understanding.
“But we chose you.”
Re’Vahl’s eyebrows rose.
“We are offering you the position of Lieutenant Commander. Promoting you from your Elite Squad to take your place among us. You will not continue with your other assignments as Ba Re’ does. You will be a full time Lieutenant Commander of Command Warship 1. You will train beside myself, General Lo’San, and Lieutenant Commander Ba Re’ Non Tol, should you agree to take the promotion,” Zha Quin said.
Re’Vahl forgot to keep his eyes pinned to the wall, he was looking Zha Quin in the eye as he listened to him speak.
“It is not only your exemplary record that brought you to our attention. It is your Elite skill set, your natural gift of leadership, and your natural even temper and good nature that make you perfect to rise to the position we offer among our leadership of this ship,” Lo'San said.
Re’Vahl sat there, shock evident on his face. “Thank you, Sir,” he finally managed.
“Or, you could refuse and return to your position of Elite Warrior. It will not count against your career if you choose to remain with your current team,” Ba Re’ said.
“No, Sir!” Re’Vahl exclaimed, getting to his feet and pounding his arm crosswise against his chest. “With all due respect and appreciation, Sirs, I will accept the position you offer!” he declared, once again staring at the wall between them.
Zha Quin smiled at Ba Re’, then Lo'San. He stood up and leaned toward Re’Vahl. “Then look here, Lieutenant Commander Re’Vahl!”
Re’Vahl snapped his gaze to Zha Quin's.
“You are a Commander in training of Command Warship 1. Stop behaving as an enlisted warrior.”
Re’Vahl grinned. “Yes, Sire. Thank you, Sire,” he said, unable to stop his smile while he looked Zha Quin in the eye.
“Go to your quarters, gather your things, and take them to General Lo’San’s quarters. “They will be yours from now on. They are small, but they are private quarters,” Zha Quin ordered.
“Yes, Sire.”
“Go to the supply room, and have them issue your new uniforms. You start tomorrow. Lo'San is on duty. You will mirror his schedule this week. Next week, you mirror mine, and then you’ll train with Ba Re’,” Quin said. We’ll continue this schedule until you are fully capable of commanding this ship on your own.”
“Yes, Sire. Thank you, Sire,” Re’Vahl said, excitedly.
Zha Quin slammed his arm against his own chest in the Cruestaci form of salute, Re’Vahl did the same in answer, and followed suit with both Ba Re’ and Lo'San.
“You have today to say your goodbyes to your team, and to prepare yourself for your new position. Do you have any questions?”
“No, Sire. None at all. Thank you for the opportunity, Sirs,” Re’Vahl said.
“You’ve earned it, Lieutenant Commander,” Zha Quin said, smiling at the male.
“You are dismissed until you start your new position tomorrow,” Lo'San said.
“Thank you, General Lo’San,” Re’Vahl said, smiling and giving another little salute.
Re’Vahl turned and left the conference room, and just as the doors slid closed behind him, he let out a shout of celebration.
Zha Quin, Ba Re’, and Lo'San all laughed when they heard his shout.
“I’d say he’s excited,” Ba Re’ said.
~~~
The next day Zha Quin sat in the same conference room he had the day before when offering Re’Vahl a promotion to Commander of the Command Warship 1. Only now he was speaking with the mate of his second in command.
“I am not sure this is a good thing, Sink Lar,” Zha Quin said, sitting at the head of the conference table in the small meeting room he used for private discussions and small meetings.
“I know that each time Lo'San discusses his family, reminisces about his brother, he gets this wistful look in his eye. He’d even admitted to me that he’d forgotten how much he missed his brother,” Synclare explained.
“I am sure he does, yet this is not just his brother,” Zha Quin answered.
“I know. But I thought it may be best for them to be reintroduced here, on his familiar territory, his home, rather than a world he chose to leave. At least he’d have the upper hand. If they cross a line, and he decides they are no longer welcome here, he can send them away. In their world, he’s kind of stuck until he can get transport out,” Synclare said.
“That much is true. And we have become more of a diplomatic envoy versus the war ship we once were,” Zha Quin said thoughtfully.
“Exactly. For many reasons, this ship has come to be thought of as an