Bretonian Armed Forces Promotions Ceremony

[pbrione]

"Atten-shun!"

Ensigns of the Fleet-Air Arm of the BAF stand to attention on the New London Parade Ground

The ranks of the Fleet-Air Arm of the BAF were brought sharply to attention, assembled on the parade ground in New London before representatives of the Admiralty and the Government, including Carina herself. The Prime Minister, George Mountbatten, stepped forwards onto the podium, flickers of snow from the New London winter starting to float past his face. He looked weary, but spoke in a clear, loud voice as he addressed the massed ranks.

"Your Majesty, Your Lordships, members of the Fleet Admiralty Board, Officers of the Bretonian Armed Forces. I confess, the last few months have been difficult and trying times for our fair nation. Casualties have been high, it is true, though not in vain. Contrary to the Kusari expectations, Leeds has not fallen. Our defences hold strong in that system, as elsewhere. Dundee is all but recaptured. Thanks to the courage of our logistics corps and the brave captains of our Bowex supply ships, our positions in Tau 23 and Tau 31 have not been cut off, and continue to withstand the enemy seige. Officers, I say to you, this war shall be won yet! Not today, not tomorrow, but in due course when the courage and determination of the Bretonian people finally bears fruit and the hubris of the corrupt and despotic Kusari regime brings about its own downwfall. Every day our shipyards produce more ships for our war effort, every day our pilots down more Kusari fighters. Every day brings us one step closer to victory! Bretonia shall prevail!"

The crowds of spectators cheered, and Fleet Admrial Nelson stepped forwards to the podium to read a list of fleet promotions.

"Firstly, it is my honour to welcome a new member of the Admiralty Board. Admiral Sir Drake Kaiden has retired after a long and illustrious career spanning many decades and is to be replaced by Admiral James Hobart, who will assume immediate command of the 9th Ark Royal Great Fleet. I ask Her Majesty to do the honours."

The crowds applauded, and many cheers were heard from the officers on parade below, as Hobart stepped up to the podium to kneel before the Queen and be invested with his personally crafted sword and rank insignia.

"Next, promoted to the rank of Commodore, Jack Frost, who will assume command of the 3rd battlefleet of the 8th Fleet, onboard the Battleship Stirling in Dundee, and Blake Owen, who will assume command of the 1st Battlefleet of the 7th Fleet, replacing Admiral Hobart onboard the HMS Derby. Commodore Owen is also to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for exceptional skill in combat operations."

The two new Flag Officers marched foward smartly to receive their important assignments and were handed their insignia by the Prime Minister himself, whilst Owen also received his DFC.

Nelson continued, "Promoted to the rank of Captain, Roger Ring and Roland Gilead"

As they stepped forwards, Nelson moved to the side to present them with their insignia and officers' swords to signify their ascent into the High Command structure of the Armed Forces. They would each be given postings in command of a destroyer squadron, probably on the front lines against Kusari.

"Promoted to the rank of Commander, John Galt, Austin Goodmen, Boris MacDonald and Ian Driscoll"

The number of promotions was high, but so too had been the casualty rates of previous Commanders, as gunboats had been cut down in frequent engagements with Kusari bombers or destroyers. The stern looks on the faces of the 4 officers as they stepped up to receive their awards confirmed that they knew the dangerous task that they all faced.

"Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Ryan Williams, Jay Clark, Alex Moss and Jaedon Phoenix."

The new fighter wing commanders stepped up eagerly to receive their commissions, relishing the prospects of progressing into the mid-command, though as he presented their insignia Nelson spared a thought for their predecessors, many of whom had not survived the task. He hoped that this crop of new officers would be up to the task of leading his forces to victory out on the front lines.

"Finally, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant...." An aide passed Nelson a long roll of paper, from which he began to read, "....Martin Bridge, Alex Westbrook, John Alster ..... Amadeus Blair, St John Rivers .... Rachel Malrone .... Lawrence Winter, Lee Adama .... Kenji Shinoda," he frowned slightly at the Kusari sounding name and turned to his adjutant, who merely nodded, "and Dhaval Shekhar who is also to receive the Carina's Cross for exceptional bravery."

The long line of Lieutenants stumbled nervously forwards and were handed their commissions by Admiral McKenna, who stood beside the Fleet Admiral. Once the line had cleared and the applause had faded away, Nelson resumed speaking.

"Not promoted, but also receiving special awards are the following officers."Commander John Richards is to receive a Distinguished Flying Cross for exceptional skill in combat operations and Admiral Redmond and Commodores Hughes and Harrington are to receive Veterans' Badges for lengthy service. It is also my pleasure to announce the introduction of 2 new awards, the Courageous Action Medal, to be awarded to officers who singl-handedly defeat or command a force which defeats an enemy of substantially superior size, and the Good Conduct Award, to be awarded to any officers whose actions serve to enhance the reputation of the Bretonian Armed Forces both at home and abroad, through a thorough display of the Bretonian traits of civility, decency and honour. After all, it is though the hearts and minds of our friends that we must work to build new alliances, and through those of our enemies that we must work to win them over to our cause as much as to defeat them on the field of battle. The first of these awards, it is my honour to present to my new collegue Admiral James Hobart, whose friendly demeanour and calmness in the face of great adversity serve as examples to us all."

As the audience applauded once more, Nelson stepped back and saluted to the assembled troops, which was the signal for the military band to strike up with "Rule Bretonia" and for the marching out parade to commence as the officers rejoined their respective fleets.

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Sir Stanley Nelson




<span style="color:#000066">Charles Canning </span><span style="color:#000066"> Foreign Secretary</span>