change of command

Posted on Thu Jan 29th, 2026 @ 1:02am by Captain Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Captain Xavier Carey & Commander Rutherford (RJ) Milton & Lieutenant Commander Tony Johnson & Lieutenant Commander Etan tar-Lexros & Lieutenant Jacen Rendar & Lieutenant Talsi Carey & Lieutenant Sky Carey

Mission: Those who are left behind

"You should have talked to me first." Toni said when Xavier and she were finally alone. "And to your wives as well. This is not fair, you gave us no choice to argue you out of this."

"Ever hear of a fathers sacrifice. If what I get is valuable this can help us."

"Nothing can be worth kids growing up without a father. Nothing." Toni snarled.

"If I can help information that may lead to an advantage. Thats best for the kids. Thats best for all kids." Xavier replied. Looking at the big picture is something I have to do. Its not just my family. But everyones. Gather a staff meeting, its time to introduce them to the new Captain."

"Yes sir." Toni said not even realizing they were now the same rank.

"I will be at the conference room within a half hour." Xavier walked out onto his bridge. For what would be his final bridge duty for now. It would be brief, until everyone arrived to the conference room

[Bridge]

"Captain on the Bridge." Milton followed procedure by announcing the obvious. "All is well, ship Status normal Captain."

Giving a slight smile, he nodded for him to take the seat beside him, and sat in the center seat. Possibly for the last time in a while.

Milton went back a ways with the Captain; he had walked a wife down the Aisle during a wedding Ceremony; he is also considered family; both ways, with all involved. This gave an observant man like the 'Doc' insights into the man and his expressions. The look on the face of the Captain was a warning; the man wanted the Bridge Duty and Milton would be relieved.

Becoming aware of a pending staff meeting

Sky followed Xavier onto the bridge but wasn’t her usual ray of sunshine self as she offered Milton a brief smile.

Having completed his meeting with Lt Carey, both she and Jacen made their way onto the Bridge and then towards the conference room itself.


** Meeting**

Toni was the first one in and she stood in a corner looking absolutely miserable sporting her new rank tabs.

Walking into the meeting room Sky’s eyes met those of Tony showing she was feeling pretty much the same inside, though her well practiced Counsellors mood control kept her from showing just how much Xavier’s departure was upsetting her it was purely visible from the bags under her eyes. “Hello Captain” she offered Tony a brief smile before taking her seat.

Walking into the conference room, Jacen nodded to everyone as he made his entrance. "Counsellor, always good to see you," he said as he saw Sky was already there.

Noticing someone else in the corner of the room, Jacen slowly walked over and went to introduce himself: "Hello there. I'm Lt Jacen Rendar, returning to the resolution after some time away," he said, offering his hand, before noticing that he was talking to Toni.

"Toni? Captain? Wow, I have some catching up to do," Jacen said. "Congratulations are in order, surely?"

“They are, and you'll see why soon enough” Sky offered her friend. “Welcome back Jacen.”

"Thank you, I know its been a while buit I'm glad to be back abaord, a lot has gone on, obviouly here and also with the war itself. Being back on board feels like being back home again," Jacen explained.

The door opened Tony Johnson entered the room. Going from Strategic Operations to Intelligence had been a bit of change, but nothing to difficult to get used. Over the last day, since the switch, the Commander had been going over several reports that had been sent over to him. Smiling at Toni who now wore Captain pips, he nodded. "Congratulations Captain."

"Thank you." She mumbled again but stayed leaning in the corner sipping her drink. She just did not feel very sociable right now.

Milton entered the room, Pix had caught up to him via the ducting to the bridge, fluttering to rest on his shoulder as he entered; her timing was impeccable as always. She had on a shimmering long dress that is more formal than her usual.

Milton was neither moved nor surprised by Pix, it is a natural, they had a connection that spanned further than most understood. Her glow was ,muted but brilliant; her inner peace while being with him seemed to accent his posture and demeanor rather than draw away from it. His kind expression and subtle grin as he approached the table seat he normally occupied.

Greetings." He said simply to those attending. "Always good to see familiar faces."

Sky smiled warmly at Rutherford, pulling herself out of her own mood, she wanted to congratulate Rutherford on his promotion to First Officer whilst Xavier was away, but she wasn’t sure if all were aware so she would congratulate him after the briefing.

There were few secrets on a Starship from a skilled Ops officer, even one who'd been spending most of his time off-shift at a remote SCE conference. He had been listening in to catch the newest updates and upgrades. His own work on the Jem'hadar weapons was noted and he'd been called on to speak twice. He was still aware when the promotions hit his desk. The new rank pips needed to be fabbed, the data transfer for Captain Carey needed to have the man's service and private duty files updated (the medical file would be, of course, left to Dr. Rutherford, to be added to the payload when they transmitted), as well as registering the new promotion for Captain Stoffels and the subsequent position changes for the Doctor and the medical staff. Unlike most people in his position, Etan didn't feel slighted or upset at the choice of XO. He wasn't ready to change his role so drastically - he'd probably have refused the promotion unless there was no other option. As Second Officer, he was able to mind his department and speak with confidence to the command staff of the ship. As First Officer, he'd feel lost and helpless all over again. Hell, the promotion he'd recently received was about where he was happy as well. He glanced around the place, looking for Kay or others who weren't inherently caught up in this situation - he didn't imagine Talsi or Sky would be in a good mood, after all.

After a moment, he realized that he had to take the bull by the horns. His responsibility was still the smooth operation of the Starship; which included the personnel - even the Captain. The Efrosian walked over to Tony and handed her a PADD, speaking in a quiet voice. There was an added weight to the moment - but it was still very much the same kind of report he had given her a hundred times before. "Executive summary of ship's systems function and departments on the PADD, sir. All sections have reported in. We're in general readiness, and we have the means to convert for more focused mission needs while at space."

It was a small thing, giving her the same style of report as he'd given before. Etan was a man who understood and respected the value of routine; his and others'. It sent a simple message - things were changing, but there was stability behind Tony. The operational status of the ship was certain. And, if he had any say in the matter, Etan would move heaven and earth to make sure that the ship's routines (including Tony's) could be maintained. She was the Captain now, and while that meant one less person to look to for guidance, it meant that the whole of the ship and her complement were ready to act as a single unit, as force-multipliers to transmute her word into law. Some things changed - but the important things in the world stayed the same. With the report received, he went to the briefing table and sat quietly in his appointed place, a second PADD in hand, ready to give reports or make notes.

Toni was very uncomfortable right now but she smiled a grateful smile at Etan. "Thanks guys, but Xavier is still here and that means that for me he is still our captain and he should be joining us any minute now."

Etan nodded when Toni (gently) admonished him that Captain Carey was still on the ship. He didn't quite make eye contact (as usual), but obviously was clearly aware of her meaning. His voice was quiet, just between the two of them. "Acknowledged, sir. Just a standard Operations report before the briefing." He was obviously downplaying his reports and the meaning of it.

"Oh yes of course, greatly appreciated, commander." Toni managed a broader smile. She did not want the younger man to think he had done anything wrong when he had not.

"I believe the tradition is until the Command Codes are given from One Captain to the successor, Xavier is the Captain." Milton agreed with Toni. "The tradition has yet to pass to the New Command Chain."

Pix remained steady in her soft glow, not hinting and hue towards red as yet, Xavier was part of 'Her' Family same as Toni and Sky.

Sky was wishing the meeting would get underway, her Counsellor’s demeanour would only hide her true emotions for so long, she was still coming down from the hormone drop off after pregnancy and it wasn’t helping.

==Bridge==

With most everyone already in the meeting, and noticing Admiral Ross walk out of the ready room. He stood and joined the admiral heading towards the meeting room. "Everything ready Admiral."

"Affirmative. Within five minutes, You will officially be transferred to the intelligence division."

"That will get me the information I need right none of this black tape." Xavier replied. Intel wasn't something he liked, it was familial, but his family dealt with the anything goes kinda deal, didn't matter who got hurt in the process.

"As you requested."

Xavier nodded. "Thank you." He simply replied as he walked through the doors into the meeting.

==Meeting==

Upon his entrance, he looked around, noticing they were all there. Walking over to his seat at the end of the table. Before he stopped himself. First thing was first.

"Before we go ahead with this meeting, a few things need to be brought up. Obviously, you know of my transfer, which may or may not be permanent. But I am going to say right here, right now. In some form, I will be back to the ship." He turned to the window walking up to it. "It feels just like yesterday when I came onboard the ship as Commander, within our first mission, I became Captain. Now its the time for someone else. As I am sure in time... someone else will take her place."

TAG

"Before its official, there are a few things, I want to say. One, even though this galaxy class starship, given its size can hold hundreds of people, thousands in an emergency. I have come to think of each and everyone of my crew as an extension of my family. Some departing, some returning. Others... being the black sheep. But still. A family none the less. Given the time of war, its even more important to lean on one another. We will lose people, thats a fact. A cold hard fact. But we will have each other. You will have each other." He turned to the table once again. "Which is why, it is my honor to complete this transfer of commission of the Resolution to your new Commanding Officer. Captain Antonia Stoffels. Her first officer, whom I believe will insist on trying to do double duty given his reputation. " Taking out another small box. "Commander Milton Rutherford. Or if he wants to remain being called, Doc RJ." He knew the doc had just gotten the position of second officer. But this was by far the worst time to bring someone in new for the Captain. Someone she trusted and knew would be best not only for her, but for the ship as a whole. Given the whole Intellgence fiasco they just got rid of. That and there was one on the outside he trusted more to bring in.

"It would be my Honor to support 'Captain Stoffels as First Officer." Milton replied with calm demeanor.

TAG

"Now lets get this over with. Captain if you stand." He replied gesturing for her to come up."

With obvious reluctance Toni walked to her captain. This was the moment it was truly happening and after that there was no way back.

"To Captain Xavier Carey, Commanding Officer USS Resolution, stardate 51278.50. You are hereby requested and required to relinquish command of your vessel to Captain Antonia Stoffels, First Officer USS Resolution as of this date. Signed, Admiral William Ross, Starfleet Command. Computer, transfer all command codes to Captain Antonia Stoffels. Voice authorisation, Carey Quebec Delta."

"Transfer Complete, USS Enterprise now under command of Captain Antonia Stoffels."

"I have the bridge, sir." She said through her tears. "You stand reliieved, captain Carey."

"I stand relieved." He gave a smile before extanding a hand. "Keep her in one piece Captain."

Toni gripped her hand and then did something that had been abolished in starfleet for centuries. She came to attention and saluted.

"I believe your first officer is a little under dressed." Xavier replied hand her the box. "Make sure you fix that immediately."

Milton; for his part, came to attention and followed suit saluting Xavier.

Etan sat stiffly at the table, PADD in hand. He watched as the transfer processed through the computer. It felt to him like the ship had become a body, and every nerve was being touched with this change in command as it rolled down the list. Command codes - check. Voice recognition - check. Automated hail commands - check. Everything was in order, and Etan silently nodded, his eyes away from the crew and focused on the systems around them.

Toni pinned the new tabs on RJ's collar and gave Pix a grin as she did so. "Congratulations, XO." She said after she finished.

"Ours is to serve." Bothe Miltond and pix upon his shoulder gave Tini the respect of her becoming Captain. "It should be a fun adventure."

Pix giggled; the sound of bells ringing, her agreement.