The officers (and occasional gentleman) of the Armed Forces were marching by in column of route, then to take position in line, by companies, for the purpose of the promotion ceremony.
Parade Ground drill, when well done. was something to behold. And the Bretonian Armed Forces did it so much better than anyone else. Spit, polish, scarlet dress uniforms, and damn fine drill. Similar sights made Napolean's armies tremble with fear centuries ago, far away.
"Wing, at the halt, change direction right, right.. FORM", he thundered.
Click BOOM, Click BOOM, Click BOOM.. The boots all clicked in unison, them beautiful silence as the wing stood in line before him.
No Libertonian formation of space cowboys could have pulled that off, he thought. Mind you, they could fly just fine, and their ships did not bear a resemblance to fish..
Squad commanders would present rank insignia to those promoted to Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander. The Fleet Admiral had merely to announce the names:
"Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander; Dirus Taine, Firmas Piett, Abigail Harris, Alex Westbrook, Tomas Eliot, Finlay O'Dukes, Ulrik Xylon, Jack O'Neil, Jason Charles, Leroy Lancelot, and "Cactus Jack"."
"Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant; M Harding, Irving Gallows, Evyn and Feya."
The various Admirals who commanded those individuals finished handing the rank insignia to the pleased officers.
Promotions to Commander and above, he handled himself.
"Promoted to the rank of Commander; Deneth Aleski!"
The new commander came to the dias to receive his new insignia, and saluted sharply.
"Promoted to the rank of Captain; John and Michael Clay!"
The new Captains came to the dias, received their rank insignias fromt he Fleet Admiral, as well as ancient Cavalry Sabres denoting their rank. Saluting the Fleet Admiral with the new swords (and nearly decapitating each other in the process), they then returned to the ranks.
Having completed the promotions proper, it was now time for the final marchpast. And for the occasion, the Guards flew past in perfect formation.
There would be no shortage of pints consumed this night.
And tomorrow, back to the meat grinder of war.
//REVISED ROSTER BLOW : PLEASE RENAME YOUR CHARACTERS:
Dieter Schprokets : Fleet Admiral James Ralston, commanding the HMS Regina : FACTION LEADER (Also Commodore Robert Lawrence)
Beunt : Sir Admiral Martin Bridge, commanding the HMS Sovereign : SECOND IN COMMAND (Also Ensign Henry Walton)
Hunter of Cabbages : Admiral Robert Jones
Chernobyl : Admiral Blake Owen
leeadama : Admiral Lee Adama
Blodo : Admiral Riley Francis
Dejavu : Commodore Bentley Ashers, commanding the HMS Formidable : RECRUITMENT OFFICER
Slainte : Commodore Jack Frost, commanding the HMS Rosyth
Dab : Commodore Evyn Hunter, commanding the HMS Repulse and HMS Majestic
Slybeetle : Commodore John Alster
CrowTBrobot : Commodore Amadeus Blair
Stone21 : Captain Ryan Williams
Gezza999 : Captain Roger Ring
Jam : Captain John Clay
Mycho : Captain Michael Clay
Stanner : Commander Robert Woodrow
Hobq1 : Commander Lawrence Winton
Husher : Commander Ian Driscoll
Denethmann :Commander Deneth Aleski
Rouge : Lt Commander Dirus Taine
FallenKnight : Lt Commander Firmas Piett
LeeAdama : Lt Commander Abigail Harris
Tommeh : Lt Commander Alex Westbrook
Elven : Lt Commander Tomas Eliot
Rubber Duck : Lt Commander Finlay O'Dukes
Dr. Donut : Lt Commander Ulrik Xylon
Metano : Lt Commander Jack O'Neil
Bellck : Lt Commander Jason Charles
Dart : Lt Commander Leroy Lancelot
Coin : Lt Commander Cactus Jack
Tommeh : Lt Alex Westbrook
Pig_Pen : Lt. Cormac O'Dukes
Twisp : Lt Otis Hall
The Bunny Lord (Vape) : Lt James Douglas
Veyron : Lt M Harding
Irving Gallows : Lt Irving Gallows
SMI-Great fox : Lts Evyn and Feya
Reptile : Ensign Paul Swain
Droideka95 : Ensign Archer Gasper
Kelnor : Ensign Grey Hillson
arieta01 : Ensign Simon Brook
Pacific : Ensign William Davis
Zenelix : Ensign Sarah Vermillion
Avalanche : Ensign William Dobson
OCV-Intrepid : Ensign Sam Clark
MarcusCogworks : Ensign Victor Cogworks
Comrade : Ensign Ian Sinclair