Capt. Lia Rouiancet: Captain's Approach

[Tony Colella]

(( Solar Sail Observation Hall, Deep Space 14 ))

As the command team split up, Lia made a beeline for the first table she wanted to visit, where she saw two of the lieutenants and the ensign she was looking for. In ceremonies past, she'd encouraged officers and crew from the same department to sit together, especially when there was recognition due to the entire department. However, this time, the tables were more mixed, which was how Anton Richards, Jania Nis, and Varik came to be sitting together.

Lia approached with a smile, with Lohkina hot on her heels. It really was a good thing that Lohkina was switching departments, Lia reflected. She had better things to do than to follow her captain around at functions like this.

Rouiancet: Good evening, all. Ensign, I wonder if I could ask you to stand for a moment?

Varik: Response

The Explorer's Ribbon had been the first ribbon Varik had earned as an officer on the Butler, but Lia wasn't willing to let it rest as his only one. 

Rouiancet: You may have exploded into my notice, Ensign Varik, but that's not always a bad thing. You did your utmost on the Xenogenesis, which turned into piloting unexpectedly for several members of the senior staff. No small thing, I know! This is a token of my gratitude: The Good Conduct Ribbon. Congratulations.

Lohkina handed it over, and Lia pinned it to Varik's uniform.

Varik: Response

Nis / Richards: Responses

Rouiancet: Please, sit. Now, Jania -- that is to say, Lieutenant Jania Nis, if you would now stand?

Nis: Response

Rouiancet: In addition to the Explorer's Ribbon you also earned, you put yourself in grave and mortal danger for the sake of your crewmates, including doing everything you could to conduct a risky surgery under less-than-ideal circumstances -- and that's not to mention your support of Vala since the Butler put in for repairs. You are the very model of a medical officer, and it's my honor to recognize you with the Gold Lifesaving Ribbon, the Purple Heart, and the Trauma Support Advocate Ribbon. I also recognize you, officially, as the chief medical officer of Octavia E. Butler.

Lohkina: (low) She already was, Captain.

Rouiancet: Well, some records suggested otherwise, so I want to be as clear as possible. Congratulations, Doctor Nis.

Nis: Response

Varik / Richards: Responses

Like Varik, Jania sat back down, and Lia shifted her gaze to Anton.

Rouiancet: Anton, if you'd stand now, please.

Richards: Response

There was an additional box, the contents of which were bound for Anton. Lohkina removed the remaining ribbons, as well as the final box.

Rouiancet: Lieutenant Richards, you also earned the Explorer's Ribbon, of course, but I also want to reward you for shooting a senior officer. 

Oops. That hadn't come out right, had it?

Rouiancet: Ahem. I mean to say, your actions while the Butler was derelict were inspired, from our time aboard the shuttle to your quick-thinking when it came to dealing with, hm, all the threats before you, no matter how familiar them might seem. There's a ribbon made just for such circumstances: the Spliced Mainbrace Distinction, which you've now earned. (beat; pinning the ribbon) Don't sit down just yet, though. You've become one of the most experienced officers on staff, one of the most knowledgeable in the fleet's history of exploration in the Gamma Quadrant, and a valuable central member of my senior staff. It's my distinct honor to promote you to the rank of lieutenant commander. 

At last, she opened that final box, removed the hollow pip within, and added to Anton's two solid pips.

Rouiancet: Congratulations, Commander Richards.

Richards: Response

Varik / Nis: Responses

OOC I'll backsim anything as necessary before Lia moves on! 

Lia headed for the other table she wanted to visit, where several other senior officers were sitting. These included officers no longer assigned to the Butler, specifically in the person of Avander, as well as those who had just returned, as Wes Greaves. Peri Katsim rounded out the trio of commander-ranked officers there, and Lia grinned at them as she approached.

Rouiancet: It's good to see you all sitting down together, even if it won't happen again for a little while.

Promontory / Katsim / Greaves: Responses

Rouiancet: I won't be long, I promise. Wes, I apologize up front that I wasn't sent anything upfront with your reassignment PADDwork. If anyone wanted me to make sure you received any ribbons or honors, they didn't tell me.

She shrugged slightly. She didn't expect Wes would be too worried if there was a ribbon coming his way that ended up being delayed a while, but she'd triple-checked before the ceremony.

Greaves: Response

Rouiancet: Now, as for you, Avander -- if you'd stand, please? thank you -- I'd be very remiss if I let you transfer over to DS14 without receiving the First Officer Ribbon, since you've been in that post since spring of last year. (shaking her head slightly) All I'll say is that I hope the commodore appreciates how lucky she is to lure you back into the black. And speaking of, I hope you'll be more careful while you're flying a desk. You know how I feel about the Purple Heart, and you may have earned it, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it.

As she wrapped things up, she pinned both to Avander's uniform.

Promontory: Response

Katsim / Greaves: Responses 

Rouiancet: Yes, by all means. That just leaves you, Peri, if you'd stand now?

Katsim: Response

Rouiancet: Coming directly from a mission where you had to assume command, and performing your duties as well as you did, is commendable -- I'm commending you for it! -- and even then, you went above and beyond what's expected of you as chief of science. From the specific ideas that led to success and safety for your crewmates -- like your idea to overload the holodeck systems -- to your general brilliance and coolness under fire, I'm very pleased to recognize you with the Innovation Ribbon and the Spliced Mainbrace Distinction. However, you also did -- and do -- an excellent job of caring for your crewmates, during and after crisis after crisis, and so I'd like to additionally recognize you with the Trauma Support Advocate Ribbon. 

Lia took the remaining ribbons from Lohkina, who gave Lia a quick, sharp smile and faded back as Lia pinned Peri's ribbons and stars.

Katsim: Response

Promontory / Greaves: Responses 

Tags! and TBC!

--

Captain Lia Rouiancet

Commanding Officer 

USS Octavia E. Butler

V238208LV0
she/her/hers (this character)