Fly Up (Damon/Open)

[Eliza Steele]

Captain Eliza Steele of Saber Squadron had been notified that Cadet Damon Riggs' elevation in rank to Ensign had been cleared by High Command. As one of the two senior officers of the 181st, she had been given the task to see to the promotion herself. Sending an official summons to her fellow TIE pilot, and secret lover, Riggs was only told to report to Military Headquarters at 1200 hours sharp; it was 1100 hours presently.

A small conference room had been delegated for the singular promotional ceremony. The long-legged blonde stood at the far end of an oval table, a black box and hard folder laying atop it, dressed in the Coruscanti's full naval uniform, hands clasped behind her back, shoulders squared looking her usual perfection as she awaited the summoned Cadet to appear.

[Damon Riggs]

Riggs received orders to meet Captain Steele in a conference room at headquarters in one hour. Fortunately he had been in the barracks at the time of the summons, but still had little time to dress properly for the location. Full uniform would be required to be present, though he would prefer his flight suit. The uniform was stuffy, but not overly so. Riggs was just used to the freedom and comfort his flightsuit gave him as it was his primary attire.

The speeder arrived precisely fifteen minutes early. Riggs was a firm believer in the old saying that early was on time and on time was late. He made his way down the corridor, escorted by an officer who seemed to know something about why Riggs had been summoned. Had his relationship with Eliza been discovered? They were too careful, it could be that. It was the only thing he could think that would see him escorted to a conference room though.

When he walked into the room, Captain Steele was in the room dressed in full uniform as well. Riggs eyes locked on the disk immediately as he offered a crisp salute.

"Cadet Riggs, reporting as ordered, ma'am."

He remained waiting for the salute to be returned before dropping his arm back to the seam of his pants.

[Eliza Steele]

Eliza wasn't generally a very excitable person, but she did have a few butterflies in her stomach as Damon walked through the door dressed in his full military attire. The look on his face though told her that he was thinking the worst… good. Just how the Captain had wanted him to feel so his promotion would be a total surprise. The others in attendance came to attention as well standing ramrod straight, then relaxed to parade rest upon Steele saluting back. The blonde turned to the table, picking up the black box, then turned to face him again.

"Cadet Riggs… You have been summoned here this day to receive a promotion for your excellent service to the Empire," the blonde Captain said, then she opened the box and handed it to Riggs for him to hold for her. Eliza deftly removed the cadet rank bar from the left upper chest area of his crisp uniform tunic and exchanged it with the ensign one from the box, all the while not making any direct eye contact to keep things professional. Once done, she stepped back and resumed her previous stance, steely blue eyes giving him a pleased look a superior would have.

"On behalf of our Empress and the Sovereign Galactic Empire, I hereby bestow upon you the Imperial Navy rank of Ensign. Congratulations, Ensign Riggs," she stated without emotion and a curt handshake, then handed him the hard-cased folder that had his official certificate inside.

[Damon Riggs]

"It is my honor to serve, ma'am."

The newly promoted Ensign did everything he could to hold back a look which would give them away. The ice princess had definitely managed to keep the promotion a surprise at the expense of making Riggs think they were both being discharged for fraternization. Knowing the blonde captain she would make it up to him later. The weekend was approaching and Riggs had already secured a pass permitting him to spend it off base.

When the bars were placed on his tunic, Riggs accepted the envelope, and offered another salute following the hand shake. These promotions were rather simple in nature, but very meaningful to the individual. Riggs had finally proven his worth and now served the 181st as an officer.

[Eliza Steele]

Eliza inside was as proud as could be of the man who stood before her, and more so honored she could be the one to promote Damon as well. Both their military careers meant a lot to each other, and hopefully they would be able to continue serving the Empire together well into the future.

Saluting back, Captain Steele dismissed all those who had attended the short and to the point ceremony. Riggs and her would have to wait until the evening hours when their weekend passes went into effect for them to celebrate his achievement privately. For now it was back to the sims for the dedicated and ever dutiful elite TIE pilots.