Return of the Bastet

[Tenacity]

After a brief discussion among the High Command members, Captain Thompson stepped to the podium once more to deliver their judgement on the Bastet's former crew.

"A decision has been made regarding the sentencing of the crew. Commander Mathews and Sub-Commander Keyes, please step forward."

He paused as the two highest ranking members of the crew stepped in front of the rest, "The both of you have been exiled to Liberty space. You will both receive neural wipes to prevent any sensitive information from being revealed to potential enemies. A shuttle will transport you to the Texas system via Rheinland space at 0700 hours tomorrow morning, under the guise of refugees of the war."

The two returned to the line, quite obviously distraught at what was to become of them. Having your memories zapped away by neural wipe was not a pleasant experience... their entire period of service to The Order would be gone in an instant. Thompson looked down at the list in his hands before continuing, "Lieutenant Sarah Morris and Doctor Winston Giovanni will be given transport to Bretonian space. As the two of you are not permitted access to secure Order datafiles, a memory wipe will not be necessary."

He looked further down the line, "Major Damien Brown, you will be returned to Corsair space. Arrangements will be made to have you returned to your former position as an Engineering Officer aboard the Dreadnaught Calypso."

After a short pause, he addressed the rest of the crew, all of lower rankings, "The rest of you will receive a one rank demotion, and will be assigned to planetside or stationary operations until it is deemed you are ready for shipboard assignments once more. Guards, please escort the crew to their quarters."

One of the High Command members motioned at Thompson, and handed him another list. Thompson returned to the Podium to give the announcement.

"The Carrier Bastet will be refit and recommissioned as a Deep Space Reconaissance, Research, and Support Vessel. It's repairs should be completed within two days at Evora Shipyard. The following command crew have been assigned to the Bastet upon it's departure..."

"As it's Commanding Officer, the Bastet will be run by Commander Kaylee Staite, the youngest recognized warship Commander within the Order. Commander Staite has been aknowledged to excel in the areas of research, strategic command, and diplomacy. The Bastet will be her first Command... congratulations Ms. Staite."

---

Kaylee, watching the conference from Toledo's bar via holo-vid, dropped the glass she was drinking from. It shattered across the floor as she stared dumbfounded at the screen. Several of the off-duty officers around her, along with the bartender, gave her a round of applause at the assignment.

The bartender smiled at her, disregarding the dropped drink. "Have another, on the house Commander. Congratulations on your new command." He filled another glass and slid it down the bar to her.

Still staring at the screen, blank-faced in shock, Kaylee shifted her eyes to the bartender to reply, "I... I've never commanded a ship before! I dont even know what to do..."

One of the nearby captains patted her on the back, "Dont worry Kay, it aint as hard as it looks. You'll have plenty of command crew there to help you out, enjoy it!"

[i]"T...Thanks, I hope you're right..."

---

Thompson continued down the list, "Sub-Commander Christopher Bourne will be assigned as second in command and XO of the Bastet. Bourne has received recognition in the areas of aggressive negotiations and fleet combat command, and will be transferred from his current position as tactical officer aboard the Gunship Borealis."

"Lieutenant Michael King will serve as the ship's Chief Tactical Officer, Lieutenant Jason Mercer as the Chief Control Officer, and Major Jacob Thomas as the Chief Engineering Officer. Crewmen assignments will be sent out within the next twenty-four hours. The Bastet is scheduled for launch in seventy-two hours, and will receive it's first field assignment after that time."

Thompson looked back at the High Command members, and they nodded one after the other, getting up to leave the room, "This court martial conference is ajourned."

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