Captain Mei'konda Delano - Not a Time for Sentimentality

[Mei'konda Delano]

(( Holosuite 1, Deck 4, USS Chin’toka ))

(( Ballroom, Harbour View Inn, near the end of the reception ))

It had been a long day of preparations for the wedding followed by its execution. Of seeing old friends and getting to know new officers that Mei hoped he’d see in the future. Now, as was the nature of Starfleet, most of their guests from elsewhere in the fleet had only taken the minimum amount of leave necessary to attend, were due to leave the following day, and had retired for the evening.

Mei had just asked a few of his officers, as well as their guests, to stay in the still active holographic simulation that Lael and Chythar had chosen for their reception. The Caitian made use of one of the tables used during the reception as a place to hold the small wooden boxes that held the awards he’d been authorized to distribute by Starfleet Command. Straightening up and giving the collar of his dress whites a tug, Mei’konda gazed out over the assembled officers.

Mei’konda: Thaank you all for staying a few extra minutes with me. I thought that since we were gaathered here anyway, it would be a good time to thaank you all for your service during this last mission.

Serala / Raga / Delano / Peters / McKnight: Responses (If any)

Kiax / Rosek / Skyfire / Logan / Levinson: Responses (If any)

Snow / Ning / Ganarvuss / Talma: Responses (If any)

Pausing and picking up several of the boxes, Mei smiled at the gathered officers.

Mei’konda: Fiirst, some relatively routiine bookkeeping that is nevertheless worthy of note. It’s now been over a year siince we all joined each other aboard the Chin’toka. Some of you are overdue for Department Chief ribbons. Commanders Raga, Peters, and Kiax, thaank you for your service. Lieutenants Levinson and Snow, to you as well. This ship wouldn’t be the same without any of you. I’m also receiviing the Starship Commander ribbon for the saame occasion.

Raga / Peters / Kiax / Levinson / Snow: Responses

Mei glanced over toward Raga, expecting to find McKnight somewhere nearby. Eventually, he spotted the former Marine.

Mei’konda: Lieutenant McKnight, would you please join Commander Raga up here?

McKnight / Raga: Responses

Mei’konda: For your actiions taken in defense of the fleet in the Jenatris Cloud, sometiimes in spaace, sometimes on the deck, and sometimes on the ground, I’m happy to award you both the Good Conduct Ribbon.

McKnight / Raga: Responses

Dipping his head slightly in return to the two men, Mei straightened back up, holding one small box in each of his hands as he turned to the next two officers.

Mei’konda: Would Commander Peters and the Bride join me here, please?

Rosek / Skyfire / Peters: Responses

Mei’konda: Commander Peters, you once again continue to show us amaziing feats of starship piloting abilities. Whoever thought helm isn’t an involved job has never flown through the Expanse. Commander Rosek, your expertise as a mission specialist was invaluable throughout the fleet duriing our journey. Those shiips out there had no idea what to do in a hostiile situation, and you helped to whiip them into shape. I’m pleased to award you both the Captain’s Commendation. Thaank you for all that you do. 

Mei paused, and smiled again at the Bride.

Mei’konda: And congratulations again, Lael.

Rosek / Skyfire / Peters: Responses

Any: Responses

Mei’konda: Commander Ning, Lieutenant Levinson. Would you join me, please?

Ning / Levinson: Responses

Mei stepped toward the higher ranked of the two women, first.

Mei’konda: Commander Ning, we don’t know each other well yet, but you more thaan proved yourself duriing our journey through the Cloud. The idea to augment our systems duriing a time of extreme stress was an excellent one, and may have saaved everyone on board. For that, I’m awardiing you the Innovation Ribbon. Thaank you for everything you’ve done.

Ning: Response

Turning to the part-Vulcan woman next, Mei smiled at her. She was still relatively new to the fleet, and any chance to build up younger officers was a chance that he savored.

Mei’konda: Lieutenant Levinson, I received glowiing reports about your efforts at the Pergium diig site. Apparently, you came up with a very clever solutiion to reveal your attackers, and I’m awardiing you the Innovation Ribbon as well. Good work.

Levinson: Response

Any: Responses

Next, the Caitian’s attention turned toward the dark-haired Doctor he’d had visit just a few nights ago. Elizabeth had been a pleasant guest, and Odin had enjoyed her company. He’d have to invite her again sometime.

Mei’konda: Doctor Snow. Obviously, your serviices were absolutely essential duriing those weeks in the Cloud. Dozens would be dead or baadly injured if not for the efforts of you and your teaam. Because of this, I’m awardiing you the Medical Ribbon, the Silver Lifesaviing Ribbon, and the Captain’s Commendation. Very good work, Doctor.

Snow: Response

Mei turned toward the last few officers. He often tended to save the most serious or rare awards for last. They didn’t always warrant celebration, after all. Frequently, they were an acknowledgment of exceptional performance in a grave circumstance. Tonight, he felt no particular need to mention the Distinguished Service Ribbon he himself had also been awarded by Starfleet Command.

Mei’konda: Finally, could I haave Serala, Lieutenant Zarax, and Commander Delano join me up here, please.

Serala / Delano / Zarax: Responses

Mei’konda: Commander Serala, Lieutenant Zarax. You both gaave of yourself physically in waays that I dread askiing my people to give, and many lives in the process. I’m awardiing you both the Purple Heart medal.

Serala / Zarax: Responses

Any: Responses

Mei briefly met his Husband’s eyes, then shifted his attention back toward Serala after that.

Mei’konda: In so doiing, you saved the ship from an explosiive device that would have caused much more damage and loss of life than we suffered, Commander. Mr. Delano, you led your starship away from our fleet, into the unknown, in order to divert the enemy attackers away from those of us who were much more vulnerable. We may all owe our liives to both of you.

Mei opened up two boxes, each containing the Federation Cross medal, attached to a ribbon. He stepped up to Serala, hanging it first around her neck. He bowed his head slightly, stepped back, then did the same for Evan. This was no time to be sentimental. The Federation Cross was very rarely awarded, and often, it was awarded posthumously.

Mei turned to the gathered officers, and raised his voice. For a moment, he contemplated asking for a moment to remember those they’d lost, but he knew everyone was grieving in their own ways - and this was the end of Lael and Chythar’s wedding. He’d not spoil the mood. So instead, he smiled broadly at them.

Mei’konda: Thaank you both - thank you everyone, for all you’ve done. Not only did you all saave thousands of lives, but you helped them establiish a foothold in new space, a whole new colony. It’s one of the things Starfleet is all about. You’re all dismissed - please, enjoy the rest of the eveniing.

Serala / Raga / Delano / Peters / McKnight: Responses (If any)

Kiax / Rosek / Skyfire / Logan / Levinson: Responses (If any)

Snow / Ning / Ganarvuss / Talma: Responses (If any)

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Captain Mei’konda Delano

Commanding Officer

USS Chin’toka, NCC-97187

M239002M10