[JP] Lt. Cmdr. Neathler & Cmdr. Marshall - The Perils of Promotion
Samira Neathler
((Observation Lounge - Deck 1))
They were nearing the end of their shore leave at Bajor, and yet the senior staff had gathered in the Observation Lounge. Refreshments were arranged on shiny plates at both ends of the big table. Samira stood next to Jo at the large windows looking out on Bajor. From up here, she tried to find the mountain range she had picked for a hike a few days ago.
Behind her, the doors opened and as more and more of the senior staff walked in, the humming of the engines disappeared. There it was, the verdant mountain range just underneath those snowy tips. Next time, she’d have to bring crampons to climb the ice and snow. If they ever returned to Bajor. She turned around, took a quick look at the gathered crew, and addressed the blonde-haired coffee-drinker beside her, complete with mug in hand.
Neathler: Next time we should hold this ceremony in a certain theme. Maybe even on the holodeck, to make it more authentic.
Marshall: All in our best Klingon dress, that'd be fun.
And it would be. After the kicking the most recent Skarbek had delivered, the intervening shore leave on Bajor to rest and recover had been like a one-two punch from a mighty and meatier enemy. Looking beyond the heads of those assembling for the senior crew gathering, Jo spied Quinn talking with some animation—for Quinn, that is, some infrequent hand gestures and lifting of shoulders—to another of the crew. Her gut told her it wasn't a promising conversation, either.
Taking another sip, the 2O pointed to the small stack of boxes.
Marshall: Ready to do the honours?
Samira grinned and nodded, a pile of black boxes with the extra pips in the table beside her, ready to pin them in the uniform of those who had earned and deserved them. She picked a glass filled with water and a spoon and ticked the ladle a few times against the glass to draw the attention towards them. Attention Samira loathed. But this was a moment of celebration for some of the crew, so she put her own feelings to the side.
Placing down the perpetual coffee mug–approved merchandise from the Brew Continuum Ruben hadn't yet managed to get her teeth into–Jo clapped her hands together.
Marshall: Greetings senior crew, one and all, of the illustrious Gorkon. Thank you for coming to this small gathering. I promise I won't take up much of your time. No more than absolutely necessary. ::Lifting her hands in surrender, she smiled.:: Among our fantastic engineers who keep the ship working beneath us, one in particular has made the Jefferies tubes her second home, and is often heard banging around in there fuelled by a mixture of tea and questionable ideas.
With a brimming grin exuding enough energy to power the Sovereign class nacelles for a week, she found the Ensign in the crowd.
Marshall: For her absolute dedication and ceaseless determination, please join me in congratulating Ensign Doz Finch, who is now promoted to Lieutenant JG with all the associated duties and responsibilities of the role. May your tea always be warm, ideas never explode, and journeys through our tubes be filled with equal measures of excitement and caution. Congratulations, Doz.
Finch: Response
The applause began and Samira chipped in. She had a pleasant time with Doz and Tali at the casino and, as someone who was always busy fixing or patching up something on the ship, Doz truly deserved the promotion. Or maybe she was just like her, someone who could not sit still. Unless for a game of cards in the cargo bay with her colleagues. Samira picked the black pip out of one of the boxes and pinned it on Doz’ uniform.
Neathler: Congratulations Lieutenant, well done.
Finch: Response
Neathler: And we’re staying in the engineering department. Ever since Lieutenant Vylaa zh’Tisav joined the Gorkon she has shown us her ingenuity and resourcefulness from fixing things around the ship to even getting alien machines working again. For her unending efforts, I’m promoting her to a full Lieutenant with all associated duties, rights and responsibilities.
zh’Tisav: Response
For the second time, Samira cheered and clapped her hands, this time for the tallest woman in the room. She had seen Vylaa’s expertise while they struggled through different time zones back on the rogue planet. And it had been thanks to the Andorian’s ingenuity they had fixed an alien device that made it possible for the planet to return to wherever it needed to be. She repeated the same thing as before, this time having to reach a lot higher to get the full pip in its place.
Neathler: Congratulations Lieutenant, well deserved.
Marshall: Phenomenal work, Lieutenant. You're running up the ranks, now.
zh’Tisav: Response
Hoops and hollers whipped around the Observation Deck as the twirling magnificence of Bajor swirled large beyond the window. Jo brought her hands together for the Lieutenant as the Andorian stepped back to the gathered senior crew, then dropped her hands to her hips as she looked at the final presentation box left to give.
Marshall: Last, but by no means least, we have an officer who was not only taken hostage in her first mission on board the Gorkon, but survived numerous attempts on her life since. Lieutenant Tahna Meru has displayed exceptional dedication, resilience, and ingenuity throughout her service with Starfleet. From overcoming personal challenges to excel at the Academy, to her tireless efforts in the field that have earned her several commendations, Meru embodies the very best of what it means to be a Starfleet officer.
From the very outset of their first mission, Jo had witnessed firsthand the extraordinary resilience Meru had. Lesser officers would have crumbled like soggy biscuits in the face of being thrown into a pirate-ridden hotspot, with ketracel white explosions popping like mischievous brain-bending fireworks in confined spaces, and yet, Meru only soared, riding the wave of challenges. Brave and unstoppable, growing in confidence, awarded for bravery, bulldozing any obstacles that dared to cross her path.
Marshall: It is therefore my absolute privilege and pleasure to promote her to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Meru, you've got a whole lot of heart, and we're all better for having you among us. Congratulations!
Tahna: Response
Again Samira joined the applause. She hadn’t seen much of Tahna during this shore leave, probably because the Bajoran took the opportunity to visit her home world. Or playing detective tracking down someone’s pet if she had to believe what Meg had told her the other day. For the third time, she pinned the pip on, this time a blue uniform and just as before handed over the box.
Neathler: Congratulations Commander, truly deserved.
Tahna: Response
There were moments in any Starfleet career that gave officers pause, made them reflect on what had gone before and what was yet to come. The elation of a single moment, of the promotion of officers among the senior crew, was a moment for great celebration, and one Jo never wanted to miss. Every smile, the cheerful clinking of glasses, and the hearty pats on the back were laced with that glorious undertone, reminding them all of the greater purpose of their presence. Why they wore the uniform, and what it meant for everyone there.
Swiping up her mug again, Jo took her seat at the large conference table. In front of her, the PADD was already glowing with the next load of information, the next venture out into the wilds of space. Her stomach tumbled over itself at the notion they were about to do what hundreds of people did every day. Samira raised her glass and took a sip, before she sat down, allowing the others to return to their place at the table.
Neathler: Unfortunately, we don’t have much time to celebrate as we’ve been asked to investigate the disappearance of a tourist shuttle.
Marshall: A tourist shuttle, which was supposed to return after a day-long journey. Our primary objectives are to locate the missing shuttle, wrangle up those bewildered tourists, and investigate the wormhole and its surrounding area. But wait, there's more.
As Jo continued, Samira pushed a few buttons on her PADD and above the conference table a holographic image showed a picture of the hungry wormhole, quite similar to the one they had probably all seen near Bajor.
Neathler: What we know is, ::A few taps on the PADD and the holo-image now focussed on a planet, indicating several locations on the southern hemisphere.:: this planet shows evidence and traces of crashed vehicles and shuttles, so this will be the starting point for the search party.
Marshall: Intelligence reports indicate the presence of a cult, known as the Eye of Infinity, who have set up camp on a nearby planet located on the other side of the wormhole. This cult worships the wormhole and have taken quite a liking to that wormhole and all the snazzy high-tech goodies strewn about from previous crashes in the region. It is imperative that we approach this situation with caution and respect for the Prime Directive.
Neathler: According to our intelligence, ::She nodded briefly towards Quinn who had provided them with more information.:: the cult situated on the planet might have something to do with it all, so we will establish contact with the cult Leaders.
Marshall: Your team leaders will give you more information about the task ahead for each of our teams, but for now, ::she stood up, glancing over to Samira,:: time to rollout?
Samira stood up, looking at everyone present. People she knew, and some of them fresh out of the academy.
Neathler: Keep your wits, listen to your teamleader and stay safe.
The Gorkon would take them to the location of the wormhole, which would give the assigned teamleaders some time to update their group with what they knew. All Samira could hope for was that they all returned safely and well, without succumbing to the powers of the cult.
--
Lieutenant Commander Samira Neathler
Executive Officer
USS Gorkon
G239508SN0
&
Commander Jo Marshall
Chief of Operations
USS Gorkon, NCC-82293
G239304JM0