Vice Admiral Quinn Reynolds - In Recognition
Quinn Reynolds
((Sto'Vo'Kor Crew Lounge, Deck 9, USS Gorkon))
The view outside the crew lounge was an unusual one, and yet had grown familiar during their time ensconced in the relative safety of Nassau. The inside of an asteroid, buzzing with life. Docked ships with workbees and people flitting about their hulls as they attended to repairs and resupplies. The neon glow of lights flooding the caverns and tunnels, people moving through the streets like erythrocytes in an artery. Life, shattered as it was, continued on.
Food weighed down the tables, an assortment of dishes from across the Federation, so that everyone could take their fill. The bar was busy, offering plenty of drinks both (synth)aholic and not. Once everyone had assembled in the lounge, Quinn allowed time for people to exchange their greetings and catch up. Then she climbed onto the small podium set up for this purpose, silence spreading out across the lounge, starting with those closest to her.
Reynolds: Hello everyone.
It began, as these ceremonies always did when Quinn was in charge, with one of the most difficult ribbons to award. “Congratulations on getting maimed” always felt strange to her, even if she understood the logic behind it.
Reynolds: We’ll open the ceremony with the Purple Heart. It can be a difficult commendation to receive, as it represents a great personal sacrifice; receiving a serious injury in the line of duty—or to put it another way, in service of their fellow crew. As such, I’m honoured to present Lieutenant Gnaxac with the Purple Heart.
With a faint smile in the Ferengi’s direction, she led the applause, a subdued and tempered celebration. But that was always why she began the ceremonies with that award; to recognise the sacrifice made above everything else, but it also opened up the rest of the ceremony to more enthusiastic celebrations. Once Quinn’s Flag Aide—a young JG with obvious Bajoran and Vulcan heritage, not to mention a head of copper curls—had presented Gnaxac with the lacquered box containing his new service ribbon, she continued.
Reynolds: Next, I want to recognise officers whose personal efforts ensured the Gorkon escaped our recent encounter with the Borg with minimal casualties. Lieutenant Cory Stoyer, whose expert piloting kept us from their clutches. Lieutenant Commander Samira Neathler, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Taelon, who disarmed a Borg node installed aboard the ship. It’s with great pride and thanks that I present you with the Captain’s Commendation.
Her Flag Aide again moved through the crowd, finding the recipients of the commendation with remarkable ease, while the crew enthusiastically showed their appreciation. Quinn didn’t dare to think about what would have happened to the ship if any of those individuals had failed in their task. But they had, and the Gorkon was intact, the casualties far less than they could have been. She knew Sami struggled to see the value of what she’d done to protect the ship, and perhaps this commendation would go some way in helping her make peace with her choices.
Reynolds: In times of crisis it’s as important to attend to the spirits of the crew and our passengers, as it is their physical wellbeing. During our recent encounter with the Borg, three of our officers performed this task admirably, helping to buoy the spirits, as well as tend the injuries of those they rescued. I’m pleased to present Lieutenant Commander Tahna, and Ensigns Pace and Nera with the Unity Ribbon.
Again, she brought her hands together to congratulate the recipients of that service ribbon. She was proud of them all, but particularly the new ensigns who had to manage their own emotions when encountering the Borg. It was hardly the experience anyone expected on their first jaunt out of the Academy, but it was theirs, and they’d handled it admirably.
Reynolds: Starfleet takes pains to recognise the full breadth of our activities, and not just those which take place amid imminent threat of harm. Our investigation of Depot 39 brought to light the nature of Commodore Johnson’s theft and his immediate plans, and ultimately gave us the chance to reverse the damage he’s done to the timeline. As such, I’m proud to present Commander Marshall; Lieutenant Commanders Neathler, Tahna, and Sevo; Lieutenants Finch, Sienelis, and Gnaxac; Lieutenant Junior Grade Taelon; and, ::she cleared her throat,:: myself, with the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon.
A flush of colour appeared from underneath her collar as she mentioned her own name, and she hoped it went unnoticed among the celebrations for the officers receiving their lacquered boxes. It always felt strange, presenting herself with an award, but it was never a unilateral decision. Sami and Jo offered their counsel, and she tended to defer to their recommendations for her own commendations. And they had pointed out it made no sense to miss herself out, when she was including everyone else on the investigative teams. Yet it was with reluctance she announced it, hating the feeling of singling herself out.
Reynolds: Next, I would like to recognise a group of officers who showed remarkable problem-solving skills under the most adverse circumstances. While the Gorkon was under fire and taking evasive manoeuvres, these three worked together to bring our warp drive back online and ensure our continued survival. And so, I’m pleased to present Lieutenants zh’Tisav, Finch, and Gnaxac with the Spliced Mainbrace Distinction.
She applauded with everyone else as her Flag Aide located the three officers and presented them with their lacquered boxes, lingering close by for the next round of ribbons. There had been a few times in her career when she’d had to pull off the difficult in impossible circumstances, and she knew the pressures involved. It was clear the three made a good team, skilled and adaptable, able to work their way through any problem, no matter how immense.
Reynolds: Engineering took its licks during our fight with the Borg, and they suffered an intrusion of drones who had broken through the security teams guarding this vital part of our ship. They distinguished themselves by defending engineering themselves, and so I’m proud to present Lieutenants zh’Tisav and Finch with the Silver Star.
Reading the reports had prompted a flare of retrospective anxiety in the hybrid; not only had the Borg gained access to engineering, but with everything happening aboard ship, security had struggled to come to their aid. It could have gone so very badly wrong, if their engineers hadn’t risked assimilation and limb to defend the beating heart of the ship. She waited until the two had received the boxes containing their ribbons, and until the cheers had begun to subside, then pressed on.
Reynolds: Next, I’d like to recognise two of our department chiefs for their service in that post. We award this commendation for those who serve as a department chief for no less than six months, to recognise the work and leadership role these individuals have carried out with aplomb. With that in mind, I’m proud to award Lieutenant Commanders zh’Tisav and Tahna with the Department Chief Ribbon.
She smiled at the pair as her Flag Aide handed them their ribbons, the lounge filled with the sound of clapping hands and cheers. She was pleased to see they had both flourished in their roles. Their guidance in both the engineering and science departments had been a boon over recent months, their leadership styles different, but effective.
Reynolds: Finally, I’d like to commend everyone’s efforts in our current situation as we resist the Borg in order to restore the timeline to its proper state. As such, everyone receives the Galactic War with the Borg Service Medal.
The last ribbon of the evening, and a burst of applause followed the presentation. Her hands were sore from it all, but it was for a good cause. It was something to celebrate; their own achievements, and those of others. And a morale booster was definitely a help in their current situation. Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but the mood seemed much more buoyant now.
Reynolds: Those of you who’ve served with me for a while know I detest long speeches, so I’ll simply finish by saying it’s a pleasure to serve with you all, and I’m proud to be your captain. ::She offered a faint smile to the crowd.:: Now, enjoy the celebrations and the food and drink on offer.
With the presentations concluded, and people turning away from her and toward their friends, Quinn stepped down from the podium. She made a beeline for the bar, and had just taken a sip from an alcohol-free cocktail—a passionfruit & elderflower spritz—when her Flag Aide approached. The Bajoran-Vulcan JayGee had a faint smile on her face, and slid a lacquered box across the bar until it sat right in front of the Admiral.
Dhara: I think you forgot this, sir.
Quinn cast the young woman A Look, and to her credit, Dhara held her ground. She’d seen it plenty of times before; for better or worse, her job often included bringing things to attention she knew the Admiral wouldn’t like. Maybe that’s what she thought she was doing now, making sure Quinn took receipt of the Leadership Excellence Ribbon her senior staff had recommended.
Reynolds: You know as well as I do that I didn’t. ::She pressed her lips together, then exhaled a sigh.:: But thank you.
Dhara nodded and slipped away, back into the crowd, and Quinn slid the small box into her pocket. It felt a little strange to have a Gorkon celebration which hadn’t been organised by their resident party director, Caedan Nkai. From all accounts, the shift in timelines had plunged him into a despondency the likes of which no one had ever seen him in before. A situation she might have to intervene in, sooner rather later.
But not right now. She resolved to enjoy her drink and the atmosphere, soak up the merriment and camaraderie flowing as easily as the wine. No doubt darker days were coming soon, and they had to treasure the good times while they had the chance.
fin
Commanding Officer
USS Gorkon
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