LtCmdr. Talos Dakora - Glittering Prizes
Travis
(( The Fifth Chalice - Oxeania Commercial District, Tharazad Continent – Betazed ))
As Talos stepped into the Fifth Chalice, he took in the sights and sounds of the pleasant watering hole. The atmosphere was slightly different than when he and Addison had discovered it a few days ago, but he knew it would soon be replaced by the buzz of excitement from the dozens of officers that would fill the establishment's organically curved alcoves.
In some ways, this would be a debut of sorts for Talos. His opening First Officerly act– as it were– to hand out the awards and ribbons following the mission. It was a tradition he’d always enjoyed but had never really considered what it might be like to be on the other side of the equation.
As he approached, MacKenzie noticed him and raised a conspiratorial eyebrow.
MacKenzie: You got the goods?
He tugged on the strap of his messenger bag full of freshly replicated awards demonstrably.
Dakora: Loaded for bear.
She smiled and nodded, pointing to a nearby table and Talos got to work setting out the little boxes in an orderly fashion.
MacKenzie: The others should be here soon. You’ll be glad to know I talked the chef into more wings. …begrudgingly.
Grinning, he let his eyes roll back in his head in mock pleasure.
Dakora: Thank the Four, I’m starving.
Finished unloading his bag, he discarded it and took his position at Addison’s side.
MacKenzie: Who knows – maybe wings will be the newest food craze to take Betazed by storm.
He cocked his head slightly as he considered the cascading effects of the spicy poultry dish becoming a staple food on his homeworld.
Dakora: A boy can dream…
The sound of the entry door cycling announced the arrival of their first guest and both Talos and Addison turned to see Vitor approaching.
MacKenzie: Mr. Silveira, a pleasure for you to join us.
Talos added his greeting.
Dakora: Welcome, Sil. ::He thumbed toward MacKenzie.:: I’ve made sure to keep at least one M.D. nearby at all times in case of expecting mothers.
Silveira: Response
MacKenzie: Have you had a chance to properly haze the new crew members yet?
Silveira: Response
MacKenzie: In due time.
(OOC: Happy to Backsim here if needed..)
The rest of the crew had begun trickling in as the trio had chatted and before long, it seemed nearly everyone had arrived. Scanning the crowd, Talos was pleased to see that someone had managed to pry Ensign Sadar out of sickbay for the occasion. His eyes flitted to one of the boxes that held a surprise for her before returning to his survey of the guests.
Finally, when it seemed that everyone was accounted for MacKenzie gestured for him to join her near the awards table.
Standing at the head of the room in his newly replicated red uniform, Talos felt a lot of eyes on him. Luckily, attention seeker that he was, Talos reveled in it like musk-hog in bog mud. Addison clinked a fork against the side of her glass and a quiet fell over the gathered crew.
MacKenzie: I’m glad to have you all here with us. Mr. Dakora introduced me to this bar a few days ago, and I’ve been thinking about it as a place to host a little awards celebration. As many of you know by now, Commander Yalu has needed to step away from his duties for the time being, and Commander Dakora has graciously accepted my offer to become our new First Officer. Would you please congratulate – and properly harass – him?
She nodded offered a stern nod as the crew applauded. It felt good, but maybe a little unearned? He found himself having to fill the shoes of people he truly respected– people who seemed like they really had their stuff together– and there were times when he wondered what in the name of the Great Fire made him think he was qualified for that.
Still, he planned to do his best and see how it all shook out.
Dakora: Thank you! Honored to serve. ::He smirked.:: And I look forward to the proper harassment.
With that handled, Talos took a deep breath and kept his amused smile going as he took a step back and let Addison take the lead.
MacKenzie: I hope you have all found time to rest, recharge, and take advantage of the hospitality offered by this beautiful world. There were a lot of traumas from our last mission – physical and emotional scars that no doubt run deep after being betrayed by, well, ourselves. But, I’m as proud now as I’ve ever been by how you continue to perform your duties in ways that no doubt make you among the best officers in Starfleet. (beat) Which is why we’re here tonight!
With the award distribution having been planned out in advance, Talos positioned himself to assist as she continued.
MacKenzie: It’s not often you face your counterparts… From another place, from another time… To be faced with the very real possibility of how you might have turned out differently if you’d faced a different set of circumstances… For your encounter with the Desdemona and their crew, I hereby award you the Quantum Reality Service Medal.
(OOC: Additionally, the Quantum Reality Service Medal is awarded to LtJG Jones.)
Talos took the box and moved around the room delivering the awards to each of his crewmates that had earned it. There was one extra award left in the box when he had finished– the one for Hiro. He made a mental note to forward it on to the Ronin later.
When he’d returned to MacKenzie’s side, she continued.
MacKenzie: I’d like to continue by calling Ensigns Z’Vahme, Kel, and Chevalier to the front, please.
Talos watched as the two Vulcans and Chevalier approached.
MacKenzie: I haven’t had a formal opportunity to introduce the three newest officers to the rest of the senior staff. Ensign Z’Vahme will be joining us as our new helmsman, Ensign Chevalier in the operations department, and Ensign Kel as our newest security officer. Also, it is my great pleasure as your commanding officer to formally award you with the Starfleet Academy Graduate Ribbon. Would you please welcome our newest officers?
Grabbing the appropriate box from the table, Talos produced the award and shook each Ensign's hand as he handed them out.
Z’Vahme/Kel/Chevalier: Response
MacKenzie: Mr. Chevalier, if you’d remain a moment… And if I could ask Commander Dakora, Lieutenant Yellir, and Ensign Savel to join him…
Talos stepped up and waited for the rest to join him.
MacKenzie: You each faced particularly perilous circumstances on our last mission. ::looking at Savel:: The catastrophe in Sickbay… ::looking at Yellir:: Facing off with alt-Dakora in Engineering… ::looking at Chevalier and Dakora:: Trying to make sense of which me was the real me, and facing off against… whatever that cybernetic being of theirs was…
Talos managed to keep his smile, but his eyebrow twitched slightly as recalled the tense moments when he’d had to face down the Desdemona’s MacKenzie. It had been a little touch-and-go there for a moment and if Chevalier and Kawarda hadn’t arrived when they did, she probably would’ve taken him out for good.
But she hadn’t. That was what was important to remember.
MacKenzie: For the way each of you has handled your respective situations, I’m proud to award each of you the Good Conduct Ribbon.
He waited as MacKenzie temporarily played his role and handed out the awards from the box he’d staged near the front of the table.
Yellir/Savel/Chevalier: Responses
Dakora: Thank you, Captain. ::Beat.:: Here’s hoping you’re a little less murderous in other realities, if we ever encounter them.
With that handled, Talos took his original position as the others melted back into the crowd.
MacKenzie: Lieutenant Jovenan…
Quickly reading the appropriate couple of boxes, Talos looked up to watch Jovenan approach. His smile grew just a little as he welled up with pride for little Sunshine and all that she’d accomplished over the past year or so.
MacKenzie: Lieutenant, without your scientific intuition and incredible work ethic, I’m not sure that we would have been able to figure out how the prismagons worked… and if we wouldn’t have been able to sort that out, I’m not sure we would have been able to send the Desdemona crew back to their universe. For your work, I hereby award you the Innovation Ribbon.
As MacKenzie led the round of applause, Talos distributed the award and shook her hand.
MacKenzie: Not so fast…
Knowing what was coming, Talos beamed in anticipation as MacKenzie grabbed the second to last box on the table.
MacKenzie: Lieutenant JG Jovenan, you have continued to act in accordance with the best traditions of Starfleet. You have displayed good leadership qualities, mindfulness and empathy toward others, and you continue to serve as an example to be followed by everyone on this ship. It is both my duty and my privilege to promote you to the rank of full Lieutenant.
He looked on with pride as Addison executed the ceremonial act of replacing Jovenan’s half-pip with a whole one. It didn’t feel that long ago that he’d made Lieutenant himself, only a couple of years. Now, he realized he was studying the Captain, learning from how she did these things on the off-chance that he might one day find himself responsible for leading one of these ceremonies in the distant future.
It still felt like an odd and inappropriate thing to consider, but here he was, only one step away from the big chair.
MacKenzie: I also continue to be impressed with your creativity and your scientific ingenuity. On countless occasions, I think about how your contributions to our work have in some instances been singularly responsible for getting us out of tricky situations. And that’s why I can think of no better person to serve as our Chief Science Officer, effective immediately.
When it was time, Talos clapped with enthusiasm for the well-earned promotion.
Jovenan: Th-thank you, sir!
With that exciting business out of the way, Jovenan returned to her place among the crowd. But Talos knew it wasn’t quite over yet.
MacKenzie: There’s just one other matter. …Doctor Sadar?
Watching as she gestured for the Mizarian Doctor to approach, Talos slid the last box over so Addison could take it.
He listened as she began her speech.
MacKenzie: Doctor Sadar, you are… weird. When you came aboard the Artemis, you were timid, and skittish, and I’m pretty sure you were on the verge of wetting yourself every time I walked in the room.
A single chuckle escaped Talos as Addison’s unique style of delivering praise caught him off guard. He managed to lock it down as she continued.
MacKenzie: But you are also an exceptional physician. I have watched the way you have interacted with your patients and the way you have started to form friendships with your colleagues. I have also seen the way you stand up for what you believe in, even if that means offering a dissenting opinion. Despite whatever insecurities you may have, I hope I no longer cause you any anxiety, as I believe you have the makings of an exceptional officer. One that has certainly earned my respect and the respect of everyone gathered here. It is my privilege as your commanding officer to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant JG.
The emotions rolling off of Doctor Sadar were a swirling mass of nervousness and discomfort with some pride and gratitude buried somewhere in the mix.
When she replied, it sounded like words, but Talos wasn’t able to make out any of them.
Sadar: ::barely intelligible mumblings::
Clearly amused by Sadar’s distress, MacKenzie held up a hand, formally bringing an end to the awards ceremony.
MacKenzie: Alright, that’s it! Food should be out shortly – congratulations to all of you!
As quiet gave way to the dull roar of conversation, Talos watched as the throng of people naturally separated into smaller sub-groups, as they gathered to celebrate the recent events.
With his work here done, Talos offered MacKenzie a satisfied nod before heading off to make his rounds… and maybe see what he could do about chatting up that cute waitress that had brought him his last glass of uttaberry wine.
Taking the opportunity to refresh his glass, and cast a few flirtatious thoughts in the dark-eyed brunette waitress’s direction Talos eventually sidled up to the two platinum blonde Ensigns who looked like they were fresh out of an ad for expensive shampoo.
Dakora: Congratulations on your first award Mister Chevalier ::He shifted his gaze to the other man.:: And I hope you’re settling in Ensign Z’Vahme.
Chevalier/Z’Vahme: Response
Taking a sip of his wine, Talos replied.
Dakora: Is this either of your first times on Betazed?
Chevalier/Z’Vahme: Response
TAG/TBC
LtCmdr. Talos Dakora
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0