Lt Connor Dewitt - Two and a Half Pips
Tim
((DS33 Arboretum))
Dewitt: She did well during the last mission. ::pause:: I just wanted you to know that I overruled the perimeters you have set with reason. I think she's up to it - or maybe we are.
Zenno: That was entirely your decision to make. My team isn’t trained to assess the fine engineering details that she was working on anyway. She could have blown up the ship or programmed cat videos play on repeat on all the screens. We woFuldn’t have known the difference. But if she’s free of that now, it’s because whatever she did, she earned at least that much.
Connor nodded, smiling at Zenno's joke. Cat videos being played on every screen would most likely be a very peculiar thing that he would have to explain to the Captain. Connor still observed Lacy on the other end of the room.
Dewitt: Hard to believe thinking about where she came from, isn't it?
Zenno: I’m only an observer to this, since her previous actions at this command were before my time. But if she stays here for now, I think the largest challenge may not be for her. It might be for those who have already have strong negative opinions about her. If the arm is skeptical of the hand, we are going to have a hard time as a crew. Time will tell.
Dewitt: There are some things that are not easy to forgive. But she made the first move, and maybe it is on the crew now to make the second.
Zenno nodded and then spied the Captain, heading up onto the podium.
Zenno: It looks like we are about to get started. I hope your Bajorans were refreshing.
Dewitt: It was enough to get through the speech.
Connor winked at the security chief, not quite sure if he wanted to be the guy who winks. The Bajoran smiled, and the two men headed towards the seats.
((Timeskip))
Shayne: Here we are again.
The Chief Engineer smiled. He did not even know if those were the exact words Shayne used every time, but the words sounded familiar, they sounded like home. These occasions always made Connor feel cozy and at home, but it was the first words of Shayne's speech that really got him in the mood.
Shayne: I have boxes for you. Commanders Water, Lieutenants Jacin, Zenno, Hobart, Ohnari and Ensign Zerva- step forward, preferably single file.
The called officers stepped forward, and it was only now that Connor made out his fiancee. He was looking forward to moving into bigger quarters together once the Arrow had been swept of whatever bug they had brought with them.
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.
Jacin: : :to no one in particular: Can’t promise anything.
Ohnari: ::muttering:: Everything in my power, Sir.
Zerva: ::mutterring:: Does losing your dignity count?
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.
The crew started to clap as the ribbons got accepted by the crew, and Connor joined in.
Jacin: :tentatively: Thank you Sir.
Waters: Thank you, sir.
Ohnari: ::slight head nod:: Thank you, Sir.
Zerva: ::nodding:: Thank you, Sir.
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.
But the Captain was not done yet and announced the next ribbon. A smile went over Connor's face as the Captain put a Diplomacy ribbon on Ayemet. Maybe that was his way of showing her that she was fine and he just hoped this would ease Ayemet's mind.
Zenno: Thank you, Captain.
Jacin: Thank you Captain.
Ohnari: ::grinning:: Thank you, Captain
Zerva: ::smiling:: Thank you, Captain
Shayne: And now I release you. Fly, or risk further praise!
Another round of applause that Connor joined in. He was proud of Ayemet and just hoped the Bajoran could share his feelings. But it was not only her he was proud of. The people that went off stage presented several generations of Arrow's finest and Connor was proud to call some of them friends - and he was planning to increase on that number.
The applause got quieter as he heard the Captain call his name.
Shayne: Mr. Dewitt! Step forward and be recognized.
Connor got up and quickly moved towards the stage.
Shayne: Lieutenant, your efforts during this mission were instrumental in our success and I am grateful for your contributions- please accept the Captain’s Commendation.
Dewitt: With pleasure, Sir!
He knew that there were people who did not make much of commendations and awards, but for Connor they meant something. The light feeling of recognition entered his stomach and he left the stage after receiving the small box under the applause of his fellow crew mates.
As he passed Talia, he exchanged a quick look with Talia as she gave him a shoulder nudge. He smiled as their eyes connected for a brief moment. He had not talked to her for some time now and regretted it at this very moment. Maybe she was in for a drink later that night.
Shayne: Ensign Lacy! Step forward!
Connor had not yet reached his chair as the room got quiet. His good mood has not changed, though. The quiet felt somewhere between frosty and disbelieving, but Connor was more than certain that whatever was to come took a lot from the Captain and might even be the award that meant the most tonight.
He looked through the room and caught Nolen's glance. He nodded, almost unnoticeable, to confirm that he was content with what was happening. This moment felt like he was at peace with Lacy.
Shayne: Ensign Lacy, your conduct during this recent mission was admirable. Your speed and knowledge helped resolve a tense diplomatic situation, and we would be less likely to succeed without you. For this, I’m pleased to award you the Captain’s Commendation. Congratulations and thank you.
Lacy: Response?
As the crew joined in a round of applause, Connor could tell that it was a more careful one. Lacy was the enemy of a lot of people. But they had to move forward from that - one way or another. He just hoped the Ensign would understand this for what it was.
Shayne: Doctor Ohnari! Join me for’ard.
So the next round started - assignments and rank. Connor was almost sure that this was to make something tentative permanent. Talia returned to the small stage.
Shayne: Doctor. I think you know why I’ve brought you here. I bet you thought you’d get away with it, too. Try to sneak it under our very noses, will you? For shame.
Ohnari: ::slightly squeaky:: I-I'm sorry, Sir?
Shayne: Fortunately, I and the rest of the senior staff are not so easily hoodwinked. Your exceptional conduct and impressive performance shall not be excused. You will pay a price for your excellence, and I can think of no better or more fitting sentence than a formalization of your current status… as chief medical officer. Congratulations and thank you.
Connor joined the cheerful applause for his friend. She had saved many of them from something worse more than once and showed that she was more than capable of filling the big shoes that R'Ariel had left for the head of the department. Talia had become an essential part of the Arrow long ago, and this felt like the next natural step. She had earned that position in a very similar way to how Connor did. Just be there and do what has to be done.
Ohnari: Th-thank you, Sir. I will endeavour to continue to make you proud, sir.
Shayne: Lieutenant Zenno! Step here if you would.
The Bolian made his way to the front. He was always fun to be with when he was not examining Connor's skills with a phaser.
Shayne: Lieutenant Zenno, I fear this cabal of under-radar capability has reached every part of this ship, and I shall cast another part into the light; by formalizing your role as Chief Security Officer. Congratulations and thank you.
Zenno: Thank you, Captain. I shall do my best to live up to your expectations.
Shayne: Pity your fellows, for they shall go far. Mr. Dewitt! Get up here, sir!
Connor got up again as the applause for Zenno rose. He was wondering what this was about as he already got the Chief Engineer position officially. It was on his records, wasn't it? He walked towards the small stage again and took his position next to Shayne.
Shayne: Mr. Dewitt. Connor. You and your team have kept this ship running for longer than any could have expected. You have executed your role with efficacy, aplomb and ability befitting the finest engineers in the fleet. Thus, I believe it is high time that you be elevated to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with all the privileges and responsibilities therein. Congratulations, and thank you.
Connor's smile had turned into a grin as he shook the Captain's hand and thanked him with a couple of words that vanished into the noise of the crowd. The Lieutenant Commander made his way towards his seat again, passing Nolen in his new red uniform. His best friend clapped on his arm as he passed, earning a firm nod from the Chief Engineer.
Shayne: Lieutenant Hobart! Rise, sir, and face public praise!
Still walking towards his chair, Connor turned around to look at Nolen. So that las box was for him. The man was reminded of all the thoughts that went through his head during his talks with Shayne. There had been some bad thoughts among those. He had been questioning his own performance at the job if Nolen was chosen before he was. But that was gone tonight. Tonight, he had nothing but joy for his friend.
Shayne: Lieutenant. Please believe that I was scheming this long before you put on the red. But, now that you’ve taken on these duties and this role, it becomes even more important that you now be elevated to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with all the privileges and responsibilities therein. Congratulations, and thank you!
Hobart: Ah! Uh. Thank you, sir!
This would definitely entail a big glass of scotch later that night. He felt the strong urge to hug his friend and extend his congratulations.
Shayne: With that, the frightening part of this little shindig is completed. Now, by all means, help yourself to some grub! The food kind, not the worm kind- Ambassador Buford will be very upset if we take anything from this little terrarium of his.
TAG/End for Connor
Lt.Cmdr. Connor Dewitt
Chief Engineer
USS Arrow
A239901CD3