Big Promotions

Posted on Sat May 29th, 2010 @ 12:10am by Captain Vorn Krace & Lieutenant Bradley Openhouse

Mission: Shadows Fall
Location: Surface of Allura 9
Timeline: MD 03 1454hrs

Vorn was sat in one of the Federation hotels on the surface of Allura 9, which had proven to live up to its reputation as a lush green world, with a tropical atmosphere over most of the well-visited regions of the planet. Vorn had chosen this particular hotel for two reasons; one, it was equipped with communications technology of a sufficient standard that he could be notified of anything regarding the Iapetus with a minimum time delay, and two; it was known as one of the more secluded and quiet resorts. A perfect place to relax while he read the reports sent to him from Task Force 38.

Bradley walked down the hall towards where Captain Krace was staying. It was going to be hard to tell Krace that he was leaving the Iapetus.

Once reaching the door he reached out and pressed the chime.

Vorn turned in his chair on the balcony at the sound of the chime, before sighing slightly at the interruption. At least he'd managed a day of being on his own so far. Still, for all he knew, it could be important, so he locked out access to his PADD - the TF38 reports were confidential - and placed it on the side table next to his chair, and got up to answer the door. "Bradley," he exclaimed, surprised at the appearance of his counsellor. "What are you doing here? Not come down to declare me insane, I hope?"

"Hello Captain." said Bradley then realizing what Vorn Krace had just said. "No I am not here to declare you unfit or anything like that. Actually I came down here to talk to you. Do you have a moment?" he said.

"Sure, come in," Vorn said, moving back from the door to allow Bradley entry into the modest hotel room. He had to make a conscious effort to be open with the counsellor, remembering his conversation with Abigail before the mission on Bevrud. It wouldn't do to be stand-offish to his counsellor, regardless of whatever possible doubts he may have in terms of being close or trusting to his crew. "Would you like a drink?"

"Sweet Iced tea please." said Bradley as he took the offer.

Heading over to the replicator - which was inconspicuous in the kitchen area, looking more like it fit in an area designed for self-preparation of food, Vorn ordered the iced tea and a bolian tonic water for himself. "Congratulations on the extra pip again, by the way," he said, pointing to the full dual-pips on the man's collar. He had put his name in for a promotion recommendation to Starfleet a little while ago, but he hadn't known that they had given the promotion until now.

"Thank you." Said Bradley as he took the drink. Bradley was nervous because he didn't want to leave his friends that he made on the Iapetus but being offered a position as one of the head Counselors back on Earth was a once in a lifetime event.

He opened his mouth to speak but closed it just as fast. He needed to tell his Captain that he was leaving the Iapetus and going back to Earth but couldn't quit get the words out.

Frowning at the goldfish-like movement, Vorn could easily tell that there was something Bradley had come here to say, but was having a hard time doing so. "You have something to say, Bradley?" he asked, leaning in towards him as he sat down.

Bradley took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I don't know how to tell you this." said Bradley. He felt his heart rate quicken. "I...I'm leaving the Iapetus. I have been offered a position at Starfleet Mental Health as one of the head Counselors."

Vorn's first thought was for the loss of a crewmember, and member of his senior staff. Bradley had been an integral part of the crew for... how long now? A year? A year and a half? He had become a known face around the ship, and was one of his first newly assigned crew aboard the Iapetus. It was only after this thought had simmered for a while that he recognised what a great opportunity the young officer had been granted. A senior counselling position on Earth was a big job, and one that didn't come easily. "Congratulations," Vorn managed, genuinely. "It's a big promotion. You'll do well there."

Bradley was relieved to finally get that out of the way. He had grown to like the crew of the Iapetus. He made friends and of course a few enemies but those were due to the Psych Evaluations that were needed.

He was going to miss everyone including the Captain. He remembered when he was first assigned to the Iapetus.

"Thank you sir. I am going to miss everyone on Iapetus." said Bradley.

Taking a drink of his tea he relaxed.

"And everyone on the Iapetus is going to miss you," Vorn said, smiling warmly.

"Well I guess I better go and finish up a few things in my office and pay my respects to everyone." said Bradley.

"It has been an honor to serve under you Captain Krace." said Bradley extending his hand.

"The honour has been mine," Vorn replied.

----------------------------

Captain Vorn Krace
Commanding Officer

&

Lieutenant JG Bradley Openhouse
Chief Counsellor
USS Iapetus