Commodore Kalianna Nicholotti - Inevitabilities

[Marissa Jeffrey]

((Holodeck, USS Eagle))

There were few things that were given in Starfleet, but they were the few things that could absolutely be counted on. One such thing was the absolute inevitability of change. It didn't matter who you were, what you were trying to do with your life, or what rank sat upon your collar, change was the one thing that would come for them all.

Another such thing was the necessity of a ceremony such as this.

It might have seemed an enigma, perhaps, but the reality of it was that Starfleet officers did the impossible on a regular basis. They set out into the unknown, without the right tools, on limited time, with even more limited resources. As such, Kali, at least, felt it absolutely necessary to let the officers under her command know that their efforts were both noticed, and appreciated. Come what may, at least they would know that what they did was not in vain.

Standing next to her first officer, she gazed out at the various officers in various types of dress, each bringing something different to the table. It was as diverse as their cultures, and as wide-spread as could be imagined. And together it made for a well oiled machine that could take almost anything the universe threw at it, in stride. A small smile spread across her face as she stepped up on the stage.

Not feeling at all out of place in the gown that flowed outwards from her thin frame, the raven-haired commodore stood with poise and in silence as she waited for the conversations to die down. In whatever place the holodeck had seen fit to put them in now, the light sparkled off of her dress perfectly, as if the universe itself was calling to the veritable crowd. When it had silenced, she spoke, the holodeck amplifying her voice.

Nicholotti: Welcome, officers of the USS Eagle, to the first of what I hope will be many celebratory gatherings. While our first foray out into the Reaches might not have been exactly what we were all looking for or expecting, I believe that it was what we needed. Together we overcame, and grew closer, forging a bunch of officers, newly assigned, into a true crew.

She paused a moment and looked to her first officer. It was time to dive in.

Nicholotti: When we are presented with the unexpected, we must use what we have to get to where we need to be. Our mission proved that we all have that capability. To that end, I am proud to present the Innovation Ribbon to every member of the crew. You all went above and beyond, and proved that Starfleet knew what it was doing when it assigned this crew together.

There was time for applause as she looked to the table filled with small wooden boxes. There would be no pinning tonight, but the awards would be presented in a manner of distinction. With a nod, she began again.

Nicholotti: Ensign Letek, if you would please join me.

She waited a moment for the young officer to approach.

Nicholotti: In the course of finding the SOS we were after, you and your team were not only taken prisoner, but you experienced an injury from a centuries old weapon and lived to tell the tale. While I am honored to be here with you to present the Purple Heart, it is my sincere hope that this will be the last I have to present.

Letek: Response?

Waiting a moment as the first officer handled the awards themselves, Kali looked out into the others.

Nicholotti: Commander DeVeau and Ensign ch'Clex, please join Ensign Letek.

Another moment passed by as there were now three officers near her. Kali offered each of them a smile.

Nicholotti: On account of being taken prisoner, I award each of you the POW ribbon. Like the Purple Heart, it is my hope that no more of these need be awarded.

DeVeau/ch'Clex: Responses?

She nodded and allowed time for the small wooden boxes to be handed out before continuing.

Nicholotti: On a more positive note, I am far more pleased to award you all with the Diplomacy ribbon. From what I have read, it is not certain that you would have gotten out as you had without diplomatic means.

DeVeau/ch'Clex/Letex: Responses?

The words left unsaid spoke to the idea that there might have been some kind of further injury or even death had the diplomacy not worked. While she wasn't sure what the exact words were, she knew they had to be powerful enough to persuade. More small boxes were handed out.

Nicholotti: And one more, before I dismiss you. Commander DeVeau and Ensign ch'Clex, for your part in helping and healing Ensign Letek, I award the Silver Lifesaving ribbon. 

DeVeau/ch'Clex: Responses?

And with that, she dismissed that group. The crowd murmured for a moment before falling silent once more.

Nicholotti: As explorers, it is our job to seek out new life, new planets, new places, but with so much discovered already, it is sometimes hard to imagine something completely new. Still, where we went was something and somewhere never seen before, so it is my pleasure to award the entire crew the Explorers ribbon.

More time for applause and reaction as she and her first officer prepared for the next round of awards. When things quieted once more, she continued.

Nicholotti: Commander Kettick, please join us.

Giving a moment for the officer to arrive, she then spoke.

Nicholotti: Commander, throughout this mission you have acted in the highest standards of Starfleet, even to the potential detriment of yourself. For your willingness to do what was necessary, however small it might seem, I am honored to award you with the Captain's Commendation.

Kettick: Response?

Kali smiled as the crew reacted to their chief of engineering being recognized. When it settled, she continued.

Nicholotti: Lieutenant Drex and Ensign Lim, please join us.

This was the team that ended up underground, who later was found by Kali and her team. Even now it was strange how things had worked out.

Nicholotti: Ensign Lim, you used creative means to solve an issue that wasn't exactly in your wheelhouse. For that, I award you the Excellence in Adaptability ribbon. Your efforts helped keep the crew together, and safe.

Lim: Response?

More well deserved applause, bringing another smile to the command officer's face.

Nicholotti: And Lieutenant Drex; for not being willing to stand by and let things happen without offering a way out, or finding the answers everyone deserved, I am proud to award you the Captain's Commendation.

Drex: Response?

Gesturing to the new award winners, Kali presented the team to the crew once more before dismissing them.

Nicholotti: This was the first of what I believe will be many successful missions aboard the Eagle, but as it was our first on this newly reassigned ship, it is my pleasure to award all of you with the Legacy ribbon. The Eagle has served different crews well in the past, and I believe she will continue that trend into the future.

Another look in the midst of the crowd and her crystalline blues settled on two more officers.

Nicholotti: Commander Williams and Lieutenant Tanner, please join us.

The two officers who traversed the planet with her arrived on stage. She offered a warm smile to each of them.

Nicholotti: While covered under the Explorer's and Innovation ribbons that you have been awarded, I wanted to note that you both had a hand in discovering and recovering technology that will allow us to seek out The Collectors in the future, and potentially save lives that have been stolen. I share my gratitude and look forward to seeing what we will find from what you brought back.

Williams/Tanner: Responses?

She smiled and once again gestured to the two so that the crew could offer their applause. Only when it began to calm did she dismiss them and turn to her first officer.

Nicholotti: Finally, I want to recognize our very own first officer. 

Turning to Falt, she invited him to step up closer to the front of the stage.

Nicholotti: Through your extreme innovation, and I suspect a fair amount of willpower, the Eagle made it back into space and away from the planet. The solution was genius, and I'm certain the corps of engineers will be talking about it for some time. For that, I am more than pleased to award you with the Spliced Mainbrace Distinction.

Falt: Response?

Now it was her turn to take the final box and hand it to him. 

Nicholotti: Congratulations, Commander.

Falt: Response?

With that, she turned back to the crew.

Nicholotti: There seems to still be a fair amount of food on that table, as well as drinks. Let the party continue!

Raising both hands, she grinned just before making her way off the stage and into the crowd.

TAG/TBC

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Commodore Kalianna Nicholotti

Commanding Officer

USS Eagle

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