SIM:Skyfire, Chythar/Reactions
((Holodeck 7, Enchanted Forest, Starbase 118))
Daniels: :: grinned wryly at Skyfire :: Well, here's hoping that I won't disappoint! ::He paused briefly.:: So, how long have you two been post--
::Colt's sentence was abruptly cut off by a sound that he could really only describe as a squeak. As he turned towards the source of the din he was surprised by it's point of origin. The familiar form of Katy Orman was making a bee-line for him at a rapid clip. Turning back to his two recent acquaintances, he spoke with a smile.::
Daniels: If you guys will excuse me.
:: Chythar watched the conversation, unable to find anything to say. He too took a step back, but began thinking about what to do with himself. He was a bit depressed still, he hadn't slept very much in the last 24 hours, and that brief catnap he took started to wear off. His mind was racing, the thought from before about having a love interest still bothering him. ::
Taybrim: ::Looking towards Scott:: I think I’m going to seek out Commander Livingston for some covert shenanigans. Want to come with or are you comfortable with Doctor Folds and Doctor Skyfire for the time being?
Folds/Walker: ?
Skyfire: Have fun when you do. We can keep an eye on him, no problem.
Taybrim: Oh, I’ll let the Commander make that call. I’m just the programmer ::he winked::
Walker/Folds:
Skyfire: Maybe I should go get started on that special bowl, or were you just kidding about that?
TAYBRIM: Response
:: The answer suprised him. A bit of watermelon in the soup would definitely confuse them, but then again, with all the sherry that was still in the soup who would know the difference? ::
SKYFIRE: Livingston, or Vitor? Both?
TAYBRIM: Response
:: Skyfire shrugged and looked toward the others his stomach starting to rumble a little. With a wince, he replied::
SKYFIRE: I'm going to go see if I can find that deliciously tasty cough syrup Ansocm is teasing me about. Anyone wish to follow?
TAYBRIM/WALKER/FOLDS/DANIELS:
:: Orman declined to follow, at the very least.
:: Chythar lost track of the conversation, his gaze wandering as he began to head toward where he thought the food was, but realized as he got about five feet from it that Kali was about to make her speech. He paused. Turned. Faced her, his captain. ::
::The built in acoustics of it all amplified her voice just enough to allow all to hear her.::
Nicholotti: Good evening all. I hope everyone is enjoying this as much as I am. Thank you to those who put this together on short notice for us.
::Gesturing towards Silveira, and then the science officer who had written the program (or at least compiled it), she led the group in applause.::
Nicholotti: Of course, I’m learning that everyone had their own part, so whatever that part is or was, thank you for adding to the wonder of the night.
::Another round of applause danced around the clearing, dying down quickly and allowing her to continue.<wiki>::</nowiki>
Nicholotti: As most of you know, these gatherings are notorious for promotions and awards, both of which I’d like to present before we get too far into the night.
::Smiling, she took a short breath, gathering her thoughts before moving on.::
Nicholotti: This crew, as a whole, has performed admirably in every way, and as a Captain, I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to serve with. That said, there are a few who Captain Walker and I reviewed for promotion shortly before the events of our last mission. ::Taking a deep breath.:: In his absence, I will now present those promotions in a manner he’d appreciate.
::Though that last bit might not have made sense, it was the truth. He’d often told her he thought a public promotion was more appreciative of the work these officers did, and though she preferred giving each of them one on one time in her ready room, she would deviate this time.::
Nicholotti: First, I’d like to congratulate the newly promoted Lieutenant Commander Livingston on his most recent promotion. Though he’s already received his new pip, I feel he deserves recognition for the hard work that brought him to this new rank, complete with its rights and privileges.
:: Chythar joined in the applause, happy for the new commander. His own emotions of depression, loneliness, and weariness didn't bother him at the moment. He was enjoying the atmosphere, and soon he'd eat his tasty concoction that was alleged to taste like cough serum. He knew differently -- it tasted nothing like. He'd just laugh at Folds, Taybrim and the others when they realized it tasted better than cough serum. ::
Nicholotti: Would you join me up here, Commander?
::Waiting for a moment, she allowed him time to join her. Perhaps this was all a test run, or maybe her mind was already made up. Either way, this would be an exercise in the potential future.::
Livingston: Response?
:: Nicholotti leaned over to whisper something to the newly minted commander in a brief exchange before there was a continuation. The applause was not quite deafening, but enough so that Chythar couldn't quite make out what the two were discussing. Once it died down, the captain continued. ::
Nicholotti: First, let me ask that you join me up here when I call you. ::She paused.:: Ensigns Folds, Cuthbert, and Skyfire.
::Skyfire joined his two comrades in a processional march to the stage. When they got there, she took her time, walking first to Folds,handing him his new half pip, and shaking his hand, then to Cuthbert, doing the same, and finally to Skyfire. As the half pip landed in his hand, Chythar's eyes widened for just a moment. The captain was looking at him with a look that said 'You done good, kid' and grin to match. He forced himself to return her gaze and meet those pride-filled eyes. He blinked first, as though seeing the well of pride within her was nearly blinding to him. At the instant he blinked, she returned her gaze to the crowd assembled. ::
Nicholotti: I hereby promote you to Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all rights and privileges therein.
:: His eyes widened just a smidge more, as though they weren't wide enough already from feeling the half pip in his hand. oO Did I hear that right? I'm a Lieutenant Junior Grade? My hearing must still be borked. Oo A moment later, another thought. oO No. It isn't. Oh, Johanna...I am sorry you couldn't be hear to share this moment.... Oo The grief struck him rather hard, and he forced himself not to think of it. The two of them wrapped along together nicely after they'd put their initial incident behind them, and he tried to envision her smiling face watching this moment. ::
:: There was a long pause, as each of them tried to find words. ::
Folds/Cuthbert: Response?
SKYFIRE: oO Say something, you idiot. Oo :: Beat. :: Thank you, Captain.
Nicholotti: Furthermore, Lieutenant JG Folds will also be stepping into the Chief Medical Officer’s role. ::Turning towards him.:: Congratulations!
:: Now Chythar was truly surprised, but he forced himself not to show it. oO Did I hear that right? I'm the senior officer in that I've been here the longest, and yet...I'm passed over? That doesn't make any sense. Oo A few seconds later, another thought. oO She must've seen something special in Anscom to deem him worthy of that role. I don't have any leadership qualities. He does. That's why. Oo He continued to remind himself that Anscom displayed leadership where he did not, therefore no reason to get jealous. He forced his face to schooled neutrality as applause roared once more and Folds found his tongue. ::
Folds: Response?
:: A hand was held up to prevent their leaving the stage. He paused, taking a moment to put his new half-pip in his shirt pocket. ::
Nicholotti: While I have you here…
:: Her voice trailed off for a moment as she moved over to the newly promoted Folds. ::
Nicholotti: Anscom Folds, for participating in an event that uncovered an Iconian gateway during our last mission, I hereby present you with the Gateway Ribbon. For working to cure the plague, I hereby present you with the Medical Science Ribbon. For saving the lives of countless Agurthan citizens, I present you the Lifesaving Ribbon. And for saving Lieutenant Cuthbert on Agurtha, I present you with the Gold Lifesaving Ribbon.
Folds: Response?
::Another shake of the hand and she stepped out of the way, gesturing towards Livingston to step in and actually hand the man his newly earned ribbons. While he did so, Kali moved to Cuthbert. More applause as ribbons were dispensed. Once it died down, Chythar kept his gaze on her and wondered. oO I doubt anything in that box is for me. If she'd read my report, she'd know I wasn't after any awards. She would have seen my note about how I wasn't after a promotion either. Oo::
Nicholotti: Alden Cuthbert, for participating in an event that uncovered an Iconian gateway during our last mission, I hereby present you with the Gateway Ribbon. For the injury you suffered in the line of duty, I present you with the Purple Heart. And for working diligently with our Romulan counterparts on Agurtha, I present you with the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Cuthbert: Response?
::Again, Kali smiled and offered the new Lt. Cuthbert her full attention for a short moment, shaking his hand and moving to the side to allow Livingston room to move in. She stepped up in front of Skyfire and her smile grew just a bit bigger. The look on the captain's face was one like a proud mother would give her son for making the honor roll. As she stood in front of him, he swallowed hard and he gave her his full attention, sweat starting to form on his forehead from nervousness. He'd never been in this kind of position before, so he had no idea what to expect. Muscles tensed, his half-pip tucked away in his shirt pocket, he wondered strongly now what could be in that box. He wasn't ready to receive it, whatever it was. oO In this fashion, on top of a promotion...what did I do....? Oo ::
Nicholotti: Chythar Skyfire, for participating in an event that uncovered an Iconian gateway during our last mission, I hereby present you with the Gateway Ribbon. For your miracle now known as the Skyfire Cure, I present you with the Medical Science Ribbon. I also award you the Legion of Merit for this accomplishment. You saved an entire planet, and perhaps more. ::She paused a moment, letting that sink in before continuing.:: For your work with our Romulan counterparts, I present you with the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. And for saving lives in the line of duty, I present you with the Lifesaving Ribbon.
Skyfire: oO Say something, you idiot. Oo :: Beat. :: Thank you, Captain.
:: Chythar shook the captain's hand with a firm grip, wishing he could feel the pride that she felt for him. He was amazed and overwhelmed by the sensation of the emotional high, and his thoughts were racing. He seemed a bit too emotionally stunned to think clearly about any of it. He needed to respond. He needed to say something else, to assure her he was fine; but he couldn't think of anything more. As she stepped aside and Ben presented him with his own fruit salad, he swallowed hard. He wasn't sure what to make of it. He now had a whole lot of things to mention at their counseling session, which was to take place after the festivities. Possibly before he got so drunk he didn't remember any of this. ::
Nicholotti: Would Ensigns Morgan, Taybrim, and Shedet join me please.
:: Chythar watched and collapsed into a chair. The emotional high was still overpowering to him, his pulse racing. He was still recovering from the nervousness that went with being called out like that, even more so from the promotion which caught him by surprise. ::
Nicholotti: Sal Taybrim, though you came to us during the later stages of our mission, the impact of having a capable counselor aboard has already made itself known. As such, I am presenting you with the Gateway Ribbon for your participation in the events that involved the Iconian Gateway.
Taybrim: Response?
Nicholotti: Alexander Morgan. You also joined us a bit late in the game, but your contributions to the mission and the medical care of officers we held dear is well deserving of the Gateway Ribbon as well.
Morgan: Response?
:: Each man was handed ribbons, and Chythar felt himself calm down slightly when she reached Shedet. He was still tense, but he was still staring at his ribbons in his hand. Wondering if he truly deserved them. If he could really do his mentor proud. oO If only... Oo and abruptly killed that line of thought for himself, as it was dark and negative. Not the sort of thing for the mood right now.
Nicholotti: Shedet, for participating in the discovery of the plague, and the Iconian gateway, I hereby present you with the Gateway Ribbon. For your work with our Romulan counterparts on Agurtha, I also present you with the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Shedet: Response?
:: More applause filled the room. More moments for Chythar to sit and reflect. More moments for him to calm himself. It was as he struggled for calm he remembered his fractured mental shielding, so he took a few deep breaths and made an attempt to work on it. ::
Nicholotti: Lieutenant JG Collim Kieran.
:: There was a pause as the Lieutenant made her way to the captain's side. ::
Nicholotti: It is my experience that there are two kinds of Intelligence officers out there. ::Indeed, she had discovered this not long ago in digging up the dirty type right here on 118 during the Reikara crisis.:: There are those who are interested only in the power that the cloak and dagger approach can grant. ::Turning towards the woman next to her, she continued.:: Then there are those who do an amazingly good job right when we need it.
:: There was something passed between the two, and Chythar couldn't quite see from his not-vantage point what it was. ::
Nicholotti: You have gone above and beyond the call of duty and have become an integral member of this crew. Your hard work shows, even if the end result isn’t always what I see. Therefore, it is my pleasure to promote you to full lieutenant, with all the rights and privileges therein.
Collim: Response?
:: There was another pause, with an allusion to more. Chythar blinked. He wondered idly oO Everyone receive an award for this? Really? Oo but quickly shut that thought down. He needed to calm down, rebuild what was broken in his mind. He needed to focus. Breathe. So he did so, taking a few more deep breaths and exhaling slowly. ::
Nicholotti: Collim Kieran, I also present you with the Gateway Ribbon, for your participation and contribution to the discovery of the Iconian Gateway on Agurtha. For working with our Romulan counterparts on the planet, I present you with the Joint Meritorious Unit Award as well.
Collim: Response?
::This time she shook the woman’s hand and moved out of the way. Livingston stepped in and Kali presented the newly promoted Lieutenant to the crowd.::
Nicholotti: Lieutenant Silveira, Lieutenant Commander Brek, Lieutenant Walker, and Lieutenant Commander Orman, if you would please join me.
:: He wasn't sure what to make of her at the moment. The captain seemed so calm and
Nicholotti: Luna Walker, it is with great pleasure that I present you with the Gateway Ribbon for your part in our last mission. Though you arrived late, I think everyone will agree that you played a pretty important role. I also present you with the Prisoner of War Ribbon, and the Purple Heart, for having gone through the experience you suffered while in the hands of the Romulan Tal’Shiar.
:: Chythar listened, not understanding Luna's experience. All he knew was that she had been crucial in his research toward his curative miracle. He took a breath and exhaled slowly. ::
Walker: Response?
Nicholotti: Vitor Silveira, for your part in the discovery of the Iconian Gateway, I hereby present you with the Gateway Ribbon. Though you were not ‘in the thick of things’ as they say, without you and your contributions, things might have turned out dramatically different.
Silveira: Response?
::Once she'd finished speaking to the shindig-instigator, his pulse slowed a bit as he began to relax enough to what was considered a normal pulse rate for him. ::
Nicholotti: Brek, for your part in the mission where the Iconian Gateway was discovered, I hereby present you with the Gateway Ribbon. Your work with the Romulans was essential to the overall cure and the potential future stability of the planet.
Brek: Response?
:: More movement. More words. She moved to the security officer, and began again. ::
Nicholotti: Katy Orman, for participating in the events surrounding the discovery of the Iconian Gateway on Agurtha, I hereby present you with the Gateway Ribbon. Once again, you have proven that I am much better off with you on this crew.
Orman: Response?
:: More applause rang out, and Chythar continued to relax as he finally felt the drive to put his newly acquired rack of ribbons in his shirt pocket, alongside his half-pip. He felt it all start to come together. Starting to slowly make him feel more...complete. Like someone more. He hoped that one day, he would be able to hold the position of CMO of any base, but it was not today. ::
Nicholotti: Ben Livingston, for your participation in the events surrounding the discovery of the Iconian Gateway, I present you with the Gateway Ribbon as well.
Livingston: Response?
:: The group that was on stage had been released back into the crowd. He watched the expression on her face change, no longer the proud parent. Instead, battle hardened warrior with sorrow tinging her words. Somber, like channeling the energy and voice of the Grim Reaper, whom he knew as Hades. His muscles once again tensed as he continued to watch and breathe slowly. ::::
Nicholotti: It is apparent that there are those who are no longer with us, and we mourn their absence. In their memory, I feel it important to present them with their awards as well. ::She paused before continuing.:: Captain Benjamin Walker, the Gateway Ribbon and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. Johanna MacLaren, the Gateway Ribbon, the Purple Heart, the Explorer’s Ribbon, the Medical Science Ribbon, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. Kevin Breeman, the Gateway Ribbon and the Purple Heart. Though they are no longer with us on this crew, they will always be a part of this family.
:: At the mention of the not-traitor, he winced. At the mention of his former mentor, his regret she could not be here to witness this came crashing down upon him like a ton of bricks. She was lying in sickbay, clinging to life by a thin thread. At the mention of Breeman, he closed his eyes and fought back waves of emotion that began to berate his mind. His mental stability he'd just finished attempting to rebuild began to fall apart, the shielding he'd worked on for only a few hours starting to weigh heavy on his mind. ::
Nicholotti: And with that, let the festivities begin!
:: It was at this point only that he decided to get up and make his way toward the food, deciding to opt straight for the Stew Surprise he'd made without saying anything to anyone as he attempted to gather his thoughts and composure once more. His emotional high had been replaced with a mix of emotions ranging from excited to depressed to sorrowful within a span of what felt like five minutes, but in fact the entire ceremony may have lasted an hour. He did not know. His sense of time was distorted still. He became oblivious to anyone walking nearby him. Until... ::