Jov
Posted on Wed Oct 23rd, 2024 @ 8:55pm by Commander Rhupert Tyree & Chief Petty Officer Tonag Jov
Edited on on Tue Oct 29th, 2024 @ 8:14pm
960 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
The Foragers
Location: Empok Nor Docking Ring
Timeline: Afternoon of Get This Party Started.
Tonag had primped in his quarters on Empok Nor. It had been nice to get out of the Valiant’s stateroom space and have some elbow room for a change. Now he paced slightly at one of the station’s scattered docking ports, waiting for the Transport Verdant.
He had remembered the flowers, which he knew Willu loved, and he was sporting the new rank insignia the Captain had awarded him just that morning. Tonag’s mind filtered back to that as he paused in his pacing.
Time: 0710 hrs USS Valiant, Engineering.
He’d been supervising a crewman running sequencing updates to the Valiant’s dilithium harmonizer before they buttoned the system up, calibrated things and began the diagnostic checks. Once that was started, he and most of the engineering cadre could go on leave.
Tonag would only have to check in every day to make sure there weren’t any problems. So far, things had went swimmingly, even with Lt. Repatha transferring out. Tonag hummed slightly and bounced a little on his feet, his mind going to the upcoming shore leave and getting to see his fiancee.
He smiled at that and nearly broke into song. It had been ten months since he’d seen her and…
“Petty Officer, Jov,” Rhu said, a half amused twist to his mouth as he surveyed Valiant’s leading engineering Petty Officer.
Jumping, Tonag twisted and blinked in surprise at the Valiant’s Captain. Then he swallowed and stumbled out, “Sir? Sorry sir. Got to concentrating on that dilithium harmonizer upgrade.”
Rhu glanced at the handful of crew that were mostly still going about their work and he nodded. “I saw that on the docket. How goes it?”
“Early yet sir,” Tonag replied. “We’re getting into it soon as the computer has the updates.”
“Sounds like I showed up at the right time then,” Rhu commented. “Stand at attention Petty Officer.”
Blinking even more rapidly, Tonag straightened his back, puffed out his chest and then focused his eyes on the Commander.
“It gives me a great deal of pleasure in presenting you with this,” Rhu stated as he pulled a pip from his cuff. “You are hereby promoted to Chief Petty Officer. Congratulations.”
Handing over the pip, Rhu continued, “At ease Chief. I appreciate your hard work and until we get a new Engineering Officer, I’m going to be leaning more on you to keep the department running. Can I count on you?”
Stammering, Tonag took the pip in his stubby fingers and said, “Absolutely sir. I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t,” Rhu said looking around at the crew. “I’ll let you get back to your work. Carry one.”
“Aye aye, Captain,” Tonag said to Commander Tyree’s back as he watched the Valiant’s skipper turn and walk away. Looking down at the enlisted patch on his sleeve, he touched the pip to his left patch and it warmed slightly as it attached to the insignia.
“What is wrong with him,” a voice registered into his brain and Tonag glanced around then nearly jumped as he was poked at by a greeting, indignant sounding (and rather shrill, if he was honest) voice.
Tonag?” Willu said, touching his arm and he blinked at her then cried out, “Will I’m sorry I was distracted. Lost in thought. How are you.”
Once he’d focused on her and came back to himself, Willu launched herself at him and laughed as he grunted, staggering back a bit as he caught her, then twirled her around. “I thought you’d fallen asleep standing up,” she laughed.
“No, no,” he laughed with her. “Just well. I was promoted this morning and was distracted thinking back about it.”
“Promoted!!” Willu exclaimed. Let me see?” She slid out of his arms and then grasped his tunic arm and beamed at the new pip.
“Congratulations,” she exclaimed again. “That’s well deserved and wonderful. Just like you. So good to see you Tonag,” She told him breathlessly as she threw herself at him for another hug.
“Hurumph,” a voice from the left said. “About time for that promotion, I say.”
Tonag recognized the voice now and swiveled his head to say, “Hello Mrs. Gersh. Nice to see you again.”
“Is it? The greying, matronly heavyset Tellerite asked as she pointedly (and rather dramatically) juggled some luggage. “Well. Just don’t stand there Tonag, lend a hand with this luggage and get us to where we’re staying. We’ve been traveling a very long time and here you keep us standing about.”
“Yes yes, of course,” forgive me,” Tonag answered, as he kept an arm around Willu and took the heavier bag from her mother. Willu, for her part picked up the bag she’d dropped and Tongag led them off through the habitat ring toward a nearby lift.
“Did you ask him yet,” Willu asked quietly?
Shaking his head, Tonag said, “No. I will soon as I get you two settled and comfortable. Are you sure?”
“Yes, she’s sure,” Mrs. Gersh answered as she strode along behind, the case she carried like a feather in her grip. “It’s why I had to be dragged all the way out here, wasn’t it. He will do it won’t he? I can’t believe you haven’t put it to him yet Tonag.”
“Commander Tyree’s a good Captain,” Tonag assured them. “I just lost track of things with the Chief Engineer leaving and our latest mission. I’m sure he’ll make the time.”
Mrs. Gersh harrumphed again and the three crowded into a lift.
They had a wedding to plan.
RSS Feed