[Starhawk]

2410.0 A change of Flags
Commodore William Ross sat alone in his briefing room aboard HMS Enterprise, he had just come from the memorial service held for Rear Admiral Yu, the second he got back aboard his own ship he came straight to his briefing room and turned out the lights so he could be alone with his thoughts. The Admiral had been his tactical combat instructor back when Ross was still a snotty or “little gentleman” as they were supposed to be called-but never were-Ross frowned even deeper as he remembered the first time he had met Yu Lin Pe, the Admiral’s daughter was a first form midshipman like him and she had thrown him about three meters across the gym during unarmed combat training, he still remembered the smile on her face as she helped him up-and that it was a genuine smile of satisfaction and not an arrogant one of triumph-, and the look of pride on her father’s face-and the grin as he watched a 15 year old boy's face go fusion at getting thrown by a 1.5 meter tall girl who weighed less then 40 kilos-.
Chin Pe, the Admiral’s son had even been his roommate for two years and often Ross would have dinner with the Admiral’s family when the Academy was between forms….he decided rather quickly he liked the Admiral and his family even though they came from a low nobility and he was just a commoner.
On the day Saber launched from her port on Icara Ross remembered that the whole Yu family had all been there, Chin teased him about his habit of getting lost and Lin (then a commander waiting for her chance at command) gave him one of her typically strong handshakes and a hug as she told him not to get into any trouble, well he had gotten in trouble he got all Icara in trouble and they’d lost millions of lives already and in a way it was his fault. And now thanks to him stumbling across a hostile race Admiral Yu was dead, before even getting the chance to learn that his daughter had received her own command HMS Blackbird in the 1st fleet just like his son had recieved command of HMS Eclipse three months ago. Ross’ eyes began to tear up as he thought of how proud Hing would have been of his youngest child as she donned the red and black tri-point hat of a post captain for the first time (even though they wer never actually worn aboard ship they went back to the days of sail and the Royal Navy loved tradition)Ross thought about how her elegent features would have looked in a Captain's formal uniform, and he realized sadly how much he cared about the young woman....which made him feel even worse as if he were betraying her father somehow, even though he had chosen never to do anything about his feelings for her, or did he feel he betrayed her father by not doing anything about it? Either way she was 300 lightyears away now and he could do nothing about it....his depression rose as the feelings of loss drew closer to the surface.

The door chimed quietly and Ross snapped back to the present and made sure he covered his grief.
“Come.” His voice was still shaky but he was managing to get it under control
“Sir, a messenger drone has just arrived from the Admiralty, there is a packet of sealed orders for you, as well as Messages from Yu Chin Pe and Yu Lin Pe.” Captain Fowler’s voice was quiet as she handed her Commodore the envelope with his orders, she silently handed him the two Flexy’s from Admiral Yu’s children.
Ross quickly unsealed the envelope and saw a sheet of honest to god paper within it, in this day and age the Admiralty only used real paper for the most formal of occasions, his eyes quickly scanned the paper and his breath caught in his throat. As he saw Captain Fowler turn around to leave Ross held up his hand to stop her.
“Is everything alright Commodore?” She asked quietly.
“I’m not a Commodore anymore Sandra.” His voice still sounded shocked as he re-read the piece of paper in his hands.
“Sir?” Sandra’s face turned red as she saw the look on Ross’ face and thought he had been dismissed from his command.
“The Admiralty, has bestowed upon me the rank of Rear Admiral, they’ve given me command of the 3rd fleet such as it is, and have given me the authority to give field promotions to a captain, two commanders, and three Lieutenants.” His face lit up and for the first time since the messenger drone from the third fleet had arrived.
“Congratulations sir!” Fowler said as she gave him an enthusiastic handshake, her smile was almost as broad as his as she beamed at her new Admiral.
“Thanks Sandy, I’m going to need a new Captain for Retribution when Drake’s promoted to Commodore and you have my priority, that is if your up to it?” He asked almost cheerfully, it was her turn to be shocked this time and after a moment of obvious disbelief thought she started nodding.
“Well then Captain Fowler, when I make Captain Drake’s promotion to Commodore official you’ll take over as captain of Retribution,…and stop nodding before you break your neck.” Ross laughed again as the young woman realized she hadn’t stopped nodding and suddenly flushed when it was pointed out.

The list of Promotions and reassignments in the 3rd fleet are as follows:
Captain Sandra Fowler Transferred from HMS Saber to HMS Retribution
Commander Sarah Pallins former exec HMS Enterprise promoted to Flag Captain and given command of HMS Victorious.
Captain Thomas Drake former commander HMS Victorious promoted to Commodore and given command [i]HMS Pollux[/i.