All That Glitters Ch. 45

"Fayad Piscium Sai-Ro, please step forward," the Chair demanded.

"Sir, your actions, and those of your wives, were on a completely different level from those of your fellow citizens. As such, the Landstradt has ordered that you be invested with the Knight Member of the Order of the Alliance.

"However, there is an impediment against this, in that, this award is normally presented only to citizens of the Alliance. For this reason, you will be made an honorary citizen of the Alliance in order to receive the award.

"You are hereby granted the title of Sir Fayad Piscium Sai-Ro Knight Member of the Order of the Alliance and are given the distinction of being addressed as 'Sir Fayad Piscium while in Alliance space."

Aurelia picked up a medal from the table and placed it on the prepared hook on Fayad's left breast. The medal was a circle 36mm in diameter with the bronze image of a mounted knight holding a mace. The ribbon was in the colours of the Aurora Borealis of the six Planets of the Alliance, with a wide white stripe down the center. Aurelia shook his hand and gave him a bow.

"Hanalei Anar, please step forward. Hanalei Anar, you are hereby granted honorary citizenship in the Alliance and the title of Dame Member of the Order of the Alliance. You are given the distinction of being addressed as Dame Hanalei Anar or as Lady Hanalei Anar while in Alliance space. Congratulations, Lady Hanalei."

Aurelia picked up a medal the bust of which was similar to her husband's, with a bronze image of a mounted knight holding a mace, the ribbon of which was similar to the Fayad's but with a flourish at the top of it. It was made to be worn by a woman high on her breast as opposed to being court mounted across the chest. Aurelia placed the medal on a hook placed in the appropriate location beside the Presidential Gold Medal for Distinguished Service to the Terran Union she already wore.

"Junelliya Harlen, please step forward. Junelliya Harlen, you were a force of nature that crashed through the Landstradt, pushing away all that obstructed you. While you are a powerful Empath and Telepath, you did not abuse your powers while in the Landstradt, proving the foundations of the Council of Empaths and the Order of Telepaths by your actions.

"Your counsel, both in and out of the Landstradt, led the way forward during a particularly challenging time between the Alliance and the Union, keeping war at bay and leading us toward peace between us.

"For this, you are hereby granted honorary citizenship in the Alliance of Planets and invested as Dame Officer of the Order of the Alliance and are henceforth entitled to be addressed as Dame Junelliya Harlen, or as Lady Junelliya Harlen, while in Alliance space."

Aurelia picked up a medal that, at 42mm, was slightly larger than Fayad's or Hanalei's. The medal itself was silver and showed the relief of a mounted knight holding a sword. The ribbon was as wide as the medal but had two white stripes on either side of it instead of the single white stripe of the others and contained a more embellished flourish at the top. Like Hanalei's, the medal was designed to be worn by a woman high on her left breast. Aurelia placed it on the pre-placed hook next to her Presidential Gold Medal for Distinguished Service to Terran Union and shook Junelliya's hand.

The people in the conference room and those in the Landstradt stood and cheered for the recipients until the Chair asked for the floor.

"Matriarch Aurelia Adenomere, please step forward," the Chair pronounced, surprising Aurelia.

"Aurelia Adenomere, your wise counsel, led the Landstradt forward each time it came to a halt because of the discord it had. You have championed the rights of slaves and brought about a significant and meaningful change in how the Alliance views them.

"You are hereby invested as Dame Commander of the Order of the Alliance and are henceforth entitled to be addressed as Dame Aurelia Adenomere or as Lady Aurelia Adenomere. You were actually the first person designated as a Dame of the Order. But, as your award is higher than those of the others, we had to wait for the end of the ceremony to present it. A grateful alliance thanks you for all that you have done.

"Dame Junelliya, as Dame Officer, you are the next highest rank in the Order of the Alliance. We ask that you, a member of the Order, present this medal to Lady Adenomere," the Chair smiled at Junelliya.

The Chair's aid opened a presentation box that had a large gold medallion with a mounted knight holding a lance embossed on it, mounted on a ribbon in the colours of the Aurora Borealis of the six Planets of the Alliance, meant to be worn around the neck, were three evenly placed white stripes. Then Junelliya pulled it out, opened the clasp, and placed it around Aurelia's neck. It fit perfectly.

Junelliya, Hanalei, and Fayad, came forward for a group hug with Aurelia, while cheering was heard all around them.

"This concludes the ceremony. Thank you for your time," the Chair announced. Stewards came in with a selection of champagne, wine, or juices. However, the ceremony did not degrade into a party atmosphere...

Main Cafeteria, Mike Deck, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

Wilford J. Holloway, the President of the Union, his daughter, Grace Holloway, the Asost >Catal Mutt Herrtt, her mate the Asost <Korme Mutt Goult, the Kumar-Pair, the Kumaraie Na-Maj Se-lam Pod-Raie              and Kumaroe Jarl Se-Lam Pod-Sai-Roe, their three surviving children, the senior Ministers and officials of all of the Interspecies Community, Antoine Liramor and his daughter Annette Liramor, representing Liramor Holdings, François Pallanders, representing Pallanders Shipyard, Dir. Fiona Marsh, her available senior staff, all of the senior officers of her ships, some very curious workers, and of course, the Presidential Press Corps, with Cynthia Stewart, were gathered in the cafeteria on Mike Deck.

The cafeteria had been chosen because of its size. Most of the tables had temporarily been removed for this special session, to allow for the maximum of participants. The event was being imaged and broadcast to the Union.

"Asoc, Asost, Kumaraie and Kumaroe, Chair of the Alliance of Planets and special representatives from the Alliance, senior ministers and senior officials of the Greater Community, thank-you for attending this, the first ever Interspecies Intergovernmental Trade Session.

"We are delighted in the number of contracts that have been made here, not only between the Union and your respective species but also between yourselves and the various other species participating in this event. This event has proved the need for the Interspecies Embassy. I hope that all members of the Greater Community will take advantage of Ard Mheydeh's presence to conduct trade and other talks between the species in future.

"I have been told that our ability to offer a taxi service with our ships, was a major incentive for the various governments to attend. To this end, the Union is purchasing two of four ships that Pallanders was refitting as luxury passenger liners: the SPV Trichord and the SPV Allacia. They will be renamed the Navy Ship Passenger or NSP Trichord and the NSP Allacia.

"These ships are being upgraded to the new Jump-grid FTL technology and will be given to Liramor-23 for transportation purposes between your home worlds and Ard Mheydeh. When finished, they will each be capable to transport more than 325 passengers in an appropriate level of luxury denoting heads of Interspecies Governments and their officials. This will help considerably with the issues of transportation until such time as you are able to construct your own ships as required.

"Liramor-23 will gain new funding from the Union and from Liramor Holdings, which will add to its size, meaning that we will now be able to house more staff for the embassies in an appropriate manner to their rank and distinction. There will also be more VIP accommodation for guests provided during this new construction period.

"Liramor Holdings is in the process of constructing Liramor-31, a new mining platform, which will replace Liramor-23 as the in-system mining facility, allowing Liramor-23 to be dedicated solely to the Interspecies Community. When this occurs, Liramor-23 will then function as a trade and customs hub between the Union and the Greater Community.

"As most of you are now aware, Pallanders Shipyard is in the process of constructing a new orbital shipyard, built with Jump-grid technology, which will allow it to be transported into this system. This shipyard will be used to teach the technicians of the Greater Community how to build the orbital stations and human designed ships that your governments wish to purchase. It will also be used for its intended purpose, to build ships.

"We hope that within a couple of years, you will be able to start construction of your own shipyards to build the new FTL ships you need for your own species' independence.

"The Pod-Drran have agreed to allow their very large ships, their Man-Jays, to be refit for the purposes of becoming expedition vessels for exploration into the Galactic Center. As they do not have FTL capability, it will take some three years for them to arrive in-system. In the meantime, we will be employing technicians from the various species to help in doing what refit we are capable of in transit. This is a long-term process and we do not expect to be able to use these vessels for their new purpose for at least five years.

"We have just completed a Mutual Support Pact with the senior members of the governments of the Greater Community currently here on Liramor-23, which means that the Greater Community will support the mutual requirements of military defence to all member species of the Community. The details of the agreement are classified; however, the members of the Greater Community will support each other against aggressive actions both from within and without the Interspecies Community. This means that the role of the Piscium Defence Force will change significantly.

"Finally, I have good news for Commodore Marsh, the ten Navy ships that functioned as a taxi service for the Interspecies Community, plus eight of the twelve ships that accompanied my mini-fleet, will be assigned to her. That means she will have a fleet of twenty-eight Naval vessels in her charge. Rather heavy for the permanent fleet of a Commodore. Ergo, some changes need to be made.

"ATTENTION TO ORDERS!" The aide to Adm. Ramison called out, bringing all of the military members to attention.

"F-171649-554 Captain (Navy) Bouyé Watt - Commanding NS Wimple, step forward. Captain Whatt, you are hereby ordered to relinquish your command of the Fairling Class Frigate F10735 NS Wimple," the aide ordered.

"Capt. Whatt, I relieve you, sir," Adm. Ramison intoned.

"Sir, I stand relieved," Whatt replied, somewhat surprised as, while he knew his time on the ship was ending, he didn't expect it quite this soon. Ramison took the salute and sent Whatt back to his place in the crowd.

"H-677882-891, Captain (Navy) Malteyea - Civilian Liaison Officer for Liramor-23 step forward. Captain Malteyea, you are hereby ordered to relinquish your position as Civilian Liaison Officer of Liramor-23," the aide ordered.

"Sir, I relieve you," Adm. Ramison said, removing the braid of office from Malteyea's shoulder. "Stay here a moment, captain."

"H-677882-891, Captain (Navy) Malteyea, you are hereby ordered to the Piscium System, where you will assume command of the Fairling Class Frigate F10735 NS WIMPLE," the aide spoke.

"Congratulations, Capt. Malteyea. She is a good ship with a good crew. Serve her well," Ramison said, shaking Malteyea's hand.

A surprised Malteyea posed for pictures and then gave a salute to Ramison and the President, then retreated to stand next to the senior members of his new command.

"A-332457-231 Commander Jane Fillertan, step forward. Commander Fillertan, you are hereby ordered to relinquish your position as Aide-de-camp to Commodore Fiona Marsh."

"Sir, I relieve you," Ramison said as he removed the braid of office from her shoulder.

"I stand relieved, sir," Fillertan returned.

"Don't move, Commander," Ramison ordered.

"A-332457-231 Commander Jane Fillertan, having completed the Senior Commanders School, you are hereby promoted to Captain Navy, substantive, with all duties and privileges provided by such rank." the aide said.

"Congratulation, Captain," the President said as he stepped forward and received the rank from the Admiral's aide and placed it on her right sleeve while the Admiral pinned the captains bars to her left sleeve. She posed for pics with the President and Admiral Ramison and then gave a salute.

"Once again I would ask you to remain, Captain," Ramison smiled.

"A-332457-231 Captain Jane Fillertan, you are hereby ordered to the Piscium System, where you will assume the duties of Civilian Liaison Officer for Liramor-23."

Ramison gestured to Fiona, who came forward and pinned the Liaison Officer's braid to Jane's shoulder. "Congratulations, Captain," Fiona smiled as she shook Jane's hand and took the salute." Once again Jane posed for pics, this time with Fiona, Adm. Ramison, and the President.

"S-118938-117, Commodore Fiona Marsh, Commanding the Piscium Defence Force, step forward. You are hereby ordered to relinquish your position as Commander of the Piscium Defence Force."

"Sir, I relieve you," Ramison spoke to Fiona, surprising her completely.

"Sir, I stand relieved," Fiona replied. "Please step back for a brief moment, Commodore," the President spoke.

"F-171649-554 Captain (Navy) Bouyé Watt, step forward." Watt was directed to stand before the President.

"F-171649-554 Captain (Navy) Bouyé Whatt, having completed the Senior Officers Command (Flag) Course, you are hereby promoted Commodore substantive, with all duties and privileges provided by such rank." Whatt had completed the Flag course before he had taken command of the Wimple, he was pleased to finally be promoted.

The President and Adm. Ramison swapped out Bouyé's rank with that of Commodore's stars and posed with him for pics.

"F-171649-554 Commodore Bouyé Watt, you are hereby ordered to the Piscium System, where you will take command of the Piscium Defence Force," the aide said.

A table was brought forward with papers on it, and the ceremonial sword of office for the Command of the Piscium System placed before Fiona. Fiona, Ramison, and Bouyé signed documents for the transfer of powers. Fiona picked up the sword of office and passed it to Adm. Ramison. He in turn passed it to Commodore Whatt.

Bouyé pulled the sword from its sheath, saluted Fiona, turned and saluted the President, sheathed the sword and placed it back on the table. Everyone posed for pictures.

"Commodore Fiona Marsh, step forward."

Fiona was directed to step in front of the President.

"S-118938-117, Commodore Fiona Marsh, it is the decision of President Wilford. J. Holloway, confirmed by the Military Oversight Committee, that you are to be promoted Vice Admiral and placed in charge of a new Sector of Command that will have its headquarters in the Piscium System. This Command will be designated as Sector Fifty-Nine and will have the responsibility to support the military needs of the Greater Community," the aide said.

The President and the Admiral added two stars to each of Fiona's sleeves.

Ramison, the President, and Fiona sat at a small table where documents of the transfer of power were placed. All three signed the documents.

Ramison rose to speak. "There is only one thing left to make this command official." His aide then passed him a baton.

Ramison passed the baton to the President, who passed it to Fiona. Fiona accepted the baton and saluted the President, then passed it back to the aide. The group posed for images.

"Two last items, please," the President said.

"L-134251-223 Captain (Navy) Émilia Pétillante, step forward. Captain Pétillante, you are hereby ordered to the Piscium System where you will take up the duties of Aide-de-Camp for S-118938-117 Vice Admiral Fiona Marsh."

Ramison's aide passed a new Aide-de-camp braid to Fiona, who had stepped forward to pin it to the shoulder of her new aide. She took her salute and stepped back, her new aide now one pace behind and to the left of her.

"G-445523-332 Cdr. Philaya, step forward. Cdr. Philaya, you are ordered to the Piscium System where you will assume the duties of Aide-de-camp to F-171649-554 Cmdre. Bouyé Watt."

Cmdre. Whatt stepped forward and took the braid for the Aide-de-camp passed to him by Ramison's aide. He pinned it on Philaya's shoulder, who gave him a salute and then took her place one pace to his left rear.

"From this point forward, VAdm. Marsh, you will be responsible for your own senior officers promotions," Ramison laughed.

On that, the party started with many a toast to those who had just been promoted.

***********

Fiona was in a small group of people that included the President and his daughter, The Asoc and her mate, the Kumar-Pair, Adm. Ramison, Cmdre Whatt, Cdr. Philaya, Capt. Jane Fillertan, and her own aide-de-camp, Capt. Pétillante, and the ever present reporter, Cynthia Stewart.

"I was surprised when you said 'Vice Admiral' sir," Fiona told the President and Ramison.

"Not such a surprise, Fiona," Ramison replied for the both of them. "Above the rank of Commodore, most promotions are pretty much of a political nature, as are the posts themselves. This post is definitely of a political nature and there are only a couple of people that could oversee it.

"Having said that, you are the one known factor out here. The Greater Community is comfortable with you here as the Director of Liramor-23, so you automatically became the primary candidate as Sector Commander.

"The rank of Vice Admiral is necessary because of the fact that you are now running a new Sector. VAdm. is the minimum rank required to run a Sector. Ergo, you are now a VAdm.

"It is not unusual for candidates to skip a rank at this level as the best candidate for the job is the one that is placed in that job. Most times, we get it right and place the right person for the job at the right time. Sometimes we royally screw up and that person bombs out, making those who promoted him/her look bad. Don't make us look bad, Fiona," Ramison finished with a smile.

That got a good-natured chuckle from the group.

"I don't think we made a poor choice for Commander of the Piscium Defence Force," the President chimed in, looking directly at Cmdre. Whatt. "You have the pre-requisite knowledge of the area and have been involved with almost every battle that has taken place here. Like Fiona and her political acumen, the knowledge you have made you the ideal candidate for this command."

"Hear, hear," Ramison said, raising his glass, the others following his lead.

"One other thing, Fiona, we are going to take The Valour from you," the President said. "In its place, you will receive the first of the Valour II Class. It is based on The Trine Class, so will be slightly larger than what you are used to. As well, the traditional cargo hold of the Trine Class, now has additional, temporary accommodation in it for six new members of your crew.

"Like the Valour Class, The Valour II Class can be staffed by a crew of ten, there are normally fifteen quarters for crew. With the six new quarters, you now have the capacity for twenty-one crew, which means you now have the means by which you can train members of the Greater Community on the ship class, as part of your crew. You should request immediate listings for crew from the Greater Community, for those who are purchasing the Trine Class as high end models," the President said with a smile looking pointedly at the Asoc and the Kumar-Pair.