The Three of Us

Part 5 - Backup Plans

"All hands, this is the captain. There will be a general meeting in the cafeteria. Attendance is mandatory, with the exception of a skeleton crew on the Bridge, Doctor Phlox and Crewman Shapiro. This means, I am sorry, but the night shift has to be there as well. The meeting is in one hour. Thank you."

In the galley, Will suggested, "Let's get some snacks together. Maybe pretzels and soft drinks."

"Do you know what this is about, Will?" Craig asked.

"I do."

"Wanna tell us?" asked Brian.

"Not a chance, Del."

=/\=

The cafeteria was packed, as was to be expected – standing room only. Tracey got a seat and proceeded to feed her daughter to try to keep the child quiet.

Brian and Craig had pushed all of the chairs to the walls and removed most of the tables. They had insisted that Lili not help with that. Instead, she busied herself with putting out the snacks on the few remaining tables.

The captain stood in the center of the room. "Do we have the feeds to the Bridge, Engineering and Sick Bay?" he asked Hoshi.

"Just a second. Ah, there." There were a few monitors in the cafeteria and there was a split screen. Phlox and Ethan Shapiro were in Sick Bay. Karin Bernstein-Rosen was again in command, with Patti Socorro piloting, Diana Jones at the Science station and Lucas Donnelly at Tactical. There was one MACO with them, Neil Kemper. The scene of Engineering just showed the Rostovs. Their daughter Valleri was in a basket nearby.

"All right," Jonathan announced, "I would like to see everyone at a commander rank, in the middle of the room."

T'Pol and Tripp walked to the middle of the room. "And a salute to Doctor Phlox, of course, who is our other ranking commander on board. For exemplary service, in the face of adversity," the captain said, "I hereby promoted Charles Tucker III to the rank of full commander, with all the inherent rights and privileges that accompany said rank."

"Congratulations," T'Pol said quietly to her husband.

"Thank you," Tripp replied. The two of them returned to their seats.

Jonathan said, "I'd like to see the Lieutenant Commanders now." Malcolm and Will stood up. "For exemplary service, I hereby promote Malcolm Reed to the rank of commander." He pinned an extra clip on Malcolm's uniform.

"Sir, I scarcely know what to say. Thank you." Will shook Malcolm's hand as they went back to the sides of the room.

"I'd like to see the Ensigns now," Jonathan called out. This time, it was more people. "In, uh, in alphabetical order, by last name."

They arranged themselves in order, and he had to remind himself that Jennifer was now MacKenzie and not Crossman, and that Tracey was Tiburón and no longer Carter. And so, in order, he said their names. "Ensign Felicity Reese Forbes, Ensign Sterling Hutchinson, Ensign Derek Kelby, Ensign Aidan MacKenzie, Ensign Jennifer Crossman MacKenzie, Ensign Chandler Masterson, Ensign Travis Mayweather, Ensign Charlotte Lilienne O'Day, Ensign Hoshi Sato, and Ensign Tracey Carter Tiburón." Tracey adjusted little Amanda in her arms.

"For exemplary service, I hereby promote Hoshi Sato, Travis Mayweather and Aidan MacKenzie to the rank of lieutenant commander." This time, the congratulations came in the form of hugs and kisses.

Lili returned to the side of the room and noticed she was near Malcolm. "Congratulations," she whispered.

"It was wholly unexpected," he replied. "But I thank you just the same."