Halloway sat and looked at the orders for a few moments. The sudden and unexpected departure of such a quality officer in the CAG slot on the Billet Chart which was usually such a difficult one to fill almost always equaled a headache for the officer tasked with finding his or her replacement. However, this was not the case this time around. In a stroke of luck, the current CO of the Vikings had put in his promotion packet a month prior and had just three days ago received the green light for his first ever CAG assignment.

There was needed restructure and Halloway hoped the kid wouldn’t give her too hard a time implementing the changes needed before deployment. Reaching for the button on her desk, she tapped the CommPanel and spoke with smile.

=A= XO to Captain Dawkins… report to my office as soon as possible. Commander Halloway out.=A=

Dawkins sighed. It was his turn to worry if he was in trouble and following the fastest shower of his life, the Marine dressed in the traditional Black & Greens of the Corps and headed up into Fleeter County. Less than twenty minutes after the call, Malcolm tugged his tunic straight outside the Commadner’s office and was reaching for the chime when Halloway opened the semi-transparent door for him.

“Please come in Captain.” Halloway said with a smile. “Grab a seat.” Doing as he was told, Malcolm took a seat in the right chair in the room… as was his custom… and awaited the Commander’s reasoning for his visit.

“Captain Dawkins, as I am sure you are by now aware, Major Lardel was transferred from the Chimera late last night in order to assist with a top secret mission even I’m not in privy to know about. That, of course, leaves a pretty big hole in the leadership of the Wing.”

“Yes ma’am” Malcolm said politely, not knowing what she could want with him here on such a topic.

“So that you are aware…” Sam continued as she picked up a PaDD from the desk, and for the first time Malcolm noticed the small hunter green velvet box on the desk next to it. “… we are set to depart in less than 48 hours, which puts me and the Captain in a tight spot…” Malcolm nodded and began to open his mouth but was cut off. “… or, at least it should have.” The smile grew wide across Halloway’s face and Malcolm was puzzled, not knowing where she was going with this. “Thankfully…” Sam continued. “… I was pleased to find we had the perfect candidate for the post on board all along.” With that, the XO stood from her side of the desk and walked around to Malcolm.

“Please rise.” The Commander’s smile was unmistakable and Malcolm stood in shock, knowing what was coming but still not believing it. “From Admiral Rebecca Loveland to Captain Malcolm Edward Dawkins…” Halloway began, reading from the PaDD in her hand. “… you are hereby directed by The President of the United Federation of Planets and the Federation Council, on this day, to report to the Three Hundred and Ninety-Ninth Marine Aerospace Wing… aboard the Federation Starship USS Chimera NCC-Nine-Eight-Seven-A and there take upon yourself the duties and responsibilities of Air Group Commander. In concordance with this order, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Major… Starfleet Marine Corps, effective immediately. By order of Fleet Admiral Alexander Courvosier Commander in Chief of Allied Federation Forces, at the direction of the President, United Federation of Planets.”

Malcolm stood, thunderstruck, as Sam rested the PaDD on the desk and opened the small box, removing the shiny golden oak leaf of a Major. Pinning it his collar, Halloway smiled. “Always wanted to be the one reading one of those… thanks for making my first an Aviator Major.” As Halloway stepped back, Malcolm instinctively saluted and Halloway returned it before offering her hand. “Congratulations Major” With a stammer, Malcolm replied simply. “Thank you Commander.”

After a few quiet pleasantries and an exchange of the formal copy of orders, Major Dawkins left to return to the flightdeck… this time as CAG.

Halloway/Dawkins