The Promotion Ceremony

<Attention all members of the USS Leviathan. You are hereby ordered to report to the Space Dock Lounge at 1300 hours for an important meeting. Dress uniform is mandatory.> The computer announced over the intercom of space dock and the Leviathan.

"What!" Ensign Shaka yelled covered in dirt and grime from the Slip Stream Drive. Since there were no one else qualified or even capable of understanding the SS drive, she had taken it upon herself to fix it, she was almost finished when the announcement was heard. "Dress uniform. Please. I don't believe it. Computer! What time is it?" <It is 1149 hours.>

"Great! I have to find it first of all, then put on one lousy pip on the lapel. Gimme a break."

She finished the drive and walked to her quarters. Angrily, she searched for her uniform and prepared it. "This had better be good!" She mumbled angrily.

Lieutenant Harris was resting in his quarters when he heard the announcement. As Ensign Shaka, he too was perturbed and didn't understand what was going on. He dug through is quarters and meticulously prepared his uniform. *Wonder why dress uniform?* He thought as he completed his uniform and went into the sonic shower.

Ensign Toran was on the Bridge insuring the repair teams knew what was wrong when the announcement came on. He noticed the time and made sure again that the repair teams were repairing the right systems then hurried to his quarters. His dress uniform still had his previous NCO ranks on it and he looked for the proper rank. After almost 20 minutes of searching he found the right rank and put it on.

"What is the purpose of wearing this this thing. It really looks sickening." He said to himself.

Ensign Harris was asleep in his quarters, when the announcement was heard. He unfortunately didn't have a dress uniform and immediately went to the replicator to get one. A feeling of urgency rushed over him as the replicator just couldn't get it right. One was too big, the other was too small, and finally the one that came closest was the old one that he recognised as the long coats. *I wonder which dress uniform is that one we need?* He thought.

In the lounge, all the officers were present. Even those members who did not battle the Loreans, or par took of the maiden voyage, graced the lounge. New crew members as in Ensign Barker, and Warrant Officer Lee were there. It was quite a crowd considering the number of crew member on the ship earlier. However all were drinking, talking, and wondering what was going on. The crew of the Leviathan noticed that the lounge was decorated and festive, but no one knew why. Finally someone yelled, "Captain on deck!"

The lounge quieted quickly and popped to attention. Captain Devore strolled out in his dress uniform, the new white corded jackets that predominately displayed his fourth pip. He smiled and took a moment to look at the ensemble of uniforms that made up dress uniforms. There were 3 different types, all authorised but some very different- but none like the Captain's. "I guess I should have specified which uniform." He said with a smile.

"Yes Sir!" The crew said in unison.

"Sorry! Everybody at ease have a seat and relax." He said pulling out 4 boxes and placing them on the table next to him. He positioned himself so that all could see him. "I want to take a few minutes to say to you, that the reason you are dressed in the dress uniforms is to show the world that when you are the best, you look your best. The crew of the Leviathan has demonstrated that they are the best crew in Starfleet. I am proud of to be your commanding officer and can't wait to do what I am about to do more often.

"Attention to orders! The following personnel front and centre. Lieutenant Junior Grade Grant Harris, Ensign Toran, Ensign Shaka, and Ensign Jonathan Harris."

They each got up and did as told. "Turn and face the crew," Devore said.

"As you can see I am now officially your Captain. No more confusion on what to call me or referring to me as Commander. Yesterday, Admiral Ross promoted me to Captain. Now every Captain must have a first officer and you all know that I have been operating without one. Lieutenant Harris has been acting first officer since we shipped out over a week ago, but I think that we can safely say that he has done a great job. Effective this date, Lieutenant JG Grant Harris. You are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with all the rights of privileges thereof and appointed First Officer of the USS Leviathan, Stardate 60129. Congratulations Lieutenant," Devore said taking off the black pip and putting on the silver one on Harris uniform. He extended his hand.

"Thank you, Captain." Harris said taking and shaking it.

{We are going to have to talk about your intelligence position.} Devore whispered to Harris just audible over the clapping hands of the crew.

"Next," Devore began as the applause trailed off. "The most experienced one of us all has proven that age means nothing when it comes to performance. Ensign Toran has performed admirably in his duties as Assistant Security Officer, that I feel that he should be put in charge of it. Ensign Toran! You are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade and appointed to Chief of Security. You are also commissioned to serve and protect the assets of this crew and in particular its Captain. Are you up for the challenge, Lieutenant?"

"Yes sir!" Toran said shaking Devore's hand. Capt. Devore placed the black pip on Toran's collar and handed him the black case whereby it came from.

Captain Devore moved to Ensign Shaka. "Ensign Shaka. Even though you have been a pain in my backside, you are a heck of a specialist. You are extremely invaluable to the mission of the Leviathan and I can't think of anyone any more deserving to hold the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Are you ready to accept the duties as assigned and maintain the proficiency of the slip stream drive?"

"Sir, I do that now."

"I guess I can take that as a yes," Devore said pinning the black pip on her lapel. He leaned over to her and whispered, {Shaka, you have a dirt smudge just behind your ear.}

"That is what I get for actually working, huh?" She said to the Captain. He looked at her and smiled then continued on. "Ensign Jonathan Hansen. You along with Lieutenant Shaka saved the crew from a painful and dreaded death that could have been inflicted by the Loreans, but your ingenuity and expertise in engineering prevented that. I hope to see a lot more of that. I hereby appoint you to the position of Chief Engineer and grant you the field commission of Lieutenant Junior Grade," He said also pinning on the black pip to Hansen's uniform.

Devore reached over and grabbed a bottle of Champagne and lifted the glass, "A toast, to the newest officers and to the best crew in Starfleet. Party, have fun, and enjoy yourself. For as soon as repairs are complete. We go to the Beta Quadrant!" He took a drink of his glass and smiled as the crew cheered.

*Enjoy it!* Devore thought as he stepped back. *You have earned it!*