Captain Quinn Reynolds - Honours and Awards (Part II)

[Quinn Reynolds]

((Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco))

::Sotek did not give a short speech. The Admiral spoke in grave tones of the the vital duties of exploration and discovery that Starfleet performed, and of the dedication, bravery and sacrifices of those who served. 

::He went on to describe some of the events that the Gorkon had survived. The first battle with the Jem'Hadar fleet, that saw them overcome their opponent's superior numbers and firepower to emerge victorious.

Sotek: Starfleet honours the actions of those surviving crew, and of all those who fell in the line of duty. Each crew member, including those who joined the Gorkon from the USS Triumphant, is hereby awarded the Quantum Reality Service Ribbon, the Extended Service Ribbon, the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Ribbon.

::As Sotek would not, Quinn led the polite applause and as she did so, a few faces in the crowd caught her eyes. Her own family first; her father was smiling at her, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening further. In his arms was Amelia, her daughter, and her son Dylan stood by his side. Amelia was thoroughly entertained, and Quinn smiled as the toddler began to enthusiastically clap along with the rest of the crowd. Dylan seemed less enthused, the nine year-old somewhat sullen in his demeanour.

::After them, her senior staff, and she was pleased that some of them were supported by their families as well. In particular, she was delighted to see Stoyer had been reunited with his wife, the indomitable Petra Bjarnadottir-Stoyer, who had risked her career and freedom to bring him home.::

Sotek: Ensign Hallbjorn Baldursson, Ensign Frank O'Malley, Lieutenant Commander Katie Vayne, join me on stage.

O'Malley/Baldursson/Vayne: response

::In typical Vulcan -- perhaps admiralty, or maybe both -- fashion, there was no please and it was not phrased as a request. She watched as the trio made their way up to stand with the Admiral on stage. With perfect poise, the Vulcan addressed both them and the audience at the same time.::

Sotek: During the rescue of the Gorkon, the crew of the USS Clovis displayed great ingenuity; in reconfiguring the ship's probes and sensors, and in manipulating the ship's quantum slipstream drive to create a quantum bridge through the fissure, all of which proved essential in the Gorkon's safe return. Without their resourcefulness and quick-thinking, we would not be gathered here today. As such, Starfleet commends and honours their actions with the Innovation Ribbon and the Silver Lifesaving Ribbon.

::She absolutely agreed that the Clovis crew deserved their ribbons, but as Sotek spoke, she found herself searching out Walter, Valesha and the other members of the Yarahla Nine in the crowd. They deserved those ribbons as well, but Starfleet had no intention of rewarding their decision to steal the Yarahla, no matter that they had ultimately been proven correct in doing so. It was one thing to set them free, another thing entirely to publicly commend their actions.

::Regardless, she swiftly turned her attention back to the trio in front of her and smiled at each in turn, offering them gloved handshake, after which Vess presented them with the small box containing their awards.::

Vess/O'Malley/Baldursson/Vayne: response

::She watched them make their way off the stage, then turned her attention back to the Admiral. Next was one of the awards she always found the most peculiar, in that it was given not for what an individual had done, but what had happened to them.::

Sotek: Captain Quinn Reynolds, Lieutenant Commander Chythar Skyfire, Lieutenant Commander Ayiana Sevo, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Laek Rosek, join me.

Skyfire/Sevo/Rosek: response

::When the three had made their way onto the stage, she stepped forward to join them. Though Starfleet Medical had done a fine job in repairing the lingering damage wrought by the Jem'Hadar weapon, her arm often ached where the wound had been.::

Sotek: Many wish to serve in Starfleet, and it is but a select few who are able to conduct themselves with the skill, courage and conviction that is required -- especially in such trying circumstances. Each of these officers sets an example that we should all strive to follow, and each suffered injuries in the line of duty. It is Starfleet's honour to recognise your dedication and sacrifice in service to the Federation, by awarding each of you the Purple Heart.

::Much like before, she smiled and offered each of the recipients a smile and a handshake. She was oddly indifferent to her own receipt of the award, feeling as though she had endured far worse things over the past year than losing a chunk of her arm.::

Vess/Skyfire/Sevo/Rosek: response

::Skyfire, Sevo and Rosek filtered off the stage. The awards ceremony was coming to a close, with only two more people to be called.::

Sotek: Ensign Jocelyn Marshall, join me.

Marshall: response

Sotek: Despite the great pressures of the past year, Ensign Marshall has performed her duties with diligence and great proficiency, conducting herself with courage, honour and humility. Her skills and abilities far surpass those of Starfleet's most junior officers, and as such, Starfleet bestows upon her the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all the rights and privileges thereof.

::Quinn had not forgotten the small act of kindness that Marshall had shown those weeks ago, in the lawns of Starfleet Headquarters. As she offered the woman her gloved hand to shake, she murmured a quiet few words.::

Reynolds: Congratulations, Lieutenant. ::She paused, maintaining eye contact, and added even more quietly,:: And *thank you*.

Vess/Marshall: response

::Marshall left the stage and rejoined the crowd, and Quinn steeled herself. She knew what was coming next, and she wasn't looking forward to it. 

Sotek: Captain Reynolds, please step forward. ::She did so, her face neutral, her shoulders squared.:: It is recognised by everyone here present, and in the highest echelons of Starfleet and indeed the Federation, that the command of the USS Gorkon during its disappearance was a difficult and demanding task that many would not be equal to. Captain Reynolds' extraordinary actions in leading her crew, and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with our highest traditions, and reflect great credit upon herself, the crew of the USS Gorkon, and Starfleet. It is then only fitting that she be awarded the Federation Cross, the highest honour in Starfleet.

::Hundreds of people had died, and she was given a medal -- *The* Medal. As much as she tried to focus on the good, on those who had lived, it was hard to forget the loss and suffering of the past year. Especially when it rose every night to haunt her.::

Sotek: Furthermore. Her dedication to Starfleet, to her ship and and her crew, and the skill, courage and conviction she demonstrates in in leading them is above and beyond what Starfleet expects from its captains. As such, Starfleet bestows upon her the rank of Fleet Captain, with all the rights and privileges thereof.

::She had been told about the promotion -- one didn't spring the rise to Fleet Captain on someone without any warning -- and she had been told that it had been approved months and months ago, while the Gorkon had been trapped in the Dominion-dominated universe and Starfleet had still been looking for them. Though she'd had no way of knowing it at the time, she'd been a Fleet Captain for most of their ordeal, since stardate 239302.26

::She turned to Vess, took a breath, and offered him a thin smile. As he pinned the medal to her chest, and the bar on her collar, her eyes wandered back down to the audience. Walter was watching her, his blue gaze intense, and when their eyes met, he gave a small, approving nod.::

Vess: response

::She glanced back to Alucard, nodding to him and shaking his hand once she was festooned with the new metalwork. Presentation done, she stepped back to allow Sotek to bring the awards to a close.::

Sotek: That concludes our ceremony. Starfleet thanks you all for your service-- ::was it her imagination, or did he look at the Yarahla Nine there?:: --and for the continued support of your families. May you all live long, and prosper.

Any: response

--

​Fleet C​

aptain Quinn Reynolds
Commanding Officer

USS Gorkon

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