Ensign Delphina Wren: What I like Best
Grace McDermott
((Ceremonial Observation Tower, Reef))
Delphina dropped quickly into her chair, trying not to distract from the dazzling lightshow from the Narhelion, or the captain’s speech. She was still glowing from managing to help establish contact with Starfleet again, and the excitement of the crew around her made her feel as though she had stuck her finger into a light socket, though in a good way.
Wren: Isn’t this great? Everyone here has done so much and learned so much about the reef!
She turned to Vennick, who was seated next to her, staring expressionlessly into space. He blinked a few times, before turning his glass-colored eyes to her.
Vennick: ::indulgently:: I heard. I’ve already gotten in contact with the Beryl…. ::a little bitterly:: the transfer order went through, so I’m now officially a Ronin……. Which is super.
It was obvious that he wasn’t as happy to be here, and Delphina gave him what she hoped was an encouraging pat on his shoulder, before looking up again to the captain.
Niac: These next awards are for those officers who particularly distinguished themselves in the performance of their duties…and in many cases, in the course of being injured. Commander Raga, please ask Doctor Kel, Chief Tucker, Lieutenant Venn, Ensign Marsek, Ensign Wren and Doctor Shortrith to join you here at the podium.
Raga: You heard the Skipper. Front and center before I have Scuttles light a fire under your posteriors.
Surprised to hear her name, Delphina straightened up, tucking her skirt back down as she walked to the front of the room, giving a tiny wave to her friends, standing next to Shortrith.
Niac: During our last mission each of you, through your bravery, your empathy, your compassion, your level headedness or, in one case, very hard-headedness…::he glanced towards Ensign Marsek for a moment::…made unique contributions to our mission that lead to a success beyond anything we could’ve hoped for. As such, each of you have been awarded the Captain’s Citation and your exceptional service to the Ronin…and to one another…has been noted. You have my sincerest thanks and the gratitude of the entire crew.
There were several rumbling noises that seemed to come from beyond the chamber. Delphina glanced up in surprise, feeling alien joy roll around the room as the Cosmozoans seemed to thrum their approval.
Niac: And, it seems, the gratitude of all the creatures who call this place their home. Congratulations to you all.
Raga: If you take nothing else from these citations ::he pointed straight up while keeping his gaze on them:: remember that right there.
Kel: Thank you sir.
Wren: ::quietly:: Thank you.
Tucker/Venn/Marsek: Response
Niac: Doctor Shortrith, Ensign Wren, why don’t you stay put. Lt. Jg. Evinrude, please rejoin us…I believe you know the way by now.
Delphina froze, a little surprised, and felt her face flush as the attention was drawn more to her. She glanced Evinrude’s way as he joined them on the ‘stage’ of sorts, but his expression was unreadable. The crowd of minds in the room, as usual, blotted together where she could only pick out certain words or emotions in the staticky blur.
Niac: Doctor Shortrith recently reminded me it has been just over a year since they joined our crew and in that time they’ve faced the unimaginable with a poise and calm that goes far beyond their years and experience. They have routinely demonstrated a level of professionalism and skill that has set them apart from the rest of our medical staff and has earned glowing praise…or an ambivalent harumph…from more senior medical practitioners aboard.
Niac: The way in which you’ve stepped up into a leadership role in our medical team has not escaped the notice of the command staff and Doctor Beck repeatedly informed me that he knew Sickbay was in good hands when you were in charge. That said, I cannot in good conscience have a Lieutenant Junior Grade serving as the head of our medical department and the ship's Chief Medical Officer any longer. It is far too critical a role so, as of this moment…I am making a change…
Niac: …and promoting you to the rank of Lieutenant, with all the responsibilities and privileges thereof. Congratulations Lieutenant Shortrith. I’m sure I speak for the entire crew when I say I’m certain our physical and psychological wellbeing will have the finest care in the fleet.
Delphina gasped excitedly, clapping for the newly-promoted lieutenant as hard as she could. oO They absolutely deserve it! Oo! They’d been an amazing presence over the last few weeks, and Delphina’s therapy sessions had helped more than she could say.
Wren: Congratulations, Shortrith! You’re going to do great!
Raga: Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Shortrith: Response
Niac: Lieutenant JG. Evinrude….you have repeatedly gone out of your way to serve you fellow crew and have made constant efforts to ensure the running of this vessel, for all its quirks and eccentricities of age, remains smooth and constant. You are a source of support for everyone around you and, when our last mission demanded it, you put yourself in mortal peril to do what was right for a being we hardly knew. You continue to achieve aboard this ship and, with the expectation that those achievements will not stop any time soon I am hereby promoting you to the rank of Lieutenant. Congratulations, Lieutenant Evinrude.
Raga: Well done, Lieutenant. You make the Ronin stronger and better.
Niac: Ensign Wren, when you joined this ship you were immediately thrown into a crisis and for all the strange twists and dangerous turns you faced, you never wavered. Commander Kel’s reports are, in a word, glowing. You have since become an essential piece of Chief Tucker’s engineering team and you played no small part in getting us all here…and in establishing our communication link back to the Federation. Your professionalism, your poise and your endless ability to create the extraordinary on the fly has set you apart. You have made friends here and enriched the lives of those around you. For those reasons and many more besides, I am promoting you. Congratulations Lieutenant Junior Grade Wren. May you keep the Ronin flying a good long while and possibly give Chief Tucker a day off one of these years.
Raga: Ronin Strong, Lieutenant. ::he smiled:: Well earned.
Her hands were pressed against her mouth as she fought not to cry. She was stunned. She couldn’t have imagined that she’d earned a promotion, couldn’t have even considered…. Niac and Raga had managed to completely surprise a telepath. And then, a very small part of her thought, oO It took Mordren three years to make it to Lieutenant JG….. he’s gonna kill me for this. Oo
Wren: ::Shakily:: I…. Thank you, sir.
Karrod withdrew the hollow pip and pressed it against her uniform with a smile before offering another firm handshake. Delphina shakily took it, smiling so hard it felt like her face would split.
Niac: Congratulations Lieutenant Wren.
Oswald: ::loudly with an Italian accent:: Evviva, evviva, bellissimo. Ben meritato!
Delphina jumped a little, surprised at Oswald’s volume, before accidentally letting out a little snort-laugh as she stepped offstage, wiping away tears.
Raga: For the rest of you we’ll be sure to have your ribbons transferred to the Ronin before we get underway again. Until then, I think there are some who would like to show their appreciation for you all.
As Delphina took her seat, she suddenly gasped as she glanced up to see that another show had started, courtesy of the Narhelion. Beside her, Vennick gripped the table, eyes wide as the Narhelion’s voice rumbled through the room.
Narhelion: Hello, Fuzzy Caretaker! Narhelion apologizes for taking so long to recover. Much has Narhelion learned while I slept…Narhelion is the last of the Fissure Striders. The last who can come and go from this place at will. Long ago Narhelion was damaged and without the Caretakers, could not return to this place to heal. Narhelion sought out a way home and would have failed if not for Tiny Predator, Ronin. Now I am restored. Renewed. Some day we will be ready to emerge. Some day we hope to join you. Narhelion can return you to your space when you are ready but will remain and teach all these new generations. Especially Nyx. Narhelion may not be the last fissure strider…for long.
Niac: These are the moments, crew of the good ship Ronin. This is what your hardship and sacrifice has earned you. Tonight we celebrate and tomorrow…tomorrow we’re going home.
Raga: So for now and the rest of the day, savor your accomplishments. Enjoy and soak in this wonderful place that has given us refuge and respite. Share your appreciation and gratitude for our hosts. Take any final recordings or images of whatever you want to remember most here. And get ready to return to our day jobs. Dismissed. Enjoy.
Delphina wished she could put into words just how deeply she felt for the Narhelion. How much she would miss her presence, even if she’d been at rest for so long. And she hoped to see her and her child again one day. She rested her chin on her hands, closing her eyes, and hoped that the Narhelion could hear her as she remembered a segment of a poem she’d once read. It rhymed in Betazed, but lost none of its meaning in translation.
oO What I like best is when you come back to me, rising from the water, laughing
The sound shattering the silence, bringing me back
There are no sunken ships here, nothing to fear
And the storm can't touch us all the way out here
Do you know what I like best?
When I open my blanket and pull you in
And it's just you
And me
And the ocean
That's what I like best
Goodbye, Narhelion, and thank you.Oo
[End Scene for Wren and Vennick]