Hepta Graduation [Aug 10 2005]
Aug 10, 2005 18:53:54 GMT
Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2005 18:53:54 GMT
"Computer… run program TJ Edwards 5793 Dakota," said TJ as he stood at the entrance to Holodeck Twelve, one of the largest Holodecks on Starbase Conqueror. A soft whirr! issued from inside the panel as the computer complied. Seconds later, the door to the holodeck slid open, and the Starfleet officer entered.
He stood in the midst of a forest late in the evening, as the distant sun was setting on the horizon. He, of course, could not see it, but it was evident by the degree of natural light available. Dusk was settling in, blanketing the forest in a cool shade as fireflies darted about the area. In the distance rose the sounds of ceremonial drums and chants.
TJ took a deep breath. The air smelled so refreshing, being fed oxygen by the trees. He looked at his clothing, which had changed, upon his entry to the holodeck, to an elaborate Sioux chieftain’s costume, complete with feathered headdress that reached down to his waist. White paint marked his chin, cheeks, and eyes.
He moved forward toward the sound of the drums and chants, feeling the ground, which was softened underneath his feet by the moccasins he was wearing. He nodded in satisfaction as he walked. It was a bit juvenile, he knew, but he definitely enjoyed the flow of the fringe on his buckskin clothing as he walked through the forest to the clearing where tonight’s ceremony was to take place, about fifty meters from the entrance to Holodeck Twelve.
When he arrived in the clearing he again nodded his approval as the darkness settled in a bit more.
There in the center was a large bonfire, rising at its apex some ten feet into the sky, giving an amber-like glow to everything surrounding it. Around the fire in a semi-circle were tents set up by the Sioux tribe, while flanking the fire on the opposite side was the shoreline to a crystalline lake. Sioux braves tended the fire, which was not quite yet high enough for their liking. Tonight, was a graduation ceremony. Tonight was a Rite of Passage. Tonight, cadets would become braves! This theme reverberated in the hands of the drummers and the hearts of the chanters, as they entered more and more into the chants being given as the ceremonial blaze grew taller in the center of the clearing.
Already there were many from different tribes gathering around the fire, finding seating on rocks, fallen trees, or simply sitting on the ground. All of them were in traditional Native American garb, reflecting the different tribes. Among them, also in native dress, were the friends and relatives of those who were, on this night, to become braves.
Midway between the fire and the lake, arranged in a semi-circular pattern were a series of stumps upon which sat the officers of the USS Hepta, also in full Sioux ceremonial dress. There, closest to the lake, sat Mr. MacHeath. Near him were Dr. Mackler and Dr. Johnson. Jessica Stephens was there as well, sitting next to Xin-Ling Chan. Other senior officers completed the circle.
TJ entered the circle of officers and greeted each one in turn. Most of them seemed pleased with the setting that he had arranged. And yet, there was that part of TJ that still desired to see Deis Irae as one of the guests.
Three separate stumps were at the center of the semi-circle of officers. One by one, the persons sitting on those stumps would rise before the gathering at the appropriate time. Looking up, TJ saw two figures walking toward the three stumps, those whose right it was to sit there in seats of honor.
At the lead was his First Officer, Mr. O’Connor, dressed, as was everyone else, in buckskin. TJ lifted his hand in greeting and smiled to him, and James returned the gesture. Following James O’Connor was the Academy Commandant, ONE, in buckskin and a very large headdress trailing to the ground. It was obvious to all, this was a great chief.
James took his seat on one of the three central stumps after greeting his fellow officers and was joined by TJ after he had led Chief ONE to the speakers’ area in the flickering light of the fire, whose strength now lifted sparks high into the atmosphere, far above the actual flames.
As TJ joined his first officer, leaving the central stump for Chief ONE, the former captain of the Hepta addressed his audience in this great council.
As the applause died down from ONE’s welcoming speech, TJ stepped up to where the Commandant stood, and ONE took his seat on the center stump.
"Thank you, Commandant," TJ said in acknowledgement of his former captain.
"Ladies an’ gentlemen who have gathered t’ this council meetin’ t’ honor those that are passin’ from cadet status t’ become braves – officers o’ Starfleet – I, too, give ye me welcome t’ this night.
"’Tis me honor an’ me privilege t’ be grantin’ these cadets th’ symbols o’ their recent accomplishment. An’ so, ‘tis askin’ them t’ step forward I am."
The graduating cadets stood and approached the ground upon which TJ stood, lining up in single file in front of him.
TJ took a feather from his belt and said, "Th’ first graduatin’ today is a security cadet who worked closely with th’ Chief o’ Security, Xin-Ling Chan, in a successful an’ dangerous effort t’ eliminate hostile alien forces who had invaded th’ Hepta. In this, he displayed great courage, which is a source o’ pride t’ his tribe.
"Adam Parsons, step up, please…"
Adam stepped forward until he stood about three feet from TJ, who then took the feather, which he rested in both hands and lifted to the heavens, then – strangely – pinned it to the chest of the cadet instead of placing it into the band around his head. Mr. Parsons left it there, though he was curious just why TJ had placed the feather there.
TJ shook Adam’s hand, and the former cadet, now turned officer, returned to the line.
"Roman Vicente, please step forward." The cadet did so.
"Durin’ our mission we were assaulted by an alien race who determined t’ destroy us. In that assault, Mr. Vicente was able t’ repair our port nacelle t’ th’ point o’ usefulness, allowin’ us th’ capability o’ warp drive."
TJ took another white feather from his belt, and raised it skyward as he had previously done. Then, as before, pinned it to the cadet’s chest.
"Our next t’ be promoted is Wolf J. Flywheel," said the captain of the Hepta, taking a third feather as the science cadet stepped forward. Again, he raised the feather, then pinned it to the cadet’s chest.
"Cadet, ‘tis great ingenuity ye displayed durin’ th’ mission, makin’ possible th’ retrieval o’ th’ away team from th’ enemy vessel. ‘Tis proud I am o’ ye.."
Several other cadets, male and female, received their promotions before the flickering fire that night. For each, applause roared from the Council attendees and Hepta officers.
"An’ ‘tis proud I am of all our graduates tonight," said TJ. "Nevertheless, two more awards are in keepin’ with tonight’s festivities…
"Once in each graduation, a special award is granted t’ one cadet who has shown special abilities in his or her field, an’ has served his or her vessel well in that capacity. This is known as the Academy Ribbon."
To everyone’s surprise, TJ took out, not a ribbon, but another feather, this time jet black in color. As he walked before each brave, he spoke to them all. "’Tis a hard decision it was, decidin’ who was t’ receive this award, but in th’ end, I have decided here…" TJ said, stopping before Wolf Flywheel and pinning the black feather to the chest of the new Starfleet officer.
Next, taking a pure white feather from his belt, he said, "In addition t’ th’ Academy Ribbon, there is th’ still higher award o’ th’ Academy Star of Excellence." Again, TJ walked up and down the group before him, stopped in front of Roman Vicente, and pinned the feather to his chest.
"Congratulations, Mr. Vicente," he said.
TJ looked over the line of new officers – previously cadets – before him. He was pleased with each one. Only a few were not there, who would not graduate – this time.
"An’ now, ‘tis a special treat I have for ye. Though she could not be here in person, our own beloved Admiral McCormick has recorded a message for th’ graduatin’ class. So, if you’ll turn your eyes t’ th’ fire in th’ midst o’ th’ camp …"
Everyone’s eyes focused on the fire as an elderly Sioux tribesman wearing a buffalo headdress slowly made his way to the fire and threw a handful of powder into it. In response, the blaze increased its size by a dramatic increase in height and in the volume of its roar, both of which died down within the moment. Then, suddenly, above the blaze appeared suspended in midair the form of Admiral Karynn McCormick.
TJ stood again near the fire at the speaker’s place. Taking a deep, satisfied breath, he said, "Once again, I offer me congratulations t’ th’ new officers o’ Starfleet. Th’ best t’ each o’ ye in your new assignments, which you’ll be getting’ in a matter o’ days. " TJ began a round of applause that carried throughout the campgrounds.
"But now," he continued, "graduatin’ ceremonies bein’ over, ‘tis invitin’ th’ lot o’ ye I am t’ partake in a wondrous feast we’ve prepared for ye in honor o’ our new Starfleet Officers.
"Computer," TJ raised his voice further, "end program TJ Edwards 5793 Dakota an’ run standard program number seven."
Instantly, the lakeside clearing in the forest became a standard banqueting facility, the Native American costumes became both civilian clothing and Starfleet uniforms, and the various awards were now visible in their true form – pips, one Academy Ribbon, and one Academy Star of Excellence.
Any of you who reported in but did not graduate, do not become discouraged. We understand that from time to time, real life situations will conflict with posting, and in those cases, it is right that you deal with the real life situations.
You are welcome to join the next outgoing training vessel and enjoy its mission. Remember to post, and you will graduate upon its return.
He stood in the midst of a forest late in the evening, as the distant sun was setting on the horizon. He, of course, could not see it, but it was evident by the degree of natural light available. Dusk was settling in, blanketing the forest in a cool shade as fireflies darted about the area. In the distance rose the sounds of ceremonial drums and chants.
TJ took a deep breath. The air smelled so refreshing, being fed oxygen by the trees. He looked at his clothing, which had changed, upon his entry to the holodeck, to an elaborate Sioux chieftain’s costume, complete with feathered headdress that reached down to his waist. White paint marked his chin, cheeks, and eyes.
He moved forward toward the sound of the drums and chants, feeling the ground, which was softened underneath his feet by the moccasins he was wearing. He nodded in satisfaction as he walked. It was a bit juvenile, he knew, but he definitely enjoyed the flow of the fringe on his buckskin clothing as he walked through the forest to the clearing where tonight’s ceremony was to take place, about fifty meters from the entrance to Holodeck Twelve.
When he arrived in the clearing he again nodded his approval as the darkness settled in a bit more.
There in the center was a large bonfire, rising at its apex some ten feet into the sky, giving an amber-like glow to everything surrounding it. Around the fire in a semi-circle were tents set up by the Sioux tribe, while flanking the fire on the opposite side was the shoreline to a crystalline lake. Sioux braves tended the fire, which was not quite yet high enough for their liking. Tonight, was a graduation ceremony. Tonight was a Rite of Passage. Tonight, cadets would become braves! This theme reverberated in the hands of the drummers and the hearts of the chanters, as they entered more and more into the chants being given as the ceremonial blaze grew taller in the center of the clearing.
Already there were many from different tribes gathering around the fire, finding seating on rocks, fallen trees, or simply sitting on the ground. All of them were in traditional Native American garb, reflecting the different tribes. Among them, also in native dress, were the friends and relatives of those who were, on this night, to become braves.
Midway between the fire and the lake, arranged in a semi-circular pattern were a series of stumps upon which sat the officers of the USS Hepta, also in full Sioux ceremonial dress. There, closest to the lake, sat Mr. MacHeath. Near him were Dr. Mackler and Dr. Johnson. Jessica Stephens was there as well, sitting next to Xin-Ling Chan. Other senior officers completed the circle.
TJ entered the circle of officers and greeted each one in turn. Most of them seemed pleased with the setting that he had arranged. And yet, there was that part of TJ that still desired to see Deis Irae as one of the guests.
Three separate stumps were at the center of the semi-circle of officers. One by one, the persons sitting on those stumps would rise before the gathering at the appropriate time. Looking up, TJ saw two figures walking toward the three stumps, those whose right it was to sit there in seats of honor.
At the lead was his First Officer, Mr. O’Connor, dressed, as was everyone else, in buckskin. TJ lifted his hand in greeting and smiled to him, and James returned the gesture. Following James O’Connor was the Academy Commandant, ONE, in buckskin and a very large headdress trailing to the ground. It was obvious to all, this was a great chief.
James took his seat on one of the three central stumps after greeting his fellow officers and was joined by TJ after he had led Chief ONE to the speakers’ area in the flickering light of the fire, whose strength now lifted sparks high into the atmosphere, far above the actual flames.
As TJ joined his first officer, leaving the central stump for Chief ONE, the former captain of the Hepta addressed his audience in this great council.
As the applause died down from ONE’s welcoming speech, TJ stepped up to where the Commandant stood, and ONE took his seat on the center stump.
"Thank you, Commandant," TJ said in acknowledgement of his former captain.
"Ladies an’ gentlemen who have gathered t’ this council meetin’ t’ honor those that are passin’ from cadet status t’ become braves – officers o’ Starfleet – I, too, give ye me welcome t’ this night.
"’Tis me honor an’ me privilege t’ be grantin’ these cadets th’ symbols o’ their recent accomplishment. An’ so, ‘tis askin’ them t’ step forward I am."
The graduating cadets stood and approached the ground upon which TJ stood, lining up in single file in front of him.
TJ took a feather from his belt and said, "Th’ first graduatin’ today is a security cadet who worked closely with th’ Chief o’ Security, Xin-Ling Chan, in a successful an’ dangerous effort t’ eliminate hostile alien forces who had invaded th’ Hepta. In this, he displayed great courage, which is a source o’ pride t’ his tribe.
"Adam Parsons, step up, please…"
Adam stepped forward until he stood about three feet from TJ, who then took the feather, which he rested in both hands and lifted to the heavens, then – strangely – pinned it to the chest of the cadet instead of placing it into the band around his head. Mr. Parsons left it there, though he was curious just why TJ had placed the feather there.
TJ shook Adam’s hand, and the former cadet, now turned officer, returned to the line.
"Roman Vicente, please step forward." The cadet did so.
"Durin’ our mission we were assaulted by an alien race who determined t’ destroy us. In that assault, Mr. Vicente was able t’ repair our port nacelle t’ th’ point o’ usefulness, allowin’ us th’ capability o’ warp drive."
TJ took another white feather from his belt, and raised it skyward as he had previously done. Then, as before, pinned it to the cadet’s chest.
"Our next t’ be promoted is Wolf J. Flywheel," said the captain of the Hepta, taking a third feather as the science cadet stepped forward. Again, he raised the feather, then pinned it to the cadet’s chest.
"Cadet, ‘tis great ingenuity ye displayed durin’ th’ mission, makin’ possible th’ retrieval o’ th’ away team from th’ enemy vessel. ‘Tis proud I am o’ ye.."
Several other cadets, male and female, received their promotions before the flickering fire that night. For each, applause roared from the Council attendees and Hepta officers.
"An’ ‘tis proud I am of all our graduates tonight," said TJ. "Nevertheless, two more awards are in keepin’ with tonight’s festivities…
"Once in each graduation, a special award is granted t’ one cadet who has shown special abilities in his or her field, an’ has served his or her vessel well in that capacity. This is known as the Academy Ribbon."
To everyone’s surprise, TJ took out, not a ribbon, but another feather, this time jet black in color. As he walked before each brave, he spoke to them all. "’Tis a hard decision it was, decidin’ who was t’ receive this award, but in th’ end, I have decided here…" TJ said, stopping before Wolf Flywheel and pinning the black feather to the chest of the new Starfleet officer.
Next, taking a pure white feather from his belt, he said, "In addition t’ th’ Academy Ribbon, there is th’ still higher award o’ th’ Academy Star of Excellence." Again, TJ walked up and down the group before him, stopped in front of Roman Vicente, and pinned the feather to his chest.
"Congratulations, Mr. Vicente," he said.
TJ looked over the line of new officers – previously cadets – before him. He was pleased with each one. Only a few were not there, who would not graduate – this time.
"An’ now, ‘tis a special treat I have for ye. Though she could not be here in person, our own beloved Admiral McCormick has recorded a message for th’ graduatin’ class. So, if you’ll turn your eyes t’ th’ fire in th’ midst o’ th’ camp …"
Everyone’s eyes focused on the fire as an elderly Sioux tribesman wearing a buffalo headdress slowly made his way to the fire and threw a handful of powder into it. In response, the blaze increased its size by a dramatic increase in height and in the volume of its roar, both of which died down within the moment. Then, suddenly, above the blaze appeared suspended in midair the form of Admiral Karynn McCormick.
TJ stood again near the fire at the speaker’s place. Taking a deep, satisfied breath, he said, "Once again, I offer me congratulations t’ th’ new officers o’ Starfleet. Th’ best t’ each o’ ye in your new assignments, which you’ll be getting’ in a matter o’ days. " TJ began a round of applause that carried throughout the campgrounds.
"But now," he continued, "graduatin’ ceremonies bein’ over, ‘tis invitin’ th’ lot o’ ye I am t’ partake in a wondrous feast we’ve prepared for ye in honor o’ our new Starfleet Officers.
"Computer," TJ raised his voice further, "end program TJ Edwards 5793 Dakota an’ run standard program number seven."
Instantly, the lakeside clearing in the forest became a standard banqueting facility, the Native American costumes became both civilian clothing and Starfleet uniforms, and the various awards were now visible in their true form – pips, one Academy Ribbon, and one Academy Star of Excellence.
Any of you who reported in but did not graduate, do not become discouraged. We understand that from time to time, real life situations will conflict with posting, and in those cases, it is right that you deal with the real life situations.
You are welcome to join the next outgoing training vessel and enjoy its mission. Remember to post, and you will graduate upon its return.