Lt Commander T'Ama - In An Instant
Melissa Jackson
(( Assembly Bay/Observation Bay, Starbase One ))
(( Overlooking both the USS Chin’toka and the USS Valkyrie-A ))
Serala: Everything set, Number One?
T’Ama turned towards her captain and gave her dress skant one final smoothing. She wasn’t quite used to seeing herself in red yet. Not that she didn’t look good in red, but she had grown fond of the cheerful yellow of Operations.
T’Ama: Yep.
Serala: This will be your first time up here. Nervous?
T’Ama: ::smirking:: Never.
Serala: Well, welcome to the joys of command. It makes all the other parts of it worth it.
Did it? She did not yet have enough information to make that determination.
T’Ama: I’ll be the judge of that.
Serala: Very well. Let’s get this thing started, shall we?
Stepping up to the podium, T’Ama gave a signal and the lights dimmed out over the audience, leaving the podium area lit up brightly, though the lights were not so low she couldn’t see them. She waited a moment as a hush descended, eyes scanning as they settled down, and with a tip upwards of her chin and a half smile, she began.
T’Ama: Welcome! I am Lieutenant Commander T’Ama, your new-ish First Officer as of about a month ago. Most of you know me, for those who don’t - hello. I’m sure you are all eager to be honored for your outstanding work on this last mission, so without further ado, I will turn this over to Captain Serala.
She vacated the podium and moved away so Serala could take it and went to stand next to the table of rosewood boxes.
Serala: Thank you, Number One. Crew of the USS Chin’toka, I have had the privilege of working with some of the finest officers in the fleet, and you are no less so. In fact, I have been honored to have all of you under my command. These recognition ceremonies are just one small way that I can say thank you for all of your efforts on behalf of the ship and Starfleet. And to that end, let’s get to the good part, shall we?
Serala scrolled down her padd to find her notes and then looked back up.
Serala: First of all, while our mission to Ah’rak IV didn’t exactly go according to script, we did make first contact with a new species. And I have received word that the Vulcans have arrived and are working on establishing diplomatic relations with the Ah’rakkians. Starfleet Command seems to have been satisfied with our performance there as they have seen fit to award us both the First Contact and Explorer Ribbons.
Serala: Commander T’Ama, please receive these awards on behalf of the crew. There are individual ribbons for everyone on the table that can be collected after the ceremony.
T’Ama: Thank you.
She ceremoniously accepted the awards.
Serala: In addition, Lieutenant Commander Azura Ada, I was forwarded a citation from Commodore Rajel which reads:
Rajel: Much to our surprise we have discovered that the artifact who caused our little de-aging problem was not an artifact at all. Instead we found out through various tests and finally telepathic communication that it is a silicone based lifeform native to Vryshaan. This remarkable discovery leads to a few ribbons for our crew. First of all I have the honor to reward everyone who was part of this mission the Explorer's ribbon for the discovery of a new species. As well as a First Contact ribbon for, you guessed it, First contact.
Serala: Congratulations, Commander Ada. You can pick up an extra ribbon of each at the end of the ceremony.
Ada: Response
T’Ama clapped for Ada and smiled wistfully. If Jalana had been doing this awards ceremony it would have been in the middle of a giant party. She kind of missed those parties.
Serala: Now, there are some individual awards to present. Commander Sherlock and Counselor S’Rorr to the front please.
Sherlock / S’Rorr: Responses
Serala: You two were given a difficult task, made even more difficult by the fact that the Ah’rakkians had a previous negative experience with Vulcanoids in their past, not to mention certain events that transpired while there. Commander Sherlock, your efforts were so noted that Command decided to make you Chief of our newly formed Diplomacy Department, which they also deemed a necessity on our crew.
T’Ama eyed Sherlock for her reaction. She was still a little troubled by how Command could taketh away and there was little say you had in the matter.
Serala: Therefore, the both of you are being presented with the Diplomacy Ribbon.
She accepted the two boxes from Serala and approached Sherlock to pin the ribbon on.
T’Ama: So is it like a critical mass situation where if you get enough of these they transfer you automatically into the diplomacy department?
Sherlock: response
The smirk faded to a friendlier smile as she turned to S’Rorr and pinned his ribbon on.
T’Ama: Congratulations, ensign.
S’Rorr: Responses
Serala: Congratulations, you two.
She clapped along with the applause and then waited for Brodie and Hana Wright to come up.
Serala: Lieutenant Wright, during the mission you assisted in locating and removing the explosive devices. It was an extraordinary act of bravery and for that reason I am awarding you the Good Conduct Ribbon. Likewise, Commander Brodie, your efforts in assisting me, especially in regards to the rescue operation and reminding me to consider all aspects of the operation, I am also awarding you the Good Conduct Ribbon. Congratulations.
She stepped forward and pinned a ribbon on each of them. She had never gotten a Good Conduct Ribbon, she could only presume because she never had good conduct.
T’Ama: Congratulations.
Wright / Brodie: Responses
Serala: Speaking of that rescue operation, Lieutenant Seleya of Khanda, please come to the front.
T’Ama fell back and waited for Seleya to make her way up.
Serala: Lieutenant, your efforts and skills during the operation were noted, and while you weren’t able to participate in the actual rescue due to an unfortunate injury, Starfleet Command deemed your efforts worthy of recognition. To that end, they have awarded both yourself and I the Silver Star. Congratulations.
Apparently Serala had decided to pin this one herself because instead of handing the box to T’Ama, she stepped around the podium with it.
Seleya: Response
Serala: Now, there would have been no need of a rescue operation without some of our people having been taken hostage. Number One, I would like you, Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron, Ensign Koyama, and Doctor Edrei to come forward.
The smile she had been maintaining for the others faded. She did not like thinking about this particular capture. She didn’t know what to do with the guilt.
Is’Kah / Koyama / Edrei: Responses
Serala: From time to time, we run into dangerous situations and those situations result in our capture. It’s unfortunate, but such is the nature of our jobs. Thankfully, each of you returned to us, albeit some of you were in bad medical condition. For this reason, I am presenting each of you the Prisoner of War Ribbon. I don’t like giving this one out, but it’s at least understandable. You have my personal gratitude.
Is’Kah / Koyama / Edrei: Responses
Serala: Number One, I think it only appropriate that you present your team with these ribbons. If you have any words for them, please feel free at this time.
With just the slightest hesitation, she accepted the three boxes. As she pinned each one on, she spoke quietly so only they, and maybe the closest keen-eared, could hear.
T’Ama: ::quietly:: I want to apologize to you all for getting us captured… And I want to say that I’m proud of you for escaping the brig while I was… not there… and taking care of Doctor Edrei.
Is’Kah / Koyama / Edrei: Responses
She met their eyes and nodded solemnly before stepped back and holding up a Vulcan salute, done with the pinning.
Serala: There is another ribbon I don’t like to present, but this one is also understandable. And considering I have four myself, it would be disingenuous of me to condemn the recipients. Doctor Edrei, please remain up here, as well as you, Is’Kah. Ensign Koyama, you may return to your place. Seleya, please come back up here and join them.
Seleya: Response
Serala: Each of you sustained serious injuries during the course of this mission. While it is never desirable to have our people injured in the line of duty, it does happen from time to time. Therefore, I am presenting each of you with the Purple Heart.
Ah, apparently she had to do these too.
T’Ama: ::to Edrei and Is’Kah:: I think I have to apologize again for putting you in that situation. ::to Seleya:: But not you. You’re accident prone and this one was not my fault.
Edrei / Seleya / Is’Kah: Responses
Serala: There was another aspect to this mission that should not be overlooked. Lieutenant Commander V’Nille, Lieutenant Commander Azura Ada, Lieutenant JG Ghee’looth Xiron, and Ensign Theridion Grallator please come forward.
T’Ama stepped back with a sigh and waited for the officers to arrive at the front.
Serala: The derelict vessel presented its own challenges, and from the reports I read it was very interesting. It is unfortunate we were not able to salvage it, but what you were able to learn there will keep Vulcan historians busy for quite some time. Therefore, I am pleased to present each of you with the Investigation Ribbon. Congratulations, each of you.
Once again she pinned the ribbons on everyone’s chest.
T’Ama: Congratulations on surviving the ghost ship, all of you.
V’Nille / Ada / Xiron / Grallator: Responses
She clapped along as they returned to their seats.
Serala: Counselor S’Rorr, please present yourself at the front.
This was the end of the program, and often the most exciting. She stood by, smiling slightly as the short ginger Caitian from before came back up.
Serala: Counselor, I first met you on the Astraeus and I was already impressed with you then. In fact, having served with Commodore Mei’konda for as long as I have, I found you a rather pleasant person much like the Commodore. And it only makes sense given that you’re a counselor. When I learned you were coming to my ship, I was excited about this. Despite myself, I found myself missing having a Caitian around. My pleasure only grew as I watched you work. Your skills and diplomatic ability are quite amazing and therefore it is my pleasure to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all the rights and responsibilities commensurate of your new rank.
Serala stepped forward and pinned the new half pip on his collar.
Serala: Congratulations, Ensign!
S’Rorr: Response
T’Ama clapped along, keeping her mouth shut about how Serala had immediately called the new JG an ensign, and sneaking a glance at V’Nille since apparently she hadn’t fulfilled Serala’s deep seating yearning for Caitian company.
Serala: There is one final bit of business to attend to. I confess a bit of mixed emotions about this one. I know that this is a good thing, but there is a part of me that is feeling emotional about this. :: She paused long enough to get her emotions under control before continuing :: I chose this location, and this backdrop for a reason. Effective Stardate 240212.13 I will be reassigned from command of the USS Chin’toka to Commanding Officer of Shemsh Colony in the Par’tha Expanse. Additionally, the crew of the Chin’toka, with a few exceptions, will be reassigned to the USS Valkyrie-A under the command of Captain Isara Aleron while the Chin’toka undergoes refits and upgrades. The Valkyrie is a newly commissioned Achilles refit with several upgrades that you all learn about in the next few days and weeks. I have asked Captain Aleron to join us here to say a few words and to introduce herself. Please join me in welcoming Captain Aleron.
T’Ama’s smile had dropped as the captain was talking and was now a very careful mask of neutrality. This was a surprise, one she did not intend to let anyone know she hadn’t known about ahead of time. First Sherlock and now Serala - was she going to be one of the few exceptions? Was she even first officer still, or was this it?
She didn’t even want to glance around and see anyone’s else’s reactions. Instead she watched as the captain who had been lurking around in the wings took the stage and shook hands with Serala.
Aleron: Thank you, Captain Serala. You have a fine crew and your record is impressive. It is going to be difficult to take over for you, but I will endeavor to do my best. To the crew of the Chin’toka, especially those of you transferring under my command, I want to assure you that while you may have a new CO, I will not ignore your past contributions to this crew. A few changes are coming, but I am going to try and minimize the disruptions because your dynamic as it is makes you the extraordinary crew that you are, as the awards presented here today prove. I will be a Captain worthy of this crew and will continue to foster and grow you all in your careers. I know it’s going to take time to be comfortable with me, but I hope I can earn the same trust and respect that Captain Serala has engendered in each of you.
It was times like this that T’Ama found safety in her ability to not react. Shock was giving way to annoyance. Perhaps she should have been nervous. No, that was illogical. It wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Aleron: The Valkyrie will be assigned to a new sector of space, but you will not be far from the Par’tha Expanse, and we will return there often. I daresay, there will even be opportunities to catch up with Captain Serala from time to time. The Solerian Sector is an area that the Federation hasn’t been to in many years, and there have been a number of changes there. To the extent that we really don’t know what to expect anymore. We have a few rumors and theories, but not much more than that. Our mission is going to be to explore the sector and learn as much as we can about it and to make diplomatic ties if we can. This crew is highly skilled and I know we can accomplish this mission together. I look forward to working with you and until the change of command ceremony, I will make myself available to any of you who may have questions of me, or who just want to try and get to know me better.
Serala: Thank you, Captain Aleron. :: to the crew :: I cannot begin to fathom how each of you must be feeling right now, but I will say that I am going to miss you. And after you transfer, any of you… ANY of you … may contact me at any time for any reason. Even just to say hello. As Captain Aleron said, you’re a fine crew. One of the finest I have ever served with, and I am proud to have been your Captain for the time that I was.
T’Ama had zoned out slightly. The Solerian Sector was not news, Captain Serala had mentioned it briefly six months ago, though they had not found the time to actually go there yet. So she had retreated into her thoughts, and jolted out of it only at hearing her name.
Serala: Commander T’Ama, you may dismiss the crew as you see fit.
She stepped up to the podium, face neutral.
T’Ama: Please help yourselves to the refreshments. Dismissed.
Any: Responses
USS Chin'toka
C240004T11