Commander Taybrim - The Beachly Ceremony Part 1 (Tags: Halzar/Larson/Rajel | FAO: All)

[Jamie LeBlanc]

((Flynn's Beach House - Little Risa))

::Sal waited until everyone had plenty of time to eat their fill and drink enough to feel comfortable before he headed up onto Flynn's porch bringing with him the box he had oh-so-carefully had Flynn store there for this very occasion.

Award ceremonies on Ops were almost always casual, and yet also always public. Perhaps that was due to the commanding officer being an incurable extrovert, but in Sal's mind recognition from one's leader in front of one's peers was an integral part of coming together. Every could see and appreciate the work they had done - and others around them had done, everyone supporting one another and sharing in the positive communication of how such deeds have improved the station; and sometimes the entire sector.

Life as a Starfleet officer was not always easy. Sometimes it was difficult, sometimes it was dangerous. But it also brought together the best people in the galaxy, together as a team - even as a family - to do things beyond their wildest dreams.::

Taybrim: Can I have everyone's attention? ::he waited for them to come to a quiet pause.:: If everyone could please find a space to settle yourselves for a while, I have a few announcements to make.

::As the shuffling stopped, Sal brought forth a small holoprojector unit and switched it on. This first announcement was the hardest one to make, the one that mingled pain with the celebration, and memory.::

Taybrim: To start, I want to ask for a moment of silence to honor our fallen. Marine Captain Hughes lost his life to clear the Below and make this entire starbase a safer place. ::He paused, lowering his head and allowing silence to wash over the beach.:: For all who attended his funeral, I want to share the following words from his family.

::The holoprojector flickered to life, a woman's voice was speaking, but the image was of Hughes, smiling, enjoying one of his many pastimes. A memory of the man in the best of times - the way he would want to be remembered.::

Voice: To the 292nd Iron Jaegers and the crew of StarBase 118 Operations, my name is Wanda Krings, Raymond Hughes sister. I wanted to say thank you for your memorial of the my brother. While we will miss him dearly, it is comforting to know he served with such a supportive crew and his counted the Stilettos as friends. ::her voice broke under the strain of grief, yet carrying on with a thread of strength:: I know he died making the galaxy a safer place, and I believe you will continue to honor his memory by continuing on the same. Thank you all.

::The program closed, and a moment of silence settled across the party.::

Taybrim: ::His voice was deep and sonorous, heavy with empathy to those who still felt Hughes' loss.:: I want to announce that Marine Captain Hughes has been posthumously awards the Legion of Merit, under full support of both Starfleet Marines and Starfleet Command. In this we honor everything he did for us, and I pray that we keep all our of departed friends in our memories as we move forward.

::Again a quiet pause. The moment lingered and then passed. Rather than jump directly to a more upbeat topic, Sal opted for a slow - diplomatic - transition::

Taybrim: Starfleet has transferred both Oma-Saan and Janker to Elba II where they will be incarcerated. Oma-Saan's trial has concluded already, the evidence against him was overwhelming. Janker's is yet to be scheduled pending investigation, but his connections to Tilanna V are coming into play and the Federation prosecutor believes both will be serving multiple life sentences.

Any: ?

::Sal took in a breath, continuing with the updates and news, allowing the mood to gently move from somber to positive again.::

Taybrim: The area of the station known as The Below has been completely stripped of the plasticized tritanium mesh, and is now completely within our scanning grid. Many thanks to Ensign Greyson who headed up the removal process, and all the engineering teams that participated in that process.

Greyson: ?

Any: ?

Taybrim: Harkin's Den is being gutted by the Black Tower, who are working to remove any and all evidence that can be used to track Chennel and any of Oma-Saan's other associates. When that process is complete, the area will be renovated and will become the new location of 'The Raven' goth club. The current area where the Raven sits is being demolished as part of a large scale restoration project of the former Below.

::Now Sal tapped the holoprojector to bring up a completely different scene. A Mediterranean retreat complete with waterways and cobblestone plaza's, lined with some of the finest clothing and food boutiques from the quadrant and beyond.::

Taybrim: We agreed to a development contract with the Lurtz Corporation, and construction has started this week. This formerly dark area will become our new district: Nuova Eleganza, based on ancient Terran Venice. Construction will take six months to complete, but the primary areas will be open in less than three months. Once completed this will be an open area of commerce, upscale living areas and fashion forward shops appealing to a young generation. More importantly, with the engineering upgrades to the area we will be able to monitor all sections to ensure the safety of those living and working within. A fringe benefit is this will increase traffic to the dungeon level and help us monitor that area to keep it safer.

Any: ?

::he took in a deep breath, letting his gaze settle on his crew one by one::

Taybrim: I want you all to know that you have all helped clean a fifteen year old stain from our station, and turn it from a nightmare to a place of hope. I also want to add that the center square will be a memorial for what happened in the Below before we were able to clean it out. And if anyone has any input as to what should be placed there, they should contact me in the next week so I can finalize plans.

Any: ?

::He took in a deep breath and smiled, dark eyes sparkling. Anyone who had been on the station for a previous party knew what came next.::

Taybrim: now I want to move to happier things. And to start, I'd like to make some introductions! First, please welcome Ensign Alana Larson who joined us in the middle of last mission. Many of you have already met her, but if you have not had a chance to say hello, please do! Alana joins Taelon in the science department. ::He smiled broadly towards the Trill, gesturing to her:: Welcome Alana, we're thrilled you are here with us.

Larson: ?

Any: ?

Taybrim: ::His dark eyes roamed, settling on the bright young ensign who had just joined them from the academy recently:: I also would like to introduce everyone to Ensign Morela Halzar. Ensign Halzar is a medical officer, joining Dr. Ezo in sickbay, and she's one of the brightest new graduates from the StarBase 118 academy facility. Please say hello to her if you have not had the chance. ::Again he gestured towards Morela and smiled with an earnest compassion and happiness:: Welcome Ensign Halzar! It is so good to meet you and have you join us!

Halzar: ?

Any: ?

Taybrim: And last, but certainly not least, I would like to introduce our guest of honor. ::He gestured to the flame haired Trill:: Captain Jalana Rajel is the commanding officer of the USS Constitution. She is on leave and visiting our station for a few days. please extend to her warmest welcomes so she can share in Ops hospitality. ::Again a shining smile:: We are so glad to be able to meet you and spend time with you, Jalana.

Rajel: ?

Any: ?

~*~
OOC - cutting this into 2 parts, so hang on everyone! Awards are coming up next!
~*~

Commander Sal Taybrim
Commanding Officer
StarBase 118 Ops

"Why do we fly? Because we have dreamt of it for so long that we must"

~Julian Beck
E239010ST0