Lieutenant (JG) Jaran Jira - Bittersweet
Jira Jaran
(( Elysium, Deck 6 – USS Artemis-A ))
Jira walked in to Elysium to join the rest of the crew and reflected on the first time they'd been summoned to a meeting like this. They'd been quiet, nervous, and anxious to cling to the first person they recognised.
They were still nervous, but it was a different kind. This was their family, or close to it, now, and they knew every face in the room. Well. Except for one. Who was that new gold in the ranks?
They grabbed a cocktail from a passing server and stood at the bar. After a moment, they saw Breys rush in and look around like a panicked animal. Her eyes landed on Jira and they made their way over.
Breys: Not in the band this time? I liked your performance last time.
Jaran: Well thank you. No, no music from me today. Gotta leave them in anticipation, you know?
D’tin smiled in a way that she hadn’t in a long while.
Breys: Ah well, all the better. Maybe they called us here to promote you, and I’d hate to miss one last time to talk your ear off before we stop being roommates.
Jaran: Maybe they called us here to promote you, and I'd hate to miss one last time before you leave me behind.
Before she could respond, the captain began to speak.
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!
Jira breathed a sigh of relief. They had been far more anxious about this than they'd let on. Jira joined in after a moment with some light applause.
Bancroft: Thank God.
Jira jumped. They'd not even noticed their colleague had been standing so close.
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.
Jira took their ribbons as the boxes went around.
Bancroft: You’d think they’d weigh more, for all they represent.
Jira started again, having forgotten Roy was there. Having recovered, they chuckled.
Jaran: And be twice the size.
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.
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::
Imril: Thank you, Captain.
Jira clapped. The goings-on of the bridge were a mystery to them. Hadn't that been the same team that cost them a tissue donor?
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.
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…
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.
Jira looked at their bar neighbour and smiled.
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.
Bancroft: Thank you, ma'am. ::nodding to Ikaixar and Jaran:: Well earned, both of you.
Jira smiled awkwardly. Just because they'd grown close with this crew didn't mean they liked being the centre of attention.
Jaran: Thanks, D'tin. And thank you, sir. Roy. Sir.
Ikaixar/Any: Response
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!
Jira was glad they'd had a chance to meet Tarsan before this moment. It would have been an interesting way to learn he actually existed.
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!
J
Jira cheered and clapped with the rest.
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.
Jira turned and smiled broadly at their roommate. They clapped quietly.
Any: Responses
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.
Tarsan: Wooo! GO BREYS!
K'Wara: ::eagerly joins in:: Woo Woo!
Bancroft: ::whistling:: Yes, D’tin! Way to go!
Bancroft: Lieutenant Breys. ::a beat, smiling:: Nice sound to it. Congratulations.
Imril: Congrats!
Jira beamed at Breys. And then realised she now outranked them. Another new roommate...
Jaran: Running off and leaving me all alone. Again. But seriously, congrats! You earned it.
Any: Responsese
MacKenzie nodded and gathered two more boxes. She turned toward Roy, and he set his drink aside.
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.
Jaran: The goal of any doctor. Congratulations, sir.
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.
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!
Jira breathed the second sigh of relief in the night. Unless he let the power go to his head, Roy should be a pretty great boss. They leaned toward him and grinned.
Jaran: Finally. Now you can do the paperwork and leave the glory to me and Ikaixar.
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.
Jira flushed. With all the excitement, they hadn't considered that something might have been for them. They tentatively walked forward.
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!
Storm: Well done, Jira!
Jira had forgotten things like promotions weren't just for others. They were a part of this now. They were truly invested, as if graduating from the Academy hadn't been proof enough of this. Was this what the Prophets wanted? Was this what they'd meant? But they shook themself out of it. This was for later. The new half pip had already been settled on their collar, and that was for now.
Jaran: Thank you, sir. Sirs. Thank you all.
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!
Any: Responsese
Breys: You did amazing, and you also nearly saved my life. You deserve this and more!
Jaran: Thank you so much, D'tin. And I'm of course always happy to help. I would say that it's because I didn't want to lose my roommate, but it looks like we're both getting new quarters anyway.
Breys: I’m going to go find Tamio, maybe they’ll stop kidnapping my credentials to get me outside now that I’m not an Ensign.
Jira laughed.
Jaran: Of course, of course. You know, getting outside is still a pretty good idea, right? That's where plants actually like to be.
But she was already wandering off.
Jira finished their drink. And another. They did the appropriate number of nods and smiles and thank yous and congratulations that these events required as people passed by the bar. They glowed in the camaraderie.
And then the drink in their hand was gone. The thoughts had begun, and they couldn't stop them. They wandered to the upper level and out the door.
(( Cabin 6, Section 7, Deck 5, USS Artemis-A ))
Jira was certain how much time they'd have until D'tin returned. But they set their shrine up quickly. They did not want to be observed or overheard. Traditionally, this ritual would have been done in a hermitage, far from others. Unfortunately, hermitages were hard to come by on a starship, and Jira objected to doing rituals on the holodeck for reasons they couldn't easily articulate.
Jira lit the two candles before them. The only two points of light in the otherwise dark space. The incense that filled the room was dark and heavy. They knelt, unencumbered by robes or clothing of any sort, bare before the Celestial Temple.
Jaran: Prophets, forgive me. I have wandered from you and followed wraiths into the wilderness.
The prayer continued for a time. They remained motionless and murmuring until the candles ran down and the incense had stopped smoking. When the clouds cleared from the room, they would be permitted to rise, bathe, and clothe themself.
Jira wept until then.
Tags/End Scene for Jaran