Ensign Koyama: The Problem.
Calliope
(( Assembly Bay/Observation Bay, Starbase ))
(( Overlooking both the USS Chin’toka and the USS Valkyrie-A ))
She had been back with Starfleet for less than a day, but despite the award ceremonies seriousness and tone, she could not stop her mind from wandering... Her ruminations continued, replaying everything that had happened back home. Again and again, going over every detail, looking for a solution that wouldn’t come. She leaned forward in her seat, and double checked her projections on her PADD, as T’Ama took the podium.
Sighing, Madeleine turned off her PADD, sat up straight and tried desperately to pay attention.
T’Ama: Welcome! I am Lieutenant Commander T’Ama, your new-ish First Officer as of about a month ago. Most of you know me, for those who don’t - hello. I’m sure you are all eager to be honored for your outstanding work on this last mission, so without further ado, I will turn this over to Captain Serala.
Serala: Thank you, Number One. Crew of the USS Chin’toka, I have had the privilege of working with some of the finest officers in the fleet, and you are no less so. In fact, I have been honored to have all of you under my command. These recognition ceremonies are just one small way that I can say thank you for all of your efforts on behalf of the ship and Starfleet. And to that end, let’s get to the good part, shall we?
The battle against her dark mind was not going well. She tried another deep breath, and noticed she had been tapping her foot – the unconscious tic a staccato of leather contacting the bay floor. With a conscious effort she forced it still, much, she assumed, to the relief of those around her. Another deep breath. Another attempt to return to focus...
Serala: .... are working on establishing diplomatic relations with the Ah’rakkians. Starfleet Command seems to have been satisfied with our performance there as they have seen fit to award us both the First Contact and Explorer Ribbons.
Serala: Commander T’Ama, please receive these awards on behalf of the crew. There are individual ribbons for everyone on the table that can be collected after the ceremony.
The idea that the crew had been recognized for their mission – and that she would get two new ribbons – hardly registered. Again she stopped her foot. Again she tried to control her breathing. To focus. To distract herself from what was really important.
T’Ama: Thank you.
She accepted the awards and Serala turned back to the crew.
Serala: In addition, Lieutenant Commander Azura Ada, I was forwarded a citation from Commodore Rajel which reads:
Rajel: Much to our surprise we have discovered that the artifact ...
It was not working.
If this was any other event, and if her presence was not required, she would not be here. The numbers kept coming back to her, and the prospect of mom and dad being forced to abandon the colony demanded her attention. Demanded a solution. She was looking at her feet again.
She made herself look back at the stage.
Serala: ......mander Ada. You can pick up an extra ribbon of each at the end of the ceremony.
Ada: Oh!
Madeline forced herself to join the clapping. It was a good distraction, but she hadn’t the faintest idea what it was for. Still, she was momentarily pleased that Ada had been awarded...
...Something. She could not remember the last few minutes of the ceremony, and reflexively sighed her displeasure towards herself.
Serala: Now, there are some individual awards to present. Commander Sherlock and Counselor S’Rorr to the front please.
They both stepped forward.
Sherlock: Responses
Serala: You two were given a difficult task, made even more difficult by the fact that the Ah’rakkians had a previous negative experience with Vulcanoids in their past, not to mention certain events that transpired while there. Commander Sherlock, your efforts were so noted that Command decided to make you Chief of our newly formed Diplomacy Department, which they also deemed a necessity on our crew.
Serala: Therefore, the both of you are being presented with the Diplomacy Ribbon.
T’Ama: So is it like a critical mass situation where if you get enough of these they transfer you automatically into the diplomacy department?
Sherlock: Response
T’Ama: Congratulations, ensign.
S’Rorr: Thank you, commander.
Serala: Congratulations, you two.
Serala: Lieutenant Wright, during the mission you assisted in locating and removing the explosive devices. It was an extraordinary act of bravery and for that reason I am awarding you the Good Conduct Ribbon. Likewise, Commander Brodie, your efforts in assisting me, especially in regards to the rescue operation and reminding me to consider all aspects of the operation, I am also awarding you the Good Conduct Ribbon. Congratulations.
T’Ama: Congratulations.
Wright / Brodie: Responses
Serala: Speaking of that rescue operation, Lieutenant Seleya of Khanda, please come to the front.
Seleya took the podium. Madeline once again stopped her foot from disturbing everyone else.
Serala: Lieutenant, your efforts and skills during the operation were noted, and while you weren’t able to participate in the actual rescue due to an unfortunate injury, Starfleet Command deemed your efforts worthy of recognition. To that end, they have awarded both yourself and I the Silver Star. Congratulations.
Seleya: Response
The captain returned to the podium and read from the PADD.
The thoughts came back unbidden. It was a fools errand, She knew it. Still. She had promised. Could she -
Serala: .... would like you, Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron, Ensign Koyama, and Doctor Edrei to come forward.
Madeleine bolted upright as her name was called, and proceeded to the stage. She swore she could feel the relief of the crew in her section that she was gone, if only for the moment. Quickly.
Serala: From time to time, we run into dangerous situations and those situations result in our capture. It’s unfortunate, but such is the nature of our jobs. Thankfully, each of you returned to us, albeit some of you were in bad medical condition. For this reason, I am presenting each of you the Prisoner of War Ribbon. I don’t like giving this one out, but it’s at least understandable. You have my personal gratitude.
She was standing at attention, but only just. It took everything she had to keep her leg from bouncing. She looked at her captain and her first officer and felt fear and nerves threatening everything.
oO Why did I agree to ask them? I can hardly stand close to them! Oo
Thankfully, she kept her control. For everyone's sake.
Serala: Number One, I think it only appropriate that you present your team with these ribbons. If you have any words for them, please feel free at this time.
T'Ama approached them.
T’Ama: ::quietly:: I want to apologize to you all for getting us captured… And I want to say that I’m proud of you for escaping the brig while I was… not there… and taking care of Doctor Edrei.
Is’Kah: ::whispers:: Thank you, Commander, but it wasn’t your fault. You did what you could.
Edrei: ::quietly:: I... Thank you. To you three.
Madeline prayed no one could see how ill she felt, and there was a pause before she could bring herself to say anything in response.
Koyama: ::Almost inaudible:: .. We all did our jobs. We all got out. No apologies, no thanks needed.
Serala: There is another ribbon I don’t like to present, but this one is also understandable. And considering I have four myself, it would be disingenuous of me to condemn the recipients. Doctor Edrei, please remain up here, as well as you, Is’Kah. Ensign Koyama, you may return to your place. Seleya, please come back up here and join them.
Madeline felt a wave of relief. As she stepped off the platform she replayed the scene in her mind, going over every look and reaction.
... She didn’t think anyone had noticed. At least, if they did they didn’t show. Maybe they’d write it off as stage fright?
oO Great, another problem to go over. How am I going to ask if I can hardly look at them? Oo
Seleya: Response
Serala: Each of you sustained serious injuries during the course of this mission. While it is never desirable to have our people injured in the line of duty, it does happen from time to time. Therefore, I am presenting each of you with the Purple Heart.
T’Ama: ::to Edrei and Is’Kah:: I think I have to apologize again for putting you in that situation. ::to Seleya:: But not you. You’re accident prone and this one was not my fault.
Is’Kah: ::mumbles:: I’m glad to pass that title off.
Edrei: ::to T'Ama, quietly:: Stop apologizing. It's never been your fault.
Seleya: Responses
She sat back in her chair. Was that ensign glowering at her or did that species look like that normally? Another problem for the pile.
Serala: There was another aspect to this mission that should not be overlooked. Lieutenant Commander V’Nille, Lieutenant Commander Azura Ada, Lieutenant JG Ghee’looth Xiron, and Ensign Theridion Grallator please come forward.
The named officers approached the podium.
Serala: The derelict vessel presented its own challenges, and from the reports I read it was very interesting. It is unfortunate we were not able to salvage it, but what you were able to learn there will keep Vulcan historians busy for quite some time. Therefore, I am pleased to present each of you with the Investigation Ribbon. Congratulations, each of you.
She handed awards to T’Ama, who promptly put them on the four.
T’Ama: Congratulations on surviving the ghost ship, all of you.
V’Nille: Thank you. Don’t worry. Next time we find a ghost ship, it’s all yours.
Xiron: Thank you, Commander. It was both an honor and a terror to witness.
Grallator: Thank you… I think. Though if it’s all the same, I’d prefer the next ghost ship to remain firmly in the possession of someone else too. My ears are still negotiating a ceasefire with the last one ...
She drifted off again. Worry overtook her as the calculations ran back again. The reflexive need to power on her PADD to re check the math was squashed back down where it had came from. She didn’t need to run the numbers again. She knew the answer.
Ada: ::stifling a giggle over Grallator's response:: Thank you, Commander. I'm grateful for the data we were able to collect.
They went back to their seats.
Serala: Counselor S’Rorr, please present yourself at the front.
S’Rorr stood before Serala, who greeted him with a smile.
Serala: Counselor, I first met you on the Astraeus and I was already impressed with you then. In fact, having served with Commodore Mei’konda ...
Could the numbers be wrong?
Serala: ... you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all the rights and responsibilities commensurate of your new rank.
Madeleine looked up and saw Serala pin the half pip on the Caitian's collar.
Serala: Congratulations, Ensign!
S’Rorr: Thank you, Captain. It's an honor.
Something told her the next part was important. Not that the awards weren’t, she normally would be happy for the rest of the crew. But that small part of her mind realized something in them had shifted, maybe in tone, body language or something else. She gave her everything to force the problem from her mind for a few minutes more.
Serala: There is one final bit of business to attend to. I confess a bit of mixed emotions about this one. I know that this is a good thing, but there is a part of me that is feeling emotional about this. :: She paused long enough to get her emotions under control before continuing :: I chose this location, and this backdrop for a reason. Effective Stardate 240212.13 I will be reassigned from command of the USS Chin’toka to Commanding Officer of Shemsh Colony in the Par’tha Expanse. Additionally, the crew of the Chin’toka, with a few exceptions, will be reassigned to the USS Valkyrie-A under the command of Captain Isara Aleron while the Chin’toka undergoes refits and upgrades. The Valkyrie is a newly commissioned Achilles refit with several upgrades that you all learn about in the next few days and weeks. I have asked Captain Aleron to join us here to say a few words and to introduce herself. Please join me in welcoming Captain Aleron.
Aleron: Thank you, Captain Serala. You have a fine crew and your record is impressive. It is going to be difficult to take over for you, but I will endeavor to do my best. To the crew of the Chin’toka, especially those of you transferring under my command, I want to assure you that while you may have a new CO, I will not ignore your past contributions to this crew. A few changes are coming, but I am going to try and minimize the disruptions because your dynamic as it is makes you the extraordinary crew that you are, as the awards presented here today prove. I will be a Captain worthy of this crew and will continue to foster and grow you all in your careers. I know it’s going to take time to be comfortable with me, but I hope I can earn the same trust and respect that Captain Serala has engendered in each of you.
Aleron: The Valkyrie will be assigned to a new sector of space, but you will not be far from the Par’tha Expanse, and we will return there often. I daresay, there will even be opportunities to catch up with Captain Serala from time to time. The Solerian Sector is an area that the Federation hasn’t been to in many years, and there have been a number of changes there. To the extent that we really don’t know what to expect anymore. We have a few rumors and theories, but not much more than that. Our mission is going to be to explore the sector and learn as much as we can about it and to make diplomatic ties if we can. This crew is highly skilled and I know we can accomplish this mission together. I look forward to working with you and until the change of command ceremony, I will make myself available to any of you who may have questions of me, or who just want to try and get to know me better.
Serala: Thank you, Captain Aleron. :: to the crew :: I cannot begin to fathom how each of you must be feeling right now, but I will say that I am going to miss you. And after you transfer, any of you… ANY of you … may contact me at any time for any reason. Even just to say hello. As Captain Aleron said, you’re a fine crew. One of the finest I have ever served with, and I am proud to have been your Captain for the time that I was.
Serala: Commander T’Ama, you may dismiss the crew as you see fit.
The First Officer stepped up to the podium.
T’Ama: Please help yourselves to the refreshments. Dismissed.
Madeleine felt another wave of relief. As the other officers and crew stood, she found herself staying seated and powering on her PADD.
Another look at the numbers. Another view at the problem.
......
Every problem had a solution. She just had to find it.
[End scene for Madeline.]
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