Congratulations, Captain Harrison

Posted on Fri Jan 8th, 2021 @ 11:34am by Captain RS Harrison
Edited on on Sat Jan 9th, 2021 @ 9:14am

Mission: Welcome Aboard
Location: Federation Space
Timeline: Present
Tags: Republic, Thetis, first

Captain Lloyd James, Commanding Officer of the Constitution Class USS Republic watched Commander Harrison approach his quarters on the monitor. He wanted to get the smiling out his system before his First Officer walked in.

The door to Captain James' quarters opened with a characteristic "swish." Captain James rose to greet his soon to be former First Officer and after shaking his hand, gave him a hug.

Commander Harrison was rather shocked. He had known Captain James to be very reserved. There were many good-natured jokes on board about him not wanting to sneeze too hard as he waited carefully for his upcoming retirement. Way too much of an exaggeration for the seasoned veteran but the point was well taken that Captain James, especially for the last few years was very often quiet and well composed. Well, maybe only on duty around the younger officers. But then, he was perhaps at least fifteen years older than everyone else on board.

"I re-calibrated the targeting system a long time ago, sir. You're still welcome."

Captain James smiled and shook his head.

"Yes, Rod," he said with a chuckle and motioned for Harrison to sit down as he moved back to his desk chair. "I'll think of that every time Walters fires the phasers from now on."

"This is odd," Harrison thought. Something's up. Now that he noticed, the Captain, had his jacket unclasped. He was a bit informal. And this was really making him wonder. "And if this is something informal, why is he moving back to his computer," Harrison wondered.

Captain James enjoyed the puzzled look on Harrison's face and couldn't help but smile back at him in silence.

This was pretty unnerving for Harrison who was struggling not to speak first....

"Your-" James stopped himself. Harrison perked up and held his brow after James stopped mid-sentence.

James chuckled again and got up and crossed to Harrison with a motion for him to stand again.

Harrison rose slowly as if perhaps the Captain had been taken over by a hostile life form and he'd need to react quickly....

Harrison stiffened as James clasped his shoulders.

"USS Montana. NCC-1889," James announced.

"Never heard of her."

"That's because she's still at Mars."

Harrison was getting exasperated. "WHAT is going on," he wondered.

James started to choke up.

"Waiting for you. Captain," James said as he shook Harrison's hand again this time partially to be sure his First Officer didn't collapse. He had been pretty dramatic about this whole thing now that he thought about it.

Harrison furrowed his brow hard.

"You've earned it, son. You've earned it. I'm extremely proud of you."

Harrison was truly at a loss for words. This seemed unusual and a rather melodramatic.

"Your old CO, 'DR,' apparently pulled some strings to make this happen right now and persuaded Admiral Rool to wait for me to break the news before transmitting you any formal notice. I appreciated that. He's going to call in a few minutes."

"Miranda?"

"Montana."

"Brand new," Harrison asked through a very wide grin.

"Spankin'"

Harrison shook his head and hugged his CO. This was suddenly very, and irrationally, emotional.

James motioned for Harrison to sit back down on the couch. He went to his seat and punched up an image on the wall. The Montana in drydock. Worker bees in motion. It looked complete but there was still work being done."

"There she is. Miranda class."

"Gorgeous," Harrison managed.

"A bit small," James smiled.

"Thetis and Ares part three."

"Brand new. New crew. New upgrades. State of the Art. Needs a shakedown. The whole deal. Someone is really giving you a gift. Your first Command and the Montana's first Captain. I still haven't had a new ship, and this is my fourth command."

"I'll make you proud, sir."

"You better."

The system beeped, announcing an incoming transmission. "Him too" James said as he pulled up Captain DR "Whiplash" Edwards on the wall screen. Captain James had never met him in person, but he'd seen an old movie of "A Christmas Carol" and somehow Whiplash reminded him of the Ghost of Christmas Present. And from the stories he got from Harrison, that was a good characterization.

"CAPTAIN HARRISON," Captain Edwards BOOMED on the giant screen. "CONGRATULATIONS HELMSMAN, WELL DONE."

Captain Harrison was moved to tears but he fought them back. Captain Edwards had promoted him to Lieutenant Commander and Chief Helmsman after some nerve-wracking missions aboard the USS Thetis on his ten-year anniversary in Starfleet. For a long time, Harrison thought he might find some way to stay on that ship forever. This was shaping up to be a very great day.