Lt Alex Storm - Well Done, All!

[Karen Morris]

(( Elysium, Deck 6 – USS Artemis-A ))

Alex slipped into the room quietly.  Her stomach was in a bit of a flutter.  This was the first time she had left Cassie with her new full-time care-giver.  Staying mentally attached to her daughter and instantly accessible to her thoughts and feelings had kept Cassie satisfied.  

Getting summoned by the Captain was rarely a cause for rejoicing, but given that it was in the Elysium - it was either going to be safe - or a public flogging.  The verdict was still out on which it would be.

She dropped her mental guards just a little, being among - mostly - friends. This allowed her to see if she could see if she felt someone boiling under their placid exterior.  But as she did so, she felt a gentle presence.  Her eyes sought out its source, and finding Roy, she gave a slight nod and an unconscious smile before looking around for a group to join.  But before she could settle on one, she was interrupted by the Captain.

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! ::a 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!

Alex heard the applause, but the relief that she felt wash over the crew was even more joyous.

Bancroft: Thank God.

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.

Any: Response

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.

Boxes began moving through the room.  Alex moved toward Sil, but ended up standing near the other “Alex.”  She received a box, took her ribbon and passed it on.

Roy leaned slightly toward Jaran.

Bancroft: You’d think they’d weigh more, for all they represent.

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.

Alex slipped the ribbon into a pocket and clapped for the two women.

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::

Of course, Alex had heard the skuttlebutt, so she was surprised at this gifting.  She raised an eyebrow, and clapped, but said nothing out loud.

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.

Once again, she clapped - this time for the trio.

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…

Alex nearly said… oO You better check them for errant code or they may zap you the next time you’re next to the warp core. Oo

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.

Roy silently toasted Storm, missing the start of the applause for her and the members of her team present or otherwise.  Alex felt it.  Her eyes briefly flicked in his direction before focusing them on MacKenzie.

Breys: Thank you, sir!

Storm:  Thank you, Captain.

Jovenan: 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.

Roy wasn’t looking at her, but she hoped, could feel her smile.  She clapped heartily for the entire group.

Bancroft: Thank you, ma'am. ::nodding to Ikaixar and Jaran:: Well earned, both of you.

Ikaixar/Jaran/Any: Response

Roy returned to his place in the crowd.

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!

Storm:  Congratulations, Ensign!

She whistled.  The two of them had shared a (now) laughable hour together.  She wasn’t laughing at that moment though.

Ikaixar/Jaran/Any: Response

MacKenzie: And, for your work on board the Artemis so far, I'm pleased to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.

MacKenzie removed a hollow pip and fastened it to Tarsan’s collar. The engineer pinched the inside of his wrist.

MacKenzie: Congratulations, Lieutenant!

Tarsan’s face reddened under the heavy applause.

Breys: Go Tarsan!

Tarsan: T-thank you, Captain!

Bancroft: Attaboy, Lieutenant!

Imril: Here here!

Storm:  Alright….Lieutenant!

Ikaixar/Jaran/Any: Responsese

MacKenzie moved onward toward Breys.

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.

Storm:  Well deserved, Ensign.

Ikaixar/Jaran/Any: Responsese

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.

MacKenzie removed the hollow pip from the box and fixed it to Breys’s collar.

Breys: ::quietly:: Thank you sir.

Garvin threw his arms into the air.

Maybe she should just verbally promote everyone she cheered for.  That seemed to be the current trend.

Tarsan: Wooo! GO BREYS!

K'Wara: ::eagerly joins in:: Woo Woo!

Bancroft: ::whistling:: Yes, D’tin! Way to go!

The room answered with laughter and renewed applause. When the noise settled, Roy lifted his glass toward Breys.

Bancroft: Lieutenant Breys. ::a beat, smiling:: Nice sound to it. Congratulations.

Imril: Congrats!

Ikaixar/Jaran/Any: Responsese

MacKenzie nodded and gathered two more boxes. She turned toward Roy, and he set his drink aside.  Alex watched with curiosity and pre-joy…  oO Is that a thing? Okay.  We’ll call it anticipation. Oo

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.

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.

Bancroft: ::after a beat:: Thank you, ma'am. Truly.

Alex stood silently watching, her eyes glittering with excitement.  oO Well deserved! Oo

Ikaixar/Jaran/Any: Responsese

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.

Ikaixar/Jaran/Any: Responsese

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.

MacKenzie replaced a hollow pip on Roy’s collar with a solid one.

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!

Alex couldn’t suppress the smile that erupted across her face as she applauded with the others. When he turned around, a slight nod accompanied her smile.

Ikaixar/Jaran/Any: Responsese

MacKenzie raised her hands as though the deeds were done, but Commander Munro’s tap at her shoulder said otherwise.

Munro: One more? Since we're having so much fun?

Munro retrieved another box.

Munro: Ensign Jaran, please step forward.

Ikaixar/Jaran/Any: Responsese

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!

Bancroft: Congratulations, Jira. Well earned.

Imril: Hear, hear! Again!

Jaran:  Well done, Jira!

Ikaixar/Jaran/Any: Responsese

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.

Imril nodded to Captain and Commander both.

Więcek: ::Loudly:: Congratulations everyone! 

Ikaixar/Jaran/Any: Responsese

There were still trays of glasses sitting around the room.  Alex found one and made her way over to Sil.

Storm:  Are you relieved that it’s all over, Sil?

Silveira:  Response

Storm:  Cassie’s doing well.  Thanks for asking.  I’ve hired a full-time Betazoid caregiver, trained in tactical - given that Kona is still out there somewhere, I felt it … necessary.

Silveira: Response

Storm:  Any potential leads on where he took off to - or even if he’s still alive?  Running out into an Andorian blizzard isn’t the safest of places he could have escaped to.

Silveira:  Response

~*~

Tags / TBC!

~*~

Lt Alex Storm

Tactical Officer

USS Artemis

O240103SK2