Bling Bling

Posted on 09 Dec 2023 @ 9:37pm by Captain Bane Plase

1,229 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave
Location: Observation Lounge

ON
Observation Lounge
USS Cygnus


The streaks of light came at the ship and zipped by harmlessly, the telltale sign that the ship was at warp. Assembled in the large room were the senior staff, most of the assistant chief department heads, and a sizable amount of lower decks personnel, all gathered for the awards and decorations to be given out. Already, Captain Bane and Lieutenant Commander Larsen had given out more than 30 medals and half a dozen promotions to the lower deck people that had stood out, or had earned promotions due to time in grade. Now came time to recognize some of the leaders of the ship, and Bane was happy to do so.

"First up for the senior officers, Lieutenant Hartley, please come forward." Bane waited a moment, then saw movement from roughly the center of the crowd. Within a moment, the crowd had parted, and could see her moving forward. Trailing behind her were Dr. Kin'Fuji, her wife, and little K'tress. The latter two stopped at the head of the crowd and Christina continued forward. Stepping between Bane and Larsen, she awaited her fate.

Larsen pulled a box from the table and handed it to Bane. "Lieutenant junior grade Christina Hartley created and encouraged a mass joint post with all members of the crew to intermingle and get to know each others characters and writing styles, which increased the cohesion of the members of the crew to a high degree. This joint post was outside of the confines of the mission, and as such, people were able to post their parts freely and without slowing the mission down. Her plot outside of the storyline kept people engaged and made everyone feel welcome and tight-knit." A confused murmer went through the crowd. The words didn't make a great deal of sense to most that were gathered here, but for a select few, they knew exactly what the Captain meant. "For this reason, Lieutenant Hartley is hereby awarded The Act of Kindness medal." As people clapped, Bane placed it upon her chest. "Congratulations, Lieutenant!"

Bane waited for Christina to join her family, and spied little K'tress touching the medal as her mother kneeled down to her to show her, smiling. He let the moment linger, but was surprised when Larsen spoke. "The next person could not be here to receive this, though I know we all will be thankful for his sacrifice, and will remember him fondly. For honorable and heroic actions in the face of the greatest adversity, Ensign Jin'Tok is posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant junior grade." A soft murmur rippled again through the crowd. Bane happened to see Ensign Veenak, then Ensign Roberts and Lieutenant Lisald standing next to her, all three with tears in their eyes. He knew Jin'Tok and those three were close, and had been the best of friends.

The Captain nodded once to them, then continued. "Still another person that could not be here to receive this, we would like to take the opportunity to promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Dr. Elodin Devan. His continued service to heal, to care and to love has been an inspiration and guiding lights to all those that encounter him. Dr. Elodin, you are missed. Congratulations." More clapping from the room. Bane wished desperately that Devan could be here to accept the pip and wear it proudly. He held out hope that he would see his friend again someday.

"Now that we have given to those that cannot be here, how about we give some to those that are here," Larsen said, with a smile. Polite chuckling came from the crowd. "Dr. Raviran Dattek-Winters, please step forward.

From the back of the crowd, she alerted she was there, and was making her way to the front. Everyone laughed. A few moments later, she stood between the Captain and First Officer. Bane noticed that Lisald had also moved, and was standing in front of the crowd. He wondered if there was something between the two, or if Lisald just wanted to get a better vantage point of all the awards and promotions being given out. Pushing the thought from his head, he said, "For exemplary service to the ship, her crew, to the Antiocian government and to the people of Antioch III, Dr. Winters, you are hereby promoted to the rank of full Lieutenant, and to the position of Chief Medical Officer." Everyone began clapping and cheering, none louder than Lisald, at this announcement. As Larsen removed the hollow pip and replaced it with a shiny new full pip, Bane leaned down and whispered in her ear. "I expect with this new rank and position, you will continue to bowl me over in the corridors, and now meetings." Bane had a light to his eyes that showed he was teasing with her and referencing the first time they had met. "Congratulations, Lieutenant Winters."

Plase and Larsen waited for the din to die down before continuing. This time, it was Larsen that spoke first. "Captain, crew," he said, looking to the captain, then to the mass of people, "It has been my honor and privilege to serve on this fine vessel with each of you. I am going to miss you."

Captain Bane nodded. "And we will miss you, Commander." He squared his shoulders, then using his authoritative voice, said, "Lieutenant Commander Larsen, I hereby relieve you of your position as Executive Officer, and transfer you from Executive Officer of the U.S.S. Cygnus to Zeta Omega IX colony as Executive Officer and Chief Science Officer. Congratulations, Commander, and do us proud," he said, taking Larsen's hand and shaking it proudly.

Larsen shook the hand of the Captain, then responded, "I stand relieved, sir." The crowd erupted with applause and cheers for their now-former Executive Officer. He waved sheepishly, then stood several steps aside, no longer a part of the command team of the ship.

Bane held up his hand to quieten the crowd, and continued. "Last, but not least, Lieutenant Bast, please step forward."

Bane watched at the Trill Chief of Operations, standing near the front, stepped forward. "Lieutenant, by the power vested in me by Starfleet Command, I hereby promote you to Lieutenant Commander and to the position of Executive Officer of the U.S.S. Cygnus. And seriously, may whatever deity you believe in have mercy on you," he said, and laughed, as did the rest of the room. Larsen raised his eyebrows and nodded knowingly. He placed the third half pip on the new Executive Officer, and clapped, everyone else in the room following suit. Bast attempted to rejoin the crowd, but Bane grabbed his shoulder and pointed at the deck next to him, indicating his place was now at the right hand of the Captain. More laughter came from the assembled officers and crew of the U.S.S. Cygnus.

"Congratulations to everyone that has received awards and promotions. This is one of the highest and greatest joys that I, as your Commanding Officer, get to do. I sincerely hope I get to give more out soon. Please feel free to mingle and congratulate all the recipients. Bane then clapped again, with everyone else following suit for all those that were recognized today.


OFF

Bane Plase, Captain
USS Cygnus, Commanding

 

RSS Feed