Disembarkation

Posted on Wed Aug 30th, 2023 @ 8:18am by Captain Maia Sterling & 2nd Lieutenant Saul Humphries & Lieutenant Commander Sheena Toran-Blake & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Blake & Lieutenant Commander Robert Hendon & Lieutenant Paisley P'Rar & Lieutenant Rick Gibbs & Lieutenant Commander Havri Belbre & Captain Karyn Somers & Lieutenant JG Samantha Blake, Ph.D

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Leto/Starbase 51/Various
Timeline: Current

[ON]

The day had come to her duties on the Leto had now been officially completed, There was a newly minted Second Lieutenant in command of what remained of the Rifles on this small ship, all her belongings, of which there were never that many, now she picked up her carry-on bag and her transfer Padd and a bottle of Earth Whiskey 2150 vintage rare and what would have been expensive had money still be used, it was the real stuff and a high content alcohol rating and headed out, she stood in the doorway of her quarters and took one last look around and sighed.

The Leto lower Decks were quiet as most of the crew were on shore leave, enjoying the facilities of the Starbase, She walked down the corridor, she was lucky she had been billeted on the same level as the airlocks, so no turbo-lift rides were required, as she rounded the corner to the Port side Airlock she smiled and chuckled in resigned humour, standing there was Captain Sterling waiting for her, as she approached the Captain smiling.

"Come to see me off, Captain?" She asked.

"I come to see off all my best offices, Karyn. You have come a long way and I am sure your sister is very proud of your accomplishments and achievements. I sure hate to lose you. But it is time you moved on to bigger and better responsibilities and adventures. Mr Humphries would be here too, he sends his warmest regards, but as you know he is off to OTS. His instructors say he is a natural leader, a credit I'm sure to your exemplary example, Karyn." Maia replied.

*Smiling at the compliments* "I enjoyed my short time here Captain, for years I watched you when I could as First Officer on the Tomcat, you served my Cousin loyally, while you wanted to remain on the Tomcat, you have more than earned your place as a ship Commander in your own right and you are now where you are meant to be, well that is how I see it. As for me I will be moving over to Fleet and becoming a Security Officer proper, my big Sister is proud of me and surprised that my career path is going in the same fashion as hers she moved to Security decades ago for a short time then returned to Marines, I may do the same, but my future is not written. As for bigger and better responsibilities that is not in my immediate future, but who knows we may bump into each other again in the future Captain, should you ever dock at Starbase 51 again, also when you see Saul, give him my best wishes" she said and held out her hand to the Captain.

"That seems likely as this is my command base in this sector," Maia said extending and shaking Karyn's hand warmly.

"It has been an honour to serve with you, Karyn," Maia added. She led Karyn to the transporter room the halls were lined with the entire crew as tribute.

"And I you Captain," Karyn said and as she turned a corner, the corridor led to an airlock as the ship was currently docked no transporter was needed but the route did pass by the transporter, as she looked down the corridor she saw the crew lined up on either side. she looked at the Captain with a betrayed look "Captain, I wanted to keep my departure quiet, most of the crew do not even know who the MCO was" she said embarrassed.

The Leto was primarily a diplomatic vessel and as such was no stranger to pomp and circumstance. This was a solemn occasion. Karyn was a Hero and had done great service aboard the Leto. Most of the crew owed them her life more than twice over.

Consider it a Captain's prerogative Karyn. You have done great service for this ship, and if there was more time I would have done this right, and the crew does know you very well. You came up through the officer ranks here and have been a valued member and leader. You have had a greater impact on this crew than you know," Maia said.

Belbre was standing in the left column of the ranks with the Marines. She stood at attention and waited for Captain Somers to walk through. She was honoured to be able to take part in this ceremony to honour her as a Great Marine Leader.

*Quietly to the Captain* "Speak to Fleet Captain Somers on the Starbase, Saul told me you were trying to get more Rifles, I told him basically that it would be hard and that Fleet Command would be resistant to this, but speak to Jasmine and see if she will reassign some Starbase stationed troops to the Leto" then she put on a smile and a brave face and prepared to walk the gauntlet to the airlock.

"I too am a rifle Karyn, a chosen man in fact. Jasmine will listen to me," Maia said.

Sheena was at the end of the gauntlet waiting patiently for Captain Somers to walk through. It had been a good mission and a ton of gratitude Sheena wanted to bestow upon her. Not only did she secure her parents and protect them, but she also saved Sheena's life and her unborn children. Finding the perfect parting gift was not the easiest thing. Not knowing what to get her, Sheena decided that a simple thanks would be sufficient, so patiently she waited.

It was always sad when friends and colleagues moved on to pastures new. One day not soon but in the near future Robert would probably do the same thing. He stood with the others holding a parting gift a bottle of Chateau Picard. He had been holding onto it for quite some time. But no occasion until today merited it either being opened or passed on.

The Chief Science Officer stood nearby, watching the interactions. She had come back to the Leto from her various Shore Leave escapades just to say farewell. She hadn't been around long, but she still felt that it was appropriate to recognize the woman's departure. In her left hand, she held a special bottle of Kanar from her own family's estate. Her paternal ancestors had distilled the spirit for half a millennia-something that the young Carjoran didn't see the need to continue in the modern day. When her father died, she had the full intention of selling everything. It was the very least he could do, after all. She smoothed the blue tunic and then smiled when Somers approached the end of the salute line. She wasn't a Marine, so she wasn't invited to raise a sword silly, kind of quaint Old Earth practice that she wasn't that impressed with, anyway. She held out the bottle. "Thank you for taking a chance on me," she said to the woman. "A gift to you. Homemade Kanar, aged 120 years."

Pausing next to the Hybrid and with a smile "Thank you Lieutenant P'Rar" Karyn said taking the offered bottle of Kanar and putting it into the carry bag she had with her "Best of luck on future missions Lieutenant" she responded.

"Thank you, ma'am. Best of luck to you, as well." The Carjoran fell back into the crowd then-she wasn't a sappy woman, nor one of many words.

Ryan and Samantha stood near the end of the farewell line. He offered his hand to Karyn. "It's been an honour, privilege and pleasure to have served with you for almost two years Captain Somers. You are one of the most outstanding Marines I have ever served with."

Karyn actually blushed at that compliment as she shook Ryan's hand, "Thank you, Commander" she said and looked at Samantha who met her eyes which did not immediately waver.

Samantha looked at the beautiful woman and thought back to the Girl's Night in the officer's lounge. She didn't want to cause Karyn any embarrassment, but couldn't help herself. She took a half step forward and hugged Karyn, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Gonna miss you, Karyn."

Cheeks still flushed took this in stride, a little unexpected and professional, but she responded in the same manner "Gonna miss you too Sammi!" Karyn said smiling to signify that she was teasing the woman, she knew she preferred to be called Samantha, so she decided to tease her affectionately.

Samantha gave a mock sigh of indignation before hugging Karyn one final time before releasing her. "I'm going to let that one slide, but just this once."

With a final nod to Samantha Karyn moved on down the line, As she did she turned to Sterling "How was your departure from the Tomcat handled Captain, Was it one of these or a quiet affair?" Somers asked.

Very similar to this Karyn, it becomes a Leto/Rifles tradition.

Karyn nodded in response to the Captain's answer, not wishing to push anything, The question was asked and answered and she was okay with this,

Rick decided to show, if nothing else out of respect. Granted he didn't really know Karyn, that part didn't have to matter. Just in the line.

As she approached the next she paused and looked at Gibbs, "We never met did with Lieutenant, um...?" Somers asked.

"Rick Gibbs." Offering his hand, "We didn't officially meet, but we did have hand in collaboration on some of the missions. Outstanding work."

*Smiling* "Thank you Rick and same to you," Karyn said shaking his hand in response.

Hendon was next. He extended his hand to Somers and also gave his friend and colleague the bottle of Chateau Picard.

“ This is for you my friend safe travels.” He said.

[OFF]

----------------------------------------------