Lieutenant Alira Venn: Forgiveness
Isara Aleron
Alira had replicated a dress uniform to her exact measurements. She hadn’t brought one with her because she’d expected to be on mission until completed and then return to command. Life hadn’t worked out that way, and now she found herself in a fantastical realm surrounded by a crew that seemed very forgiving of her, and about to enter into a room with that same crew to observe their awards ceremony. Observe, because even though the Captain had offered her a place on the crew and her transfer had become official once they’d finally made contact with headquarters, she was still trying to find her place in the crew. Not to mention the fact that she’d been so gung-ho in wanting to destroy Narhelion at first.
Before she knew Narhelion.
Before the mindlink.
The Captain had given her a great gift: a second chance at a career in Starfleet. It wasn’t the one she had dreamed of; Captain Anderson had made certain of that the moment he’d received her official report. But it was a second chance nevertheless. She still had a lot of remedial training to go through, but she’d always been a strong learner and knew she’d get there eventually. But had she done anything particularly award-worthy? Not in her mind, and not likely in the Captain’s mind either.
So, here she was to observe the worthy individuals receiving their more than worthy accolades, and to cheer them on. New face or not, this was her crew now and she would support them any way she could, including applauding their achievements. And maybe, just maybe, the next time she would be worthy of some awards herself.
The chamber was impressive, just as every other area on The Reef. It was big, with transparent walls that allowed her to see to the beautiful subspace beyond. Outside floated many of the cosmozoans, including Narhelion. The sheer beauty of this place was a tribute to The Artist, and while she’d never been particularly religious, she was going to pay tribute to her the next time she returned to Rodul, if only to thank her for the beauty of this place.
She hadn’t realized how captivated she had become until the Captain began to speak, a podium having appeared from nowhere. That wasn’t really surprising to her anymore, considering the number of times she’d seen Narhelion or the Reef manifest this trick, but it was still impressive anyway. The First Officer had apparently given some kind of greeting, but she’d been too engrossed to catch any of it. She quickly took a space next to someone she didn’t recognize and listened as the Captain began his presentation.
Niac: Considering what this crew has accomplished…what it has endured in these few months since our very first meeting with Narhelion…I think this unique setting is very fitting because it represents this crew perfectly. You are unique…in your capabilities, in your courage, in your fortitude…and in your compassion. Starfleet demands a great deal of everyone and service aboard the Ronin demands even more yet somehow everyone, veteran crew and the newly assigned alike, came together to do something absolutely extraordinary…and helped us make some new friends in the process. We have fulfilled the very ethos of Starfleet…we sought out new life and, in this case, discovered an ancient and wondrous civilization. We have explored a strange new world and even found a home for ourselves within it. We have gone boldly where no Starfleet crew has ever gone before. For that alone you deserve this celebration…and the recognitions that will help you remember these moments down the long road of years. So in honor of those accomplishments I am awarding the following distinctions to each and every member of the Ronin’s crew, along with those officers who have seen fit to make their temporary assignments with us a permanent one. Each of you shall receive a trio of recognitions; The Explorers Ribbon, the First Contact Ribbon, and a very hard earned Defense of the Isles ribbon. These are small recognitions for the vastness of what you’ve contributed to but you should wear each with pride. I…
Even as the Captain was speaking, Narhelion’s hull began to shimmer and pulse, before three rectangular shapes appeared, each one resembling the ribbons “Fuzzy Caretaker’ had announced.
Niac: Well I suppose I did say everyone. Besides, Narhelion has more than earned those honors…although I have no idea what sort of paddwork I’ll need to file with the Admiralty to explain that.
And then she realized that included her and her mouth, already agape from Narhelion’s display, opened even wider.
Niac: With those recognitions conferred, there are a few individuals who distinguished themselves in this course of this mission. Firstly, I’d ask anyone who was injured in the course of their duties to step forward…even if that does seem to represent the majority of the crew… ::His repaired knee gave a phantom ache:: ...myself included. Each of you will be receiving a purple heart as recognition for yet another injury received in the line of duty. On behalf of the command staff, you all have my heartfelt thanks. On behalf of the medical staff, I’ve been encouraged to remind a few of you to duck from time to time.
Raga: As my best friend Serala would say, they aren’t supposed to be collectible items. ::he smirked::
She didn’t think that applied to her, but she would check with them later to confirm. She’d also heard of Captain Serala, although she’d never met the woman. The Half-Romulan had a reputation as a competent warrior and tactician. She’d also stolen a starship from drydock during the Frontier Day fiasco and saved President Chekov. Intelligence had been surprised by her actions on more than one occasion, and usually not in a good way. She got the job done, but had terms like “honorable maverick” applied to her, whatever that meant.
Niac: While every member of a crew plays a part in seeing a mission through every now and then a combination of skill, luck and grit sets apart the contribution of a few officers who are the right people, in the right place, at just the right moment. Lt. Cmdr. O’Connor, Lieutenant JG. T’Fearne, Lt. JG. Evinrude…please step forward.
Raga: Don’t worry, I promised the Captain I wouldn’t bite.
She drew her attention back as the named officers made their way forward.
Niac: Deft piloting that kept us in the fight long enough to protect a friend. Calm precision in a firefight that allowed our crew to complete their vital duties. An ability to see all the facets of an impossible problem…and work seamlessly with others to solve it at astounding speed. Each of you faced a moment in this crisis where many would have faltered…but you remained steadfast and put the mission…and those around you…first. For that, each of you have been awarded the Legion of Merit…and you have my sincerest thanks.
Raga: Well deserved. Keep this up and they’ll need to rename these the Ronin of Merit. ::he smirked::
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.
oO Who is Scuttles? Oo
Still, she made her way forward, somewhat shocked to have heard her name called.
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.
oO A Captain’s Commendation? Me? Oo
While she was trying to reconcile this with her earlier preconceptions, several of the cosmozoans began to come toward them.
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.
Shortrith: Thank you, Captain.
Venn: Thank you, sirs.
That seemed too minor to express her gratitude, but it was all she could manage at the moment. The applause around her, combined with the rippling colors moving throughout the chamber were starting to overwhelm her.
Tucker/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.
She made her way back to where she was standing, still reeling from the recognition and the atmosphere.
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.
She heard some chuckles and smiled, even though she’d never experienced that from the Counselor.
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.
Wren: Congratulations, Shortrith! You’re going to do great!
Raga: Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Shortrith: I… thank you.
She applauded the promotion and listened for the next presentation.
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.
Shortrith: Congratulations, my friend. ::offering a happy fist bump:: You're going to rock this.
Evinrude: Response
Once again she applauded the promotion, remembering her promotion to Lieutenant. She’d done some post-incident analysis regarding the Frontier Day events and her recommendations had been impressive enough, apparently, that it had earned her the solid pip.
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.
Wren: ::Shakily:: I…. Thank you, sir.
Niac: Congratulations Lieutenant Wren.
Oswald: ::loudly with an Italian accent:: Evviva, evviva, bellissimo. Ben meritato!
Another promotion, and another round of applause. Whoever the loud person was, she didn’t recognize him, but the lack of any thoughts from him bombarding her telepathic barriers suggested he was from a four-lobed species.
Shortrith: Well done, my friend. I'm so proud of you. ::to Delph and Tess:: Both of you.
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.
She looked around as Commander Raga gestured to the many cosmozoans who were showing their appreciation through the various color patterns that created one of the most beautiful displays she’d seen in a very long time. For someone from a race of people that considered art so important to their life, she was very overwhelmed. Her own basotile paled in comparison.
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.
oO Oh, that is so wonderful! I am so glad for you, Narhelion. Sister. Oo
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.
(( Alira’s Quarters, USS Ronin ))
Afterward, she silently slipped out and made her way to her quarters. She’d been too overwhelmed to stay and mingle. She was still trying to process everything that had happened, and the beauty of the display the Reef and the cosmozoans had created when she entered her quarters. She looked at her basotile sculpture, once something she’d been proud of and now looking very sad to her eyes. And then her eyes landed on something else.
It was a luminous stone, similar to coral, but glowing with the same bioluminescence so common to the cosmozoans, and especially Narhelion. Her link with Narhelion had shaken her, made her frightened of her telepathy, but it had completely changed her mind about the massive being, so much so that her career had been derailed and she was starting a new life on the Ronin. She loved Narhelion, very much like the sister she had called her, and was going to miss her terribly. But maybe this coral would help her remember.
She reached out to touch it, to feel its texture, and realized it was telepathic. She lowered her shields enough to let the connection and felt the emotions inside. Acceptance, gratitude, and forgiveness.
Alira began to cry silently at that. She’d known what Alira’s original intention was, and she’d forgiven her and accepted her. She was grateful.
Venn: :: whispering softly :: Thank you, sister-Narhelion. I shall not forget.