Lieutenant Anton Richards: Prisoners, Awards, Relationships, and Bowling
Writer Guy
((The Writer's Room, Deck 8, USS Octavia E. Butler))
Anton’s prolonged stare into what was hopefully “the ceremony” was interrupted, and Anton saw someone join the group out of the corner of his eye. He turned back towards the members of the table.
Kessler: Well speak of the…….
Jack’s words were also interrupted as Michele Winters stepped up and slapped a hand on the top of his right shoulder.
Winters: (smiling broadly) Watch it Jack….the devil has not entered the room just yet. (looking to Anie and Anton) Commander…Lieutenant.
Richards: Captain.
She didn’t even look like Wes a little bit.
Sherlock: Captain.
Michele’s hand dropped from Jack’s shoulder and she stepped around to the side of the table closest to Anie.
Winters: Is this seat taken Commander?
Sherlock: ::shrugging with her mouth:: It is now. ::gesturing to the nearest chair:: Please, join us
Anton looked over towards Jack, back to the Captain, and then to Sherlock. He didn’t feel like he needed to interject, and he slowly sank back into his seat.
Richards: ::throat clear::
Kessler: Will Max or your other Marines be joining us?
Michele looked to Jack and then back to Sherlock.
Winters: I told them they were free to sit wherever they wanted but I would enjoy them here is they so choose.
Jack shot Anton a look and a grin.
Kessler: Marines in a bar….it is all synthehol right? (grinning ear to ear)
Anton shot Jack a grin back.
Jack was attempting to lighten up the table, and he appreciated that.
Winters: What are we drinking Commander?
Sherlock: Whiskey, neat. ::spying Lia approaching:: Heads up.
Anton glanced over to see Jack standing and he greeted the commander and followed suit.
Richards: Commander.
Rouiancet: Lieutenant Kessler, it's very good to have you back.
Kessler: Thank you Captain, it’s good to be back.
Winters: Captain.
Rouiancet: (seriously) I'm very glad to see you here tonight especially. I would have sought you out regardless, but a promotion ceremony seems to me an auspicious time to ask if you would agree to service in tactical aboard the Butler. Perhaps, if you're ready, and Michele agrees, as chief of tactical. (to Michele) I don't want to presume, though, that you're ready to leave the position, Michele.
Anton knew this situation had all the dynamite to explode at any second, and whilst Anton had spent the last few minutes stepping around flint rocks, it appeared as though the Commander had a lit match on hand.
Anton glanced towards Winters and Kessler.
Kessler: I am at your disposal Captain and happy to serve in Tactical again.
Anton tugged at the neck of his uniform. Now for the explosion…
Winters: I am ok with the change Captain. It will free up some time for me to really whip the Marines into shape for our upcoming mission.
Anton was taken aback. The pins were set up perfectly, the Commander had thrown the ball and it was rolling towards its crashing destination, and right before the ball had made it to the end of the lane, there was Captain Winters, gently lifting the ball up (probably easily with marine like strength) and placing it back on the rack.
Sherlock: ::letting out the breath through her nose, trying not to do so loudly:: I'm glad everyone's on-board. oODid I make that sound like a question again? No...Oo
Anton shared this sentiment. It appeared he wasn’t the only one who saw the potential for that to have went vastly different.
Rouiancet: (a nod) Very well. Yes, I'm pleased with that. (another smile) The Butler will be in good hands. Now, then…
Rouiancet: I remember that Commodore V'Airu used to say that "awarding" the Prisoner of War ribbon didn't feel right, that it was more like a (beat) recognition, I suppose, of an especially traumatic element of an officer's service history, one that others should be aware of. That's the spirit in which I present this to you, Aine.
Anton glanced towards Sherlock, he wasn’t aware that she had been taken prisoner.
He smiled faintly and understood Rouiancet’s and V’Airu’s sentiment. He also felt like a tap on the back followed by “Great Job!” would be a bit inappropriate.
Sherlock: Thank you, Captain. I'll wear it proudly. oODon't lie!Oo
Kessler: Congratulations Commander. Sorry I was not here to lend a hand.
Michele turned to Anie and lifted the corner of her lip in a smile.
Winters: Let’s not have this become a pattern Commander, I’d hate to have to assign a Marine detail to your away missions. (grin turning into a full smile) Congratulations on getting out of there alive.
It still didn’t feel right.
Richards: Congratulations… Sir.
Aine nodded towards Anton and the rest of the congratulators.
Sherlock: How about that drink?
Anton thought about ceasing his abstinence from alcohol, and he now understood the circumstances that it could be useful he thought.
Winters: Sure, sounds good.
Kessler: (unsure of what was going on with Michele) Sure, I think I need a double though.
Anton tapped Jack on the shoulder, attempting to relay his support.
Richards: You got this chief.
Jacked started to turn to step away from the table when one of the engineers approached and greeted him.
Cabrillo: Kessler! I’d heard you were alive and back aboard.
Winters: You all healed up TK? Taking a round in the chest for Jack is no short order.
Winters patted the new arrival on his chest and he reacted with a flinch.
Kessler: TK, I am so happy you are ok.
Cabrillo: Careful Captain, I just had this uniform pressed.
Anton looked down towards his uniform. He knew he had forgotten something.
Richards: Smart move.
Sherlock: response
Michele looked to Anie and then back to Cabrillo. Her smile faded and took on a more questionable look.
Winters: (looking to Anie) Excuse me Commander. The Lieutenant and I have something to discuss.
Michele stepped towards Cabrillo and lightly grabbed his upper arm and leaned in close to him while keeping her back to Jack.
Cabrillo: We do?
Winters: Come with me, I need to talk to you right now.
Michele started away from the table and tugged at Cabrillo who turned and followed the Marine away from the group and eventually out of the room completely.
Jack looked to Richards and then Sherlock and then to the exit that Michele and TK had just disappeared through.
Kessler: Excuse me Commander…Lieutenant. I think I need to check on my new posting.
Anton nodded reluctantly. As it turns out, the Commander was much better at bowling than Anton had originally thought.
Richards: Go get em.
Anton had been referring to the plethora of new problems and responsibilities he had just been given as chief. He swallowed hard, he knew that had been a particularly poor choice of words.
Sherlock: response
Jack offered a nod to both and hurried out of the room leaving the same way Michele and TK had.
Anton turned towards Sherlock and raised his eyebrows.
Richards: You only warned me about Ops
Sherlock: Response.
Richards: That was certainly a lot to unpack.
Sherlock: Response.
Ooc: Vignette 8
Anton smiled, and as he looked over at the rest of the room he realized that the Commander’s circuit had completed.
Rouiancet: Might I have everyone's attention again for a moment? Thank you.
The ambience of chatter in the room that Anton had barely noticed up until this point ceased.
Rouiancet: Each of you, everyone who served during the mission to Cheyd'lang, is now receiving four ribbons -- the Maiden Voyage Ribbon, the First Contact Ribbon, the Diplomacy Ribbon, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award -- along with stars, as appropriate. Even those officers whose service has taken them elsewhere for the time being, like Colonel Greaves, will receive these ribbons for service during the mission. Thank you, all, for making Starfleet's first contact with the Cheydalanga as successful as it could be. (beat, then a smile) Now I really am finished talking to you from up here. Please, enjoy your dinners and drinks!
There were cheers, some hugging, and the ambience of the crew had grown larger than what it had been before. Marines were probably responsible for some of that Anton thought.
Richards: You’ll have to tell me the story some time.
Anton gestured towards the award Sherlock had received.
Sherlock: Response?
=========TAGS / TBC?==========
Lieutenant Anton Richards
Security Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler - NCC-82850
T239802AR1
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