Ceremonies of Light Part 2

Posted on 18 Jan 2020 @ 5:38pm by Captain Jasmine Somers FCapt & Master Chief Petty Officer Lucy Armitage & Sergeant Major Christopher "Chris" Kildare & Captain Maia Sterling & Lieutenant Commander Alexanderia Cahill & Lieutenant Commander Cody Parker & Lieutenant Commander Remington Dodd & Lieutenant Paul Winchester & Lieutenant Lamia ‘Mia’ Kildare & Lieutenant Serina "Reaper" Donovan & Lieutenant JG K'Rin "Tiger" C'Tinu & Ensign Teela Tjaansz
Edited on on 01 Feb 2020 @ 4:12pm

3,754 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: S02 Episode 2: Once More Unto the Breach (Incidental Posts)
Location: Ceremonial Hall
Timeline: Mission 1 S3 Day 26

[ON]

10:00…

Now that all the crew were assembled the caterers worked in the rear putting the final touches to the food and drink, standing on the stage her hands resting on the dais Somers activated the voice amplifier and cleared her throat to grab everyone’s attention.

“Welcome all the crew of the USS Tomcat, while it is the festive season according to human tradition, I figured this would also be a time to give out some awards and one lucky Lieutenant Jg will be getting promoted. So without further ado, we will begin with the Purple Heart, this is being awarded to those who suffered mental and physical degradation at the hands of their captors before we could rescue them in a sense these are injuries sustained in an active operation, so would the following Officers please come up to the stage” Somers paused to allow reactions.

Lamia looked at Chris just briefly before taking a deep breath and waiting to see if she was going to be called as Chris had suggested.

Dodd felt his hand tighten his grip on Walon’s hand. He was sure he did not deserve this honour, but he knew Walon had dealt with much more than he emotionally.

Iria gripped Remy’s hand as she sat beside him. The Captain’s words had a visible effect on several officers. Some straightened up, while others relaxed slightly, most appeared to be very attentive to the next words and names called.

All the crew had finally arrived and all applauded at the correct moments.

When all had once again quietened down Jasmine continued “Could the following names for the Purple Heart please come up to the stage *pause* Lieutenant Remington Dodd, Lieutenant Junior Grades Amiri Aldana, Iria Walon, Serina Donovan and Lamia Arderne” Somers said loudly and joined the round of applause while MCPO Armitage picked up the tray with the medals on it.

Lamia paused for a moment before stepping forward and making her way nervously to the stage. She was glad Dodd was going to be up there with her, she felt a connection to him after everything they’d been through and the baby, they’d both lost.

Since Dodd was called first for being a full lieutenant, he did pause at the bottom of the steps to help all the female officers up the stairs as many of them did wear the approved alternatives to the dress uniforms (mainly heals and skirts), so he did the gentlemanly thing and offered assistance as he wanted to be sure Walon and the others all got up the steps safely.

oO I only hope that I can contain my emotions for not only myself but Iria and Lamia, as I know they get over emotional about receiving awards, to begin with, but this is a different type of award. Oo Dodd thought to himself to keep Iria and Lamia from picking up on his mental state.

Lamia looked towards Dodd as he paused by the steps to help the others up onto the stage. She offered a smile and a nod as she caught his eye, she wanted to talk to him and see how he was coping since their combined loss. Her glance turned back to Chris keeping him firmly within her view, seeing him there helped with her nerves.

Serina’s knees buckled as John quickly held her steady. The shock of hearing her name floored her. “Serina hun steady now…go on up there and stand with Lamia and the rest,” John said softly giving her a slight push.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly made her way up there and stood next to Lamia. Her knees were weak still, but she was standing none the less with her crewmates.

Iria gave Remy a quick smile as he made sure she and the other ladies got up the stage stairs safely. It was small things like this action that made him such a good person, she was very blessed indeed to know him and be his fiancée.

Aldana felt flushed as soon as the hir name was called, it seemed like it made sense, but many others had been through far more during their collective ordeal. S/he knelt briefly to fiddle with hir digitigrade-style footwear. S/he wasn’t used to wearing any at all, but the invitation had indicated full dress uniforms – no exceptions – so s/he had to endure the stifling, chafing monstrosities and pray the ceremony wouldn’t be too long.

~Ready little one?~ S/he gazed at Sombra who was in his full-service animal regalia and groomed to the nines.

Noticing a subtle cue Sombra hopped up briefly, setting his forepaws on Alpha’s shoulders, so s/he could give him a quick hug for emotional support and stability.

Hir eyes watering a bit at his amazing abilities to pick up on hir needs, Aldana embraced Sombra briefly before rising again, and together they enjoyed the queue on stage.

After all the female officers had preceded up to the stage, Dodd then took his place on the stage. He was just doing what he felt was the gentlemanly thing to do.

Dr Cahill applauded as they were called forward and then continued to enjoy herself. oO She thought to herself she doesn’t expect anything this time around. She had only done her job as best she was able and had no reason to expect anything.

She took a look at her PADD checking about the refit in sickbay and studying the early reports on some things she sent to sickbay and the Science Lab on the starbase.

When all those called were standing on the stage Lucy held up the box and followed the Captain as she walked up to Lieutenant Dodd “Lieutenant Remington Dodd, for injuries both mental and physical, sustained on our recent mission it is my honour to present you with the Purple Heart I would like to thank you for your service and sacrifice to both the Tomcat and the Federation” Somers said pinning the medal to Dodd’s chest and holding out her hand.

“Thank you, Captain,” Dodd stated as he shook the captain’s hand.

With a smile, she moved down to Lieutenant Jg Iria Walon and repeated the same for her as she did the rest who was standing before her “Lieutenant Iria Walon, for injuries both mental and physical, sustained on our recent mission it is my honour to present you with the Purple Heart I would like to thank you for your service and sacrifice to both the Tomcat and the Federation” Somers said pinning the medal to Walon’s chest and holding out her hand.

Iria shook the Captain’s hand, “Thank you, Captain.” Iria said softly, her voice was trembling; she wasn’t used to being addressed in front of so many folks, but at least she wasn’t alone, Remy was up there with her and so was Lamia and the others she didn’t know well yet, but she quietly hoped that time would change that.

Walking down to the next one Armitage following behind her Captain as she went and stopped in front of Aldana with a smile, she moved down to Lieutenant Jg Amiri Aldana and repeated the same for her as she did the rest who was standing before her “Lieutenant Amiri Aldana, for injuries both mental and physical, sustained on our recent mission it is my honour to present you with the Purple Heart I would like to thank you for your service and sacrifice to both the Tomcat and the Federation” Somers said pinning the medal to Aldana’s chest and holding out her hand.

Aldana hadn’t seen much of the attractive Yeoman before. S/he smiled at her as s/he stood at attention, chest out hoping s/he didn’t stumble. Suddenly s/he recalled s/he was in the middle of receiving a medal. “Thank you, captain,” s/he was barely able to whisper, as s/he focused on trying not to look past Somers out to the crowd. Amiri wanted to hug her but knew better so received and shook her hand instead.

As coached and practised before, Sombra sat-up at attention, out of respect for his Alpha’s Alpha-alpha.

Next came to the Commander Air Group again repeating the process With a smile, she moved down to Lieutenant Jg Serina Donovan and repeated the same for her as she did the rest who was standing before her “Lieutenant Serina Donovan, for injuries both mental and physical, sustained on our recent mission it is my honour to present you with the Purple Heart I would like to thank you for your service and sacrifice to both the Tomcat and the Federation” Somers said pinning the medal to Donovan’s chest and holding out her hand.

Serina took the outstretched hand and shook it while looking at the captain, “thank you, Captain,” she said smiling.

And finally, she arrived at the last officer to get this medal, picking up the last medal With a smile, she moved down to Lieutenant Jg Lamia Arderne and repeated the same for her as she did the rest who was standing before her “Lieutenant Lamia Arderne, for injuries both mental and physical, sustained on our recent mission it is my honour to present you with the Purple Heart I would like to thank you for your service and sacrifice to both the Tomcat and the Federation” Somers said pinning the medal to Arderne’s chest and holding out her hand.

Lamia looked at Somers, “I’m honoured, thank you, Captain.” She shook her hand, her glance turning towards Chris down in the audience.

The assembled crew were applauding as the officers were getting their medals none more than Kildare, the applause died down as the Captain spoke “well done all of you” she said and as they left the stage she turned to the assembled.

“Okay, here is the first of two unplanned awards, this one is automatically awarded, but I figure it was time to make it acknowledged could First Lieutenant Regan Risum please come up to the stage, to accept the Basic Marine Training Award, this is an award that is given to all new Marines who are posted on the Tomcat,,” she said as she applauded to get Risum up to the stage.

Reagan shook his head slightly and smirked as he made his way onto the stage.

When the Lieutenant was up on stage the Captain pinned the award on to his chest and as she offered her hand “welcome to the USS Tomcat Lieutenant” she said.

“Thank you, Captain. It’s an honor to be on the Tomcat.” Reagan said with a nod.

While this was going on down among the crowd Kildare gave Arderne a reserved friendly embrace “I want to echo the Captain’s sentiments and I am proud of you Mia” he said quietly to her.

“Thank you, Chris!” Lamia was wishing she could cuddle him right there but being an official event certain decorum had to be observed. The cuddle would have to wait until later. “I wonder who the other award is for?”

Giving Mia a friendly smile “other than what I have said, I got no idea” Kildare responded.

When Serina made it back to where John was waiting, he hugged her tight, “Serina honey, I am so proud of you. Now you understand why I still want to marry you…your so damned brave!” he said smiling at her.

Serina could only smile at him ‘cause she was so lost for words!

Parker stood at attention through the proceedings, upon their completion, he let out a whoop and cheered for the newly awarded.

Taggert and her friend Tjaansz stood and clapped for those who got the purple heart. oO I’m glad they’re back safe and sound. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I’d been one of the crews who had been kidnapped Oo Nicci thought to herself.

Serina’s butterflies had stopped making her queasy finally as she began to relax. With John next to her she began to realize that having two children was not going to hurt her career. Many officers had left their children with their grandparents to raise them. As long as her parents were going to live on the starbase, she would see them when the Tomcat came home.

*Clears her throat loudly* “Okay all for the next award the Mission Excellence Award“ she announced as the noise quietened down “would the following Officers please come up to the stage” she paused for effect. “Commander Maia Sterling, Lieutenant Remington Dodd, Lieutenant Junior Grades Arderne and Donovan.

Lamia looked at Kildare in surprise. This award had come completely out of the blue. She took a deep breath before moving toward the stage once again.

Serina spits out the mouthful of wine when the captain announced her name again with the group, almost choking…! Looking at John then the captain then back to John again before she got up again. Knees weak and very shaky, she barely managed to get up to walk towards the stage yet again finally making it and stood to the far right.

Commander Maia Sterling strode onto the stage and took her place on the far left of the podium. She stood at relative attention looking more like a Marine than a Starfleet officer.

Dodd took his place on stage while feeling like he did not deserve this award, he knew that the captain was fair when it came to her decision. Dodd stood at attention and awaited the presentation.

When all officers were standing there, Jasmine started with her First Officer “Commander Sterling for contributions during our last mission I am proud to award you with the Mission Excellence Award” she said pinning the award to Maia’s chest and offering her hand.

Maia sharply saluted then warmly shook her Captains hand. “Thank you, Captain,” Maia said.

*smiling as she moved on to Lieutenant Dodd* “Lieutenant Dodd for contributions during our last mission I am proud to award you with the Mission Excellence Award” she repeated only replacing the officer’s name and rank otherwise she would do the same as she went down the line.

“Thank you, Captain,” Dodd said as he received the award and shook the captain’s hand.

*again, smiling as she moved onto the next one* “Lieutenant Serina Donovan for contributions during our last mission I am proud to award you with the Mission Excellence Award” again she repeated the process as she did with the others.

“Thank you, Captain,” Serina said shaking the captain’s hand warmly.

Finally, she arrived at the last officer* “Lieutenant Lamia Arderne for contributions during our last mission I am proud to award you with the Mission Excellence Award” she repeated and went through the same motions.

Lamia smiled as much as she could, she didn’t consider herself worthy of this award, but she accepted it gracefully. “Thank you, Captain.” She looked at the crowd and in particular Kildare.

Chris looked up at Mia and proudly smiled as their eyes met, his PADD beeped and he saw something that even surprised him and so when she returned to his side he whispered “well-done hon, I think there will be celebrations later” this was loud enough for only Lamia to hear.

Lamia nodded and smiled the biggest smile yet. “The only celebration I need is to spend time with you.” She kept her voice low enough for only Chris to hear.

oO Hellcat this one! Oo He thought, then he wondered if her empathic ability was picking up on his bout of emotional thoughts, but simply smiling “I have a feeling that the awards for certain people are not yet over” he said and fell silent as he looked back up to the stage.

When Serina made it back to her seat John hugged her. “Oh hun, I am so proud of you! Your parents are going to be tickled pink,” he said. Serina was crying tears of joy, not because of John’s presence but because she finally accepted what had happened finally and came to terms with it.

The Captain allowed the applause to die down before she continued “Okay this next one is the Five and One Year Tour of Duty Ribbon, will Lieutenant JGs, Walon, Aldana, Donovan and Arderne please come up to the Stage, Lieutenant Walon has done a 5 year Tour on the Tomcat, Lieutenants Aldana, Donovan and Arderne have done one year tour, come up and accept your service ribbons” Somers finished and applauded as the named officers once again came up on stage.

Iria had sat still shocked by the words she had been part of the crew for five years? That didn’t seem right, but it wasn’t like she paid attention to the date she had joined the crew. She gave Remy a wry grin as she headed for the stage again.

~~ I love you, Imzadi. So very proud of you. ~~ Dodd thought to Walon as she stood to make her way to the stage once more.

Iria had to fight to not search out Remy's face, as his thought to her of his love and pride-filled her head, her eyes crinkled as she smiled, marching up the stage steps carefully.

The hermaphroditic doctor was a bit surprised; s/he hadn’t noticed where the time had gone. S/he felt a bit perplexed; though s/he did as s/he’d been requested.

Serina was stunned. A year had passed already, and she never noticed it as she never really kept track of how much time had passed. John had a big smile as she got up again and went back to the stage to stand with the rest of her shipmates.

Lamia was starting to enjoy going back and forth to the stage, at least this time it was for her length of service. Had she been here for a year already? The time had seemed to fly by.

As the clearly surprised, or some were formed up in a line on stage and Lucy came forward with a tray that had four ribbons on it; one 5 Year and three One Year.

Starting with Walon “Lieutenant Walon congratulations on achieving the five-year mark on your tour of duty” the Captain said as she picked up the five-year ribbon and pinned it next to the other one, she sported and held out her hand.

"Thank you, Captain," Iria replied slightly clearer than the first time she acknowledged her acceptance of receiving an award. **~~Time flies so they say.~~** she thought to herself as she shook the Captain's hand.

With a smile, she moved down to Serina picking up the One-year ribbon and pinning it to her other “Well done Lieutenant Donovan on making it to the One-year mark on the Tomcat.” she repeated the motions with Donovan and with

Shaking the captain’s hand yet again, “Thank you, Captain. It was a most interesting first year for me, and a learning experience,” Serina said accepting the award graciously.

Another smile and now she was in front of Arderne pinning the ribbon on the officer’s chest “congratulations Lieutenant Arderne on surviving one-year on the Tomcat.” Somers said and again held out her hand.

Finally, Somers arrived at her Deputy Chief Medical Officer and repeated the ribbon process “congratulations, Lieutenant Aldana, on making it to the one-year mark.” she said and held out her hand.

Amiri was barely holding back “happy tears” this time. S/he took hir captain’s hand again, but s/he couldn’t hold back anymore, others had been able to express themselves in their attire, so instead of shaking the captain’s hand, Doctor Aldana used it as leverage and pulled her into a friendly hug. S/he knew it was unexpected and might make Somers uncomfortable, so s/he held it for only a brief time before breaking it. “It’s been an honour and a pleasure captain.”

As she stepped back so she could see all four of them “I hope that you will have many more years on the Tomcat, congratulations to you all.” Somers added and started the applause as the four officers returned to the crowd, the applauses kept up until all were among the crowd again and the Captain signalled for silence so she could continue.

“Okay, now before we move onto the final Awards, initially there was only to be one promotion from Lieutenant Jg to full Lieutenant, but the first of two promotions,” she said then fell silent.

Lamia had returned to Kildare’s side; she was feeling a lot less nervous than she had been thankful. She was starting to enjoy herself, which felt good after everything that had happened. She gently took hold of his hand, offering him a warm smile.

Returning the handhold, he turned to smile at her, she could pick up on emotions so he suspected she could pick up how proud he was of her.

Serina sat back down next John as the captain announced another award was to be handed out. “Oh my god! I wonder who it is now????” she remarked.

[OFF]

Fleet Captain Jasmine Somers
Commander Officer

Commander Maia Sterling
First Officer/Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant Commander Alexanderia Cahill MD
Chief Medical Officer/2XO

Lieutenant Remington Dodd
Chief Engineer

Lieutenant Paul Winchester
Chief Intelligence Officer

Lieutenant Jg Lamia 'Mia' Arderne
Chief Operations Officer

Lieutenant Cody Parker
Chief of Security

Lt. Jg Iria Walon
Chief Counsellor

Lt. Jg Nicole Taggert
Assistant Chief Engineer

Lt. Jg Amiri Aldana 365 D.V.M., M.D
Assistant Chief Medical Officer/Counsellor

Lieutenant JG Serina 'Reaper' Donovan
CAG/Raider 1/Helm Officer

1st Lieutenant Regan Risum
Marine Commanding Officer

MCPO1 Lucy Armitage [P: Somers]
Captain's Yeoman

Ensign Teela Tjaansz [P: Taggert]
Engineer

Lt Jg John 'Sickle' Martinson [P:Donovan]
Pilot, Raider 2

Ensign Doya Emja [P: Dodd]
Damage Control Specialist

Sgt Major Chris 'Maverick' Kildare [P: Somers]
95th Rifles Demolitions

CWO Sombra C.G.CA/U, PSA,C.ESA [P: Aldana]
Counsellors aide/Morale Officer

CWO Luuna (Luna) C.G.CA/U [P: Aldana]
Security Officer

 

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