Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - The Envelope, Please. - (Tag ALL Crew)

Posted by Lieutenant Faye Calloway (Mission Specialist) in Side Sim - The Envelope, Please. - (Tag ALL Crew)

Posted by Lieutenant Luke Wyatt (Chief of Security) in Side Sim - The Envelope, Please. - (Tag ALL Crew)
Posted by… suppressed (13) by the Post Ghost! 👻

The sound of a Boatswain whistle sounded throughout the Manhattan, followed by the Captain’s voice.

=/\= Crew and residents of the USS Manhattan, this is your Captain speaking.=/\= There was a pause for a moment, and then Cochrane continued. =/\= Well… we’ve certainly had a time of it over the past few weeks. But I am happy to report that we all made it through with flying colors. I want to thank all you for your diligence and professionalism while we sorted out some… well… let’s just say that the Manhattan will be doing its own dirty laundry from now on, not anyone else’s. So, to celebrate and commemorate that fact, we will be having a party. Ship wide. That will follow a very special awards ceremony in the new arboretum at 1900 hours this evening. Dress uniforms for all officers and enlisted. Civilian dress is formal black tie. As we cannot fit everyone on board in such a space, the ceremony will be broadcast throughout the ship. The after-party will be held in the lounge, Officer’s Mess, and Cargo bay. Attendance at the awards ceremony is mandatory for all Department Heads and Officers. Viewing is mandatory for all others. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing everyone dressed up tonight. Cochrane out. =/\=

---

At 1830, Cochrane arrived in the arboretum. It had been staged according to his directions. A stage had been set up in the center of the space, on which stood a single podium. He inspected the risers and then he looked around for any of his crew.

Cochrane, CO

OOC: This is the new garden for everyone’s reference: https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf1/manhattan/posts/116416/

(snip)

His comment left her wondering, and Raye moved around the garden more curious than before. With dress uniforms and black tie attire the mandate, she doubted it was simply a social gathering.

The fact he’d not used her first name was a bit of a sting. But she had called him Captain. Signing mentality she went in search of a drink.

Raye
Diplomat

Finally having changed Into something casually formal in the form of some tight fitting trousers, light blue shirt and no tie Luke entered arboretum. He had yet to pay a visit here and looking around he made a note to come back, behind the hustle and bustle of everyone who ha already arrived there was beauty to the setting. He made his way over to where drinks where being given out and took one for himself.

• Luke Wyatt

Cochrane spied the Security Chief and turned and looked at him. The Captain was in full Dress uniform… complete with medals. He slowly walked over to Wyatt and looked him up and down slowly. “Comfortable, Mr. Wyatt?” was all he asked.

Cochrane, CO

Luke sighed, “Not particularly sir no” He looked the Captains attire up and down and then his own, “It would seem I miss read the invitation, treats me right for taking extra shifts and working late I’m extra curricular Security projects, I can return once appropriately dressed if you want sir.” This one was entirely his fault.

Cochrane leaned in and said softly “Delegation is an art, but a necessary one for those in charge, Lieutenant. If your extra shifts and working late hamper your abilities outside your department; then perhaps you might consider trying to let your teams do their jobs without your constant presence. Just… something to ponder while you go change and get back here within the next ten minutes.” And he steeped back and nodded slightly in the direction of the door, but he did give the man a slight grin.

There was no need for a further comment, Luke nodded in understanding and left. The Capain was right ofcourse, he always found it difficult to delegate and always took on the extra work, something he clearly had to work on he thought as he left to get changed.

While not technically a part of the crew, she was for the time being. And besides, she was curious what Cochrane had planned as a way to sort out the mess that was her daughter’s status on the ship. So, in a freshly replicated dress uniform and sans any of her own medals (because she certainly hadn’t expected to need them on hand here), Shara stepped into the spare space, not sure what to expect from this garden project.

And… this was not it. As Shara took a few more steps in, her jaw actually dropped slightly. This was something else entirely. She immediately understood it, and its logic. She could see the tiny imprints of her and Faye’s colony life scattered like little jewels. It was humbling and beautiful.

Her expression lighter than she had shown to date and just a tiny bit awed, Shara moved up the path through the main garden to where things had been set up on the more open space area. She didn’t approach Cochrane, seeing that he was talking with Wyatt, but she hung back, opting to let her presence be known.

~Commander Shara Calloway

They had been far enough back to not see Faye’s mother enter the arboretum. Coming up to the door, Pretha smiled at Faye once more. “You’ve got this. And you’ve got me. So try and enjoy yourself a little bit. I’ve got your back.”

There was hesitation from Faye as they approached, but she wasn’t sure exactly what form the resistance was taking.

She waited till Faye was ready before stepping up to activate the door.

Pretha
CRIT Ldr

Taking a deep breath, and knowing that one way or another that her role on this ship would be out in the open, Faye nodded and stepped in the garden with Pretha.

She had worked many hours in this space, so it was hardly new to her. But as Faye looked around the completed garden (though it would always be a work in progress), she couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. This was as much a promise as her uniform was, though it came from a different angle.

As they stood on the stone path that went around the whole space, Faye pointed out the orchard to the right and the experimental bed to the left. Before them was a large garden with something of a forest-type space on the left and a more open space to the right. “Come on, this way,” she said, leading Pretha across the main path to the loop that would take them to where Cochrane was likely set-up. They would pass under an arbour at one point, and the soft scent of sweet flowers made Faye breathe deeply and relax.

~Faye Calloway, Data Specialist

• Lt Luke Wyatt

Cochrane saw Faye and Pretha and smiled at them and began walking their direction. He was striking in his Dress uniform, and as he walked over he nodded to some early arrivals and shook a hand or two. As he approached, keen eyes could see the awards on his chest; on top of which sat the Karagite Order of Heroism and the Starfleet Citation for Conspicuous Gallantry.

He smiled and held out a hand to them. “Lieutenants, how are you this evening?”

Cochrane, CO

Damn him! Why did he have to go and be all good looking and stuff? Despite mentally knowing that that was a path neither of them should likely go down (hello ready room fiasco), she couldn’t help her feelings. It would take time. And them hashing stuff out, no doubt. Faye took his hand and shook it, glad to have some sort of reality connected to his response to her. Everything had been so mixed lately that, even if it was a show for public consumption, it felt believable. “Wanting to be anywhere but here, but kudos on picking the garden, because it’s hard to be too anxious in a place like this,” Faye said with a smile. She didn’t know if he had ever poked his head in to see the progress, but she was dying to know what he thought of the transformation.

~Faye Calloway, Data Specialist

Having finally changed into his dress uniform Luke returned, his daughter always told him he polished up well and on this occasion he paid extra detail to not stand out in a negative way again. Like the Captain Luke had his own medals, not as many ofcourse but enough that he could feel the slight pull of weight above his chest and if anyone asked about them they’d make a food converation. He equipped another drink and roamed, glimpsing the Captain talking to Calloway and who he knew to be Pretha, who was someone else he’d like to meet the CRit unit in board was another headache waiting to happen.

• Lt Luke Wyatt

Cochrane’s eyes darted to the Lieutenant as he came in. As his path from the drink table neared but didn’t quite meet up with them, Cochrane said loudly “Much better, Mr. Wyatt. Amazing the things one can do when one listens.” The words may have been harsh, but the chuckle and the small grin made it clear it wasn’t intended as anyting but some good natured ribbing. “Do come join us.” Cochrane said after he let the words sit a moment.

Cochrane, CO

Pretha nodded as Faye commented about the garden. “Evening, sir. I’m well, thank you. And Faye outta right, excellent choice of location. It really turned out gorgeous.” Get final words were more aimed at Faye but she clasped her hands before her and glanced around the place.

Despite the fact they were safely ensconced on the ship, Pretha’s security minded mentality was always at work. Probably more so with the captain present. She remembered another time, seemingly a lifetime ago, in a holodeck Country Fair program where she constantly scanned the crowds for trouble, unable to relax. The XO had dragged her out to dance and distracted her till she was actually relaxed and having fun. That relationship had grown, then ended. The decommissioning of the ship had slung them to different sides of the galaxy.

Shaking herself mentally from the memory, both pleasant and painful, she saw Wyatt arrive and heard the Captain’s comment. He was someone she hadn’t sat down with yet and gotten to know. A slight she’d certainly remedy very soon.

He hid his annoyance and embarrassment, especially… mostly because Faye was present “Thankyou sir, I’m sorry about the mistake I haven’t been at my peak recently.” He looked to both Faye and Pretha, “Its nice to see you” some location for a ceremony” To emphasise he looked around before looking at the trio already assembled.

Lt Luke Wyatt

Quickly she turned her attentions back to the Captain and Faye, praying she hadn’t missed a comment aimed in her direction.

Pretha
CRIT Ldr

Faye couldn’t help but beam slightly as she gazed about. “Wait till you take a proper walk around. If you follow the main path around you’ll get to The Hill. It’s all terraced with connecting paths so you can go close to the top and look out over the whole garden.” It was at least a subject she could talk about easily.

~Faye Calloway, Data Specialist

Cochrane smiled. He knew he had chosen the perfect location. “There will time enough for sight seeing after the ceremony. Now, if you all will excuse me, I have to make sure I have my speech ready.” and he lifted his glass and turned and walked towards the stage, pulling a mini-PaDD from his pocket.

Cochrane, CO

OOC: Fixing Split

Luke couldn’t help but notice that Faye was still wearing the hair pin he had given to her for protection, trying not to over think it he allowed himself a small victory. “Maybe you’d give me a tour sometime, it’s different to see you so interested in something that doesn’t have an electronic signature. “He sipped his drink and chuckled, “A relief almost.” He had a few questions, damn he always had a few questions for her and yet she provided very few answers and when she did… more questions. He gave her a smile before turning to the other Lieutenant but she seemed to be reading the groups conversation different.

“I’ll get us all drinks. Wyatt, can you help me?” She wasn’t sure why, but she had a gut feeling that leaving the other two alone a moment was the right thing to do. She winked at Faye and headed for the refreshments set up.

Pretha
CRIT Ldr

“Sure” Luke looked to the Captain and then to Faye feeling as if he had interupptwd something, he’d have to ask Faue about that another time. “So Lieutenant, we haven’t had the opportunity to sit down and meet formally, your CRIT reports show promising results.” He asked following her.

Lt Luke Wyatt