Navy Commissioning Ceremony (Closed, invite only)
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 11:36 am
A flock of seagulls flew past overhead, light waves broke upon the seawall, grey clouds were spread apart covering half the sky. The air was crisp, with a light breeze blowing in across the harbor. All in all, the perfect day to celebrate the Empire's newest nautical achievement.
Imperator Skott Roman stepped up to the podium and took a moment to slowly gaze around. He faced a group of temporary bleachers, set up for various invited guests, both civilian and military. Just to his left was a special seating area filled with VIP's from allied nations, plus representatives from Silverport Dockyards and BlueSteel Corp., the prime contractors. Off to his right was open water. As for behind him...
He took a moment to turn his head and gaze upon the wall of grey steel rising out of the water next to the dock, knowing the cameras would capture the moment. His eyes admired the lines of the brand new Challenger-class aircraft carrier as it sat waiting....waiting to be unleashed upon the ocean. With a nod of satisfaction, he turned back to the waiting crowd.
"Fellow citizens, honored guests....I stand before you a proud man. Proud in this great accomplishment that our Empire has achieved. Proud in the allies," he nodded towards the VIP's, "that assisted and guided us through the great project. For after today we are no longer a minor player on the world stage. Today marks the beginning of a new era for the Empire! Today we become a true blue water navy! Today we show the world that Trixtoria intends to make our mark upon history!"
He waited for the applause to die down before continuing. "It is my honor to preside over the christening and commissioning of this magnificent ship. She, and her sisters, will carry Trixtorian prestige and honor across the globe. They will be the Shield that defends our people from any force of evil that tries to invade our homeland!"
Another round of applause, and he turned to face the back of the stage, where a small platform led from the dock to the side of the ship's hull. Standing there were two people. One, an older man in a blue military uniform with four gold stars on his shoulders and a chest full of medals. Next to him was a teenage girl wearing an elegant saffire blue dress, her red-gold hair braided and hanging down over her back. The Imperator nodded at the officer, who returned the nod and turned to the girl. "Duchess Sarra," he said, the microphone on his collar carrying his voice to the loudspeakers, "as Grand Admiral of the Federal Defense Force, it is my honor to invite you to name this magnificent ship." Another officer stepped up to hand him a bottle, which he passed to the Duchess. She took a moment to grasp the neck, and thought about her first diplomatic mission, which set the path leading to this day. Of the time she spent acting as the Ship's Sponsor, working with the dockyard and navel crews as they built, tested, and made ready their new ocean home.
She looked out upon the crowd. "It has been an honor to be the sponsor of this great ship," she said into her collar mic. The worlds were practiced, and she found herself speaking them with ease. "Standing alongside the men and women who built her, and the Navy crew who will man her." She paused for effect, something her father suggested to do. "I name this ship Challenger! May God bless her, and all who sail in her!" The crowd went silent, and after a deep breath, she swung the bottle of Trixtorian Ale against the side of the hull, where it broke instantly. The crowd all stood and applauded, as the nearby military band started playing the national anthem. Moments later, a flight of F-14 Tomcat fighters flew past in diamond formation.
It was several minutes until the applause died down as people returned to their seats, before the Imperator stepped back up to the podium. The Grand Admiral was with him. "Grand Admiral Ramius," he said, "your ship completed it's sea trials and has been named by its sponsor. Are your sailors ready to assume their duties aboard?"
"Yes sir," Ramius replied, and turned to another officer standing to the side of the stage. This one had four silver stars on his shoulders. "Captain Lerner, please present your crew."
The captain lead a group of officers and ratings up to the stage, all marching in perfect step. They came to a halt and as one turned to face the podium. "Grand Admiral, My Lord," the captain said, nodding at each man in turn, "the first watch is ready to assume their duties, and I am ready to take command." He saluted the Admiral, who returned the salute.
The Imperator stepped forward. "I hereby commission, Federal Trixtorian Ship Challenger!" He turned to salute the ship, as the quartermaster raised the national flag on the ship's mast. A few more minutes passed as the Captain formally ordered the first watch to be set, and the crew marched aboard.
Finally, the Imperator stepped over to Captain Lerner.
"Captain," he asked, "is my flagship ready?"
"The Challenger is fully at your command, sir," Captain Lerner gave the formal response.
Another exchange of salutes. "Your orders," Imperator Skott said, "are to prepare your crew for their mission, to defend our homeland wherever needed. To be on watch in the name of our freedom. And to be ready to execute the orders of your Imperator." He saluted. "Captain, report to your bridge."
Captain Lerner returned the salute, exchanged one with the Grand Admiral, and followed his crew aboard the ship. The band stared playing again to another round of applause.
-------------------------------------------------------
At the close of the ceremony, the various VIP's were lead into the hanger of the carrier, where a formal lounge had been set up between two parked F-14 fighters. Imperator Roman greeted them. "My friends, welcome. I am honored to have you all with us today for this great occasion. That's the end of the speeches," he said with a laugh. "Please, enjoy our hospitality. There is plenty of food and wine available. I look forward to speaking with each of you." As the dignitaries began to mingle, he turned to his daughter. "One glass of wine," he whispered, "and congratulations. You were great."
"Thanks, father," she replied, giving him a quick hug. "It was...nervous, but fun!"
"Good. Now get something to eat," he told her. "I have some people I need to speak with..."
Imperator Skott Roman stepped up to the podium and took a moment to slowly gaze around. He faced a group of temporary bleachers, set up for various invited guests, both civilian and military. Just to his left was a special seating area filled with VIP's from allied nations, plus representatives from Silverport Dockyards and BlueSteel Corp., the prime contractors. Off to his right was open water. As for behind him...
He took a moment to turn his head and gaze upon the wall of grey steel rising out of the water next to the dock, knowing the cameras would capture the moment. His eyes admired the lines of the brand new Challenger-class aircraft carrier as it sat waiting....waiting to be unleashed upon the ocean. With a nod of satisfaction, he turned back to the waiting crowd.
"Fellow citizens, honored guests....I stand before you a proud man. Proud in this great accomplishment that our Empire has achieved. Proud in the allies," he nodded towards the VIP's, "that assisted and guided us through the great project. For after today we are no longer a minor player on the world stage. Today marks the beginning of a new era for the Empire! Today we become a true blue water navy! Today we show the world that Trixtoria intends to make our mark upon history!"
He waited for the applause to die down before continuing. "It is my honor to preside over the christening and commissioning of this magnificent ship. She, and her sisters, will carry Trixtorian prestige and honor across the globe. They will be the Shield that defends our people from any force of evil that tries to invade our homeland!"
Another round of applause, and he turned to face the back of the stage, where a small platform led from the dock to the side of the ship's hull. Standing there were two people. One, an older man in a blue military uniform with four gold stars on his shoulders and a chest full of medals. Next to him was a teenage girl wearing an elegant saffire blue dress, her red-gold hair braided and hanging down over her back. The Imperator nodded at the officer, who returned the nod and turned to the girl. "Duchess Sarra," he said, the microphone on his collar carrying his voice to the loudspeakers, "as Grand Admiral of the Federal Defense Force, it is my honor to invite you to name this magnificent ship." Another officer stepped up to hand him a bottle, which he passed to the Duchess. She took a moment to grasp the neck, and thought about her first diplomatic mission, which set the path leading to this day. Of the time she spent acting as the Ship's Sponsor, working with the dockyard and navel crews as they built, tested, and made ready their new ocean home.
She looked out upon the crowd. "It has been an honor to be the sponsor of this great ship," she said into her collar mic. The worlds were practiced, and she found herself speaking them with ease. "Standing alongside the men and women who built her, and the Navy crew who will man her." She paused for effect, something her father suggested to do. "I name this ship Challenger! May God bless her, and all who sail in her!" The crowd went silent, and after a deep breath, she swung the bottle of Trixtorian Ale against the side of the hull, where it broke instantly. The crowd all stood and applauded, as the nearby military band started playing the national anthem. Moments later, a flight of F-14 Tomcat fighters flew past in diamond formation.
It was several minutes until the applause died down as people returned to their seats, before the Imperator stepped back up to the podium. The Grand Admiral was with him. "Grand Admiral Ramius," he said, "your ship completed it's sea trials and has been named by its sponsor. Are your sailors ready to assume their duties aboard?"
"Yes sir," Ramius replied, and turned to another officer standing to the side of the stage. This one had four silver stars on his shoulders. "Captain Lerner, please present your crew."
The captain lead a group of officers and ratings up to the stage, all marching in perfect step. They came to a halt and as one turned to face the podium. "Grand Admiral, My Lord," the captain said, nodding at each man in turn, "the first watch is ready to assume their duties, and I am ready to take command." He saluted the Admiral, who returned the salute.
The Imperator stepped forward. "I hereby commission, Federal Trixtorian Ship Challenger!" He turned to salute the ship, as the quartermaster raised the national flag on the ship's mast. A few more minutes passed as the Captain formally ordered the first watch to be set, and the crew marched aboard.
Finally, the Imperator stepped over to Captain Lerner.
"Captain," he asked, "is my flagship ready?"
"The Challenger is fully at your command, sir," Captain Lerner gave the formal response.
Another exchange of salutes. "Your orders," Imperator Skott said, "are to prepare your crew for their mission, to defend our homeland wherever needed. To be on watch in the name of our freedom. And to be ready to execute the orders of your Imperator." He saluted. "Captain, report to your bridge."
Captain Lerner returned the salute, exchanged one with the Grand Admiral, and followed his crew aboard the ship. The band stared playing again to another round of applause.
-------------------------------------------------------
At the close of the ceremony, the various VIP's were lead into the hanger of the carrier, where a formal lounge had been set up between two parked F-14 fighters. Imperator Roman greeted them. "My friends, welcome. I am honored to have you all with us today for this great occasion. That's the end of the speeches," he said with a laugh. "Please, enjoy our hospitality. There is plenty of food and wine available. I look forward to speaking with each of you." As the dignitaries began to mingle, he turned to his daughter. "One glass of wine," he whispered, "and congratulations. You were great."
"Thanks, father," she replied, giving him a quick hug. "It was...nervous, but fun!"
"Good. Now get something to eat," he told her. "I have some people I need to speak with..."