"She was a great woman. A woman I loved. She gave me the confidence to withstand this continuing Kirusan attacks. She was very powerful. The Jeorri lost a great diplomat." Captain Maruu removed a tear from his cheek. "The Federation lost a great ambassador." He nodded to Valdago. Valdago nodded back and pressed a few buttons which launched the black coffin into the void of space. Maruu smiled at seeing Roen finally free of the physical realm. "Now, on to the celebrations!"
The crew applauded. The new bar had been built; Lazarus and Dweezle had made it look mopre like home in the past few days. It took two decks now. Two floors of entertainment plus one additional holodeck reachable only through a spiral staircase that led to the "fun room", as Dweezle so comically put it. In the center, Dweezle had asked to place a fountain in the form of a sculpture. He said it was in the form of his favorite mate, but it looked more like abstract art. It was still nice to look at.
Maruu looked at the Chief Medical Officer and smiled. His new relationship was becoming a bit obvious to the rest of the crew.
Lt. Nori smiled back.
"All right, people. Promotion time. Will the following people please step forward," he paused, "Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Lataro, Ensign Javier Tara, Lieutenant Dana Nori, Lieutenant Junior Grade Garek Loran, and Lieutenant K'Lara."
The five officers stepped forward.
Captain Maruu asked Valdago for five, small, black cases. He handed them over. "Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Lataro, for your ability in time of emergency to handle the captaincy of this vessel and due to the death of Commander Surok, I hereby promote you to the position of First Officer and the rank of Commander."
He shook Lataro's hand and handed him a case with three gold pips. "You are also relieved of your duties as Chief of Security of this ship." Maruu went on to the next officer. "Ensign Javier Tara, I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade." He shook Tara's hand, handed him a case with one gold pip and one black one, and went on to the next officer. "Lieutenant Dana Nori, for your ability to command this vessel in times of distress and for doing a great job with my leg, I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander." He shook Nori's hand, smiling from ear to ear, handed her a case with two gold pips and one black one, and went on to the next officer. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Garek Loran, for your excellent work on the cloaking device and shuttle which I expect to be built before New Year's Day, I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant." He shook Loran's hand, who was already euphoric about the thought of building a new shuttle, handed him a case with two gold pips, and went on to the next officer. "And Lieutenant K'Lara, I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander." He shook K'Lara's hand, handed her a case with two gold pips and one black one. "Congratulations to all."
The officers stepped back and congratulated each other. Now that the funerals and promotions were over, Lazarus had Dweezle roll out a huge cake. It was big enough for all the crewmember to eat anything they wanted. The crew dug in. They were all having fun again.
After a few minutes, Commander Nori got a call on her com badge. [Commander?] It was the captain.
"Yeah?" She smiled. "What are you doing on the com?"
[Don't worry about it. Prepare for a site-to-site transport.]
"Oka..." She hadn't finished when she was transported out of the bar.
Nori appeared horizontally a few feet above the floor, she began to fall. Suddenly, two arms caught her softly. "Hello, Dana. Thanks for dropping by."
She smiled at her Commanding Officer. "You're crazy, you know that?"
"Actually, Lt. Zano gave me a clean bill of psychological health. So, medically, I'm not crazy." He twitched his nose. "But maybe I just hide it well. What do you think?"
"I like you crazy." She pressed her lips to his. "Thanks for the promotion."
"Hey, don't thank me. You earned it." He paused. "I wonder what the crew would think if they saw me with the Chief Medical Officer."
"They'd probably think you're just in this for the health benefits."
"Hell yeah. That'd be interesting."
Nori stood up and looked around. The beaches were magnificent. There were palm trees everywhere. The binary stars were eclipsed shading a beautiful light on the transparent salt water. The sandwas gold and warm. It was paradise. "What is this?"
Maruu smiled. "Program Maruu Alpha Four. It's a mix of different places; Risa, Denmar IV, Earth, pre-Syrenian Meridian, Ourha's garden; to make the most perfect paradise ever. Do you like it?"
"It's beautiful. Did you just make this program?"
"Just last week. C'mon, let's enjoy it."
The two moved into the holodeck to enjoy the artificial utopia that was before their eyes.