Suprise Demotion

Posted on Thu Aug 26th, 2021 @ 6:42am by Lieutenant Commander Raelyn Mckenzie
Edited on on Thu Aug 26th, 2021 @ 6:43am

Mission: The Captains Child
Location: USS Sovereign, McKinley Station
Timeline: Before Transfer to the Wayfarer

ON:

[Bridge, USS Sovereign]

The USS Sovereign had been stationed at Earth Station Mckinley for a few weeks at this point, following a classified battle, that resulted in half of the ship's population becoming casualties. Furthermore, many crew-members had been requesting transfers, or had been promoted to other ships and bases. This was the case for Lieutenant Raelyn Mckenzie, who was the watch officer for the current, and possibly one of her last shifts aboard the Sovereign.

She had pretty much most of her possessions and personal effects already packed. All she had to do at the moment was to get through her shift. Eventually, she sat back in the command chair and she dozed off, only to be woken up a few minutes later by the operations officer on duty.

"Lieutenant, Captain Sanders is requesting your presence in the ready room." The Bajoran ops officer reported.

Raelyn yawned. "Understood." She said looking at the officer. "You have the bridge for the time being." She said rising up out of the center chair and making her way to the ready room.

She swiftly pressed the door chime before being prompted to enter the room. She walked into the room and stood in front of the Captain's desk.

"You wanted to see me Captain?" the Sovereign's security chief asked.

Captain Sanders looked up. "Ah yes. I did. It's actually pretty alarming. Regarding your transfer request."

Mckenzie's face turned to a more concerned look. "Has it been revoked last minute?"

"No, actually. But, it affects your next position drastically." He sighed not wanting to break the news to her. But, he had to, even if it wasn't his choice. "More specifically because of our previous mission."

She didn't know for sure, but she had a general idea of what was going on. "It's command, isn't it."

"Yeah, it is. They feel that we could have had a better chance of survival, if you had of been faster to defend us in our last mission. I argued that you were dealing with every other security matter on the ship, as well as the fact that you were one of the main reasons more people did not die." Sanders said.

"Unfortunately, admiralty thinks otherwise, and that's the nice way of putting it."

Raelyn remained silent, carefully listening to her CO.

Sanders stood up. "During my time on the Malinche, the majority of my officers didn't have as much dedication that you have. Hell, some of them aren't even as good of an officer as you, Lieutenant. You're a damn fine officer, and I hate what's coming. I hate to do this to you."

"What are they going to do?" She asked quietly.

The Captain sighed. "Your transfer to the Wayfarer has been approved, but modified. You're going to be a junior officer, instead of the Security Chief and Second Officer. At least until further notice."

"I- I see."

"And for the record, I hate to do this, but I'm under orders to do so. I'm just going to give it to you straight." He paused. "Lieutenant Raelyn Mckenzie, but the order of Starfleet Command, I hereby reduce your rank to Lieutenant Junior Grade." He said as he got up and replaced her full Lieutenant pip with a hollow one.

She was speechless. She had just been demoted. Something that she never thought would happen in her career. At least not for a long time.

"I personally believe that you do not deserve a demotion, but it's not up to me. I'm sorry."

"I- It's alright sir." she said, holding back her emotions. "Is there anything else?"

"Nothing at the moment. I'll also grant you permission to disembark earlier, so you have time to finish packing and get your belongings transferred to the Wayfarer. If there is nothing further, you are dismissed."

"I understand. Thank you sir. It was an honor serving with you."

"The honor was mine. I hope that one day, you can regain your rank and standing in the Federation,"

"Thank you Captain. For everything." She said as she left the room towards the turbolift as Delta Shift was leaving the bridge. "Deck 3." She said to the computer as she entered the lift.

She didn't know what would be of her future anymore. She had just been demoted. Her reputation as a Starfleet Officer was going downhill. Would she ever regain her position again one day? she didn't know. In a few days, she would be a junior officer aboard the Wayfarer. A position she hadn't held for a long time. Little did she know, she wouldn't have to wait to long to become a department head again.

OFF:

Lieutenant Junior Grade Raelyn Mckenzie
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Wayfarer NCC-72113