| Genesis p. 2 |
| Mansel pondered it. Though he'd always wondered what it would be like to command starship, he never dreamt he'd have the opportunity to actually have his own ship. The offer was almost too good to sacrifice. "Alright, I'll take command of the Explorer," Mansel decided after a long pause. Although Mansel thought it impossible, Admiral Story's smile grew even wider. "Excellent, Mansel!" He reached over and pushed a button. Send him in." Behind Mansel, the door opened to reveal his father, the current commander of the Explorer. "Sounds like you get to share my headaches," Captain Darryl Mansel Sr. said, putting a hand on his son's shoulder. "You sure you want to do this?" After another long pause, Mansel nodded. "Yes sir. I'm sure." Captain Mansel smiled down at his son. "Good. You'll make me proud, I'm sure." "I'll try sir." "I'd really hate to interrupt this touching moment," Ross sneered from the couch. "We have other stuff to move on to." "Quite right," agreed Admiral Wilson. He reached behind him and produced an infopad, which he handed to Mansel Jr. "This," he said, "is a list of your key staff. Know it inside out; you need to know how your senior people operate as well as yourself. You'll be taking command of the Explorer in three weeks; the change of command and promotion party is in two." *** Ballroom, UNSF HQ 17:00 Standard Earth Time (SET) 2185 "Ten-HUP!" The room came to attention as Admiral Wilson and Admiral Story walked into the ballroom. The ballroom, one of the three that the UNSF Headquarters boasted, was a lovely pattern of reds and whites, celebrating the official colors of the UNSF. The two flag officers marched down the center space. On the left were chairs packed with civilians that had come to see Mansel Sr. reture and surrender control of the Explorer to Mansel Jr. The right side held current UNSF personell in a sea of white dress uniforms, in attendance for the same reason. The front row of the right side was reserved for the current senior staff of the Explorer. Right behind them were the upcoming officers of that would compose the senior staff of the Excelsior class ship under its new commander. The podium was the final destination of the two flag officers. Just as they reached the steps to begin their ascend to their chairs, Captain Darryl Mansel Sr. walked into the room. He gracefully strode to his seat on the first row with his officers, sitting in the far left chair. "At ease," the Master of Ceremonies commanded. The UNSF officers took their seats, the civilians following suit. Admiral Wilson was the first to speak. "Today is both an exciting and sad day. It is exciting because we get to commission a new starship captain to take over the reigns of the ship his father held for eight years. It's sad because we lose a good officer, Darryl Mansel Sr." The Admiral droned on until his allotted time was up, and Admiral Story spoke next. Then, it was time for the change of command. "Attention to orders!" the Master of Ceremonies bellowed, watching as the UNSF officers scrambled to attention and the civilians stand as well. "Accoring to order three-five-nine, effective July 18, 2185, Lieutenant Commaner Darryl Mansel is given command of the USS Explorer, relinquished by Captain Darryl Mansel Sr., former commander of the USS Explorer. Lieutenant Commander Mansel will be promoted to the rank of Captain. Furthermore, Captain Darryl Mansel Sr. will be honorably discharged from the commission of the United Nations Security Force, also effective July 18, 2185." He looked up from the published orders he'd been reading from and waited for Darryl Mansel Jr. to enter the ballroom. Lieutenant Commander Mansel Jr. entrered, quickly walking up the same aisle as everyone else. He came to a stop in front of the podium, executed an about face, and face the crowd. His father rose from his spot and walked towards his son. In his hands, he held Captain's rank. He unbuttoned, his son's Lieutenant Commander shoulder boards and replaced them with Captain's boards. Though the boards weighed far less than one pound, the weight felt heavy on Mansel Jr.'s shoulders. Admiral Story, Admiral Wilson, and Admiral Beckerd A. "Blackbird" Benson retreated from their places at the podium and came to stand in front of the new starship captain. "Congradulations, Mansel," said Admiral Blackbird, the first to shake his hand. "Your father was a good man; I'm sure you'll succeed him well." "Good job, Captain," came Admiral Story after Blackbird. "I look forward to seeing what you'll be doing with the Explorer in the next coming years." Finally, Admiral Wilson appeared before Mansel. "You've done good so far Mansel, just keep it up and you'll be a fine officer." |
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