Captain Grumby gathered the crew in the shuttle bay, and a couple of hours later he and his crew joined the crew of the Merced.

Grumby looked around and said

“Hello crew, we are now the crew of the California Class USS Merced.” He said to applause from the crowd. Grumby smiled and raised his hand to quiet them. “All transfer orders are submitted and will likely be approved at some point in the near future. As much as we will miss the Callus. She is gone.” Grumby sighed, “Let us give our old ship a moment of silence.”

The crowd bowed their heads.

Grumby gave everyone a minute before moving on. “We now move on to happier news.” He shouted out, “Thrace, step forward!”

Lieutenant Thrace stepped forward, and Grumby said, “You were the one who boosted our Communications and likely saved our bacon. I hereby promote you to Lieutenant Commander.”

Marcus and the rest clapped and applauded.

Grumby pinned the new rank onto Thrace’s collar, shook her hand and sent her back into the crowd.

“Lieutenant Junior Grade Beckett Szalinski.” Grumby said

Szalinski moved up to the front, and Grumby addressed him, “Apparently I made an oversight when I named you Chief Engineer on the Callus. I correct that, here and now, by properly promoting you to Full Lieutenant and naming you officially as the Chief Engineer of the USS Callus.”

Szalinski shrugged but took the handshake and the pinning of the new rank to his collar. Before making a small bow to the cheering crowd, getting a laugh from the Captain.

The Captain said, “We just joined this ship a few hours ago, and in those hours I have had the chance to read some of the logs and listen to the last entry of the former Captain of this ship. While I am sure Star Fleet will redact most of it when they read it, I will tell you that the good Doctor Anvers has been through a lot and has exhibited a kind of bravery and caring that we only wish was present in all officers. I am proud to have him remain the Chief Medical Officer here on the Merced and grant him the rank of Full Lieutenant.”

The Captain stepped up to Marcus and pinned the new rank to his collar shaking his hand

The crowd cheered for Marcus and Marcus blushed but joined the crowd.

“Way to go Doc.” Thrace thumped his back “Good to have you with us.”

“Now our Flight Control Officer Thompson is now fully comfortable with the changes in the controls and we are ready really put a fire under us. Every one who should be on duty to your posts. Everyone else thanks for being here. ”

As the crowd dispersed and the Doctor started to go a hand went on his shoulder. “A moment Doctor.” The captain said as he waited for the last to leave.

“Alright Doctor Anvers, you are my Chief Medical Officer now correct?”

“Yes Sir” Marcus said

“Many of your new crewmates will want to know how you ended up alone. I am ordering you not to tell them more then the Vaadwaur raided and killed everyone. You were lucky enough to survive. Nothing about Armon III. Understood”

Marcus said “I understand Sir” Marcus said “Permission to speak freely”

Grumby nodded “Always with me.”

Marcus said “What of the Armonians? They are good people sir.”

Grumby sighed “The Federation Hostages are the priority, they are in greater damage. Your reports say that the Vaadwaur you met you believed they were good to their word?”

Marcus nodded “Damel seemed to have a code of honor and he is that factions leader.”

“Exactly.” said Grumby “As long as the trade they arrange works out then I don’t see the Vaadwaur as a true threat to Armon III. ” Grumby sighed “But if he told the truth about the hostages then they are in real danger. I can find no records or anything about such a large number of hostages held by anyone.”

“I promise sir, I read no lies from Spiff or Damel. Though from a recording that is hard to truly say.” Marcus said

Grumby nodded “We have to work to find them if they are out there, or confirm that intelligence, or deny it. That is the priority.”

Marcus said “I will help any way I can.”

“Good. You are my second officer now. I want you on the bridge.” Grumby said

Marcus said “Sir?”

“You are an empath and a telepath. The only one I have. I will need you to help us sniff out the truth from the lies.” Grumby said “Although for our next stop. I am sorry to say you will not be much help at all. We have a Ferengi friend of mine  to see”

Marcus grumbled he did not like the Ferengi.