Lieutenant Commander Tomas Falt: I know I'm not who you were expecting...

[Tomas Falt]

((Awards Ceremony, Lakeside Meadow, Park area, Downtown, Denali Station))

Having given a polite nod to the Commodore, Tomas stepped away from the small group and made his way to the centre of the room. En route he scooped up an empty glass from a server, which he promptly began tapping with his combadge. The bright ting, ting, ting of metal on glass cut through the chattering of the crew, quickly making him the focus of attention.

 

Falt: Good evening, everyone.

 

Tomas paused for a moment as the last of the conversations halted. As he continued he noticed his Finnish accent was even more prominent than normal, something that tended to happen when he spoke publicly.

 

Falt: Thank you. It’s good to see you all. Now, I know many of you were expecting the Commodore to speak, but she has asked me to do the address this evening. A request I was more than happy to agree too. This is my first time addressing an awards presentation, and so to be able to do so with this crew is an honour. Each and every one of you do yourselves, and the uniform you wear, proud every day.

 

He paused for a moment and looked at the nearest the faces in the crowd, tilting his head a few degrees every time he made eye contact with someone. A mark of his respect for the officers around him, and everything they’d achieved.

 

Falt: The uniform we wear is more than just some coloured fabric, it’s a representation of the principles that we, as Starfleet officers, stand for. I’ve seen few better examples of these principles in action than during the last mission. ::beat:: Firstly, the team that travelled to the Juneau, only to discover her adrift and her crew in danger. Despite considerable risk you all remained calm, analysed the situation, and came up with a solution that saved both the crew and the alien organisms that had found themselves on board. For your efforts you are all awarded the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon. Thanks to you our comrades made it home safely. Well done.

 

Tomas joined in the first round of applause that followed. To say he was personally proud of that team was a huge understatement.

 

Any: Response.

 

As the applause began to die down he took a breath and forged ahead.

 

Falt: Secondly, the team that travelled to Menale. Starfleet was founded on the principle of exploration, a principle you all embodied during the mission, despite not inconsiderable personal risk. For adding a bit more information to build our knowledge of the enigma that is the ring, you are all awarded the Explorer’s Ribbon. Thank you, and well done.

 

Any: Response

He joined in with the applause that followed.

 

Falt: It’s fair to say both teams faced challenging situations during the last mission, and it’s equally fair to say many of the officers of this crew rose to meet them head on, which is also worthy of recognition. Lieutenant Commander Kendrick, Lieutenant Kettick and Marine Warrant Officer Kingsley are each awarded the Innovation Ribbon for their quick thinking in coming up with solutions that got everyone safely home. Great work.

 

Any: Response.

 

Tomas was particularly pleased to recognise Kingsley, as a Marine Warrant Officer she often went under the radar, but the truth was she was an outstanding officer. As the applause began to dwindle Tomas took a breath then ploughed on.  

 

Falt: The exploration of Menale arguably turned out to be more dangerous than had been initially assumed. Certainly, no one would have expected the team to be attacked by what was described as a giant sharktopus. It was during that incident one of Denali’s newest arrivals distinguished themselves by rescuing a fellow team member. Ensign McGillian is hereby awarded the Silver Lifesaving Ribbon in recognition of their actions. Well done.

 

Any: Response

 

Tomas joined in the applause for the Ensign for a moment before continuing.

 

Falt: Staying with the Menale team, a feature of all the after action reports I read was that when things got tough two officers in particular stood out in the way they supported their crew mates and helped them get through the situation. I know I speak for the whole team when I say their efforts were appreciated, and on their behalf it is my pleasure to award Lieutenant Vahin and Ensign Strathmore with the Unity Ribbon. Thank you.

 

Any: Response.

 

In his experience the unity ribbon wasn’t awarded that often, a fact that he hoped would make the two officers proud of their achievement.

 

Falt: Now, ::nodding at the Commodore:: not every engineer wears gold, but neither does every command position wear red. During the last mission Lieutenant Kettick took command of the team that had split from the Commodore’s group and led them with distinction. I am therefore delighted to award him the Superior Support Ribbon in acknowledgement of his actions. Well done.

 

Any: Response.

Tomas waited patiently for the applause to die down before continuing. Kettick was clearly a popular officer amongst the crew.

 

Falt: Moving to the team on the Juneau, it was not lost on me that one of the officers involved had only just arrived on the station from the academy. Despite that she kept her cool and performed admirably, always putting her patients’ needs first despite the situation. On behalf of the Commodore, it is my absolute pleasure to award Ensign Harford a Captain’s Commendation. Congratulations!

 

Any: Response.

 

As he clapped Tomas made a point of seeking out Harford and giving her a nod. She’d impressed him during the mission, and he was excited to see where her career went from here.

 

Falt: One of the reason’s Ensign Harford has so many patients was due to the lifeforms the team discovered aboard the ship. They were unlike anything I’ve ever encountered before, but despite that Lieutenant Commander Kendrick, Lieutenant Drex and Lieutenant Sanchez of the Juneau still managed to connect with them and determine what they needed to survive. They are awarded the First Contact Ribbon as a result. Well done.

 

Any: Response.

 

Tomas paused for a moment before continuing, his voice rushed and slightly embarrassed at presenting an award for himself..

 

Falt: Apparently Lieutenant Commander Falt has also been awarded a Medal of Commendation for his action leading the team that saved the Juneau.

 

Any: Response

 

Tomas had hoped to move on without further fanfare, but it was not to be. He allowed it to continue for a moment as he picked up something from the presentation table, but as he turned back to the room he held up his hand for silence and set his features in a stern expression.

 

Falt: Now, as some of you may know one of the jobs of the XO is to provide crew performance evaluations to the Commodore, and a few matters have come up recently that I need to address with you all. ::blip:: Ensign Strathmore! Front and centre please!

 

He almost barked that last sentence and Strathmore quickly appeared.

 

Falt: Mister Strathmore, your name appeared repeatedly in these reports. I’d ask you to explain yourself, but there is nothing you could say that would change the outcome. ::beat:: Ensign Strathmore, you are hereby promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade, with all the with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities thereto.

 

Since they weren’t in uniform he opened the small box he’d picked up from the table to show him his new pip, before handing it to him and shaking his other hand warmly.

 

Falt: Congratulations, Lieutenant.

 

Strathmore: Response.

 

Any: Response.

 

Tomas joined in the clapping, and then with a much happier expression – the cat was out of the bag now after all – held up a hand again.

 

Falt: Lieutenant Drex, please make your way up.

 

As the Denobulan made their way forward Tomas took the opportunity to pick up the second presentation box from the table.

 

Falt: Lieutenant Junior Grade Drex, you have also been appearing in my reports. Your recent performance has been exemplary, and you have been setting an excellent example to some of our newest arrivals. You’re also diligent in your duties and modest in your attitude. All these attributes have earned you promotion to Lieutenant, with all the with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities thereto. Congratulations.

 

Drex: Response.

 

Any: Response.

 

Again, Tomas showed Drex their new full pip, before handing them the box and shaking their hand. Whilst he waited for the applause to stop he picked up the final box from the table.

 

Falt: Mister Kettick, if you please?

 

Tomas watched the crowd as the Remmilian moved to the front, although with the shirt he was wearing it would have been hard not to. It rather drew the eye.

 

Falt: Lieutenant Kettick, I know you prefer plain language, ::eyeing his shirt:: certainly more than plain attire, so I will keep this simple. You are an outstanding officer, and an excellent engineer. That would be enough on its own, but you are also held in high regard by the entire crew, and the command staff can think of no higher recommendation. On behalf of the Commodore, it is therefore my privilege to promote you to Lieutenant Commander, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities thereto. I know you will do a brilliant job. Congratulations.

 

He passed the Remmilian his new pips before firmly shaking his hand.

 

Kettick: Response.

 

Oddas / Any: Response.

 

Tomas took a breath, glad he was about to finally be able to stop talking and go get a drink.

 

Falt: All that is left is for me to thank you all for being such an amazing crew. You are a credit to yourselves, the fleet and the uniform, and most importantly, you make my job easy. Thank you. Now, go and enjoy the evening’s festivities, apparently there will even be dancing…  

 

With that Tomas turned on his heel and headed for the bar. One of the perks of being the event organiser had been the opportunity to make sure the bar had a sufficient supply of Aldebaran whiskey...

 

TBG / TBC

 

Lieutenant Commander Tomas Falt                          

Executive Officer                       

Denali Station   

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