Captain Remira Johansen, Part 2

Posted on Tue May 7th, 2024 @ 10:53pm by Captain Remy Johansen & Lieutenant JG T'lenn & Lieutenant Commander Razka Kas & Lieutenant Commander Nash Winters & Lieutenant Eirly Andersen & Lieutenant JG Thivi & Lieutenant JG Jason Williams III

1,559 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Mission Interlude Starbase 76 & Serenity
Location: Nevan, Thivi, SIGN OR TAG IN Main Cargo Bay
Timeline: Mission Day 9, After Part 1

A boatswain whistle cut through the air, calling everyone to attention. Admiral Cameron Downing stepped up to the podium, her blonde hair pulled tightly back from her face. Commander Remy Johansen stood behind her at her position on the stage.

Admiral Downing spoke, "It is my honor today to make official the promotion of Commander Remira Johansen, to Captain, and bestow on you all of the rights, responsibilities, and privileges therewith."

Remy stepped forward and the Admiral pinned the fourth pip to her collar.

Downing looked over at Remy and smiled before looking back into the crowd gathered in Astrea's Cargo Bay. "Captain Johansen will continue in her role as the USS Astrea's Commanding Officer. She has asked me to keep this brief, and I know that you are on a tight schedule, but please join me in giving your new Captain a heartfelt and well deserved congratulations. You are all in good hands."

The admiral extended her hand to Remy and the two shook hands and exchanged glances. One that showed their shared history and trust.

Remy took to the podium and noticed the room still at attention. "Thank you. At ease. I was going to accept this promotion quietly in a private room somewhere, but Admiral Downing reminded me that these ceremonies are more for the crew than me, and if that's true in any way, then you all should be here. The USS Astrea has been commissioned for less than ten days, yet as a crew you have already uncovered new scientific discoveries, translated an ancient language, and rescued an ancient race, unexpectedly, yet successfully making First Contact on behalf of the Federation."

"YOU did that. We couldn't have done it without each other. Thank you for your faith in me. That's it. Go get some food." Remy walked away from the podium and exchanged a few words with Downing before stepping off of the stage.

Nevan smiled as the Captain made her way elsewhere, sometimes short and sweet was the way to go. Plus truth be told he was a bit hungry, and while for the most part he could tell everyone was excited to be there to show support, he did make note that the new Ensign in his department was absent. Scanning the room he found some of the tables setup with food and made his way over to put himself together a plate.

Thivi was the first to approach the newly minted captain, smiling with her hands clasped together. "Congratulations. Captain. You deserve it." She said. "You'll come in regularly for checkups, I hope? I'm sure you've heard far too many stories of commanding officers who hide from their sickbay staff like they have the plague."

"I promise to show up if I'm experiencing any symptoms, or have been exposed to any questionable substances," Remy responded with a playful evasiveness.

"Good. I'll be holding you to that, now." Thivi wandered off to mingle with the rest of the crowd.

Having a sampling of different small items on his plate that he hadn't touched yet, the part of his oath that swore to always take care of both his subordinates and superiors alike, kicked in as a second nature causing Kayto to make an offer to Remy. "Congratulations Captain, short and sweet. Care for anything to eat? I'm sure you've been quite busy today."

Remy let out a soft laugh. "To be honest Officer Kayto, I've never had the attention span to listen to long speeches, so I've never assumed that anyone wants to listen to me give one either. At least not if there isn't a specific point to be made, or a subject matter to be learned. Neither of which typically apply to these events."

"Thanks for the offer, I'm good for now. I've always been one to eat on the run. How are things going in your department? Morale good? Have everything you need?" Remy asked.

"We're getting settled in, I think Grexx and Fletcher are having a tougher time than I am but that's par for the course. I also enlisted one of the Atarans as an advisor so that should help with the upcoming mission. I think for the time being we should be set Captain." Making note of the Commander and his family approaching, the Betazoid looked over and smiled "I'll let you get to the rest of your audience and catch up with you later ma'am."

Commander Winters and his family sided over to Captain Johansen after the ceremony and her receiving group thinned out a bit.

“Captain, congratulations one more time. I know this is strange and uncomfortable for you, but well deserved. Umm… someone wanted to offer her best wishes,” Nash said as Alexandra appeared with a gleaming smile on her face.

Alexandra stood squarely at attention as she faced Remy. "Congratulations Captain Johansen," Alexandra said seriously, extending her hand in a formal handshake.

Brunel was standing next to Alex, and bowed respectfully to Remy. When he straightened up, he signed. "Congratulations, Captain. And thank you for allowing me to remain on your ship."

Remy took Alexandra's extended hand and shook it firmly. "Thank you very much, and thank you, Brunel," she said turning to the boy standing with Alex. "We're happy to have you." Remy placed a gentle hand on Brunel's arm near his shoulder for a few seconds.

Looking up at Nash and Sara she added, "Thanks for being here, and bringing these guys. I appreciate it, even if I don't care to be celebrated."

“It’s an honor for us be here, Captain. To be perfectly honest, this is all the two of them talked about since I told them of your promotion. They couldn’t wait to see it….and you….in person. And Brunel has been taking this all really well. He’s made it known to both me and Alex that he does not want to be with his people. It’s been fun having him around. He and Alex are attached at the hip. Inseparable.”

Brunel glanced at Alex when Nash mentioned her. What he said was true. Ever since the welcome dinner, he and Alex had been practically inseparable. For Brunel, it was a new and wonderful experience, to spend time with someone his own age. The fact that Alex was a wonderful person...and very pretty...certainly helped matters. "Yes, Ma'am. Commander Nash and his family have been treating me very well." He paused briefly, then continued. "In fact, Captain, once my A-S-Y-L-U-M claim is approved, if it is okay with Commander Nash and his family, I was going to ask if....if I could live with them...as my new family?" He looked from Remy, to Sara, to Nash, and finally to Alex. The question clear in his features. While it had been something that had been discussed, it wasn't until this moment that he had come to a decision about it.

Nash inhaled deeply and blew out through his mouth. “Oh, boy,” he thought to himself. He looked to Sara for a sort of approval and could tell from her expression that the answer would be yes. Nash then tapped Brunel on the shoulder to get his attention.

“Brunel, are you sure? This is a big decision and I don’t want you to do this without making sure this is what you want. I mean, I can see the connection between you and Alexandra, and that’s terrific. But understand that you may never see another Ataran. Astrea explores all over the galaxy. After everything that’s happened, we just want you to be happy.”

Brunel looked at everyone around him, his eyes landing on Alex's last. A warm smile crept across his face and his replied. "I am certain, Sir. As Alex already knows, my people view me as an outcast, something to be....done away with. I will not be upset if I never see another one of them again. This is where I want to be, on this ship, with all of you as my new family."

Nash knelt in front of the young Ataran and put a hand on each of his shoulders. “The whole ship is a family, Brunel. Representing more planets than I can count. Welcoming you only makes it….better. And Sara, Alex, and I are proud to add you to our own.” Nash was moved by Brunel’s words and lovingly touched the side of his face.

"We're doing what we can, Brunell. I think we'll know a lot more when we meet up with Lieutenant Spello and the others in a few days," Remy said. "For now, try not to worry about it too much."

Brunel smiled warmly at Nash's gentle words and touch. He then looked at Remy and replied. "Thank you, Captain. I already feel safer, just standing here among you all."

"I'm going to say high to a few more people, and then bug out of here and sneak in some work. Get something to eat, Samuel went to the trouble," Remy said gesturing to the tables of food.



> > > To Part 3 > > >



Captain Remira Johansen
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea

Lt. Commander Nash Winters
Chief Engineer
USS Astrea

Lt. JG Thivi
Head Nurse
USS Astrea

P01 Nevan Kayto
Civil Operations
USS Astrea

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