Fleet Captain Kalianna Nicholotti - Fashionably Late

[Marissa Jeffrey]

((Just Outside Six Forward, USS Apollo - A))

::There was a point when you were beyond late that you wondered if
showing up would create a bigger wave than just avoiding it altogether.
That was the point where Kali now found herself. Not only was she late,
but she wasn't dressed as she should have been either. Just to make it
before any of her officers left for the night had taken some hurrying.
After all, she couldn't do what she needed to without the box from her
desk in the ready room, and having to run to the bridge and then back to
the lounge took more time.::

::Now it was later in the evening than she would have hoped, but she'd
made it. She could only laugh at the 'Starfleet Marines' t-shirt and
black cargo pants she wore. Shrugging, she stepped towards the doors and
they parted as she walked through with a smile on her face. Immediately
she found herself in a sea of white uniforms and silently she thanked
Rune for getting her out of having to put one of those on...::

::As she moved into the people she found them hushing. Soon silence
permeated the lounge. Even the music came to a stop.::

Nicholotti: Good evening everyone. I will first apologize for my
tardiness, and then for my lack of dress uniform. I'm sure you were all
looking forward to seeing the Captain suffer.

::Some slight laughter met her joke as she found the front of the room
and some of the officers found seats. First things would be first, then
her crew could get to the business of the party, or the door if escape
was more up their alley.::

Nicholotti: Something pulled me away until just now, and I wanted to
make sure that I caught everyone here before anyone left. ::Now she
turned a bit serious.:: It's been a tough road, even if we haven't been
on this road for long. With that said, it is only because of you that we
have succeeded this far. To that end, I have a few things I'd like to
hand out.

::And that's where the box came in. Pulling it from one of her cargo
pockets, she looked around her at those who had stood together in the
face of so much adversity. She smiled as she looked at each one of them
in turn, thankful to have them and know them now, even if she didn't
remember knowing them before. New memories would have to fill the void
of old memories. The only way she could move now was forward.::

::When things got silent and everyone seemed settled, she continued.::

Nicholotti: Some of you may know that we took on some crewmembers in the
shadow of our chaos due to the decommissioning of their former ship. I
will be presenting some awards today from their former Captain,
Commander Brek. They are as follows, and when you hear your name, please
come forward.

::Kali gave it a moment for the words to sink in, then she began.::

Nicholotti: Lieutenant Commander Kevin Breeman, Lieutenant JG Mirra Ezo,
Lieutenant JG Antero Flynn, Lieutenant Commander Tyler Kelly, Lieutenant
Commander Johanna MacLaren, Lieutenant Commander Rendal Rennyn, and
Lieutenant Commander Vitor Tito.

::There was a bit of shuffling, so Kali gave it a moment before
continuing.::

Nicholotti: It is with great honor that I present you with the Join
Meritorious Unit Award, given on behalf of Commander Brek, for fending
off a highly dangerous mutation which has spread among the miners of
Freedom's Hope. ::She paused for applause, handing out a ribbon to each
of them.:: Furthermore, I also award Lieutenant Commander Kevin Breeman
and Lieutenant Commander Johanna MacLaren with the Medical Science
ribbon for their work on the synthetically modified proteins that were
crucial against the aforementioned mutations.

::To the two officers she handed out a second ribbon. Again, she paused
before continuing.::

Nicholotti: And to Lieutenant Commander Rennyn, the Good Conduct Ribbon.
Commander Brek awards this to you for how you lead your away team,
keeping them safe despite the many dangers during your mission to
Freedom's Hope.

::Handing the ribbon to the new officer, she stepped back and allowed
the rest of the crew to see those who now stood with her. They were the
newest members of the crew, but just as integral in making sure they had
survived their last mission. Nothing ever turned out like she expected
it to, least of all distress calls. These reinforcements had arrived at
just the right time, and now they were part of the Apollo family.::

Anyone: Responses?

::With a nod, Kali dismissed them all to their seats. Again, she waited
for them all to settle before she continued.::

Nicholotti: Now I have the honor of a similar process. For those who
have been on the Apollo, I want you to know that you, too, have gone
above and beyond the call of duty. To that end, I present the following,
and please come forward when your name is called.

::She paused only a moment before moving on. The crew knew the drill by
now.::

Nicholotti: Lieutenant Commander Alex Blair, Commander David Cody,
Lieutenant Commander Rune Jolara, Lieutenant Riel, Ensign Merrick R'Ven,
Lieutenant Commander Luna Walker.

::The shuffling appeared again as those she called stepped forward.::

Nicholotti: I hereby present you each with the First Contact ribbon for
successful first contact with the previously unknown early-warp
civilization on Neutronia. We all know this wasn't easy considering the
threat to the Neutronian people. You all have earned this. ::Only a
quick pause here, before she continued.:: And to Ensign R'Ven, I also
present the Innovation ribbon. What you were able to do on the planet
was nothing short of amazing and I'm certain will not be forgotten on
that world for some time to come.

Anyone: Responses?

::With that, she allowed for applause and dismissed those who had joined
her. When they were seated again, she smiled and called up the next group.::

Nicholotti: Lieutenant Commander Breeman, Ensign Es-Aleh, Lieutenant JG
Antero Flynn, Lieutenant Commander Tito, Ensign Estorian, Lieutenant
Commander Collim and Lieutenant Commander Kelly.

::Another pause gave those officers the opportunity to come forward and
join her.::

Nicholotti: I present each of you with the Silver Star for your bravery
in action against an enemy of the Federation, by halting the advance of
a Sicarius ship and for stopping Sicarius agents aboard the Apollo. We'd
be in a world of hurt right now had it not been for you all stopping the
chaos.

::The applause interjected as she handed each of the officers a ribbon.::

Nicholotti: And to Lieutenant Commander Breeman I also award the
Innovation ribbon for his use of drones to aid security in finding and
eliminating the Sicarius threat.

::And now there was one more, very important thing to do before the
party really could get going. Her box was empty now, save for a few,
small, round pips. She smiled.::

Nicholotti: Ensign R'ven, please join me once more.

::She waited until he arrived before continuing.::

Nicholotti: Since you arrived aboard the Apollo, you've offered your
very best and helped in some major ways. We couldn't imagine our crew
without you now, and we look to you to carry the torch and act always
with the best interests of the Federation in mind, and in the best
practices of Starfleet. As such, I hereby promote you to Lieutenant,
Junior Grade, effective immediately.

::Though she wasn't in uniform, Kali stepped forward and placed his new
half pip. She then turned towards the crew and presented their newest
Lieutenant JG.::

R'Ven: Response?

Nicholotti: Very much deserved, Lieutenant.

::With a smile and a nod, Kali waited for him to return to his seat
before calling the next officer.::

Nicholotti: Ensign Es-Aleh.

::Waiting for the woman to join her, Kali stood still and silent. When
she arrived, she began speaking.::

Nicholotti: I can always count on you to protect the Apollo, which isn't
easy given her size. For that, and the spectacular job you do on a daily
basis, I hereby promote you to Lieutenant JG as well.

Es-Aleh: Response?

::Kali once again waited for things to die down just a bit as she pinned
the new half pip.::

Nicholotti: I look forward to much more.

::Another nod and another smile were given as the front cleared one more
time.::

Nicholotti: And finally, Counselor Riel.

::It took only a moment for the officer to arrive next to her as she
pulled out the last half pip.::

Nicholotti: It is with great pleasure that I hereby promote you to
Lieutenant Commander, with all rights and privileges therein. You have
been integral to the overall success and health of this crew, and with
out you, I fear we'd be a bit lost.

::Kali smiled and pinned on the new half pip.::

Riel: Response?

::A final nod allowed the man to return to the crowd. Now Kali was left
alone in the front, jokingly eying the food table.::

Nicholotti: Thanks to everyone for all that they do to keep this ship
going. And with that, you are all free to return to the party!

::Throwing her hands in the air, Kali made a somewhat quick and quite
visible exit and made her way to the side of the room. Perhaps now the
crew could enjoy themselves more knowing that her announcements were
completed.::

TAG/TBC

--
Fleet Captain Kalianna Nicholotti
Commanding Officer
USS Apollo - A
R238605KN0