Josh couldn’t believe he was up there getting promoted by Adm Arayuss himself! What a thrill it was to receive a promotion recognizing his efforts to excellence under the command of his senior officer, LtCmdr D’Shoua who was just promoted as well. The Lieutenant JG was just so amazed to be standing there beside the Commander in Chief of Gamma Fleet, his excitement was difficult to contain.

Lt. JG Ramirez: Admiral, this is such an honor to be promoted by you personally! I never could’ve imagined this in my wildest dreams! I swear that I will never let you regret my promotion! I will continue to do my best, to do my duty and obey the laws of the Federation! Thank you so very much, Sir!

The Assistant Security/Tactical Officer returned to his table and was congratulated by all the other Junior Officers seated there. Josh was so proud that the Admiral took the time to recognize and promote him personally. It was very rare for such a thing to happen in his life. Josh usually was just a hidden figure in the background, but those days were over!
_________________
Lt. Junior Grade Joshua Ramirez
Asst. Security/Tactical Officer, USS Infiniti

The Admiral was pleasantly surprised with the enthusiasm of Lt. JG Ramirez’s address upon receiving his promotion. Aeryck knew the next person he planned on promoting was surely going to be shocked, but the CinC was more than happy to do so. This time it wasn’t a Senior Staff member or even a Junior Officer, it was an Enlisted member of Infiniti’s crew.

Adm Arayuss: Crewman Apprentice Florenté, come on up here!

As the Chief Engineer’s Mate was sitting among the Senior Staff of Infiniti his jaw almost dropped low enough to slam into the table! He shook his head in disbelief before rushing up on stage to stand beside the CinC at attention.

Adm Arayuss: Crewman Apprentice Jamie Jonathan Florenté, with your overwhelming achievements in the Engineering area of Infiniti and given the lack of a Chief Engineer, I hereby promote you to the rank of Crewman with all the commencery responsibilities and privileges of that rank. Congratulations, Crewman Florenté.

The CinC removed the rank insignia on Jamie's collar and replaced it with the insignia of the rank of Crewman. The Admiral shook Cwmn Florenté’s hand and motioned for him to speak at the podium to the cheering members of Infiniti’s Senior Staff, Junior Officers and Enlisted personnel. Most noticeable was his older brother, Lt. Joseph J. Florenté who couldn’t be more proud of his younger sibling.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Jamie was physically shaking after receiving his promotion from the Commander-in-Chief of Gamma Fleet. He had never had so much attention brought upon him which was leaving him in a state of near shock. The Crewman turned to the podium where he looked at into the Banquet Hall where his brother was seated and saw the look of pride on Joey’s face. When the cheering died down, he addressed the crowd.

Cwmn Florenté: Thank you, Sir, for this fabulous promotion to Crewman. I look forward to serving aboard Infiniti for many years to come, perhaps someday as its Chief Engineer. I know I need to get a lot more experience, but I am willing to do the work to do what it takes to make it possible. Thanks again to everyone here for the kind cheers of support. Thank you to my brother, Joey. You always believed in me and it means a lot that we serve on the same ship together. Have a good night everyone!

The Chief Engineer’s Mate returned to the Senior Staff table and was congratulated by the Commodore and the others seated there. This was like a dream come true for him, he was looking forward to gaining in the experience necessary to further his position to becoming the Chief Engineering Officer of Infiniti.
_________________
Chief Petty Officer Jamie J. Florenté
Chief Engineering Officer, USS Infiniti

Aeryck watched as Cwmn Florenté returned to his seat among the Senior Staff of Infiniti, shining with pride. This time the Admiral was going to promote a member of the Senior Staff sitting at the table with Como Carpathia. This was an officer who, time in and time out, has always made sure the crew of Infiniti was always healthy and doing well.

Adm Arayuss: Doctor Sarrlak, would you please come up here.

The Vulcan physician rose from his chair as stoically as he arrived into the Banquet Hall and approached the stage in a very precise manner. Dr. Sarrlak came to stand beside Adm Arayuss and stood at attention.

Adm Arayuss: Lieutenant Commander Sarrlak, with your medical knowledge of being the Chief Medical Officer aboard Infiniti, you have been faced with many dilemmas, all of which you handled quite logically, efficiently and with success in the health and well being of your patients. I hereby promote you to the rank of Commander with all the commencery responsibilities and privileges of that rank. Congratulations, Commander Sarrlak.

The Admiral took a gold 'pip' from his pocket and removed the single black 'pip' from Dr. Sarrlak’s collar and replaced it with the gold one, so there was now 3 gold 'pips' on the Commander's collar. The CinC shook Dr. Sarrlak’s hand and motioned for him to speak at the podium to the cheering members of Infiniti’s crew. The Doctor was well liked among the ship’s crew, even though he never showed emotion, he did not lack compassion for those suffering from injury or illness. His promotion was well received.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

After Dr. Sarrlak shook the Admiral’s hand, he stepped over to the podium and addressed the crowd of Infiniti crew members that were applauding for him along with the rest of the medical personnel located in the Banquet Hall. The Doctor spoke as best he could since this was not his forte.

Cmdr Sarrlak: Thank you, Admiral Arayuss. Thank you to my fellow shipmates and people in the medical field. I am pleased my efforts to keep you all healthy and well are being recognized. I wish you all a good evening. Thank you again.

The Chief Medical Officer returned to Infiniti’s Senior Staff table and was congratulated by the others seated there with him. Sarrlak was not really in favor of large displays of emotions, but he understood their value to the people he considered to be his friends. Therefore the Doctor was not put off by the pats on his back and shoulders from those around the table.
_________________
Commander Sarrlak
Chief Medical Officer, USS Infiniti

The Admiral watched Dr. Sarrlak return to his seat at Infiniti’s Senior Staff table before calling up the next member seated at their table to be promoted. This officer spent the entire last mission down in the Science Lab aboard Infiniti monitoring and processing all the data for Prof Brewer while his assistant ran the Science Station on the Bridge.

Adm Arayuss: Lieutenant Joffee, I bet you did not see this coming but it’s time for you to come on up here!

As the Chief Science Officer got up from the table, shaking the hand of Como Carpathia along the way, he approached the stage and came to stand beside the Admiral at attention.

Adm Arayuss: Lieutenant Michael Lindale Joffee, due to your hard work compiling all the data Infiniti received during the Battle of Sector Epsilon for Professor Brewer, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander with all the commencery responsibilities and privileges of that rank. Congratulations, Lieutenant Commander Joffee.

The CinC added a single black ‘pip’ to Michael’s collar, adding to the two gold ‘pips’ already on there. Aeryck shook LtCmdr Joffee’s hand and motioned for him to speak at the podium to the applauding members of Infiniti’s crew that appreciated the Chief Science Officer.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Michael walked over to the podium that Adm Arayuss indicated and smiled as he rubbed his fingers across his new rank ‘pip’ showing off the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was starting to think he’d be a Lieutenant forever, but low and behold, he’s promoted! LtCmdr Joffee continued smiling as he addressed his friends and fellow shipmates in the crowd.

Lt. Commander Joffee: I would like to thank Admiral Arayuss and Commodore Carpathia for my promotion! I really didn’t see it coming, but I am sure glad it happened! Scientific studies are my life and that’s what I plan on doing for the rest of it. Thank you all for your kind applause, goodnight.

The Chief Science Officer returned to the Senior Staff table and shook the hand of Como Carpathia once again while giving him a short embrace. They had known each other for a long time and he was always happy to serve with him aboard Infiniti. Michael poured himself some more of the Château Picard 2387 champagne and celebrated his promotion with his fellow Senior Staff members.
_________________
Lt. Commander Michael L. Joffee
Chief Science Officer, USS Sutherland

Aeryck smirked happily as LtCmdr Joffee shook hands and hugged Como Carpathia. He was very aware of the friendship they had which spanned several years, even before Michael entered Starfleet. Again, it was time to promote another member of Infiniti’s Senior Staff.

Adm Arayuss: Lieutenant Elbrun, would you please make you way up here. It would seem you are next!

As the ship’s Counselor made her way up to the Admiral, she hugged Como Carpathia as she made her way up the stairs to the stage.

Adm Arayuss: Lieutenant Kestra Elbrun, with your endless amount of compassion for your fellow shipmates and your vast knowledge of psychological reasoning I’m honored to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander with all the commencery responsibilities and privileges of that rank. Congratulations, Lieutenant Commander Elbrun.

The Admiral added a single black ‘pip’ to Kestra’s collar, adding to the two gold ‘pips’ already on there. Aeryck shook LtCmdr Elbrun’s hand and motioned for her to speak at the podium to the cheering members of Infiniti’s crew that appreciated the ship's Counselor.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Kestra was overwhelmed with emotions as she stepped up to the podium in front of the cheering crowd of people, most noticeably her brother MCpt Andrus Elbrun seated at Oriskany’s Senior Staff table. Andrus was standing up, applauding and cheering for his older sister with a great amount of pride in his heart. She was so proud of him as well; being the first in her family to go into the Starfleet Marines and to succeed at his position was even greater.

Lt. Commander Elbrun: I would like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. This means so very much to me. A special thanks to my brother, Andrus. You’ve always been a shining light to me in everything that you do. To my crew aboard Infiniti, I’d like to say I love you all, but I’m sure each and every one of you knows that already. Thank you Admiral Arayuss and Commodore Carpathia, I promise to continue to be the heart of our ship for as long as I’m assigned there. This could be a long time considering I have no plans on transferring anytime soon. Thank you all again, have a good evening everyone!

The Counselor gave the Admiral a friendly hug before returning to Infiniti’s Senior Staff table where she went around to each of them and gave hugs to everyone seated there. Kestra couldn’t wait to inform her parents of her promotion back home on Betazed. She took her glass and sipped it, instead of the large gulp she took last time. Knowing it was real alcohol, LtCmdr Elbrun was very cautious regarding the amount she consumed.
_________________
Lt. Commander Kestra Elbrun
Counselor, USS Infiniti

The Admiral did not mind the brief hug from LtCmdr Elbrun in the emotional way she felt the need to show her appreciation for her promotion. It was time for Aeryck to promote the last member of Infiniti’s Junior Officers as this would conclude the promotions and commendations for the crew of this vessel.

Adm Arayuss: Ensign DeGrazzio, would you kindly come up here as the last of Infiniti’s crew to get a promotion tonight.

As the shy Ensign stood up from the table of Junior Officers where he was seated, he received many pats on his back and shoulders from the other officers around the table, before making his way up to the stage and stand by the Admiral.

Adm Arayuss: Ensign Jayden Carlo DeGrazzio, with your keen analytical expertise you assisted tremendously in the cleanup operation conducted by General Alderez and his Marines aboard Oriskany and Whitestar. Not to mention your useful collection of data of the Deltaurans to be used by Professor Brewer. I am privileged to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade with all the commencery responsibilities and privileges of that rank. Congratulations, Lieutenant DeGrazzio.

The CinC added a single black ‘pip’ to Jayden's collar, adding to the one gold ‘pip’ already on there. The Admiral shook Lt. JG DeGrazzio’s hand and motioned for him to speak at the podium to the applauding members of the entire group of Infiniti’s personnel as well as the rest of the people in the Banquet Hall.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets