Lt Commander Ava Munro - The Privilege of Command
Ava Munro
((OOC: We are doing things a little differently this shore leave and doing the awards ceremony at the beginning rather than the end. This is the Awards Ceremony SIM, which is conducted a short time after the conclusion of our last mission and you should consider this the start of Shore Leave and timely wimey shenanigans.
We are en route to Ferenginar to pick up MacKenzie and that will be our shore leave destination in the Alpha Isles. If you have friends on the Ronin or Khitomer reach out for JPs as those ships are stationed in the Alpha Isles))
((Elysium - Deck 6 - USS Artemis-A))
Beyond the windows of the ship's lounge the stars rushed past. The ship had gone to warp several hours before, making its way to the Alpha Isles region. Specifically to Ferenginar, where they would join Fleet Captain MacKenzie. The reasons for her sudden departure were still a mystery, and her current location only added to this.
The last time she had been in this room she had hosted Chavrainne and Luirétt. The Boraxian situation still clung to her. Disaster was averted, and they had done some good but somehow it didn't feel like it was enough. Even after all these years of service, she still couldn't get used to stepping away. She could only hope that the Boraxian government would allow the Yurum who had remained the reformations that Chavrainne had promised.
Yet, each time she thought of them a knot formed in her stomach. Andoren and his people had died needlessly, and she was left with the nagging doubt that she could have done something or said something to alter the course of events that led them to the Halls of Flames.
Still, it was done now, she had heard the diplomats had secured new trade routes and a promising exchange of technology. She inhaled a breath and let it out. The galaxy would keep on keeping on and so must they.
With that she turned her attention to more joyous things. Her eye fell upon the table with several rows of small boxes, containing ribbons. Some even contained new shiny pips.
((OOC: all characters should attend this scene, feel free to arrive and mingle at any point))
Ava turned to her acting XO, Jovenan, the young Edo woman who had served her well. She wasn't eager to keep her acting title as Captain any longer than necessary but the experience had at least allowed her to get to know the Artemis’ chief science officer better and for that she was grateful.
Munro: Commander Jovenan, it's been a rough few weeks. Personally, I'm looking forward to handing back the reins to MacKenzie.
Jovenan: Response
Munro: You've done a fine job at it. You should be proud of yourself. It was a difficult mission and I don't know how I could have managed it without you.
Jovenan: Response
As the room began to fill up, small groups had begun to form and turn towards the front of the room, in a raised section with a pedestal, just beside the table with the small boxes laid on them.
Ava took her position, with Jovenan next to the table with the boxes, carefully laid out in order.
Munro: :: to the room :: Welcome :: clears her throat :: Erm … :: pause :: What can I say?
She looked at the PADD on the pedestal.
Munro: I had a speech planned out. I'm not very good at these things: dress uniforms and formalities. It's not something I've ever really got accustomed to so I'll make this as quick and painless as possible.
Any: Response
Ava indicated the table beside Jovenan.
Munro: These are symbols of your steadfast adherence to duty, it wasn't easy. But you all behaved like exemplary Starfleet officers and on that note the entire crew have earned themselves the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon and the Peacekeeper Service Ribbon.
Any: Response
As the crew cheered, some more excitedly than others, she basked in the smiling faces. She slipped out a ribbon that she'd stowed inside the fold of her dress uniform and then turned to her first officer, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Munro: To start things off, I have a special ribbon for Lt Commander Jovenan.
Jovenan: Response
Munro: I had barely stepped onboard the Artemis before I was tasked by taking on temporary command, and the dubious chore of selecting a first officer. We were strangers then, extending the hand of trust to one another. I'm glad you accepted and I hope we've come away from this experience closer to being friends. I award you the Superior Support Ribbon, Commander Jovenan.
She passed the box to the Chief Science Officer.
Jovenan: Response
Any: Response
She refocused back to the awaiting crowd.
Munro: Please step forward, Lt. K'Wara, Ensign Cole and Ensign Tho'Bi.
K'Wara/Cole/Tho'Bi: Responses
Munro: When we join the academy we're taught that Starfleet is more than our assigned duty posts and it seems we're supposed to be more than the sum of our parts :: looks to Tho'Bi and smiles :: It's a challenge, at times. But each of you showed me that you can rise to that challenge. In dealing with the Boraxian diplomat and :: to Cole and K'Wara :: Andoren :: beat :: you proved those academy professors right in their insistence to teach us all Diplomacy 101. Even if it did make me want to fall asleep.
K'Wara/Cole/Tho'Bi: Responses
Any: Response
Munro: Lt. K'Wara you stay where you are for now. Can Commander Jovenan, Doctor Morgan, Lt. Imril, Samantha Richards and Doctor Jaran join them.
K'Wara/Morgan/Jovenan/Richards/Jaran/Imril: Responses
Any: Response
Munro: Your efforts to uncover the mystery surrounding the altered crystals and ultimately deliver a safe remedy to the effects it had on the Boraxian population has not gone unnoticed. Each of you is awarded the Scientific Discovery Ribbon. With Doctors Morgan and Jaran along with Richards and Imril earning the Medical Science Ribbon as well.
Ava allowed time for applause.
K'Wara/Morgan/Jovenan/Richards/Jaran/Imril: Responses
Any: Response
Munro: Doctor Morgan and Lt Imril you are dismissed for now. I'm not quite finished with the rest of you yet.
K'Wara/Morgan/Jovenan/Richards/Jaran/Imril: Responses
Any: Response
Munro: You have all earned the Innovation Ribbon as well.
K'Wara/Jovenan/Richards/Jaran: Responses
Any: Response
Munro: :: good humoured :: Now you can return.
K'Wara/Jovenan/Richards/Jaran: Responses
Any: Response
Munro: Can Lt. Commander Silveira, Lt. Storm, Lt. Imril and Ensign Bancroft step forward.
Ava waited while they approached.
Silveira/Storm/Imril/Bancroft: Responses
Munro: Old Earth Humans had a popular saying to describe heroic feats, “running into a burning building”. Each of you did just that, you didn't know what you were going to find or discover within it. Or if you'd even come back out again. Yet, you still ran into a burning building. You've earned yourselves a Starfleet Medal of Commendation. Wear it proudly.
The crowd cheered again.
Silveira/Storm/Imril/Bancroft: Responses
Any: Response
Munro: Doctor Morgan please step forward again and Lt. Bergmen and Ensign Cole can you join him please.
Morgan/Bergmen/Cole: Response
Munro: For staying behind, administering aid to the Boraxian people and upholding Starfleet values you are awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon.
Morgan/Bergmen/Cole: Response
Any: Response
Munro: Ensign Cole please remain. Doctor Bancroft can you join her please.
Cole/Bancroft: Response
Munro: I shall only be acting Captain for a short while more but I cannot express the pleasure it gives me to be the CO who gets to do this final honour.
Ava gathered one of the wooden boxes in front of her and stepped towards Cole.
Munro: Ensign Cole, you are hereby promoted from Ensign to Lt. JG :: smiles warmly :: You've earned that shiny new pip, Lieutenant. And try not to blow anything up when you celebrate.
Cole: Response
Any: Response
Ava looked to Bancroft, her running buddy and gathered the final box.
Munro: Ensign Bancroft, you are hereby promoted to Lt. JG. This means you'll be expected to do five more kilometres. Well earned, Roy.
Bancroft: Response
Any: Response
As the crowd restlessly began to meander, Ava raised her hand.
Munro: I have one final order of duty to perform. Lt. K'Wara can you step forward.
K'Wara: Response
Munro: I don't have a new pip but you have a new assignment Lt. We are appointing you the new Chief of Operations for the Artemis. Well done. Lt. Vailani will be remaining onboard while she steps into a new role.
K'Wara: Response
Any: Response
((OOC: this is the formal part of the ceremony completed, feel free to mingle afterwards. If you aren't sure how to respond to an awards ceremony sim or need some advice, please reach out to your mentor they will give you some pointers!
Also I'm happy for Munro to be tagged in after the ceremony))
Tags/TBC
Acting Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240004LL2