Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper – There’s No “I” In Starfleet (Part 1)
Robin Hopper
((OOC – Splitting this sim in two because it would have been too long for gmail and would have been cut! You are welcome to jump in where your character is involved if that makes participating easier for you.))
((Shuttlebay, Section Alpha – Amity Outpost))
As Robin approached Wil, she looked past the back of the CO’s head and out to the open view of the nebula beyond, her eyebrows raising. It was a striking visual, one that somehow managed to make her feel very grounded in the present moment and place – as well as reminding her quite viscerally that they truly were out there in the middle of nowhere…
Hopper: ::Coming to a stop beside him, arms crossed:: ‘Morning Skipper.
At least, it was her morning. Given the rotating duty shifts, it may well be his afternoon or evening.
Ukinix: G’day Robin. How’s this view?
Hopper: ::Eyes drinking in the scenery:: She’s a real beauty…
She finally turned her attention back to Wil and the assembled chairs, which were beginning to fill with the various people of the hour.
Hopper: But I can’t believe you’re admiring that when there’s a far more impressive display of your First Officer’s pristine box-stacking skills right beside you.
She nodded towards the table arrayed with myriad small wooden boxes, then chuckled.
Ukinix: Actually, I’ve got something different in mind today. Mixing in a little team building exercise. Just follow along. Ready to go?
Hopper: ::Scoffing:: Have you seen my stacked boxes? Do I not seem ready?
The question was rhetorical, of course, and she didn’t wait for an answer – moving to stand next to the table, resting her palm on the first box that was meant to be handed out.
Ukinix: Welcome team, it might seem that I have fibbed a little when I said come to the shuttlebay for an exercise, but we are in fact going to do something as a group. ::gesturing to boxes:: And you’re all involved.
While Wil smirked at the crowd, Robin waggled her eyebrows slightly, hoping to add to the mystique – even though she also didn’t know exactly what he had in mind.
Ukinix: Firstly, congrats everyone on our successful mission. The Uwezo and the Hovans have hopefully both got new friends to get to know - the Federation - over the coming decades. And that wouldn’t have been possible without all of you and your fine work, that was at times dangerous. Be proud of what you’ve helped achieve.
Hopper: ::Nodding:: Every good impression we make out here is another step towards a friendlier Delta Quadrant, and a brighter galaxy. I think it’s fair to say that, after all’s said and done, we achieved that on both fronts.
Any: Response
Ukinix: Alright, firstly. Can I have Ensign Saavei come forward? ::to Hopper:: Robin, ready with their box?
Robin tilted her head in mock annoyance, lifting the box that her hand was already gripping with a little extra oomph to show just how ready she was.
Saavei: Yes sir.
She shifted her gaze to the approaching Ensign, Saavei. Robin didn’t know the Vulcan junior officer well yet, but she had to admit – Saavei had impressed her already on Uwe II with her attentiveness and solid problem-solving.
Ukinix: For working with the Uwezo warp program lead to develop plans to change the warp ship back to a fusion reactor, you’re awarded the Innovation Ribbon. Congratulations. Commander, if you’ll do the honour?
Saavei: Thank you, sirs.
Robin stepped forward towards Saavei, popping open the box to reveal the ribbon inside before daintily plucking it out and holding it aloft for a moment. Then, with a precision that was absolutely not practiced in front of a mirror every few weeks for the past six months, she pinned it on the Ensign’s jacket.
Hopper: Our pleasure.
Varati: ::to Saavei:: Well done, Saavei!
Any: Response
Ukinix: Now Ensign, don’t sit down. Robin, can you hand Saavei the next boxes? ::to crew:: And can we have Ensign Varati and Lieutenant Wong come up.
A look of understanding spread over Robin’s face as she nodded, smiling, in response to Wil’s wink, and reached for the next batch of ribbons.
Varati: Commander Ukinix, Commander Hopper… ::graceful curtsy and nod to both officers::
Wong: Response
Ukinix: For the green skin covering you developed for me, Ensign, and Ikaia for the recording of Norsel’s conversation, you are also both awarded the Innovation Ribbon also, and Saavei is going to award them to you. Congrats to all of you.
Robin held the first box out for Saavei to collect a pin, then the second, before returning them, empty, to the table.
Saavei: Congratulations. Your plans were well-executed.
Varati: ::smiling: Thank you! At least it helped us fulfil our mission. ::to Saavei:: Thank you, Saavei ::smiles as accepting the ribbon::
Wong: Response
Any: Response
Ukinix: Ensign Saavei, thank you, you can return to your seat. Next up, we have Commander Rosek-Skyfire, Commander Iko, Second Secretary Aitas, and Lieutenant Nevark. Come up to the front here. ::to Robin:: Boxes for D’Cyra and Ikaia, please?
Shaking her head and chuckling ironically under the breath, Robin turned to the table and collected the next few boxes. Turning around, she passed half to Ikaia and half to D’Cyra.
Varati: Many caskets, many awards!
Hopper: Mhmm. ::To Varati:: Two for you and… ::to Ikaia:: two for you.
Wong: Response
Stepping out of the way, Robin revealed Bec, Lael, Aitas, and Layla. While most of their work had been done on an entirely different planet during the last mission, having read the after-action reports thoroughly, the First Officer was convinced that their work had been just as important to securing a good outcome – without which, the Federation may have found itself in the middle of an interstellar conflict.
Iko: G'day…
Rosek-Skyfire/Aitas/Nevark: Response
Ukinix: For your investigation and getting to the bottom of the stolen ships, and the bigger conspiracy behind it, while working with the, let’s politely call them the “shy” Hovans, you’re all awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award! D’Cyra and Ikaia, please do the honours with the ribbons in those boxes.
Wong and Varati set about pinning badges on their respective recipients, while Robin watched like a proud teacher at her students’ recital, off to the side.
Varati: Congratulations to you all! Great work in uncovering the conspiracy on the Hovans' side.
Iko: Cheers mate.
Wong/Rosek-Skyfire/Aitas/Nevark: Response
Any: Response
Suddenly, Robin remembered that even if she wasn’t handing out all the ribbons this time, she did, in fact, still need to provide the next boxes. oO Dammit, Wil knew this would happen! Oo She spun around quickly, reaching for the next trio of boxes.
Ukinix: And, Lael, Aitas and Bec, the three of you are also awarded the Lifesaving Ribbon, for pulling Hovans out of the rubble from the explosion on Hova. Well done, and thank you. ::to Layla:: Mind handing out a ribbon?
Robin quickly passed out the three ribbon ‘caskets’ to the three ribbon-givers to pin on the three ribbon-receivers.
Varati: Great performance by you all!
Wong/Nevark/Rosek-Skyfire/Aitas: Response
Bec patted her ‘ribbon-giver’ on the arm.
Iko: Don't forget you did a lot as well.
Any: Response
Ukinix: Thanks Ikaia, you can return to your seat, but Ensign Varati you need to stay up here. Lieutenant Moore, Commander Stros, can you come and join us?
Robin caught, from the corner of her vision, D’Cyra, who had begun to follow Ikaia back to the seats, quickly shuffling back into place – but she was busied collecting another stack of boxes to pass out.
Varati: ::uncertain:: Aye?
Stros/Moore: Response
Ukinix: For the undercover tracking down operation on Uwe II of Robin’s away team, Commander Stros, Lieutenant Moore, Ensign Varati, and myself are awarded the Intelligence Star. ::To Lael, Aitas, Layla, and Bec:: If you four could pin the ribbons?
Robin distributed the boxes, feeling a little like her middle school lunch lady passing out replicated meals – but there was something fun about watching everyone decide who they were going to pin – and how skilfully they did it. oO This is why I practice! Oo
Rosek-Skyfire/Aitas/Nevark/Iko: Response
Ukinix: Thanks mate.
Iko: There ya go.
Bec patted Kaito on the shoulder after pinning his ribbon on.
Iko: Good job on keeping them out of trouble.
Varati: Thanks… thanks a lot! ::pause:: We are one team: one for all and all for one!
Stros/Moore: Response
Ukinix: Alrighty, we’re on a roll now, I think we all know the drill! And as such, as Robin hands the boxes to those still remaining up here, and me, can we have Lieutenant Wong, Lieutenant Galanis, Ensign Saavei, come up?
There was a shuffling and scuffing of chairs on the hangar bay floor as the inevitable back-and-forth procession of the Ribbon’s ceremony played out despite the changes Wil had made to its format. Robin took that to mean the three summoned officers were approaching and collected the requisite boxes for lunch lady distribution.
Hopper: ::Passing out box after box:: For you – for you – for you…
Wil winked, and she responded in kind.
Ukinix: For uncovering Norsel’s plot, the three of you, plus Commander Hopper, are awarded the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon. Congratulations! ::gesturing to Niev:: Lieutenant, if I may?
Varati: Fantastic performance! Without your efforts, we would never have brought Norsel down! ::attaches one of the ribbons to Saavei::
Stros/Moore: Response
Ukinix: Well deserved, Lieutenant, congratulations. ::offering hand::
Galanis: Response
With Wil preoccupied pinning a badge on Niev, and Stros and Kaito pinning Saavei and Ikaia, Robin shrugged, and picked her own ribbon up out of it’s box.
Saavei: Thank you, sir.
Wong: Response
Hopper: ::Pinning it to her own jacket, under her breath, amused:: Of course, the one maneuver I didn’t practice…
Even so, she managed to get it in without jabbing herself. oO Not bad, Hopper… Not bad. Oo
Ukinix: Okay, now we’re back down to three, so Niev, Ikaia, and Saavei, you know what do to for the next three people-- Stros, Moore and Varati, you didn’t think you get to keep your seats, did you?
Varati: ::satirical:: It's still early evening and I had nothing else planned... ::chuckles::
Stros/Moore: Response
This time, Robin tried playfully tossing the boxes to Niev, Ikaia, and Saavei – unsure whether or not that would go over well at all.
Hopper: Think fast!
Wong/Saavei/Galanis: Response
Regardless of how gracefully the boxes had made their way into the trio of ribbon-givers’ hands, Wil pressed on.
Ukinix: For intercepting & apprehending the stolen Hovan stealth ships without casualties in a very tricky situation, Commander Stros, Lieutenant Moore, and Ensign Varati, you are all awarded the Legion of Merit. Congrats!
Saavei: Well done, D'Cyra ::as she pinned the ribbon for her friend::
Varati: Thanks… what should I say? Thanks.
Wong/Stros/Moore: Response
With the table now mostly empty, Robin nodded to those standing at the front indicating they were finally free to return to their seats, then stepped forward.
Hopper: Additionally – Everyone who took part in our mission in the Hovanic system has been awarded both the First Contact Ribbon and the Explorer’s Ribbon, for being among the first Federation citizens to visit the Hovans and Uwezo… ::wink:: and for not totally screwing it up.
She had not, for the sake of her own sanity, replicated over two dozen boxes for all those ribbons. Instead, she had produced one larger box with the pair inside – one box for each recipient.
Hopper: You’ll find those in boxes under your seats! ::Grinning:: Congrats, everyone.
Ukinix: Alright, that’s it for ribbons. Congratulations to everyone, and thanks to everyone that handed out a ribbon, which is everyone that received a ribbon!
There was a general round of applause as everyone celebrated the achievements (and reached for their swanky two-ribbon boxes under their seats!)...
Iko: Goodonyas.
Any: Response
Ukinix: Commander Hopper, there’s two boxes left on the table… ::puts index finger over mouth:: hmmm…
Playing along, Robin looked down at them as if she hadn’t realized.
Hopper: Uh oh! Where did those come from?
Ukinix: Did we stuff up?
Hopper: ::Brows raised:: “We?”
TBC in Part 2…
