<snip>

“You are the new First Officer,” Duvosa said, more of a statement than a question. Her eyes fixed straight ahead, taking in the scene. She still did not know many of her fellow crew members personally, aside from knowing their names and ranks based on the personnel files she’d studied. She had only had brief encounters with a few of them, aside from Dr. Darren.

Shifting her gaze quickly to the woman standing next to her, Duvosa took her in, memorizing her appearance and facial features. She liked to commit each and every member of the crew to memory as she found it made her job easier, especially in a crisis.

-Lt jg Duvosa, Sec

Dira cast a tiny smile over at the observant officer. It was the most reasonable guess, under the circumstances as they were most definitely expecting a new executive officer to show up at some point. And while she hadn’t been announced and wasn’t even entirely sure if Taylor was expecting her specifically, it wasn’t going to take a great deal to assume the misplaced woman was about to join their crew. “Indeed I am. Dira Myqian. And you are… Duvosa, yes?” she said, searching through her memory of the small crew. At least that part had been fairly quick.

Derrick and Pilar entered the room as a couple. They greeted several of their friends and found their table and took a seat. They had left Otana with a sitter for the night so that they could relax and have some fun without the little one. Pilar accepted a glass of Andorian wine and sipped it, she and Derrick talked for a little bit and waited for the festivities to begin.

Head Nurse

Haven, CoS

Drake entered in full dress. He was planning on people watching most of the time he was here. Decorations ceremonies were a time for back patting most of the time, but who this was for, he did not know.

-Dr Drake Marshall

“Dr. Marshall,” Brad said, popping up suddenly from the surgeon’s left side, appraising his uniform. “Looking sharp,” he said, offering a small glass with a clear liquid inside.

“This could be water, this could be Andorian gin. Care to test your luck?” he asked with a grin.

Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

Pilar ordered a fish dinner, while Derrick ordered steak and as their food arrived, Pilar looked at Derrick “Do you think we are doing the right thing with Otana?” She asked “Should we do the surgery or should we wait and see if therapy helps?”

Derrick looked down at his food “I don’t know. We need to make a decision.” Pilar nodded “Okay…I think we’re going to wait. I don’t want to subject her to surgery at this point.” She said “We’re going to work with everyone and figure this out.”

Head Nurse

Willow approached the podium and gave her glass a small tap with a knife. As the room settled she smiled warmly at those assembled and glanced around the room. The tiniest of furrows crossed her brow as she spotted the woman in regular uniform and then, it was gone again.

“Fellow crew members, welcome. I would love to be holding this particular event on our own ship however recent circumstance has regretfully made that impossible. So, first of all a matter of housekeeping, You will all be happy to know that I have spoke with Admiral Davies and He assures me that the Ogawa will be repaired in no time. We have been invited to remain here On starbase 157 in the interim. I am declaring a short shore leave period and will discuss potential duties over that period when such a need arises.” She took a sip of water. Her hand shook slightly as she considered her neck words carefully. “I must also inform you all tonight that our executive officer, Commander Brookes’, following her injuries remains in a stable, yet comatose state. She is being transferred to the medical facilities on Earth this week.“

That was the bad news part of things over and done with. “And now to more happy business. This mission has been a difficult and challenging time for us all and I am honoured to work with such a capable and hardworking crew who I know that I can depend on. Even…” she smiled “…when we are attacked by holosoap operas. I can tell you that it made for some interesting explaining to starfleet and I think that given our reports the viewer rating of episodes Of Starbase hospital may go up. ” Another sip of water. Off to her right Cai put his hand over his eyes and groaned inaudibly at her small joke.

“I have entered a note of commendation and of merit in the field of departmental duties to everyone assembled.“ She continued. “But I also have a few promotions that I feel are in order.” Turning she picked up a small box containing the pips of the first promotee. “ Lieutenant Pierce if you could join me please.” She said and waited for him to come forward.

“I do believe you’re promotion to full Lieutenant and transfer is already in hand but I wanted to be the one to officially deliver your new pip to you. Congratulations.” She smiled and handed him the box and stepping back a step clapped.

Willow Taylor
CO

Mark accepted the box, holding back emotion. “Thank you sir. It’s been an honour.”

-Mark Pierce

Gordon quickly put down his glass of beer, sythahol obviously, before clapping politely for the officer in gold. Gordon has never met the man but recognised him as the chief engineer, a post that Gordon wouldn’t have thanked anyone for. Trying to keep this bath tub moving was amazing to Gordon, never mind stopping it exploding on a daily basis....

He stood at the back of the room, lurking by some other enlisted crew members to try and keep away from the officers as best he could.

Crewman Gordon Muir, Sec

Dr. Bandoo was sitting at one of the tables close to the ceremony. His feet dangled a few inches above the floor and he kicked them a little as he clapped for the Lieutenant. He didn’t really know any of them yet, not really. That didn’t stop him from being happy for them. As the clapping died down he turned to the nearest officer and smilingly asked, “So, who was that?”

Dr. Poosh Bandoo, Asst. CMO

OOC: Fixing the split.

IC:

Ana murmured a response involuntarily. “The Chief Engineer. I suppose former Chief Engineer now.” Her position left her knowledgable about the various crew of the Ogawa enough and she slid her eyes over to put a face to the voice who had asked. She added a nod of greeting and acknowledgment to the assistant CMO, whom she had already met in his boarding briefing.

Darren, CoP

Dr Jarvis sideled into the room, the air temperature seemingly dropping slightly as he entered. This was certainly not his scene, too many people. He skirted around the edge. Stopping at the refreshment table, he picked up a glass of wine and gave it a sniff. His nose wrinkled and he quickly returned it; cheap rubbish.

Spying the head counsellor, he moved to stand behind her. “So, what do you make of this nonsense, Miss Darren.”

The tinkling of the glass caught Mariah’s attention, but before she turned her full gaze toward the captain, she gestured for Haven to take a seat at her table if she wished. Grayson didn’t know if Zoi was already sitting with someone else, but the psychiatrist didn’t want to be rude and thought perhaps there would be an opportunity to talk more after the announcements were over.

~Dr. Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

Sitting in a table at the back with a drink, Geth made himself and Hades stay close to a chair as possible, wanting to keep the eyes off of him. Looking towards the Captain Geth leaned back in his chair waiting for the speech to start.

LtJg Gethmire, Engineer

Drake admired Mark’s dedication to his work, if nothing else. He accepted the glass offered to him. “I’ll take that wager.”

-Drake Marshall

Brad handed over the glass with a grin.

It was, in fact, both water and Andorian gin.

After Mark had sat and the applause had died down Willow called forth a small string of NEs who received promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade. Again she waited for the applause to die down before she stepped back to the microphone. “Congratulations everyone.” She said and looked at her PaDD.

“Being a Doctor is never easy, as many of our current crew mates will attest to, being one in space is harder still. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank each member of our medical department. Doctor Walker could you please also join me on stage.” She said searching the room for Brad. She found him and as he approached continued talking.

Surprised, he took a moment to start his approach to the stage.

“Doctor Walker has served the Ogawa well since he joined us from starfleet medical. He has manned a difficult department with calm and unwavering leadership.”

Once he had approached she smiled. “Doctor Walker, in light of your continued excellent service to the ship and crew of the USS Ogawa I hereby promote you to Commander.” She held out a small black box for Him to take. “Congratulations.” She said and stepping back applauded.

Willow Taylor
CO

Brad took the small box reverently. “Wow,” he said quietly. “I was starting to wonder if I was ever going to get this one. Thanks, Will,” he said with a smile, reaching down to give his friend and boss a hug.

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

She hadn’t been expecting the hug and at first stiffened but relaxed into it after a second and hugged back. ”you deserve it for putting up with us all.” she said with a grin.

Behind her at his table Cai made a sound like ”whoop” just once and smirked.

Names, faces. All were in her head, but it was always a different thing to see them in person, to gauge people’s body language. Her first impression was that they, as a group, were genuinely happy for each other. That was good. It would help in the transition days to come. How strongly Dira had to step into her role initially depended on what she observed in the next little while.

Commander Myqian, New XO

As she separated from Brad she leaned close and smiling quietly to him through her teeth, so low that even he would need to strain to hear her so no way the words would carry. “Stay here…I may need a sedative for this next one.”

“Sure thing,” he said just as quietly, inwardly puzzled.

Straightening again she cleared her throat. Her eyes scanned the room and stopped for a second on Myqian. She raised one eyebrow as she made brief eye contact with the woman but continued. “This next promotion is given to a crew member who…” despite being ordered not to… she thought. “…attended to emergencies with skill and diligence becoming of a starfleet officer. Despite the fs t he is in fact not one. Therefore in recognition for his work, i..” she paused a split second apparently unable to say ‘it gives me great pleasure’ and continued “…I am pleased to confer onto Doctor Jasper Jarvis, the provisional rank of Ensign and all of the privileges therein of said rank. Including surgical privileges.”

His two-year long diplomatic assignment was the only thing that kept Brad’s eyebrows fixed in place. That was … surprising.

Dr Jarvis’ eyes narrowed as he listened to the captain’s words. What the blazes, he thought, why on earth would she be promoting him? Even though he had only had a few encounters with the captain, he knew she hated him. And restoring his surgical privelages… what was her angle?

She scanned the room and waved Jasper up to collect his black box which she handed to Brad. “Don’t let him near a surgery without someone reporting to Drake or to you…” she hissed at Brad again through her smile and applauded to cover the sound.

Willow Taylor
CO

“Oh, not a chance in Hell,” Brad replied. “It’s still a standing order.”

Grudgingly, Jasper walked forwards to the front of the room. His eyes met those of the captain, searching them for any indication of her reasoning. He then turned to the commander and waitited.

Dr J. Jarvis M.D.

“Congratulations, Dr. Jarvis,” Brad said, extending a hand.

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff