Rear Admiral Quinn Reynolds - Applause, Applause, Applause

[Quinn Reynolds]

((Outer Hull, USS Gorkon ))

::Never one for parties, Quinn had nonetheless enjoyed this one so far. It was unique, and spectacular — and apart from a small kerfuffle on the dance floor between Stoyer and Sevo — it looked like that was the majority opinion. Walter had breathed a soft snort of annoyance on seeing the both the pair dancing and their subsequent parting, and she wasn't quite sure what was going through his mind. Bad memories, or perhaps concern for the newest member of his crew? 

::Perhaps both.

::Still, it was time for her to put the proverbial admiral's hat on. She left Walter at the bar, approaching the small stage where the the musicians had just finished the last piece. Taking her place front and centre, she simply waited until the crowd caught on that she was about to speak — which was pretty quickly, to their credit.::

Reynolds: I'm sorry for interrupting the dancing. I have a few presentations and announcements to make, and then I'll let you all get back to your evening. ::She paused, and then ploughed ahead.:: First, I have some service ribbons to present as a result of our encounter with Lladre. All Starfleet crew are to receive the Prisoner of War ribbon; though it was through some very unusual means, we were all held captive while she tried to accomplish her goals.

::She didn't allow time for anyone to start clapping, moving straight on toward the first of the ribbons awarded to specific people.::

Reynolds: Caedan Nkai, whose sacrifices and actions during Lladre's occupation of the Gorkon were both notable and remarkable, is to receive the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Ribbon. 

::She glanced toward him, dipping her head in thanks, and lifting her glass in a wordless toast as the crew put their hands together for a blushing Rodulan. Quinn had awoken on her own, but even if she had not, Nkai would have been there to rouse her, and she felt a personal debt of gratitude to the man.::

Reynolds: While Yiggtissi is sadly absent this evening, we would like to award him the Innovation Ribbon, for finding a way to wake us all. Without his quick thinking, we might not all be gathered here today.

::A round of applause rippled through the crowd for the absent Saurian. After a brief stint away from the ship, he was due to return soon, and she knew that many were looking forward to seeing him again.::

Reynolds: Finally, for their actions in locating and rescuing the symbiote Kian, we would like to present Jocelyn Marshall and Groznin Smith the Lifesaving Ribbon. The Symbiosis Commission also asked me to relay their personal thanks for your actions in saving Kian… ::She glanced toward Ferier with a wry smile,:: ...and I'm sure a certain helmsman has as well.

::She let another round of cheers and claps run their course

Reynolds: Lastly, I have some promotions to award. Ensigns Krugol and Neathler, would you come forward?

::She waited while the two women wound their way forward. Of course, everyone knew what was happening next, but that anticipation was part of the joy. While some — famously Vess, who'd grown rather cynical about such things — pooh-poohed the ceremony, pomp and circumstance, Quinn thought it was important to formally and publicly recognise such achievements. It allowed not just the individual to take pride and delight in what they had earned, but their friends and colleagues as well.::

Reynolds: During your time aboard the Gorkon, you've each performed your duties above and beyond the expectations of your current rank, proving that you are capable of much more. Therefore, I'm delighted to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant, Junior Grade, with all the associated duties, rights and responsibilities. ::She paused,:: In addition, Lieutenant Neathler, ::she glanced toward the woman,:: your determination, cool head and quick thinking have shown that you'd be an excellent assistant to the chief of security and tactical, and as such I am moving you into that role.

::She smiled as the crowd burst into applause, murmuring a more private "well done" to the pair over the sound. Once the sound began to ebb, and the two woman had returned to their friends and former places, she asked for the next officer to approach.::

Reynolds: Lieutenant Sim, would you come forward?

::Sim's start aboard the Gorkon had been a little rocky, what with the incident of Sikuna and all. But he'd taken it to heart, and by all accounts, examined his own beliefs and behaviours in the wake of it. Since then, he'd evolved into a fine officer and she was delighted to be able to formally recognise that.::

Reynolds: You've proven yourself to be an excellent officer and your skills, dedication and courage are an example to all. As such, I'm proud to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant, with all the associated duties, rights and responsibilities. Furthermore, your work as assistant chief has more than proven that you're capable of more, and so I am elevating you to the post of Chief Medical Officer.

::While the crowd cheered for his success, she offered a quiet congratulations and a smile to the man, though she couldn't deny she still a little discomforted than he had been in her mind not so long ago. Still, personal awkwardness aside, she was glad to have him aboard the ship. After he had moved away, and she was confident that she'd be heard over the crowd, Quinn called the final pair of officers forward.::

Reynolds: Lieutenants Nkai and Marshall, come forward please.

::Marshall, of course, knew this was coming — Quinn had promoted her at the same time she'd offered the XO post, it just hadn't publicly been announced to the crew. Nkai, on the other hand, looked thoroughly surprised at being called forward, his shock coloured with delight.::

Reynolds: The two of you are a credit to Starfleet; exemplary officers, showing courage, ingenuity and integrity and under great pressure. I have no doubts that you will both go from strength to strength, and so it's my very great pleasure to promote each of you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with all the associated duties, rights and responsibilities. ::Then she turned toward the crowd, and offered her final announcement for the evening.:: I'm also pleased to announce that Commander Marshall has accepted the post of First Officer. She'll do us all proud in the role, of that I have absolute faith.

::She smiled, proud and really quite fond of them both, and led the applause for the newly-minted Lieutenant Commanders. The cheers went on for quite some time, and once they had finally died down, Quinn concluded her presentation, glad to be only a few moments away from exiting the limelight::

Reynolds: Finally, special thanks to Commander Nkai and Lieutenant Marshall for the technomagic that allowed us all to enjoy such a spectacular setting. ::She waited as there was another round of cheers and applause, as well as quite a few glasses raised in their direction.:: That's all, so please enjoy the rest of your evening.

::Everyone's hands had to be sore by the end of it, and she descended the small stage to the sound of hands being put together once again. Still, she was pleased that everyone was so happy for one another, and was buoyed up by the jubilant atmosphere. On her return to the bar, Walter passed her a cocktail glass, the drink inside French pink in colour, topped with ice and two cherries.::

Brunsig: It's a Shirley Temple. No booze.

::She offered him a grateful smile, still yet to explain to him the reasons she'd sworn off alcohol. After talking so much, her throat was a little dry, and the sweet cocktail was cooling and delightful.:: 

Reynolds: Thank you.

Brunsig: You still owe me an explanation for why I drink alone these days.

::She stifled a sigh. Evidently, his thoughts had been echoing hers in that particular department. She had promised that she'd tell him one day, but it was a difficult time to even think about, let alone discuss.::

Reynolds: I know. I just… It's complicated. And hard to talk about.

Brunsig: Fine. But I'm charging interest, and payment's due in the form of a dance.

::That caught her short, and it was absolutely his intention. Staring at him, it took Quinn a moment to find her words.::

Reynolds: You don't dance.

Brunsig: Cupcake, ::he reached over, taking her cocktail and placing both of their glasses on the bar,:: I can do anything.

::He shot her a sly grin as he took her hand, leading a somewhat bemused Quinn to the dance floor. She couldn't remember dancing with anyone since… How long? It had been David, and that meant she had still been a lieutenant, back on the Independence-A. She'd just received a Purple Heart, after being injured in the bombing of a clinic that Starfleet had been trying to set up. She'd still been limping, and dancing hadn't been the easiest of tasks. Looking back, she was annoyed at herself for being so incapable of saying no to the dashing officer who'd swept her off her feet. But David had been her first love — and at the time, she thought the only one she'd ever have.

::it hadn't been long after that she'd learned otherwise. She was never entirely sure if she enjoyed or despised the irony of having a much more successful career than the man who'd abandoned her to pursue his. Would she even be the person she was today, if he hadn't? She suspected not, though she couldn't shake the feeling she would have still been drawn toward Walter, sooner or later.::

Brunsig: Deep thoughts.

Reynolds: Frequently. ::She smiled at him. Her hand on his shoulder, his on her waist as they swayed to the music, Walter was light on his feet, leading with assured confidence..:: When did you learn to dance?

Brunsig: The Conservatoire.

::Where else? It was easy to forget that Starfleet had never been his first or intended choice of career as a young man. They were similar in that respect, and perhaps it was another reason they'd found common ground over the years.

::She lapsed into silence, content enough to enjoy the moment; the music, the warmth of his body, the weight of his arm around her waist, the scent of his cologne. The light from the moon overhead somehow managed to make his eyes an even more brilliant blue, drawing a quiet sigh from her lungs — one that he caught and answered with a crooked, wry smile.::

Brunsig: Feeling's mutual.

::And of that, she had no doubt.::

--
Rear Admiral Quinn Reynolds
Commanding Officer

USS Gorkon

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