[AWARDS] Commander Serala: Honors and Accolades
Serala
(( Starfleet Command Parade Grounds, San Francisco, Earth ))
Serala had assembled the crew in dress uniform, and paraded them along with the other crews present. After President Chekov and the admiralty had finished their own speeches, Captain Delano had officially transferred command of the Chin’toka to her. That done, she stepped up to the platform that had been set before the Chin’toka crew. The boxes had already been arranged for her so that all she had to do was grab the appropriate boxes at the appropriate times. Always before, she had been Mei’konda’s assistant in these presentations. Now, she was the one handing them out and it was a moment she was going to commit to memory. She surveyed the crew before her, proud that she’d received such a fine complement of officers. They may have started as a crew under rather unusual circumstances, but the paperwork had all been sorted and they were official now.
Captain Serala. She never thought she would see the day. And hopefully, she would get the pip to go with it very soon. But the Chin’toka was her ship again, this time for good, and this was her crew. And they’d already made her proud in the Battle for Earth.
She cleared her throat before beginning.
Serala: Officers and crew of the USS Chin’toka, it is my honor and my privilege to stand before you here today, to announce that we have been officially absolved of all charges and infractions against us for our actions on Frontier Day.
She paused to give them time to absorb that news.
Serala: Not only have they absolved us, but they’ve actually seen fit to give us some awards. So, it is my honor to present the following awards to you. And let me just say, each and every one of these is well deserved. :: turning to Sherlock :: Number One, please join me up here.
Sherlock: Response
Once Aine was standing next to her, she gave the Irish woman a nod and a smile, then turned back to the crew.
Serala: First, for participating in the official relaunch of the USS Chin’toka, the entire crew is awarded the Legacy Ribbon. Additionally, there are a number of other awards that Starfleet has decided to bestow upon our crew.
She picked up the padd before her, in order to ensure she got them all.
Serala: For our actions in defending Earth against the joint Borg and Changeling threat, the entire crew is being awarded the UFP Medal of Freedom, the Intelligence Star, the Galactic War with the Borg Service Medal, the Changeling Campaign Ribbon, and the Distinguished Service Ribbon.
She reached down to the podium and retrieved one of each ribbon and presented them to her First Officer as a symbolic gesture on behalf of the entire crew. The others would find theirs waiting in their quarters upon their return.
Sherlock: Response
Any: Responses
Serala: Next, Starfleet has created a special ribbon to honor all who participated in defending the Federation against this most recent threat. The ribbon has three different tiers and is dependent on what activities each recipient participated in.
She reached down and retrieved a box containing a ribbon with a triangular red field flanked by a blue and gold field with a green border between each and a single star in the center of the red field.
Serala: This is the Frontier Day Ribbon. As I said, there are three tiers. The first tier will be the ribbon alone. Tier 2 and Tier 3 will determine which, if any, stars the recipient will receive. The recipients of Tier one are as follows.
Once again, she retrieved the padd and began to read off the names.
Serala: Commander Serala, Lieutenant Commander Tai Ilsam, and Lieutenant Junior Grade T’Ama. Upon her return, Lieutenant Junior Grade Sylvie Doucet will receive this level of award as well.
She pressed a button to switch the list to the Tier 2 recipients. This one would be easy, however.
Serala: The entire crew of the USS Chin’toka will receive the Tier 2 ribbon. Tier three is being awarded to the crews of the USS Constitution, USS Khitomer, and the USS Ronin for actions that happened after transfers to our ship.
Once again, she handed Aine a box, this one containing the ribbon, but with two stars on it, then turned back to the crew.
Sherlock / Any: Responses
Serala: All of you performed above and beyond that day. I witnessed several small miracles transform into one large miracle. But that miracle was performed by you. Each of you. However, there are several who deserve special recognition for their minor miracles. Lieutenant Commander Sherlock, front and center, please.
She waited for the First Officer to come to attention before her, then grabbed two boxes from the table.
Serala: Amid the chaos that day, you stopped what you were doing to help save lives. Because of you, Lieutenant Neshala was restored to health enough that she was able to take a shuttle out and perform a crucial piece of our defense. Doctor Doucet distinctly fought to save the life of Lieutenant Commander Kiax on the Astraeus. For these two acts of heroism, it is my distinct honor to award you with the Silver Lifesaving Ribbon, Commander. And I place into your custody another Silver Star for the doctor when she returns.
She stepped down and pinned the ribbon to her First Officer’s uniform, then handed the second box to her.
Serala: Well done.
Sherlock: Response
Any: Responses
Serala: In addition, Commander Sherlock, I would like to present you with the Superior Support Ribbon. You were the First Officer, and so you did what any good First Officer does. You assisted me with keeping the ship running. But you did so much more than that. You were my support, my advisor. Thank you, and well done.
She picked up yet another box and opened it, before removing the ribbon and pinning it on Sherlock.
Sherlock: Response
Any: Responses
She shook the woman’s hands then gestured to the spot she had been standing.
Serala: There are two awards that I would never like to have to present. I can’t imagine any CO who would. But here, in my first ceremony, I have to present both. Lieutenant Junior Grade T’Ama and Lieutenant Junior Grade Kim Stapledon, please come to the front.
She waited until her Acting Ops Chief and Science Officer were standing in front of her before she continued.
Serala: Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, each of you were forcibly stripped of your individuality and made prisoner to the Borg hive mind. While I can’t even begin to imagine what each of you are going through, I do know that you are going through something. A ribbon is a poor reward for your sacrifice, but it’s the best I can offer. I am presenting each of you with the Prisoner of War ribbon and I wish each of you the best in your recovery processes. Neither Starfleet nor I will forget what you went through. In addition, Doctor Doucet will also be receiving the Prisoner of War ribbon for her experiences during the battle.
Normally, she would let Sherlock hand these out, but these were too important to her, so she grabbed the two ribbons and personally pinned them on the uniforms of the three officers before her. She shook their hands and met their eyes, not daring to say a word more unless she revealed the hitch in her voice.
Stapledon / T’Ama: Responses
That done, she stepped back to the podium.
Serala: Lieutenant Neshala, please join Lieutenant T’Ama. Lieutenant Stapledon, you may return to your place.
She waited until the bodies rotated and the Orion Operations Officer was standing next to her Acting Chief.
The second award that I had hoped never to give is the Purple Heart which is presented to a member of Starfleet who has been wounded in the line of duty. Lieutenant T’Ama, you were technically an adversary of ours at the time, but you are still one of my crew, and you were injured in the line of duty while under the control of the Hive Mind. Therefore, I am presenting you with the Purple Heart. But please…do try to make this your last one. :: to Neshala :: Lieutenant, for your injuries sustained on the Astraeus when Strategic Operations was bombed by the Changelings, I am also presenting you with a Purple Heart. And please try to make this your last.
Neshala: Thank you, Commander, Captain. I will do my best not to let it happen again.
T’Ama: Response
Serala: Also, Lieutenant T’Ama, I have been told that you’ve recovered from your eye injury quite handily, so I’m pleased to present you with the Recovery Ribbon.
This one she handed to Sherlock and waited for her to present the award. Once she was done, she dismissed the three officers.
Sherlock / T’Ama: Response
Any: Responses
Serala: Lieutenant Commander Tai Ilsam, Lieutenant Commander Alexander Brodie, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Ghee’looth Xiron. Front and center.
She waited until they were all present then looked them in the eyes.
Serala: We were understaffed, and unprepared, yet somehow the crew kept the ship together and functional. That can only be done by having great leaders. Each of you displayed remarkable leadership skills that day and so it is my honor to present each of you with the Leadership Excellence Ribbon.
She handed yet another box to Sherlock and waited for her to present the award.
Sherlock / Islam / Brodie / Xiron: Responses
Any: Responses
Serala: Counselor Brodie, remain front and center please. The rest may return to your places.
Serala already liked this man, which wasn’t something she could say about many counselors. But he clearly had an understanding of Romulans and that had instantly bonded her to him.
Serala: Counselor, I have reviewed everyone’s after action reports and your name continually jumped up at me. I was particularly impressed with how you jumped in to assist Sickbay with the influx of injured, not to mention your willingness to go repair the deflector array after it had been sabotaged. Stepping outside one’s comfort zone is never easy, much less under the kind of duress that can be experienced in a combat situation. But you did it with grace. As a result, it is my pleasure to award you with the Excellence in Adaptability Ribbon. Congratulations, Counselor.
Sherlock / Brodie: Responses
Any: Responses
Serala: Lieutenant Stapledon, please join me at the podium once more.
While Brodie made his way back and Stapledon moved to take his place, Serala reached down and took one of the few remaining boxes.
Serala: Lieutenant, your rather brilliant innovation helped disrupt the Borg signal long enough for Admiral Picard to complete his mission and save Earth. Without that, the Borg would have fired on the cities. That clearly did not happen. So, for that I am honored to present you with the Innovation Ribbon.
She started to hand Stapledon the box and then noticed something peculiar about the science officer’s uniform.
Serala: Wait a moment. I can’t present this just yet. You’re out of uniform.
Serala quickly scanned the crowd before calling several others before her.
Serala: So are several of the rest of you. Mister McGillian, Lieutenant T’Ama, and Mister Is’Kah, come here please.
She waited for the others to join Stapledon at the podium.
Serala: This is completely unacceptable. :: turning to her First Officer :: What do you think about this, Number One? We’ll be the laughingstock of the fleet.
Sherlock: Response
She seemed to think it over for a moment then nodded once.
Serala: Very well, since you all can’t seem to get it right, we’re just going to have to promote each of you one step. Congratulations Lieutenant Stapledon, Lieutenant T’Ama, Lieutenant Junior Grade McGillian, Lieutenant Junior Grade Is’Kah.
Serala started grabbing the boxes of pips on the table and pinning them on the officers, handing Stapledon her Innovation Ribbon while she was at it.
Stapledon / T’Ama / McGillian / Is’kah: Responses
Sherlock: Response
Any: Responses
Serala: I have also been awarded the Innovation Ribbon for the use of unconventional tactics in the face of a threat. Furthermore, Captain Mei’konda Delano of the Astraeus presented me with the Federation Cross, but I wear it in honor of each of you.
Sherlock: Response
Any: Response
Serala: I guess there is just one thing left to do: Appoint department heads, since we’re officially a crew now.
Serala lifted her padd of notes one more time and then settled it back down.
Serala: Lieutenant T’Ama, you will be my Chief of Operations.
T’Ama: Response
Serala: Lieutenant Stapledon, I’m naming you Chief Science Officer. Congratulations.
Stapledon: Responses
Serala: Lieutenant McGillian, I am appointing you as Acting Chief of Security and Tactical.
McGillian: Response
Serala: Okay, one more piece of business to address. The following awards were forwarded to me by Captain Niac of the USS Ronin, and it is my honor to present them here. Lieutenant Junior Grade Is’Kah, Ensign Vomek, and Acting Ensign Rox, please present yourselves at the front.
She lifted a second padd and read from it.
Serala: The following ribbons are presented to the three of you for your efforts on the Ronin while dealing with the Corsortium: the Lifesaving Ribbon, Distinguished Service Ribbon, the Purple Heart - try not to get anymore of those - and the Captain’s Commendation.
Is’Kah: Response
Vomek / Rox: Responses
Serala: Very good. Your ribbons are being forwarded, so you should be receiving them soon.
She nodded, then turned to Rox.
Serala: Acting Ensign Rox, for your exemplary service to Starfleet, you are hereby given a Field Commission to Ensign. Further, you are also to receive the Silver Lifesaving Ribbon, and the Gold Lifesaving Ribbon in addition to the Lifesaving Ribbon your entire crew received.
Rox: Response
Serala: Next, Ensign Vomek, I have some awards for you as well.
Vomek: Response
Serala: For your service to Starfleet, in addition to the awards already mentioned, you are also going to receive the Prisoner of War Ribbon. And finally, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Congratulations, and thank you for your service in Starfleet.
Vomek: Response
Serala: Okay, folks, now that I have given away the store, let’s have some fun!
Any: Response