[USS Juno] Opening Ceremonies

Posted on Fri Aug 3rd, 2018 @ 12:52am by Captain Harrold Anderson & Captain Xalanth & Lieutenant Avril Taylor & Lieutenant JG T'para
Edited on on Sat Dec 8th, 2018 @ 1:16pm

2,233 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: [USS Shanghai] S1, E1: So it Begins
Location: Deck 100, Observation Room
Timeline: MD002 0900 hrs

Location: Deck 100, Guest Offices

The intercom buzzer was going off in the guest offices of Harry Anderson. He stood up, he knew who was waiting for him. He walked over to the door, straightened his uniform. He called out in a stern voice. "Enter," said Harry waiting for the doors to swish open. Harry had been waiting for this day, since he graduated the command academy. His good friend Lieutenant Commander Yoger, of the USS Solaris, had invited him to his command ceremony. He was a waiting for his day. The Solaris was ready to go, the Juno was brand new and being upgraded at ESD to accommodate families, because of their unique long tenure in deep space.

The doors swished open, Commodore Robert (Bob) Johnson walked into the small office. Harry was a junior ranking captain, so it was no surprise to him that the ESD personal gave him a small office, to work in while he waited for his ship to be upgraded. Bob walked in with a flat tone smile on his face. "Are you ready to go, son?" He asked, meaning no disrespect. Harry was young and a junior officer, and Bob was an old fashion man, set in his foolish ways. He should have called him captain to boost him up.

"Yes sir," he said, getting ready to lead the way out of the office.

"Hang on a moment, son." Said Bob, as he motioned with his hand for Harry to stop. Harry stopped as requested. Just barely enough separation between them. It was clear that Harry was not expecting him to stop him. He glanced at Harry for a moment. "Command tells me, to offer you one last chance to decline the Juno, we could assign you to the Hollistic," suggested Bob.

"I prefer to stay on the USS Juno, sir. May I inquire to why Starfleet is asking this of me, right before the command ceremony sir?" Asked Harry, being a little confused.

"Ten years is a long time in space, we want to make sure you knew you had alternative choices, if you are comfortable with the long tenure assignment, then let's go see your new ship." Suggested Bob, expressing very little enthusiasm in his voice.

"Yes sir" Said Harry as the two men walked out of his office and made their way to the observation room. Where he was expecting to see the crew waiting for him.

***

The door opened as the chief of tactical operations and his bondmate stepped into the observation room. Anyone could tell the reptile hated his formal uniform as he kept tugging at the neck. " Why do they always make it so tight." He mumbled to himself. T'para simply grinned her arm looped in his as she stood with him. He smiled back at her as he felt her grip him tighter. They were both excited about the mission and they were just one small moment away from it beginning.

Avril made her way into the observation room that was just right outside the ship's airlock. She was very excited to board the USS Juno today. She felt a sense of pride. Being selected for a big mission, was no small feat. She was going on deep space assignment. A lot of her fellow cadets wanted this assignment, but it was given to her. She knew this assignment was going to be long, and it would require her to be away from her family for ten years.

As she walked into the room, she noticed T'Para and Xalanth were already in the room. Avril approached their direction. She noticed they were a mixed alien race, she smiled as she said. "Lieutenant Avril Taylor, Chief of Flight Operations, I was hoping to meet you both." She said. She was eager to meet the first Dragonian. He was a bit of a hero, and he had the medals to approve it.

" Nice to meet you Taylor." Xalanth replied as he offered his hand giving her the polite smile that his reptilain face could manage. He could see her eyes had been drawn to the two starfleet decoration for gallantry pinned to his chest.

Avril was still trying to get use to wearing a dress uniform. The medals on his chest were very impressive. "This is my first assignment, straight out of the academy. I was happy that starfleet command assigned to a marvelous ship like the Juno," she said looking outside the big portal window, trying to draw her attention away from his medals. And to give them something to talk about.

Avril was curious why he choose to serve on the Juno. She had no doubt he could have any assignment he wanted? "May I inquire to why a reptilian with your stature, choose to serve on this ship?" She asked not sure if that came out the way she meant for it to come out. She quickly reformatted her thoughts. "The Juno is a fine vessel, but last I heard, you where going into diplomacy, serviving aboard the Titan, under Admiral Riker."

" A long story. How about you come back to our quarters after the ceremony and we can tell you all about it. We have to get back to the girls after this and i'm sure they'd like to meet you." Xalanth replied.

"I would like to meet them." Said Avril. She was curious what a Dragonian and Vulcan hybrid child looked like. She stood next to them, as she noticed the first officer walking into the room.

" Well you can come and meet them as soon as we get the ship secured. " The reptile responded as he noticed the first officers arrival.

Bervag walked in, strangely feeling comfortable in the formal uniform. One reason being that white happened to be his favorite color. Well, mentally comfortable. Physically however he was tuggingg at his collar like nobody's business. He couldnt remember the last time he wore it its been that long it seemed.

A small part of him still flashed to the Defensia, but his eyes fixed on his future on Juno XO was a major step forward for him, and he;d be damned if he screwed this up.

Avril still standing near Xalanth and his wife, motioned for the first officer to join them. "It's good to see you again, Commander." Said Avril.

"And you, Lieutenant." he said

"Commander Bers, have you meet Lieutenant Xalanth our new Chief Tactical Operations Officer?" Asked Avril, not sure if they actually met yet. Avril just met him last night at the lounge on deck 100 of Earth Space Dock.


"I don't believe I've had the pleasure." he said.He made a mental note to meet everyone further later. "A genuine plaesure."


Harry and Admiral Johnson walked into the room.

"Attention on deck. " Called out some low ranking ensign.

Harry noticed the room went quiet and everyone was already in line formation. The First Officer was in front of the line, behind him was the department heads, officers, staff nco's and the crew. The Civilians were in back of the room, against the far wall.

Harry and the Admiral walked up to the center of the room. There was a few steps that made the stage high enough for everyone to see the stage, from any angle of the room. There was a podium in front, it had the federation symbol on it and a microphone. over 853 personal were all in the room.

Admiral Johnson walked up to the podium first. He stood tall and proud, he looked out at the sea of people. He was a little envious of Harry, to lead the first ten year mission into deep space. "Good morning crew of the USS Juno, I am Admiral Robert Johnson, Gamma Quadrant Sector Commander of Operations. I have been tasked with an important assignment." He started off.

"It's with great pride that I get to appoint the USS Juno's first commanding officer. Lieutenant Commander Harrold Wayne Anderson, please step forward." Said Bob in a loud tone, with a big cheesy grin on his face.

Harry walked in front of the Admiral and snapped to the position of attention. "Lieutenant Commander Harrold Wayne Anderson, reporting as ordered." Called out Harry, trying to sound all professional.

"To Lieutenant Commander Harrold Wayne Anderson, you are hereby requested and required to take command of the USS Juno, NCC-82611, Vesta Class Starship as of December 27, 2394, as his relief. Signed by Commodore Robert Johnson." Said Bob as he reached out to shake Harry's hand.

"I relieve you Admiral." Said Harry.

"I stand relieved." Said Bob.

Harry walked up to the podium. He looked at the sea of personal in the audience. Seeing them all together was a little imitating to him. But it was not just his crew, there was also honored guest, close to about 1200 personal in this room all together. "At ease crew and guests of the USS Juno." Said Harry as he took a small breath.

"A famous man once said in Earth's rich history," he started off. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, a quote by Zao Tzu. We are about to embark on a journey of a life time. The Juno's ten year mission into the gamma quadrant is going to re-shape deep space exploration for all species. We have all agreed to take this journey together, I look forward to working with each and everyone of you. Together we will make a difference. "

The room starts to clap. Harry motioned with his hand for them to stop, but in a polite fashion. "I am deeply humbled and grateful that Starfleet has given me the best ship along with the best in the fleet, to overlook this ten year mission. As your commanding officer, I promise to be fair, to be kind and to give you my best performance. In exchange I ask the same of you." Said, as he took another breather.

"Crew of the USS Juno, in a few short minutes we will start to board, before we do, I need to have Lieutenant Xalanth and his forces prepare the Juno for our arrival." Said Harry as he watched Xalanth prepare to leave the room. He was not sure if the Chief of Tactical Operations, had any instructions for the crew to board the Juno.

The reptile paused as he noticed people were looking at him. He'd seen other tactical chiefs give orders before. Somehow it felt so odd that it was his turn. Breathing in deeply he turned and made sure as many people could see him. " Okay, everyone. I'm not much of a public speaker so i'll keep this brief and to the point. If you're from my department you've already been told what to do. Everyone else me and security are going to do a sweep of the ship to make sure it's safe then you can start moving over. Shift A will be the first over with D shift coming over last." The reptile stated calmly and clearly.

"Thank you Lieutenant, as soon as we get the go ahead we will start to board, I suggest that all crew check in with their department heads and the quartermaster as soon as possible. Boarding of the Juno, will begin shortly." Said Harry as he continued to look around, making sure that Xalanth's forces had enough time. He went on "Anyone with small children, should board first, then families then single personal, this way we are not all clogging up the airlocks. Be patient, there is 800 of you and only two airlocks. Your Dismissed." Said Harry as he got off the podium and walked down to meet people.

Avril started to walk, she noticed she was walking over towards the captain. "Great speech sir," she said, looking to see if her family had made it to the ceremony? She noticed them in the distance.

Harry walked towards the center of the room when he heard Avril's comment, he looked at her. "Thank you Lieutenant, I try to be direct and to the point. Speaking of which I am sorry, but my father is aboard and I want to say hi to him, I'll see you onboard." Suggested Harry, as he started to walk over towards his father.

Her parents made eye contact with her, she wanted to go over and talk to them. "I'll see you aboard sir, my family is hear to see me off," said Avril as started to head towards the direction of her family.

Harry tried not to chuckle, a lot of people's family where hear to see them off. They both walked their separate ways. Harry was now committed to a ten year mission with this crew. He looked around the room as he kept walking towards his father, he was a little sad he did not know all 853 personal. But by the end of the mission, he knew he would, know them all.

Avril walked over to her family and they started to talk about missing each other. Avril was talking about some of the crew she had already met, and about meeting the first dragonian in Starfleet and how he and his wife seemed to be nice people. She was looking forward to seeing them later on.

End of JP.

 

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