Captain Mei'konda Delano - Some of Starfleet's Finest
Mei'konda Delano
(( Newer members of the crew who didn’t participate in our last mission are welcome to attend this awards ceremony, but not required! This will be a quickie, due to the impending start of our next mission. ))
(( Pagrati Lounge / Ten-Forward, USS Astraeus ))
(( En route to Earth, 1930 hours ))
One day, a few hours, and a few minutes away from Earth. Mei wished that his Husband had been able to join him for this trip. They’d spent a few shore leaves here, visiting landmarks, climbing mountains, and enjoying the center of the Federation like their assignments on the frontier rarely allowed. He’d miss the half-Vulcan’s presence, but with Astraeus gone, Diligent’s presence would be needed even more in the Expanse.
Mei forced himself not to think about that right now. He’d checked the crew rotations, and picked a time that, on this day, would allow him to assemble the people he wanted in the lounge. Standing just aft of the colorful gamma-welded table that was set right behind the frontmost windows of the starship, Mei’konda was silhouetted by the blue rippling light of warp in front of the ship, though window polarization had cut down on the brightness enough to allow them to all see each other comfortably.
With Serala to his right, the Caitian reached up to tug on the black collar of his uniform, then inclined his head amicably to the gathered officers in front of him.
Mei’konda: Welcome, everyone. Most of you know thiis tradiition. We’re here to celebrate the dedicaation of this crew, one of the finest in Starfleet. Together, you proved the Federation’s good intentions to the Tinalli, but more importantly… you minimiized the loss of life after their station was attacked. In my miind, a mission where every member of this crew comes away in more or less one piece is somethiing to be proud of.
Mei unconsciously flexed his left shoulder as he spoke. In the eleven or so days since they’d departed the Par’tha Expanse, his rehabilitation had been going well. It didn’t ache any longer, though he could tell his strength and flexibility wasn’t where it had been before the disruptor blast. Perhaps the phrase more-or-less in one piece was one that applied very much to him, today.
Serala / Kiax / Thoran / Peters: Responses
101 & 000 / Ral / Matthews: Responses
Caldwell / Tam / Doucet: Responses
Mei’konda: Fiirstly, Lieutenant Matthews, would you join us up here, please.
Matthews: Response.
Mei nodded toward Serala, the signal that she was clear to offer the awards to those who were receiving this batch.
Mei’konda: This is one of my leaast favoriite to award my people. Myself, Commander Serala, and Lieutenant Matthews are being given the Purple Heart for injuries sustained on our laast mission. In addition, Starfleet has entered the Recovery Ribbon into my docket. Thank you for your serviice, you two.
Serala / Matthews: Responses
Mei’konda: Mister Matthews, please staay a moment. Would One zero one and Zero zero zero please come up here, along with Doctor Doucet?
101 & 000 / Matthews / Doucet: Responses
Lifting three small boxes from the table, the Caitian passed them over to his part-Romulan First Officer.
Mei’konda: For your efforts in ensuriing that none of your fellow officers lost their liives on the Tinalli orbital spaacedock, I’m awardiing you the Silver Lifesaving Ribbon. May I offer you all an especially personaal thanks, as well.
Serala / 101 & 000 / Matthews / Doucet: Responses
Mei’konda: Next, would Commanders Thoran, Kiax, and Peters, Lieutenant Ral, and Ensign Tam please staand before the First Officer.
Thoran / Kiax / Peters / Ral / Tam: Responses
Mei’konda: I’m awardiing you all the Starfleet Investigative Ribbon for your efforts in proviing our non-involvement with the Valcarian Republic plot to fraame us for the near destructiion of the Tinalli spacedock. Your knowledge, experiience, and dedicaation was essential to thiis mission. Thank you, all.
Serala / Thoran / Kiax / Peters / Ral / Tam: Responses
Mei’konda: Lieutenant Ral, Ensiign Tam, remaain a moment. Commander Thoran, Lieutenants One zero one, Zero zero zero, Lieutenant Matthews, Ensign Caldwell, pleaase step forward.
Thoran / Ral / 101 & 000 / Matthews / Caldwell / Tam: Responses
Mei’konda lifted his attention from the next series of boxes on the table, and looked squarely at each officer from his bright blue eyes.
Mei’konda: All of you performed in the best tradiitions of Starfleet as we worked to take the Valcarian special forces teaam down. One zero one and Zero zero zero, I’m honored to present you wiith the Distinguished Service Ribbon.
Serala / 101 & 000: Responses
Mei’konda: Mister Thoran, Ensign Tam, I am awardiing you the Legion of Merit. Very well done, and thaank you.
Serala / Thoran / Tam: Responses
Mei’konda: Lieutenant Ral, you plaayed a big part in keepiing things calm and ensuriing the Tinalli would work with us for long enough to let us prove our innocence. For that, I am awardiing you with the Diplomacy Ribbon. Never forget that your skills do not lie only in Engineering, Mister Ral, significaant though those skills may be.
Serala / Ral: Responses
Mei’konda glanced down at the few boxes left on the table. He was nearly at the end. As the group stepped back, Mei’konda cleared his throat.
Mei’konda: I only need two more of you to step forward. Ensign Caldwell, Doctor Doucet. At attentiion!
Caldwell / Doucet: Responses
Mei’konda made his way around the table, stopping first in front of the Doctor, and meeting her eyes. These last awards, he would handle himself.
Mei’konda: Neither of you haave been aboard Astraeus for long, but you have both very much proved your worth to me. Doctor, you did not only help me when I was badly injured, but you haave been an invaluable mental health expert for this crew, and diplomaatic aide for me on away missions. I am awardiing you the Diplomacy Ribbon, as well as the Trauma Support Advocate award.
Mei’konda passed her the two small boxes, then lifted up the third.
Mei’konda: All together, your contriibutions can not be overstaated, Doctor. I hereby promote you to the raank of Lieutenant, junior grade, with all of the commensurate privileges and responsibiilities of that rank. Congratulations, Lieutenant.
The Caitian opened the box, carefully pulled the dark rank pin from inside, and pinned it to her collar before reaching out to offer her a hand to shake.
Doucet: Response
Mei then took a step to the left, where Caldwell continued to stand to attention. He met the younger man’s eyes.
Mei’konda: Ensign, sometiimes a new officer does not check all of the traditional boxes as he acclimaates himself to his position, and life in Starfleet. They miight voice their opinions very readiily. They may be brash, or boisterous, or unconventiional. Some Captains do not appreciiate these traits.
Mei’konda opened the first box he carried.
Mei’konda: I am not one of those Captains. You may have rough edges, Ensign, but you haave a lot of potential. You have saved lives on this ship, and I intend to see you refiine those rough edges into somethiing very special. Therefor, I present you with the Captain's Commendation, and I promote you to the rank of Lieutenant, junior grade, with all of the commensurate privileges and responsibiilities of that rank. Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Mei’konda pressed the box containing the commendation into Caldwell’s hand first, then carefully pinned the hollow rank pip onto his shoulder before offering the man a hand to shake, as he did with Doucet. With a nod of respect, he took a step back.
Mei’konda: Thaank you, everyone. Drinks are on me.
It was a playful statement, and everyone would know it. After all, synthehol or more traditional non-alcoholic drinks didn’t cost anything on a starship.
Serala / Kiax / Thoran / Peters: Responses
101 & 000 / Ral / Matthews: Responses
Caldwell / Tam / Doucet: Responses
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Captain Mei’konda Delano
Commanding Officer
USS Astraeus, NCC-70652
M239002M10