Lt. Aleks Więcek - The Wallflower
Travis
(( Elysium - Deck 6 - USS Artemis-A ))
Aleks Więcek had finished his uneventful shift of manning the helm of the Artemis as it maintained a stable orbit over the Nascaik homeworld. When he'd returned to his quarters, he'd learned that the entire senior staff had been summoned to Elysium for some sort of event at the Captain's behest. After freshening up he'd made his way down to the lounge to find all of his new crewmates gathered.
Having met quite a few of them at this point, he planned to listen carefully during what he assumed would be the post-mission awards ceremony to fill in the gaps of putting names to faces. He sipped at a mug of warm tea, having learned his lesson from the other night's festivities for at least a little while, and found a comfortable spot near the edge of the room to lean against the wall and do some people watching.
Before long, the Captain moved to the center of the room, her presence bringing a natural hush to the dull roar of conversation just in time for her to launch into the ceremony.
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!
Setting his tea on a nearby table, Aleks crossed his arms and listened to the announcements.
Bancroft: Thank God.
His gaze shifted to the familiar voice of the Doctor whom he'd shared an interesting holodeck experience with the other day, before his attention returned to the Captain.
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.
MacKenzie: Before we get while the getting's good, Starfleet felt it appropriate to offer several commendations for our work on the last mission. ::a 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.
He watched from the outside as little boxes containing the ribbon were passed around, seeing each of the crew take possession of their first prize of the night. For some, he assumed it would be the first of many.
Bancroft: You’d think they’d weigh more, for all they represent.
Again, it was Roy who chimed in. Aleks only had a rough outline of what the crew had been through on the last mission. Some of it was 'need-to-know' and he didn't have the need. Still, from what he'd been able to glean, it hadn't been an easy one.
Jaran/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.
Clapping along with the rest, Aleks watched the Commanders receive their ribbons. He tried to recall the length of service for those particular ribbons. Was it a year? He thought so. So these two had been in place for at least a year. He filed that away as something he should know, though he wondered what happened to the former XO and/or Ops Chief. Did MacKenzie put them out the airlock?
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::
Aleks watched as the Commander and the Lieutenants approached. He knew Imril already, so that must be Silveira, and Bergmen was the mysterious crooner from karaoke night. One by one, he'd have everyone's names down before the night was through.
Though, what was that about the loss of the Captain's skiff? He hoped they'd get another one, eventually, because he wanted to fly it!
Imril: Thank you, Captain.
Silveira/Bergmen/Any: Responses
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.
Again, more interesting-sounding escapades that he didn't have the context for. He clapped anyway, adding one more face/name pair: Ensign Tarsan
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…
Aleks grinned and shook his head at the kid's comment.
K'Wara: ::amused smile:: Don't worry, you'll get plenty of practice.
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.
Applauding with the others, he watched another group of strangers-for-now pick up their awards. There was the Commander, whom he could've also nicknamed Blondie if given the chance. The curly-headed one and the other-Alex, from the night before.
Breys: Thank you, sir!
Jovenan/Storm/Any: Response
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.
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.
Ikaixar/Jaran/Any: Response
Clapping enthusiastically, he thought that he now had all the names and faces figured out for the Senior Staff. Though he hoped no one would make him spell the Betazoid's name. It was one of those names with all the i's a's and x's with none of them where they should be.
He laughed to himself, realizing that Więcek wasn't exactly straightforward to pronounce for the Federation Standard speaker, either.
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::
Imril: Well earned!
Any: Response
The applause roared on until Mackenzie spoke again.
MacKenzie: And, for your work on board the Artemis so far, I'm pleased to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.
Smiling, Aleks clapped for the recently promoted Ensign. His brow furrowing only slightly as he saw the kid pinch himself on the arm. Was he checking if he was dreaming?
Again, he shook his head with an amused laugh. It had been a while since he'd been promoted or received ribbons. All the starts and stops and difficult adjustment periods since he'd tried to rejoin the fleet had found him not quite sticking around long enough to make enough of an impression.
This time, he felt confident it would be different.
MacKenzie: Congratulations, Lieutenant!
The applause ramped up again, and someone; the curly-haired scientist cheered Tarsan on. Others joined in.
Breys: Go Tarsan!
Tarsan: T-thank you, Captain!
Bancroft: Attaboy, Lieutenant!
Imril: Here here!
Any: Response
But MacKenzie wasn't done. Breys was next.
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 us. 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.
Breys: I- Uh. Thank you. Sir.
The applause was a little more somber this time around. It was an award that everyone respected, but no one wanted to win.
Any: Response
MacKenzie still held another box.
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.
There were an impressive amount of promotions this time around! Aleks clapped along, realizing he must've missed one monster of a mission.
Breys: ::quietly:: Thank you sir.
The other recently former Ensign lost it for his friend.
Tarsan: Wooo! GO BREYS!
K'Wara: ::eagerly joins in:: Woo Woo!
Bancroft: ::whistling:: Yes, D’tin! Way to go!
Aleks' gaze shifted to Roy upon hearing his voice just in time to hear him say something sweet to Breys.
Bancroft: Lieutenant Breys. ::a beat, smiling:: Nice sound to it. Congratulations.
Imril: Congrats!
Any: Response
But the Captain still wasn't done. She returned to the table, grabbing more boxes.
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.
Again, his eyes were drawn to the ACMO. He thought he could see where this was going.
MacKenzie: 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.
Or maybe not. He'd thought the Doc was headed for a promotion too.
Bancroft: ::after a beat:: Thank you, ma'am. Truly.
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.
Or maybe so. MacKenzie was stringing them along on this one. Aleks watched it all go down from his place literally (and figuratively) on the outside.
Any: Response
MacKenzie: Since I can't stand to listen to him any longer, I'm moving him into the role of ship's surgeon and you'll serve as the new CMO. ::a beat:: And, in recognition of continued exemplary service, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
Aleks clapped with the most enthusiasm for Roy. He was the only friend he'd really made so far. At least he thought they were friends.
No, after what they went through in the holodeck, they had to be friends. ...Probably.
Either way, he clapped so hard his hands stung.
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!
Any: Response
MacKenzie raised her hands like the show was over, but the XO stepped in and pulled a sort of fake-out/encore move. She produced a final box that must've been hidden under the tablecloth or something. Was this what the Command Staff did when they got bored? Practice awards ceremony sleight-of-hand?
Munro: One more? Since we're having so much fun?
She called forward another Officer.
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. ::a beat:: Congratulations, Jira.
Breys: Yay Jira!!!!!!!
Tarsan: Go Dr. Jaran!
As he applauded, Aleks scanned the senior staff, noting that every single one of the Ensigns had been promoted. It was impressive, but also concerning. Without a pool of Ensigns to boss around, what would he do for fun when he got bored? Jaygees tended to start developing an unfortunate independence, and his half-pip advantage on them was hardly enough to strike fear in their little hearts like the poor little Ensigns. He'd have to work on that situation.
Bancroft: Congratulations, Jira. Well earned.
Imril: Hear, hear! Again!
Jaran/Any: Response
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.
And this time it was done. For real.
Więcek: ::Loudly:: Congratulations everyone!
But even as he said it, he felt self-conscious about it. Who was he, intruding on their ceremony like that? He tried to slink back over to the replication station to freshen up his tea and plan his escape, staring absentmindedly into the crowd of satisfied crew, when he crashed headlong into someone.
Breys: Oh! I’m sorry. ::cranes her neck to look him in the face:: Oh! I don’t think I’ve met you, are you new to the ship?
It was the Curly-Haired Science Officer, Ensign- no, Lieutenant Breys. He placed a hand on her shoulder gently for a moment to steady her after the impact as he offered a friendly smile.
Więcek: I am, just arrived a few days ago, actually.
Breys: I’m D’tin Breys, I’m a science officer. ::she shifts to her normal hue of red:: But I’m sure you could tell that. Welcome to the ship!
His smile widened as he replied.
Więcek: Nice to meet you D'tin, I'm Aleks Więcek, HCO. ::He paused, pointing to the new pip on her collar.:: Congratulations on the promotion, by the way!
Breys: Response?
His gaze shifted to the ribbon boxes in her hands, then back to her.
Więcek: Seems like it was a pretty tough mission, judging by all the awards...
Breys: Response?
Aleks nodded, listening carefully to what she had to say. He blew out a breath through his lips in response to what he heard.
Więcek: Sounds like you all earned the ribbons and then some.
Breys: Response?
Lt. Aleks Więcek
USS Artemis
O238811CD0