Lieutenant Commander Chloe Waters: You Can Learn to Flyyyyyy (music)

[Jesse F]

((Arboretum -- Deep Space 33))


Chloe sat on a bench in the arboretum, looking thoughtful. She had put
her prank into play, and she knew that by now, Hobart most certainly
would've tried to replicate a uniform. She wondered how that had gone
down. She wished she could've been there. Had he found out who was
behind it? Had he repaired his replicator yet?


She had been trying, unsuccessfully, to get the image of Nolan wearing
an Easter Bunny costume at the awards ceremony out of her head. She
sincerely hoped he hadn't fixed the replicator yet, if for no other
reason than for the amusing shock value of seeing him standing on stage
in the costume, the crew wondering just what the hell was happening.


A question that would only be pushed further thank to her own attire.
While it was traditional to wear a dress uniform to these celebrations,
Chloe was feeling more adventurous, more bold than usual. So instead of
a standard dress uniform, she'd decided to break out her elf costume,
from the Christmas celebration she had put on several months ago.


It felt good to be different.


Ohnari: Mandy!!


Chloe looked up, shaken out of her daydream by the call of a chipper
sounding Talia. The medical officer approached and gave Mandy pets and
pats of greeting, to which the canine responded by nuzzling Ohnari's
hand and grumbling happily.


Ohnari: Hey there! ::smiling:: I figured you wouldn't be far behind.


Talia stepped closer to Chloe, and the mission specialist smiled a
little devilishly. If anyone would appreciate what she'd done, she was
willing to bet it would be Ohnari. Indeed, a small flash caught Chloe's
eye, and she couldn't help but notice the color of Talia's nails.


Coincidence?


Waters: Indeed not. I wouldn't miss this for the world.


Ohnari: Response?


Just then, the room was filled with a familiar quiet. Captain Shayne was
now on stage, with a significant number of boxes. Chloe put a finger to
her lips and watched intently.


Shayne: Here we are again.


So they were. The circumstances were always different, but the result
was always the same. Recognition for those who deserved it. Chloe smiled
faintly, casting a look off to her side at Talia, as Shayne continued.


Shayne: I have boxes for you. Commanders Water, Lieutenants Jacin,
Zenno, Hobart, Ohnari and Ensign Zerva- step forward, preferably single
file.


Chloe stood up, unable to hide the twinkle of amusement in her eyes as
she made her way up to the front alongside Ohnari, someone who she found
herself starting to see, in a strange way, as a sister. The beach had
ignited a spark in her, one that Ohnari already seemed to possess.


As Chloe mounted the stage, she knew one thing for certain...


Between the two of them, the Arrow could become a very unsafe place to be.


Commanders Water, Lieutenants Jacin, Zenno, Hobart, Ohnari and Ensign
Zerva- step forward, preferably single file.


Chloe tilted her head, the amused glimmer in her eyes being replaced by
an impressed expression. That was no small sampling of the Arrow's
contingent to summon at once, and it only seemed to underscore just how
unique this mission had been.


Chloe mounted the stage, turned to face Shayne, and put a hand over one
of the elf ears on her hat in a salute.


Shayne: First allow, me to express my gratitude- it’s much easier to
honor you at once, so by all means continue doing what you’re doing; but
for the love of god, don’t do that for the Purple Heart.


A most misguided reason, Chloe thought. Anyone who did anything just for
the purple heart was misguided. Anyone who did something to satisfy
their normal heart, on the other hand, could not be faulted.


Jacin: : :to no one in particular: Can’t promise anything.


Once again, Chloe was quiet, only acknowledging Shayne's hopes with a
slight nod of her head.


Zerva/Ohnari/Zenno: Response


Shayne: First contact is the single most dangerous duty and
responsibility an officer can engage in, and it’s harder to imagine a
task with more riding on a successful outcome. While it may not have
necessarily been how we’d choose to become acquainted with the Emisan
people, your conduct in extraordinary circumstances is deserving of the
First Contact Ribbon. Congratulations.


Shayne approached each officer one by one, box in hand. Chloe accepted
hers gracefully, tucking it into a pocket under her arm and smiling.


Jacin: :tentatively: Thank you Sir.


Waters: Thank you, sir.


Zenno/Zerva/Ohnari: Response

Shayne: Furthermore! As evidenced by your (relatively) safe return, and
the overall success of our mission, I’m pleased to award each of you
with the Diplomacy Ribbon, for your excellent representation of
Starfleet values and negotiation. Congratulations.


Chloe allowed a slightly larger smile to grace her lips at this, taking
the second box with the same careful grace as before. But this time, she
didn't tuck it into her pocket.


Zenno: Thank you, Captain.


Zerva/Ohnari: Responses?


Shayne: And now I release you. Fly, or risk further praise!


Chloe dismounted the stage, looking at the box in her hand as she
returned to Mandy's side. Her furry friend sniffed at it interestedly,
and Chloe huffed in amusement. She held the box close to her, finding
her memories drifting further and further back. At one time, this award
would've meant little to her. Diplomacy was just part of the job. But
now, with her role in the last mission, she couldn't help but take it as
a sign she had done a good job.


She really had learned to fly.


Tag/TBC...


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Lieutenant Commander Chloe Waters

Mission Specialist

USS Arrow, NCC-69829

Writer ID: E239601CW0

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