JP: Flt. Capt. Karrod Niac & Cmdr. Toryn Raga - The Changing of Seasons (PT 2)
Rameses
((‘Disco Inferno’ Roller Arena, A few minutes later))
It had taken him a short time to orient himself but with years of Starfleet physical training and his inherent cat-like agility, Karrod had quickly mastered the technique behind the archaic foot locomotion.
He just had to stand perfectly still and he wouldn’t end up in an undignified heap on the ground. Again. He gripped the edge of the small speaking lectern with as much force as he could casually muster, not imagining it would do great things for his reputation among the crew to end up skates over beard in front of all of them. The crowd, some gliding gracefully on the skates while others clung onto the perimeter railings as if their lives depended on it, quieted as he took the speaking position.
Niac: It’s a pleasure to see you all together once again. I believe we owe the staff of The Farm our compliments, it certainly seems to have lived up to its restorative reputation. Up until I put these ridiculous roller-wheels on, I was the most relaxed I’d been in months.
For emphasis his left leg began sliding backwards and he was forced to awkwardly prop himself back into position with one elbow dug into the top of the lectern.
Toryn, who seemed to have an easier time on the skates made sure to stand beside but just ever so slightly behind the Captain so he could keep him from doing something that would be replayed on every screen in the lower decks for the next year.
Niac: In the interests of conducting our business here today before I need to avail myself of medical care, I’ll be as brief as reasonably possible considering the broad scope of your recent accomplishments. Because of you…because of your steady nerve in the face of a horrific attack…because of your focus under pressure…because of your dedication to one another…the embers of a grave threat to the Federation were extinguished before they could ignite an inferno. You have once again stymied the plans of a ruthless organization and shown them that Starfleet stands firm against terror for profit, against opportunistic brutality, and against anything that would reduce life to an expendable asset.
He added some venom to the last words, his feelings for the vile Consortium tactics stirring memories of the Compass Rose and all they hadn’t been able to save. He calmed himself and refocused his mind on what they had accomplished instead.
Niac: To that end, each member of this crew is receiving a Silver Lifesaving Ribbon for your efforts to save our brothers and sisters from the Compass Rose. Let it be a reminder to you of the souls you were able to make safe…and all those others who will forever remain on patrol in the Kappa 214 system. In addition, based on my discussions with Starfleet Medical and owing to the incredibly unusual nature of the information we were able to uncover during the course of our mission, the whole crew will be receiving the Scientific Discovery Ribbon. You demonstrated once again that knowledge is the ultimate power and, in this case, used it to neutralize an insidious threat. Lastly and with the knowledge that each and every one of you suffered a level of exposure to a weapon that was, until very recently, invariably deadly…each member of this crew is awarded yet another purple heart to add to their ever growing collection. I believe several people have earned enough to redeem them for prizes, which are available in a variety of colors at a small stand off in the corner of this facility.
Karrod gestured and nearly sent himself sprawling to the floor. The pleasant Andorian attendant at the prize desk in the far corner, guarding over a variety of stuffed toys and assorted small gizmos, gave a friendly wave. Karrod righted himself and pressed on.
Niac: While everyone contributed greatly to the outcome of our mission, there are a few officers among us who distinguished themselves in the performance of their duties under extraordinary duress. Lt. Commanders Quentin Beck and V’Len Kel, Lieutenant Alyndra Syrex and Lieutenant Junior Grade Roxanne Queen, please step…or roll…forward.
Toryn smiled at each as he rolled simply to where the boxes were waiting and wheeled himself back to Karrod to hand the officers their awards.
Beck/Kel/Syrex/Rox: Response
He looked to each officer as they made their way to the lectern with various levels of grace and smiled, the expression lingering on both Quentin and Alyndra.
Niac: For your extraordinary work in developing a treatment for this illness and protecting all of us…and the larger Federation…from the threat it represented, it is my sincere pleasure to award you the Medical Science Ribbon. Congratulations and, on behalf of everyone here, thank you. We would not be here today without your efforts.
Beck/Kel/Syrex/Rox: Response
Karrod’s smile turned slightly sad as Toryn worked his way from officer to officer. In the case of both Quentin and Alyndra, their work on the treatment had put them firmly on Division 14’s sensors and the opportunities they’d been offered were as extraordinary as the people themselves. It would take them from the Ronin but Karrod sensed the Ronin would linger with both for a long time.
Niac: While our medical personnel were distinguishing themselves, let us remember that they did not crack this problem alone. Lieutenant Commander Marty Tucker, Lieutenant Junior Grade Tess Evinrude…front and center.
Tucker/Evinrude: Response
Karrod offered two of the ‘Three Amigos’ a small, mostly feigned glare as they made their way to the small podium and rotated carefully to face the crowd.
Niac: Although you were somewhat…haphazard…in the conduct of your duties, there is no getting around the fact that your work on the Consortium delivery mechanism and the subsequent capture of the creator of this plague were instrumental in developing a treatment. As such you are both awarded the Innovation Ribbon…and reminded that I still have those bracelets in my office. Congratulations gentlemen.
Tucker/Evinrude: Response
He waited for the applause to die down as the men made their way back into the crowd and found a smile hiding below his beard.
Niac: Every time we gather like this I am reminded of my incredible good fortune…that I am in command of a crew who I can rely on completely, whom I can delegate impossible duties to that get accomplished with grace and speed time after time. With that in mind I would like to take a moment to recognize the efforts of our team leaders, who in spite of circumstances that bordered on the grotesquely surreal, kept level heads and made smart, effective decisions. Commander Toryn Raga, Lieutenant Alyndra Syrex and Lieutenant Jack Kessler…please join me.
Raga: As I was already here. ::he shrugged::
Syrex/Kessler: Response
Taking a brave if unsteady few scoots forward, Karrod moved from officer to officer, conferring the award.
Niac: I have come to rely on each of you and have found that you possess all the qualities that Starfleet hopes to nurture in its future leadership. You’re calm, thoughtful, compassionate, creative and decisive when the moment calls for it. Your colleagues look to you for guidance and for inspiration and, during a crisis, for hope. You dispensed all that and more, and have continued to do so ever since. With that in mind you have each been awarded the Leadership Excellent Ribbon…congratulations.
Raga: Just doing what needed to be done while our Captain was trying to get himself killed. ::he said dryly with a sideways feigned glower at Karrod::
Syrex/Kessler: Response
Once again Karrod waited for the boisterous applause to die down before he continued, glad to glance over and notice the awards table had very nearly been cleared of its contents. Only two small matters of business remained and both, fortunately, could be handled at once.
Niac: Lastly, there is one member of the crew who, although new to the Ronin before these events, has quickly found a home among us and become someone the crew, myself included, look to for warmth and support. Ensign Renaie Shortrith, please step forward.
Shortrith: Response
Karrod smiled at the bespectacled young Klingon who made their way to the podium.
Niac: Ensign, to say your introduction to the Ronin was a trial by fire is an understatement. Yet during the course of the mission and all the horrors it entailed you were a steady voice who kept the welfare of the crew first and foremost in mind at all times. Since then you have guided several of us through the traumas they endured and attended to our mental health with the same degree of skill and compassion that the staff here brought to our physical care. For that reason I am awarding you the Unity Ribbon. Congratulations, Ensign Shortrith.
Shortrith: Response
Chuckling as Toryn handed the ribbon over, Karrod nodded significantly.
Niac: Don’t go anywhere Ensign, there is one further matter to be resolved. After examining your service record from your prior postings and seeing for myself the high degree of skill which you’ve brought to Ronin, I have been forced to conclude that you cannot serve aboard my ship as an Ensign any longer. To that end…Commander Raga has a small addition for your uniform. ::He nodded and Toryn produced a small wooden box from within his uniform jacket.:: It is my great pleasure to promote you, Ensign Renaie Shortrith, to Lieutenant Junior Grade with all the rights and responsibilities befitting of that rank. Congratulations Lieutenant!
Toryn nodded towards the Klingon counselor, with whom he’d had a brief conversation in which he mentioned his standoffishness towards them previously. The smile on his face as he added the pip to their collar however was genuine. Regardless of all else they were a Ronin.
Shortrith: Response
Karrod couldn’t have silenced the thunderous applause if he’d wanted to and waited for several long minutes before the commotion settled back down to vaguely civilized levels.
Niac: With our business concluded I’ve been told to inform you that something called ‘free skate’ begins in a few minutes and…
He’d grown cocky and complacent with the ceremony concluded and, with a lessening of his grip on the lectern and a turn just slightly too fast to gesture towards an open bar, Karrod found himself suddenly in the grips of his oldest nemesis, gravity. He landed in a heap on the smooth flooring of the rink and, without bothering to get up or in any way evaluate his life choices, he simply spoke to the air and hoped the crew would hear him.
Niac:....dismissed.
Toryn smirked as he skated towards Karrod and tapped him on the shoulder, before announcing loudly for all to hear.
Raga: TAG, you’re it!
Toryn grinned and skated away quickly into the throng of assembled officers. This should be entertaining at the very least.
[Tags/End for Niac & Raga!]
================================
Fleet Captain Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0
&
Commander Toryn Raga
First Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
Writer ID: A239410TR0
https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Toryn_Raga