Lt. Cmdr. Geoffrey Teller - Calm Waters

[Geoffrey Teller]

((Main Shuttlebay, USS Juneau))

With the damage from their final encounter mostly mended, Geoff Teller found himself milling with the muted officers and crew of the Juneau in the ships mostly completed shuttlebay.  Still feeling responsible for the problematic vessel, Teller mentally inventoried the components that hadn't been hooked up and the fixtures that were still missing from their mounting points on the walls and ceiling.  He intended to write up as much as he could in his final Chief Engineer's log entry, in the hopes he could give the teams at Utopia Planitia a leg up on the work they'd need to finish.  

As Captain Oddas took to the front of the room, Teller found himself a drink and saw, from across the room, Lt. Sienelis and Crewman Johns.  He was glad they had both survived the calamity in the asteroid belt.  Even with the news spreading that the Vulcans aboard the 'Ascent Vine' had been saved, the mood in the room remained low and dejected.

From out of the crowd a familiar face appeared and Teller smiled in genuine surprise.  He wasn't sure when his first roomie aboard the Veritas had joined the Juneau, but it was always a good time to run into an old friend.  As German passed him a drink, Teller nodded in thanks.  Both men seemed a bit worse for wear.  

Galven: I have a feeling you need a drink, buddy. 

Teller: Thanks Doc.  Did I hear right that you took out a whole asteroid belt?  I thought I was the one famous for making things explode.  ::He raised his glass and clinked with the first friend he ever had in the fleet.::  Here's to living to fight another day.  

The two shared a private toast before turning at the sound of their CO's voice.  

Oddas: Attention, please.  

Captain Oddas waited for the talk to die down, straightened her uniform, and looked from face to face.

Oddas: A few years ago I was a young Lieutenant who did some math which didn't make sense and asked a mentor for advice. I didn't imagine it would lead me here, to a ship, an engine, and a crew redefining what the Warp Scale looks like.  Our voyage was meant to be a simple cruise but like all things, in Starfleet, it became something more, proof officers from across the fleet could be thrown together and perform under pressure, get the job done, and do it with a grace befitting and expected of the service.  I am proud to serve with you and to call you my colleagues.

Any: Response

Oddas: I promise to make this short since I know some of you have other plans, but we do want to recognize some important people.  First, because this is the Juneau's first mission everyone aboard is Awarded the Maiden Voyage Ribbon.  Likewise, due to your work on the project and your Warp XV Engine, in general, you have been awarded the Project Capstone Ribbon and the Warp XV Pioneer.  Thank you very much, please wear them with pride.

Any: Response

She waited for the applause to die down a bit before she began speaking.

Oddas: Next, because those things did not go as planned, you are receiving both the Legion of Merit and the Orion Syndicate Service Medal.  This is in recognition that things do not always go as planned, but individually, and as a crew, Starfleet always overcomes.  

Teller snorted at that as he applauded politely.  To say that things hadn't gone as planned was something of an understatement.

The awards ceremony was short, but many members of the crew were recognized for their actions during their time aboard ship.  Teller appreciated the laurels but couldn't shake the nagging feeling he'd taken his eye off the ball somewhere along the way.  He had a feeling the shuttle ride back to the Shoals would be a quiet one.  With the ceremony drawing to a close, the ships first officer and captain of the springball team raised her voice in a cheer that rang around the bay.  It brought a smile back to Teller's face. 

Kiliak: Here here!

Teller:  To the Juneau.  

Kelrod: Here here! :: he accepted the glass and raised to the rest of the crew ::

As the applause died down, German picked back up his glass and when he rose up, he saw Kelrod coming towards Geoffrey and him. 

Kelrod: Well, we've made it.

Teller: Kelrod, if I ever gave you a hard time about how much you dislike engine tests, I apologize.  This little sleigh ride ended up being a lot more bumpy then anybody expected.  Here's to you, gentlemen.  ::He raised his glass in salute to both men.::  

Galven: That's definitely an understatement. Great job, Commander. The Juneau sure was a ride. 

Kelrod: This could be a great ship, once it's finished, but I'm eager to get back to the Veritas.

Teller: Agreed.  I think I've spent enough time aboard the ship of tomorrow.  I'm entirely ready to get back to the ship of today.  

He raised his glass in toast and finished its contents in a single gulp.  Somehow, the beverage had an unpleasant aftertaste and he didn't reach for another.    

Any: Response

Standing to the side of the podium, a flag officer Teller had never met exchanged a glance with Captain Oddas and strode forward, clearly intending to address the crowd.  For the sake of the crew, Teller hoped the woman had something uplifting to share.  

((A bit later on))

With Captain Oddas decorated for her command of the Juneau and her work on the Warp XV program as a whole, the awards ceremony broke up and turned into small groups of mingling, chatting officers.  Some shared memories and laughter while others wished a farewell to newfound friends before they returned to their postings, spread across the Federation.  

As Admiral Reynolds congratulated the Captain, Teller felt a heavy hand fall on his shoulder from behind a moment before the thick Russian baritone started in on him.  

Johns: You didn’t kill us after all. I never doubted you for a minute. Whole hours, maybe. Not minutes.

Teller:  ::smirking::  Wasn't for lack of trying.  Gorkon's lucky to have you, Mr. Johns.  If I thought I could, I'd ask you to join us on the Veritas...but I have a feeling ::He nodded over to the fetching Romulan science officer, Lieutenant Sienelis:: you're happy where you are.  Hope you're sticking around for a little while - bet there's a few folks on this crew we could still turn into music lovers.  

Peters: Response

Johns: Well, I for one think we earned it. Campfire on the beach, get some diving in, ::with those words, he stuck Valesha in the ribs with his elbow,:: enjoy the sand, sun and relax.

Sienelis: With a bottle of tequila and no arrests?

Teller saw a look pass between the two of them that confirmed his earlier theory.  Whatever Johns and Sienelis had, it was more than a casual attraction.  He was glad for them both - they had distinguished themselves in their time aboard the Juneau as intelligent, hard working, compassionate people.  Mr. Johns engineering acumen and humor had made his tour far easier, and while 'V' sometimes hid behind a layer of cool detachment, Teller had seen the flood of emotion on the woman's face when they spoke of her long lost brother.  It was a reminder that the fleet was always bigger than one ship, and it was made up of more than plasma conduits and warp cores.  People like this kept the fleet alive and vital simply by being there.  He was glad to have gotten to know them, however briefly.  He smirked and took a self-deprecating shot at himself.  

Teller:  Can't promise no arrests, I seem to be popular with the authorities this week.  Wanted, Tiny Red Hair'd Terran, May be carrying hot coffee, considered armed & dangerous.

Peters/Johns: Response

Sienelis: We should get one last poker game in, too. Drink some coffee, play some cards, say goodbye to the Continuum.

Peters/Johns: Response

Teller:  That's the best damn idea I've heard all day.  In fact ::Teller looked around the room, satisfied the ceremony was well and truly finished.::  It doesn't look like we're needed here any longer.  Shall we?  

Grabbing a full bottle off one of the serving tables, Teller smirked and nodded towards the doors, his new friends following close behind.  As they sat and drank and played one rubbish hand after another, the group of them found a companionable warmth in one anothers company while they said their own private goodbyes to the USS Juneau.  

[End for Teller]

((OOC: Been a blast, Capstone.  Hope to write with all of you again down the road!))

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Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Teller

Chief Engineer

USS Juneau - NX-99801

Captain Oddas A., Commanding

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