Ensign Morton: Appreciation
James
((Botanical Arboretum, Lower, Deck 9, USS Octavia E Butler))
Vala, along with a good number of other officers had been summoned to the arboretum. They had been split into groups and she had found herself led, once again, by Commander Arlill. Lahl and in some small way it was like the fantastic four were back together again. Only that wasn’t quite right because they had Gwen with them.
Morton: oO Fabulous Five. Oo
Since Gwen was also a scientist, and they shared similar scientific specialities, Vala was looking forward to working with and getting to know her more. She smiled as she imagined that Gwen might be just as distracted by the arboretum’s beauty and the fascination of the plants surrounding them as what she was. Vala stifled a nervous giggle as she scuffed one of her feet, nearly tripping as they rounded a corner. It was a clear signal to put her eyeballs ahead of her instead of everywhere else other than where she was going. They soon stopped and Vala’s eyebrows raised a fraction to see a soft beam of light illuminate Kimonzi.
Arlill: Junior Lieutenant Kimonzi Lahl, we serve and act as one ship, one crew, and one purpose when we depart the safety of familiar space for the unknown. It is in these moments that our dedication, perseverance, and fortitude shine brightest. Your actions during our visit to an unknown place were calculated, professional, and thoughtful. If it wasn’t for your knowledge and service, we may not have returned home, and many of us may still be stranded in a place alien to us all. Is for these reasons that I recognize you with the Intelligence Star, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and Scientific Discovery Ribbon–which, you being an engineer, I’m honored to award you.
Vala was so happy for Kimonzi. The Haliian really didn’t know the engineer, but having worked alongside her recently, already had a strong appreciation for her intelligence and ingenuity. She hadn’t found out about Goldie until much later, and she hadn’t seen Kimonzi since they worked together with that crystal. It was hard for Vala, who had met no alt of her own, to fully comprehend what Kimonzi was going through. Nevertheless, she tried.
Morton: oO Should I applaud? Oo
Vala glanced at the others. This was the first time she’d been to any kind of awards ceremony and this wasn’t how she’d pictured them either. In her mind’s eye they were conducted in stuffy boardrooms, or with everyone liked up like toy soldiers. This was, admittedly, so much nicer.
Morton: oO Oh wow, that box is beautiful. Every detail has been thought out carefully. Oo
Lahl: Thank you sir. Your command of the team was great.
Arlill: Thank you Lieutenant.
Vala pressed her lips together, and followed the etiquette of the group, though she desperately wanted to clap her hands and congratulate Kimonzi heartily. That would have ruined the more relaxed and carefully curated atmosphere created by Arlill, and presumably the other senior officers leading other groups. They walked further down the path and as she stepped onto the next stone the light fell upon her. Surprise was written all over her face.
Arlill: Ensign Vala Morton ::beat:: You came to our aid mid-mission, thrown into the thick of it alongside senior officers, expected to serve as the resident expert—despite not having a specialized focus in the area of interest. Correct me if I'm wrong, but astrophysics isn’t exactly your specialty? ::she shook her head as he waved his hand, dismissing the question:: You were thrown into an unfamiliar team and went right to work solving the problem at hand. For giving a deeper understanding in the crystal life form that connected our realties, I recognize you with the Scientific Discovery Ribbon–congratulations.
Morton: Thank you sir, it was a great honour and privilege to work with such a strong team.
Toxin took one step closer to her, offering his hand to shake, which she gladly took. He reached into his box once more and pulled out a smaller box with a crystal design on the top, it was just as beautiful as the previous box. He placed its contents onto her uniform and her face lit up with pride. She thought that was, quite literally, her moment in the spotlight over until he stepped forward to say something else.
Arlill: ::in a quiet tone:: And between you and me, and your permanent record, ensign. ::stepping back and resuming his previous level:: you performed admirably. You were ::beat:: rather we all were, out of our comfort zones, and while many might have shrunk, you stood tall and provided uncompromising support.
Morton: Thank you. ::Sincerely:: If I provided uncompromising support, it’s only because I felt I received such from you and my team. ::She smiled and gave Lahl and Nis a grateful nod.::
Her words might well seem cheesy to some, and maybe they were but it was also true. She hadn’t worked with any of them prior to being thrust into the middle of the situation, but Arlill, Nis and Lahl were each powerhouses, and they set the bar high. All Vala had done was try to rise to their standard. When they got to the next stone, Nis stopped just short. Why did she not want to step on the stone? Was Vala missing something - again? The scientist felt that for someone supposedly so smart, so was many many pieces short of a full jigsaw pizzle. Arlill simply tapped the stone with his foot, and the young doctor was now bathed in soft light.
Arlill: Lieutenant Jania Nis ::beat:: Jania. We’ve not worked closely together on missions many times, but I can say you’ve always treated me physically and emotionally with respect and care. You are one of the few doctors I truly believe will place their patient before everything else. On this mission, your patient wasn’t quite the same you were used to, but rather the entire ship and it’s crew, both onboard and away. Your focus and attention to detail gave us the invaluable details we needed to ensure the safe return of our wayward crewmembers and the necessary details to identify our foes and safely accomplish our goals. It’s for all these reasons, and more, that I bestow upon you the Excellence In Adaptability Ribbon, Intelligence Star, and Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Morton: oO Plus - how many doctors can say they resurrected a dead, never-been-seen-before, crystalline lifeform? Oo
Doctor Nis was great. Better than great! She deserved every single one of those accolades. Vala had already gained a lot of respect for her during the mission, but she’d also been lucky enough to spend a little time with her afterwards too. The doctor had introduced her to the curious poetry society that had nothing to do with poetry at all.
Nis: Response
More beautiful craftsmanship Vala noted as she got the briefest glance at the next box.
Arlill: ::beginning to turn, or act like he was turning to continue:: Oh Lieutenant, do not think your work has gone unnoticed ::turning to fully face Nis:: It’s definitely been noticed. You have strived to excel at everything you do since joining the OEB. For your efforts and dedication I no longer refer to you as Junior Lieutenant. From henceforth, until you go further, I hereby awarded the rank of full Lieutenant, congratulations.
A promotion! Vala wanted to applaud, and whoop so hard. Inside, she felt like an antsy school girl and had to tell herself to settle down. They continued down the path, passing some aromatic plants. Vala inhaled deeply, appreciating the fine scents, and then heard Toxin sneeze.
Nis: Response
They turned yet another corner and it was Gwen’s turn to step onto the stone and be bathed in light. This was going to be interesting because Vala hadn’t worked with her yet and wasn’t aware of her contributions. They were undoubtedly every bit as impressive, and maybe even more so.
Arlill: Junior Lieutenant Gwen’ora Tasen, you haven’t been on OEB for long but you’ve established an honorable reputation for your knowledge and abilities. Your fellow department officers and crew members speak highly of you, and your dedication to the sciences is unwavering. Your services during this last mission have not gone unnoticed. The mission bridge team asked me to recognize you with a special award, one not often given, for its unique reason. They informed me that you were asked to the bridge, into an unknown scenario with unknown data and information and ::looking at his PADD:: “tackled the situation with little to no context.” ::looking back at the Lieutenant:: I can tell you, personally, I’ve spent a lot of time on the bridge of two different starships, and seen many young officers thrown into the fire, so to speak, and smolder, but I’ve not seen or heard of an officer that stood up to the challenge in the manner you did on this last mission. It’s for this reason I bestow upon you the Spliced Mainbrace Distinction Award, reserved for officers who ::looking at his PADD to get this right:: think critically and problem-solve skillfully under the most adverse circumstances, demonstrating exceptional competence in your field, and capacity to adapt and innovate for a solution. ::putting his PADD back by his side and reaching his hand out to shake::. Congratulations Lieutenant.
Oh that was all very vague and mysterious. It sounded as though Gwen had been thrust into very challenging circumstances and had really had to think on her feet and come up with innovative solutions to whatever problem it was that had faced her.
Tasen: Response
The fabulous five continued along the path until they reached a wide open space. It looked like the other groups were all convening here too. Toxin turned around again, and Vala thought he was going to instruct them about what was next, so his next words were surprising.
Arlill: Junior Lieutenant Lahl, please step forward. I have to apologize, in my endeavor to complete this recognition ceremony without error, I’ve overlooked one important recognition. ::beat:: Junior Lieutenant Lahl, you’ve been recognized, by officers and fellows for your outstanding work in the last mission and before. For this reason, I have the honor of promoting you to the full rank of Lieutenant and with it the benefits and responsibilities of that rank ::leaning forward and whispering:: a lot of responsibilities ::winking::.
Another promotion! How fantastic and well-earned at that. Vala was so delighted to see her colleagues honoured and promoted for their fine work. They had worked so hard and deserved every bit of recognition and more.
Lahl: Thank you sir.
As Toxin stepped back and gave a short round of applause, Vala joined in vigorously outpouring all her saved up enthusiasm and joy.
Morton: Congratulations! ::Taking a moment to look at and smile at Lahl, Nis and Gwen:: Well done, to all of you.
Ensign Vala Morton
USS Octavia E Butler NCC-82850
O240205VM3