Lt. (J/G) Lyanna Avery, "Smiles and Tears" (Any)

[Simming Kristen]

::The Captain's voice cut through everything else, grabbing Avery's attention the way only a leader could.::

Herrera: Thanks for being prompt, Ladies and Gents. It's been a tough mission so I initially figured that we could do this now so that you'd have more time to get your feet up over the next few days. As usual, things played out a little differently than I expected, but change has been the key word on the Vigilant for the last few months now.

::Captain Herrera looked over at Udas and cleared his throat.::

Udas: Response

Herrera: Just figured you wouldn't want to miss this, Lieutenant. 

Udas: Response

::The Captain smiled at Udas and shook his head::

Herrera: Well, by now, most of you know the drill. ::He lifted up a beautiful, wooden box.:: This time, though, this is actually for someone who hasn't been to one of these before. Ensign Avery, come join me at the top of the table.

::Avery's heart immediately leapt up and lodged itself in her throat. She had no idea whether she was about to be chastised or rewarded, but she was locked into the moment and began to walk automatically to the front of the table.::

Avery: ::nodding:: Yes ... Sir.

::Diego waited until the engineer had taken the 'walk of fame' to the head of the table before opening the box, which contained a single black pip. Removing it from the box, he pinned it to her collar.::

Herrera; Ensign Avery, for your excellence in handling a complicated technical situation and serving the Vigilant and the Federation in our recent battle, I'm promoting you to the rank of Lieutenant junior grade, with all of the privileges and responsibilities associated with it. Congratulations, Lieutenant!

::The smile which colored Avery's face was broad and beaming, and she couldn't contain it no matter how hard she tried. It had truly been a day of emotions-run-amok for her, but this was the kind of high-note she had never experienced.  There were no words to explain the pride and joy she felt at that moment, so she simply fought back a tear and answered.::

Avery: Thank you, Sir.  Thank you.

::The entire group joined the Captain in applause as Avery, red-faced for the second time that day, made her way back to her seat ... a prideful smile still pasted across her face.::

Herrera: I'm also pleased to announce that the Joint Meritorious Unit Ribbon is awarded to Lieutenant Commanders Tagren and Pavlova, Lieutenants Udas and Avery, and Dr. Adair-Walker. The Peacekeeper ribbon is awarded to all of us for our work in trying to keep things from flaring up with the Romulans. Thank you all for everything you did.

::Avery almost missed it ... medals awarded to her and the others as well.  For a moment she thought she might black out ... but this wasn't the kind of thing she was about to head back to sickbay for.::

Anyone: Response(s)

Herrera: Ari, if you could give me a hand...

Tagren: Response

::He split the ribbons into two piles. There was a pause for just long enough for them to be given out before Diego spoke again.::

Herrera: This part of the briefing will be a little harder to announce. I've had a long talk with Starfleet Command. They're convinced that things are changing and I think they're right. I've always been proud to serve with you as a crew, but there have been some reassignments and this will be our last meeting all together as members of the USS Vigilant.

Herrera: There's going to be a personnel shuffle, and I will be taking command of Deep Space 6. As things stand, Captain Hallam, the CO of the station, will be transferring here. Most of you will be headed out of the Zeta Gelis region, but almost all of you will be stepping into roles that are a step forward on the career ladder. :: He smiled.:: I don't know about you, but I know that things like this happen in Starfleet and I don't want to have anything other than positive memories about this ship and the people I've worked with aboard it. I hope to hear from all of you in the future with updates on how you're getting on, how things are progressing, for you personally as well as in your professional lives. And I hope you'll all be just as proud as I am that we had this chance to serve together on the Vigilant.

oO What ... wait no ... Oo

:: And the roller coaster of emotion that was Lyanna Avery's day continued.  She couldn't possibly be losing another home, another family ... not now, with everything looking so bright...::

Herrera: I'm not a huge fan of goodbyes, and I doubt we'll have much chance to hang around once we get back to the station, but it seems like a pattern for people to say something philosophical at times like these. Our ship's motto is "The candle of liberty has always been kept lit by a vigilant few." Well, you guys are the Vigilant few. Anyone who served on this ship fits that bill. I am counting on you to keep that candle lit. And you know what? I can't think of a group of officers who are more suited to that job.

::The moment was simply too much for Avery.  There were no important words, no deep explanations ... instead she simply smiled, genuinely and thankfully, at Captain Herrera.::

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Lieutenant (J/G) Lyanna Avery

Engineering Officer

USS Vigilant

NCC-75515-A