Welcome Home, Again

Posted on Sun Oct 2nd, 2011 @ 7:21pm by Admiral Lucius Hawke & Admiral Ricky Wegener

Mission: In Our Time of Need
Location: Admiral Wegener's Office

Lucius stood in the now-empty quarters, taking one last look around. His and Aia's luggage had been picked up and delivered to the ship and it was time, again, to ship out. He shouldered the small carry-on bag and stopped at the console to send one last quick message to Li. As he was the only thing left in the quarters, it seemed everything was in order. He turned to go, and got half
way out the door, when the panel beeped. He debated letting it go, but just couldn't do it. It might be Li, after all. Pressing the button to answer, he discovered it was Admiral Wegener instead, with a request to see him immediately.

* * *

He reached the Admiral's outer office and lowered the bag. "Good afternoon, Hope, a pleasure to see you again. I just got a call from the Admiral. Can you please call the ship and hold it up for a few minutes?"

"I'll do that," she said, "and he's ready for you now." Hope pressed the console and remotely opened the Admiral's doors allowing Lucius access.

Rick was already waiting, setting out some finger foods, drinks and alcohol for his new TFXO. He had only gotten to know now Rear Admiral Gage for a few months before her promotion and transfer, but she had been a great XO and did many great things while there. Lucius, however, had a reputation and he was happy to have him by his side.

"Lucius Hawke, how long has it been?" Ricky asked, crossing the large floor to meet his old friend.

"Too long, Admiral." He offered his hand with a smile. "Same station but with so much going on preparing to ship out for a long haul, you know how it is." He glanced at the refreshments. "Throwing a party?"

Rick looked around at the food, then back to Luc. "Uh...yeah. That's it," he said as he offered a chair to the man. He was actually somewhat surprised that Lucius hadn't already picked up on what Ricky had called him here for, with Lucius being Betazoid and all. However, many of that race would purposely pull back their senses so as not to be rude to those around them. "Actually, Lucius, the party, as you called it, is for you. I'm afraid you won't be going out on that long haul you were talking about."

"I won't....alright Ricky, what gives? And if that's the case, you'd better have Hope call the ship so it doesn't leave with Aia and all my clothes on it." Lucius had, indeed, been polite enough not to try and read his Admiral. He was thinking now that perhaps he should have.

Ricky looked at him for a moment with a weak smile and said, "Surprise?"

Obviously Lucius wasn't in the mood now. "Look, I...I need you here. Rear Admiral Gage has been transferred to Task Force 86. I need someone to help me run 38. You've got a long history of being the right man for the job and, well, that job is now here." He paused, now knowing full well that his mind may be probed at any minute. Better his mind than his ass. "You are hereby promoted to the position of Task Force Executive Officer of Task Force 38. You will remain a Commodore in rank."

Ricky braced for impact, wondering if Luc was going to rip his head off or be pleasantly surprised...or something in the middle.

Lucius didn't move for about ten seconds. Then he blinked. His gaze shifted to the food, then the alcohol. a quick brush with Ricky's thoughts, got a raised eyebrow. "You know I'm not that sort." He grinned at the Admiral's 'probing' thoughts. "And I'll accept on one condition."

"I'm not a mind reader, Lucius, so out with it."

"You can tell Aia. You'd better have some of that, however." Lucius pointed to a decanter of brandy.

"Oh...uh," Ricky weighed his options. "How about no? I'll let you handle that. I'll go barricade myself in my quarters until she calms down." He smiled. "I take it she had big plans for this trip on the Evariste?"

"Getting away from it all held some appeal yes. And by 'all', I meant Marianna. To be honest, though, I'd rather be here. Better medical facilities, Li is here. And a better position." Lucius stood once more. "I accept, and thank you Admiral."

Rick smiled again. "No, thank you. And, uh...where ya' going? We've got some grub to eat here!"

"That we do." He lifted the decanter and removed the stopper. "Let's have Hope call her."

"Yes!" Ricky said, waiting for his glass to be poured. "Hope needs to toughen up a bit anyway. I'm sure Aia can help her with that." An evil grin spread across his face as the liquid was poured.

*********

Admiral Ricky Wegener

Commodore Lucius Hawke