[Begin Shore Leave!] Captain Mei'konda Delano - Thank Yous, and Farewells (Part 1)

[Mei'konda Delano]

(( Time skip, three days later. ))

// Captain’s Log, supplemental. Stardate 240108.17.

The Borg threat is ended. For now. The Enterprise D was able to destroy a massive Borg cube which had immersed itself in Jupiter’s red spot, from which it broadcast the signal that affected our young officers. Without the active signal to continue controlling them, they reverted to their true selves. At the very last second.

Between Astraeus and several dozen of the other starships still functional in the area, we were able to stabilize the orbit of Sol Station. Though nearly completely disabled, temporary measures are in place to keep it in place until repairs can be affected. The moment we weren’t needed any longer, Astraeus was sent to Earth Station McKinley over San Francisco. The full amount of damage that we sustained took hours to record, and a few more good hits would have left us completely crippled. 

Compared to many other ships, we got away easy. But initial repair and refit estimates are five to six months in drydock.

It may be just as well. My crew needs a break after these last few weeks, particularly those members of my crew who were assimilated by the Borg signal, and some I may have made a mistake by giving too much responsibility to, too soon. Earth is a good place to rest and recuperate, and my job as Captain now is to see to them, while McKinley takes care of my ship.

End log entry. //

(( Starfleet Headquarters, San Francisco, Earth ))

(( Early Afternoon, Botanical Gardens ))

As one might expect after a massive attack on Earth, Starfleet Headquarters was filled with flag officers like a nest of angry hornets. Mei’konda wasn’t used to being the lowest rung on the ladder any longer, but aside from staff officers holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander or Commander who served as the direct aides of sector Admirals, the lowest ranking people he’d seen in the last couple of days wore four pips on their uniforms.

Debriefing after debriefing after debriefing had followed the attack, with a particular focus on Captains who were fortunate enough to retain control of their ships, for some reason or another. 

Several hours ago, Mei, who wasn’t normally given to losing his temper, had gotten into a shouting match in a meeting between several dozen of those flag officers over the idiocy of implementing Fleet Formation software in the first place, in a Starfleet which prized a degree of uniqueness between each ship and each crew.

The Human woman he’d gotten into it with, a Vice Admiral who had apparently been a strong proponent of the Fleet Formation program, had suggested he take a break from the meeting unless he wanted to be reassigned to a ground posting. He had taken the suggestion, gratefully. Now wasn’t the time to fight.

Now was the time to heal. And the first part of that was acknowledging those they’d lost. And they’d lost many.

To say that the Botanical Gardens were expansive was to put it mildly. There was an extremely manicured section in front of Headquarters itself, but acres of park land extended outward, where visitors and people who worked at HQ spent what outdoor time they could get. Today was a shining, beautiful day. The Caitian couldn’t help thinking that if things had gone just a little differently, it’d be nothing but a smoking crater.

Mei’konda had called any member of the crew down that could be spared from repairs. Astraeus, now in drydock, still had a functional industrial replicator on board. While emergency repairs were performed on the ship herself, any essential large pieces of machinery needed by Sol Station were being churned out by any industrial replicator nearby, and that included theirs. Still, Mei had insisted their Chief of Engineering take at least a little time to rest and relax. Astraeus was safe enough where she was.

Standing in a field of grass surrounded by massive redwood trees, whose canopies shielded them from the sun above, Mei tugged a couple of times on his collar as he regarded the several hundred who were in attendance. Larger than the ceremonies he usually held on the ship, he’d chosen a place to stand atop several boulders, where he could gaze across all of the faces present.

He cleared his throat. He’d brought a number of small wooden boxes with him today. He may not have felt much in the mood to celebrate, given what he had to address after the small ceremony, but he would try to find a way to drive home that these things were not just a piece of metal to affix to one’s dress uniform.

Mei’konda: Thaank you all for coming. I know that you all haave things you’d rather be doing. But, it is important to me thaat I thank all of you personally. These awaards may feel… almost meaningless, given what we all just faaced, but it is a way of knowing that Starfleet, that I, acknowledge what you all have done. You pushed yourselves to the limit, and your efforts helped to saave this planet. 

Mei glanced to his side. Lael was standing next to him, where Serala would normally be. He continued.

Mei’konda: Some of you maay have noticed Commander Serala’s absence. She is otherwiise occupied today, dealiing with some debriefings relaated to the Chin’toka. It doesn’t appear that she is in any reaal trouble. She just needs to giive an accountiing of events. For thaat reason, Commander Rosek-Skyfire is contiinuing as my acting First Officer, for the time being.

Rosek-Skyfire / Any: Responses

Mei’konda: Fiirst, for obviious reasons, our entire crew is being awaarded the Borg Service Medal. Also, Starfleet Command has creaated an acknowledgment specifically for the these… events, the Frontier Day Ribbon. Finally, for our specific actiions in working to save Earth, we haave been awarded something that I think few of us ever wish to receive, due to the circumstaances surrounding it. The UFP Medal of Freedom.

Any: Responses

Lifting his PADD up to gaze at the first page on it, Mei spoke a few more words, blue eyes flicking out over several members of his crew.

Mei’konda: Some speciific members of the Astraeus’ crew have been authoriized to receive some of Starfleet’s highest honors. Commander Rosek-Skyfire, let’s get you and I out of the waay. Lieutenant Caldwell, Lieutenant Commander Alentonis, would you joiin us up here?

Rosek-Skyfire / Alentonis / Caldwell: Responses

Mei’konda: For our efforts in commandiing the Saucer and Stardrive sectiions during this crisis, you and I have been awarded the Starfleet Medal of Valour. Commander Alentonis, Lieutenant Caldwell, I am giving you the saame award for your efforts to saave as many as you could from Sol Station, with tiime very short. Many people are aliive now who would not be, directly due to your efforts. Thaank you.

Rosek-Skyfire / Alentonis / Caldwell: Responses

Mei’konda passed Lael’s medal over to her, and offered her a soft-furred hand to shake, along with a nod. After she did the same for him, and presented the Medal of Valours to Caldwell and Alentonis, he turned his attention back toward the gathered members of the Astraeus’ crew.

Mei’konda: One zero one and Zero zero zero, Lieutenant Matthews, Divya Tam, Lieutenant Ral. 

The Caitian paused for a breath, and offered a measured smile to each of them.

Mei’konda: Doctor Sevantha Saa, Doctor Kris Fianna. Lieutenant Slav Shewytch, and Gwen’ora Tasen. I am honored to present all of you with the Distinguished Service Ribbon. Congraatulations, and thank you again.

The Caitian watched, tail twitching slowly near his ankles, as the half Al-Leyan woman presented the award to the officers he’d named.

Rosek-Skyfire / 101 & 000 / Matthews: Responses

Tam / Ral / Saa: Responses

Fianna / Shewytch / Tasen: Responses

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Captain Mei’konda Delano

Commanding Officer

USS Astraeus, NCC-70652

M239002M10