[[AWARDS, PT1]] Captain Serala: Awards and Accolades, and Fond Rememberances
Serala
(( Overlooking both the USS Chin’toka and the USS Valkyrie-A ))
Serala stood looking out the large bay window at the two ships. She’d received the orders a few hours ago, and while it should have felt like a golden opportunity, she felt like a part of her was being ripped away. At least she’d be able to stay with Jorin and the kids. But she was going to miss this part of her life. She’d been the very first person to command the Chin’toka, even if only for a week. And it seemed she was going to be the last. At least for the next few years. But there were still good memories for her to hold onto. And there was the upcoming ceremony to focus on.
Recognizing the efforts of her crew had always been one of those things she loved, both as a First Officer, and now as a Commanding Officer. This particular ceremony was going to be bittersweet for her because it would be the last time she held one of these ceremonies for this particular crew. Yes, there would be other officers, some familiar faces even. But this crew was going to be under someone else’s command soon.
Behind her, the crew was already starting to assemble, her First Officer, Lieutenant Commander T’Ama was finalizing their placements and organization. Next to her was a long table with a number of rosewood boxes on it. Awards for the crew, and maybe a few other surprises. A large officious podium bearing the official crest of the USS Chin’toka, and made of cherrywood, was standing by for her to speak from. Their special guest was waiting in the wings for her cue to make her entrance.
She placed a smile on her face, forcing the melancholy aside in favor of the pleasantries of what was about to come.
Serala: Everything set, Number One?
T’Ama: Response
Serala: This will be your first time up here. Nervous?
T’Ama: Response
Serala smiled at her and nodded.
Serala: Well, welcome to the joys of command. It makes all the other parts of it worth it.
T’Ama: Response
Serala: Very well. Let’s get this thing started, shall we?
Not that she was in any particular hurry, but the crew deserved her best.
T’Ama: Response
As soon as T’Ama had brought the crew to order, she stepped up to the podium and surveyed the crew. She took the time to meet each officer’s eyes, remembering all of their efforts and their skill. She’d been privileged to work with a number of fine officers over the years, and this crew was no less so. They were also the officers of her first official command and she wanted to ensure she never forgot them.
Serala: Thank you, Number One. Crew of the USS Chin’toka, I have had the privilege of working with some of the finest officers in the fleet, and you are no less so. In fact, I have been honored to have all of you under my command. These recognition ceremonies are just one small way that I can say thank you for all of your efforts on behalf of the ship and Starfleet. And to that end, let’s get to the good part, shall we?
Serala scrolled down her padd to find her notes and then looked back up.
Serala: First of all, while our mission to Ah’rak IV didn’t exactly go according to script, we did make first contact with a new species. And I have received word that the Vulcans have arrived and are working on establishing diplomatic relations with the Ah’rakkians. Starfleet Command seems to have been satisfied with our performance there as they have seen fit to award us both the First Contact and Explorer Ribbons.
Serala reached for the first two boxes on the table and opened them.
Serala: Commander T’Ama, please receive these awards on behalf of the crew. There are individual ribbons for everyone on the table that can be collected after the ceremony.
T’Ama: Response
Once T’Ama had taken the awards, she turned back to the podium and spoke again.
Serala: In addition, Lieutenant Commander Azura Ada, I was forwarded a citation from Commodore Rajel which reads:
Rajel: Much to our surprise we have discovered that the artifact who caused our little de-aging problem was not an artifact at all. Instead we found out through various tests and finally telepathic communication that it is a silicone based lifeform native to Vryshaan. This remarkable discovery leads to a few ribbons for our crew. First of all I have the honor to reward everyone who was part of this mission the Explorer's ribbon for the discovery of a new species. As well as a First Contact ribbon for, you guessed it, First contact.
Serala: Congratulations, Commander Ada. You can pick up an extra ribbon of each at the end of the ceremony.
Ada: Response
Serala: Now, there are some individual awards to present. Commander Sherlock and Counselor S’Rorr to the front please.
Sherlock / S’Rorr: Responses
As soon as the pair had arrived, she smiled at them. Kimberly Stapeldon would have been with the pair, but her transfer had gone into effect already, so her ribbons were being forwarded to her new command.
Serala: You two were given a difficult task, made even more difficult by the fact that the Ah’rakkians had a previous negative experience with Vulcanoids in their past, not to mention certain events that transpired while there. Commander Sherlock, your efforts were so noted that Command decided to make you Chief of our newly formed Diplomacy Department, which they also deemed a necessity on our crew.
Owing, no doubt, to her notorious lack of the skill, but she left that part unsaid.
Serala: Therefore, the both of you are being presented with the Diplomacy Ribbon.
She grabbed two more boxes off of the table and handed them to T’Ama, indicating that she should present them to the officers.
T’Ama: Response
Sherlock / S’Rorr: Responses
After they had received their awards, Serala led the way in a round of applause.
Serala: Congratulations, you two.
Once the applause had died down, she dismissed them and called Hana Wright and Alexander Brodie up.
Serala: Lieutenant Wright, during the mission you assisted in locating and removing the explosive devices. It was an extraordinary act of bravery and for that reason I am awarding you the Good Conduct Ribbon. Likewise, Commander Brodie, your efforts in assisting me, especially in regards to the rescue operation and reminding me to consider all aspects of the operation, I am also awarding you the Good Conduct Ribbon. Congratulations.
She handed two more boxes to T’Ama and waited for her to present them.
T’Ama: Response
Wright / Brodie: Responses
After leading the next round of applause, she read her padd for the next set of awards.
Serala: Speaking of that rescue operation, Lieutenant Seleya of Khanda, please come to the front.
She waited for the Kazleti to make her way to the front and smiled at her as well. She was glad the Lieutenant had not suffered any permanent damage from her injuries.
Serala: Lieutenant, your efforts and skills during the operation were noted, and while you weren’t able to participate in the actual rescue due to an unfortunate injury, Starfleet Command deemed your efforts worthy of recognition. To that end, they have awarded both yourself and I the Silver Star. Congratulations.
This time she took the award from the table and stepped around the podium to pin the ribbon on Seleya. Her own would remain on the table until after the ceremony.
Seleya: Response
Serala went around the podium and took up her padd once more.
Serala: Now, there would have been no need of a rescue operation without some of our people having been taken hostage. Number One, I would like you, Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron, Ensign Koyama, and Doctor Edrei to come forward.
T’Ama / Is’Kah / Koyama / Edrei: Responses
Once the four of them were at the front she looked at each of them.
Serala: From time to time, we run into dangerous situations and those situations result in our capture. It’s unfortunate, but such is the nature of our jobs. Thankfully, each of you returned to us, albeit some of you were in bad medical condition. For this reason, I am presenting each of you the Prisoner of War Ribbon. I don’t like giving this one out, but it’s at least understandable. You have my personal gratitude.
T’Ama / Is’Kah / Koyama / Edrei: Responses
Serala: Number One, I think it only appropriate that you present your team with these ribbons. If you have any words for them, please feel free at this time.
T’Ama: Response
Is’Kah / Koyama / Edrei: Responses
Serala: There is another ribbon I don’t like to present, but this one is also understandable. And considering I have four myself, it would be disingenuous of me to condemn the recipients. Doctor Edrei, please remain up here, as well as you, Is’Kah. Ensign Koyama, you may return to your place. Seleya, please come back up here and join them.
Seleya: Response
Serala: Each of you sustained serious injuries during the course of this mission. While it is never desirable to have our people injured in the line of duty, it does happen from time to time. Therefore, I am presenting each of you with the Purple Heart.
She handed the ribbons to T’Ama as she had done before and waited for her to present them.
T’Ama: Response
Edrei / Seleya / Is’Kah: Responses
Serala picked up the padd once more and looked over the list.
Serala: There was another aspect to this mission that should not be overlooked. Lieutenant Commander V’Nille, Lieutenant Commander Azura Ada, Lieutenant JG Ghee’looth Xiron, and Ensign Theridion Grallator please come forward.
She waited for the four to make their way to the front and looked at each.
Serala: The derelict vessel presented its own challenges, and from the reports I read it was very interesting. It is unfortunate we were not able to salvage it, but what you were able to learn there will keep Vulcan historians busy for quite some time. Therefore, I am pleased to present each of you with the Investigation Ribbon. Congratulations, each of you.
She handed the four boxes to T’Ama and once more waited for their presentations to be completed.
T’Ama: Response
V’Nille / Ada / Xiron / Grallator: Responses
After each set of awards, a round of applause had been held, led by Serala, and this was no exception. When the applause died down, she smiled. There was just one more presentation to make.
Serala: Counselor S’Rorr, please present yourself at the front.
She waited for the ebullient Caitian to make his way to the front and noticed that Doctor Shivara seemed unable to contain her excitement. Serala smiled suspecting something was going on there, but that was not her business.
Serala: Counselor, I first met you on the Astraeus and I was already impressed with you then. In fact, having served with Commodore Mei’konda for as long as I have, I found you a rather pleasant person much like the Commodore. And it only makes sense given that you’re a counselor. When I learned you were coming to my ship, I was excited about this. Despite myself, I found myself missing having a Caitian around. My pleasure only grew as I watched you work. Your skills and diplomatic ability are quite amazing and therefore it is my pleasure to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all the rights and responsibilities commensurate of your new rank.
She took the final box and opened it to present the half pip, which she then pinned to his collar next to the solid one that was already there.
Serala: Congratulations, Ensign!
S’Rorr: Response
Serala then led the crew in yet another round of applause.
TBC