LtCmdr Jovenan – The moments from the very beginning till now
Jovenan
((Shuttlebay 1, USS Artemis))
Jovenan felt Vitor’s hand brush hers. It could have been easy to dismiss it as an accident, considering how tightly the entire crew compliment of the ship had been packed into the shuttlebay. However, she also heard him take a deep breath. If it had been appropriate for the nature of the event, she would have taken his hand and given him strength. After all, she needed his support, too. They were both losing a long time friend.
Genkos had been there with her ever since her first mission on the Excalibur. Ever since, over the almost three years they had known each other, he had been alongside her in all the difficult places. He had been there for her during her darkest moments and when she just wanted a friend besides her. It was weird to think how much she had grown over that time, and how much he had contributed to it… in many ways. But it had not been just Genkos supporting her, but she wanted to think that she had helped him as well, in the times of vulnerability and in the times of grief. Because that’s what friends do.
The doors opened, and the figure of the departing Doctor came through. The faces of a few hundred people crammed into the room turned towards Genkos and the grey Weimaraner besides him. Of course, Toto would be leaving as well. Toto had his part in Jovenan and Genkos becoming even closer friends.
He had many friends on the Artemis. And yet, on the day of his departure, he really did look surprised to see them all coming there to say goodbye.
MacKenzie: Attention to orders.
Jovenan wiped off the smile that had involuntarily appeared on her face and straightened her posture. The intoxicating roar of hundreds of feet clapping together reflected the serious nature of this ceremony. Genkos and Toto would receive the honourable send-off they deserved.
MacKenzie: I believe your shuttle awaits, Commander.
Adea: Captain.
Genkos made way past the lines of officer, enlisted and civilians who had come to say goodbye. Unlike him, Toto was enthusiastic about the attention he was getting. Jovenan couldn’t keep her serious face up for much longer, hearing the dog yap as they approached the last line of their friends. However, eventually Genkos reached the shuttle and the senior officer assembled near it.
MacKenzie: Any last words, Mr. Adea?
Genkos had a breath before turning to the audience. Jovenan smirked: she had almost caught him being nervous. That would have been one of the very few times.
Adea: Farewell to the crew of the Artemis-A. It has been one of the greatest honours of my life to serve with you all.
MacKenzie: Commander Adea, your service to this ship and its crew have been exemplary. Our loss is the Eagle’s gain, and I am filled with nothing but pride knowing that you are leaving us in pursuit of a higher purpose. On behalf of the entire crew, I wish you fair skies and calm seas.
Genkos bowed his head. Jovenan could have sworn she saw something glittering in his eye. She must have imagined things; there was no way the steadfast, steady, seasoned and grumpy – yes, grumpy! – officer could get emotional for nice words.
Adea: Thank you, Captain.
The Captain turned to the assembled crew.
MacKenzie: Dismissed!
The hundreds of peoples left the shuttlebay in good order. As much as it would have been in Jovenan’s nature to follow the order, she and the other senior officers stayed put. They wouldn’t be satisfied with the general, impersonal farewells. When the shuttlebay doors closed, only the innermost circle had remained. It was, of course, more than Genkos had anticipated.
Adea: You bastards.
MacKenzie: ::clearing her throat:: You’re welcome.
Silveira: Yes Sir, thank you Sir, we love you also.
A chuckle escaped Jovenan’s lips. The subdued expression of mirth had a hint of sadness mixed to it. She’d miss him. Even his humour.
Any: Response
Genkos looked at each of them at a turn.
Adea: I really am going to miss you all.
MacKenzie: ::nodding slightly:: the feeling is mutual.
Any: Response
Genkos had said his goodbyes to the crew and now to his closest friends and colleagues aboard the Artemis. However, that was not enough for them, and Doctor Sadar was the first to break from the circle around Genkos and approach him personally. She handed him a parcel.
Sadar: C-Commander... Y-Your guidance of and impact on the Medical Department is something... We will never forget. ::bows her head respectfully:: May the Turn of the Wheel bring Peace to your Path, Genkos Adea.
Adea: Response
Any: Response
Gila rocked uneasily. Jovenan didn’t know if she was more affected by the crowd, the personal nature of the event, or Genkos leaving. After all, the old CMO must have been the Mizarian Doctor’s closest colleague among the senior staff. The poor Doctor was even more nervous than usual, but Jovenan smiled at the effort she was making.
Sadar: I-It’s, uhh, Mizarian Saltschnapps. I-I debated procuring sapphire wine, b-but it felt, uhh... ::clears throat:: W-Well, l-less personal. ::twists her anxiety band::
Adea: Response
After Doctor Sadar, it was Lt Vailani’s turn to say a few words to Genkos.
Vailani: Commander, it was an honour to serve with you again. I hope our paghs cross again and The Prophets may guide you and the crew of the Eagle.
Adea/Any: Response
After the few respectful words by the Lieutenant, it was Vitor’s turn. Vitor patted Toto on the head before turning to Genkos and tipped his head at him. Jovenan knew that the two had known each other for a long, long time even before she had met either of them and that they had times been very close, so she wondered how much Vitor was holding back at this moment.
Vitor: I don’t have any gift, I will give you that the next time we see each other. Besides, I hate this part. ::He tried to swallow the lump on his throat.:: Take care and safe sailings.
MacKenzie: He has the benefit of knowing that Commander Jovenan is looking out for you, now.
Vitor’s words had almost made Jovenan cry (too), but her expression turned quickly to a bashful blush at MacKenzie’s remark. Probably all the remaining crewmembers knew of their relationship now, but the Captain’s smirk left no doubt about her intention to be mischievous about it, now and when she was setting the two up for a date.
Adea/Silveira/Any: Response
When Vitor was done – and when Captain MacKenzie had stepped aside with Doctor Sadar for a private conversation – Jovenan stepped closer to Genkos. She probably should have thought out something meaningful to say to him, but she ended up saying something straight from her mind and from the heart.
Jovenan: Thank you, Genkos. For being a good friend and being there for me. I don’t know how I would have made it through without you.
Jovenan opened her arms, inviting him for a quick hug if he wanted that.
Adea: Response
Jovenan: I’m going to miss you. ::to Toto, patting him:: You too, Toto! Keep an eye on him.
Adea/Any: Response
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Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11