LtCmdrs. Christopher Caldwell & Lael Rosek-Skyfire: All Good Things, Pt. 2
Lael Rosek-Skyfire
{{Mini Time Jump}}
Right on time, officers began filing into the small space, some electing to peruse the refreshments and the food items while others greeted one another and engaged in idle conversation. Lael approached each officer in turn, welcoming them. It was an effort given where her thoughts were, but she was determined that her personal feelings wouldn’t get in the way of her duty to her crew.
((OOC: Please feel free to fill this time with whatever you’d like. ))
Once everyone had arrived and had a few moments to get settled, she motioned to Chris and the Captain to join her at the front of the room.
Their PADDs each held a list of awards to be handed out and any notes they each had for the occasion. Stepping onto the stage, she called for attention.
Rosek-Skyfire: If I could please have everyone’s attention, we’re going to get started with the service ribbon portion of our evening. ::to Mei’konda:: Captain?
Mei’konda: Response
As Mei spoke, she scanned the crowd, her eyes pausing on each familiar face, memorizing each in this moment. Right now. It was what she would carry with her to remind her why she’d chosen Starfleet.
When Mei had finished, she glanced down at the notes on her PADD.
Rosek-Skyfire: We’re going to do this a bit differently than we usually do. This last mission, myself, the Captain, and Chris each had an opportunity to lead teams. So it only seemed right that each of us take part in handing out those awards.
Christopher waited for Lael to step to one side before he took his position behind the dais.
Caldwell: Thank you, Commander. Our last mission to planet Sierra-Six-Nine - Vine World, proved to be a great success, what started as a systems test, resulted in discoveries which will keep Federation scientists busy for years… ::Dryly:: although it felt like that happened already. Together you went boldly into the unknown, discovering and then investigating a strange new world. You made peaceful contact with a truly alien lifeform of unimaginable scale. And you endured a hazardous and unpredictable environment with the professionalism that Starfleet experiences. For these collective achievements, I am proud to announce that you have all earned the Explorer’s Ribbon, the First Contact ribbon and the Wilderness Deployment Ribbon… don’t worry, I won’t make you all stand though.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::nods:: Lieutenant Tam, Ensign S’Rorr. If you could both step forward.
Tam / S’Rorr: Responses
She smiled as the officers made their way to them.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::to Mei:: If you could join them a moment, sir?
Mei’konda: Response
Caldwell: ::Smirking slightly:: I hope you didn’t think that you hadn’t made the list, Captain.
Caldwell stood slightly to the side, presentation cases at the ready as he watched the trio step forward. He could see the pride in Lael’s expression as she prepared to honour her colleagues. It was a formal, well-practiced dance that he’d seen her do several times by this point, whilst she took centre stage he was content to play his supporting part.
Rosek-Skyfire: We have been proud to see your growth as officers. ::to S’Rorr:: Though you’ve been with us only a short time, Ensign, your passion for Starfleet and your duty is evident in all you do. Diplomacy is not an easy thing, especially in the face of the unknown. But the two of you handled yourselves with poise and grace. ::smiles at Mei:: And always, sir, you showed us all why you were given command of the Astraeus. The fleet is blessed to count you among its leaders. ::accepts the boxes from Chris:: It is my pleasure to award each of you with the Diplomacy Ribbon.
As she offered each of them a box, she shook their free hand.
Any: Responses
Rosek-Skyfire: Congratulations. ::pauses:: Ensign S’Rorr, Captain, if the two of you could remain.
Mei’konda / S’Rorr: Responses
She motioned to Chris to take her place.
Caldwell gave a grateful nod, feeling the weight of responsibility shift back to him as he traded places with the First Officer.
Caldwell: Thank you, Commander. I’d now like to ask Ensign Renaie Shortrith to please step forward.
He gave the Klingon Doctor a moment to rise from their seat and make their way over to where the still standing Caitians were still standing.
Caldwell: Ensign, your performance on Vine World was exemplary. You were faced with a medical situation that I’m pretty sure wasn’t covered at medical school - namely the removal of Borg implants from a planet spanning sentient salad creature… ::Gesturing towards his PADD:: That’s exactly what I have written here. You acted not just as a medical doctor, but as a surgeon and as a diplomat, acting as a calming presence to your patient. For displaying an outstanding ability to apply your skills to a challenge far beyond your training, I am pleased to award you with the Excellence in Adaptability Ribbon. Congratulations, Doctor.
Any: Responses
He gave a respectful nod and a gentle smile as he waited for the Doctor to collect the presentation case from him before continuing. They had very much deserved the award and he was confident that the medic would get more than a few papers published about their exploits, ensuring they were properly recognised within the circles of Starfleet Medical.
Caldwell: Next, Ensign S’Rorr. You were quite literally thrown into the deep end for your very first assignment. You quickly proved yourself an essential member of the crew, quickly adapting to circumstances that were entirely alien to us all and providing valuable insight into a new lifeform… all the while dealing with… allergies.
He allowed a small, wry smirk before continuing.
Caldwell: You showed a resilience that would have been impressive for an experienced officer, let alone one that had only just graduated from Starfleet Academy. It is my pleasure to award you the Excellence in Adaptability Ribbon. Well earned, Ensign.
Any: Responses
He was truly pleased to get to recognise S’Rorr, despite only appearing out of thin air a short time ago they had hit the ground running so impressively, even for a Caitian, a race of felines that were well known for their agility. He gave the young Caitian a moment to savour his ribbon before turning to the Captain. A mischievous grin on his face.
oO Oh how the tables have turned. Now it’s my turn, I’m going to have some fun with this. Oo
Caldwell: Captain ::Giving a curt nod before studying his PADD, returning his gaze to the Captain and narrowing his eyes:: Hmm ::Checking the PADD again:: Captain… Sir, your leadership has been the bedrock of this crew, it is the foundation on which everything else, on which all of this ::gesturing to take in the room:: is built. As you have so many times before, during our last mission, you placed your trust in your subordinates, you guided us with a steady hand and, under your leadership we were able to forge a peaceful relationship with a new lifeform in the finest tradition of Starfleet. Your command is defined by a list of superlatives too long for me to list, but your wisdom and your empathy inspire the best in all of us. For that, I am deeply honoured and privileged to present you with the Leadership Excellence Ribbon.
He handed the Captain his presentation box, wondering for a moment quite where the Captain kept what must surely have been an impressive stash of awards, medals and ribbons.
oO Perhaps that’s why these Galaxy class ships have so much empty room? There’s probably decks full of the medals belonging to their commanding officers. Oo
Whilst he was professional enough to not admit it out loud, he had been uneasy with more than a few of the Captain’s decisions. Their last mission was a prime example: sending the entire command team to the surface of an alien world had felt like a completely unnecessary risk. But he couldn't argue with the outcome. The right people had been in the right places at the right time, and the Captain's gamble had been utterly validated by the mission's success.
What Caldwell considered the right way was not necessarily the Captain’s way, but the Captain was the decision maker, and he respected that because the Captain had earned that respect. It wasn’t just respect he felt though; it was gratitude. The Captain hadn’t just tolerated his own unorthodox approach, he had actively nurtured it. He’d trusted him, offering him a series of promotions before making him the ship’s Second Officer—hell, he’d even ended up commanding the Astraeus. It was all because the Captain had taken a chance on him, and for that, Caldwell was eager to ensure he never let his Captain down.
Any: Responses
==========/\==========
Lieutenant Commander Christopher Caldwell
Mission Specialist & 2nd Officer
USS Astraeus, NCC-70652
A240101CC1