Shore leave: Earth - After Frontier Day (USS Artemis-A)
USS Artemis-A | ||
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ACTIVE STATUS | ||
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Shore Leave Begins
MacKenzie: I think we have to try to-
Borg Collective: Command signal interrupted. Continue last directive.
And then, silence.
The commanding officer of the Artemis blinked, the beeping from each station suddenly slicing through the air with crisp clarity. On the viewscreen, weapons fire from all the Federation ships suddenly ceased. The communications chatter from all the ships had ceased. Everything was still, and yet, if she could hear the sound of space, she was sure she could hear the sound of metal crunching and buckling, remnants of the savagery that had just taken place.
Several of the formerly assimilated and incapacitated members of the crew started to awaken, moving slowly like broken shells of their former selves. Their link to the Collective was broken, but unlike that link, the memories of all that occurred while their actions were beyond their control would remain. And the work needed to heal their traumas would last a lifetime, even for those unassimilated.
Addison blinked several times, her eyes looking around the bridge with hesitation, before she finally reached down and pressed the button on her armrest that activated external communications. She looked once more at both Talos and Vitor before she spoke.
MacKenzie: =/\= This is Captain Addison MacKenzie of the USS Artemis, is anyone out there? =/\=
The ensuing silence was deafening. What were likely only seconds felt like days.
O’Malley: =/\= This is Gordon O’Malley of the Oberon, Captain. We read you. =/\=
She closed her eyes and collapsed slightly in her chair, exhaling. As she spoke, her voice broke a little.
MacKenzie: =/\= Good to hear you, Mr. O’Malley. What’s your status? =/\=
O’Malley: =/\= Seems like the Borg don’t have control of the ship any more, and we’ve managed to stabilize the warp core… but we’ve got a lot of wounded over here. =/\=
MacKenzie: =/\= Sit tight, Chief. We’re on the way. =/\=
Addison stood slowly and made her way to the front of the bridge until she was standing just behind Talos. She patted him twice softly on the shoulder, unable to speak, until finally she just pointed at the blip on the viewscreen identifying the Oberon, and then patted his shoulder one more time.
MacKenzie: Just open the doors.
She avoided eye contact with the officers on the bridge who were coming out of their assimilated state as she made her way to her ready room. When the doors parted, she was met by a gaping hole where her observation window and desk used to be. In its place, a bright blue forcefield, glistening every time a piece of small debris bounced off it.
She quickly turned back toward the man sitting at the helm, her eyes narrowed.
MacKenzie: Seriously?!
Shore Leave Scenes
- Lt.Cdr. Salkath, Cpt. MacKenzie, Lt.Cdr. Dakora & Ens Tyron || The Artemis has got a shopping list a mile long, and finally, it DOESN'T list a Helm Officer!
- Cmdr. Adea & LtJG Sadar || It's the duty of the boss to check in on the underlings... Even when those underlings are anxious nervewrecks likely to self-destruct.
- Lt.Cdr. Hopper, Cmdr. Adea & LT Richards || When life gives you shank wounds, you need to... Do some medicine or some-such. D for Effort!
- Cpt. Addison MacKenzie || While assisting Earth Spacedock in identifying the many dead after Frontier Day, Captain Addison MacKenzie reflects on the heavy duty that comes with the surgeon's coat some days...
- LtJG Sadar & Ens Gnai || En-route home from their temporary posting aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, secrets are forged and sentiments exchanged between two Lower Deckers out of their depths.
- Lt.Cdr. Talos Dakora & LT Richards || First Officer's Log: This Sucks. End Log. - Or Talos Dakora grapples with the weight of command in a broken Starfleet, as his crew falls apart before his very eyes.
- LT Silveira || The Walk of the Dead - or just the VERY exhausted. With friends and family across the Federation, who knows who might be safe? Certainly not LT Silveira.
- Lt.Cdr. Salkath || Engineering is run ragged attempting to mend the broken Artemis, and Lt.Cdr. Salkath attempts to pick up the pieces.
- Ens Gnai, LtJG Sadar & Lt.Cdr. Salkath || With its suit destroyed on the Kitty Hawk, the Galadoran Ensign is carried in the Jelly-Pack to Engineering, hoping for the Friendly Neighbourhood Engineer to assist it.
- LtJG Sadar, Ens Kel & Cmdr. Adea || The neccesity for counseling after Frontier Day is obvious, but how to get ready for counseling is a lesson that many need... Some doctors are better than others for that.
- LT Silveira & Lt.Cdr. Hopper || Actions done under pressure are still actions done, and consequences should follow, even amongst friends.
- LT Jovenan & LT Silveira || In the days after Frontier Days, we must all say thanks for those we love. Both friends, and those that may yet prove to be something more...
- Cmdr. Adea & LT Silveira || Two Starfleet Officers enter a bar...
- Cpt. MacKenzie & LtJG Sadar || There's a time and place for everything, even mindless Gila-bullying... Right Captain?
- LT Jovenan & Cmdr. Adea || A bigwig meeting right after Frontier Day... What could go wrong, Jovenan?
- Cpt MacKenzie & Lt.Cdr. Brodie || Old friends haunting old halls, and realizing that nothing will be the same.
- LtJG Sadar & Lt.Cdr. Hopper || Odd acquaintances in repeat collisions. What about a normal meet-cute for once?
- Lt.Cdr. Salkath || We all mourn in our own ways.
- LtJG Sadar & Ens Tyron || Joining a traumatized crew means having to prove you don't bring trauma of your own. Will the Napean Ensign pass scrutiny?
- LtJG Sadar & PNPC Vhysa'lia || With the counseling department aboard the Artemis receiving much-needed bolstering, it falls upon the existing medical structure to integrate new elements.
- LtJG Savel & LT Sadar[footnote 1] || The best way to overcome disgust and fear, is to face it head-on. Thus saith the counselors, and LT Sadar is almost never one to disobey their word. Phaser training might be the exception though...
- PNPC Vhysa'lia & Ens Kel || The mandatory counceling programme commences, with Ens Kel being called in first. Will the new Kobali Counselor help repressed memories to resurface, or help him accept that some memories are best left behind?
- LT Sadar & PNPC LtJG Vailani || Try as you might to leave the past behind, it has a tendency to catch up with you in the end...
- Lt.Cdr. Salkath || Engineers find solutions in the strangest of places...
- Ens Lyara & Cpt MacKenzie || First impressions can damn or save a relationship. Which will be true for Ensign Lyara Alroyo and her new Captain?
- Ens Bergmen, Cpt. MacKenzie & Lt.Cdr. Dakora || Welcoming aboard a new face(claim)
- LT Sadar, LT Marsh, Lt.Cdr. Hopper & Cdr. DeVeau || JP - Now-Lieutenant Sadar reminisces about how Starfleet officers always seem to force her into situations she DOESN'T LIKE
- LT Sadar & PNPC LtJG Vailani || JP - Memories of a simpler time on Ferenginar
- PNPC Nadevia Virtavi-Yaros & Ens Lyara || Old friends find each other again, picking up right where they left off. Plus Starflirt, so what could go wrong?
- Ens Lyara, LT Sadar & PNPC Kolya Aqila || JP - Family is a blessing. Unless they come to live with you.
- Ens Bergmen & LT Silveira || PADDwork has a habit of bringing new friends together like nothing else.
Award Ceremony
Once the rest of the senior staff had arrived, it was time to get things moving. Addison had opted to get the business out of the way so they could get to the real reason everyone had assembled: the food. In what seemed to be a familiar routine, Addison had lined up a row of boxes on the windowsill just next to the grill – judging by the rumbling stomachs, she figured it would be the perfect setting for captivating everyone’s attention.
With a glass of wine in hand, she motioned for Dakora to join her and cleared her throat to catch everyone’s attention. When the other officers had turned in their chairs to face her, she started.
MacKenzie: I want to welcome you all to my family’s home. It’s a real privilege for me to be able to host you all here, in light of everything that’s happened in the last weeks. To say this is a difficult time for the Federation would be an understatement of galactic proportion, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that I have one of the best crews in all of Starfleet. Before I go on, I’d like us all to take a moment of silence to honor our fallen comrades.
Her gaze lowered slightly and, in doing so, she found herself suddenly appreciative of the small details in life, like vibrant shade of the green grass. After a few breaths, she lifted her head and raised her wine glass.
MacKenzie: To our honored dead.
She took a sip of her wine.
Any: Response (if desired)
MacKenzie: Despite insurmountable odds and impossible situations, this crew continues to prove its resilience, ingenuity, and bravery, and I proud to serve with each of you.
Dakora: Response
MacKenzie: For your heroic actions repelling the Borg efforts at assimilating and/or destroying Earth, Starfleet has awarded everyone the Galactic War with the Borg Service Medal. ::clearing her throat:: …and the Frontier Day ribbon… ::flatly:: for participating in the celebration.
She shot Dakora a most unamused look before handing him the boxes filled with ribbons, which he then distributed to the crew.
Dakora/Any: Responses
Her gaze lowered slightly. Normally, it was MacKenzie’s practice that whenever ribbons were distributed, she called the officers up to her. Now, in this space, she found herself compelled to go to them. Picking up another box from the windowsill, she made her way over to Ensign Kel.
MacKenzie: Ensign Kel, because of your assimilation, you and the other surviving and deceased members of the crew will be awarded the Purple Heart.
Kel/Any: Responses
She walked the box over to the Vulcan/Bajoran and set it down. She mustered a half-smile and patted him on the shoulder, still finding it difficult to look any of the formerly assimilated members in the eyes.
Addison returned to the front long enough to grab another box from the windowsill before heading in the direction of their Mizarian doctor.
There goes that anxiety ring…
MacKenzie: Doctor Sadar, I still haven’t had a chance to read the report you issued about the serum you developed when we were over on the Borg Cube… While I have no doubt there’s a future publication coming your way in the SFMJ, I can say with absolute certainty your quick work helped save lives. For that, I award you the Medical Science Ribbon.
Sadar/Any: Responses
She once again returned to the windowsill, this time picking up two sets of boxes.
MacKenzie: For your initial distraction and repulsion of the Borg while my team was over on the Cube, I hereby award the Silver Star to Commander Dakora and Lieutenant Silveira.
She handed the box to Dakora and walked another one over to where Silveira was seated, offering him an affirming nod.
Dakora/Silveira/Any: Responses
MacKenzie: Likewise, it is my privilege to award the Distinguished Service to the members of my team who were responsible for helping to retake the ship: Lieutenants Jovenan and Silveira.
Jovenan/Silveira: Responses
She picked up another box from the windowsill, this time bound for their Chief Medical Officer.
MacKenzie: Treating severely wounded officers is difficult enough when the Borg aren’t quite literally knocking down your door. Gods know your ego certainly doesn’t need me to inflate it any more by telling you what I’ve already shared with you, which is that I value and appreciate your skills as a physician, but here I am. For your work to save Commander Hopper in from from ideal circumstances, I award you the Silver Lifesaving Ribbon.
Adea/Any: Responses
Returning to the front, Addison quickly debated internally about how to handle the next bit of business.
MacKenzie: Ensign Gnai, please join me in the front.
She waited for the Galadoran to make its way forward. She smiled, impressed by the new exosuit it crafted with the help of Commander Salkath.
MacKenzie: Ensign Gnai, in short order, you have proven yourself not only to be a respectable scientist, but a quick-thinker, intuitive, and a valuable contributor to this crew. You have caught my attention in the best possible way, and it is my privilege as your Captain to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities that entails.
Gnai/Any: Response
She passed the hollow pip to the Galadoran and nodded her approval for a job well done. As it returned to its seat, Addison cleared her throat. The next one would be far more difficult.
MacKenzie: ::authoritatively:: Doctor Sadar.
There goes that anxiety ring again. She spins that thing any faster, it might saw her finger right off.
Sadar: Response
She waited, stone-faced, until the Mizarian was standing in front of her.
MacKenzie: Doctor Sadar, it is not lost on me how much you hate being put in situations like this. Many doctors are content to do their duty, save lives and help people when and where they can, and go on about their lives. The problem I have with you is that you continue go above and beyond the call of duty, not only in your medical obligations to this crew, but in your conduct and your ability to think outside the box. More than that, I appreciate your willingness to follow orders, even when you disagree with them, and to know the difference between objecting to them in the moment and raising the issue with your superiors later. Especially when I know how difficult that is for you. For your continued service to this crew, I have no choice but to promote you to the rank of full Lieutenant. Congratulations, Doctor!
She smiled and nodded.
Sadar/Any: Response
MacKenzie: And last, but certainly not least, Lieutenant Jovenan.
Jovenan: Response
MacKenzie: Lieutenant, since you came aboard the Excalibur and now during your time on the Artemis, you have shown exemplary leadership. Your contributions to the ship and your running of the science department have been some of best I’ve seen, and I think it is because you approach your work from a place of curiosity and with the best of Starfleet ideals in mind. You are a shining example of what it means to be a Starfleet officer, even when I know the choices you’ve had to make go against your personal and cultural beliefs. I am proud to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Congratulations!
Jovenan/Any: Response
MacKenzie: And with that, I invite you to enjoy this moment together. Eat, drink, celebrate one another and remember that these moments are precious – we never know what the galaxy has in store for us next. Commander Dakora, are those wings ready yet?!
Participating Officers
- Commanding Officer, Captain Addison MacKenzie
- First Officer, Lt. Commander Talos Dakora
- Helm Officer, Ensign Larek Tyron - AWOL in the middle of Shore Leave
- Helm/Ops Officer, Ensign Lyara Alroyo - Arrived at the end of Shore Leave
- Operations Officer, Ensign Ollie Bergmen - New PC of Jaseb Chevalier
- Engineering Officer, Lt. Commander Salkath
- Security Officer, Lieutenant JG Savel - Returned from LoA partways through Shore Leave
- Security Officer, Ensign Kel Solas
- Chief Tactical Officer, Lieutenant Vitor Silveira
- Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Jovenan
- Science Officer, Ensign Gnai
- Chief Medical Officer, Commander Genkos Adea
- Medical Officer, Lt Junior Grade Gila Sadar
- Acting First Officer on Amity Outpost, Lt. Commander Robin Hopper - Guest Writer
- Chief of Operations on Amity Outpost, Lieutenant Nathan Richards - Guest Writer
- ↑ LtJG Sadar was promoted to LT in the Award Ceremony prior to this scene starting.