LtCmdr Jovenan – A little exercise does you good, kids
Jovenan
((Elysium, Deck 6, USS Artemis))
Jovenan didn’t remember if they had ever had the awards ceremony so soon after the mission. The stars and the dust ignited by their deflector still drew long, bright lines outside the windows when the officer’s and other crewmembers made their way to the main lounge. She wasn’t opposed to an early ceremony; there was always an element of uncertainty with the service in Starfleet, and the possibility of the shoreleave being cut short was ever-present. Once on the Excalibur, they had to delay the ceremony so that they could go and find Commander MacKenzie and Lt Dakora after their kidnapping; had any of them died during the rescue mission, their earlier endeavours would have gone uncelebrated. That would not happen today.
On the other hand, forcing the crew to return to the ship mid-shoreleave guaranteed that they were all still alive, in full control of their person, and reasonably sober. Considering their shoreleave destination, she could see the value in such a check.
Commander Munro – the Captain, for a moment longer – was inspecting the rows of small wooden boxes laid to a table. Jovenan had seen similar boxes numerous times now, and Captains and First Officers handing them to the crew, but never before had she thought about the logistics of the ceremony. There was little to differentiate them from outside, meaning that should they be in a wrong order, the crew might receive ribbons and pips not meant for them. She found herself almost nervous as the Captain raised her gaze from the boxes, hoping that she hadn’t noticed any errors in how they had been laid out – or alternative, find one so that it could be fixed before the ceremony would begin.
Munro: Commander Jovenan, it's been a rough few weeks. Personally, I'm looking forward to handing back the reins to MacKenzie.
Jovenan gave her new superior officer a smile. She, too, would welcome Captain MacKenzie with open arms – figuratively – but for different reasons. Munro was an experienced officer, and she was certain that they would survive just fine if the Commander were to keep the command for a bit longer. The other senior position, however…
Jovenan: The Artemis has been in good hands with you, Commander. I’m more eager to relinquish my temporary post back to you.
Munro: You've done a fine job at it. You should be proud of yourself. It was a difficult mission and I don't know how I could have managed it without you.
The smile on Jovenan’s face was polite. She couldn’t justify singling out herself when all of the senior personnel had made such significant contributions to the success. Still, she felt happy that she had made it through at all. It had been a jump into the deep end for her, she had hardly even lead an away team before, and now she had given a shot in assisting in commanding an entire ship.
Jovenan: Thank you. It was a learning experience for sure.
The chatter in the room grew louder as their colleagues found their seats. When the critical mass was reached, the Captain took her position at the pedestal. Jovenan stood next to her by the table. The last couple of awards ceremonies, she had had the best seat of them all – the one next to Vitor – but now her duties dictated her place. At least the Captain would draw all the eyes to herself instead of Jovenan.
Munro: :: to the room :: Welcome :: clears her throat :: Erm … :: pause :: What can I say?
Jovenan turned to look at the Captain. Please, please don’t get stage fright now! Jovenan wouldn’t want to take this responsibility to care for.
Munro: I had a speech planned out. I'm not very good at these things: dress uniforms and formalities. It's not something I've ever really got accustomed to so I'll make this as quick and painless as possible.
K’Wara: Hear hear!
The shout received a few snickers and some raised eyebrows, but the Captain resumed with gesturing towards the table.
Munro: These are symbols of your steadfast adherence to duty, it wasn't easy. But you all behaved like exemplary Starfleet officers and on that note the entire crew have earned themselves the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon and the Peacekeeper Service Ribbon.
Any: Response
Jovenan handed over a number of the wooden boxes so that the pair of ribbons could be spread to each of the people present. So far, each of the boxes seemed to be in the right order, although she hadn’t given enough thought to the fact that she’d need to store her own ribbons somewhere where they didn’t get mixed up with those still waiting to be handed out. She slipped them in her pockets. It would be just fine as long as she didn’t get too many of those.
Munro: To start things off, I have a special ribbon for Lt Commander Jovenan.
Jovenan: Oh?
Making sure that the correct box was closest to the Captain, she turned towards the Acting Commanding Officer, awkwardly thinking if she should walk around the pedestal in front of the Commander instead.
Munro: I had barely stepped onboard the Artemis before I was tasked by taking on temporary command, and the dubious chore of selecting a first officer. We were strangers then, extending the hand of trust to one another. I'm glad you accepted and I hope we've come away from this experience closer to being friends. I award you the Superior Support Ribbon, Commander Jovenan.
The Captain handed her a box that revealed a dark green ribbon with some lighter green and orange to it as well. Jovenan raised her gaze from it and nodded to Commander Munro with a smile on her face.
Jovenan: Thank you, sir. It has been a pleasure to get to know you as well, even if it was in these circumstances.
Any: Response
She accepted the applause with a minor blush colouring her cheeks. Luckily, Commander Munro carried on.
Munro: Please step forward, Lt. K'Wara, Ensign Cole and Ensign Tho'Bi.
K'Wara: Ah. ::swigs:: Showtime.
Cole/Tho’Bi: Response
Munro: When we join the academy we're taught that Starfleet is more than our assigned duty posts and it seems we're supposed to be more than the sum of our parts :: looks to Tho'Bi and smiles :: It's a challenge, at times. But each of you showed me that you can rise to that challenge. In dealing with the Boraxian diplomat and :: to Cole and K'Wara :: Andoren :: beat :: you proved those academy professors right in their insistence to teach us all Diplomacy 101. Even if it did make me want to fall asleep.
Jovenan helped hand out the boxes containing orange diplomacy ribbons to each of the three officers, with one reserved for Commander Munro herself. There was some luck involved that Jovenan hadn’t become involved with the negotiations, not the least considering the unfortunate circumstances at which the first talks with Advocate Chavrainne had ended.
K'Wara: Thank you, Commanders.
Cole/Tho’Bi: Response
Jovenan: Congratulations.
Any: Response
Munro: Lt. K'Wara you stay where you are for now. Can Commander Jovenan, Doctor Morgan, Lt. Imril, Samantha Richards and Doctor Jaran join them.
While the others made their way to the pedestal, Jovenan adjusted the rows of boxes – fidgeted, more accurately – before leaving the Captain’s side to join the row of her colleagues. She tried to get a glimpse of Richards in particular, checking how she was doing. These days were likely very emotional to her for a completely different reason.
Richards/Jaran/Imril: Response
Munro: Your efforts to uncover the mystery surrounding the altered crystals and ultimately deliver a safe remedy to the effects it had on the Boraxian population has not gone unnoticed. Each of you is awarded the Scientific Discovery Ribbon. With Doctors Morgan and Jaran along with Richards and Imril earning the Medical Science Ribbon as well.
Morgan: Thank you, Commander.
Richards/Jaran/Imril: Response
Munro: Doctor Morgan and Lt Imril you are dismissed for now. I'm not quite finished with the rest of you yet.
Jovenan couldn’t help smiling for a moment. Not only did the logistics of the ceremony involve the correct ordering of ribbons but also that of the crewmembers. The structure and arc of the ceremony had its own requirements, but dismissing and recalling people also took time. The Captain had clearly wanted to save time by keeping them standing here and awarding as many ribbons in one go as possible, but inevitably, there needed to be some exercise for some.
Richards/Jaran/Imril: Response
Any: Response
Munro: You have all earned the Innovation Ribbon as well.
The Innovation Ribbon. One more and Jovenan could swap the clumsy row of golden stars for a single silver one. She nodded in appreciation, accepting her award.
Richards/Jaran: Response
Any: Response
Munro: :: good humoured :: Now you can return.
K'Wara: ::winks:: A fair load heavier, Commander. Thank you.
Richards/Jaran: Response
Any: Response
Each of them got back to their places, Jovenan to behind the table again. There were still plenty of boxes on the table, hopefully still in the right order. The Captain resumed.
Munro: Can Lt. Commander Silveira, Lt. Storm, Lt. Imril and Ensign Bancroft step forward.
It seemed it was Lt Imril that was made to walk back and forth in this ceremony. Jovenan looked at each of the officers, standing in a row. She tried to focus on no one in particular and keep a silly smile off her lips; this was a serious ceremony, after all, and these were all her colleagues.
Silveira/Storm/Imril/Bancroft: Response
Munro: Old Earth Humans had a popular saying to describe heroic feats, “running into a burning building”. Each of you did just that, you didn't know what you were going to find or discover within it. Or if you'd even come back out again. Yet, you still ran into a burning building. You've earned yourselves a Starfleet Medal of Commendation. Wear it proudly.
Jovenan handed the boxes containing the prestigious ribbon to each of the gallant officers. At Vitor’s turn, she also shot a quick wink at him.
Silveira/Storm/Imril/Bancroft: Response
Any: Response
Munro: Doctor Morgan please step forward again and Lt. Bergmen and Ensign Cole can you join him please.
Morgan: ::quietly:: Oh you've got-
The CMO’s voice was largely covered by the amount of chatter and the sounds of people taking their seats or walking back to the centre. Jovenan didn’t make out the words, but she assumed that the Lieutenant was excited about receiving this much recognition. Besides, every doctor knew the value of exercise for one’s health.
Bergmen/Cole: Response
Munro: For staying behind, administering aid to the Boraxian people and upholding Starfleet values you are awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon.
Morgan: ::nodding:: All in a day's work.
Bergmen/Cole: Response
Any: Response
After the Good Conduct Ribbons were handed out, only a pair of boxes remained – the most important boxes of them all, in Jovenan’s opinion.
Munro: Ensign Cole please remain. Doctor Bancroft can you join her please.
Cole/Bancroft: Response
The two Ensigns stood side by side in front of the Captain. Although Jovenan had still much to learn about them both, she had spent time enough working with both of them to know that they very much deserved what was to come. The Captain stepped in front of Ensign Cole first.
Munro: Ensign Cole, you are hereby promoted from Ensign to Lt. JG :: smiles warmly :: You've earned that shiny new pip, Lieutenant. And try not to blow anything up when you celebrate.
Cole: Response
Jovenan: Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Any: Response
It was Ensign Bancroft’s turn next.
Munro: Ensign Bancroft, you are hereby promoted to Lt. JG. This means you'll be expected to do five more kilometres. Well earned, Roy.
… They make new promotees run these days? Too bad it wasn’t a thing when Jovenan still got new pips, she would have liked that.
Bancroft: Response
Jovenan: Congratulations, Lieutenant!
Any: Response
As the new JayGees made their way back to their seats, accompanied by the cheers of their peers, Jovenan crossed her arms behind her back. The table was now empty, each of the small boxes had found their owners – the correct ones, hopefully. However, even though the crowd was already getting restless, the Captain raised her hand signalling that they weren’t done yet. Not all accolades came with physical emblems.
Munro: I have one final order of duty to perform. Lt. K'Wara can you step forward.
K'Wara: Sir?
Munro: I don't have a new pip but you have a new assignment Lt. We are appointing you the new Chief of Operations for the Artemis. Well done. Lt. Vailani will be remaining onboard while she steps into a new role.
Any: Response
After the applause to their new COO, the formal part of the ceremony had ended. As some of their crewmates seemed uncertain if they now had the permission to start mingling or heading towards the bar, Jovenan released them with a nod and a gesture of her hand to the side. That wouldn’t have been the worst last action as an Acting First Officer. As everyone else abandoned their places and started walking around, Lt K’Wara remained in their spots, crossed their arms and pouted.
K'Wara: Okay, spill, who had to grease palms for that to happen?
Jovenan exchanged a look with Commander Munro before returning her gaze to the COO. She tried not to let her expression betray how amused she was.
Jovenan: Staff appointments are based on perceived skill, leadership abilities, suitability of character and the needs of the ship, Lieutenant. Not in the amount of grease.
Munro: Response
K’Wara: So instead of Chief Vailani, the picture of professionalism and duty herself, you get me? Sounds like you got swindled somethin’ fierce there. Is that why we’re heading to Ferenginar? To chase down the charlatan responsible?
Jovenan had to bite her lip to keep herself from smiling too visibly.
Jovenan: You could say so. But you shouldn’t.
Munro: Response
K’Wara: Oh no, I’d never call her that. I value my mortal life too much for that. ::smiles and turns serious:: But thank you, really. I won't let any of you down.
Nodding deep, Jovenan was certain that the new Chief would keep their word. Although Lt K’Wara had been on the ship not any longer than Commander Munro had, Jovenan had had the opportunity to see them in action during the mission. The skills as an operations officer were obvious, but besides that, Jovenan had noticed them being comfortable with taking charge – without crossing her authority as the team leader, of course. A few good orders to the juniors and suggestions to the seniors could really reveal that of a person.
Munro/K’Wara: Response
Jovenan: Have you yet had the opportunity to meet all of your colleagues in the Operations, and the other department heads?
Munro/K’Wara: Response
Jovenan: And you, Commander? Was the mission enough for you to familiarise yourself with the crew?
Munro/K’Wara: Response
----
Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Acting XO (Chief Science Officer)
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11