LtCmdr Jovenan – All the ensigns are gone, repeat, all the ensigns are gone!
Jovenan
((Elysium, Deck 6, USS Artemis))
One of the consequences of being confined to the Nascaik space was that there was no way of taking a leave of the ship even for the awarding ceremony. From the exotic locations of MacKenzie’s family home to a Risian beach and Betazed bar, the Captain had had the pleasure of forcing certain crewmembers to actually go for the shore during a shoreleave at least once, but now there was no such an option. Jovenan didn’t mind – she may have been one of those crewmembers being forced out – as it was hardly the first time she had joined with her friends and colleagues to this lounge to hear what the Commanding Officer thought of their performance during the mission. And considering the nature of the mission, she was expecting the ceremony to be long.
Jovenan sat to her favourite seat – the one next to Vitor – and looked around the crowd before the Captain began. The cadre of blond commanders had gained a new, temporary addition in the form of K’Wara. Lt Storm had made it home from the journey Jovenan had heard of, but she didn’t seem to have the child with her to the bar. Ensign Breys was chatting with Dr Jaran, and a bit off from them, Jovenan spotted a face of a Lieutenant she didn’t recognise yet. As the Captain was ready to begin, Jovenan turned to give Vitor a smile before turning her attention to the centre.
MacKenzie: I'm sure you're probably wondering why I've asked you all here... It's because I've got great news: we're getting the hell out of here! (beat) ::holding up her hands:: By the grace of the Judge Advocate General, the Federation Diplomatic Corps, and whatever gods you all believe in, the Nasciak have decided that no prosecution is necessary and we're free to go!
The applause for that announcement were wild. Jovenan knew that there would be more announcements to be made that deserved to be celebrated, but this one affected them all in a major way, so there was no holding back with the genuine feeling.
Bancroft: Thank God.
Imril: About [expletive deleted] time! ::Realizing they said that outloud:: Uh, I mean, I am pleased that the diplomatic process has succeeded as I always know it would.
Any: Response
MacKenzie: Before we get while the getting's good, Starfleet felt it appropriate to offer several commendations for our work on the last mission. (beat) For everyone who participated in the last mission, Starfleet has awarded the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon for solving the mystery of the Afalqi and the Romulan Campaign Ribbon for discovering and thwarting Havun and the Romulans' involvement.
The applause was already slightly muted compared to the previous as the Captain passed on the boxes with the ribbons. Jovenan picked her Investigation Ribbon without investigating it much, as she already had a few of those, but she did look at the Romulan one for a bit longer. She believed it was one of those ribbons that were getting rarer as the time from the destruction of the Empire grew longer, but there were clearly still opportunities to earn it. It was perhaps better that she had received her first one from this mission rather than for the one time she had assassinated a Romulan senator just above the Senate Hall in their capital – which never happened anyway.
Bancroft: You’d think they’d weigh more, for all they represent.
Jaran: And be twice the size.
Any: Response
MacKenzie: First, for their length of service in their respective duty posts, I'm pleased to present the Department Chief Ribbon to Commander K'Wara, and the First Officer Ribbon to Commander Munro.
Jovenan applauded. Had it really been so long since her friends had taken their current roles? It didn’t feel so long, but at the same time, they both had adapted straight into their roles, so they were acting in the way like they had been there for years.
Munro: Thank you, Captain.
K'Wara: Thank you, Sir.
MacKenzie: Next, against my better judgment and in spite of the loss of my Captain's Skiff, I'm pleased to award the Starfleet Medal of Commendation to Commander Silveira, and Lieutenants Imril and Bergmen for choosing peace and avoiding conflict with the Nasciak at all costs.
K'Wara: ::inelegant snorting laugh::
The Captain’s comment caused a wave of laughter and giggles but also applauses. Jovenan joined in as well, but her smile was kind. She knew that Vitor and the others had been in though situation and they had done the best they could, with the best possible results for all of them. Commanding the ship under such circumstances was extremely difficult, and even if they suffered the loss of a small craft, the losses were acceptable. She was proud of her boyfriend, and of the others as well.
Imril: Thank you, Captain.
Silveira/Bergmen/Any: Response
MacKenzie: Likewise, the team who covertly infiltrated the Afalqi and were able to successfully help the Artemis, I'm pleased to award the Intelligence Star Ribbon to Commanders Munro and K'Wara, and Ensign Tarsan.
Another award worth applauding to. The Intelligence Ribbon was a rare one, too, and very much deserved considering the dangerous task the group had been given.
Munro: This is one I didn't think I'd ever get. Thank you, sir.
Tarsan: Thank you, Captain! I might need some advice on how to attach them…
K'Wara: ::amused smile:: Don't worry, you'll get plenty of practice.
Any: Response
MacKenzie: And for the team who directly confronted Havun and did their best to stop the thalaron threat, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award goes to Commander Jovenan, Lieutenant Storm, Ensign Breys, and Lieutenant Cole, who has been transferred to serve on the USS Constitution.
Another new one. Jovenan joined in with the two of her then-teammates, thinking back to the Nascaik Captain they had with them. Her cooperation during the mission had obviously been vital, so much so that awarding this ribbon was well reasoned, but afterwards Jovenan had needed to shift towards keeping Captain Eos from breaking apart their “joint team” with her constant threats of war. Jovenan rarely thought so of anyone, but now she didn’t shy away from being happy to never see her again.
Breys: Thank you, sir!
Storm: Thank you, Captain.
Jovenan: Thank you, Captain. ::smiles:: It took a lot of work to keep our joint team united.
Any: Response
The Captain continued as the three got back to their places.
MacKenzie: Lastly, to the group of medical officers who were responsible for combatting the thalaron radiation poisoning as well as their work to save Havun and Falon, Starfleet has awarded the Medical Science Ribbon to Doctors Bancroft, Ikaixar, Jaran, and myself.
Jovenan clapped. Considering how damaging even a brief exposure to the thalaron radiation was, and keeping the amount they were all exposed to, it was a miracle that any of them survived. The Doctors had done more than what they could in their attempt.
Breys: ::Quietly to Jaran:: You did a great job. Thank you.
Bancroft: Thank you, ma'am. ::nodding to Ikaixar and Jaran:: Well earned, both of you.
Jaran: Thanks, D'tin. And thank you, sir. Roy. Sir.
Ikaixar/Any: Response
It appeared the large, bulky boxes with most of their ribbons had run out, and only the small ones remained. Jovenan had a good guess in what that could mean.
MacKenzie: Now, I have some more specialized ribbons to present... ::picking up two boxes and moving toward Tarsan:: Ensign Tarsan, you demonstrated incredible ingenuity when trying to adapt the Da'al thoughtwave technology, and so I hereby award you the Innovation Ribbon.
Tarsan: Oh! Thank you, sir! It was certainly interesting tech…
K'Wara: ::hand megaphone:: Next time, let's avoid the concussions, eh? ::joins the applause::
Jovenan shook her head a little among the applause. They had really done that?
Imril: Well earned!
Storm: Congratulations, Ensign!
Any: Response
MacKenzie: And, for your work on board the Artemis so far, I'm pleased to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.
The Captain took out a small, hollow pip and attached it to the new JayGee’s collar. Jovenan’s eyebrow rose a little. LtJG Tarsan had been a part of the crew only for a short while, and she had barely met him yet, but from the reports she had read, the promotion was not without its merits. It was only good that such skill was recognised early on.
MacKenzie: Congratulations, Lieutenant!
Breys: Go Tarsan!
Tarsan: T-thank you, Captain!
Bancroft: Attaboy, Lieutenant!
Imril: Here here!
Storm: Alright….Lieutenant!
Any: Response
The Captain moved on from the rather nervous looking new JayGee and turned towards Ensign Breys.
MacKenzie: Ensign, you showed incredible skill and willingness to adapt to whatever the field had to offer you, including your ability to assist medical officers in the field. I'm pleased to award you the Excellence in Adaptability Ribbon. ::she handed the ribbon over during the applause, then her face grew serious:: And I also have to acknowledge the mortal danger you were in when exposed to the thalaron radiation while carrying out your duty - much more so than the rest of. The Purple Heart is not an award I give frequently, or for little bumps and bruises sustained on the job, but you most certainly have earned it.
Jovenan applauded as vehemently as appropriate to the nature of the latter award. She hadn’t been there to witness the Ensign’s medical endeavours, but she had seen Breys enter the thalaron chamber with the phaser and come out in a state where she couldn’t even stand. Her surviving was another sign of the medical officers’ miracles, but more than that, of her own strength. Jovenan didn’t like seeing Purple Hearts being awarded, but considering the Ensign’s sacrifice, it was more than earned.
Breys: I- Uh. Thank you. Sir.
Storm: Well deserved, Ensign.
MacKenzie: And, for your continued contributions and good work aboard the Artemis, I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade with all the rights and privileges therein.
The Captain placed the hollow pip on the blue collar. Now Jovenan could applaud as much as she wanted. The science officer had proven to be an invaluable addition to the Department, and more than that, a brave and competent officer.
Breys: ::quietly:: Thank you sir.
Tarsan: Wooo! GO BREYS!
K'Wara: ::eagerly joins in:: Woo Woo!
Bancroft: ::whistling:: Yes, D’tin! Way to go!
After the noise had settled a little, Dr Bancroft raised a glass.
Bancroft: Lieutenant Breys. ::a beat, smiling:: Nice sound to it. Congratulations.
Imril: Congrats!
Jaran: Running off and leaving me all alone. Again. But seriously, congrats! You earned it.
Jovenan: ::nods:: Well done, Lieutenant.
Any: Response
After LtJG Breys, the Captain turned towards Dr Bancroft.
MacKenzie: Lieutenant, it should come as no surprise that I hold the medical officers under my command to a higher standard than the rest of the crew, which is to say, they need to be damn near exceptional. In your time here, you've demonstrated that you are capable of rising to meet the moment, as you once again did when you saved the Da'al security member, thus further promoting positive relations with them. As a result I hereby award you the Lifesaving Ribbon.
Jovenan considered herself lucky that she didn’t serve as a medical officer under MacKenzie. She couldn’t possibly imagine how much higher the standards could even go.
Bancroft: ::after a beat:: Thank you, ma'am. Truly.
Jaran: The goal of any doctor. Congratulations, sir.
Any: Response
MacKenzie: It's also come to my attention by way of Doctor Morgan's incessant nagging that he is very disinterested in continuing to serve as this ship's Chief Medical Officer. Since I can't stand to listen to him any longer, I'm movin him into the role of ship's surgeon and you'll serve as the new CMO. (beat) And, in recognition of continued exemplary service, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
Jovenan laughed a little about the comment on Dr Morgan, but the more the Captain said, the more the vigorous applause felt more appropriate. She had known Dr Bancroft for a reasonable time now, and he had repeatedly demonstrated that he deserved all the promotions there were. From the mystery of Galaris IV’s military wares to the terrors of Callis I, Jovenan had been lucky to have him in her team.
Bancroft: I had a response ready for a ribbon, but this... ::a breath; his eyes moved briefly across the medical staff before returning to MacKenzie:: Thank you, ma'am. I don’t take your trust lightly.
K'Wara: Welcome to the top brass, Roy!
Imril: You earned it, pal!
Jaran: Finally. Now you can do the paperwork and leave the glory to me and Ikaixar.
Jovenan: Congratulations, Lieutenant!
Any: Response
The Captain showed the empty hands, much to Jovenan’s surprise. Surely that was not it, yet? There should have been at least one more promotion, one that they couldn’t have possibly forgotten. Luckily, Munro stepped in before Jovenan could get too concerned about the fate of the missing promotion.
Munro: One more? Since we're having so much fun?
The Captain indicated the XO to go on.
Munro: Ensign Jaran, please step forward.
Jaran/Any: Response
Munro: You have served the crew of the Artemis diligently since the moment you arrived, and we hereby promote you to Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all the rights and privileges therein. :: Congratulations, Jira.
There it goes. Jovenan didn’t save any applause for the later but let them come out. She had also had the honour to serve with Dr Jaran for a good handful of occasions, and they had never given anything but the best one could expect from Starfleet. If anything, the promotion was long overdue.
Jaran: Response
Breys: Yay Jira!!!!!!!
Tarsan: Go Dr. Jaran!
Bancroft: Congratulations, Jira. Well earned.
Imril: Hear, hear! Again!
Storm: Well done, Jira!
Jovenan: Good job, Lieutenant!
Jaran: Thank you, sir. Sirs. Thank you all.
Any: Response
Finally, pile of boxes had been exhausted for good. They had had several ribbons, as was to be expected after a mission like this, but also so many promotions that Jovenan had started to wonder what had caused the Captain to be so generous. The Captain turned to address the crowd for one more time.
MacKenzie: Congratulations to all of you on a job well done! Feel free to linger and enjoy some time together before we get our next set of orders from Starfleet.
Więcek: ::Loudly:: Congratulations everyone!
Any: Response
The crew began to mingle, as always after such events. Most people found company quite quickly, Vitor included, so Jovenan tried to see if there were still people who were lacking company like herself. She spotted Dr Ikaixar among the people, and since their introduction on the planet had been rather brief, she supposed she could try to remedy that.
Jovenan: Doctor Ikaixar? Hi. Congratulations on your ribbons. They were very much deserved.
Ikaixar: Response
Jovenan: I’m sorry that I abandoned you in that facility like that, but seeing that you had so much better success afterwards, it was probably for the better.
Ikaixar: Response
Jovenan smiled. There was the professional part of the discussion that allowed them to start talking, but now she thought it was better to move towards the more personal angle. Her plan to meet with the new Doctor had been great, but she had underestimated the greatest obstacle in actually executing the plan: how awfully awkward she was in a social situation.
Jovenan: So, um, have you yet met many of your new colleagues?
Ikaixar: Response
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Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11