Posted by Lieutenant Pawl Batario (Chief Engineer) in Promotions on First Contact Day!

Posted by Captain Chris Taggart (Commanding Officer) in Promotions on First Contact Day!

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Quentin “Q” Dawson (Communications Officer) in Promotions on First Contact Day!
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Chris wipped his face and hands clean and while talking his tray back up he motioned for his NE Aid and he nodded back and went to get a couple boxes and fancy looking paper and stood by the tables. Chris walked over to him and cleared his throat. “Ladies and Gentlemen! May I have your attention please?! Today not only celebrates First Contact Day but two special crew members on this ship!” He purposely left out Kastarak’s Birthday because he knows Vulcans but particularly Kastarak and does not want to embarrass him. He’ll wish him a Happy Birthday later in private.

“I would like to Lieutenant Junior Grades Pawl Batario and Quentin Dawson front and center.”

Captain Chris_Taggart
Captain USS_Chernov

When the captain called Batario and Dawson forward, Kastarak stood still, though the moment landed sharply within him. He watched Pawl, and felt the familiar ache of a love repressed. It had once been shared, now it was distant by necessity. Pride and sorrow sat beside each other in silence. He refused to purge his deep gut-wrenching emotion.

Next was Dawson. Kas, as Dawson would say, with that irreverent ease Kastarak had come to tolerate and even value, regarded the promotion as both earned and long overdue. But the disappearance gnawed still. Ninety or so days lost to silence. No answers. No logic. Just a void between what Dawson deserved and what Kastarak could reconcile. It didn’t help that Kastarak’s state was already influenced by the many other emotions of the day— all painful. The memory of last contact with Vulcan, the gnawing guilt belonging only to a survivor of genocide on the anniversary of his own birth that no one in the universe was alive now to remember, the repressed and painful love for Pawl he refused to regulate himself off from, and the unsettling situation with his friend Dawson.

He straightened his posture to appear reverent for the occasion. No one must see what was buried in Kastarak’s gut, when then honour was to be upon Pawl and Dawson.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

Pawl was in surprise at being called up like this. He rarely blushes, but there it was, his face turning a small shade of red. He stood up and straightened his uniform as he walked up towards the captain’s position. Pawl had not said anything as he walked, as he knew all eyes were on him and Dawson. He stopped in front of the captain, not sure where to go from here. “Sir! Reporting as ordered.” Pawl said calmly.

[[Lt_Jg ]] [[Pawl Batario]]
[[Chief_Engineer]] [[Uss_Chernov]]

Dawson looked up and took a breath. He rubbed at his chin, felt the rough stubble there and wished he had cleaned himself up more. But it couldn’t be helped. He made his way up with Pawl and stood before the Captian. “Reporting sir.” Dawson said, straightening, his accent becoming even more curt, stiff and British, as it did with formal occasions.

Lt. Q Dawson, Communications

Chris nodded at both of them. “Thank you both for coming.” He said in a low voice for only then. Then in a louder voice for everyone else to hear. “Lieutenants Dawson and Batario. About face!”

After they turned around to face the audience, Chris came around in front of them along with his NE Assistant. The NE Assistant was carrying two shirts with Full Lieutenant marks on the sleeves in their respected colors and two framed 8×10 frames with certificates in them. “We are gathered here to promote these two fine officers with long overdue promotions to the rank of Full Lieutenant! Congrats you two. You’ve both earned it!”

With that the NE assistant gave Chris the shirts which he handed out and then the framed promotion letters, when he handed to each. Shook their hands and saluted them!

Captain Chris_Taggart
Captain USS_Chernov

Pawl was in shock at this. “He whispered very softly with shock on his face. “Wait, what??” Pawl tripped out of his lips. “Thank you, sir!” as he returned the salute. Pawl felt like he was falling into a pit now, but did not know why. From outward appearances, he looked like he was frozen for a moment before he snapped to with a jolt as he looked around a moment. “I think I need to sit down.” He said softly. As his legs felt like Jello. Pawl gave a fleeting smile to the captain as he moved to his seat again almost falling past his seat. As he caught himself.

[[Lt_Jg ]] [[Pawl Batario]]
[[Chief_Engineer]] [[Uss_Chernov]]

In his body, Kastarak felt all the emotions Batario felt. Moreover, there was pride. And pain. And nostalgia.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer