[G] JP: Capts. Egan Manno and Reynolds & Cmdr. Ross: The Ribbon Ceremony

[Tony]

( OOC / Assume that this takes place after all of the meetings with Cassie have concluded, which is to say that most people know her by sight and name, and she them. )

(( Ten Forward, USS Garuda ))

:: The excuse to wear her dress uniform was enough for Cassie to recapture the modicum of normalcy she sought. And, yet, as she reflected upon the many fancy dinners and functions she’d attended at Admin -- and remembered how she’d hated them -- she did wonder: Why search for that measure of safety and sameness? Once upon a time, many years ago, when she’d been working on experimental ship designs, she had wanted to explore - as the crew of the Mercury, now the crew of the Garuda, had done, and were doing.

She wished she could say that she stepped up to the podium with a new smile upon her face, but really this unexpected epiphany had only served to sow more confusion and to enhance her feelings of alienation: She might have been one of the officers who, sight unseen, had assigned the Mercury to the mission that had nearly destroyed her. Still, she was here now, and she was determined -- now that the assignment definitely wasn’t being rescinded -- to do her best.

Even if that meant handing out ribbons.

Thankfully, she had the assistance of her new first officer, Commander Ross, and Captain Reynolds -- no, Quinn -- the latter of whom had commanded the Mercury last during its aborted final mission. They would do the actual pinning; all Cassie had to do was speechify. Well, that wasn’t so hard, she reminded herself, and she was pleased to hear that her voice was strong and even. ::

EGAN MANNO: Good evening to you, the senior staff of the USS Garuda, formerly of the USS Mercury. For those of you who don’t yet know me, I am your commanding officer, Cassandra Egan Manno. And as my first official act as your CO, it is my pleasure to announce Starfleet’s ribbons for outstanding service to some of the officers assembled here.

:: She shifted, though it was barely noticeable, as she looked again down the list. It certainly was a long list, but that meant to her that this crew was competent and able. Good things, really. So why was her heart still beating quickly. ::

EGAN MANNO: First, the Gateway Ribbon. Those officers who have been so awarded participated in action regarding the recent opening of Iconian gateways across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants and responded to their specific situation with appropriate measures. (beat) This crew’s recognized officers are Captain Quinn Reynolds; Commander Harrison Ross; Lieutenant Commanders Roshanara Rahman and Saveron; Lieutenants Jade Shryker, Mei’konda, and Tato Zeme; Lieutenants, junior grade Trel’lis, Kotir Arith, and Alora DeVeau; and Ensigns Mauel Calavera and Kyle Dracht. Captain Kells, Lieutenant Commander Breeman, and Ensigns Sahriv and T’Vai are also noted in absentia.

:: Well, that wasn’t so bad; the shuffle during which Ross and Quinn performed the physical act of awarding — the pinning on of ribbons and whatnot — took much of the pressure off Cassie’s list of names. ::

EGAN MANNO: The Silver Star is next awarded to those officers who performed with marked gallantry and heroism against an antagonist. In this case, I firmly support the decision to recognize those of you who faced the Cardassian warship and her experimental cloak. Councilor Prianna of the Cardassian Union’s Detapa Council also wishes to pass along her government’s thanks. (beat) The recognized officers are Captain Quinn Reynolds; Lieutenants Jade Shryker and Mei’konda; Lieutenants, Junior Grade, Trel’lis and Kotir Arith; and Ensigns Kyle Dracht and Manuel Calavera. Further, Captain Kells, Lieutenant Commander Breeman, and Ensign Sahriv are awarded in absentia.

::Reynolds moved among the crew for this ribbon, pinning the Silver Star to the uniforms of the newly decorated officers with only a quiet smile and a softly murmured word of congratulations. When it came to her own, she deftly plucked it from Ross' hand and stowed it away in a pocket.::

EGAN MANNO: I would like now to announce the awards for the Mercury’s away team. The members of this team all receive the Good Conduct Ribbon for their conspicuous gallantry on the surface of Nygel II in the face of great harm. Those officers are Commander Harrison Ross; Lieutenant Commanders Roshanara Rahman and Saveron; Lieutenant Tato Zeme; Lieutenant, junior grade Alora DeVeau; and Ensign T’Vai in absentia. (beat) Further, in recognition of their suffering and the trauma visited upon them in course of their Starfleet duties, the Prisoner of War Ribbon is hereby conferred upon Lieutenant Commander Roshanara Rahman and Lieutenant, Junior Grade Alora DeVeau. Finally, for their injuries sustained in the line of duty, Commander Harrison Ross, Lieutenant Commander Saveron, Lieutenant, junior Grade Alora DeVeau, and Ensign T’Vai in absentia are hereby recognized by the Purple Heart.

::Ross was more gregarious as he handed out the ribbons to the members of his away team. A warm smile and a handshake, for Rahman, DeVeau and Zeme. Saveron was also offered a smile, and small bow that was little more than a nod. His ribbons were pinned onto his uniform by Reynolds, and he echoed her small smile with a cautious one of his own.::

EGAN MANNO: I understand, too, that many of you still need to attend to your own business with regard to the recent transfers. Please do so, but please also feel free to celebrate your achievements and those of your shipmates at a small afterparty. There will be food and drinks here in about fifteen minutes, as well as live music as provided by the R&D engineers. (beat) Congratulations to you all.

( OOC / Feel free, if you'd like, to bring your character to this event while we're still setting up for unexpected theatrical shenanigans. If you already have some plans and would prefer your character not to be at the event, that's fine, too. Looking forward to it! )

Tag! and TBC!

Captain Cassandra Egan Manno

CO, USS Garuda

&

Captain Quinn Reynolds

Director of Intel, USS Garuda

&

Commander Harrison Ross

XO, USS Garuda