Posted by Commander Dira Myqian (Executive Officer) in Main Sim - The Holodeck - The Conclusion

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Dr. Solomon Kane (Chief Science Officer/Research & Development) in Main Sim - The Holodeck - The Conclusion

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Zoi Haven (Chief of Security) in Main Sim - The Holodeck - The Conclusion
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
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Willow inclined her head. “If there is anything we can do or get you to make your journey back more comfortable please don’t hesitate to let us know.” She looked around. “If you don’t mind do you think we could keep the venue for just now? I have a few promotions and commendations and this backdrop is a nice option if that’s ok.”

Afterall all of the senior staff was present and she had been careful to ensure this not in senior positions who were deserving also happened to be off duty to attend. Once permission had been given willow wandered to the podium area and found a microphone. She tapped it once then held it away from her as the noise of static and whining punctured the air a moment.

“Folks if I could have your attention.” She waited and smiled “Given that we are all together I think an end of mission gathering can be combined with this event and save us all getting dressed up again. If we could have some refreshments and gather in the hall I have some mission end commendations and promotions that I’d like to give.”

Kane groaned. He hated all the pomp and circumstance that came with awards and promotions and blah blah blah… best get it over with and just be done.

She stepped aside and waved to both Dira and Brad in a umm over here sort of way.

Bemused, Brad made his way to her side. “You’d better not be trying to promote me again,” he whispered to her.

“I don’t think I have that authority but if you like I can get you a T-shirt that reads ‘emperor’” she bit her lip to stop herself laughing at her own joke.

Once Dira and Brad were at her side she said “right any last minute additions from medical or from the ship at large?” She asked in a hushed voice.

Dira wove her way forward towards the front and came to stand beside Taylor. They had gone over the list earlier so she had been expecting this and wore a relaxed expression as Myqian shook her had. “I think we’re good,” she said softly as she prepared to help.

Cai winked at Oscar “that’s my cue I think.” He said showing the engineer the small bag of boxes he had been carrying.

Willow Taylor
CO

Alexis was two steps away from being out of the holodeck and getting to go back to work and sighed. She turned back before anyone could tell her she had to stay. Patting her leg to get Frigga’s attention she returned to the seat she had just vacated. At least the lights wouldn’t be cut off or dimmed this time.

Bonner, AMO

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

She smiled. Of course Captain Taylor would use this time to do promotions or commendations. She smiled and watched the mix of embarrassment and eagerness that such an opportunity provided the crew.

Haven, CoS

Oscar shrugged, downed the rest of his drink, and grabbed some food that looked like it was real instead of holographic, but which he could carry in his hands in the event that the plates holding the food went away the moment he stepped through the arch. Holding some hummus-filled pita bread, Oscar followed the rest of the group out to the hallway so that the Captain could change the Holodeck to a more appropriate setting.

It seemed, in a way, appropriate. Oscar had technically joined the crew by attending one of these events, albeit he had unintentionally seated himself next to the Captain. Why not let his first official mission end with one of these things? Then again, if the Captain was going to do this every time, he was going to start finding excuses to be in Main Engineering during these celebrations.

• Oscar Cascarrabias, CE

Once everything was set and organised Willow once again took a place at the podium and cleared her throat.

“Thank you all for your patience. Now I promise that this speech will be short and to the point.” She smiled “A ship is more than its nuts and bolts. It is more than it’s mission record and it’s achievements. We stand here having been given an opportunity that few receive, to see our ship and crew at work through someone else’s perspective. I am in awe of you all, the work you do and the community we have built. Today we reward some of the key players in our last mission and recognise those who have continued to go above and beyond for both the ship and its crew.”

She turned her attention to the PaDD in front of her and began reading out a short list of commendations, excellence in the line of duty awards and years service recognitions.

As NE Oprah walked off with their service ribbon Willow search the group and locked eyes with Oscar.

“I would also like to give my thanks and an official commendation to our newly promoted Chief Engineer. Who received his promotion with his new position. I invite him however to collect his commendation for service to the ship and crew.”

She clapped as she was passed another box to hand to Oscar as he arrived.

Once the applause ebbed and the grouch had taken his seat again Willow then turned to promotions.

“Now I’d like to invite Doctor Grayson to step forward.”

Once The recipient was present Willow smiled. “It is my pleasure Doctor to promote you to Lieutenant Junior Grade.” She turned for the box and pinned the new rank in place. “Congratulations.” She said and stepped back to clap.

Kane didn’t know Grayson, but knew of their work, so their work. The promotion didn’t surprise him.

After the applause ended Willow received another box and scanned the crowd. “If Doctor Segal would join me.” She said and smiled as she waited.

Solal stepped up, surprised his name was called. The emotion was not outwardly apparent. Neither was his pride and happiness for the promotion.

“It is my pleasure Doctor to promote you to full Lieutenant.” She pinned the rank in place and stepped back. “Congratulations.” She clapped.

“Thank you, Captain,” said Solal, and returned to his seat.

Kane hadn’t dealt with the doctor before, so he clapped once and then popped a mini eclair in his mouth

Again scanning the crowd Willow found Drake and motioned for another box. “Doctor Marshall, if you would join me.” She said and waited. She removed the rank pips from the box “Doctor Marshall it is my pleasure to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.” She pinned the rank in place and stepped back and clapped. “Congratulations.”

Alexis clapped for all those receiving recognition. She was genuinely happy to see everyone recognized for their work and service. She had seen both Oscar and Grayson hard at work as well and knew the crews’ overall efforts would have been dismal without them both. Solal and Marshall has both done remarkable work and has earned the recognition for their hard work with the Romulans.

Once the room had settled again she once more scanned the crowd and spotted her next target. “Please, Doctor Bonner if you would join me.” She gave a slight rueful smile as if apologising for the spectacle but tradition dictated.

At the mention of Lex’s name, Kane put full attention on the Captain.

Alexis was surprised to hear her name called. She had ascended through the ranks quickly to full lieutenant and was the youngest to hold her position. She knew she had performed exceptionally, but after her sabbatical and subsequent events she wasn’t expecting this now. She stood and made her way to the captain, nodding to her smile.

“Doctor Bonner, it is my pleasure to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Congratulations.” She pinned the rank in place, smiled and whispered “stay here.” Before she stepped back.

Stay here? Why? What now? But she stood quietly and took the box the captain handed her with a bit of curiosity. An extra pip? Alexis might be in her own head a lot but she didn’t lose things.

Kane smiled broadly.. inside himself, of course. But he was very proud of Lex. She deserved every bit of that recognition.

Turning for the next box Willow handed it to Bonner to open. She scanned the group and said “Doctor Kane, if you would join us.” She gave a smile and when he had turned to Alexis for the rank pips. “It is my pleasure to promote you to Lieutenant Commander.” She stepped out of the way to allow Alexis to pin the pips in place and clapped. “Congratulations.” She said to both.

Oh! The captain wanted her to pin his pip on him. Had Taylor heard how irritated Solomon was with his last captain for promoting him and sending in his paperwork to become a doctor? Did she think having Alexis pin the pip on would save her from his irritation? Probably not. Taking the pip from the box she reached up and added the hollow 3rd pip to his collar. “Deserved and earned, Cmdr.” A swift “Thank you,” to Taylor and then Alexis returned to her seat.

Kane had glared at Willow the entire way up to her, glared at the box, and glared as Lex pinned the pip on his collar. Before he turned around, he whispered at Willow “You are so gonna pay for this, Skipper.” Butbhe did give her a wink and a quick nod of thanks.

Once everyone had settled again Willow gave a grin, raised her eyebrows at Dira to step forward with the final box. “And finally, Lieutenant Haven, if you could join me.” She waited a moment before continuing. “Lieutenant Haven, it is my pleasure to promote you to Lieutenant Commander.” She again stepped aside to allow Dira to pin the ranks in place. “Congratulations.” She clapped.

Zoi blinked with her eyes wide in reaction to hearing her name and her promotion. They stung with tears she barely contained through rapid blinking as she stood up and approached the Captain and XO. In all her years of service, she had received the rank of Lt Commander twice, but this time was different. This time, she would never take the demotion to take an extended leave to care for her mother and sacrifice her dreams ever again. It felt real. It felt permanent.

This of course was something Dira was especially happy to do, so as she pinned on the additional pip she smiled warmly at Zoi. “Very much deserved,” she said softly to Haven.

She looked up at Dira and smiled though the tremble in her lips made it difficult. It was beautiful to look into Dira’s face and see the pride reflected there. Zoi had someone in her life. She was vulnerable to this relationship but also fulfilled and truly happy.

Once everyone was accounted for and The boxes gone Willow smiled. “And now it’s the best part, the excuse to celebrate. Please mingle, eat, drink, sneak off, but importantly have fun. That’s an order.”

Brad had politely clapped for all the awards and promotions, Alexis’ most of all, but only slightly-less intensely for Marshall’s and Sogal’s. He then shook his head slightly at the order to have fun. Fun was something best held away from crowds.

She stepped away from the podium and grabbed a glass of wine.

Cai appeared at her side. “Cake?” He asked she smiled and took some.

Willow Taylor
CO

Dira leaned in towards Zoi. “I think a celebration is most definitely in order, don’t you?”

Commander Myqian, XO

Quickly, she closed her eyes tightly and rubbed them. For a moment, she let the feelings rush over her and through her before putting them away for later, an advantage of being a long time security officer. She looked up at Dira to see the beautiful woman she loved and nodded. “Yes I think it does dearest.”

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

Even if Alexis was inclined to ‘celebrate’ Frigga needed to be walked. But she did remind herself that part of her job was being more approachable. So she made her way over to Marshall and Solal. “Congratulations doctors.”

Bonner, AMO

“Thank you,” Solal said, looking at Alexis. “To you as well. It is deserved.” The promotion had entirely been a surprise. Solal was dedicated to his work, but he didn’t think he’d done anything outstanding recently. Either way, he was happy for it. Not that he’d admit that.

~ Solal

While the others gathered around one another to congratulate and chat Willow glanced to her side to find her brother missing. She sighed but that was all, crowds like this weren’t his thing after all.

She found Brad again. “Cake?” She grinned and offered him some of the huge slice Cai had brought her.

Willow Taylor
CO

“Did he get you half a bloody cake?” Brad asked, looking warily at what was left of the dessert, before shrugging and breaking part of it off.

She took Dira’s hand and gently pulled her from the staging area to approach the food tables. “I am starving, aren’t you?”

Haven, CoS

Kane let Alexis greet and shake hands. He was heading for the food. A quicknminuye later and he had a plate of prawns, pasta salad, and various other foodstuffs piled high and was moving towards an unoccupied table.

Kane, CSO / R&D

They had been very discreet since this thing between them had started. Very few people even knew, but here and now as Zoi breached the touch barrier in public Dira welcomed the moment, the sharing. Letting Haven pull her, Dira wore a grin. In more ways than one, she thought. It never mattered that Zoi couldn’t hear her thoughts, because the intent behind them was always clear to the El Aurian.

As they approached the food, Dira leaned in and whispered into Zoi’s ear. “I something special in mind for later, just so you know.”

Commander Myqian, XO

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff