Commander Serala: The Heroes Deserve to be Commemorated Also
Serala
The meal had been a success. Sure, there were some less than appealing dishes, but she thought that was probably true at any potluck. And besides, they were Starfleet officers, so unless they worked in the galley it was likely the only good cooks would be those who cooked as a hobby. Even she had only managed her meal because she had strictly followed the recipe, and Jorin had given her a bit of nudging about keeping the meat juicy. Now that the meal seemed to be winding down, she decided it was time to move to the next portion of the gathering. She grabbed her glass of aesohll and a fork, then stood and moved over to the podium. Once there, she began to tap on the side of the glass. Once she had everyone’s attention, she began to speak.
Serala: Thank you all so much for coming. I haven’t done this kind of thing before and thought it would be a great way for us all to get to know each other. But we do have a few things to take care of now, so eyes front please. :: she locked eyes with Aine and continued :: Commander Sherlock, front and center please.
As the First Officer made her way forward, she grabbed the first of the boxes on the table behind her.
Serala: Commander, as you know we arrived here to find a serious disaster following the Valcarian attack. The crew worked tirelessly to investigate DS26 before it’s destruction, to help rescue and treat the injured and to repair the damage done to the Lunar Base. For that reason, I have been authorized to present the Peacekeeper Service Ribbon to the entire crew. Please accept this award on behalf of the crew and see to it that everyone receives their own ribbon.
Sherlock: Response
Serala handed the box to Aine and then continued to address her while calling more officers to join the First Officer.
Serala: Lieutenant T’Ama, Lieutenant Stapledon, please join the First Officer.
Once the other two had joined her at the front, Serala continued with her presentation.
Serala: The three of you beamed into a dangerous situation on Deep Space 26 and managed to find a Romulan spy and delay the destruction of the station. In fact, if it weren’t for bad timing, you would actually have saved it. Additionally, you managed to learn of the potential bioweapon and was able to investigate that more thoroughly. For this reason I am pleased to present the three of you with the Starfleet Investigative Ribbon.
She handed the boxes to Sherlock and waited for her to present them to the other two officers.
Sherlock / T’Ama / Stapledon: Responses
Any: Responses
Once Aine was done, she smiled and continued.
Serala: Well done to all of you. Lieutenant Stapledon, you may return to your seat. Number One, if you will join me here at my side for the rest of the presentation please.
Sherlock / Stapledon: Response
Serala: Doctor Kel, Doctor Edrei and Ensign Shepherd, please join us at the front.
Once the Andorian CMO, and the other two had made his way to the front Serala gave them a big smile and a slight nod.
Serala: Doctors, Ensign Shepherd, your contributions were no less important. We arrived to a large number of wounded, and you jumped in to assist and treat them. Additionally, there was the situation with the infestations :: she refused to say the word ‘maggot’ in a ceremony like this :: and their mutations that you had to deal with. For these reasons, I have the distinct honor to present each of you with the Medical Science Ribbon. Additionally, Doctors Kel and Edrei, you are being presented with the Lifesaving Ribbon.
She handed several boxes to Aine and waited for her to hand them out.
Sherlock: Response
Kel / Edrei / Shepherd: Response
Any: Response
Once Aine had returned to her side, she looked at each of them again.
Serala: My heartfelt thanks to each of you. As you can see, several lives were lost that day :: she gestured around the park at the various memorials :: but the number would have been much higher without your efforts. This is only a small way of thanking you for what you did.
Sherlock: Response
Kel / Edrei / Shepherd: Response
Any: Response
Serala: Doctor Edrei, Ensign Shepherd, you may return to your seats. Doctor Kel, please remain up here.
Kel / Edrei / Shepherd: Response
Serala: I would also like to have Lieutenant T’Ama back up here, please. And Number One, if you will join them.
Once the three were present, Serala continued.
Serala: Each of you led your teams with skill and dedication. You managed to keep things on track and address your tasks in a very difficult circumstance. Therefore, it is my pleasure to present each of you with the Leadership Excellence Ribbon. Well done to each of you.
Sherlock / Kel / T’Ama: Response
She pinned the ribbon on Aine then handed the other two boxes to her to present to T’Ama and Kel.
Sherlock: Response
Kel / T’Ama: Response
Once they were done, she looked at them again and nodded.
Serala: Lieutenant, Doctor Kel, thank you again and you may return to your seats.
Kel / T’Ama: Response
Any: Response
Serala waited for them to take their seats then called Lieutenant Xiron and Ensign T’Khiori to the front.
Serala: You two also played a valuable role during the crisis. Not everyone gets to be on the frontline and playing hero. Someone has to coordinate everything and keep the ship in top operational condition. Those functions help ensure the other teams can complete their tasks efficiently. I took note of how well both of you performed your tasks, so I want to present each of you with the Captain’s Commendation as a token of my gratitude for your efficiency and proficiency in your respective jobs on the bridge. Well done, and keep up the good work.
Xiron / T’Khio’ri: Response
Serala handed the boxes to Aine and once again waited for her to present the ribbons, smiling at each of them in turn as they received their ribbon.
Sherlock: Response
Any: Response
Serala: Once again, thank you both and continue to be amazing. You may return to your seats and enjoy the rest of the presentation and conversation.
Xiron / T’Khio’ri: Response
Serala: Next up is Lieutenant JG Is’Kah Xiron. Please come to the podium.
Is’Kah: Response
Once the woman had made her way to the front, Serala gave her a smile as well.
Serala: Lieutenant, you also helped with the infestation situation, but your contribution merited a different ribbon. Honestly, this is the first one I think I have ever seen awarded, so that is something in and of itself. Your method of using the shields to remove the infestation was ingenious and inspired, and for that Starfleet is awarding you the Spliced Mainbrace Distinction.
Sherlock / Is’Kah: Response
Any: Response
She handed the ribbon to Aine and waited yet again while her First Officer presented it to Is’Kah. Once it was done, Serala motioned for her to stay.
Serala: Now, Lieutenant, there is one more ribbon for you to receive. And I do recall that during our last awards presentation that I mentioned I hated to give out two specific ribbons. That is because it meant that the recipients had received injuries in the line of duty, or had been captured. Neither of which I want to see happen.
She glanced at her own ribbon rack and grimaced. She had received the Purple Heart four times herself, so she almost felt like a hypocrite for the lecture.
Serala: That said, Lieutenant, you not only received a significant injury during the crisis, but it is my understanding that you became infested as well and suffered organ failure as a result. For that reason, you are being presented with the Purple Heart. Please don’t make this a habit, Lieutenant.
Is’Kah: Response
For this one, Serala stepped out from behind the podium as she collected the remaining rosewood box and moved to stand in front of Is’Kah. She pinned the ribbon on the Lieutenant and gave her a salute before stepping back.
Serala: Thank you, Lieutenant.
Is’Kah: Response
Any: Response
As Is’Kah started to return to her seat, Serala once again stood behind the podium.
Serala: I want to once again thank each and everyone of you for what you did during the crisis. Now, enjoy the--
She stopped as Aine interrupted her.
Sherlock: Response
Serala looked at her curiously but stepped back to give way for the First Officer.
Sherlock: Response
oO Oh, you’ve got to be joking me. Oo
Nevertheless, she turned to face Sherlock.
Sherlock: Response
Serala couldn’t help but chuckle slightly.
oO There is some sort of cosmic joke here. Oo
Despite her volatile temper, Serala had somehow managed to accrue four Diplomacy Ribbons, and now she was being presented with her fifth. If there was anyone she thought was less likely to get a ribbon for Diplomacy, it was her. And yet she was now receiving her fifth. Added to that was the fact that she was receiving her second Peacekeeping Ribbon. No way she would ever have expected to receive either.
Serala: Thank you, Commander.
Sherlock: Response
Any: Response
Serala turned back to the rest of the assembled crew and smiled.
Serala: Now, it would be a shame to let all this good food go to waste, so please enjoy yourselves. Also, part of the reason for this was for us to get to know each other better, so please talk to someone you rarely if ever talk to and get to know them better.
Any: Response
And with that, she returned to her own seat to enjoy the desserts she had set aside for herself.
((OOC: Anyone is free to come over and chit-chat with Serala. She doesn’t bite. ;) ))