[JP] RAdml Reynolds & Lt. Cmdr Marshall - Dude, Where’s My Ribbon? (Part II)
Jo Marshall
((Sto'Vo'Kor, USS Gorkon))
Reynolds: Saving a life is always a worthwhile and admirable act. Saving the life of a Starfleet officer is often fraught with its own difficulties, given the troubles that we tend to find ourselves in. For this reason, those who save another officer's life are presented with the Silver Lifesaving Ribbon, in recognition of the complications that accompany the effort. Ensign Cayne, would you come forward?
::As the ensign did so, Jo took the ribbon from the case and held it in her hand. This one was quite special to her, considering it was her life that Cayne had saved. First in stemming the initial wound and containing the blood in her body where it was supposed to be, and second in conducting intense emergency surgery in an unfamiliar sickbay. With a light touch, she pinned the ribbon to Cayne’s uniform.::
Marshall: I’ve seen you in action and you always give one-hundred-percent, no matter what challenge you faced. Keep it up, unless you’re donating blood, of course. ::She could hear the eyes rolling across the room as she offered her hand to Cait with a grin.:: Congratulations, Ensign, and thank you.
::Applause rippled the length of Sto’Vo’Kor as the recent addition to their ranks rejoined her newly acquired friends and colleagues. The next award prompted a slight catch in the human’s throat as she caught sight of the name attached to one of them. When she looked back up, the smile was a touch more forced than she’d have liked.::
Marshall: As the Admiral has already said, saving a life is a noble deed, performed by those who feel the fear of what they’re about to do, and do it anyway, especially when the act of doing so puts themselves at incredible risk. In recognition for the gallant sacrifice you were willing to make for a fellow officer, Starfleet awards you the Gold Lifesaving Ribbon. Lieutenant Commander Sevo, Ensign Namura, and Lieutenant Marshall, please step up.
::As the trio approached the stage, Quinn saw Valesha's eyes dart to toward Marshall at the mention of his name, an odd expression crossing the Romulan's pale face. She didn't pretend to understand the pair's peculiar kinship in the wake of their time together, and having walked a mile in those shoes, she wasn't convinced they did, either.
::The Admiral pinned the red and white ribbons, emblazoned with a stout gold cross, to Sevo and Namura's uniforms. They'd had a hard time getting Vondaryan off the asteroid at all, let alone in a condition where he could be saved, and their dedication and determination to see him home was the sole reason the Vissian was still in the land of the living. She offered each a small smile and a nod, a silent thanks for their efforts.
::And then, of course, Marshall. She raised her eyebrows, just a little, as she pressed the ribbon to his broad chest. He hadn't quite kept his promise of keeping Valesha safe, but she was alive. Given their task and the circumstances they had to conduct it in, that was perhaps a miracle by itself. His eyes flickered between the Admiral and his sister, a softer expression on his face than he’d held for a long time, as though his soul had finally settled on something.::
Reynolds: Thank you for bringing them home.
::It was all she said, a sombre, quiet sincerity.::
::Cheering erupted for the three officers, their actions speaking louder than any words could. Jo still found it difficult to look toward Tasha, and the collateral damage taking the Unicorn had caused. However, the next award on the Admiral’s list was one to see her brighten again.::
Marshall: Deep within the Kamarov Corridor, those officers who remained on board had the daring and dangerous task of convincing an Orion Syndicate captain to defect to the Federation. Not only did they pull this off with remarkable tenacity, but also managed to do so without incurring the loss of life during the warp breach. For this, the Legion of Merit is awarded for distinguished meritorious conduct and achievement. Rear Admiral Reynolds, Lieutenants MacFarlane and Xerix, and Petty Officer Johns, please assume the position.
::Of course, the Admiral was beside her, and received a wry grin and sidelong look from her XO as they were joined by those called up. The first of the maroon and silver ribbons Jo pinned to the Admiral’s uniform, with as much of a light touch as she’d pinned hers, though it lacked the whispered warning. Instead, Jo had slipped her remark in earlier, when they’d discussed it all in a post-mission briefing, the young blonde lamenting that she’d have liked to see Quinn in action, trading bluffs with Thertas, the notorious Syndicate Pirate.
::Then Quinn took over, working her way down the small line of officers. Tasha's new ribbon joined the first she'd been presented with; Johns was the recipient of a small, warm smile and a murmured remark about how it seemed someone had caught him at the end of his leap of faith; Xerix's was pinned to his chest with a wry "welcome aboard". When she stepped away, the crew lounge was filled with the noise of celebration and approval, wordless congratulations expressed at full volume for a short while.::
Reynolds: Nassau is a violent, lawless place, filled with uncountable dangers and unpredictable obstacles. Those who carried out their mission on that asteroid did so with remarkable courage in the face of significant odds and at great personal risk. There are people stood here today only because of their bravery and for that, we present them with the Silver Star. Lieutenant Commanders Marshall and Sevo, Lieutenants Adea and Stoyer, Lieutenants Junior Grade Fortune and Neathler, and Ensigns Cayne, Tereen and Namura — would you all come forward, please?
::It was quite a troupe of officers who made their way to the front, and Quinn waited patiently for them to assemble into some kind of order, cosy as it was on the small stage. Balancing the small tray of blue and white striped ribbons in the crook of one arm, she added another to Jo's acquisitions for the day, then passed her the tray to continue the presentation.
::Continuing down the line, Jo pinned Groznin’s with a quick grin and a small word of congratulations. Corliss next, or Captain Marisol, had played her part brilliantly, and to who Jo gave a swift “thank you, captain”. Attaching the next ribbon to Cait accompanied a nod, and a chuckle at the reminder of the doctor’s first motorbike ride.
::Although she wasn’t present for the recovery of Leelou, the news had come with such relief that she was finally in custody. Genkos’ first time leading an away team had been a perilous one, and received congratulations on a job well done under pressure; Cory a quick wink and a pat of his arm for his bravery; Samira a warm grin for pulling Cory out of it and performing exemplary; Kyrrha for accomplishing the impossible at the shortest of notices.
::Fastening the next to Tali, Jo inquired after Trellis, and thanked her for everything she did to keep him stable. Finally, as she reached Ayiana, Jo pinned the ribbon to her uniform gently and thanked her for not only getting Tali and Trellis out safely, but keeping it together for her team once they reached the Triumphant.
::A resounding hand rippled throughout the gathering as the officers stepped down, sporting a dazzling array of ribbons to make the eyes sore. Quinn smiled her way through the cheers, allowing a little time for personal congratulations and waiting for the crowd to naturally quiet. It did, and she moved on to the final pair of ribbons to be presented that morning.::
Reynolds: There was another pair of officers who distinguished themselves during our last mission. Officially considered fugitives from the Federation, and with very little support available to them, they risked their lives — in every sense of the term — in order to protect the lives of others. For the extraordinary heroism they displayed, well beyond the call of duty, we're honoured to award them the Distinguished Service Ribbon. Lieutenants Junior Grade Marshall and Sienelis, would you come forward?
::The two officers shared a look as they moved up toward the stage, stepping up, and coming to a stop in front of the Admiral. It was clear to those who looked that their mission had taken their toll on the two of them, as physically for Valesha as it had been emotionally for both. In front of their friends and colleagues, those who had believed, or could still believe, they were capable of anything they were accused of took bravery and courage, and as Jo pinned the ribbon onto each in turn, she congratulated them both on a successful mission.
::Her brother caught her eyes with his own, an unspoken request; one that went without an immediate answer as Jo clasped her hands behind her back and looked to the Admiral.::
Reynolds: Due to the nature of their mission, we were unable to formally recognise their actions aboard the USS Njörðr at the time, and I'd like to take the opportunity to do so now. Both of the Lieutenants earned a Purple Heart for injuries received about that ship; the Explorer's Ribbon for being present for the discovery of that singular nebula; and the Good Conduct Ribbon and the Gold Lifesaving Ribbon for assisting in the rescue of a fellow officer at great personal risk.
::She paused, bringing her hands together to begin a round of applause. They had indeed earned those ribbons, every bit as much as those who had been presented them on Deluvia, but she was driving the point home. They were back, a valuable part of the crew, and woe betide anyone who behaved otherwise.
::After a moment, Valesha shifted, about to return to the crowd, when Quinn held out a forestalling hand.::
Reynolds: Oh, stay where you are. ::She looked out, into the gathered officers and waited until their celebrations had softened to a point where she could be heard.:: Lieutenant Neathler, if you could join us?
::A quick glance into the gathered officers saw the dark-haired security officer join them. Jo wasn’t sure if she imagined it or not, but Bear’s jaw tensed at the edges.::
Reynolds: The three of you have all performed your duties well above and beyond the expectations of your current rank. You've shown courage, integrity and resourcefulness under great pressures, and I have no doubt that you're more than ready to prove yourself in the face of further challenges. And so it's my pleasure to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant, with all the associated duties, rights and responsibilities. ::She smiled, dipping her head once in a small nod.:: Congratulations.
::Three golden pips in her hand, Jo stepped closer to each of the officers in turn, and swapped their half pip for the full. Bear received a slightly harsher tug of his collar to pull him down a bit; Valesha as gentle as the human could be; and Samira, with a quiet remark of how she didn’t want to be chasing her out into the corridor this time. She congratulated each of them, being as warm as Jo could be.
::Commendation came in claps from colleagues and friends as the newly minted officers descended, into their new roles of paperwork and person shuffling. Joining in with the celebrations, Jo stepped back again to the Admiral and took a breath.::
Reynolds: Our last presentation of the day goes to two men who are a credit to Starfleet; fine individuals who show all the wisdom, honour and valour we could hope to see in our best officers. They've gone from strength to strength, and I know that they'll continue to do so. Lieutenant Stoyer, Lieutenant Adea, could you come up here, please? ::She smiled at the two as they made their way to the stage, waiting until they had come to a pause in front of her.:: Gentlemen, I am delighted to promote you both to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with all the associated duties, rights and responsibilities that come with it.
::If there was any attempt to hide the grin on Jo’s face, she failed miserably as she attached the half pip to each of their collars in turn. Genkos, with his ceaseless care and wealth of enthusiasm; Cory for his energy and stalwart courage. The three had been through a lot together; some real, some imaginary, and she shook their hands with a fist bump to finish.::
::Ovations and adulations followed for the two new commanders, not ceasing to die down until private praise had been had with friends in the congregated officers. Jo crossed her arms with a growing grin as she glanced to the Admiral, eyebrow arching.::
Reynolds: No more speeches. ::A rose blush of colour filtered onto her otherwise stoic features.:: I will take this opportunity to remind you all that I am putting the finishing touches on my wedding and yes, you are all cordially invited to the reception. But please keep in mind that I will be absolutely unavailable to bail you out of any trouble you get yourselves into. So do try to behave, at least a little bit. ::She smiled, and gestured to the windows, and the beautiful planet revolving below them.:: Now go, celebrate and enjoy your shore leave.
fin
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Commanding Officer
USS Gorkon
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Lt. Commander Jocelyn Marshall
First Officer
USS Gorkon
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