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 <center>'''[[Richards, Alexander/Professional History#Current Assignment|Return]]'''</center>
+<h1 style="margin:0; background:#0F4D92; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #F0E68C; text-align:center; color:#ffffff; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">A Brief Pause</h1>
+'''((Bridge - USS Gemini))'''
+'''::''' The sight of the away team returning filled the screen bringing much relief to all present on the bridge. This mission had been destined to be difficult from the moment they received their orders. With the Klingons gone, there were certainly now more questions than answers, all of which would probably be asked time and time again by the admiralty over the coming months and possibly years. Alexander placed his hand to his mouth as he yawned. Allowing himself a brief moment to relax. It had been one of those days. A long shift that had worked his mind to its absolute limits and beyond. Soon he would be able to get some much needed rest. Lieutenant Driscoll contacted him breaking him momentarily from his daydream. '''::'''
+'''Driscoll: =/\=''' Astrometrics to Lieutenant Richards. We also monitored that the Klingons warped out and disappeared from our sensors. However, we put all the data we got from that Bird of Prey together including the readings of its warp configuration. '''=/\='''
+'''Richards: oO''' Outstanding. '''Oo =/\=''' Excellent work Lieutenant. Can you send the data up to the bridge. I would like to go over it. '''=/\='''
+'''Driscoll: =/\=''' Yes, Sir. Sending it to Starfleet might help other ships as well to trace down that specific Bird of Prey. '''=/\='''
+'''Richards: oO''' Considering this, to my knowledge is her first posting as a science officer, she's done a damned fine job. '''Oo =/\=''' A wise thought Lieutenant. I shall discuss it with Commander Frost once we are safe, well and underway. '''=/\='''
+'''::''' Alexander could hear Lieutenant Rejock in the background. Both officers had done well and Alexander was humbled to be able to lead two fantastic scientific minds. He hoped with the utmost sincerity that the others in his department he had yet to meet were even half as good as them. '''::'''
+'''Driscoll: =/\=''' Should be on your console any second, Sir. '''=/\='''
+'''Richards: =/\=''' I have it Lieutenant. You and Lieutenant Rejock should finish up down there and get some well deserved and hard earned rest. Richards out. '''=/\='''
+'''Tracy:''' Sir, the Wyoming is signalling that they have a transfer order for us.
+'''::''' New arrivals. Something the Gemini was in desperate need of. He hoped that the ships chief Engineer would be amongst those joining. A ship without a chief, was like a fish out of water. That being said, he did not relish the idea of explaining to the chief Engineer just how he had managed to cause so much damage to the deflector systems, the replicators and the holodecks. Hopefully they would understand why the actions leading to that damage were taken. Taking a brief look at his LCARS panel, he was able to ascertain that during the chaos the replicators had been fixed. It was little comfort but progress was progress and not to be snorted at or looked down upon. '''::'''
+'''Frost:''' Acknowledge and prepare to receive them.
+'''Tracy:''' Aye, sir.
+'''::''' Alexander was now almost in a world of his own. Autopilot if you would. He continued to monitor his department from his bridge station whilst also keeping an eye on various reports coming up to the bridge. The Crew were doing an outstanding job in keeping the Gemini running. Alexander was about to browse the files on the incoming crews when Liam broke his focus. To be honest, the statement puzzled him. '''::'''
+'''Frost:''' Alex, do me a favour and join me in my ready room.
+'''Richards: oO''' I'm either in trouble or getting a pat on the back. I'm hoping for the latter but given my past history, wouldn't be surprised if it was the former. '''Oo'''
+'''::''' Locking down his station, he carefully moved his chair away and turned for the Captain's ready room. His chair was incredibly mobile but it was still slow. Liam reached his room long before Alexander and walked in. Alex took one last look at the view screen which was now focused on the Hermes before passing through the door into the captains ready room. Before he could even announce his arrival Liam asked him a question. '''::'''
+'''Frost:''' Can I get you anything?
+'''Richards:''' Yes sir. Lunarian Lychee Tea with a hint of lemon.
+'''::''' The replicated tea never tasted the same as a home brew but in space one made do with what was available. It didn't taste terrible at least, unlike some attempts at various foods and beverages the replicator produced. Accepting the drink, he took a sip and screwed his face up. Too much lemon. He would have to look into altering the replicators memory banks to try to improve the recipe. Finally moving over to the desk Liam had positioned himself at, Alexander took another few sips of his tea. This time the involuntary reaction was a lot less noticeable. Commander Frost spoke from behind his desk. '''::'''
+'''Frost:''' I'd invite you to have a seat, but...
+'''Richards: oO''' If I had a strip of latinum for every time someone said that.. '''Oo ::''' smiling. '''::''' I am already sitting. Or at least something along those lines.
+'''Frost:''' So when you were transferred over, Captain Rogers included reports on all the officers he sent me. Yourself included.
+'''Richards: oO''' Here we go. I wonder how much of the information in that report is classified, given my relatively short but incredibly active time under Captain Rogers. '''Oo''' I'm listening Commander.
+'''Frost:''' It seems you and I have similar histories when it comes to our duties.
+'''::''' Truth be told, Alexander hadn't read up much on his CO outside of his name, rank, serial number and his place of birth. Both men were from Tycho although Liam was several years younger than Alexander. Interestingly enough, Alexander had grown use to the fact that he might at points in his career be stationed under higher ranking officers that were younger than him. In his eyes, age did not matter as long as the officer could do their job. The previous 48 hours proved to Alexander that Starfleet Command hadn't made a mistake, jumped the gun so to speak when they gave Liam the Gemini. '''::'''
+'''Richards:''' A colorful cavalcade of the do's and don'ts of a Starfleet officer. They could write a paper on men like us and make it mandatory reading at the Academy.
+'''::''' The laugh showed Alexander that the events of the last 48 hours had not killed Commander Frosts sense of humor. It also meant Alexander had hit the mark regarding the similarities between the two mens' files. Alexander had become a lot more settled and duty bound since his accident on Deep Space 10. Prior to that he had been known to be a hot head, even once resigning his commission. '''::'''
+'''Frost:''' Regardless of that, in the last 48 hours, you've demonstrated yourself to be an exceptionally dedicated and resourceful officer. I put you in a difficult position, and you did remarkably well.
+'''::''' In the back of his mind, Alexander was beginning to get an idea of where this conversation was going. Liam was right, being on the bridge had put him in a difficult position. The last time he had spent an extended time on the bridge, he had found himself in temporary command of the USS Mercury. That very nearly ended in disaster. '''::'''
+'''Richards:''' Part of being a Starfleet officer is being able to adapt to situations you may find yourself in sir. If that were easy, there would be no point in us being out here.
+'''::''' Which of course was right on both counts. Starfleet relied on its members doing their jobs to the absolute best of their abilities. When you break that down to the a ship, the vessel thrives or dies based on the effectiveness of its crew. The USS Gemini had just survived a very trying time because her crew pulled together to keep the ship in one piece. '''::'''
+'''Frost:''' Lieutenant Alex Richards, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with all associated privileges and responsibilities.
+'''Richards: ::''' With an almost neutral expression. '''::''' Thank you sir.
+'''::''' This was a moment Alexander felt would never come. For years, even before the Academy he had felt that he was one of those people who followed rather than led. His various assignments as a department head had started to erode that feeling. The promotion to Lieutenant Commander put it to rest. Now he felt like a leader, someone his department could look up to and rely upon. A lot of people would have walked away from Starfleet following an accident as life changing as his was. Hell, he very nearly did. Only his wife managed to convince him not to give up on life and his career. Her unyielding faith in him had now paid dividends. '''::'''
+'''Frost:''' You've earned it.
+'''Richards: oO''' Indeed. Maybe I should try being out of my comfort zone more often. '''Oo''' I was only doing what any officer in a similar position would have done sir, my job.
+'''Frost:''' Now, I believe we have some work to do, Commander.
+'''Richards:''' Aye sir. The ship isn't going to fix herself or fly home all by herself.
+'''::''' Alexander was not use to promotions being made outside of ceremonies full of cheer and dress uniforms. It was refreshing to be promoted in such a low key fashion, especially after such a difficult mission. There was a time when Alexander would have fiddled with the new pip on his collar but now, he just let it sit there. Once the ship was safe and docked he would have to make contact with some old friends to share the news. Well, tell a lie. The first thing he would do would be to see his wife and child, hug them both tight and have a home cooked family meal. '''::'''
+'''::''' Following the captain back to the bridge, he was greeted with a plethora of new faces. He would have noted fresh if not for the fact they seemed as battle weary as the crew of the USS Gemini. There would be a period for reflection on events later, for now he still had a job to do. He may have been able to order his staff to take a much needed rest but as a department head, and a newly minted Lieutenant Commander, his place was on the bridge until Liam dismissed him for the night. '''::'''
+'''-END-'''
+<center>'''[[Richards, Alexander/Professional History#Current Assignment|Return]]'''</center>
 {{Gemini-crew}}
 [[Category:Alexander Richards|Sim Archive]]
 [[Category:SIMs]]