USS Rosentante Compile 09 January - 13 January 2008 Compile Index: Mission: Picking up the Pieces Stardate: 2408.01.06 (USS Rosenante - Computer Core - Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz - 0630) (USS Rosenante - Administration Central - Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz - 0635) (USS Rosenante - Bridge - Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz - 0645) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - Lieutenant Dralar,Lieutenant Janeway & Crewman Shadow - 1651) (USS Rosenante – Observation Lounge - Engineer Ensign T'Kron – 1652) (USS Rosenante - Deck 13 Shuttle Bay 3 - SEO - Lieutenant Steven Matrix - 1654) (USS Rosenante - Deck 8 – COUNS, Ens(jg) Sally Trent – 1654) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CEO Lt. ( jg ) Bird - 1654) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - COUNS – Lt (JG) Olen Rhinehart – 1655) (USS Rosenante – Corridor – ACMO - Ensign Henna-star – 1656) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge – MCO - Lt Col Drizzt -1657) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CSO Lieutenant (jg) Megan Tallos - 1658) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - SEO - Lieutenant Steven Matrix -1659) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - 1700) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - SEO, Lieutenant Steven Matrix - 1700) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - FO - Lt. Cmdr. Ahmed Ibn Salid - 1702) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CONN-Lt. Dralar - 1703) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1714) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - 1715) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - FO - Lt. Cmdr. Ahmed Ibn Salid- - 1717) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CONN - Lt. Dralar - 1727) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - SEO, Lieutenant Steven Matrix - 1735) Compile begins: Mission: Picking up the Pieces Stardate: 2408.01.06 (USS Rosenante - Computer Core - Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz - 0630) "Why are we pulling this program out of the Hypatia? Why don't they just snag a new version?" The engineer grumbled to the scientist. "The EMH is brand new, you don't see them digging him out of some garbage scow.." "Don't ask me, I'm just following orders from the Captain's desk." Ensign Harland said, more amused than anything else. He didn't see why the Rosenante, an explorer vessel, needed a holographic marine. Surely the Colonel's forces were more than adequate for any marine duties that were necessary. "Computer, bring program online." "So thens I say -" Jose stopped in mid-sentence, realizing the cute nurse in sickbay on the Hypatia he'd been flirting with had disappeared. "Hey mans, don't DO that! That's just creepylike!" He protested, turning on the two officers. "Er, sirs." he added as an after thought. Ensign Michael Fennis, engineering lackey, rolled his eyes at the display of the computer. Ensign Jonathon Harland seemed more amused than anything else. "Well, I think you'll like your new home, Holo Rameriz." What rank did you give a hologram? It wasn't wearing any insignia. "This is the Rosenante. Holographic projectors in very part of the ship." "Reallys? EVERY part?" Jose bounced up and down on his toes, "So likes, enlisted showers an.." "Er.." Jonathon quickly changed some of Rameriz's access protocols before he could follow up on his half-formed plans. Now the strange little program couldn't access private quarters unless it was a red alert or he had an invitation from authorized personnel. "Every part, but you'll need an invite for any non-public areas." "Wha? How's a guy supposed to protect a ship if he can'ts get at da bad guys?" Jose protested, looking genuinely offended. "You have full access in a red alert." Michael said with irritation, having watched Jonathon's work. Really, a lot of fuss for a program. Just delete the damn thing and start over. "Oh, wells, that's okay then.." Rameriz decided he'd play nice in case they decided to change the rules again. "Uh.. can I goes now?" he asked hopefully. "Er, sure." Jonathon said, not quite sure where a hologram could possibly have to go in such a hurry.. and he wasn't quite sure he wanted to know. What HAD the captain been thinking?! Rameriz saluted, "Thanks for da fetch and reboot!" and disappeared in a sparkle of light. "Someone is insane." Michael muttered, "And I'm not quite sure it isn't me." (USS Rosenante - Administration Central - Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz - 0635) Appearing in a sparkle, Jose looked around. He hadn't quite worked out how to access the sensors on this new ship yet, so till he did, he'd just have to be sneaky. Hey, if there were projectors *everywhere* he could just uses the doors and stuff. That would probably have less marines trying to shoot him when he surprised them by appearing under their noses. Or at least, until he figured out the sensors. Looking around, the lady he was looking for wasn't about. Well, kid really. Starfleet may think Shadow was an adult, but he'd seen enough kids wide-eyed in boot camp to know better. He just wasn't quite sure if he should rat her out or not. Why would she be in a pyjama suit if she had better places to be? Now, what did you give a cat who don't you a nice favour? Jose paced back and forth for a bit when inspiration struck. "Ah ha!" he walked over to the replicator and started having conversations between interface, xenobiological database and the replicator. Twenty minutes of work and a dish in a stasis field sat on Shadow's desk with a white rose beside it and a note. "Thanks Pretty Lady!" sat propped against the field that carefully held the replicated Grabfoot steak, rare. Hopefully no one else would try to eat it before she came back from wherever she was. He HAD to get into the security and ops database ASAP! This running blind stuff was no fun.. But first, there was one place he'd always wanted to see.. (USS Rosenante - Bridge - Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz - 0645) He had gotten a computer warning that during amber and red alerts he would be unable to appear anywhere on the bridge without command permission. Another thing for him to have to jury rig.. the list was getting kinda long! But then, he didn't have to sleep - something his "real" self had dreamed long and hard about. Imagine how much you could get done when you were running twenty-four hours a day without interrupt for sleep, food and trips to the head! Tho, his Rosenante access program was telling him if he wanted to eat, drink or go into sleep mode, it could help him. Hmph. Well, he'd thinks about that. Going without a beer for a couple decades would get pretty old pretty fast! But, appearing on the back of the bridge, Rameriz was suitably impressed. The starship command centre was everything he'd read about. It was pretty quiet and the view was kind of boring, but he figured he could probably sit here quite happily until some stuffed pyjama shirt kicked him off. (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - Lieutenant Dralar,Lieutenant Janeway & Crewman Shadow - 1651) "My apologies, I thought you for an Ikthay. But I see I was mistaken." He glanced at her, still using the captain's chair as a protective barrier between them. "Please let us begin again in a more civilized manner. I am Dralar, I am the Conn officer for this vessel. Do you have a name?" "I am called Shadow" she said, straightening out of her crouch and moving the Captain's chair back to where it belonged and setting her own chair back on its wheels. "I am the Captain's Yeoman." she offered as explanation of why she was in the room. "I see. Well you must be very good. War captain Rivers would never choose a body attendant that was lacking in ability. It is my must humble honour to meet you Shadow, Yeoman to War Captain Rivers." The doors hissed almost silently and Lieutenant Janeway entered the room. "Good to see the both of you have been assigned here also." He said walking around to what looked like the similar seat that he held on the Champlain. To the left of the Captain by one seat. Shadow tracked the movements of the new comer, but didn't take her eyes off the big, winged predator. Dralar nodded to Janeway as he continued speaking to the Captain's body attendant. "Let us aspire to be colleagues, Shadow. I believe we have much in common. Perhaps we can speak together sometime after the meeting?" he asked. "Sssure." Shadow agreed, warily. She wasn't quite sure what an elder would talk to *her* about, but she wasn't going to tell one no, either! Dralar was much more relaxed now, he made his way to his chair at the opposite end of the table from Captain Rivers. While not a position of distinction, it did offer him the ability to stretch out his wings should he require it. Jono smiled for a moment and decided that their conversation had come to a comfortable end, for a moment both of them were rather edgy and he was praying he wouldn't have to ruin the new Ops lounge stopping them from attacking each other. "So did both of you have a pleasant time on leave?" He said trying to strike up a conversation with either or both of them. "I had a satisfactory time away from the fleet. I spent the time at court and tending to my district. There was much work to do when I returned home." Dralar answered. Shadow was much more familiar with the scent of humans than .. well, whatever race Dralar was. The new comer smelled relieved that he hadn't walked onto a battlefield. She realized he was waiting for a response from her too. She wasn't quite sure, he didn't smell like he was only being polite, he seemed genuinely interested. "I learnt songs and tales on Bajor and learnt Andorian staff fighting and songs on Andor. It was very pleasurable." She replied shyly, grooming her shoulder and stroking her tail back to a normal size. "Did your travels suit you too, sir?" She asked politely when she realized the tentative conversation had come to a screeching halt. Jono was smiling and nodding while Shadow and Dralar spoke of what had transpired on their time of leave. He was impressed with the amount Shadow had done, but when she asked him of his holiday his face became rather solemn. He tried to lighten his face back up after a moment, "I'm afraid my trip down to Earth wasn't as fun or useful than either of your two's. I just seemed to learn more bad news with each trip I made. The war has changed the planet.. and its people." Dralar was impressed with the Captain's Body Attendant's accomplishment. It was good to know that the Captain had a body guard of her own, should the need arise. Dralar bobbed his head in agreement, "Yes, War always changes the people it touches. Entire civilizations and their neighbours are changed when someone goes to war. Rarely is it beneficial to anyone, unless you are struggling to prevent genocide, as we were. It is important to remember that not everyone knows the things that we have come to see as truth. It is our duties to reveal it to them at a pace that they can understand so that we may rebuild your shattered Federation. Perhaps it will please you to know that I have secured my fathers assurances that the Skorr Hegemony will assist their Allies in the UFP to rebuild, and that we are prepared to come to their defence should any other more opportunistic species attempt to take advantage of the situation?" Jono nodded, not knowing much about the Skorr he wasn't too sure how to respond. However he felt trust and honour were something Dralar would take to heart or hearts? Unfortunately he didn't know much about the Skorr's physiology either, something he would have to read up on. "That is excellent news to my ears, Dralar! If ever there was such a time I would greatly enjoy working with more of your people. If you are an example of your people's skills, the UFP will not have a hard time protecting its boarders with your people helping." "War is a cancerous growth that must be removed from the body and then that body must be helped to heal and be protected from outside disease." Shadow offered, still feeling very much the child eavesdropping on the adult's table. She was probably saved from being told to shush and mind her own whiskers by the arrival of more officers. She withdrew back into her corner. (USS Rosenante – Observation Lounge - Engineer Ensign T'Kron – 1652) T'Kron slipped into the Observation Lounge before most of the other officers. He wanted to have some quiet to mull out some of the minor quirks they were having with the new ship's impulse engines. It wasn't much trouble but he was always interested in making any type of engine a more efficient one. He worked in a shadowed corner of the room, intently studying his PADD and making adjustments to his engineering calculations. A few of the other officers began to filter into the room and he remained in shadow, quietly working. Eventually when the Captain Rivers and Commander Salid walked in, he took his seat at the table as well. (USS Rosenante - Deck 13 Shuttle Bay 3 - SEO - Lieutenant Steven Matrix - 1654) Matrix exited the shuttle and was immediately greeted by an young officer. She reminded him of Alura. "Lieutenant Steven Matrix reporting as ordered. Permission to come aboard?" asked Matrix as he handed the Ensign his orders. The Ensign looked extremely young, but proud and took her duties seriously. She briefly looked over his orders and handed them back to Matrix. "Permission granted sir. The Captain is expecting you in the observation lounge. Welcome aboard Lieutenant." responded the Ensign. "Thank you Ensign." said Matrix. As Matrix made his way to the observation lounge he reflected on his brief visit with his parents. They were building a new home and were first preparing to leave for a long vacation. They wanted to visit Bajour and now was their chance. The new house would take just over two months to build so they were going to visit Bajour and a few other worlds while construction was underway. With the visit behind him Matrix was focusing on the good news. His long time friend at Star Fleet, Commander Emerson contacted him with what he had hoped for. A new posting on a starship. The USS Rosenante was Matrix's new home. He had caught the transport back and was now aboard the new ship. New indeed as she was just commissioned. Matrix wasn't sure what he would be doing here, the orders simply stated to report to Captain Rivers, no mention of position or even department. He reviewed the crew list and noted they already had a chief engineer so that wasn't why he was here. He had never met Lieutenant Paul Bird, but hoped they would work well together. Matrix looked at the corridor plate, ~Ah this must be the place...Observation Lounge.~ Matrix straightened his uniform and shoulder bag the best we could and entered. He felt awkward with his luggage in tow, but he was not yet issued quarters. (USS Rosenante, Deck 8 – COUNS, Ens(jg) Sally Trent – 1654) Sally quickly rushed down two corridors only to end up back where she had started, ~Oh no, the meetings going to start without me~ she thought rushing around. Since the end of the battle, Sally had been extremely busy… leaving no time for her to do a great amount of personal work. She had kept herself very busy taking up as much work as she could out of the Hypatia’s counselling department. She had spent a few evenings in Ten Forward with Sam Fiacie, a new friend since their ‘alligator’ incident in one of the escape pods, which they had found rather amusing afterwards, yet not so when it was happening. Panicking a little she spotted a young lady walking slightly more calmly in a different direction. She was wearing a medical uniform and Sally had seen her on the Hypatia. ~Maybe shes going to the meeting~ Sally quickened her pace to follow the young Orion woman. After marching down a few corridors inconspicuously the doctor managed to find what Sally could not; the observation lounge. She followed the woman In and saw many people sitting around a table, she looked to the doctor to see what she would do. Sally hadn’t been in a ship staff meeting before, she had only just joined really before the battle. However the doctor looked a little… nervous? She flushed and then quickly moved to the back of the room. Sally followed her and stood beside the woman for a moment patiently awaiting the meeting to start, when it was clear the captain wasn’t even present yet Sally sighed and then decided to introduce herself, “I’m Sally… or… err… Ensign Trent, a counsellor. I’m sorry I haven’t introduced myself before.” She looked at the Orion briefly and held out her hand for the doctor to shake. (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CEO Lt. ( jg ) Bird - 1654) Ever since Paul had got the messages about his transfer to the Rosenante , and the meeting to be attended to , to welcome all aboard , he had been poring over the ships techs , and lay out . He was in ore , impressed , happy and overwhelmed all at once . He would have missed the meeting , so engrossed was he , if he had not had the foresight to have the computer remind him just before he needed to go ion one of it's loaded voices .So here he was now , entering the observation lounge , early for once , laden down with seven Padd , all concerning various ship systems . Paul spotted Shadow in the corner behaving slightly odd ~ must not be used to these meetings ~ he thought as he greeted the ensign he had come to know on the trip to Bajor . There was a few others already present , so saying a few hellos he found a seat and sat down . The table in front of him was laid out with a multiple of refreshments , and realising he had not eaten so far that day , poured himself a large mug of coffee and took a large plate of pastries , and started to munch down , whilst studying his Padds. So engrossed was he that he didn't notice the arrival of the others or indeed the captain , until the room quietened and the meeting began. (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - COUNS – Lt (JG) Olen Rhinehart – 1655) He had been a ghost, it seemed, lately. Dark dreams haunted his nights and strange tangents of thought took him in the day, as he drifted through the ship's halls as intangible as a will o' the wisp. Their move from the Hypatia to the Rosenante had seemed to happen in the abstract, like redressing a set for the next act, a swift change of stage flats and some well-placed props, curtains billowing with the hurried movement and muted sounds beyond. It looked different, but not by much. He drifted into the observation lounge silently, and took a seat, pasting on a neutral expression. Many of the others had taken their leave, he knew, and gone home, visited relations, friends, loved ones. He glanced around their faces. Some were dealing with the same reality he was, although many seemed to be doing a better job of it. Rhinehart had had only one living relative before he joined Starfleet, and now, it seemed, he had none. His childhood home was a smouldering ruin, lost to him forever. From now on, his home was a sleeping pallet aboard a floating metal hypocrite box, and he could think of nothing worse. Until he'd received The News, resigning his commission had been his foremost priority. It was hard not to blame her for dying. It was hard not to blame himself for living. For now, this was all he could think of to do. When he'd received the communique about his mother, in response to his enquiry as to her whereabouts in preparation for his first post-war visit, it felt like his last anchor had slipped, and with it his entire understanding of the world around him. He was Starfleet. They were supposed to be good guys. They were supposed to stop things like this happening. He'd thrown himself into work and with it the necessity of contact with others, and in that he had found the means to abstract himself. But there was no true comfort in any of it. And as soon as his game face dropped, the reality crowded back in. The very worst part was the nights. At least with people around he could pretend to himself that he wasn't alone. But in the faceless anonymity of his spacious and comfortable new cabin, with the eyes of infinity glaring back at him through the viewports, he knew true solitude. The unflinching stare of space, the cold, terrible glitter of empty reaches unfathomably wide, seemed aimed solely at him, and to him they said 'you are alone.' He resettled himself in his seat and glanced to the vast curved windows that gave over the ship's majestic sweep, lacing fingers over his middle. (USS Rosenante – Corridor – ACMO, Ensign Henna-star – 1656) Henna not wanting to be late quickened her pace. She had been sorting through all her things and had sat down with a book for a rest. Big mistake! She had so involved in it that she hadn’t even noticed what the time was. She got into a turbolift and got off on her stop. She walked a little and arrived at the observation deck. ~Just about the right time I think~ as she stepped through the doors. As she walked in, she could see loads of people sitting down. She knew that this hasn’t her thing and decided to stand at the back, like she usually did in meetings or groups. She felt that she stood out too much. Well she was green. Embarrassment crept through her and before she knew why, her cheeks had gone bright red. ~Strange. I only walked through a door~ She looked about the room. No one had noticed. ~Good~ she thought relieved. She lean against the wall and waited for it to begin. (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge – Lt Col Drizzt -1657) Drizzt slipped quietly into the Observation Lounge and took a moment to look around. Various people were there, but not all of them by any means. He nodded to a couple people as he walked around the table and took a seat, pulling down on his under-arm holster to keep it straight as he did so. It felt distinctly odd, being the only armed man in the room after a year of officers and crew being armed for wartime. Being a marine, war or not, he always had a weapon with him… safed, but still armed. The Marine rubbed his eyes and leaned back in the chair, then folded his hands together. After a short nights sleep with the child, and drills for the marines most of the day, he was just about beat. He wasn’t quite sure yet if he felt like breaking down, or simply running around the ship screaming like a mad-man. Either way, he supposed, things would become interesting. (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CSO Lieutenant (jg) Megan Tallos - 1658) Megan walked into the observation lounge and quickly found an empty seat, knowing full well she was only moments ahead of the Captain. Sighing she saved the file on her PADD and looked around the room, she was one of the last there, and that wasn't surprising. She was in the middle of transferring her lab to the Rosenante, which was much nicer than her lab on the Champlain. She hadn't gotten nearly as much research done as she had wanted, after getting roped into teaching a class for a professor who abruptly retired at the start of the semester. Sighing she looked up as the Captain and Commander walked in. The one thing she had done was visit Thomas' grave, but Ahmed still reminded her of him. Settling back she listened for the start of the meeting. (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - SEO - Lieutenant Steven Matrix -1659) Matrix entered the room silently with his shoulder bag in tow and his usual PADD in hand. He noted many others in the room including the Captain. Matrix made eye contact with Captain Rivers with a brief smile and took a seat at the table. Unsure where is place was he took a neutral chair after putting his shoulder bag on the floor. He placed is PADD in front of him and waited for the meeting to start. (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - 1700) Just before she began the meeting, the doors opened and a lieutenant walked in carrying a a large bag. Susan recognised him from the picture on his crew record as Lt Matrix, one of the new officers that Admiral Linden had informed her would be joining her crew. Catching her eye, he smiled briefly and took a seat at the table. She nodded in acknowledgement and then began the meeting. "Thank you all for making it at such short notice," she began. "I'm pleased to see you all here, and even more pleased to welcome you to our new ship, the USS Rosenante. Those of you standing, please take one of the empty seats at the table." She waited whilst they did so, then continued. "You will all see in front of you a PADD, it contains the specifications of the ship and a deckplan so that you can orientate yourselves. It also contains departmental details; please take the time after this meeting to read through it and familiarise yourselves. I would like all department heads to consult with their assistants and by this time tomorrow to provide me with a list of anything you would like to see added to your department. I can't promise it will be installed before our departure, the date of which I haven't been informed yet, but I will do my best. Also, since this is a new ship and you are all senior staff, you may request any alterations, either in the way of decoration or facilities, that you wish to be made to personalise your living quarters. That list please give to my yeoman, Crewman Shadow to Sretalles," here she gave Shadow a brief smile, "who will liaise with the quartermaster on your behalf. The Rosenante is designated as a long-range explorer, and we may find ourselves a long way from Starfleet facilities for quite a while. Accordingly Starfleet wishes to ensure that the valued officers and crew on this vessel will be as content as possible, so don't hold back." She smiled. "It's not often we are offered carte blanche, let's make the most of it." She took a sip of her tea, thoughtfully provided by Shadow, and continued. "Many of you here already know one another, but there are some new faces. I'd like you each to stand briefly, and introduce yourselves. I'll go first," she added, and stood up. "Captain Susan Rivers, commanding officer USS Rosenante. I will be operating an open-door policy; when I am in there, the door to my Ready Room will open automatically when the door-chime is sounded unless I am already talking to someone. This applies to everyone on the ship, not just you as senior staff. Please make sure your departmental staff know this." She sat down, and the next person rose to speak their part. (reply all at the meeting) As the officers introduced themselves to the meeting, Susan retrieved the box from under he seat and placed it in front of her on the table. Once the last person had sat down, Susan stood again. "There are some faces missing which those of you who served on the Champlain will be wondering about. Lt Commander Brianna Frazier and Lieutenant T'Larrah Sullivan were both seriously wounded during the battle. Although they are both on the road to recovery, Lt Commander Frazier has been slated by command for reassignment to another vessel, and Lt Sullivan has requested and been granted an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons. Accordingly neither will be joining us. Lieutenant Caskie is also on sick-leave," Susan had been informed by the family of Josh's breakdown, "but will be rejoining us when she has recovered. They have all been awarded the Ribbon of Sacrifice and Lieutenant Caskie has in addition been awarded the Cross of Fire. The medals will be forwarded to Lt Commander Frazier and to Lieutenant Sullivan. Lieutenant Caskie's medals I will retain and present to her on her return." She allowed a moment for the news to sink in with their old crewmates before continuing, "And now for something which is long overdue. Many of you here fought in the battle for the MDP. The others here fought on other ships, in other battles. We all came through what I do not lightly describe as hell, and the command of the 52nd wishes to recognise that in some small way." ~A very small way~ she added in her mind. "Accordingly a commemorative medal has been struck and is hereby awarded to all who served on a ship of the 52nd in any capacity during the civil war. On your PADDs you will find the codes to replicate sufficient medals for all those in your departments who likewise served the 52nd. Please ensure they all receive them, they earned them the same way we did; the hard way." (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - SEO, Lieutenant Steven Matrix - 1700) Matrix took note of the PADD the Captain spoke and wasted no time in his own introduction. After the Captain sat down Matrix stood up. "Hello everyone. I'm Lieutenant Steven Matrix. I am the former CEO of the USS Paladin which was heavily damaged in the battle for Betazed. We lost many of our crew during that battle and a fine ship. I'm looking forward to working with all of you. While I'm unsure of my position here...you already have a fine chief engineer, I will do my best to contribute wherever needed." Matrix looked at Captain Rivers, smiled and took his seat. He watched all of the others in attendance introduce themselves as the meeting progressed. (Posted by Steve) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge -FO-Lt. Cmdr. Ahmed Ibn Salid- - 1702) Ahmed was ready to stand and give his own introduction when he was beaten to the punch by Lieutenant Matrix, the newest Senior officer assigned to the Rosenante. Ahmed had managed to review his service record. He seemed to be a solid officer and should make a fine addition to the crew. Once Matrix had finished, Ahmed rose to his feet. "Hello everyone, Most of you know me already, but for those of you that do not, my name is Ahmed Ibn Salid, and I have been given the honor as serving as your first officer. I, like the captain have an open door policy. Any time day or night I am available to listen, help or give advice if you need it. I served as Chief Engineer aboard the USS Nimitz before transferring to the Champlain as her First Officer, then the Hypatia as Acting First Officer. The Rosenante is my fourth ship of service and my third as First officer. I look forward to working with you all and getting to know those of you that I don't already know." Ahmed returned to his seat and listened as the next officer introduced themselves. (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge -CONN-Lt. Dralar - 1703) Dralar rose next and stood tall and proud. "I am Dralar 45th prince of Skorria, Keeper of the Great Sky Key of Harridan. I serve in the capacity of Flight control Officer for this fine vessel. I am honored to have been allowed to return to my service in the United Federation of Planets and aboard such a fine vessel with such noble shipmates." He resumed his seat and watched as the introductions continued. (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1714) Shadow made notes of all the various introductions and committed names and faces to her memory. She was sure she'd need to know who everyone was at a glance in the future. There was a lull in the meeting and she felt the Captain's boot nudge her leg. Shadow looked in startlement at her CO who was giving her a pointed look. Shadow's whiskers were trying to fall off her face, surely the Captain didn't mean for *her* to speak in front of the elders. The booted nudge was a little more forceful this time. Even with being dragged into the light, Shadow had to be impressed at an elder who could kick without moving any of her visible body. Chances were, other than the two at the front of the table, no one saw the interchange. Shadow suddenly understood why humans sighed. She stood up from the stool she'd happily found that put her lower than the captain, didn't interfere with her tail, and kept her out of direct line of sight. So much for THAT plan! "I am called Shadow to Sretalles. I am Captain Rivers' Yeoman." She started to sit down again but somehow the stool bumped into the back of her legs. "I am from Sivao?" She looked at the Captain almost desperately, she wasn't used to being the centre of attention, although the looks were kindly not hostile. "..And-I-will-help-as-best-I-am-able!" she blurted out, hooked the stool with her tail before it could be moved again and sat down with haste. (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - 1715) "You will all find your commemorative medals in your personal quarters after this meeting." Susan said, before continuing, "My next task is one I personally feel honoured to do, since it is to recognise personal contributions to the vessel you all served on before, during and after the battle," she said. "Lt Commander Salid, front and centre." (reply Ahmed) "Lt Commander Ahmed Ibn Salid, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Cross of Fire in recognition of your bravery in volunteering to remain on the bridge of the Champlain after the call to abandon ship was given. That is from Starfleet Command. In my personal gift is the Captain's Commendation, which is given by me in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle." She handed Ahmed the box containing his medals, then offered him her hand. "Congratulations, Number One." (reply Salid) "Lieutenant Janeway, front and centre." (reply Janeway) "Lieutenant Jono Janeway, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Cross of Fire in recognition of your bravery in volunteering to remain on the bridge of the Champlain after the call to abandon ship was given. You are also awarded the Combat Action Ribbon. That is from Starfleet Command. In my personal gift is the Captain's Commendation, which is given by me in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle. I also have pleasure in confirming your appointment as Second Officer of the USS Rosenante." She handed Jono the box containing his medals, then offered him her hand. "Congratulations, Jono." (reply Janeway) "I would also like you to do something for me. Captain Martin O'Shea has been posthumously awarded the Starfleet Shield for the actions which led to the destruction of the Wyvern but allowed the Champlain crew much-needed time to evacuate. I understand you and he were friends; accordingly I would like you to ensure that his family receive his medal and the accompanying notation." (reply Janeway) "Lieutenant Rhinehart, front and centre." (reply Rhinehart) "Lieutenant Olen Rhinehart, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Cross of Fire in recognition of your bravery in volunteering to remain on the bridge of the Champlain after the call to abandon ship was given. That is from Starfleet Command. In my personal gift is the Captain's Commendation, which is given by me in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle. Congratulations, Olen," she said, holding out the boxes to him and offering him her hand. (reply Rhinehart) "I have pleasure in promoting you to Lieutenant (sg), with all the rights, privileges and duties that entails. Since Lt Janeway is now confirmed as Second Officer, I would like you to take on the position of acting Third Officer of the USS Rosenante. I think you would make a valuable contribution to the command team, and I hope you will accept," she added, holding out the new gold pip to him. (reply Rhinehart) "Lieutenant Bird, front and centre. " (reply Bird) "Lieutenant Paul Bird, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Cross of Fire in recognition of your actions during the battle. You are also awarded the Combat Action Ribbon. That is from Starfleet Command. In my personal gift is the Captain's Commendation, which is given by me in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle. I also have pleasure in promoting you to Lieutenant (sg), with all the rights, privileges and duties that entails. Congratulations, Paul," she added with a smile, holding out the box containing his medal and his new gold pip to him and offering him her hand. (reply Bird) "Ensign Eric McCally, SCPO Alonzo di Costa and Crewman Chuss have been posthumously awarded the Star of Hope. I would like you, as their department head, to forward the medals to their families. I have, of course, already sent my personal condolences on their loss, but I feel that a few words from someone who worked with them would mean a lot." Letty Adams, her own former yeoman, had also been awarded the Star of Hope but Susan intended to send that to Letty's family personally. (reply Bird) "Lieutenant Matrix, front and centre." (reply Matrix) "Lieutenant Steven Matrix, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you have also been awarded the Captain's Commendation, in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle for Betazed. Congratulations, Mr Matrix," she added with a smile, holding out the box containing his medal to him and offering him her hand. (reply Matrix) "Lieutenant Dralar, front and centre." "Lieutenant Dralar, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Cross of Fire in recognition of your bravery in volunteering to remain on the bridge of the Champlain after the call to abandon ship was given. That is from Starfleet Command. In my personal gift is the Captain's Commendation, which is given by me in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle. Congratulations, Dralar," she added with a smile, holding out the box containing his medals to him and offering him her hand. (reply Dralar) "Ensign Robert Smith, front and centre." (reply Smith) "Ensign Robert Smith, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Cross of Fire in recognition of your bravery in volunteering to remain on the bridge of the Champlain after the call to abandon ship was given. . You are also awarded the Combat Action Ribbon. That is from Starfleet Command. In my personal gift is the Captain's Commendation, which is given by me in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle. Also in view of the fact that at the moment we do not have a Chief Operations Officer, I appoint you as temporary acting Chief of Operations, until such time as we are assigned a permanent officer to that position. Congratulations, Robert," she added with a smile, holding out the box containing his medals to him and offering him her hand. (reply Smith) "Ensign Zanarra, front and centre." (reply Zanarra) "Ensign Zanarra, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Cross of Fire in recognition of your bravery in volunteering to remain on the Champlain to assist with the evacuation after the call to abandon ship was given. Congratulations, Zanarra," she added with a smile, holding out the box containing the medal to her but not offering her hand in view of the fact that Zanarra was a Vulcan. (reply Zanarra) "Ensign cha'Nooras, front and centre." (reply Dorga) "Ensign Dorga cha'Nooras, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Prisoner of War medal in recognition of your capture by the enemy during the battle. Congratulations, Dorga," she added warmly, holding out the box containing the medal to her friend and offering her hand. Her eyes twinkled as she did so, she had heard the story of Dorga's captivity. (reply Dorga) "Ensign Ro'Dal, front and centre." (reply Ro'Dal) "Ensign Ro'Dal, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Combat Action Ribbon. That is from Starfleet Command. In my personal gift is the Captain's Commendation, which is given by me in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle. Congratulations, Ro'Dal," she added with a smile, holding out the box containing the medal to her and offering her hand. (reply Ro'Dal) "Ensign Moto, front and centre." (reply Moto) "Ensign Sam Philips Moto, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Combat Action Ribbon. That is from Starfleet Command. In my personal gift is the Captain's Commendation, which is given by me in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle. I also have pleasure in promoting you to Ensign (sg), with all the rights, privileges and duties that entails. Congratulations, Sam," she added with a smile, holding out the box containing the medal to him and offering her hand to shake. (reply Moto) "Yeoman Shadow to Sretalles, front and centre." (reply Shadow) "Yeoman Shadow to Sretalles, in addition to the commemorative commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd I wish to add the Captain's Commendation, which is given by me in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle. Congratulations, Shadow," she added with a smile, holding out a box a little larger than the norm. That was because it contained a special 'dress uniform' collar for Shadow, with her awards fixed to it. She offered Shadow her hand to shake. (reply Shadow) There was one medal left in the box, but she didn't take it out. That was hers, a Cross of Fire for remaining on the Bridge. She felt it unmerited, she had only done her duty as she saw it. And besides, one didn't present a medal to oneself publicly. So, having finished, she placed the box back on the floor and then continued. "After the meeting is over I would like to speak to Lieutenants Bird and Matrix, and also to Dr Whetari, if anyone else wishes to talk to me individually please also wait behind. Are there any questions? I have no details as yet about our first mission or when it will start, but I do know we will have a week or so to get to know our way around the ship." (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge -FO-Lt. Cmdr. Ahmed Ibn Salid- - 1717) After all the introductions were completed, the captain moved to the presentation portion of the meeting. He knew already about the memorial medal and was pleased that everyone would be recognized for their service. He was also well aware of the fact that many of the officers in this room had received commendations. It had not dawned on him, however, that he might be among them. "You will all find your commemorative medals in your personal quarters after this meeting." Susan said, before continuing, "My next task is one I personally feel honored to do, since it is to recognize personal contributions to the vessel you all served on before, during and after the battle," she said. "Lt Commander Salid, front and centre." Ahmed stood, he was seated immediately to the Captain's right side, so a single step from behind the table was sufficient to bring him to the desired position. "Reporting as ordered captain." Ahmed replied. "Lt Commander Ahmed Ibn Salid, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Cross of Fire in recognition of your bravery in volunteering to remain on the bridge of the Champlain after the call to abandon ship was given. That is from Starfleet Command. In my personal gift is the Captain's Commendation, which is given by me in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle." She handed Ahmed the box containing his medals, then offered him her hand. "Congratulations, Number One." Ahmed accepted the display box with the medals and smiling shook the captains hand. " Thank you sir." he replied, then returned to his seat. He was still considering the fact that he had been awarded not one commemorative medal only, but three medals in total. It was a moving moment for him, although he never indicated as much. (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CONN - Lt. Dralar - 1727) Dralar listened as the captain gave out the commendations to his shipmates. He was pleased that they were being recognized for their sacrifice. They were such noble beings and he agreed with each presentation until he heard his own named was called. "Lieutenant Dralar, front and centre." Dralar rose to his feet, though he had seen this from a spectators point of view a few times, actually doing it was a different thing entirely. Had he known about this previously, he could have rehearsed the protocols. As it was he was completely unaware of such an event was possible, let alone likely to occur. He made his way to the same position that all the other officer had assumed and stopped a few feet short of the Captain. "I stand ready for your review War Captain Rivers." he replied. "Lieutenant Dralar, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Cross of Fire in recognition of your bravery in volunteering to remain on the bridge of the Champlain after the call to abandon ship was given. That is from Starfleet Command. In my personal gift is the Captain's Commendation, which is given by me in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle. Congratulations, Dralar," she added with a smile, holding out the box containing his medals to him and offering him her hand. Dralar carefully took the offered case and regarded the medals inside. He had many medals among his personal achievements, but already these had surpassed them in pride. He would display them prominently for all to see when they should review his worth. "As always, War captain, I am honored to have served under your command. I am and shall always be at your service." He said as he cocked his head slightly to the side and took her offered hand. ~remember this is a "hand shake" not a marriage proposal.~ he reminded himself. He turned and returned to his seat, still marveling at the new medals that he had earned. But of them all the Captain's commendation held the most meaning for him. There was no such medal among his people, and for a commanding officer to award such a rare honor upon a subordinate officer was a mark of high esteem indeed. (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - SEO, Lieutenant Steven Matrix - 1735) Matrix was taken by the Captain's presentation to her new crew and the obvious sense of family among those who had served together. He knew the bond well and missed his former crewmates. "Lieutenant Matrix, front and centre." A bit startled by being called, Matrix stood up and approached the Captain. "Aye Captain." replied Matrix as he stood at attention. "Lieutenant Steven Matrix, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you have also been awarded the Captain's Commendation, in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle for Betazed. Congratulations, Mr Matrix," she added with a smile, holding out the box containing his medal to him and offering him her hand. "I'm honored Captain. Thank you." replied Matrix with a genuine smile on his face. He shook the Captain's hand and took his seat. Matrix put the box in front of him on the table and listened to the other presentations. The crew reactions were of genuine gratitude and privilege. As the presentations concluded the Captain continued with ship's business. Matrix moved his attention back to Captain Rivers as she spoke. "After the meeting is over I would like to speak to Lieutenants Bird and Matrix, and also to Dr Whetari, if anyone else wishes to talk to me individually please also wait behind. Are there any questions? I have no details as yet about our first mission or when it will start, but I do know we will have a week or so to get to know our way around the ship." Matrix remained in his chair as the room cleared except for he and Lieutenant Bird and a few others. Authors: Lorna Appleby Hanspeter Bosshard Jono Bradley Patrick Dennett Liz Geuken Daniel Greene Paul Foden Sheila Mayer Rebecca Parker Steve Smith Jeremy Trout __________ NOD32 2857 (20080207) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com