Shore leave: DS224 - 2401 (USS Artemis-A)
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Shore Leave Begins
Captain’s Log, Stardate 240112.20
While trying to discreetly recover the crew and wreck of the freighter Tritorian that crashed on Ura Neteos III, we were unable to avoid making first contact with the Meirashi – the race indigenous to the planet. After a series of interesting encounters with them, several of which included minor injuries to members of the crew, we actually made a series of fascinating discoveries…
While the Tritorian’s crash was unintended, its destination was definitively Ura Neteos III, where it was to deliver badly needed medical supplies to the locals who had been suffering from long-term radiation sickness. This was especially true of one of the local sect’s leaders, the Grand Rishe, who had declined into a state of near delirium. After coming to an understanding with the Rishe’s advisers, we were able to render medical assistance and made another intriguing discovery: the Tritorian wasn’t the first ship to impose on the locals – an Orion ship had also crashed on the planet at one point, and part of its remains were responsible for creating the radiation that had been plaguing the planet for generations. Furthermore, one of the Orions, a woman, had become an idol for a sect of locals who referred to her as their Empress.
The crew of the Artemis has recovered the wreckage from the Tritorian and will be working with the freighter’s rescued crew member to complete an investigation about what caused it to crash on the surface. In the meantime, I have ordered us back to Deep Space 224 – our base of operations in the Borderlands. Due to our last several missions and the extended service in the wake of the Frontier Day Massacre, we’ve not had the opportunity for several of our newest crewmembers to orient themselves with a space that has become a second home to those who have served together from the days of the Resolution and Excalibur, including, among other things, the many social spaces. There has been a particular spot I have been looking forward to revisiting for quite some time now…
Shore Leave Scenes
- Sam Richards & Flt.Cpt. MacKenzie || Returning Acquaintances come bearing gifts!!
- LT Sadar and Ensigns Lyara, Imril & Bergmen & PNPC PO3 Filistrien || Joint Archaeology with Klingons? What could go wrong?
- Cmdr. Adea & LT Sadar || At which point does one become 'old colleagues'? Regardless, familiarity leads to personal knowledge...
- Lt.Cmdr. Salkath & PNPC Nadevia Virtavi-Yaros || The 'Salkath is Put on StarFlirt' Saga
- Lt.Cdrs. Jovenan, Salkath & Dakora || Divides crossed, perhaps new beginnings at the top of the food-chain?
- NPC Wormie || Never let it be said the Artemis knows how to put beloved NPCs to rest!
- [BACKSIM] LT. Silveira & Sam Richards || Toga-Related Incidents... The Past should be buried.
- LT. Silveira, Sam Richards & Ensign Lyara || Partners in Crime, Established.
- LT Silveira, Lt.Cdr. Jovenan & Flt.Cpt. MacKenzie || First, they were crewmates. Then, they were friends. Now? WHO KNOWS ;) Feat. Captain Smoochblock
- LT Sadar, Kolya Aqila, Ensign Lyara, LT Silveira & Flt.Cpt. MacKenzie || Apple, Meet the Tree's Friends.
- [JP] Lt.Cdr. Dakora & Sam Richards || All Good Things come in Twos
- Sam Richards, LT Sadar & Lt.Cdr. Dakora || How many 'First Impressions' should you offer someone before going 'They're TROUBLE'?
- [JP] LT Silveira & Ens Harford || Sometimes, all you need is a kind stranger and some music to remember how to dance.
- [JP] PNPC Nadevia Virtavi-Yaros & Ens Forza || Relationships are difficult, and the life of an Officer is lonely.
Award Ceremony
Despite their proximity to Deep Space 224 and the facilities at their disposal, the Commanding Officer of the Artemis had elected to use a far less formal setting. The ship’s lounge had been set up as it had been on previous occasions of this kind – high-top tables covered with not-so-fancy tablecloths on which trays of finger foods sat ready for eager fingers, a fully-stocked bar with synthehol and a few other select beverages that the captain had picked up on her various travels, and of course, several boxes lined up neatly along the bar top in their proper order.
All this, awaiting the answer to the summons put forth by Addison MacKenzie to the members of her senior staff.
In the corner of the bar, a small jazz combo played light background music to set the mood and entertain the senior officers as they arrived, many of whom didn’t need to be encouraged to grab a bite to eat while they waited for the festivities to begin. As Captain MacKenzie made her way through the lounge speaking with the assorted groups, she found herself looking out of one of the large picture windows, occasionally sipping from her glass of red wine and thinking about one of their newest crew appointments.
What was his name, again?
Ensign… Tilden?
Tarden?
…Tarkin. Ensign Tarkin. Shame about the poor bloke – the captain barely had a chance to meet him before he’d been involved in a freak accident while working on one of the airlocks. An unlucky first – and only – assignment for the young engineer.
MacKenzie looked around and slowly took a visual record of those who had gathered. She nodded to herself, satisfied that everyone had arrived, and she moved back toward the bar, tapping her finger on the side of her glass as she walked. When the combo stopped playing, the rest of the sound died down, and she was sure she had the attention of the room, she started.
MacKenzie: I’m glad to see you all – I hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy some time off after a… less than ideal mission. While a successful first contact wasn’t quite in the cards for us, I’m proud of everyone for the job we did in locating and retrieving the wreck of the Tritorian, and the aid rendered to the Meirashi people. My hope is that, in being true to our word and removing the entire crashed ship, that there may one day be an opportunity for us to have a more amenable relationship with them. Still, none of it would have been possible without your work. You have my thanks.
She raised her glass and gently tapped one hand against the opposite hand holding onto her glass of wine, encouraging the others to applaud.
MacKenzie: For your work discovering the Orion equipment and then using it to dissuade the rioting Meirashi, I hereby award the Innovation Ribbon to Commander Dakora, Lieutenant Silveira, and Ensign Bergmen.
She moved forward to hand the ribbons to each of them, rather than calling the officers to the front.
Dakora/Silveira/Bergmen: Response
MacKenzie: We had no idea what we would find on the surface, let alone an ailing Grand Rishe suffering from the long-term effects of radiation poisoning from equipment that had been left centuries before. For your work in rendering aid not only to heal the Rishe, but to clean up the equipment, I hereby award the Lifesaving Ribbon to Commanders Adea, Lieutenant Commander Jovenan, and Lieutenant JG Gnai.
MacKenzie once again stepped forward to hand out the ribbons, nodding to each of the officers as she did so, then returned to the bar.
MacKenzie: For your work in trying to maintain peace and trying to bridge a peaceful relationship with the Meirashi, I’m happy to award the Diplomacy Ribbon to the members of my team: Lieutenant Commander Salkath, Lieutenant JG Gnai, Ensigns Lyara and Imril. Even though this wasn’t a successful first contact mission, you all did good work trying to put Starfleet’s best foot forward. ::she paused, looking to Lyara:: Or realizing the ramifications of leaping to action prematurely.
She nodded, hoping that particular message resonated not just with Lyara, but with the rest gathered in that room. Over the years, there were several instances of officers past and present acting before thinking. It was a reminder that she hoped all would abide by. After handing out the ribbons, she once again returned to the bar.
MacKenzie: Now that further details have come to light regarding the part the Changelings had to play in the Frontier Day disaster, Starfleet has also seen it fit to award us all the Changeling Campaign Ribbon.
MacKenzie paused to take a long sip of wine from her glass and return it to the bar top. She looked at the remaining boxes, taking inventory of their contents, before deciding how and in what order to proceed. When she was satisfied, she picked up one of the boxes and called the officer forward.
MacKenzie: Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
The tone of formality in her voice was a clear indication that she was to come to her. When she was in front of her, she nodded once.
MacKenzie: Commander, I don’t think anyone was more surprised to find out that I’d named you our Chief Science Officer than you were. I believed then, and still believe now, that you were the right person for the job. Your dedication to and passion for science are admirable, and the way you advocate for those in your department and their projects is respectable. I continue to be impressed by your work, and the seriousness with which you take the position. Therefore, it is my privilege to award you the Department Chief Ribbon.
She handed the marigold-colored ribbon to Jovenan, and shook the officer’s hand.
Jovenan: Response
Jovenan no sooner retreated to the crowd than MacKenzie was calling her next victim.
MacKenzie: Lieutenant Commander Dakora.
She waited for the Betazoid to join her in the front.
MacKenzie: Commander, a Federation starship can’t function well without a stable leadership team. That involves a series of department chiefs who are not only passionate about their fields of expertise, but a first officer whose job it is to corral them all, coordinate their needs, earn their trust… ::nodding to prove the point:: And mine. It is safe to say you have done all of that, and then some. For your length of dedicated service as this vessel’s first officer, I hereby award you the First Officer Ribbon.
She handed the green ribbon to him and shook his hand.
Dakora: Response
There remained only one box on the bar. MacKenzie scanned the room and, upon seeing her intended target, nodded to herself satisfactorily.
MacKenzie: Lieutenant Commander Salkath.
She watched as the Vulcan moved forward, each step conveying an air of discipline and lack of emotion.
MacKenzie: Commander, it has been formally brought to my attention that which I have already known – that you have been doing good work and have earned the respect of your colleagues, especially in offering guidance and leadership after the abrupt departure of Lieutenant Yellir. Since she left, Engineering has been without a formal leader… Based on the reports of your colleagues and what I have been able to observe in our time together, I would like to formally offer you the job… Chief.
Her gaze softened and she extended her hand to the Vulcan.
Salkath: Response
Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the crowd for the last time. Spotting one of the junior members of the crew, she pursed her lips and then cleared her throat.
MacKenzie: ::flatly:: Ensign Bergmen.
She’d heard from the ops department chief that Bergmen had been trolling for a promotion – asking about what qualities were respected and recognized as being good leadership qualities. The captain, however, already had the ensign on her radar, as did several other senior officers who’d reported in on him.
MacKenzie: Mr. Bergmen, your contributions to the crew have not gone unnoticed. Your work has earned the attention of your superior officers, so much so that they recommended you be considered for advancement. Despite your short service on board, I’m inclined to agree. ::removing the hollow pip from the box on the bar:: Therefore, it is my privilege to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Congratulations!
Bergmen: Response
MacKenzie picked up her glass of wine from the bar as Bergmen returned to the crowd. She held up the glass higher, an offertory of her thanks.
MacKenzie: Please, stay a while and socialize before we head out on our next mission. One more hand for our all our honorees!
Participating Officers
- Commanding Officer, Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie
- First Officer, Lt. Commander Talos Dakora
- Helm/Ops Officer, Ensign Lyara Alroyo
- Operations Officer, Ensign Ollie Bergmen
- Engineering Officer, Lt. Commander Salkath
- Engineering Officer, Ensign Imril
- Security Officer, Lieutenant JG Savel
- Security Officer, Ensign Kel Solas
- Chief Tactical Officer, Lieutenant Vitor Silveira
- Chief Science Officer, Lt. Commander Jovenan
- Science Officer, Lieutenant JG Gnai - LoA partway through
- Chief Medical Officer, Commander Genkos Adea
- Medical Officer, Lieutenant Gila Sadar
- Science Liaison on Amity Outpost, Sam Richards - Guest Writer