Duval smiled.

Ral turned to his commanding officer. "I should have-" he stopped as Woerner raised her hand. "You owe me no apology Captain" she slowly smiled. "You got a command, your rank and what was wrongfully taken from you. I'm just happy to have played a part in getting it back for you."

"Yes, you were assigned to the Daedalus, specifically because Captain Woerner needed someone of your skillset." Duval paused a moment. "Captain, I wanted to see if she would try to hold onto you or let you go." Duval nodded. "Lt Commander Ral," she said as she rose to her feet, Woerner did likewise as Duval produced two solid rank pips, she then quickly removed the single black pip before she pinned him with his two golden pips before she gently shook his hand. "Congratulations Captain Ral, wear them with pride." Duval slowly grinned at him. "Your new ride is over at drydock nineteen. I will meet you at hanger bay eleven in say two hours... you can take command then?"

"That sounds good to me Admiral."

"Alright, Captain, on your way. Commander Woerner and I have a few things we need to talk about."

Ral nodded and he departed in silence.