Lt. Haukea-Willow: Forever and A Day!
Aly Drolet
((The I’vish Gallery, Shi’Kahr District, Starbase 118))
Now, regaining her seat near Madison, Haukea hardened her resolve, reflecting on previous awards, the pain those reminders had caused. However, despite the difficulties surrounding such tender wounds, the security chief, having enlightened herself, her therapeutic conversation with Gogigobo allowing a feather-light heart, she presently registered contentment and acceptance to what was to follow as Foster stepped up towards the podium.
Foster: Now, bear with me for a moment, because I have a few awards to hand out…
Wyn Foster’s tone indicated an element of last second preparations, unpreparedness, though Haukea could not be certain.
Any: Response
Foster: I was asked by Commodore Taybrim to tend to a few milestone awards, to recognize the ongoing excellent work of some of our experienced crew members. So, if Corey Wethern could join me?
Wethern: Response
Even with the announcement of recognition and excellence, potentially phrased to indicate the administration of new ribbons, the presence of the traditional wooden box, which all ribbons were presented from, was what drew a smile to her lips.
Foster: Doctor Wethern, I know perhaps better than anyone else on this station besides yourself how important the role of chief medical officer is. You have grown into the role amazingly well and taken care of your sickbay, your friends and your crew with the tenacity I would expect from the best of Starfleet. For continued service as a department head, you are awarded the Department Chief Ribbon!
To her own memory Corey Wethern was the only chief medical officer whom she had personally known and considered a valued friend on her Starbase 118 Operations family tree. Yet, she was constantly reminded of the necessity to converse with him personally regarding her emotional difficulties surrounding his injury on the holodeck. Truthfully she had broached the subject early in the course of the previous mission, though by the end it had felt inadequate. Moreover, disregarding her emotions momentarily, Haukea did recognize, again, her appreciation towards his skills and knowledge in his chosen field. Without him, many, including herself, may not have continued to serve on the base.
Wethern: Response
McLaren: Congrats, Corey!
Kel: Well deserved, Corey!
Willow: To good health!
Any: Response
A prideful grin spread across Wyn’s face as he spoke.
Foster: And, personally, from me to you - thank you for taking care of sickbay.
Wethern: Response
Any: Response
Foster: Lieutenant Willow, if you could join me?
Her only response, in a haze, was a nod, indicating acknowledgement of Foster’s words.
Even then, recognizing what these initial ribbons were for, Haukea certainly did not anticipate nor expect her own name to be called. When her name was announced, previous guilt, though she currently could not name it, washed through her. Did she potentially deserve such recognition for long standing action as the chief of security? Her conversation with Gogigobo tumbled through her thoughts as she made her slow purposeful walk to the podium.
Foster: Lieutenant Willow, serving as the chief of Security on a StarBase of this size is a mindboggling task. I remember when Commander Fairhug asked me if I felt you were up to the task and I wholeheartedly said yes. I’m glad I did – you have done an incredible job leading the security teams, and keeping our crew and our station safe. For continued service as a department head, you are also awarded the department chief ribbon.
Despite her own opinion, accepting her award, Haukea could easily hear the confidence present in Foster’s words as he spoke regarding her abilities as chief of security.
Willow: Thank you. It certainly hasn’t been easy.
McLaren: Congrats Haukea! Well deserved!
Any: Response
Foster: And thank you, Willow, for being one of the most pleasant and easiest to work with security chiefs I have ever met. It’s easier to keep everyone safe when everyone can work together and you’re an integral part of that!
Willow: I consider non-violent action first and foremost. Guess that has aided in keeping the base so safe.
Any: Response
Haukea knew, based on a deeply held belief, that non-violent action, talking, teaching, safety announcements and briefings, aided greatly in creating a safe environment to which Starfleet officers and civilians could reasonably rely on violence as a last resort. To have that quality, largely assisted by her Risian genetics, mentioned, appreciated and accepted by those she considered family, warmed her heart.
Foster, continuing, held a slip of physical paper, along with a bottle of alcohol.
Foster: Director McLaren, if you could please join me? ::Unfolding a small slip of paper:: I’m sorry, but I’m just going to read this actual real live handwritten message from Commodore Taybrim himself, because there’s nothing that I can say that could top this…
Wyn Foster read out the handwritten message in a tone quite akin to Sal Taybrim, to which Haukea could nearly picture, pale skin, red hair, standing above the crowd, announcing those heartfelt words personally.
The message itself indicated the wait of responsibility, at least three assassination attempts thwarted, and the connection Sal Taybrim had towards Solaris McLaren, to which Haukea, finding difficulty in understanding the indicated woman’s thought processes, may have begun to view anew.
Wyn himself, whom Haukea saw clearly was an equal friend of McLaren’s, even added in his own personal sentiment.
McLaren: Sal you... jerk... thank you.
Any: Response
Foster: And uh, personally – I think you’re pretty cool, too.
McLaren: Thank you, Wyn.
Willow: Here, here!
Any: Response
At that the crowd of gathered officers leapt into roarish laughter, tension dissipating as McLaren accepted her ribbon and bottle of aged whiskey. Haukea herself, though silent, shook with peaceful contentment.
It was here, Foster gathered his breath, directing the attention of the crew back towards the initial topic at hand.
Foster: Anyways, that’s all I got! Thanks for letting me ramble, and congratulations everyone!
Any: Response
Clearly the awarding of ribbons to the senior crew of Starbase 118 was only beginning to climb in gravitas, an anticipation lingering among the applause. Haukea, despite earlier opinions to the contrary, found the comradery commendable, believing in the recognition.
TBC
Lt. Haukea-Willow
Chief of Security - Crisis Response
Starbase 118 Ops
M239512BG0
Ad Astra Per Aspera/To The Stars With Difficulty - Una Chin-Riley
