Gold and formed green crystal gleamed placidly as Arkwright turned the medal over and over in his hand.

The hologram at his back was speaking. "I don't think it's a token. You should be proud. That's a prestigious award."

Flynn looked up from his medal to the portal in his quarters, watching what other ships from the 7th Line had assembled since Yavin. "They're replacing you with a man who's never served on the Liberator before, who's never served on a Nebulon B before, who'll have to have his hand held while he gains even half the experience with this ship either of us have, but they pin this on me as if it's the next best thing to poking a pacifier into my mouth."

"So you feel it's lost its value?"

"It's a consolation prize."

"Oh, don't be such a baby about it."

Flynn whipped around to face him.

The hologram bit its lip. "Sorry ... forgot you don't like that."

Flynn relaxed visibly. "No, it's not that I don't like it." He began pacing. "Maybe it does seem immature. But you know who I used to hear that from all the time ..."

The hologram nodded before continuing.

"I'm not going to give you my opinion on who should have received this command, because whichever way I went it wouldn't cheer you up at all. I did have a hand in supporting the effort behind that medal, because there's no question you've earned at least that much."

"Does that mean you had a hand in picking your replacement?"

Reshak paused.

"Your father's name won't get you everything in the Navy, Flynn."

"My father would do well to leave me alone for five minutes."

"He would if you'd let him. Don't look at this situation from the perspective of what you're being denied. Regardless of who's Captain, the Seal is the least Command owes you."

Flynn was silent.

"It's the least I owe you, Flynn. And if this new guy is as stiff as I was when they handed that boat over to me - and I think he is - he's going to need all the help he can get. Besides, how do you know the decision to award you wasn't made before they decided to promote me?"

Arkwright knew the captain well enough to know that wasn't a question. "Thank you, sir."

"So," Reshak rubbed his hands together, "when does Auriga's transport come in?"

"Half an hour. I should get ready."

"Wear your medal. It looks good on you."

"Nah." Flynn shook his head, laying the award back in its case and snapping it shut. "That's too pretentious."

"Well, so is he."

"But I'm not," Flynn replied with a grin.

"I should have seen that coming. Keep doing what you're doing, Commander. I'll be reading the ship's logs."

"Take care of yourself, Old Man."

The hologram fizzled and disappeared.