Fleet Opening Mission: To Our Future

[Steve Malloway]

STARBASE THRINACIA
Main Gallery
1825 hours

It was a sight worth waiting for. Connor seemed to have done a fantastic job at preparing the Main Gallery for the evening's festivities - one Steve would make sure he was noted for. The joys of a speech; how he loathed them. But, he'd made sure to keep it simple this time.

At the head of the Gallery was a long rectangular table for the heads of the Fleet; Fleet CO, Fleet XO, Fleet Chief of Staff, Fleet Department Directors; all in all about 15 seats that sat behind the back to look out upon the others. Steve had made sure Connor had a seat by his side as the effort he'd put in warranted a seat at the front where he could be recognised, and he'd also sent a personal message to the Galley and table-staff to add in a place for the newly arrived Ambassador Ornixen. The rest of the tables were round, with glistening white tablecloths to sit between 6 and 8 depending on the size of table. No seating plan was set; Steve had decided the attendees would all be old enough not to squabble... That and he was sure they all knew that if they did - he wouldnt be too pleased about it. Especially when a few bloodwine was down his throat. It was a picture-perfect setting with the spreads of flowers and other decorations across the vast amount of table-tops, flags hanging from the ceiling marking many of the nearby colonies to Thrinacia, and at the very head of the Gallery, above the head table, was the obvious - the Federation Flag in all her glory.

Steve couldnt take his eyes from that mighty flag, deliberately bigger than the others. With no breeze inside it simply sat still, no waving or flopping or anything as it hung perfectly. Looking upon it made the Admiral feel immensly proud to be in the position he held, even more so knowing that so many people would be looking on the same scene in but a mere 30 minutes.

"Fleet Admiral?"

Steve turned as he heard a voice approach from behind and they passed him a padd. "Thats Admiral, Ensign. Not quite that higher-a-big-cheese." He winked, pressing his thumb to the authorisation box in the lower left of the small screen. The Ensign merely smiled slightly in embarrassment and turned and walked away. As they did, Steve allowed himself to turn completely on the spot to look out over the room again, smiling in delight at the setup. Couldnt have asked for a more beautiful setting for such an occassion. He thought to himself, stopping his gaze at the window out across towards the Nebula on the far reaches. He could just make out the mass of Runabouts pulling the Gateway slowly closer, on course and time for the official unveiling in about 50 minutes time. First a gathering a mingeling at 1900, then everyone sits for the small speech. Then the Gateway in her glory.

Polished off with drinking, dancing, and of course the vurluptuous 'several-course' meal that was to follow.

TAG: ANYONE - let us get this party started