Lt JG Tess Evinrude - Small-Scale Celebration

[Tess Evinrude]

((Rainforest, Lumina Coves Ecological Retreat, Lolagi IV))

((OOC: Thanks for kicking this off, Teayl! Nice to have a little group to celebrate the awards with as we start this urgent mission.))

Tess and T'Fearne were several kilometers into hiking the bio-fluorescing jungle of Lumina Coves Ecological Retreat. It had been everything he'd been needing and, if he was any judge at all of T'Fearne's emotions, she'd been enjoying it just as much.

Conversation had naturally paused as they hit a strenuous stretch, ascending through underbrush up a narrow track that led to an overlook. Occasional showers of condensation fell from the broad-leaf plants above and kept them cool, if damp, as they made their way towards the promised breathtaking views of the glowing jungle.

To say the ops officer was glad he'd brought his holo-camera would be putting it lightly.

He'd captured multiple shots of the natural spectacle, a few candids of T'Fearne pausing to admire the flora, and one with the camera turned backwards towards them. When she paused to hold a low-hanging vine out of his way so he could pass by, he'd quickly lifted the camera and snapped his favorite shot before her expression turned to good-natured annoyance.

When they reached the overlook, Tess went straight for the railing to capture the scenery - unaware that he was now the target of T'Fearne's lens.

Suddenly their comms chirped in sync, cutting distinctly against the rising hum of alien wildlife.

Raga: =/\= Raga to all hands. I hate to cut our leave short, but this is an emergency recall effective immediately. All crew are ordered to report back to the ship within the hour for immediate departure. Report to your department heads as soon as you are on board and we’ll be briefed en route. Senior staff are to report to the bridge as soon as possible. You can pick up souvenirs next time so no lingering by shops. Captain’s orders. =/\=

The two Ronin officers exchanged a look.

T'Fearne: ::slight resignation:: =/\= T’Fearne to Ronin Transporter Room. Two to beam up. =/\=

Evinrude: ::With a disappointed sigh.:: All good things...

Tess turned around and leaned his back against the railing. It took unusually long for the transporter room to reply, but the duty officer's response explained why.

Ronin Transporter Room: =/\= Stand by sirs, as you can imagine everyone is calling in to be transported aboard. I’ll notify you when we are pulling you up.

T'Fearne: =/\= Acknowledged. =/\= ::To Tess:: This was fun. Let’s do this again. Next planet that has a habitable atmosphere.

Evinrude: You have a deal. ::He smiled, already wondering what landscape they'd explore next.::

((Some time later, Transporter Room 2, Deck 06, USS Ronin))

Air pressure, humidity, temperature, and soundscape changed in an instant as the two lone officers transported from tropical jungle to the familiar interior of the Ronin.

They materialized on the transporter pad beside several others, Wren and Shortrith amongst the group. T’Fearne and Evinrude greeting their fellow officers.

T'Fearne: Renaie, Delphina. How was your shoreleave?

Wren: It was lovely! I wish it had been maybe two and a half hours longer, but it's nice to be back aboard the Ronin. ::rapping gently on the nearby wall:: I'm sorry I wasn't able to see more of you all, though.

Shortrith: The fact that I got to see you guys at all was a wonder. I've been so busy with medical and counselling stuff. I've still got a mountain of paddwork from when I kept Doctor Beck's seat warm - so many medical reports to sign off on. ::To Evinrude:: How about you, Tess?

Evinrude: A good mix of magic and mundanity. ::He grinned.:: Despite being called "shoreleave" I seem to spend an awful lot of it below decks.

T'Fearne: ::nodding to Renaie:: I’ll be dropping by Sickbay's later to check the security update is operating after I report in. Hopefully the infant proofing will prevent incidents like the toddler takeover during the last mission from happening again. I’ll see you there later?

Shortrith: Sure! I'll hopefully be there.

Evinrude: I'm heading for the operations office, but I'll take the long way. ::He glanced at T'Fearne.:: Wouldn't mind a little more pleasant company before we learn what so urgently pulled us from leave.

The officers walked together towards the nearest turbolift, but before anyone could say anything more, a bosun's whistle signaled a shipwide announcement.

Niac: =/\= Attention all hands this is the Captain. I would apologize for our hasty departure from Lolagi IV but it seems like the Admiralty, in their infinite wisdom, have decided we've had more than enough recreation...or perhaps they've simply decided to cut us off after seeing the resorts invoices. Either way the celebratory luau we had planned will have to be rescheduled for a later date. We are on our way to intercept the USS Goodall and take aboard two specialists whom Starfleet Command have dispatched to supplement our crew for the purposes of this mission...I'm certain that once they're aboard and share details about our objectives you'll show them every courtesy and give them whatever support they require. All of that said, we have a few hours before our intercept with the Goodall so I'd like to take this time to confer some awards that we didn't have time to down on the planet. =/\=

Other officers had stopped in their tracks, listening intently. It was as if the whole ship had gone quiet. Shortrith threw a confused glance to Tess and T'Fearne, and he assumed their thoughts echoed his: skipping a grand awards ceremony was unusual.

Niac: =/\= You all served Acting Captain Kel with the kind of skill and poise I've come to rely on...and due to that, you averted a disaster that would've had far reaching ramifications for this galaxy and, very possibly, many more. To that end every member of this crew has been awarded both the Explorers Ribbon for your investigation of the anomaly and the Defense of Temporal Flow ribbon for preventing a disaster before it could begin. =/\=

A few of them exchanged looks. Exploration and time-related shenanigans were becoming old hat - as much as such a thing were possible, anyway.

Niac: =/\= For those of you who interacted with...or were assaulted by...Tholian forces from the Lattice Alliance...namely Lieutenants Shortrith, Evinrude and Ensign Wren, along with Lieutenant Kessler here on the bridge...you have been awarded the Tholian Campaign ribbon. While this is a recognition of your service in the defense of the Federation against an antagonist who is as persistent as they are...shrill, the exceptional performance of your duties was a highlight in the mission reports and debriefings I've reviewed since coming back aboard. To that end...Chief Tucker & Lieutenant Shortrith...you have both been awarded the Leadership Excellence Ribbon for your composure and steady leadership during a crisis. And for your particularly exceptional heroics in defense of others both Lieutenant Kessler and Lt. JG Evinrude have been awarded the Starfleet Medal of Valor. Well done to all of you...and my personal thanks. I know the senior staff shares my opinion that your performed your duties with truly exceptional skill and bravery. Oh and there's two more...small matters. =/\=

Congratulations were passed around, but Tess couldn't help but feel like he had crashed a party without an invite. The Medal of Valor was awarded for extraordinary courageand devotion to duty. Famous captains throughout Starfleet's history had earned it, and it was handed out to well-deserving heroes following the aftermath of the recent Frontier Day attack.

oO I just...did what anyone would do. Oo

He made a mental note to reserve a few minutes of Lieutenant Kessler's time; he'd been hoping for a debrief with their Security Chief anyway.

T'Fearne: Well done and well deserved…and welcome to the fight with the Lattice Alliance.

Wren: ::softly, as Niac is still talking:: thank you

Shortrith: Thank you. ::a beat:: Something tells me it's gonna be a long one.

Evinrude: ::Breaking away from his momentary introspection, Tess nodded firmly to Wren and Shortrith.:: We'll be in it together, you can count on that.

Niac: =/\= While many of you know by now that Mr. Kel has been promoted to the rank of Commander, I want to take a moment to celebrate this enormous milestone...as he accomplished more in his first time in the big chair than some CO's do in their whole career. I have no doubt that someday soon he will bring the skill, cleverness and composure he demonstrated in Ross-580 to his own command...but until then we continue to reap the benefit of his wisdom and his talent. Once again V'Len...well done. =/\=

Applause echoed throughout the deck as the crew celebrated Commander Kel's promotion. Tess had a feeling the whole ship was clapping right along with them, and he hoped the hard-working Kel could feel the gratitude.

Niac: =/\= Lastly...Mr. Kel is not the only one who has continued to over-perform in their time aboard the Ronin and it gives me enormous pleasure to see another of our talented junior officers taking a step further along in their careers. Since joining us as their very first posting, this officer has continually and repeatedly demonstrated an almost supernatural ability to navigate difficult and dangerous situations while defending the lives of their crewmates and all those we are called to protect. So to that end and with the full support of the senior staff I am proud to announce the promotion of Lt. Jg. T'Fearne Elaazni to the rank of full Lieutenant, with all the rights and responsibilities there of. Congratulations Lieutenant...there's a pip waiting in my Ready Room for you. =/\=

Evinrude's eyes went wide, and his smile broadened. His immediate instinct was to pull T'Fearne into an embrace, but by now he'd had enough practice being reserved in a professional setting. He heard the applause continue, reverberating down the corridors, and it struck him how thoroughly the Vulcazoid officer had earned her full el-tee pips.

Niac: =/\= I'm reminded in this moment of the wisdom of some of our predecessors, from an era when the exploration of space meant dangerous journeys just to reach the world's nearest moon. I believe it was a human explorer who said 'I have two Outlooks and neither is working...' and I've always felt that was profoundly wise...when that early pioneer was confronted by the unknown, when his outlook was challenged by the unexpected, he recognized it and adapted. He grew. He rose to the challenge of his era just as you have risen to the challenges of yours. I have never served with a more competent group of officers than those among this crew so I know that, no matter what our forthcoming mission has in store for us, we will rise to the challenge as we always do. Ronin Strong. That is all. =/\=

T'Fearne: ::mermering:: Ronin Strong.

Wren: Congratulations!! That is so great!! We-oop

Tess broke out into a full-throated laugh as Shortrith scooped up T'Fearne into the hug he'd been too reserved to execute. He stepped closer and clapped a hand on T'Fearne's back, bringing Wren in towards their celebratory circle with another, gentler hand on the ensign's shoulder.

Shortrith: Well done, my friend.

Evinrude: Hear hear! ::He shouted gleefully.:: T'Fearne, sir, drinks next time are courtesy of your increased replicator privileges!

T'Fearne: ::slightly breathless, very touched and throat a little tight:: Thank…. Put…down, …Renaie!

At the lieutenant's request, Shortrith lowered her gently to the ground.

Wren: ::giving a friendly pat on the shoulder:: The two of you did so well, you should be so proud!

Shortrith: You too! Three ribbons is an awesome achievement. Well done Tess, T'Fearne.

Tess watched as T'Fearne straightened out her uniform, feeling the camaraderie in the air. He wished they weren't about to return to duty, but there would be plenty of time later for celebrating.

Evinrude: Thanks, all of you! I am...shocked, honestly. At the Medal of Valor, I mean...the rest of these awards and promotions make perfect since!

T’Fearne: Response

Wren: I'm so happy for both of you ::hitching her bag up her shoulder:: We should do something to celebrate once the mission’s over!

Shortrith: I'm inclined to agree - do we all want to do something together next shoreleave?

T’Fearne: Response

He nodded at T'Fearne.

Evinrude: Seconded. Wherever we end up, let's find something fun! ::He turned to Ensign Wren, feeling that she had been offering plenty of congratulations but deserved more herself.:: Delphina, if that last mission is any indicator of your career here, I will try to steal you away from Tucker into the operations department!

Wren: ::a little awkwardly:: Oh, no it’s… I didn’t do much during that mission, I’m sure it’s just a formality ::nervous laugh, before returning her attention to Shortrith:: Honestly, you did great too! I heard that you and Beck are talking about your next steps?

He smiled at her modesty, remembering how helpful the ensign was during shoreleave as well.

Shortrith: About dabbling in both medical and counselling? Yeah, I've got some shifts in sickbay to finesse certain skills - specifically finessing my surgical skills at the moment.

While the other two officers talked, Tess took the moment to step closer to T'Fearne and offer a quieter word of congratulations.

Evinrude: That second full pip will look great on you.::He met her eyes.:: Very much deserved, T'Fearne.

T’Fearne: Response

Shortrith: Any idea what this mission's about? I've only heard about the mission specialists from the Goodall, but I haven't heard anything else.

Wren/T’Fearne: Response

His attention was drawn back to the group as they all speculated.

Evinrude: The sudden departure, the "specialists"...this all strikes me as Need To Know, you know?

Shortrith: I'm like eighty-five percent sure that the actual topic is classified, but our department heads will probably fill us in on what we need to know, right?

He nodded.

Evinrude: Undoubtedly. I've never known any of the senior officers to withhold critical information.

Wren/T’Fearne: Response

Shortrith: Probably.

Wren/T’Fearne: Response

Evinrude: I'm not sure where I'll be supporting, but if anyone's departments need anything, just reach out. Operations has your back!

Shortrith/Wren/T'Fearne: Response

[Tags/TBC]

--

Lieutenant J.G. Tess Evinrude

[he/him]

Operations Officer

USS Ronin

R240111TE1