Ensign Lera Michaels - What?
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steve...@yahoo.com
Aug 19, 2025, 6:32:28 PM8/19/25
to USS Khitomer – StarBase 118 Star Trek PBEM RPG
((Holodeck 1 - DS 33 ; Simulation of Broken Tepui Aerie, Klowahka))
Shayne: Lieutenant Dewitt! Thought you could hide from me? Up you come!
Shayne: Ayemet. You are a source of profound wisdom, grace and support. We have come to rely on you, perhaps more than is recommended. You have helped us to make peace with our circumstances in ways I didn’t think reasonable to ask for. We would not be the same ship without you. Please accept the Trauma Support Ribbon, and our thanks.
Ayemet: Response
Shayne: My human ancestry compels me to say… but wait! There’s more! Your presence in Sickbay was helpful, beneficial and composed in this past engagement. Not the engagement between you and Co- nevermind. Please accept the Good Conduct Ribbon for your efforts.
Ayemet: Response
Semara: :: Hushed, pointing. :: There's Ezra! Let's go! :: A big smile ::
Michaels: Where? :: looking around in the direction Amelia had indicated. :: I do not see him.
Amelia was a few centimeters taller than Lera. Did that height advantage make the difference? Semara curtsied, and a relieved Lera saw Ezra and Foxy.
Semara: Congratulations, Lieutenant. :: A big smile and waggle of the head towards Lera. :: Someone was lookin' for you.
Zerva: That makes two of us. ::smiling at Lera:: Thank you Semara ::looking at his ribbon box:: but I couldn’t have done it without your help. ::beaming:: Congratulations to both of you on your awards.
Michaels: As for my award :: air quotes :: you deserve one of these more than I do. :: she stooped and picked up Foxy Lady. The dog did her best to thoroughly clean Lera's face. :: Yes. Yes. Foxy Lady. I missed you too. :: glancing up at Ezra with a large smile:: I suspect neither one of us will be nominated for a "Search and Rescue" ribbon any time soon.
Semara: Response
Zerva: It looks like things are picking back up on stage. How’s about we sit over there and enjoy the rest of the awards together?
Michaels: That sounds like a superior plan to me. :: beat :: I have noticed that everything we have seen so far has been in the ribbon and commendation category. There is one more category that we typically cover, but which has not been covered so far. Perhaps one or both of you will finish this fete with new pips.
Semara: Response
Shayne: Ensign Michaels! Join me here, please.
Lera had not sat down when she heard the Captain's voice. There was no mellowness in the man's voice. Rather, it had the tone similar to when her parents had used her full name, It was a sure sign that she was in trouble and discipline was imminent. Surely Captain Shayne was not going to reprimand her in this setting... In front of everyone... in front of Ezra...would he?
She looked to Ezra and Amelia for support but found only mystified looks.
There was nothing to be done but to go up there and face her fate. She estimated that there was at least a 15% chance that she would not be immediately sent to sickbay afterwards. Lera stood tall, nodded at the Captain, and then steadily walked back to stage. Were there thirteen steps up to the stage? Was not the number of steps to a gallow?
It only took a few moments to cross the distance. She stopped, stood at attention, frozen, emotionless face toward the Captain.
Shayne: Ensign? You’re out of uniform.
oO Wait. What? This whole tone was to criticise my clothing? This is uniform casual... Oo
Michaels: My understanding, sir, was that... ::her words stopped abruptly. There was nothing to be gained. :: Yes, sir. It will not happen again. Sir.
Shayne: Unacceptable. And at your own promotion! Shocking.
Time seemed to stand still for a couple of seconds. Multiple emotions crawled across her face, fighting for dominance and fighting against her own, momentarily half-hearted attempts to maintain control. The ultimate winner was a cocked right eyebrow.
oO My promotion? My promotion? Keep a grip, girl. Not a reprimand despite the outward appearance. Or maybe it is. This may be an attempt at humor. A slight smile would be appropriate. Stay in control. Stay in control. Oo
Lera held her breath and allowed herself a slight smile. She remained carefully, motionless as the Captain opened the wooden box and pinned the second pip to her collar. It seemed to be real enough.
Shayne: ::almost under his breath as he concentrated:: I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all the commensurate privileges and responsibilities of that rank. Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Michaels: Thank you, sir. :: beat :: I will remember this lesson in leadership.
The Captain's smile mimicked her own as they shook hands. She nodded slightly, pivoted carefully... falling over on the stage would not be a good sign... dancing and jumping up and down could wait... and walked back to where Ezra and Amelia were sitting.
Zerva/Semara: Response
Lera fingered the extra pip.
Michaels: Ezra. Tell me that this is a real pip. It feels real.
Zerva: Response.
Michaels: ::so softly that the words were scarcely audible. :: Yes! ::normal tome :: I will have to let my parents know about this. And my sister. And Puja.
She turned to Ezra, no longer attempting to stifle the smile.
Michaels: It appears that you no longer outrank me. :: silent chuckle:: At least for the next few minutes.
Zerva: Response
Shayne: Lieutenant JG Ras El’Heem!
Lera attention returned to the stage. She stood as she applauded El'Heem's promotion.
Tag/TBC…
——— ☼ ———
LtJg Lera Michaels
Engineering Officer
USS Khitomer
K240106LM2
Shayne: Lieutenant Dewitt! Thought you could hide from me? Up you come!
Shayne: Ayemet. You are a source of profound wisdom, grace and support. We have come to rely on you, perhaps more than is recommended. You have helped us to make peace with our circumstances in ways I didn’t think reasonable to ask for. We would not be the same ship without you. Please accept the Trauma Support Ribbon, and our thanks.
Ayemet: Response
Shayne: My human ancestry compels me to say… but wait! There’s more! Your presence in Sickbay was helpful, beneficial and composed in this past engagement. Not the engagement between you and Co- nevermind. Please accept the Good Conduct Ribbon for your efforts.
Ayemet: Response
Semara: :: Hushed, pointing. :: There's Ezra! Let's go! :: A big smile ::
Michaels: Where? :: looking around in the direction Amelia had indicated. :: I do not see him.
Amelia was a few centimeters taller than Lera. Did that height advantage make the difference? Semara curtsied, and a relieved Lera saw Ezra and Foxy.
Semara: Congratulations, Lieutenant. :: A big smile and waggle of the head towards Lera. :: Someone was lookin' for you.
Zerva: That makes two of us. ::smiling at Lera:: Thank you Semara ::looking at his ribbon box:: but I couldn’t have done it without your help. ::beaming:: Congratulations to both of you on your awards.
Michaels: As for my award :: air quotes :: you deserve one of these more than I do. :: she stooped and picked up Foxy Lady. The dog did her best to thoroughly clean Lera's face. :: Yes. Yes. Foxy Lady. I missed you too. :: glancing up at Ezra with a large smile:: I suspect neither one of us will be nominated for a "Search and Rescue" ribbon any time soon.
Semara: Response
Zerva: It looks like things are picking back up on stage. How’s about we sit over there and enjoy the rest of the awards together?
Michaels: That sounds like a superior plan to me. :: beat :: I have noticed that everything we have seen so far has been in the ribbon and commendation category. There is one more category that we typically cover, but which has not been covered so far. Perhaps one or both of you will finish this fete with new pips.
Semara: Response
Shayne: Ensign Michaels! Join me here, please.
Lera had not sat down when she heard the Captain's voice. There was no mellowness in the man's voice. Rather, it had the tone similar to when her parents had used her full name, It was a sure sign that she was in trouble and discipline was imminent. Surely Captain Shayne was not going to reprimand her in this setting... In front of everyone... in front of Ezra...would he?
She looked to Ezra and Amelia for support but found only mystified looks.
There was nothing to be done but to go up there and face her fate. She estimated that there was at least a 15% chance that she would not be immediately sent to sickbay afterwards. Lera stood tall, nodded at the Captain, and then steadily walked back to stage. Were there thirteen steps up to the stage? Was not the number of steps to a gallow?
It only took a few moments to cross the distance. She stopped, stood at attention, frozen, emotionless face toward the Captain.
Shayne: Ensign? You’re out of uniform.
oO Wait. What? This whole tone was to criticise my clothing? This is uniform casual... Oo
Michaels: My understanding, sir, was that... ::her words stopped abruptly. There was nothing to be gained. :: Yes, sir. It will not happen again. Sir.
Shayne: Unacceptable. And at your own promotion! Shocking.
Time seemed to stand still for a couple of seconds. Multiple emotions crawled across her face, fighting for dominance and fighting against her own, momentarily half-hearted attempts to maintain control. The ultimate winner was a cocked right eyebrow.
oO My promotion? My promotion? Keep a grip, girl. Not a reprimand despite the outward appearance. Or maybe it is. This may be an attempt at humor. A slight smile would be appropriate. Stay in control. Stay in control. Oo
Lera held her breath and allowed herself a slight smile. She remained carefully, motionless as the Captain opened the wooden box and pinned the second pip to her collar. It seemed to be real enough.
Shayne: ::almost under his breath as he concentrated:: I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all the commensurate privileges and responsibilities of that rank. Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Michaels: Thank you, sir. :: beat :: I will remember this lesson in leadership.
The Captain's smile mimicked her own as they shook hands. She nodded slightly, pivoted carefully... falling over on the stage would not be a good sign... dancing and jumping up and down could wait... and walked back to where Ezra and Amelia were sitting.
Zerva/Semara: Response
Lera fingered the extra pip.
Michaels: Ezra. Tell me that this is a real pip. It feels real.
Zerva: Response.
Michaels: ::so softly that the words were scarcely audible. :: Yes! ::normal tome :: I will have to let my parents know about this. And my sister. And Puja.
She turned to Ezra, no longer attempting to stifle the smile.
Michaels: It appears that you no longer outrank me. :: silent chuckle:: At least for the next few minutes.
Zerva: Response
Shayne: Lieutenant JG Ras El’Heem!
Lera attention returned to the stage. She stood as she applauded El'Heem's promotion.
Tag/TBC…
——— ☼ ———
LtJg Lera Michaels
Engineering Officer
USS Khitomer
K240106LM2
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