Fleet Captain Quinn Reynolds - When Diplomacy Fails, We Succeed

[Quinn Reynolds]

((Garden Court at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco))

::The meal was over, and people were nursing their post-banquet drinks, be they caffeinated, alcoholic or otherwise in nature. Quinn continued chatting lightly with the officers at her table, giving everyone a chance to digest their food, until the appointed time arrived. Steeling herself to be the focus of everyone's attention for a while, she excused herself, rose from the table and made her way up to the main stage. From the opposite side, Walter joined her, as they had planned -- though that didn't stop her from wondering where he had been all evening.

::The piano quintet quieted, and the musicians left their seats to take a well-earned break. Toward the end of the meal, a podium had been placed on the stage, along with a nearby table. On top of the latter, a series of small, black hinged presentation boxes had been arranged in neat and organised stacks. More than a few glances had been sent their way, once they had appeared, as people wondered who would be wearing those awards by the end of the evening.

::She didn't have to say anything to start with. The presence of the captain at the stage's podium was enough to quiet the conversations in the dining hall, and it wasn't long before all eyes were upon her.::

Reynolds: If the senior crew would please join me. 

::While she waited for her staff joined her onstage, Quinn pulled on a pristine pair of pure white, formal cotton gloves. With the potential for handshakes and new pips on people's collars, the chance of accidental skin contact -- and therefore telepathic contact -- was a little too high for her to feel comfortable without them. 

::The senior crew formed a neat and orderly pair of rows on the stage, as they had been earlier briefed to do. Despite the shenanigans of the last mission and shore leave, Quinn felt a sudden surge of pride as she looked at them. They were good officers, and good people. With a nod, she turned back to the seated crew, and began to talk.::

Reynolds: Thank you all for coming. I know that shore leave on Earth is a rare and precious thing for many of you, so I appreciate that you were able to make time to join us for these celebrations. I'd also like to thank Commander Brunsig for organising a spectacular evening, one that will remain in our memories for a long time to come.

::She lifted her hands and led the applause. Walter stood there, shoulders squared and stoic, though she knew him well enough to spot the ghost of discomfort on his face. Public shows of appreciation were certainly not something he was used to.

::Once the applause had died down, she continued.::

Reynolds: When the Gorkon was asked to host a diplomatic conference, I doubt any of us expected events to take such a dramatic turn. While the conference ultimately was deferred due to the criminal actions of two individuals, you all nonetheless diligently performed your duties to an exceptional degree. It's my great honour and delight to recognise your hard work and achievements tonight.

::Quinn paused, glancing around the dining room. There were serious faces, smiling faces, and people looking toward their friends on stage with pride, excitement and affection in their eyes. She had no doubt there would be some who celebrated long into the small hours of the morning, once she had finished.::

Reynolds: I'll begin with those whose duties that mission took them away from the Gorkon. When Commander Vess and and a small group of the Gorkon's senior staff were asked to command the USS Triumphant in a war games exercise, they had no idea that they would be called upon to enter into a real conflict. The USS Shavar, which had come under attack by a warship in the hands of the Orion Syndicate, survived only due to the assistance provided by the USS Resolute and the USS Triumphant. 

::It had been then that she had realised just how vital the taskforce was in the area. The Shavar was a capable ship, but even it had needed the formidable back-up of two Defiants when it had uncovered one of the Syndicate's secret bases. Knowing what was to come next, Walter plucked a stack of three presentation boxes from the table, waiting to pass them to her.::

Reynolds: And so, for their conspicuous gallantry in the course of their duties, and their participation in the ongoing efforts to combat the criminal activities of the Orion Syndicate, Starfleet therefore awards Commander Alucard Vess, Lieutenant Commander Ayiana Sevo, Lieutenant Junior Grade Jocelyn Marshall and Ensigns Hallbjorn Baldursson and Connan MacMorna with the the Good Conduct Ribbon and the Orion Syndicate Service Medal.

::As the dining hall burst into applause, Quinn moved over to her staff. One by one, Walter opened a box and passed it to her, and she in turn passed it to the recipient with a smile, gloved handshake and a murmur of personal congratulations. Then, she returned to the podium, and Walter plucked up a stack of four boxes.::

Reynolds: The conference itself was disrupted by two individuals who had planned a murder attempt, and planted a bomb to manufacture their escape. Thanks to the efforts of the investigating team, who reconstructed the scene of the attempted murder within the holodeck, allowing them to identify and apprehend the perpetrators before they made their escape. Starfleet therefore recognises the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Commander Walter Brunsig, Lieutenant Cory Stoyer, Lieutenant JG Frank O'Malley and Ensign Shrega sh'Idrani by awarding them the Innovation Ribbon.

::She and Walter repeated their exchange of boxes, him passing one to her, her passing it on to the officer who had earned it. It felt a little strange, shaking their hands and presenting them with an award for investigating her own almost-murder, but there it was. She still hadn't quite figured out how she felt about the two men who had attacked her, and there was a quiet part of her soul that thought that maybe, just maybe, they had been justified in their anger and desire for vengeance.::

Reynolds: The bomb itself was not a solo device, but had a partner that had not been detonated. The risk to life was extreme, and it was through the actions of two officers that the bomb was safely defused with no additional injuries. Lieutenant Commander Alerta Millis and Ensign Tasha MacFarlane displayed incredible grace under pressure, performing their duties in an exemplary fashion. For this reason, I am proud to award them the Captain's Commendation.

::Shaking their hands, she smiled at the two officers as she passed their their presentation boxes, genuinely grateful for their efforts. It didn't bear contemplating what would have happened, had the second device exploded -- especially given its strategic positioning on the EPS.::

Reynolds: On making their escape from the Gorkon, the two individuals responsible for the Gorkon took a hostage in order to try and secure their exit. It was the cool head and thoughtful words of one individual that convinced one to stand down and surrender, and create an opportunity to subdue the other. Lieutenant Cory Stoyer, I am delighted to present you with the Diplomacy Ribbon.

::When writing up the recommendation for her chief engineer, she'd had the feeling that this was one award he wouldn't see coming. Nonetheless, it was his skill and tact in talking down the rogue crewman that had stopped the situation from turning even worse, and prevented their escape from justice.::

Reynolds: The Legion of Merit is awarded to those who who distinguish themselves with particularly meritorious conduct in extraordinary circumstances. Aboard the Gorkon to participate in the conference, Commander Walter Brunsig unexpectedly found himself in command of the taskforce's flagship and the lead in an attempted murder investigation. For his service, dedication and skill, we thank him.

::Walter gave her a strange look as she passed him his second presentation box of the evening, and she wondered what was going through his head in that moment. She used to have a fair idea, but of late he was so hot and cold she was finding it difficult to guess.::

Reynolds: Lastly, I would like to thank Lieutenant Caedan Nkai for his time serving as the Gorkon's Chief of Operations by presenting him with the Department Chief Ribbon.

::Nkai smiled cheerfully at her, a twinkle in his deepest blue eyes when she passed him the small presentation box. She'd seem him chatting with Sienelis earlier, even managing to make the Romulan woman smile, and she was grateful for that. It was strange how many had forgotten the crucial part she'd played in ensuring the Gorkon's rescue from the alternate reality -- without her research and insight, the ship never would have been found.

::With Nkai's ribbon presented, that was the last of the awards she was handing out for that particular mission, though there was one still outstanding. She stepped aside, and it was Walter who took the podium, addressing the Starfleet crew.

Brunsig: Service in Starfleet requires skill, courage and conviction. On occasion, it also means injury. The Purple Heart is awarded to those officers wounded in the line of duty, 

::She looked at him as he passed her the open box, a single gold star shining against the midnight velvet. Not her first Purple Heart, but hopefully her last. One could certainly dream, at least.::

Reynolds: Thank you, Commander.

::She was glad that was out of the way. Stowing the small box in her pocket, she returned to the podium to address the dining hall.::

--
Fleet Captain Quinn Reynolds
Commanding Officer

USS Gorkon

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