Lt Karen Stedhal - Pips, names and other things

[KRN STDL]

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

Karen felt a sense of unease that evening. Thoughts of the unsettling events that had unfolded at the end of their last mission crept into her mind, rising and falling like the tides that washed against the weathered pilings of an ancient fishing pier.

She had undergone a thorough examination by the ship's new doctor Nis, but the results had been inconclusive. (OOC: I plan to write about this later today or tomorrow.)

Despite the clean bill of health, Karen couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. An unseen presence seemed to linger at the edges of her consciousness. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but she decided to consult with the other Orion advisor aboard the ship for a second opinion.

As she surveyed the banquet spread, she was relieved to see a variety of vegetarian options.

Rouiancet: Thank you all very much for spending your last night of shore leave with your friends and crewmates aboard Deep Space 14. Before we begin our next mission, I want to focus on you and celebrating your achievements. I'd like to begin by awarding each of these pips to a different officer. I'll ask them both to join me up here now: Lieutenants, Junior Grade Karen Stendhal and Lhandon Nilsen.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Lhandon had gotten a haircut. Personally, she preferred his curly hair.
She felt surprise from him while she was surprised by his new look.
She hadn't fully grasped the captain's meaning about the pips. In this regard, she was much slower to catch on than Lhandon.
With the leave of absence she had taken for health reasons, it had literally been years since her last official promotion, and she certainly didn’t expect it at that moment.

Rouiancet: Please hold your applause until after my remarks.

Karen trailed after Lhandon and Avander, a dazed look in her eyes, as they positioned themselves near the captain. She hesitated, unsure of whether to join in the applause. oO Perhaps she should wait to clap. Oo

Rouiancet: Counselor Karen Stendhal. The care and professionalism you've shown to the crew of the Octavia E. Butler is a credit to your duty post. You are a wonderful example of an officer, not only in the skill and knowledge you demonstrate in the course of your duties, including as a member of the away teams and shuttle crews you participated in during this mission. You likewise do your people proud, as your courage and willingness to dive headfirst into mindscapes and mental back alleys puts you in dangers I don't think anyone else can fully appreciate. Finally, I understand your dedication to your calling extends even to your leave time, when you used some of your downtime to help your crewmates. You have more than earned this promotion. Congratulations, Lieutenant Stendhal.

Karen glanced for a momentin the direction of Lhandon... oo What Bajorian ascendant? oo

Promontory: (sincerely) ****Congratulations Lieutenant!

Nilsen: Congrats Karen. You deserve this.

Stendhal : Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. You're all wonderful! A thousand thanks! You're all amazing.
Karen said simply.

She hadn't been aboard the OEB for very long, something like six months. Sometimes she wondered if she had made a hasty decision by changing so suddenly. The SB118 had become like a second home after all, but there was something missing, something that could only be found aboard a starship. Moreover, in those few months and after only two missions, she had immediately felt at ease on that ship. Despite having been split in two during the last mission, risking her personal identity and integrity.

Rouiancet: Now, then, Lhandon. I'm particularly proud of you, since I've watched you grow from an uncertain ensign aboard the 'Oumuamua to the assistant chief of one of the most important departments on the Butler, and now as a full lieutenant. I hear, too, that not only did you demonstrate time and again your knowledge and growing experience of and with operations systems, you're also turning out to have a real flair for diplomatic matters. (beat, slightly dry) Not that there was much to liaise with in this mission -- (normal) but even so, you have likewise put in the work, the time, and the energy to have more than earned this promotion. Congratulations, Lieutenant Nilsen.

Promontory: Congrats kid!

Nilsen: Thank you sir, this…it means a lot, thank you.

Stendhal: Congratulations Lhando! You're more than deserving of this promotion! (wispering to him)  I can imagine you now, standing on the bridge as captain, delivering those epic, biblical lectures that will strike fear and confusion into the hearts of new cadets.
Karen smiled mischievously.

Rouiancet: Now, before Commander Promontory calls up our next two promotees, please join me in a round of applause for these two fine officers!

Promontory: Here here!

Karen clapped along, a small smile playing on her lips. It was a bit strange to applaud her own accomplishment, but she was so happy for Lhandon.

Nilsen: ::To Rouiancet and Promontory:: Thank you sirs. I’ll erm…

Stendhal: I'd like to echo the sentiments of our new lieutenant Nilsen herer. Thank you very much.
Karen replied, bowing slightly.
Karen also stepped back at this point to make room for Richards and Yinn's promotions. She had briefly met Yinn during the previous shore leave for a session. For some reason, she tended to confuse the names of Richards and Carras, but that wasn't so important since she confused practically all names. On the base, she confused Rustyy with Foster, a pity since one was human and the other an Andorian and therefore there was zero similarity. However, she had continued to call Rustyy Foster and vice versa for years, adding confusion to the already hot forge of her Betazoid mind.

She noticed that various ops welcomed Lhandon with various shouts and hugs and congratulations, he seemed more like a football star than a head of operations, she turned from side to side and no, there was no bevy of Counselors to carry her in triumph. Which was highly unlikely in any case.

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Lt Jg Karen Trisha Stendhal
Counselor  
USS Octavia E Butler

ID: C239604KS0
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https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Karen_Stendhal