Rodney Smith - Scout force

As the Vigilant was returning to port from a training cruise, a message came in that was captain’s eyes only. The captain retired to his quarters to take the message. After 30 minutes he called Kelly and Chief Watson into his conference room.

“Sit down you two, I have some interesting news. I just had a video conference with Admiral Craddock. It seems that Fleet hasn’t had enough of me. I have been selected for promotion to full Commander.”

Kelly and the Chief both smiled broadly and congratulated the captain for a well-deserved promotion.

Chief Watson spoke first, “Damn glad that Fleet showed the good sense to promote you, Captain.”

It was Kelly’s turn. “I’m very glad for you, sir. You deserve it. I didn’t think you were up for promotion at this time.”

“I wasn’t. I shouldn’t have been picked up for promotion by this board. I was promoted below the zone of consideration. I suspect our last three combat patrols helped me along. I have you two to thank for that. I couldn’t have asked for better leadership than you two have provided.”

Both thanked him for the sentiment, but insisted that they owed him more, much more.

He picked up a dispatch and said, “I am to be the Commander of the new 22nd Scout Squadron. It will consist of the Valiant, Vindicator, Vehement and the Vigilant. It’s a nice honor, but it will mainly be a desk command for me. There are no Commodore’s quarters on these ships.”

He continued, “But I’m not done with the good news yet. Allow me to congratulate you, Kelly. The Lieutenants board also met and you are now officially a Fleet Lieutenant. We must have been doing something right. You were also selected below the zone.”

Kelly’s mouth dropped open.

Chief Watson slapped Kelly on the back. “Good for you, sir. It is very well deserved.”

“Kelly, the admiral asked me for a recommendation for who should replace me. I told him that I had an exec that would make a great captain. He thought as a frocked Lieutenant he would take a lot of heat for making you captain, but as a frocked Lieutenant Commander, he thought he could handle that. Kelly, barring any unforeseen circumstances, you will take over command from me.”

Kelly was stunned. Chief Watson reached over and slapped him on the back again. A Fleet command for a Lieutenant wasn’t unheard of, but it was rare.

“I’m speechless, sir. I really don’t know what to say. This is something I wouldn’t have even considered. Thank you for your recommendation.”

“No need to thank me, Kelly. You’ve earned it. I am doing one other thing to you, Kelly. I’m taking Chief Watson with me to the 22nd Scout Squadron. You’re stuck with me, Ken, or should I say Master Chief Petty Officer Watson. The chiefs board also met while we were out in K’Rang space.”

Kelly slapped Chief Watson on the back, shook his hand, and said, “Now there is a promotion that is well deserved. Wait, this means I lose my Senior Chief. Will they bring someone in or do I get to pick somebody?”

The captain said, “Scout Force will send you a list to consider from, but you get to choose your Senior Chief.”

Chief Watson broke in, “If you won’t mind my advice, LT Blake, you could do a lot worse than Chief Blankenship. She’s got her stuff together. She’s technically competent. She’s also senior to all the other Chiefs on board and a lot better than what Scout Force will be able to offer. That’s just my opinion though, sir. You can pick whoever you want, of course.”

Kelly replied, “Thanks, Chief, I’ll give that a lot of consideration. It would probably be prudent to wait until I assume command to make any personnel decisions. I’ve seen too many slips between the cup and lip to be presumptuous.”

Two weeks later, Kelly’s promotion ceremony and frocking to Lieutenant Commander immediately preceded the Vigilant’s change of command ceremony. Kelly became the youngest ship commander in the Fleet. Commander Timmons became his Squadron Commander.

His parents, Candy, Tammy, and Angie were all present at the ceremony. He looked at the three young women sitting together and wondered if they were comparing notes on him or sizing each other up.

After the speeches and the mandatory mass handshaking, the three women came over to him. Kelly was unsure whether to run or stand fast. He stood fast and waited to see what was coming.

Candy led off. “Kelly, you should have introduced us sooner. We like each other. We like each other so much that I’m having a party this weekend at my new house and you are all invited, especially you.”

Kelly considered the possibilities and was about to reply that he would enjoy that very much, when Yeoman Benitez came up behind him and cleared her throat. He turned toward her.

She said, “Captain, you and Commander Timmons are requested to meet with Admiral Craddock in his office as soon as possible.”

Kelly paused for a second to let the fact that he had just been addressed as Captain for the first time to settle in. He decided he liked the sound of that.

“Yeoman Benitez, thank you. I’ll be right there.”

He turned back to the three waiting women, all wearing mischievous looks on their faces, and said, “Ladies, I’d be delighted to join you, if my duties allow, but now I have to go meet with your dad, Candy.”

Hours later, LT Casimirski approached a shuttle outside Scout Force HQ and was about to climb in when a voice shouted out, “What do you think you're doing, Lieutenant?”

He turned and saw Kelly walking his way. LT Casimirski saw Kelly’s rank insignia, blinked in surprise, dropped his jaw, saluted and said, “I was going to take this shuttle to my quarters, sir.”

“No, you aren’t, Lieutenant. I’m using that shuttle. I’ll be taking that shuttle back to my ship in a minute or two.”

Caz gritted his teeth and replied, “Sir, if there is no shuttle here the central motor pool will send another. It should be here before you need it.”

“Maybe you didn’t understand me, Lieutenant. I said I’m taking that shuttle. If you need one you can wait for it. I don’t intend to. Now run along.”

As LT Casimirski stalked away, Kelly entered the shuttle, programmed his destination, and chuckled all the way back to the Vigilant.

Revenge was sweet.