Change of Command

Posted on Thu May 1st, 2025 @ 11:09pm by Captain Etan Kaz & Captain Liam Grimaldi-Ral & Lieutenant Haz Mondo PsyD & Reittan Ral & Lieutenant Tequila Dreik & Petty Officer 1st Class Xuan Chihyon

Mission: 01-A Change
Location: **Deep Space K-17- Jahlet Park, Deck 18**
Timeline: MD02-1300 Hours

The park was an idyllic setting for the Change of Command ceremony. The large cultivated natural area, with its lush greenery and vibrant flowers, felt like a perfect reflection of the station’s commitment to blending technology with nature. The park wasn’t just for aesthetics, though—it played an important role in the station’s environmental systems, providing oxygen regulation and water filtration, as well as a much-needed touch of tranquility amid the cold steel and constant hum of the station.

In the center of the park, a towering column of apartments rose up, its sleek, modern design contrasting with the more organic surroundings. Liam looked up at it for a moment, noting that his and Reittan’s apartment was somewhere up there. He hadn’t yet memorized the precise floor or unit number. It felt strange, still, that this station was their home. The feeling of being in-between, both on the edge of his command and still adjusting to this new chapter of life, lingered.

The quiet murmur of the crowd mingling around them carried gently through the air. It was a soft, almost rhythmic sound, like the rustling of leaves, and Liam found it calming. As people chatted in small groups and waited for the ceremony to begin, the low hum of conversation mingled with the occasional laugh or clink of a glass. It was a contrast to the more formal environment of the command center, and Liam appreciated the respite.

A small dais had been erected near the center of the park, the backdrop a picturesque view of distant stars twinkling just beyond the station’s transparent hull. The ceremony would be brief, but it was still significant. Liam had been through several Change of Command ceremonies before—each one a reminder of the responsibility that came with the position—but this one felt different. This was his first time taking command of a station of this scale, and the weight of it wasn’t lost on him.

He glanced over to where Reittan was standing, a quiet support at his side, as always. Reittan’s eyes met his briefly, a subtle, reassuring smile tugging at the corner of his lips. His husband’s calm presence was grounding in moments like this. Haz, too, who liam had come to know en route to the station, was nearby, his Catullan features caught in the glow of the ambient light, his hands wringing together slightly as he looked around. The counselor’s nervous energy was palpable, but it didn’t detract from the moment—if anything, it added a touch of humanity to the ceremony.

Liam allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection before the official proceedings began. Despite the calm atmosphere around him, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The real work, the true challenges, would come after the formalities were over. But for now, he could just stand there, in the stillness of the park, with his crew by his side, and take in the significance of the moment.

Jahlet Park was something Xuan had always considered a novelty. She understood the concept all too well. When one lived in space, there were certain aspects of planetary life one had to live without. Fresh air, grass under your bare feet, even the sound of a bubbling brook were concepts mostly foreign to her, even though she had her fair share of experience with them. Xuan greatly preferred bulkheads and carpet, though there was something about fresh air that just reinvigorated the lungs. The last few months of her service aboard K-17 were all greatly focused on completing the station's refit. To her, it was a shame that the station was seeing a change of command. But that was what happened with officers. Come in, make some accomplishments, and upgrade's one command with something better or a promotion. Enlisted women like Xuan, well, she would be here until new orders came through. She navigated the park and located the dias. She stood off to side, but where she could easily be seen by the Captains.

The last thing Tiki felt like doing was attending one of these 'occasions' where she had to be on best behaviour and stand around listening to a whole lot of boring nonsense. Sure, she was going to miss Kaz, there was something about his presence that Tiki had found comforting, especially over the last several months with the amount of turmoil she had found herself dealing with... but it wasn't the first time she had seen a change of command and she was pretty sure it wouldn't be the last. Wandering through the garden, she at least took a few minutes to enjoy the simulated fresh air and sunshine before she found herself standing alongside Xuan, offering a wan smile of acknowledgement before she looked around to see who else was around, or, perhaps more importantly, who was not.

Glancing to her left, the hybrid took note that not only was she no longer alone, but she was joined by a familiar face. "Doctor," Xuan greeted, brandishing a warm smile.

Tiki offered a brief nod, resting her hands on her swollen stomach as she sighed with annoyance, glancing around again. "Hopefully they get this over and done with quickly."

Liam adjusted the collar of his dress uniform with a subtle tug, smoothing out the fabric as he shifted his stance. The weight of formality never quite sat comfortably on his shoulders, but tonight, appearances mattered. Beside him, the shimmering blue light of the holoprojector solidified into the familiar form of Captain Etan Kaz. The Trill’s expression was as poised as ever, though the slight lift of his eyebrows carried an unspoken message— sorry I'm late.

Liam met his gaze and offered a small, knowing nod in return. There was no need to dwell on tardiness; they both had their roles to play. “Ready when you are,” he said, his voice calm but edged with anticipation. His fingers brushed against the side of his uniform again, an unconscious habit when bracing himself for something significant.

The shimmering holographic image of Captain Etan Kaz strode toward the dais with practiced confidence, clearing his throat before calling out in a commanding tone, "Attention to orders!"

The murmur of the assembled officers and dignitaries hushed instantly, all eyes turning toward the projection of the Trill captain. Though merely a holo-recording, the authority in his voice carried the weight of the moment. Holding a PADD in one hand, the image of Kaz began to read aloud:

"To Captain Etan Kaz, Commanding Officer, Deep Space K-17. You are hereby requested and required to relinquish command of your station to Captain Liam Grimaldi-Ral, Commanding Officer, USS Hypatia, as of this date. Signed, Fleet Captain Dominic Dalgaard, Commander, Task Force 56."

A pause followed as the holo-Kaz lowered the PADD and let the words settle over the gathered officers. Then, with a solemn nod, he set the device aside and spoke once more.

"Computer, transfer all command codes to Captain Liam Grimaldi-Ral. Voice authorization: Kaz-theta-two-seven-three-alpha."

The computer responded with a soft, affirmative chirp, followed by the familiar, even-toned voice of the station’s system: "Transfer complete. Deep Space K-17 now under the command of Captain Liam Grimaldi-Ral."

Liam exhaled softly, barely perceptible to anyone but himself, before stepping forward. He had stood on plenty of bridges, given countless orders, but this was different. The weight of responsibility, of history, pressed firmly on his shoulders. Extending a steady hand, he met the gaze of the holographic Kaz.

"I relieve you, sir," Liam said with quiet sincerity.

The image of Kaz nodded, a small but knowing smile touching his lips. "I stand relieved." His grip was firm, even in its simulated form, as he clasped Liam’s hand in a symbolic gesture of transition.

As their hands parted, the holo-Kaz gave one final glance around the room—his station, his home—before the program flickered out of existence, leaving Liam standing alone in the spotlight as the new commanding officer of Deep Space K-17.

A brief moment of sadness washed over Tiki as the holographic figure of Kaz disappeared. She dashed at the corner of her eyes quickly, trying not to let anyone see her as she turned on her heel and started wandering away.

Throughout her life, Xuan had only witnessed three other change of command ceremonies. This particular one was no different than the others, a plain and simple and public declaration of a major change. Captain Kaz had been influential aboard the station, and she had come to appreciate his command. Xuan had no idea how much things would change, but there was only one way to find out, and that was to walk it out.

The engineer turned to smile at Tiki, only to be surprised when the Orion/human hybrid found herself standing alone. Xuan looked left, right, then all around. She could not spot the familiar face in the crowd, and Xuan could only worry that something was wrong. Xuan glanced back to the dais, nodded to the new Captain, and disappeared into the crowd herself. Time for true introductions would happen later. For now, there were other things to attend to.