Cmdre. V’Airu, Lt. Col. Greaves, & Cmdr. Etan: The Golden Gate View, Part 3
Jacob Rittenhouse
As Etan had pointed out, the science table was up next – but, as he’d also reminded Ossa, the table wasn’t only the science department. Although the department chief, Katsim, sat there, she was supported by some of her science officers, including Dahlquist and Emond, just as Corelli had been supported by his engineers. And just as the engineers had been joined by officers from ops, so too were the scientists joined by Promontory, the sole intelligence officer on the crew.
Ossa’s praise during the new lieutenant’s promotion had been genuine, as had been the note of wonder in her voice. Promontory’s duty post put him on the front line unlike any other on the crew. Even other isolated roles, like strategic operations or mission specialist, had related departments and, often, the command team. Intelligence was, by design, alone.
You wouldn’t know it from looking at Promontory, though. He had taken to the crew dynamic well, and seemed to make friends wherever he went. Indeed, he was chatting happily to the scientists over their suppers – the service for most other tables had come while her trio was with the first table – and she was almost sorry to interrupt, given how engrossed the table seemed. However, she swept up with both XOs, and the table welcomed them with good grace.
V’Airu: As I suspect I’ll promise every table this evening, we won’t intrude for too long.
Just as he had bid farewell to the previous table, Iljor greeted these assembled with a friendly wave.
Etan: Good evening everyone. I hope you are enjoying yourselves?
Katsim / Dahlquist / Promontory / Others: Responses
The energy of the table, and the room itself, and shifted as they had begun moving from place to place. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and this table was no different. The Marine reached into the small bag he and Iljor carried, withdrawing a small box and handing it carefully to the Commodore.
Greaves: This isn’t purply a social visit, though I’m sure we’ll be by later for one of those as well.
Since her mind had just been with Promontory, it was to him that she turned first. She accepted the box from Greaves – one of the same as before, now with new ribbons added – from Etan, who had become something of a champion for the young intelligence officer. She’d heard from Lia Rouiancet’s report that Etan had chosen Kessler and Promontory as the crew for his bridge officer exam, which suggested to her that he saw great potential there.
V’Airu: Promontory, I fear I’m not finished with you tonight. (beat; opening the box) You serve first as an intelligence officer, but I appreciate even more so how adaptable and capable you are.
She pinned him mid-speech, with the familiar blue-and-silver Innovation Ribbon.
V’Airu: Your service on the bridge of the Intrepid during the pulsar crisis was exemplary, as you excelled in roles that were not primarily your own. Yet through your actions, we succeeded in the diversion of an entire stellar mass. You should be proud of what you helped accomplish. Congratulations!
Promontory: Response
Iljor leant forward, extending his hand to the intelligence officer.
Etan: Congratulations again, Lieutenant. :: beat :: You are a true credit to this ship and to Starfleet.
Greaves: Agreed. It’s not often we see such a flexible officer. We’re lucky to have you.
Katsim / Dahlquist / Others: Responses
Ossa opened the small box again and removed a pair of ribbons. When she spoke again, she included both Promontory and the full El-Aurian ensign sitting beside him, Emond. She pinned both, with the bright-blue-on-black of the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon, before she spoke.
V’Airu: I understand that the two of you met in a bowling alley? Perhaps an inauspicious location start to your collaboration, since you contributed so much to our understanding of Rox and her abilities. I regret that an investigation was necessary, but were we to need a similar investigation in the future, I would certainly come to you first. You have my thanks.
Promontory: Response
Emond: Thank you very much, ma’am.
A surge of pride for the two officers turned the corners of Iljor’s mouth upwards and he beamed at both Emond and Promontory.
Katsim / Dahlquist / Others: Responses
Since Ossa had now transitioned partially to the scientists, she moved her gaze from Emond to the next officer in line. Emond’s fellow ensign, Dahlquist, had only been called up partway through the mission, when her expertise was needed, and she had risen to the occasion magnificently. This time, Ossa took a box from Greaves, and opened it to remove one ribbon of the final three she intended to present at this table.
V’Airu: Dahlquist, I know from experience – long ago, but nonetheless – that being called up to function at the level of a senior staff member, especially as it concerns your expertise, is an extremely daunting prospect. That you excelled in such a circumstance, and managed to, both individually and in collaboration, provide scientifically viable support for Gelf during and after their crisis – well, this all speaks very highly of you. You’ve certainly earned this Innovation Ribbon.
This time, given that Ossa was a few seats from Dahlquist, she rose to actually pin the ribbon, and then took her seat again.
Dahlquist: Response
The new first officer realised that this was the first time he had met Ensign Dahlquist in person. The two had spoken briefly- very briefly- over the comm but that was hardly the same thing. He turned his gaze towards the junior science officer and offered her a welcoming smile.
Etan: I look forward to serving with you, Ensign. Welcome aboard.
Wes was seated next to the man and he clapped Dahjlquist on the shoulder in congratulations.
Greaves: Keep this up and you’ll go far. Congrats Ensign. Congrats.
Katsim / Promontory / Others: Responses
At last, but certainly not least, the chief. Katsim, as she had been since she was an ensign, was accompanied by the small creature she called “dragon,” her Echo. Ossa even met the small creature’s eye before it ducked its head, and then she looked instead to Katsim.
V’Airu: Chief Katsim, please allow me to recognize you twice over. Your presence on the surface of Gelf – and, for that matter, any time you were off the Intrepid – contributed to our successes on the world. I know firsthand how important your presence can be, both for your keen intellect and for the support you offer all others. However, and particularly for how well you worked in collaboration with the Gelflings, I would like to recognize you with the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Again Ossa stood, and pinned the gold-striped ribbon to Katsim. However, she added one more as well, a ribbon with purple diamonds she hadn’t yet presented during this ceremony. She sat before she spoke again.
V’Airu: Your care and conscientiousness applied not only to your work off the ship, however. Even after the crew was restored, I have appreciated how you’ve advocated for Rox, given her many missteps. The Unity Ribbon, with which I just presented you, recognizes those who support and champion the morale and emotional health and well-being of a starship crew – or, in this case, the crew plus one particularly tricky case. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do.
However, Ossa wasn’t done yet. She pinned one more ribbon on Katsim’s uniform, sibling to the gold ribbon she’d pinned on Corelli.
V’Airu: You’ve more than earned this Department Chief Ribbon with your extended, dedicated service, too. Congratulations.
Katsim: Response
Iljor had come to greatly respect Katsim Peri during their time together on Gelf. He found her to be an extraordinarily diligent officer and a first-class scientist. He watched her accept the awards with a proud expression on his face, and he suspected that a friendship was beginning to take root between the two of them.
Etan: Stellar work, Lieutenant. :: beat :: I’m glad you are with us.
Dahlquist / Promontory / Others: Responses
Wes looked from face to face at the smile as they all exchanged another round of positive affirmations until his gaze finally landed back on the Commodore.
Greaves: Ma’am, I think we’re late for our next appointment already.
His voice was joking but the skipper seemed to agree to move on nonetheless. Ossa snapped the second box shut decisively and handed it back to Greaves before she stood. She, Greaves, and Etan would need to head back to the table set aside for them before they continued, in order to stock up on ribbons, which meant that it was time to take their leave.
V’Airu: Just as I said, no time at all! Thank you for allowing us to interrupt, and please enjoy the rest of your suppers. Congratulations to you all.
Etan: Enjoy the rest of your evening. ::he said in parting.::
Katsim / Dahlquist / Promontory / Others: Responses
Tags! and TBC!
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Commodore Ossa V'Airu
Commanding Officer
USS 'Oumuamua
V238208LV0
she/her/hers (this character) & he/him/his (player)
&
Commander Etan Iljor
Executive Officer
USS ‘Oumuamua
NCC - 81226
C239203TW0
(they/them or he/him - IC and OOC)
&
Lieutenant Colonel Wes Greaves
Former Executive Officer
Former Marine Detachment Commander
USS Oumuamua NCC-81226
E239702WG0