Post 3 - A Foot in Both Worlds

Posted on Wed Dec 9th, 2020 @ 9:52pm by Captain Jocelyn Blake

Mission: Episode 1: Acta Non Verba
Location: R&D and later the Starfleet Press Briefing Room
Timeline: Day 10 - Various Times

[Starfleet R&D Building]
[San Francisco, CA]
[Day 10 - 0900 Hours]

The orders to join the press pool for the evening's CinC announcement had been on her desk when she walked into the office two hours later. She wasn't surprised to find them there, but felt a sweep of delicious anticipation sweep through her all the same.

Jordan's information couldn't be right. She told herself that over and over as she left the coffee shop and made her way in to work. And yet she couldn't shake the tiny ember of hope that had burrowed itself deep into her chest.

Jordan Hoover may be many things, but he wouldn't have brought this information to her unless he was confident of its veracity.

Telling herself that didn't matter for the hundredth time she settled down at her desk and tried to get something done before she had to be at the press room in the main Starfleet building.

-----
[Starfleet Press Briefing Room]
[San Francisco, CA]
[Day 10 - 2000 Hours]


The press conference held a dress uniform requirement for enlisted officers, making clear the import of the event. Jocelyn's dress reds felt as though she stood out like a sore thumb against the varied and sundry attire of the Starfleet Press Corp. It's as though she was screaming Look! I'm one of them! while pretending to be just another member of the press.

Admiral Green who oversaw R&D hadn't given her a particular assignment for the evening.

"Just go and listen." He had said almost dismissively. "We need to have a person there, but unless they're going to announce a new faster than light method of travel that didn't come out of our office then there's not much for you to do."

She had nodded her agreement and then, after a moment, been dismissed.

Slipping into the back row of the press room she settled into a seat. The lights flickered getting the attention of the journalists in the room and causing the dull roar to drop to only a handful of whispers. Even those were silenced when a line of admirals took the platform, Admiral Truman stepping up to the podium while the others, also in dress uniform, lined up behind him.

You could have heard a pin drop.

Truman cleared his throat glancing briefly at a PADD on the podium before addressing the room.

"Admirals, Enlisted Personnel, Members of the Press, and citizens of the United Federation of Planets, welcome."

He placed his hands on either side of the podium.

"Since its inception the Federation's Starfleet has been under the command of well experienced, thoughtful, and decisive Fleet Admirals. They have molded and shaped the organization taking the highest burden of decision making on their own shoulders and living in to our spirit of exploration and welcome to all races from across known space. With the loss of Fleet Admiral McGarry we have had to complete the important work of reviewing and selecting his successor to this vital position. Having completed this task and on behalf of the assembled fleet admiralty, it is my pleasure to announce that Fleet Admiral Sturnack has agreed to take up the role of Commander in Chief."

Applause from the crowd temporarily drowned out the Press Secretary's voice and Jocelyn took the opportunity to inspect the tall Vulcan on the stage to his left. Sturnack inclined his head to the crowd, his face the impassive visage of a Vulcan giving nothing away. She noted, almost absently, that he looked younger than she had imagined. Even though she knew from his public dossier that he was in his 150s.

The applause died giving way back to Admiral Truman who opened the floor up for questions. Jocelyn found herself struggling to focus, instead letting her mind drift to what it might be like to encounter this crowd from the podium.

With his usual grace Truman allowed questions to go on for 15 minutes, fielding each and referring many to decisions yet to be made by the new CinC.

As the event came to a close and people stood to leave Jocelyn found herself rooted to her chair. She watched folks filter out, waving to many she knew and throwing a nod or a smile to those who met her gaze.

As the last few folks lingered at the back of the room Admiral Truman made his way down the aisle, taking a seat next to her and looking ahead.

"It's a lovely thing isn't it?" He asked, seeming to address the air.

"Sir?" She asked, not following.

"The podium." He said, smiling. "Hard to step away from once you've had a taste of it."

She nodded, a small lump in her throat. She couldn't help but wonder why the admiral had chosen to pay her special attention on this evening of all evenings. "I can imagine."

"Good." He said, turning his gaze to her, a mischievous smile on his lips. "You've got an appointment with the new CinC 0900 on Friday. Don't cock it up."

And with that he stood, leaving her glued to her seat the ember of hope that had nestled there earlier crackling into a small open flame.

=/\= A mission post by =/\=

Lieutenant Commander Jocelyn Blake
Public Relations
Starfleet Research & Development