Chapter 4

[LGN_Antillies]

Ramius Antillies waited just outside the blast doors that opened onto the bridge of the Imperial frigate Chinook. Ramius wore his full dress uniform: pressed gray tunic and matching trousers, trimmed hair, polished boots, buckles, code cylinders, and rank insignia. He was dressed this way because it was a happy occasion, not for him personally, but for a member of his crew. The kid had earned what Ramius was giving him, he really had. He was an excellent officer: smart, witty, humorous, loyal, friendly, and, when the situation dictated for it, serious.
When Ramius had informed the kid about what was going to happen, the kid had just smiled but Ramius could tell he was ecstatic. Ramius knew how the kid had felt; Ramius had been there, too. So now as Ramius waited outside the bridge, he checked his chrono: 1798 Hours. Ramius took a deep breath to clear his head and took the first step onto the bridge.
Four files, sixteen ranks each, of Stormtroopers immaculately clad in white armor snapped to attention with a unison click of plastic on the durasteel deck. Each trooper remained rigid as Ramius made his way down the bridge causeway and across the crew pit. Waiting for him at the end of the walkway was Commodore Mike Mar and Ensign Nick Fewrfreyut. The Ensign stood at attention and the Commodore smiled warmly as Ramius approached.
Ramius snapped off a salute, which the Commodore returned, and turned toward the Ensign.
“At ease, Ensign,” Ramius said.
Fewr, as Fewrfreyut came to known, relaxed, but only slightly and he was still tense in the shoulders.
“Ensign Nick Fewrfreyut of the Imperial Navy is hereby promoted to Sub-Lieutenant and elevated to the position of First Officer aboard the frigate Chinook.”
The Commodore brought from behind his back a velvet case. He popped the top open to reveal a sub-lieutenant’s rank insignia, a two-by-two rectangle with two red sections above two blue ones. Ramius unpinned Fewr’s Ensign insignia, replaced the sub-lieutenant’s with it, and pinned his new one on his uniform.
Fewr was grinning ear to ear and saluted. Ramius returned the salute and shook Fewr’s hand. “Congratulations, Sub-Lieutenant.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Fewr and the Commodore exchange congratulations and Ramius turned back toward the rifle company. “Ceremony detail dismissed.”
The Stormtroopers, again in unison, did a corresponding right or left face, and marched off the bridge.

Score: 2