[MISSION AWARDS] Captain Serala: It Never Happened, But Here....
Serala
(( Flight Deck, Deck 9, USS Chin’toka ))
Serala had called all hands together. The dress code was the uniform of the day, which was the standard daily uniform. She had been preparing for this ceremony for some time, but the unexpected arrival of the Admiral and Captain Mei’konda had caused her to delay this presentation a few days. Still, even though this crew’s actions hadn’t officially occurred, everyone that had been there still remembered it, and it deserved to be recognized. So, she had spent hours working on trying to decide what each person had earned, and even more hours convincing Command that they deserved the award for something that had never happened. That was a conversation she hoped she would never have to have again.
The flight deck, officially designated main shuttlebay, was the largest single space on the ship. Its fly-through design (well, almost fly-though since the shuttle elevator occupied the center area of the deck) had caused it to eat up virtually the entire center portion of the deck, with only a few areas to port and starboard for offices, cargo bays, and other such things. She had ordered all flight operations to cease, something which Lieutenant Zarax had protested quite loudly to her in private in her Ready Room. Serala had nodded understandingly, but had remained firm. Zarax was a fighter pilot. She’d started her career as the tactical officer on a Hawkeye class shuttle, and had moved to fighter pilot when the Chin’toka had first launched. She rarely got to fly a fighter, and coveted her flight time. But Serala had remained adamant. This was a time for honoring the crew, and her flight time could wait.
Behind her, a table had been set up with several small boxes arrayed on it. A cherrywood podium bearing the insignia of the Chin’toka stood in front of it. This wasn’t going to be the first time she’d honored a crew for their efforts; not even the first time she’d done so as the CO. But it was going to be the first time she was doing so as a fully-frocked Captain of the Line. This fact caused her to beam as she looked over the assembled officers and enlisted personnel. She had already presented the various awards to the enlisted crew, and now it was time to move to the officers.
Serala: :: to the Chief of the Boat :: Thank you, Master Chief.
Once the burly engineering Master Chief had returned to his position with the enlisted crew, she turned back to the assembled crew.
Serala: Number One, please join me.
She waited for Aine to make her way up to the podium, then continued.
Serala: As I said a few moments ago, it’s hard to conceive of awards for actions that never actually took place. Only, we all know that they did. I had to argue long and hard with Starfleet Command to justify these awards, but I think they are more than well-earned.
She tapped the padd on the podium to open to the first citation.
Serala: For actions taken in defense of the temporal flow and restoring our reality to the current prime universe, Starfleet Command has authorized all officers to receive the Defense of Temporal Flow Ribbon and the Quantum Reality Service Ribbons. Additionally, for actions taken against the Orion Syndicate, the entire crew is awarded the Orion Syndicate Service Medal.
Serala took three small boxes from the table and presented them to Sherlock. She opened each box, then pinned the ribbons on the First Officer’s chest.
Serala: Well done to each of you. Commander Sherlock will see to it that each of you receives your ribbons.
Serala led the way with a round of applause for the crew. It had been a difficult mission and they all deserved this award.
Sherlock: Response
Any: Responses
Once the applause had died down, she scrolled down to the next citation.
Serala: Next, I would like to have the following officers front and center, please. Lieutenant Commander Aine Sherlock, Lieutenant T’Ama, Lieutenant Junior Grade Is’Kah Xiron, and Ensign Skye Shepherd.
She waited patiently as each of them made their way forward. Once they were all present, she read from the citation.
Serala: For actions taken against the Orions while on the surface of Organia, each of you are awarded the Silver Star. Starfleet Command has also awarded me this award for my performance against the Orion vessels. Additionally, each of you are presented with the Prisoner of War Ribbon resulting from your capture, and subsequent escape from, by the Orions during this incident.
Serala took one of each of these ribbons and pinned it on Aine, before handing her three more of each to present to the others.
Sherlock / T’Ama / Is’Kah / Shepherd: Responses
Serala: Thank you all for your dedication. You may return to your positions.
Any: Responses
Once they had departed, Serala scrolled down once more then called out three more names.
Serala: Lieutenant Sylvie Doucet, Lieutenant Commander Alexander Brodie, and Ensign Leenaya Edrei, front and center please.
When the three medical officers, including Counselor Brodie, had made their way to the front, she smiled at them and nodded before reading once more.
Serala: For dedication to the medical arts while trying to solve the mental effects suffered by the crew during the temporal incursion, and for recognizing the reasons for the effects, you are each hereby awarded the Medical Science Ribbon. Your research proved valuable in solving our dilemma, and is currently being studied by Starfleet Medical and the Daystrom Institute to help provide additional insight into the effects of these kinds of temporal phenomena. Well done, each of you.
She turned and handed several more boxes to Aine, then stepped aside while her First Officer presented the awards.
Sherlock: Response
Doucet / Brodie / Edrei: Responses
Serala: Well done, each of you. You may return to your positions.
Any: Responses
After the cheers had died down and they had returned to their spots, she looked down at her padd once more.
Serala: I’d like to have Lieutenant Junior Grade Kim Stapledon and Ensign Seleya of Khanda front and center please.
She waited for the pair to make their way to the front, then looked at her padd once more before looking back up at them.
Serala: The two of you were presented with some very unique challenges, and each of you rose to the occasion with some very innovative solutions. Therefore, it is my privilege to present each of you with the Innovation Ribbon. Additionally, Ensign Seleya, you are also presented with the Good Conduct Ribbon for your efforts during the confrontation with the Orion vessels. Lieutenant Stapledon, you are additionally awarded both the Scientific Discovery Ribbon and the Spliced Mainbrace Ribbon for your discovery of the cause of the temporal event and your solution to get us back to our timeline.
She turned and collected several boxes before handing them to Aine.
Sherlock: Response
Stapledon / Seleya: Responses
Any: Responses
Once the ribbons had been presented and the pair had returned to their spots in formation, she called two more people to the front.
Serala: Lieutenant Junior Grade Ghee’looth Xiron and Ensign T’Khio’ri, front and center.
When the pair had made their way up, she smiled at them and read once more.
Serala: Your actions were not unnoticed either. Each of you were pivotal in our confrontation with the Orion vessels, and for your actions the two of you are awarded the Captain’s Commendation. Well done both of you.
Since these awards carried her personal seal of approval, she decided to present them herself. She retrieved two boxes from the table and stepped around the podium to face the Andorian and the Vulcan, finding it ironic that about two-hundred-and-fifty years prior, these two would have been considered enemies.
She pinned the awards to their uniforms, shaking each hand in turn and giving them an approving nod.
Serala: Congratulations.
Xiron / T’Khio’ri: Responses
Any: Responses
Serala dismissed them back into formation and stepped up to the podium once more.
Serala: Just two more things to take care of. Lieutenant T’Ama, front and center please.
As the Chief of Operations made her way forward, Serala smiled. She remembered when she’d accidentally shot this woman’s eye out, and now she was about to bestow some serious honors on her.
Serala: First of all, Lieutenant, your rank is unbecoming of your conduct. Since you joined my crew, your performance has been exemplary. Therefore, it is my privilege to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander with all the rights and responsibilities therein, effective immediately.
Serala retrieved the second to last box and once more stepped from behind the podium. She made her way down and pinned the pip to the uniform, a darkened half pip. Serala had no doubt that the woman would earn that third solid pip soon enough.
Serala: Congratulations, Lieutenant Commander.
T’Ama: Response
Before the crew could cheer, she raised her hand, making her way back to the podium.
Serala: But wait, there’s more. T’Ama, you’ve been my Chief Operations Officer for more than 6 months now, so it is my privilege to also award you the Department Chief Ribbon. And finally, it’s my pleasure to officially name you my Second Officer. Congratulations, Lieutenant Commander T’Ama.
T’Ama: Response
Sherlock: Response
Any: Responses
Serala smiled and then nodded to T’ama to resume her position.
Serala: Last, but certainly not least, I need Ensign Skye Shepherd please.
When the blonde Trill had made her way forward, Serala smiled once more.
Serala: You know, I find it distressing how many of my officers are out of uniform, Number One. First T’Ama and now Shepherd. What are we going to do about this?
Sherlock: Response
Serala turned to look at the table, then back to Sherlock.
Serala: Well, there is one more box there, Number One. Should we?
Sherlock: Response
Serala smiled and took the last box, then stepped from behind the podium.
Serala: Skye Shepherd, for your devotion to duty and commitment to Starfleet values, it is my pleasure to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all the rights and responsibilities therein. Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Shepherd: Response
Serala retrieved the darkened half-pip and placed it on her uniform next to the solid pip, denoting her new rank, then stepped back.
Sherlock: Response
Any: Response
((OOC: End Scene, feel free to mingle))
Serala
Serala: Last, but certainly not least, I need Doctor Leenaya Edrei please.
When the doctor had made her way forward, Serala smiled once more.
Serala: You know, I find it distressing how many of my officers are out of uniform, Number One. First T’Ama and now Edrei. What are we going to do about this?
Sherlock: Response
Serala turned to look at the table, then back to Sherlock.
Serala: Well, there is one more box there, Number One. Should we?
Sherlock: Response
Serala smiled and took the last box, then stepped from behind the podium.
Serala: Leenaya Edrei, for your devotion to duty and commitment to Starfleet values, it is my pleasure to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all the rights and responsibilities therein. Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Shepherd: Response
Serala retrieved the darkened half-pip and placed it on her uniform next to the solid pip, denoting her new rank, then stepped back.
Sherlock: Response
Any: Response
((OOC: End Scene, feel free to mingle))