Lt. Haukea-Willow: Homecoming, A Feeling of Belonging.
Aly Drolet
((The I’vish Gallery, Shi’Kahr District, Starbase 118))
As Gogigobo Fairhug, practiced, poised, proud, moved through the gallery, reaching the stage, ready to start their latest round of awards, Haukea followed, hand linked with Madison’s, towards a table of their own. The two partners sat in the theatre, anticipation lighting the air like lightning during a storm.
Fairhug: Welcome, everyone, to the I'vish Gallery and to Ops’ latest awards ceremony. I'm sure you'll all agree that this is a very appropriate venue and if you haven't spent much time in the Shi'Kahr District before, I'm sure this evening will make a lasting impression. ::Pause:: First of all, I want to say thank you, once again, to you all.
Reverence, a deeply held respect, - Haukea knew - presently for Gogigobo, spanned the room in the heartbeat’s silence between words.
Fairhug: Our last mission was a particularly stressful one. There were times when I thought, as I'm sure some of you must have, that we might not make it back to the base at all. But as always, this crew never gives up and *always* finds a way.
An involuntary shudder ran down her spine. Such a reminder of the previous mission, an indirect mention towards her physical attack on a characteristically unfriendly Romulan, who eventually committed suicide within her brig, set a sour taste in her mouth. A remarkably reduced expression - display - of anger regarding her actions now the emotional uncertainty was halved.
Madison, adjacent to her, raised her flute of champagne, Haukea alternatively raising her camera, seizing the opportunity to steal a photo, encasing the shared comradery within a lenticular image.
Fairhug: So, cheers! To you all.
Marsh: Cheers!
Foster: A toast, to all of you!
Willow: Cheers to life! ::Which could have easily been lost::
Any: Response
Fairhug: ::With a distant gaze:: As you all know, we have lost some of our colleagues recently. Fortunately, only to other postings, but their absence is still felt, of course. ::pausing:: Lieutenants Tito and Kreshkova are participating in the launch of the USS Thor and Lieutenant Korras has offered his services to USS Khitomer in their struggle against a new and powerful enemy. ::raising his glass again:: We wish them all well in their new roles and hope to serve with them again one day.
Haukea, who had definitely considered Tito, Kreshkova and Korras to be among her friends, blew out a sigh; additional ghosts to haunt her memories. Award ceremonies were invariably heartrending. Likewise, despite processing the transfer of their security records, little was provided in terms of closure.
Beside, Madison, with an equal thought process, poked her shoulder, whispering.
Marsh: ::In a low tone to avoid distraction:: It's too bad I wasn't able to wish them the very best. I'll have to send them messages at some point this week.
Willow: ::Whispering back:: I processed the transfer of their security records. Wasn’t enough. Perhaps we should message them together? ::She let the question hang in the air unanswered::
Foster: The Thor has been the first major launch after Frontier Day, to much fanfare. Congratulations to all of them!
Any: Response
Fairhug: Now, while some fine officers have departed, others have arrived. It is always a pleasure to be able to introduce new crew at a ceremony such as this, so please, give a warm welcome to ::holding out a hand indicate the Andorian:: Ensign Mi'shune sh'Sonora, our new Helm Officer.
Having previous documentation regarding the four new ensigns, having likewise processed their incoming transfer records, Haukea had not yet fully acknowledged their name, species, gender or department, having simply run the records through a screening program, which flagged any areas of concern. Nevertheless, now, eyes searching out the new helm officer, the security chief noted another Andorian, female, clapping her welcome.
Foster: Welcome onboard!
Willow: Glad to have you! Welcome!
Any: Response
Sh'Sonora: Response
Fairhug: Also, Ensign Lyra Voss, a new addition to the Science department.
With the transfer of Tito, the previous chief of science, to The USS Thor, it was a welcome sight to see the department filled, not replacing his absence, yet not allowing the loss to affect morale.
The new ensign was a fiery redheaded female Betazoid.
Marsh: Welcome Lyra!
Foster: I’m excited to have you with us!
Willow: Ad Astra! May the stars welcome you! ::Not the correct translation yet fitting of a science officer::
Any: Response
Voss: ::finding her voice:: Thanks! I look forward to working with all of you.
Fairhug: ::another slight turn:: Ensign Arlo Zara, who will be joining the Engineering team.
Engineering was a well loved department, to which Haukea gladly welcomed the new ensign, Zara being a female Bajoran-hybrid, distinctive curly brown hair and singular earring catching the chief’s eye.
Foster: Welcome onboard matey! May we ever sail the seas together!
Willow: Keep the Base in one piece for us! Welcome!
Any: Response
Arlo: Hello, everyone! Very excited to be serving with you all.
Fairhug: And last but not least, Ensign James Taylor. Another much needed Engineer.
The last, but not unwelcome, addition was another ample engineering officer, male, unlike previously, not that a specific gender of species was required.
Foster: I’m glad you can join us, ensign! You took quite a trip to get here!
Any: Response
Taylor: Response
With each new officer welcomed, celebrated, Fairhug resumed his welcome speech, providing closing remarks.
Fairhug: It is my honour to welcome you all to StarBase One-One-Eight as newly minted Ensigns. I hope that your careers will be long and successful and I look forward to getting to know you all as time goes by.
Foster: And remember, we’re here to help you succeed! ::A pause, a moment in thought, then a change of tone:: First, let me propose a toast! To the crew of StarBase 118! We endure, we preserve, and we support each other! And then we get to play hard because we worked hard! To you!
Glasses once again raised, Haukea supported her camera, capturing a final image of the shared comradery among new and seasoned officers present.
Willow: To family!
Any: Response
Lt. Haukea-Willow
Chief of Security - Crisis Response
Starbase 118 Ops
M239512BG0
Ad Astra Per Aspera/To The Stars With Difficulty - Una Chin-Riley
