Aeryck nodded to him so that he could sit back down, and then he continued.

VAdm Arayuss: Tonight, there will be one more promotion. To someone who has shown his leadership qualities have no bounds. That his dedication and service is unparalleled, that through his creative thinking and elaborate skills have proven to be of valuable service to us all in Gamma Fleet.

He smiled at the crowd who was looking around somewhat confused.

VAdm Arayuss: Captain E.J. Carpathia, I think you need to come up here.

He laughed as his long time friend walked dumbfoundedly to the stage and up to the podium beside him. Aeryck smiled at him sincerely and addressed him in front of the room.

VAdm Arayuss: Captain Carpathia, it is my great pleasure to promote you to the rank of Commodore, and Division 1 Commander of Gamma Fleet. Infiniti is still your's to command, but your responsibilities for the time being, have tripled.

Aeryck shook E.J.'s hand and smiled as the room erupted into a standing ovation of applause and cheers from the entire crew of Infiniti. It was a triumph for them all, for this made Infiniti the Flagship of Gamma Fleet.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

He stood there in shock as Aeryck removed his rank insignia and replaced them with the rank of Commodore. He was totally taken by surprise. E.J. looked out to the crew and addressed them all as they continued to cheer and applaud.

Como Carpathia: I would like to thank all of you, the best crew a commanding officer could ever hope for. To the Gamma Fleet Staff, you have my word...I will never let you down. Together we will bring our fleet to new heights, beyond our imaginations...to truly go, where none of us has gone before!

He waved to them all, and smiled at his Yoeman who gave him the thumbs up sign, and then shook the hand of his friend for many years, Aeryck.
_________________
Commodore E.J. Carpathia
Commanding Officer, USS Infiniti
Division 1 Commander, Gamma Fleet

He smiled as he watched Commodore Carpathia walk of the stage and be surrounded by his crew congratulating him.

VAdm Arayuss: Alright everyone, have a great evening and enjoy yourselves! You have all earned it!

He nodded to the rest of the Fleet Staff and smiled.

VAdm Arayuss: They all did good. Let's shake some hands...

Aeryck walked off the stage and began mixing with Infiniti's crew, congratulating them.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Ellis thought that this would be as good a time as any, and approached the CO to congratulate him on his promotion. He truly enjoyed his time on Infiniti, but the project he was going to work on would be his life's work. He hoped the new Commodore would understand. He waited a few moments as other officers congratulated him before he spoke.

Lt. Ellis: Sir, congratulations on everything! I'm so thrilled for you! It's truly great when something comes along that you were destined for.

He paused a moment, and continued.

Lt. Ellis: I have some great news of my own as well. I submitted a project to the Starfleet Corps of Engineers before I was assigned to Infiniti, and a...it was approved. So it looks like I'll be going to the Utopia Planetia facilty to oversee my project. Isn't that great?

He stood their smiling, hoping the CO wasn't going to be upset. He waited for his response.
_________________
Lt. Commander David Ellis
Chief Engineer, USS Sutherland

When he heard what his Chief Engineer had said, he was astonished, and very happy for him. He closed the distance between them and shook his hand with a smile.

Como Carpathia: Mr. Ellis, I wish you the very best. I hope this won't be the last we see of you. Engineering won't be the same without you down there.

He wished he didn't have to see him go, but he knew each person walked a different path to their own destiny. He was just happy their paths crossed, even if it was only for a brief time.
_________________
Commodore E.J. Carpathia
Commanding Officer, USS Infiniti
Division 1 Commander, Gamma Fleet

He grinned as he shook the CO's hand and responded.

Lt. Ellis: Thank you, Sir. I'm sure this won't be the last you see of me.

Ellis nodded his goodbye and backed away from the Commodore, as more crew wished to congratulate him. This was a great crew, from a great ship. He was going to miss them all. He looked over at Ens Liebowitz and smiled while he approached him.

Lt. Ellis: Well Kiddo, this is goodbye. I'm going to miss you, you're a great Assistant Engineer and I wanted you to know before I left that you knew that. Don't let the next Chief slap you around like I did...it just won't be the same.

Herschel smiled back at him.

Ens Liebowitz: No, Sir. That, it will never be. Good luck...

He knew by the way Herschel trailed off that he was sad to see him go. He shook his hand and patted him on the shoulder, and nodded his farewell.

Lt. Ellis: Thanks Herschel, you behave now...

On that, he gave a final look around the room at the officers and crew of Infiniti grinned, and then turned and went to follow his destiny.
_________________
Lt. Commander David Ellis
Chief Engineer, USS Sutherland

As he moved through the crowd of well-wishers and those congratulating him he found VAdm Arayuss by the dessert buffet, and nudged him.

Como Carpathia: I lost my Chief Engineer. I presume you knew about this?

He watched as the small Flag Officer placed a variety of chocolate items on his plate, as he waited for a response.
_________________
Commodore E.J. Carpathia
Commanding Officer, USS Infiniti
Division 1 Commander, Gamma Fleet

As he continued to select all the chocolate delights, he responded.

VAdm Arayuss: Of course. I make it my job to know everything that goes on around here...and no, I am not going to go down there and have my picture taken with Ensign Panettiere by that woman. She drives me crazy with her squealing all the time.

He eyed a really delicious looking chocolate truffle, and took it. He sure loved these ceremonies, the desserts were always great.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

He grabbed a plate and took a few items from the dessert buffet as well, and continued the conversation.

Como Carpathia: Be that as it may, what am I going to do without a Chief Engineer? Ellis was great, I can't promote his assistant. He doesn't have the experience. What am I supposed to do now?

He saw a deliciously looking batch of truffles and was looking for the serving tongs.
_________________
Commodore E.J. Carpathia
Commanding Officer, USS Infiniti
Division 1 Commander, Gamma Fleet

He looked at the tray of truffles his friend was about to attack. In the years that he knew the Commodore, there was an easy way to tell when he was upset...he ate.

VAdm Arayuss: First off, calm down. You know I would not let something like this happen and not have someone else for you. Secondly, do not even attack those truffles. I am not going to authorize the widening of the doorways of your vessel if you pound weight on. You know better than that.

He stopped and waited for E.J. to get a grip and relax.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets