Lieutenant Commander Lael Rosek-Skyfire: The Best Part, Pt. 2
Lael Rosek-Skyfire
The officers stepped down, leaving room for the final group.
Rosek-Skyfire: Last but not least. ::turns to Caldwell and smirks:: Lieutenant Caldwell.
Caldwell: Response
She reached for a set of boxes that were stacked on the podium. It had been a hard decision. He’d done so many things deserving of recognition, yet she’d only selected a handful. As the man stepped front and center, his name flashing on the screen behind her, she allowed her gaze to scan the audience before returning to meet his eyes.
Rosek-Skyfire: Lieutenant, you are an invaluable asset to this ship and its crew. Beyond just the previous mission, you have served your colleagues well since coming aboard. I’m very pleased with your service as my acting first officer. You faced a difficult choice your first time in the big chair and handled it with grace and dignity. Therefore, I’m pleased to award you with the Leadership Excellence Ribbon and the Legion of Merit. Additionally, your role investigating the wreckage of the ships in orbit has earned you the Starfleet Investigative Ribbon.
Caldwell: Response
Rosek-Skyfire: ::shakes his hand and offers him the boxes:: Well deserved, Lieutenant. But I’m not finished with you yet. So stay right there.
Caldwell: Response
Again, she checked her PADD, the next list causing her a bit of sadness.
Rosek-Skyfire: These officers couldn’t be present today to receive their awards. ::pauses:: Lieutenant Harford was called to service aboard another vessel. She has left a mark on this crew and her dedication to her craft won’t be forgotten. The following awards will be sent to her new commanding officer in addition to the whole crew awards: The Good Conduct Ribbon, the Starfleet Investigative Ribbon, the Lifesaving Ribbon, and the Leadership Excellence Ribbon. A commendation will also be placed in her service record to honor her time with us.
Any: Response
She drew in a breath before announcing the next.
Rosek-Skyfire: Lieutenant Commander Kiax has endured much in her service of Starfleet and has made many sacrifices for the sake of this crew. Though she is no longer aboard, her enduring spirit and dedication remains with us–a reminder of what it means to be a Starfleet Officer. For her service during the last mission, she will receive the Purple Heart and the Starfleet Investigative Ribbon, the latter to honor her efforts to stop a saboteur from ending many more lives.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::gaze flickers to the PADD:: And to Lieutenant Dazra Kol, who couldn’t join us tonight–the Captain’s Commendation for her incredible insights and support. Last but not least, Ambassador Charta-Von. Though she is retired from Starfleet, she was nonetheless invaluable this past mission. Her awards include the Superior Support Ribbon, Excellence in Adaptability Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon, and the Starfleet Investigative Ribbon, the latter for her role in investigating the wreckage found in orbit of the Exile Colony.
Any: Responses
Well, that was all of the awards. Lael had to fight back tears lest she ruin her makeup. She would miss the colleagues she’d grown close to and hoped their future would be filled with blessings. Lieutenant Matthews’ departure had left a mark on her also. She was fond of the man and considered him her protege. But alas, Starfleet was change.
Exhaling a shaky breath, she grinned as it came around to her favorite part.
Rosek-Skyfire: If Lieutenant Tam and Ensigns Wright and Winslett could join me please.
Tam / Wright / Winslett: Responses
The others made their way to the stage, forming a line, and she motioned for Chris to join them.
Rosek-Skyfire: This is one of my favorite parts of these awards. ::grins:: Given that I was acting Captain, I was granted the honor of performing this most auspicious of tasks. ::to Winslett:: Please step forward.
Winslett: Response
Rosek-Skyfire: From the moment you stepped aboard this ship, your vibrant personality and your dedication to your duties has stood out. You have a bright future ahead.
She grabbed the box and removed the pips. Duty uniform or not, the gesture was symbolic.
Rosek-Skyfire: It’s my privilege to award you the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade and all the responsibilities and privileges thereof.
She pinned the pips on his what most closely resembled his collar and clapped him on the shoulder, grinning.
Rosek-Skyfire: Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Winslett: Response
Any: Response
Rosek-Skyfire: ::turns to Hana and grins:: I saw you in your uniform earlier and realized that it was missing something. ::grabs and opens another box:: There we are. ::clears her throat:: Your bold confidence hasn’t gone unnoticed. ::grins:: As such, it’s my privilege to award you the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade and all the responsibilities and privileges thereof.
She pulled the pips out and, as with Winslett, pinned them to Hana’s collar.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::offers Hana a hand to shake:: Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Wright: Response
Any: Responses
Then, she moved to Tam, grinning.
Rosek-Skyfire: We’ve already discussed this, Lieutenant, but I wanted to make it official. Your actions on the Exile Colony were exemplary. You showed the cunning of a seasoned officer. For that, it’s my privilege to promote you to Chief of Tactical / Security. ::offers a hand:: Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Tam: Response
Any: Response
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the remaining box on the podium and her gaze flickered to Chris, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Rosek-Skyfire: Front and center, Mr. Caldwell.
Caldwell: Response
Rosek-Skyfire: ::smirks:: You didn’t think I’d forget my acting first officer, did you?
Caldwell: Response
Any: Response
Rosek-Skyfire: First, Ambassador Charta-Von had a few words she wanted to share.
Smiling, Lael motioned to the crewman to play the video message. The black screen was replaced by the ambassador’s face.
Charta-Von: Response
Rosek-Skyfire: Why, Mr. Caldwell. Your outfit is missing something.
She opened the box, revealing two shiny gold pips and a black pip. Pulling them out, she pinned them on his collar.
Rosek-Skyfire: There. That’s much better. ::grins:: Lieutenant Commander Caldwell, your example is an asset to this crew and there is no one I would have rather had at my right hand. I hereby promote you, effective immediately, to the rank of Lieutenant Commander with all of the responsibilities and privileges thereof. Also effective immediately, you are to step in as Second Officer.
Caldwell: Response
Rosek-Skyfire: ::offers her hand:: Congratulations, Commander. ::to everyone:: That concludes our ceremony. Please, everyone, make use of the memory star wall and the holophoto backdrop. Also, I’d encourage you not to leave tonight without personally congratulating your colleagues.
Any: Responses
((OOC: Please feel free to continue scenes until the official mission launch.))