[I-D8] LtCmdr Rahman: Mistress of Ceremonies (Service Ribbons!)

[Rich Yulin]

((Auditorium, Deck 8))

::Roshanara entered the auditorium and took a moment to take in the sight of the revelry. There was live music being provided by a large brass band and a dazzling display of lights overhead. She turned back to find her companion still lagging behind.::

Rahman: Will you hurry up already?

Core: RESPONSE

Rahman: It looks fine. Now come on. We don't have much time.

Core: RESPONSE

::She grabbed his hand and moved forward into the hall. Some of those gathered noticed and cleared the way for her as she headed towards the main stage. For Roshanara's own costume, she'd chosen to wear a headdress decorated with an artistic recreation of the skull of a Berengarian dragon. It seemed fitting.::

::When she reached the stage, she saw Fleet Captain Kells was already there.::

Rahman: Good to see you, sir!

::The music was even louder here, so she had to shout to get his attention.::

Kells: RESPONSE

Core: RESPONSE

Rahman: Don't mind him. He's just a little bit grumpy because his shorts are riding up into the whole... "crotchal region."

Core: RESPONSE

::She turned back and glared.::

Rahman: Well, whose fault is that? I told you you'd be more comfortable in the loincloth...

Core: RESPONSE

Kells: RESPONSE

::She looked back over at the captain.::

Rahman: Hey, if I could make it through a whole production of Peter Pan dressed as a trampy Captain Hook who apparently doesn't wear pants, he can handle that outfit.

Kells: RESPONSE

Core: RESPONSE

::She just grinned in return before turning again to Kells.::

Rahman: Shall we begin the ribbons ceremony?

Kells: RESPONSE

::Roshanara nodded and signaled for the musicians to pause for a moment. With the music stopped, people gathered in the auditorium began turning towards the stage to see what was going on.::

::The first officer stepped up towards the edge of the stage, activating her com to act as a microphone.::

Rahman: Ladies and gentlemen, officers and crew, thank you for coming to this year's celebration of the Festival of Life!

::Cheers erupted from around the room before she continued.::

Rahman: This crew has been through a lot over the past few days. We've lost one of our own, Petty Officer Jonanjes Jonan. She will be missed and her service never forgotten. ::beat:: But I am grateful that we also recovered one of our own... our captain, Aron Kells.

::She gestured to the captain as the crowd applauded.::

Kells: RESPONSE

A Voice in the Crowd: Speech! Speech! Speech!

::It started to become a chant as others joined in.::

Crowd: Speech!

::Perhaps there were a few who were already feeling the love, thanks to their friendly bartenders.::

Kells: RESPONSE

::After he was done, Roshanara nodded and turned back to the crowd.::

Rahman: I could not have asked for a better crew during this investigation. Thanks to your efforts, a criminal madman has been arrested and another man's name redeemed. You all should be proud of your achievements.

Any: RESPONSE

Rahman: Captain Kells and I would like to recognize a few individuals in particular.

::She looked down at her costume, which did not have any pockets and then back up at the crowd with a sheepish smile.::

Rahman: You'll forgive me that I don't have the ribbons with me on-hand, but you'll get them rest assured. Besides, I'm not sure there's a place to pin them on for some of you.

Any: RESPONSE

::All right, time to get to business. Roshanara put her hand up to her brow, trying to block out the light to see a bit better into the crowd.::

Rahman: Counselor Raissa Moonsong, Ensign Nikki Ryan, where are you two?

Ryan: RESPONSE

Moonsong: RESPONSE

Rahman: Come on up here!

Ryan: RESPONSE

Moonsong: RESPONSE

::Once they'd made their way up, Roshanara gestured for them to stand beside her.::

Rahman: You both came back from your away missions with a little more than just the typical souvenir. For injuries sustained during the course of your duties, you are hereby awarded the Purple Heart.

Ryan: RESPONSE

Moonsong: RESPONSE

Any: RESPONSE

Rahman: If you would remain on the stage--and that goes for anyone else I call up here.

Ryan: RESPONSE

Moonsong: RESPONSE

Any: RESPONSE

::Roshanara looked over at Ensign Ryan.::

Rahman: Ensign Ryan, your efforts to disable the scrambling devices on the Van Gelder research station were what allowed us to recover the captain and the rest of the team. For outstanding achievement, you are awarded the Captain's Commendation.

Ryan: RESPONSE

Any: RESPONSE

::Roshanara turned back to the crowd.::

Rahman: Lt. Commander T'Lea? If you'd join us?

T'Lea: RESPONSE

Rahman: Lt. Commander T'Lea and Counselor Moonsong, for your engagement in a conflict with *a* Gorn, you are hereby recognized with the Gorn Campaign Ribbon.

T'Lea: RESPONSE

Moonsong: RESPONSE

::Roshanara wasn't sure if that's what the original creators of that ribbon intended, but then again, they weren't here so they could just... "deal with it," as Captain Kells was fond of saying.::

Rahman: Lt. Commander T'Lea, for your quick action in particular to save Counselor Moonsong from said Gorn, I am proud to award you the Distinguished Service Ribbon.

T'Lea: RESPONSE

Any: RESPONSE

::She nodded and then looked back out into the crowd.::

Rahman: Doctor Blueheart, would you join us up here?

Blueheart: RESPONSE

Rahman: Doctor, for your efforts in saving Ensign Ryan from her injuries, you are hereby awarded the Silver Lifesaving Ribbon.

Blueheart: RESPONSE

Rahman: Congratulations.

Blueheart: RESPONSE

Any: RESPONSE

::Roshanara then turned to her side. Tristam was standing a little further away during the presentation, so she gestured for him to come closer.::

Core: RESPONSE

Rahman: Lt. Commander Tristam Core, it was through your efforts that we apprehended a dangerous criminal who led us to find the captain. For your actions, you are awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon.

Core: RESPONSE

Rahman: You're welcome.

Core: RESPONSE

Any: RESPONSE

::The first officer then turned back to the crowd once again.::

Rahman: Alora, where are you?

DeVeau: RESPONSE

Rahman: You're up next!

DeVeau: RESPONSE

Rahman: For her swift actions that led directly to the capture of Commodore Chase, Lt. Commander Alora DeVeau, you are hereby awarded the Legion of Merit.

::Roshanara's own Legion of Merit, which she had earned for her actions after the bombings aboard the USS Mercury shortly after her assignment there as chief engineer, remained one of her most cherished commendations in all of her career, and seeing now the young woman whom she'd witnessed grow from an eager-faced ensign to an eager-faced lieutenant commander, she couldn't be prouder.

DeVeau: RESPONSE

Rahman: Well done, commander.

DeVeau: RESPONSE

Any: RESPONSE

::Roshanara then turned back to the captain.::

Rahman: And finally, Captain Kells, you are awarded the Prisoner of War Ribbon in recognition of your ordeal spent at the hands of Commodore Chase.

Kells: RESPONSE

Rahman: I think I speak for all of us when I say we're beyond glad to have you back.

Kells: RESPONSE

::She smiled broadly, a rarer sight these days.::

Rahman: Don't worry, I won't make you give another speech.

::She turned back around to look at the audience.::

Rahman: I'm also happy to announce the following appointments. Having served now for several months as acting chief of security, Lieutenant JG Hanar Tuk is hereby appointed Invicta's Chief of Security.

Tuk: RESPONSE

Any: RESPONSE

Rahman: Ambassador Vetri?

Vetri: RESPONSE

Rahman: I hope we are doing justice to the Trill tradition this evening.

Vetri: RESPONSE

Rahman: ::nods:: I'm pleased to announce that Ambassador Vetri is hereby appointed the Head of the Diplomatic Contingent. In this position, the ambassador will represent the voices of all of our diplomatic contingents to the command staff and crew. It is a role I have no doubt she will excel.

Vetri: RESPONSE

Rahman: Finally, I spoke with Captain Nia Calderan earlier this evening, and I'm excited to officially announce that she will be taking on the role of Chief of Search and Rescue Operations (SAR Ops).

Calderan: RESPONSE

Rahman: Don't let that costume fool you, everyone. I'm sure you've managed to hide a phaser somewhere in there, haven't you, captain?

Calderan: RESPONSE

Rahman: All right, that's the last bad joke of the evening. ::She looked over to Captain Kells.:: Unless there's anything else, sir?

Kells: RESPONSE

TAG! TBC...

Lt. Cmdr. Roshanara Rahman

First Officer, USS Invicta

Writer ID: I238705TZ0