Lt Alex Storm - Where Only the Heart Could Hear
Karen Morris
((Elysium - Deck 6 - USS Artemis-A))
Recognition always came with two sides. The first was warm — a moment of pride when your name was spoken aloud and someone acknowledged your part in the mission. The second arrived just as quickly: the quiet reminder of what you didn’t do — the choices you could have made differently.
With those thoughts, Alex walked into the Elysium in her usual uniform. Her right thumb subconsciously worked the center of her left hand as her eyes moved through the sea - or more like a small creek - of people milling around. Roy. Alex cleared her throat simultaneously with her inner monologue. Bancroft - was speaking with someone in Medical blue that Alex didn’t know. Someone else in mustard yellow was speaking with them both.
Some others were milling around, but Sil hadn’t yet arrived neither had Imril or Cole, so Alex found a comfortable spot out of focus and sat down, pouring herself a glass of water as the tables were wet with glasses and pitchers. The water felt like a spring shower on Betazed, cold and vital as she swallowed it down. But as she drew her next breath, their new Captain started speaking.
Munro: :: to the room :: Welcome :: clears her throat :: Erm … :: pause :: What can I say?
Munro looked at a PADD on the pedestal.
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!
Any: Response
Munroe gestured towards the table beside Jovenan.
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.
Alex clapped for her shipmates. Everyone had shouldered their responsibility admirably as far as Alex could see.
Any: Response
Munro: To start things off, I have a special ribbon for Lt Commander Jovenan.
Jovenan: Oh?
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.
Munro passed the box to the Chief Science Officer.
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
Alex’s finger circled the lip of her glass as she awaited the announcement.
Munro: Please step forward, Lt. K'Wara, Ensign Cole and Ensign Tho'Bi.
K'Wara: Ah. ::swigs:: Showtime.
Tho'Bi: Responses
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.
K'Wara: Thank you, Commanders.
Cole: ::nodding slightly:: Thank you.
Tho'Bi: Responses
Jovenan: Congratulations.
Alex clapped for the trio. She was sure that the award was well deserved.
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.
Imril: Responses
Any: 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.
Jaran: Thank you, sir.
Richards: Much appreciated. Thank you.
Imril: Responses
Alex noted that the civilian scientist was no longer pregnant - besides the fact that her belly was smaller, she had dark rings around her eyes. The tactical officer understood how that felt.
Any: Response
Munro: Doctor Morgan and Lt Imril you are dismissed for now. I'm not quite finished with the rest of you yet.
Imril: Responses
Any: Response
Munro: You have all earned the Innovation Ribbon as well.
Jaran: Umm Thank you. ::beat:: Again.
Richards: It’s not much. But it’s honest work.
Once again, Storm clapped for her crewmates.
Any: Response
Munro: :: good humoured :: Now you can return.
K'Wara: ::winks:: A fair load heavier, Commander. Thank you.
Any: Response
Munro: Can Lt. Commander Silveira, Lt. Storm, Lt. Imril and Ensign Bancroft step forward.
Alex glanced around as the others stood with her and made their way to the podium.
Silveira/Imril/Bancroft: Responses
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.
Storm: Thank you, Commander.
Alex took the boxes she was given and nodding to the Commander, she returned to her seat. She would look at the new hardware later. This time was to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments, not to relish her own good fortune.
Silveira/Storm/Imril/Bancroft: Responses
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-
Natasha made her way to the front and offered Doctor Morgan a shrug.
Bergmen: 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.
Cole: Just did what needed to be done.
Bergmen: Response
Any: Response
Munro: Ensign Cole please remain. Doctor Bancroft can you join her please.
As Bancroft made his way up to join Cole, an inkling of pride found a foothold in spirit. Something inside her anticipated what was to come and blossomed into joy like a crocus at the first warm spring zephyr.
Bancroft: Response
Munro: I shall only be acting Captain for a short while more but I cannot express the pleasure it gives me to be the CO who gets to do this final honour.
Ava gathered one of the wooden boxes in front of her and stepped towards Cole.
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: No explosions ::beat:: I guess I can try that.
Jovenan: Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Any: Response
Ava looked to Bancroft, her running buddy and gathered the final box.
Munro: Ensign Bancroft, you are hereby promoted to Lt. JG. This means you'll be expected to do five more kilometres. Well earned, Roy.
Bancroft: Response
Jovenan: Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Alex’s hand stilled on her glass — not dramatically, just enough that she could feel something shift inside. Some joys were meant to be celebrated openly, laughter and applause shared with the whole room. But others lived quieter, held close where only the heart could hear them. If she found a moment later, she’d say something to him. For now, the faint brightness in her eyes would have to be enough.
Any: Response
As the crowd restlessly began to meander, Ava raised her hand.
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.
K’Wara: Okay, spill, who had to grease palms for that to happen?
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.
And it was over. Knots of people reformed, drinks appeared, laughter rose, but Alex stayed in her corner — content to watch others shine.
~*~
End Scene for Storm
~*~
Lt Alex Storm
Tactical Officer
USS Artemis
O240103SK2