Commander Ukinix, Lt. Cmdr Hopper, Lt. Cmdr Iko - Around the World (Part 1)
Robin Hopper
((CO’s Office, Level 3, Copernicus Center))
When the door chime rang, Wil knew who it was who was entering. He rounded his desk, stood in front of it, and then said the magic words.
Ukinix: Come in!
Iko: G’day…
She gave him a smirk as she stepped inside the office, but Bec (still) wasn’t quite used to being the second officer yet. But now that the storm had cleared and Amity was well on its way to pulling its crap together again, actually “hanging out” as “the commanding officers” was becoming… well… that’s what they were doing right now.
Speaking of which, following Bec was Amity’s First Officer, Robin Hopper. In one hand she held a PADD, which she was still scrolling through with her thumb as she passed the threshold into Wil’s office. In the other was a stainless steel mug filled with chai tea.
Hopper: Hiya, Skipper. ::Tucking the PADD under her arm and taking a sip of tea:: Bec and I were just reviewing the station’s duty rosters for the coming month together. Well, I might have been reviewing the duty rosters at her, but still… Surprise meeting?
Bec smiled innocently, the same smile she’d been adding nods with while Robin had been (almost) talking her ear off.
Robin gestured vaguely to the room and the three of them standing in it, before settling her gaze on the CO.
He gestured to two velvet sacks that lay on his desk.
Ukinix: Guess what? It’s ribbons time. But I haven’t been able to schedule a time to get everyone together when they’re free, so instead we’re going to go to them.
He grabbed one of the sacks and tossed it to Robin, before picking up the second one chucking that one to Bec - that one contained not only ribbon boxes, but an extra present for someone…
Bec caught the sack, peering inside, briefly (knowing full well it was going to have ribbons boxes inside it) as Robin spoke.
Hopper: ::Holding up the velvet sack filled with boxes:: Ohhh, how cute – almost like Christmas! Should we declare it a station-wide holiday?
Iko: Keehani would have a ball knowing we were all dragged out of our offices.
Ukinix: Think of us as like, what-his-name. Satan.
Bec furrowed her brow and tilted her head slightly. Robin stifled a laugh.
Iko: Mate, unless this thing is full of more bloody Moopsies—in which case, as Security Chief: “What the #$%#?”—I don’t think we’re Satan.
Hopper: ::To Iko:: He’s joking. ::Expression growing serious as she turns to Ukinix:: You’re joking, right?
Ukinix: Santa. I mean Santa.
Iko: Oh, yeah, that bloke.
Robin gasped audibly.
Hopper: ::Teasingly incredulous:: How can you two have grown up on Earth and be less familiar with the traditions of Christmas than I am?
The Security Chief turned to her First Officer
Iko: I know who he is. He gives out prezzies and… Stalks children.
Hopper: I don’t think– He doesn’t– ::Pursing lips, furrowing brow, thinking:: Hmm.
Robin was going to have to do some research into the traditions and customs surrounding the holiday’s mascot of generosity before she made any concrete statements. If the song lyrics she vaguely recalled from elementary school social studies could be taken at face value, that might actually have been one of his antics.
Ukinix: We’ll break it up. Robin, you can come ‘round with me this morning and hand them out, and Bec, it will be you on afternoon shift. Alrighty?
Iko: Right as rain.
Hopper: Works for me, Skipper.
Ukinix: Righto. But before we kick that off-- Robin, would you mind reaching into that bag and pulling out two boxes for ::gesturing with head to Bec::
He stood in front of Bec, arms casually behind his back. Iko tried her best not to roll her eyes.
Robin let out a small huff of a chuckle and set her own bag of goodies down on the desk, peering inside. Two boxes were, indeed, marked for Iko, and they were simple enough to fish out. She passed them to Old Saint Ukinix.
Ukinix: Commander Iko, for your leadership during the storm as acting First Officer, in the absence of Commander Hopper who led the evacuation, I hereby award you ::opening box:; with the Senior Support Ribbon. This isn’t just an award, this is recognition of your commitment to Starfleet and your career. ::Offering hand:: Congratulations, Bec.
With just the three of them there, Bec took accepting the ribbon a little more honestly. That being… not quite visibly accepting it as much.
Iko: C’arn mate, really?
While in her head there were blaring thoughts along the lines of “I was just doing my job” and “I don’t think I did much in terms of the whole acting-XO thing”, there was a small smile that creeped its way onto her face. She was still warming up to the new title, but it wasn’t taking as long as she thought it would.
Hopper: Hey, if you don’t want it… ::she held out her hand, jokingly:: There’s some Nygean traders who might pay a nice price for that genuine Starfleet memento.
Bec chuckled.
Iko: It’s going with the rest, don’t worry.
Displayed just inside her front door, so she saw them every time she left the apartment.
Ukinix: You also get the Explorer’s Ribbon along with the rest of the crew, for interacting with the life form… whatever it was.
Hopper: Though from what I hear some of you almost ought to have earned the ‘Prisoner of War’ Ribbon…
Bec shook her head, not saying that Robin was wrong, but more in disbelief.
Iko: I don’t think I need any more of those.
Bec chuckled again. She already had two.
Ukinix: ::Warm smile, genuine nod:: Well done, Bec. I’ll see you this afternoon ::To Robin:: Alrighty, who should we go visit first?
Peering back into the bag, Robin quickly mulled over the names she was seeing and the duty roster she’d just been reviewing a few minutes earlier.
Hopper: ::Decisively:: The nerds.
((Main Entrance Area, Level 9, SRC - MORNING SHIFT!))
Robin and Wil had passed Chief Barberra on the way out. Her usual deadpan expression was plastered over her face, but Wil could sense she seemed a little annoyed and puzzled.
As they entered, Wil spotted Commander Taelon and Lieutenant Galanis having a conversation.
Taelon: I, um, I don’t think I have a future in holoacting……….
Galanis: Response
Taelon: I, um, do have your….review….if you want to go over that….
Galanis: Response
oO “Review”. Oo Wil’s ears pricked up when hearing that.
Ukinix: Hey you two. Are we interrupting anything?
Taelon/Galanis: Response
Robin grinned as she sidled up next to Wil, the bag held behind her back for the time being.
Hopper: We’ll be sure to let you get back to rehearsing your holo-novel, or whatever it was you were up to, but first…
Ukinix: We come bearing gifts. If I can have you both at relaxed attention… ::turning to Hopper and giving her a nod::
The First Officer raised the velvet bag filled with boxy lumps and gave it a little wiggle. It probably looked stupid, but she hoped that it looked a little stupid and fun.
Hopper: Happy Belated Christmas! ::Leaning in, more serious:: Sorry, they are not actually Christmas presents. But they’re still nice. Promise.
Taelon/Galanis: Response
Ukinix: Commander Taelon, and Lieutenant Galanis. For discovering the link between the storm and the life forms that were in it, you are both awarded the Scientific Discovery Ribbon. Congratulations!
Robin reached into the bag and grabbed the two boxes she had readied ahead of time, passing one to each of the two officers.
Hopper: Well done, Commander, Lieutenant. I’m glad that you and the science team were on the job. I’ve found the readings you managed to collect enlightening, if a little mind-boggling!
Taelon/Galanis: Response
Ukinix: And I’ve got something else for Lieutenant Galanis’ review, Commander. ::To Niev:: Lieutenant, your idea of modulating the dampening fields to create that psychic faraday cage was a master stroke, and helped save Amity from the life form. You’re hereby awarded the Captain’s Commendation ribbon. ::Offering them a handshake:: Congratulations, Niev.
Hopper: ::Passing the ribbon to Niev and also demanding a handshake:: I wish I had been there to see it in action – or, you know, to see the work. You should consider studying that use case and its potential applications more thoroughly, maybe write an article for the Journal of Starfleet Sciences & Technologies.
Robin had not, herself, ever had the distinction of publishing an article in that prestigious journal – though it was on her bucket list. Some day, when she found the right subject, she was sure she would dedicate the time to it.
Taelon/Galanis: Response
Ukinix: You’re both awarded the Explorers Ribbon as well, along with the rest of the crew. Now.. you don’t happen to know where Lieutenant Varati is, do you?
Taelon/Galanis: Response
((Ground Level, Grand Mezzanine, Amity Outpost))
The CO and FO had to quickly catch a train back up to the upper part of Amity, to catch Varati before her lunch date.
Upon exiting the train and stepping onto the platform, Wil looked around before spotting her.
Ukinix: ::Pointing:: There, at the base of the stairs.
Hopper: ::Starting to jog:: Come on, let’s get her!
The two dashed over from the train station, and caught D’Cyra halfway up the stairs that led to the Mezzanine level.
Ukinix: Lieutenant!
Varati: Response
Hopper: Hiya, D’Cyra. ::Grinning, holding up the sack:: We’re distributing Starfleet Awards in an atypical format – and you… are our next victim!
Ukinix: ::shrug:: This is as good a place as any. ::To D’Cyra:: Lieutenant Varati, for being part of the science team that discovered the link between the storm and the life form, and for your use of the test drones to analyse the storm and the micro subspace fractures, you are hereby awarded the Scientific Discovery Ribbon, and the Innovation Ribbon.
Robin reached into the bag and found the right two boxes, handing them to the Orion insistently.
Hopper: One for you… And the other.
Ukinix: Congrats! ::gesturing to ribbons:: They look good on you. ::Smiles:: Perfect for a lunch date.
Robin nodded, even while she was reaching back into the back to recover the third ribbon that Lieutenant Varati would be receiving.
Hopper: Maybe it’ll prompt some interesting conversations, or stories. ::Shrug:: Who knows!
Varati: Response
Ukinix: Well deserved. And you also get the Explorer’s Ribbon, along with the rest of the crew.
Producing the box from the bag’s interior, Robin passed it over to D’Cyra warmly.
Hopper: You may want to pin them on so you don’t have to keep carrying all the boxes. ::Chuckling:: Sorry.
Varati: Response
Ukinix: Enjoy your lunch, we’ll seeya later. ::Smirk towards Robin:: Santa’s got more presents to hand out.
Varati: Response
((Copernicus Centre, Level 14 - Open plan diplomatic staff work area))
Aitas: Response
Ukinix: G’day First Secretary. I hope you don’t mind two Starfleet officers crashing your workplace?
Hopper: We promise not to make a habit of it. ::Smile:: Then again, soon enough you’ll probably have your own office, hm?
Aitas: Response
A small smile formed in Wil’s face, as he called out to the other FDC staff on the floor.
Ukinix: Hey everyone, would you mind gathering around?
As they did, Keehani Ukinix emerged from the elevator, and rushed forward to stand alongside the other FDC staff assembled, clasping her hands in front of her.
Keehani: Cousin. Commander Hopper. Thank you for letting me know, I wouldn’t want to miss this.
Hopper: Oh – of course. What’s the fun of rewarding our staff’s excellent work if we don’t get the pleasure of embarrassing them a little bit in public?
Robin chuckled, as a small crowd did indeed form around them.
Aitas: Response
Once everyone was silent, and standing in a circle around the trio, Wil spoke up.
Ukinix: As you all know, when the storm hit after you evacuated, we discovered there was a life form in it. Aitas remained behind as FDC representative, and we’re grateful. First Secretary Aitas put her career experience and her diplomatic skills to work, which ultimately resulted in enough sensor data to work out what to do next to save Amity. ::Turning back to Aitas:: For this, Starfleet awards you the Diplomacy Ribbon. Congratulations, Aitas, and once again, thank you.
Hopper: And, since this is your second Starfleet Diplomacy Ribbon, there’s a star on it. Wear it with pride, Aitas.
The First Officer was sure Aitas would understand the significance of the little emblem, but figured many of the civilian diplomats standing around them wouldn’t be as familiar with the military tradition.
Aitas: Response
Keehani: ::slight lift of chin:: And proving once again that Starfleet would be nothing without the FDC in the Delta Quadrant.
Hopper chuckled, rolling her eyes slightly as she eyed Keehani with a friendly crinkle of her nose. It was true – without the FDC and astute diplomats like Keehani and Aitas to keep them on the right side of things, their mission out here would certainly be struggling – if it hadn’t already failed. Just as Starfleet was needed to keep the FDC safe and sound from the various jerks in the quadrant who were more interested in politics of force.
Hopper: Yes, it is a rather beautiful partnership, isn’t it?
Aitas: Response
Ukinix: And along with all the crew, you get the Explorer’s Ribbon as well. ::Playfully:: You know, the door’s always open if you wanted to come back to Starfleet-- oww!
He felt a little kick from Keehani’s pointed shoe on his ankle.
Hopper: He’s kidding of course. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if in the coming year we don’t see more movement the other way, what with the expanded Embassy. Promise you won’t steal away all our best officers, okay?
Aitas: Response
TBC…
===
Commander Wil Ukinix
Starfleet attache and Commanding Officer
Amity Outpost
V239511WU0
&
Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper
First Officer, Amity Outpost
Character Wiki Page
V239806K11
&
Second Officer/Chief of Sec/Tac
Amity Outpost
A239810RI3