Briefing Room - Deck 1

Sean stood up and looked at his officers. He looked over at the Admiral and Commodore before pushing his chair in and leaving the Briefing Room. The Captain knew that he was in for the long haul and was ready to get his ship ready for whatever was going to happen after.
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Captain Sean P. Reich
Commanding Officer, USS Oriskany

James watched as his Captain walked silently out of the Briefing Room. The XO knew that Capt Reich had been under a lot of stress since the death of Capt Harris. Since the CO had developed a close relationship with Dr. Jovic, he thought it best for her to tend to his solemn composure.

Lt. Commander Kee: Doctor, I think you should find a way to spend some quiet time with Captain Reich while we have the opportunity here aboard Infiniti. We're going to need him at peak performance when it's time to enter the Deltauran Realm.

LtCmdr Kee rose from his seat and walked over towards Adm Arayuss and Como Carpathia. James had never met either of them before and felt honored to be doing so at this time.

Lt. Commander Kee: Admiral, Commodore, let me just say that it's an honor to meet both of you. I want you to know that I've taken my role as XO aboard Oriskany very seriously, and I intend to do the best job I physically can to succeed in our mission.

James stood there smiling down at the Admiral. He had seen pictures of Adm Arayuss before, so he knew of his small stature and physical appearance. But it was still a sight to take in seeing somebody that looked like a Romulan child wearing the uniform of an Admiral. There were physical characteristics that were obvious to the eye that he was not fully Romulan. His forehead was not prominent like other Romulans James saw in the past, also noticable were the Betazoid-like eyes. The irises being so large and dark, they looked like pools of hot black coffee.
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Commander James L. Kee
Executive Officer, USS Oriskany

The CinC looked up and smiled at the XO of Oriskany. He could sense the genuine feelings of LtCmdr Kee and appreciated his approach to the entire situation that was going on around them. Even though Capt Reich had left the Briefing Room so quickly, Aeryck felt that he still needed to make an alteration to LtCmdr Kee's uniform.

Adm Arayuss: It's a pleasure to meet you, Commander. Let me be the first to congratulate you on your field promotion. It's definitely well deserved.

The Admiral removed a gold pip from his pocket and handed it over to Cmdr Kee. Aeryck could see by the XO's expression on his face that he was overcome with joy. Sensing emotions was also a trait the CinC possessed, and what he sensed from James certainly matched the expression on his face.
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Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

James never expected something like this, and he sure didn't hide his excitement as he accepted the gold pip from the hand of Adm Arayuss and then removed the black pip from his collar and quickly replaced it with his new one.

Cmdr Kee: Thank you, Sir! Thank you so much! I'm so overwhelmed with pride and excitement. I can't wait to tell Captain Reich the good news! If you will both excuse me please.

The Commander smiled to both Adm Arayuss and Como Carpathia as he exited the Briefing Room into the corridor and went looking for Capt Reich so he could show him that his XO was now the full rank of Commander.
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Commander James L. Kee
Executive Officer, USS Oriskany

Dr. Jovic thought the promotion of Cmdr Kee was a brilliant idea considering the circumstances they were all about to face. James was really giving all he could, and that was obvious to anybody that was around him. Dragana planned on congratulating him as soon as the opportunity arose. But as for now, she needed to check on the survivor they brought over with them from the Captain's Yacht. Alexander beamed over with Lt. Boffi, so they both should be easy to find aboard Infiniti. As for quiet time with Capt Reich, that would have to wait until later.

The Doctor rose up from her chair and smiled to both Adm Arayuss and Como Carpathia as she exited the Briefing Room. Dragana used Infiniti's computer to locate Lt. Boffi and Alexander, then made her way to their location. It came to no surprise that she found them in Holodeck 2, fully engaged in a sniper-like simulation game. Dr. Jovic decided not to interrupt their session and found a safe place to observe.
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Commander Dragana Jovic
Chief Medical Officer, USS Oriskany

Mess Hall - Deck 2

Sean sat at one of the tables with a blank PADD in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. He was trying to put together a report of everything that had happened in the last few days, but it wasn't anything that he could comprehend.

Capt Reich: Routine mission my ass!

The Captain threw the PADD down on the table, walked over to one of the windows and looked out at the Oriskany with the Marines and Security personnel on board.

Capt Reich: What did those damned things do to you?

Sean said in a very quiet voice. The CO knew what he was about to face. He didn't have any idea what was going to happen to him, his ship, or anyone on it. If these things are like this now, what's going to happen when we go into their space and just start killing them?

It was justified after everything that has transpired. He just knew that after this, there better be some shore leave and a shrink on hand.
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Captain Sean P. Reich
Commanding Officer, USS Oriskany

James entered the Mess Hall with a broad smile on his face as he approached Capt Reich, who was standing by the large bay windows. He made sure to stand to the Captain's right, so his rank pips would be noticeable.

Cmdr Kee: Guess what happened to me, right after you left the Briefing Room?

The XO remained standing beside his CO with the same broad smile he entered the Mess Hall with. James couldn't help showing the pride in himself, that Adm Arayuss saw fit to promote him to the rank of Commander.
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Commander James L. Kee
Executive Officer, USS Oriskany

Sean looked over at the newly promoted Commander and smiled a little.

Capt Reich: Congratulations James, it is definitely a well deserved promotion. I was going to get to it as soon as I could, but it looks like the Admiral beat me to the punch.

He took a sip of his coffee and looked back out the window.

Capt Reich: James, our ship looks so pathetic over there. As soon as we have an all clear, we need to work on repairs before this next mission. I know that we have a bunch of good people, and I want them to have faith in me as their Captain and friend, I'm just not sure I'm in for what's about to happen.

Sean sighed a little.

Capt Reich: If you will excuse me Commander, I think I need to go for a walk or something to clear my head a little.

With that, he patted the Commander on the shoulder, grabbed his PADD and walked out of the Mess Hall with no real destination in mind.
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Captain Sean P. Reich
Commanding Officer, USS Oriskany

Bridge - Deck 1

The Admiral entered the Bridge from the Briefing Room and looked over at the Science Station, where young Mr. DeGrazzio was seated. Jayden was quite inexperienced, but what he lacked in years he made up for in determination.

Adm Arayuss: Ensign DeGrazzio, what's the current status on the Assault Team aboard Oriskany? How long will it be before the crew can return and begin repairs?

As Aeryck waited on Jayden's report, he went over to the Tactical/Security Station where Lt. JG D'Shoua was monitoring the internal sensors, making sure Infiniti remained Deltauran free.

Adm Arayuss: Lieutenant D'Shoua, I meant to give you this earlier. Please forgive my delay for I was rather occupied when I came aboard. With your skills and dedication to this ship and it's crew, this is duely deserved.

The CinC placed the gold pip down on the console before Jared, so he could see that he was being promoted to full Lieutenant. Mr. D'Shoua was a Lieutenant Junior Grade no longer. With a smile, Aeryck looked over towards Como Carpathia for his reaction to Jared's promotion.
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Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Jared was completely taken by surprise when Adm Arayuss placed the gold pip on the console in front of him. He had to blink his eyes rapidly to avoid the accelerated amount of water that was building up to form into tears that would've rolled down his cheeks.

Lt. D'Shoua: Thank you, Sir! Thank you so much!

Quickly removing the Junior Grade pip from his collar and replacing it with the one the Admiral had given him, Jared smiled and shook the CinC's hand. He was extremely proud to be given the honor of being a full Lieutenant.
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Lt. Commander Jared D'Shoua
Chief Security/Tactical Officer, USS Infiniti