[Ribbons & Promotions Ceremony] Amb. Rivi Vataix: Changing Seasons (Part 2)

[Roshanara Rahman]

((Lighthouse Restaurant, Amity Outpost))

Vataix: "From: President Anton Chekov, Paris, Earth. To: Ambassador Niarivi Vataix, Amity Outpost, stardate 240205.23. Per your resignation as chief of mission for Amity Outpost, you are hereby requested and required to relinquish command of your installation to Commander Wil Ukinix as of this date." Computer, transfer all command codes to Commander Wil Ukinix, authorization Vataix-saphhire-sonata-sauté.

As the computer processed her authorization code, ensuring that the pronunciation of sauté matched that of the ballet term and not the cooking technique (a distinction that once saved Amity from a data breach two years ago), Rivi looked over at Wil proudly. While the affair with DTI had been frustrating, the agents frankly never had a chance trying to compete against a Betazoid matriarch ascendant. They were trained to employ the tactics of bureaucratic warfare as mere administrative tools. Rivi meanwhile had been born into a world forged by them, a lifestyle that required her to become as adept at wielding such maneuvers as a Romulan warrior nun with her sword.

And sometimes, that meant going straight to the top. She'd make sure to send the President a thank you note in the coming week.

Computer: Transfer complete. Amity Outpost now under the command of Commander Wil Ukinix.

Wil quickly turned to face Rivi, extending a trembling hand. She reached out and grasped it firmly, the warmth of her hand meeting his and grounding him.

Vataix: ~~ You are ready, Wil. ~~

Ukinix: Thank you, Ambassador. ::placing another hand on hers:: And on behalf of the crew, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts, for the leadership, the sensibilities, and the bright ray of daily sunshine you have brought to Amity. It will be very sad when you leave, but we’d like this to be a moment of celebration of your lengthy achievements. ::Gesturing to waiter:: Sorry mate, could we get a few glasses of bubbles up here?

The Andorian waiter nodded and returned with glasses of champagne for Rivi, Keehani, Vaje, Aitas and Wil. The new commanding officer of Amity Outpost raised his glass, the others following his lead.

Ukinix: ::Turning to Rivi:: To Ambassador Rivi Vataix, may your future be as bright as you are.

The four others standing with Rivi each clinked their glasses following Wil's toast.

Rivi downed her champaign and then looked back at Wil.

Vataix: Now, Commander... if you would allow, I would like to hand out some final recognition and well-earned promotions. And perhaps you can assist me?

Ukinix: Response

She looked out to the crew still sitting at their tables.

Vataix: And to be clear, I signed the PADDwork, so please consider these my final actions and remarks as your CO.

She pressed a button on the podium's display to bring up the list of citations she would begin reading.

Vataix: Ensign Niev Galanis, please join us up here.

Galanis: Response

Vataix: Ensign, since you arrived on Amity Outpost, and even before it...

((FLASHBACK: Transporter Room 3, USS Kitty Hawk, Last Year))

(OOC: Narration from Niev's sim by their writer.)

Rahman: Hands up where I can see them.

The first words the fresh-faced Ensign heard after beaming up from the planet, Probert Station's transporter room emerging into view, were so absurd they took a few moments to even register. They blinked in confusion as they took in the surreal situation. Wide, sea-green eyes flitted between each of the figures and finally settled on the phaser being very firmly aimed at the transporter chief.

Transporter chief: Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Parker: Best do as she says, friend. She's not in the mood for resistance...

Niev's mind was racing. The woman with the phaser was looking their way now. Only one of the two armed people even had a combadge. To say the scene looked suspicious to the new arrival was a drastic understatement. Was this some kind of a prank? A weird test? The thought of actually beaming straight from the Academy into an actual crisis seemed too absurd to entertain. Whatever this was, the look on the Ensign's face suggested they didn't want any part in it.

Rahman: Oh, great...

Galanis: ...Don't mind me. I must have beamed into the wrong transporter room.

Rahman: Stay on that pad, ensign.

The woman's head moved back to look at her partner, and Niev felt the bottom of their gut drop out at her next words, face visibly paling.

Rahman: We can't afford any witnesses.

Parker: No, we cannot...

Galanis: H-Hold on, there’s no need for anything hasty, I don't even know what's going on here!

Rahman: You're coming with us, Ensign.

((END FLASHBACK))

Vataix: ...you have been tasked with daunting and unprecedented challenges that many in Starfleet don't face until years into their careers. And since then, you have performed your duties with excellence and in the best traditions of Starfleet. As such, my final act for you as your commanding officer is to bestow upon you the rank of lieutenant junior grade, with all the rights and responsibilities thereof. Congratulations, Lieutenant!

Galanis: Response

Keehani brought a small wooden box and opened it, revealing the hollow black pip that would be added to the junior science officer's collar.

Vataix: Commander, would you like to do the honors?

Ukinix: Response

Galanis: Response

Vataix: Congratulations again, Niev.

Galanis: Response

Rivi then looked over at Keehani to help bring the other boxes next to her and Wil.

Vataix: All right, next I would like to recognize several individuals on our most recent mission. Now, as you no doubt realized with the appearance of our guest Commander Alexis Hopper...

She gestured to the commander from another time period who was sitting at one of the tables with Robin and Nathan.

Vataix: ...there was more to what happened then just defending against the rogue Hirogen Alpha Ravarj's attack. And, thanks to Commander Hopper's testimony to the DTI, and Ikaia's surveillance and report of Wil to the agents, we were able to clear Wil's name, which allowed him to be able to take on his new post.

She knew that Ikaia's secret mission to observe him would have been a surprise, but if anything, it also showed that Ikaia had a future in spycraft should he ever wish to pursue it.

Ukinix: Response?

Wong: Response?

Vataix: So in addition to actions that occurred here on Amity Outpost, I will also be recognizing the actions of your future selves in honor of their sacrifices. I know it may seem strange for you to receive something you haven't done yet, but perhaps you can take these ribbons as a commitment to become the future you who answered the call of the Federation and perhaps more importantly, of each other when needed.

Any: Response?

Rivi looked over at the crowd to find Sam Richards.

Vataix: Sam, would you please come up here to join Niev?

S. Richards: Response

After Sam walked up and stood next to the newly promoted Niev, Rivi read her prepared citation.

Vataix: For the modification of probes to carry charged dilithium, which proved instrumental in the defense of Amity Outpost, I hereby recognize Samanthan Richards and Niev Galanis with the Innovation Ribbon. Thank you both for your brilliant application of science to defend our home.

S. Richards/Galanis: Response

Ukinix: Response

As the service ribbons were given to each of them by Wil, Rivi added.

Vataix: Don't sit back down. You're not done yet.

S. Richards/Galanis: Response?

Vataix: Charlena, please come join us.

Vanlith: Response

Once Charlena had stepped up to stand next to the two others, Rivi gestured for Sam and Charlena to step forward.

Vataix: Commander Alexis Hopper reported upon the great sacrifices both of you made in her time period. While I cannot reveal the full extent of what you both went through to preserve the integrity of the timeline, just know that when you both were tested by life's circumstances, you answered with resilience. As such, it is my honor to recognize you both with the Captain's Commendation. Congratulations!

S. Richards/Vanlith: Response

Ukinix: Response

Vataix: All right, Sam, Charlena, you may return to your seats. Kaito, Esma, please come up and join Niev.

As the two gold-shouldered Starfleet officers approached, Rivi looked back at Niev and smiled. Once the three were all standing next to each other, Rivi turned back toward the crowd and read from the podium.

Vataix: For their defense of Amity Outpost while working together aboard the Yosemite, actively engaged against hostile forces, I am pleased to recognize Lieutenants Galanis and Moore along with Ensign Esma with the Silver Star. Congratulations.

Galanis/Moore: Response

Esma looked over and returned a single nod.

Esma: Thank you, Madam Ambassador. ::Looks over at Wil as he pins the ribbon on her dress uniform.:: And congratulations on your exoneration and new command, sir.

Ukinix: Response

Galanis/Moore: Response?

Vataix: All right, you Niev, Esma, you may return to your seats. Nathan, Ikaia, Jansen, and Alexis, please join Kaito.

Once everyone had assembled in this particular line up, Rivi began her citation.

Vataix: In the future, each of you were instrumental in leading your colleagues across the galaxy in separate locations and aboard separate ships. I wish I could say more, but know that you followed the best traditions of Starfleet's greatest captains and the Federation's finest leaders. I hereby recognize Nathan Richards, Ikaia Wong, Kaito Moore, Jansen Orrey, Alexis Hopper, and John Carter in absentia, with the Leadership Excellence Ribbon.

(OOC: A great shout out please to our wonderful team leaders this mission! Nathan aboard the Glacier, Ikaia as the excellent Pirate Captain, Professor Jansen at the Academy, Alexis of the Resilience, Captain Kaito at the end with the Glacier and the wonderful fall of DS9 sim, and John of the Anderson. Well then all of you!)

Richards/Wong/Orrey/A. Hopper/Moore: Response

Ukinix: Response

Any: Response?

Vataix: All right, all of you can return to your seats except for Nathan and Jansen. Bec, would you please join us?

Once it was just the three who were next, Rivi moved onto the next ribbon.

Vataix: This isn't related just to our last mission but a mark of a career achievement. Each of these three officers, Nathan Richards, Rebecca Iko, and Jansen Orrey, have earned the Department Chief Ribbon, having served as the department heads of Operations and Engineering, Security, and Medical for at least six months. Congratulations on reaching this milestone.

Richards/Iko/Orrey: Response

Ukinix: Response

Vataix: Bec and Jansen, you may return to your seats. Nathan, please go stand over there. ::She gestured towards the corner of the staging area.::

Richards: Response

Vataix: ::looks back out to the crowd:: D'Cyra, would you come up here. ::looks back over at Aitas:: And Aitas, would you step forward to stand next to her?

Varati/Aitas: Response

Vataix: For your actions performed in defense of Amity Outpost aboard the Miombo, coordinating with both the station and the team aboard the Yosemite, I am pleased to recognize you both with the Legion of Merit. Congratulations.

Varati/Aitas: Response

Ukinix: Response

Vataix: You may return to your seats.

Rivi then looked out to the crowd.

Vataix: I am pleased to also award the entire crew with the Quantum Reality Service Ribbon, a campaign ribbon which recognizes those who participate in a mission set in an alternate reality. Likewise, each of you here is awarded the Defense of Temporal Flow Ribbon for your actions both in the present and in the decades to come for ensuring the survival of the Federation and securing our future.

All: Response?

Vataix: But there is one last thing. Robin? Please come up here. And Nathan, why don't you help with this particular ribbon?

Hopper: Response

Richards: Response

Rivi gestured for Keehani to hand the box with the last ribbon to Nathan so he could pin it on Robin personally.

Vataix: Ultimately, Commander Alexis Hopper cited one individual in particular who reached out in the future to reunite the former crew of Amity Outpost to save the Federation. And while we will not know if she was ultimately successful for another forty years, we know she acted in the defense of not just one member world but all member worlds of the Federation and even those beyond. Thus, I can think of no greater deserving person than Lt. Commander Robin Hopper to receive the United Federation of Planets Medal of Freedom. Congratulations, Robin.

Hopper: Response

Richards: Response

Ukinix/Any: Response?

And then, Rivi feigned having almost forgotten one last thing. She looked over at the happy couple.

Vataix: Oh... and Robin, Nathan... I believe you have something you want to share with the crew?

Hopper/Richards: Response

Vataix: Please... the stage is yours. I believe you have your own change of seasons ahead, yes?

Hopper/Richards: Response

TAG! TBC...

(OOC: Congratulations, everyone! It has been an honor! I will be sending another OOC final letter as well as individual feedback and back sims over the coming days/week! I will not be joining you at the start of the next mission, but as soon as I'm able to return to active simming, I will be eager to jump in! Esma will return in... "Interlink!" Stay tuned for the teaser to be released by Danny!)

Rivi Vataix, Daughter of the Eleventh House of Betazed
Former Chief of Mission and Commanding Officer, Amity Outpost
Federation Diplomatic Corps, United Federation of Planets

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