Lieutenant Junior Grade Cadfael Peters: Of Ribbons and Scenery

[Chythar Daniel Skyfire]

((Kofi Bar - Embassy, Duronis II))

:: Every performance during the mission was, Cadfael supposed, an admirable one with everyone more or less knowing their jobs. There were a few things he’d wished he knew going into the mission, but otherwise it all went smoothly. Everyone was pretty cordial over breakfast and something about the admiral’s shift in posture gave him the sneaking suspicion there was going to be something more. The fact the first officer moved to join her told him exactly what was going on: a ceremony. ::

 

Turner: As you know, there are certain requirements you have to meet before you earn a promotion. If you haven't done that yet, please let me, and/or Commander Pandorn, know, and we'll do our best to help you. Would Ensigns Ben Garcia and Ouen Deena please join us at the head of the table?

:: The two ensigns moved up to join the lieutenant commander and admiral at the head of the table. Cadfael saw the familiar rosewood boxes opening and two 

 Turner: With these pips I hereby promote you to Lieutenant JG for the outstanding job you did on your first mission. And with them come all the duties and amenities that go with that rank. Congratulations to the both of you!

Garcia: :: Beaming with pride. :: Thank you, admiral. :: Nodding to Pandorn. :: Thank you, commander. :: Ben paused a beat, then re-framed his thoughts. :: Thank you both for this honour, and for your confidence in me.

 Quen: Response

:: Ben smiled in thanks and glanced here and there at the faces that had become his second family in such a short time. ::

 Garcia: I count myself lucky to have snagged a place at the Embassy and to serve with you all. :: Ben smiled. :: Thanks guys.

 Pandorn: ::Smiling, extends his hand to each of them.:: Congratulations, Lieutenants. You both earned those pips.

 Quen: Response

:: There were some quiet exchanges between Quen and Garcia, though Cadfael didn’t catch all of it. Only that as they were returning to their spots that Krindo held up a hand. ::

 ::They started to return to their seats, but Krindo put his hand up.::

 

Pandorn: Not so fast, Lieutenants. ::smiles as he hands each an oblong ribbon box, made of the same sandalwood material.::  Even though it wasn't needed, you both showed some ingenuity by booby trapping your shuttle so the android could  get disabled if it tried to steal it, you are both awarded the Innovation Ribbon. Good Job.

Brodie: :: Smiling. :: Not only that . . . but they also put it back together properly too.

::As they made their way back to their seats, Krindo picked up another ribbon box. Looking over the crowd, his gaze fell on his target.::

Pandorn: Lieutenant Peters, please come up.

:: Cadfael blinked for a moment before making his way toward the front. He didn’t actually do anything, he thought, as everything he’d done fell in the job description of a tactical officer. So what they were recognizing him for, he had absolutely no idea. Then again, the fact that he also was one of the few officers who was in uniform at present was...well, he didn’t want to call it an oversight but it definitely made him stand out a bit. He put his uniform jacket back on and straightened it before standing next to Krindo and Toni. :: 

Pandorn: ::presents the ribbon box, smiling::  Lieutenant Peters, you showed some skill in rigging EMP charges to crossbow bolts in an attempt to disable the android if it attacked, again not being necessary. This earns you the Innovation Ribbon as well. Good job, Lieutenant.

:: His gaze fell on the box as it was pressed into his hand. While he wanted to raise his brows in surprise, he did not. Instead, he glanced back up at the command duo and used a calm response that he’d rehearsed a few dozen times for such occasions. :: 

Peters: Thank you, sir.

:: The remainder of the ceremony recognized a few others with purple hearts and diplomacy. Each was probably justified in the waves of paperwork that had typically accumulated on the desk of the command duo, and he made a mental note to file his own boring paperwork as well if he hadn’t already. Or at least, to schedule time with the medical department and counseling department to ensure his three years of training and psychiatry paid off. ::

:: He ate his meal in relative silence, plates being scooped up and removed by the staff of the Kofi Bar as they were emptied. It wasn’t until he heard Ben talking nearby...off to his left, maybe...that he decided to actually pay attention to the conversation. ::

 

Garcia: How was your trip in? Did you beam down or shuttle it?

 Sakinth: The journey was satisfactory.  The shuttle had a qualified pilot. 

 Garcia: The Sandbar is an interesting spatial anomaly – especially from a navigational point of view. :: Scooping the last baked beans into his mouth, Ben changed the topic. :: Are you joining the walking tour?

 Quen: :: Playfully; mock chiding. :: Be nice, Ben - give the man some room to breathe…

 :: Ben smiled at Quen, bit his lip and held his hands up, as if surrendering. ::

 Sakinth: The pilot did seem to enjoy talking about the subspace sandbar, an interesting phenomenon. :: Thinking a moment. :: I do think I will join yes, it is a way to get to know the Embassy grounds. 

Garcia: :: Turning to Peters, Quen and Daroo. :: Daroo, Quen – you going? Lieutenant Peters, how about yourself?

Peters: Shuttled in, myself. :: He paused and had a swig of juice. :: I could probably be persuaded.

Quen: I'll come for a little while, at least - get a good look around. :: Gesturing to the remains of her pancakes with her cutlery. :: Besides, I need to find some way to work off all this...

Daroo: I think I’ll join for a bit, get to know the place a bit better. 

Peters: Same here.

Garcia: I thought I heard . . .  the Embassy gardens, and then  . . . the beach. :: Playfully smiling to Daroo. :: Perfect chance to get a bit closer to the sea than Risa?

:: Daylan shook her head and returned the playful smile. ::

Quen: I've heard Risa's lovely. Can't say I've ever been, though.

Daroo: You should make a point of visiting sometime, I wouldn’t mind going back myself someday, I was young when we stopped there so I never really got the full experience.

:: Daroo rested her empty coffee cup on the table as she shifted a little in her chair. ::

Quen: :: With a playful smirk. :: Well, I guess the beaches of Til'ahn will just have to do.

Peters: Little Risa on Starbase 118 was gorgeous. It can’t compare to the real thing, though.

:: Noticing the Admiral and Commander Pandorn and a few others now slowly standing to make their way out of the Kofi Bar, the sound of chairs scraping on the floor as everyone stood filled the air, almost in unison. The group stood about pushing the last remnants of food and drink back before leaving the tables. ::

((Duronis II – Embassy – Gardens.))

:: Slowly, the group slunk out the Kofi Bar and gathered outside ready for the post-breakfast stroll to the beach via the Embassy grounds.  Ambling into the gardens the Admiral spoke. ::

 Turner: :: Pointing left. :: The Rose Garden is made up of Roses imported from other planets. Most of the dignitaries, who have visited the Embassy, brought them as gifts.

Any: Response?

:: There was a backpack opening, the Vulcan lieutenant heading straight for Toni. Cadfael didn’t have the faintest idea why, and wasn’t too concerned with the contents of it at the moment. Although, from the brief glimpse he had of its contents and the silhouette of a memory core, the young Terran had his suspicions. When it needed to become relevant to him, he’d make an effort to join the conversation. ::

 Quen: Look - it changes colour!

 :: Quen touched the flower again in demonstration. Ben inhaled in disbelief, a smile joyfully rising across his face. ::

 Daroo: This is really beautiful, can’t say I’ve quite seen anything like it. The Academy has some truly astounding botanicals but well this...

 Garcia: What is that? :: Confused and delighted in the same breath. :: How is that?

 Quen: Chameleon roses… I'd heard of them, but I've never actually seen one up close. :: She let the flower go again, resisting the urge to pick it back up. :: I could play with that all day...

:: Ben nodded his head, eyes wide in wonder. ::

Garcia: Do it again Quen. :: Like a kid. :: Go on!

Any: Response?

:: Cadfael just watched for a moment as Dr Hendon broke the silence, the hypnotic power of the chameleon roses fading away as the group turned to face him. ::

Hendon: Be careful of those plants with the purple flowers. Their leaves secrete a resin that can cause a nasty rash.

Daroo: I’m sure you have something that would be able to treat the rash?

Any: Response?

Hendon: There is an ointment that helps. But it smells like human vomit. Unfortunately, it does not work on Vulcan skin.

:: Daylan wrinkled her nose in mock disgust. ::

 

Sakinth: That is...very welcome information, thank you Doctor.

Peters: Sounds lovely and vile all at the same time. 

:: It seemed that the Admiral had completed her discussion with Lovar as they had continued further down the path stopping as they came to a sign. ::

 Turner: This path will take you anywhere you need to go. Each tributary is marked like this one. :: Reading the sign. :: "To Beach." So, we turn off the main path here to get to our destination.

 :: Deena looked over at Daroo and Garcia, a playful smile on her face. ::

 Garcia: :: To Deena and Daroo. :: I’m hoping for Chameleon sands!

 Any: Response?

Peters: Watch your step, flyboy. If you step on chameleons it could end badly for you.

 

Hella: This is where I'll leave you. Germanovich, I'll race you!

:: The two marines took off running, Hella in the lead. Cadfael, who had already followed a bit behind Hella on one of her racing jaunts, had a vague idea of what that meant. He didn’t feel like telling Stefan what he was in for, so instead just smiled as they departed. ::

((Duronis II – Embassy – Beach.))

:: They arrived a bit behind the two marines, and they found Germanovich panting slightly as they arrived. ::

Garcia: :: Tapping his belly. :: I brought a full breakfast Sir. :: Smiling. :: Not running shoes.

Germanovich/Any: Response?

 Garcia: If you’re short of a running partner during the week then I could do with upping my game a notch or two.

Peters: Me too.

Germanovich / Any: Response?

 

:: Cadfael followed Ben’s example and knelt down to perform a tactile examination of the sand. He picked up a handful and let it run through his hand, relishing the warmth of it and deciding that he’d like to come back here at some point with a pair of swim trunks and enjoy the water. Right now, though, wasn’t it. He almost wished Ishka was here to observe the gorgeous scenery before them, to enjoy it with him. She was gone, and he’d have to make new friends with those who were present. ::

 Anyone: Response?

 :: Cadfael listened for a bit, and noticed along the way that they’d lost a few people. The marines were off doing their own thing, Ben and Quen had split off from the group, and that left Cadfael alone with Daroo and Toni. He wanted to speak, but didn’t have the faintest idea what to say. The social fabric of a new installation tended to escape him, even after his five or so years in Starfleet. He wasn’t any good at making friends, he thought. ::

Daroo / Turner: Response

Peters: Just your average engineer turned tactical officer after a series of bizarre and somewhat unfortunate events. I don’t suppose I’m super-interesting, but I can tell you that this is my fourth Innovation Ribbon. 

Daroo / Turner: Response

Peters: Haven’t figured out where my room is yet. I know I got one when I arrived, I just haven’t been to it yet.

Daroo / Turner: Response

--

Lieutenant Junior Grade Cadfael Peters

Tactical Officer

Embassy of Duronis II / USS Thunder-A NCC-70605-A

O239002CS0

http://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php/Cadfael_Peters