LtJg Lera Michaels - The Discomfort of the Spotlight

[steve...@yahoo.com]

((Docking Ports, Deep Space 33))

Despite it being intimately connected to one of the worst times in her life, Lera actually found her time in the Indulgence Infirmary to be a rather pleasant experience. There was no shortage of tedious scans, question-and-answer routines, and "please remain still while we repair..." times. There is a limit to how many Gilligan's Planet reruns one can suffer through. No. The pleasantness was largely due to the two concessions the infirmary made to her situation. They had allowed Ezra to stay... perhaps admitting that it would have been difficult to get him to leave. And they had rearranged her treatment schedule to put repairing her jaw in the first position on their list. That made talking far easier. Lera and Ezra talked a great deal during the time before they released her. They did advise her to schedule some time with a counselor. Lera nearly smiled at their suggestion that she avoid stressful or strenuous situations for a while. Like she had a choice in that matter.

Lera walked into the cavernous docking bay at Ezra's side.

oO Should I hold his hand, or would that overstate the nature of our relationship? Everyone thinks they know where we stand, and I hope they are right. But... Oo

Zerva: ::to Lera:: I’m happy you’re doing better. I couldn’t imagine coming to the awards ceremony without you.

Michaels: I prefer it this way. We would survive the alternative, though it would be less pleasant.

Zerva: Agreed. It just wouldn’t be the same. Shall we take a seat next to some friends?

Michaels: Of course. Please excuse me, but that borders on being a "silly" question.

Ezra nodded as they took a seat next to their friends and crewmates, with Foxy sitting between Lera and Ezra.

Zerva: ::takes a seat:: Good to see you. Looks like we’re just in time, which means plenty of lemon squares for those of us that want some. Did anyone else see the award ceremony message with Commander Dewitt listed as the XO?

Michaels: I think I could use some lemon squares about now. Coupled with a large chocolate milk. :: beat :: Why would there be such a message? Have you heard something I missed?

Any: Response

Zerva: ::points:: I think I see Commander Dewitt hiding over there under the shadow of the stage in the back. Looks like he’s about ready to start. I guess we’ll find out soon enough if he’s the new XO for certain.

Any: Response

C. Dewitt: As a friend of mine used to say on occasions like this… Here we are again.

Michaels: ::leaning slightly toward Ezra, :: That is not an engineering uniform.

C. Dewitt: Before we get to why we’re all here tonight, there’s something I want to address first. ::beat:: Some of you may already have heard… Others may have guessed, and a few of you probably saw the uniform and figured it out immediately. Standing here as the First Officer of the USS Khitomer is not something I expected to happen this soon.

Zevra: ::whispering:: I guess that confirms that then.

Michaels: ::whispering:: It does indeed. :: beat :: If Connor is now the XO, that must mean Hobart is gone too. :: beat :: And we're getting a new Chief Engineer. This is a wholesale change out.

Any: Response

C. Dewitt: Captain Shayne and Commander Hobart have led this crew through some of the hardest months most of us have ever seen. Through battles we didn’t choose. Through losses none of us wanted. And through the long shadow of the Lattice Alliance.

Ezra squeezed Lera’s hand. Lera glanced down at her hand and allowed the slightest of smiles to cross her face. oO A whole new command structure. What other changes are coming? Oo

C. Dewitt: And through all of that, they reminded us what Starfleet is supposed to be. They reminded us of why we are out here with a family of four hundred.

Ezra squeezed her hand again.

C. Dewitt: Many of us have carried scars from the last year. Some visible. Some not. ::pause:: Tonight is not just about recognition. It is also about turning a page. A new chapter begins for Khitomer today. One where, hopefully, we begin to heal from what countless fights have left behind.

That brought a lump to Lera's throat. What she had suffered through could not really be characterized as a fight. It was... she pushed the thought from her mind. The last thing she wanted was for someone to mention that again or to offer her sympathy she obviously did not deserve for that multitude of mistakes. The sooner everyone forgot about that, the better everything would be.

The XO stepped away from the podium and then back again.

C. Dewitt: And every new chapter needs someone to lead it. I haven’t known him for very long. But in the short time, his advice has already had a significant impact on my life. ::pause with a smile:: And you can ask my wife; that’s something I don’t say lightly.

There was gentle, polite laughter.

C. Dewitt: I look forward to a new chapter and to seeing where he will lead this crew next. It’s my honor to introduce the new commanding officer of the USS Khitomer… ::a small gesture of invitation:: Commander Naxell.

Lera joined the others in polite applause. There were murmurs in the audience from the many.

Zerva: ::loud whisper:: Did any of you know?

Morda/Any: Response.

Micheals: I knew. He was the first person to visit me in the infirmary. After Dr. Ohnari. Did not say much. I am the new commander. You are safe. We will have you home soon. That sort of thing. He seemed nice enough. :: turning to Ezra :: I thought you knew.

Zerva: ::loud whispers:: I didn’t. This is all news to me.

Michaels: A good deal is news to me as well.

Morda/Any: Response

Michaels: Ezra. I would like to get out of this as quickly as possible. I have not had this much exercise in several days. I am not sure if I am up to it.

Zerva: Response

((Time-skip to a bit later in the ceremony))

Commander Naxell excused one group of officers and returned to his position behind the podium.

Michaels: oO Not me. Please. Not me. Oo

Naxell: Lieutenant Michaels, Ensign Morda!

Lera shook her head. With the emphasis in the Captain's voice, she had no doubt what was expected of her. While Morda seemed to be excited by the prospect of going on stage, Lera silently dreaded it. She would be in front of everyone. They would be staring at her, wondering what had happened to her and how she had brought such a horrible thing on herself. It would be an eternity of undesired attention.

Lera stood up and slowly followed Ensign Morda up to the stage. oO Get this over with quickly. Oo

Naxell: I have found that when Engineers are tasked to solve an especially difficult problem, the solutions they come up with always seem to toe very close to the line between ingenuity and outright terror when given a night’s rest and reflection. Using the transporter buffers to cycle prisoners in and out of existence to ensure a complete evacuation was inspired… ::grinning:: …and also grounds to revisit the security clearances required to access the ship’s transporter systems. Please accept these Spliced Mainbrace Distinctions.

Michaels: This is unnecessary, sir. We simply did what was required.

Morda: Response

Naxell shook her hand. She brightened only slightly at his cocked eyebrow. He was being nice enough, but he was also clearly unaware of how much she simply wanted this over and done.

As she turned to return to her seat, she glanced at Morda.

Michaels: First medal since leaving the Academy?

Morda: Response

Michaels: Congratulations. Perhaps you should consider a career in engineering after all.

Naxell: Lieutenant, a moment. ::calling out:: Officers El’Heem, Semara, Zerva, and Matthews to the stage.

Michaels: oO Oh Lord. Now what? At least Ezra will be here.Oo

Lera stopped and returned to her original position on stage and, thankfully, Ezra came to stand next to her as the others joined her.

Naxell: One mystery after another, ladies and gentlemen. That is what the mission log and Captain Shayne’s recommendations allude to. Each of you was instrumental in solving at least one of them. Lieutenants Michaels and Zerva, something about shuttle logs. Lieutenant El’Heem and Ensign Matthews, interviews. Lieutenant Semara, for a great deal that has not yet become well-known. Please accept these Starfleet Investigation Ribbons for your dedicated efforts to unwind those mysteries that befouled the ship.

El’Heem / Semara / Zerva / Matthews: Response

She accepted the second box and shook his hand as graciously as she could under the circumstances.

Michaels: Thank you, sir.

oO Two ribbons. Not too bad. At least there are others up here with me. With any luck at all, I will be out of the spotlight for a while. Oo

As she descended the ramp next to Ezra, she looked down at the walkway in front of her.

Michaels: Ezra. I know we should spend some time with the others. :: beat :: Please let me know when you are ready to leave.

Tags/TBC

——— ○● ———

LtJg Lera Michaels

Engineering Officer
USS Khitomer
K240106LM2