[[BACKSIM]] Lt. JG T’Fearne - Those Proxima Sigma Days
Teayl Thorn
((OOC: Officially first sim as a Lt. JG. Some dialog and description shortened for length of sim, for full dialog and description of other character please see other writers awards ceremony sims.))
((Monument Park, Prism Lake, Proxima Sigma Four))
The breeze off Prism Lake teased at the back of the Security officer's neck and tousled her hair. It was warm and heavy with the scent of pollen, lake vapour and the unique living bouquet of the colony as it surrounded her.
She stood at ease, watching the crowd gather. The ceremony had yet to begin in earnest, though murmurs of anticipation drifted like birdsong among the people of Proxima Sigma Four. The Ronin had done it. The colony was safe, and all the people gathered there on the beach, their stories would continue, their fates diverted from an abrupt and tragic end, they would continue to seek their destinies in the bustling city, vibrant forests, deep mountain lakes and in the far off stars. She glanced around in the glow of the crimson sunset, seeking out the others in the crew, her peripheral vision finding her friends embedded in the crowd around her and the Ronin’s commanding officers standing out easily at the podium. Commander Raga, watching with that habitual alertness. Dr. Kel, the Ronin’s new “Two-Oh”, whom she had not had the opportunity to formally meet, standing with a practised posture, his expression unreadable but kind. And Captain Niac…
Her gaze lingered on him. The sight of him whole, speaking, alive was a source of deep relief. She didn’t care to dwell on the loss the crew and the fleet had nearly sustained at Emzai’s revenge attempt.
The murmurs of the crowd ceased and his voice rose and fell like a slow tide as T’Fearne listened, silent.
Niac: While I know that many of you have spent the last several weeks here on Proxima Sigma enjoying all that this uniquely beautiful world has to offer I believe this evening will grant this crew a rare opportunity...not only to celebrate one another...but to do something Starfleet crews so seldom get the chance to. To stop...for just a few moments...and appreciate exactly what all your efforts have been for. Our duties are so many, our missions so demanding, the costs...the costs are sometimes so difficult to bear...yet today we can take this moment to see what it is we have achieved...so that we might remember why we sacrifice. Why we serve. Why we wear this insignia...::He gestured to the commbadge on his uniform jacket::...and what makes it more than just a bit of metal. It's for them...::He nodded, acknowledging the vast crowd::...for their children. For all the lives on all the worlds we visit, for all the peoples our duties touch. The epigram of our ship is "For Your Tomorow...We Gave Our Today." Thankfully this is one tomorrow we all get to share in...and I could not be more proud of everything you've done to bring us to this point. So with that in mind I'd like to begin this ceremony by handing out awards to the entire crew...as recognition of your collective efforts in saving the Twin Sigma colonies and all those lives aboard the Soliton Express itself...each of you shall receive the Lifesaving Ribbon and, to acknowledge the extraordinarily difficult conditions you overcame during our last mission...a Good Conduct ribbon will also be awarded to each and every member of the crew. Lastly, nearly everyone on the crew will be receiving a Purple Heart due to our comprehensive inability to avoid injury in the line of duty. Congratulations to you all.
She lowered her eyes to the combadge. The familiar tri-points of its delta shape, the gleam of its surface, the weight of the metal matching the weight behind the words. Service. Sacrifice.
He went on, awarding ribbons, an Innovation Ribbon for her own jacket as well as many of her friends, and she applauded when appropriate. But her thoughts drifted to the last mission.
To the moments she had heard members of the crew had been injured, Luxa, Beck, Niac, and Tess had nearly died. To the sound of razor rain pelting the ground around her. To the screams of the passengers in the carriages of the Soliton Express as toxic gas hissed into their compartments. To the tumbling mess and re-entry scars of the carriage segments falling out of the Soliton wave.
She returned to the present as the medical officers were called forward. Dr. Kel, Dr. Beck and Alyndra. Their recognition was met with sincere applause, and T'Fearne clapped again, one beat longer for Syrex.
Then came something unexpected.
Niac: "...Ensigns Nemes, Evinrude and T'Fearne, please step forward."
Her name.
T'Fearne strode forward, catching Tess’s bright emerald glance briefly through the crowd, and saw almost a look of surprise there. She let the smile she felt show in her eyes as they fell in step and then Sybil joined them just a step behind as they all ascended the stage.
Evinrude: ::Quietly, to T'Fearne:: Congratulations on that Innovation Ribbon, Ensign.
T’Fearne: :: just a whisper back :: And to you, Evinrude.
Then she came to attention as the Captain spoke.
Niac: I have said it before but today I am reminded of one of the great joys of being a Commanding Officer...to see the people who serve under my command grow and develop into leaders in their own right. To recognize officers who I have seen perform their duties with distinction and bravery time after time. To affirm that all your efforts...all your work...all your sacrifices...are seen, and respected, and appreciated. So with that in mind I'm proud to announce the following promotions. Ensign Nemes, Ensign Evinrude, Ensign T'Fearne...effectively immediately you three have been promoted in rank to Lieutenant, Junior Grade...with all the rights and responsibilities thereof. Congratulations!
T'Fearne stood silently with her chin raised, her heart beating strangely in her chest as the emotions of her fellow ensigns and other members of the crew washed over her in a wave. She looked down at the dark circle ringed in gold in Commander Raga’s hand, then squared her shoulders again as he fastened the new rank to her collar and shook her hand. A half-pip. They were Lt. JG’s now.
Kel: Well done Lieutenant Nemes ::Turning to Evinrude:: Well done to you Lieutenant Evinrude.
Raga: Congratulations. To all of you.
She didn’t smile. But she nodded, to her side Tess spoke, his emotions a slight wave of disbelief.
Evinrude: T-thank you, sirs!
They had been through a lot over the last year. The cost was still being counted to come this far. From the siege of 33. From the parts of themselves left in Bajor’s past. Through the struggle to wrench the Twin Sigma systems free of a mad terrorists' peril. To stand on this stage together.
Alyndra was next. T'Fearne applauded hard as the full gold pips was added to her friend's collar as Alyndra’s efforts and contribution were recognised. She was proud to see her friend promoted to a well earned full Lieutenant.
Ian followed, also receiving a well earned promotion to Lt. Cmdr. She clapped hard for him as well, after having seen him show how quick and sharp he was both on his feet and in the pilot's seat she knew it was well deserved.
The roar of the crowd would normally have painfully defended her, but she had come prepared as this was her third awards ceremony, and had neatly tucked discreet noise dampening devices in her ears just before the applause ramped up. A flurry of hugs, handshakes, pats and some tears flew between the newly promoted officers before decorum was re-established.
Evinrude: ::Grinning, to O'Connor.:: Thanks Ian--ah, Commander.
Nemes: Congratulations, Sir.
O’Connor: Thank you for your faith in me.
Alyndra reached over as they exited the stage, and T'Fearne accepted the pat on the back with grace, turning the noise dampeners down a bit.
Syrex: Congratulations, Lieutenant. I never doubted you for a moment.
Slipping an arm around Alyndra’s waist and pulling her friend gently in for a side hug as they merged back into the crowd. She hooked Sybil with the other arm for the same treatment. A tall brunet with short blonds on each arm.
T'Fearne: :: offering a simple :: And to you, Alyndra and Sybil. Well earned.
They re-joined the crowd, but didn’t drift apart. Not yet. Something about their shared experience and the recognition bestowed on them kept them from dissipating into the crowd.
Evinrude: ::Quietly, to his friends.:: Lieutenants. I believe a celebration is in order.
Syrex: WHAT?! You’ll have to speak up!
The Vulcazoid, standing between them, allowed herself a small quirk of the brow.
T’Fearne: Agreed, Lieutenant Evinrude.
She emphasized his new title just enough to make it count.
The applause began again as Niac called forward the planetary dignitary. The ceremony would continue. There would be more honours, more speeches, more symbolic closures.
But for T’Fearne, the meaning had already settled within her. The path behind her was strewn with hard-won survival. The road ahead lay veiled in duty and the weight of what she now carried, the protection of the crew, responsibility, and the ever-unfolding unknown.
She looked at her friends beside her. She did not smile on the outside.
Her emotions were too strong for that moment. She just breathed.
[End of scene for T’Fearne]
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Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14