[REPOST][JP] Mei'konda Delano, Addison MacKenzie, Serala, Roshanara Rahman, & Sal Taybrim, Pres. Chekov - We Prevailed, Part 2
Serala
Rahman: Commodore, not many can say they defeated the USS Enterprise.
Serala nodded in agreement with that sentiment. She’d just been about to square off against the much larger ship when Commodore Taybrim showed up to take it on. Eager, but grateful, Serala had diverted the Chin’toka to deal with other concerns, not envying the Commodore one bit.
By the time the Enterprise-F, thankfully already damaged and slated for decommissioning, had begun to approach from the space station, he was convinced the state of the Odyssey class starship hardly mattered. Astraeus was formidable, and under normal circumstances, perhaps even up to the task of holding her own. But they’d already separated the ship, were taking on refugees, and had sustained serious damage. Mei’konda recalled just how much of a welcome sight Taybrim’s Narendra had been.
Mei’konda: And let me saay once again, Commodore, how grateful we all were for the saave.
Sal Taybrim offered a slight, soft smile at the praise. The Narnedra was a tactical warship, lacking in the raw power of many of the other ships, but filled with options. Sal was proud of his crew and how well they adapted to everything the Enterprise threw at them, and in the end here they were, still standing.
Taybrim: I am grateful to be alive and reconnect with all of you. Thank you for your kind words.
MacKenzie: ::nodding slightly:: And for your service.
Rahman: Hmmph… I suppose I’m a bit jealous that all of you kept your commands intact. Kitty Hawk was not so fortunate… do you think losing only half a ship can avert the mandatory court martial?
Serala: You probably have better chances of that, Captain, than of avoiding one for stealing a starship.
Mei’konda cleared his throat, aiming a slight smile at the Kriosian woman.
Mei’konda: Who’s to saay she’s lost, Roshanara? The Enterprise D’s saucer crashed and her engineering section exploded, and yet…
Taybrim: I find that Starfleet has a way of rewarding those who do heroic things, even if it comes in… interesting ways.
MacKenzie: Must be payback for exiling me and Teller to Duronis II…
It was a bit of morbid humor, but it was very much needed on a day like this.
Finally, it was time for the official proceedings to begin, and the assembled officers took their places, while Taybrim went over to the stage to introduce the Federation President.
Standing there, at the edge of the stage, Commodore Sal Taybrim knew his role and he was prepared for it. He was a diplomat, and an experienced ranking officer, and a man who legitimately loved making speeches. The opposite of stage fright, and one of his crew had called it. And yet the scene was surreal. He was startled to find that he was the ranking officer. And the proud Captains he stood beside would now become some of the highest ranking members of the fleet. He looked around to cast glances at MacKenzie, Mei’Konda and Serala, realizing that they would be the people to pave the way forward. They would create the Starfleet of the future.
A sobering realization. But there was a job to do. He stepped towards the stand as calmly as ever and in his sonorous tones he swept a gesture across the crowd.
Taybrim: My friends. Honored Starfleet officers and every strong and abiding citizen of the Federation. I am glad you could all be here with us today.
There were layers of meaning in that statement, glad that those who survived could be there, be present, hear these words.
Taybrim: Please join me in welcoming Anton Chekov, President of the United Federation of Planets.
Anton Chekov took the stage after his introduction and made his way to the podium. This would be one of - with any luck the most - important speeches of his life. He took a moment to compose himself, gazing solemnly out on the assembled crowd. It was a massive crowd. With a glance down at his notes he began his speech.
Mei’konda watched, hands folded behind his back and expression sober as the Federation President took the stage. Chekov was the very reason why his fears about repercussions toward Serala - and himself - were not as serious as they could be. He wouldn’t be here if not for the Chin’toka, after all.
Chekov: Citizens of the Federation… and people of Earth, today we gather in sadness and grief to honor and mourn those we lost on Frontier Day. We also gather in hope and celebration and gratitude that we still have a Federation. That we survived the most serious existential threat to our freedom and our way of life in a generation. That the planet Earth, the cradle of humankind, was not destroyed, like so many other planets and peoples the Borg have destroyed. We prevailed!
He paused here for a cheer raised up from the crowd.
Chekov: But it was not without loss. And it was done in a most heinous way: our young, assimilated and used against us, against their will. A whole generation of young Starfleet officers scarred. I urge you to find forgiveness in your hearts for they knew not what they did. They are not the Borg, and it is only through unity that we can heal the wounds the Borg made upon us.
He glanced out over the crowd as he paused again. That last sentiment was not always popular with those who were looking for a target for their rage and couldn’t understand how thoroughly the Borg could subsume a drone’s will.
Mei’konda was sure that forgiveness would happen. If nothing else, on his ship, where things were under his direct control (more or less), he would make it happen. He would make those of them who didn’t experience the Borg’s control understand as much as was possible. Those young men, women, and others were, in his mind, the victims of this tragedy who had it the worst. Those who died, after all, were not here to feel the sorrow.
Chekov: In the coming weeks, months, and years we will investigate how this happened so that we can put in place policies to prevent it happening again. For now let us mourn the dead and honor the brave defenders of the Federation!
There was a light applause after the President had finished speaking before Fleet Admiral Joseph Washington took the stage next. The seasoned veteran of the Dominion War looked out into the audience before signalling for Commander Serala to come forward.
Serala wondered what this was about. Certainly the Admiral wasn’t going to demote her and sentence her in front of the assembly, so it had to be something else. Whatever the reason, she stepped forward and stood next to him as he began to speak.
Mei’s eyes briefly rested on Washington. He hadn’t spoken with the man in some time, but for a short while, Washington had been his commanding officer on Invicta. As a Lieutenant Commander and Chief of Operations, Mei’konda had spent a good amount of time with the man going over day to day operations of the ship. He was someone that Mei’konda was pleased to see wearing the pips of a Fleet Admiral, given what had just happened to the Federation.
His attention returned to Serala moments later, though. He exhaled a slow breath of relief that he didn’t realize he’d been holding. If the Caitian knew one thing, it’s that a Court Martial wouldn’t be handled this way. This was a good sign.
Washington: During the tragic events of that day, there was also moments of unparalleled bravery and leadership on display–leadership that Starfleet will need if it is to survive and move forward from all of this. One such leader we saw is the officer I’ve called to the stage now: Commander Serala.
Serala: :: coming to attention :: Yes, Admiral.
Washington: Commander, you took command of a Starfleet vessel without prior authorization from Starfleet Command. You misled other officers to crew that vessel.
Serala: Sir, that is correct, but the situation was urgent and we had no way of knowing who in Starfleet Command was compromised.
Mei’konda spoke up when Washington and Serala paused, voice loud and clear.
Mei’konda: Under my orders, Admiral. I told her to go to thaat ship. I told my officers to hack Chin’toka and her drydock’s security so that no tiime would be waasted, and I suggested to other Captains that I trusted to send a skeleton crew to worrk under my Fiirst Officer. Commander Serala and her crew have done nothing but follow the chain of command, and uphold Starfleet’s finest traditions in a criitical situation.
Washington: Your former commanding officer’s words notwithstanding, the truth is if you *had* waited for Command, more lives would have been lost. During the fleet’s most desperate hour, you did what you needed to do to ensure that we had a chance to–as President Chekov noted–prevail. As such, it is my pleasure on behalf of the admiralty to give you that formal commission as commanding officer of USS Chin’toka.
For one of only a very few times in her life, Serala was struck speechless. Incredulous and dumbfounded, she tried desperately to process what the Admiral had just said. When her words finally returned, she nodded and gave him a salute.
Serala: Yes, Admiral, and thank you. This means so much to me.
Mei’konda’s leanly muscled shoulders slumped in relief, and he lifted his hands up to enthusiastically applaud his First… no, his former First Officer.
Serala tried to avoid bouncing on her toes like a giddy schoolgirl who had just been asked to the prom, but it was taking every ounce of self restraint to do that. What she wasn’t able to do was keep the broad grin off her face.
Taybrim: Fantastic news, congratulations, Commander!
MacKenzie: ::nodding her head:: Congratulations, and well-deserved.
Roshanara smiled as she applauded in Serala’s direction.
Rahman: Congratulations, Commander.
The fleet admiral then looked back out towards the crowd of officers.
Washington: Each of your commanding officers have highlighted the bravery of your actions that day and will be proceeding with their own formal ceremonies. Thank you all, and may we always remember those who were lost and carry out our duties in honor of their sacrifice.
Mei’konda bowed his head slightly, then stepped through the crowd, closer to Serala. Meeting her eyes with his own blue ones, the Caitian reached up to offer her a hand. There was an old Earth military tradition that dictated that the commanding officer of a ship, no matter their actual military rank, was referred to in a specific way.
Mei’konda: Yes, congraatulations… Captain.
Sal Taybrim looked towards Serala warmly.
Taybrim: As I said, Starfleet has a way of rewarding exceptional heroics. Congratulations, Captain. You have earned it!
Serala: I just can't believe it! Me, a starship Captain. And the Chin'toka no less!
END
Captain Mei’konda Delano
CO, USS Astraeus
M239002M10
Captain Addison MacKenzie
USS Artemis
V239601AM0
Commander Serala
USS Chin’toka
A239412S10
Captain Roshanara Rahman
CO, USS Kitty Hawk
I238705TZ0
Commodore Sal Taybrim
CO, StarBase 118 Ops
E239010ST0
&
Special Guest President Anton Chekov
As written by T’AmaC240004T11