[AWARDS] LCDR Aine Sherlock - Seen and Unseen, Part 1

[Aine Sherlock]

((OOC1: Please notice that this is just part 1 of the awards. Please wait until part 2 before posting a response.))

((OOC2: Awards normally come at the end of shore leave, but this is not the case this time. We're trying another new thing. Please keep continuing on with your scenes.))

((Banquet Hall, Maklau Resort, Risa))

Other than helping hand out awards when Serala presented them, Aine had never been at the podium handing them out. She wasn't much one for giving speeches. At the Academy when she had to present in front of a class, she hated it even. But here she was, still technically Acting Captain. And given they were still at the resort on Risa, she decided, uncharacteristically for her, to make this a less than formal affair. She broke out an older green dress she once wore for a New Year's party.

When the crew had gathered and most had taken their seats at the tables set throughout the room, she walked up to the podium and activated the built in audio amplifier so she didn't have to yell across the rather large room. Her eyes scanned nervously over the crew and she hoped the feeling wasn't showing through.

Sherlock: First, thank you all for being here tonight. ::beat:: I'm not great at speeches, so I'll keep it brief. This was a tough one. We had a lot stacked against us going in. But we did the best we could with what we had and I thank you all for your efforts. So, without further ado, let's get to it.

She had memorized what awards were to be handed out, but just in case, she had a PADD handy to keep her on track. Picking it up, she tapped the screen and brought up the list.

Sherlock: For completion of the mission without an outbreak of hostilities, the entire crew is awarded the Peacekeeper Service Ribbon. Additionally, we are all awarded the Romulan Campaign Medal as it is clear we were working against a Romulan operation. Congratulations.

She'd set it up for orderlies from the resort to pass out the mass awards and she waited as they did just that before again looking over her PADD for the next award.

Sherlock: Lieutenant Neshala and Ensigns Seleya and Lyara, please come forward. ::long pause as she waited for the trio to come to the podium:: As some know, and for those who don't, the three of you participated in an undercover operation to find out the level of involvement of the Romulans. The information gained was invaluable to Starfleet and the Federation and has given us a better picture of their involvement in the region. For this, you are awarded the Intelligence Star. Congratulations, and good work.

Neshala/Seleya/Lyara: response

She handed each of them the ribbons before gestured back towards the tables to dismiss them...

Sherlock: Except you, Seleya.

...she always hated when someone presenting ribbons to her did that. But she kind of relished doing it now.

Sherlock: For your actions during the undercover operation in which you single handedly engaged with multiple combatants, successfully, you are hereby awarded the Starfleet Medal of Valor. Congratulations, Ensign.

Seleya: response

Just as she handed Seleya the ribbon for Valor, she looked into her eyes. What she was about to do, she did not like one bit. She'd been on the receiving end once before...and it wasn't fun and she was sure Seleya would feel the same as she did all those years ago.

Sherlock: Just one more. ::beat:: For injuries sustained in the line of duty, ::she paused and took in a deep breath:: you are hereby awarded the Purple Heart.

Seleya: response

She handed the woman the purple and black ribbon and gave her a nod. There was a lot she wanted to say, but now was not the time. The biggest thing she wanted to tell her was that she was proud that Seleya fought on and came back. That was most important, not giving up.

She waited for Seleya to return to her seat before looking at the PADD again.

Sherlock: Commander Ada, Lieutenants Stapledon and Edrei, please come forward.

Again, she waited for the trio to come to the podium.

Sherlock: For your work during and post mission in discovering a cure for the virus, you are awarded the Medical Science Ribbon. Your work in this area is sure to help with any possible similar future actions taken by the Romulans and will be instrumental in countering them.

Ada/Stapledon/Edrei: response

Thanking them each and handing, individually, their ribbons, Aine then waited for two of the three to return to their seats. There was a silent sigh of relief on her part as they were just about done. Only one of them needed more calling forward though as one of the recipients was absent and one was herself.

Sherlock: Lieutenant Stapledon, one more.

Stapledon: response

She handed the woman the very plain orange-yellow ribbon. One she'd earned herself. One that's simplicity belied its value.

Sherlock: Chief's are the backbone of Starfleet. They're the ones that keep the departments and the ship running on a day-to-day basis. Without their leadership we couldn't keep the fleet afloat. So, ou are hereby awarded the Department Chief's Ribbon.

Stapledon: response

Once Kim returned to her seat, it was time to get the last couple ribbons out of the way. The idea of presenting an award to herself felt...off. She didn't like it. But she was going to "rip off the bandage."

Sherlock: HQ has also seen fit to award me the Diplomacy Ribbon. So there's that. ::brief pause:: A little over a year ago, Frontier Day happened. Quite a few of you were there. It wasn't an easy day. We stole a ship, ::gesturing towards the ceiling:: the Chin'toka. Needless to say, it was something of an odd start that I don't know any of us thought would lead us to where we are now. I, for one, didn't expect it. But it's been over a year now. For that, Captain Serala, once she's back, will be receiving the Starship Commander Ribbon and I am receiving the First Officer Ribbon.

Ribbons and awards were done. She took a deep breath. But there was always something more. But it didn't feel quite right to her. She looked up from her PADD one more time. She wished nothing more than for Serala to be there...

TBC

((OOC3: Make sure you don't forget the OOC notes at the beginning!))

LCDR Aine Sherlock

First Officer

U.S.S. Chin'toka

R239712AS0