Capt. Shayne: Givin' Ribbons

[Randal Shayne]

((Holodeck 1 - DS 33 ; Simulation of Broken Tepui Aerie, Klowahka))

Shayne: Ready?

Hobart: ::low voice:: No, sir, but I am steady.

Nolen Hobart was a source of singular irritation to Randal Shayne. Time and again, the captain was impressed by his first officer’s fortitude, endurance, strength of will, character. And then it would occur that to be impressed, he’d have to be surprised, and Hobart was no longer surprising in his excellence. Still, this would perhaps sting, but it was among the finest steps to the captaincy; embracing with humility the inevitable whoopsy daisies of life. 

To be fair, this might be more than a whoopsie daisy, but it was the principle of the thing; and better yet, there need be no shame, so long as both of them stuck to the program. 

Shayne: May I have your attention please…

Stage mounted and microphone thumped traditionally, the captain overviewed the crowd below, and leaned on the podium, a conspirator, a commander, and a whisperer all in one. The talking died down as the soft breeze wafted over them, and the slight hum of microphone feedback resonated, and the last noisy cruncher had the good grace to finally swallow their mouthful of… from the sounds of it, rubble. 

Shayne: Here we are again. 

And not for the first time, the modifier of “mostly” was thrown into the mix; he’d not darken this day with woeful remembrance, but it shocked and delighted him each and every time there were more people to enjoy the moment than not. 

Shayne: Alright, let’s get this first one out of the way. Lieutenant Charles Matthews, Lieutenant El’Heem, Ensign Michaels, join me up here smart-like. 

The three small boxes in his hand weighed more than their mass ought to. One of these days, his officers would get the message. 

Shayne: What am I going to do with the three of you? Sure, you’ve all put your bodies on the line, but I plan to have y’all on my ship a while longer- so would you please stop getting hurt? As a favor to me? I must confess; the Purple Heart is not an award I like handing out, but as each of you has earned it and so… congratulations. 

A round of applause was struck as Shayne dispensed the violet-hued ribbons in boxes. Affixing them to uniforms would have required the presence of uniforms across all crew, and would have been finicky to begin with. As the trio returned to their seats, Shayne prepared the next batch of loving embarrassment. 

Shayne: Mr. Zerva! You’re looking particularly awardable at the moment. Stand and take praise, sir. 

As the young, rougish fellow slalomed between the chairs and his fellows, Shayne could only shake his head and smile at the sight of his dog, Foxy Lady. The image of the big, strong security officer, alongside his highly affectionate puppy, was delightfully absurd. 

Shayne: Mr. Zerva. I have depended on you more than a captain should, because I have had to. In you I have placed a faith and a trust that has yet to be disappointed. Your service in the previous mission- managing engineering and science problems while doing your utmost to ensure our… that is, the crew’s security… is noted and appreciated. Please accept the Excellence in Adaptability Ribbon, and thank you. 

Zerva: Response 

Within the last few years, Starfleet had apparently noticed the number of officers that went above and beyond in their performance of duties, but not within the clear-cut definitions that a traditional ribbon might recognize. These newer ribbons were a wise installation, and Shayne was pleased to be able to award his people for a broader spread of excellence. 

Shayne: Lieutenant Semara! To the stage, if you please, madam. 

Though he didn’t get the sense that their extroverted and vivacious intellig… science officer would mind the spotlight, he was determined to be considerate regardless; he would be foolish to alienate one of his sources for pastries. 

And friendship. Yeah, that. 

Shayne: Lieutenant. In a similar vein to Mr. Zerva, your presence in the last incident was vital, but where our security officer ran interference on no less than three duty posts, your skills and experience were offered and applied in less conventional fashions. For demonstrating that adversity breeds innovation, I hereby bestow upon you the Good Conduct Ribbon. Thank you. 

Semara: Response 

Before she could leave the stage, box in hand, Shayne held out an arm to delicately stop her. 

Shayne: Just a moment. Mr. Blue Matthews! Step up here, if you please. 

Two Matthews, one gold, one blue. Somehow, Shayne got the sense that even a being on a different plane of reality would get the two screwed u;. 

Shayne: Starfleet is an insitution of remarkable scientific achievement, but even with the best of the best with us in the Isles, the discovery you two have made regard Sencha radiation and our bio-neural gel packs is among the most remarkable ((OOC: and genuinely creative!)) finds I can remember learning of. For this, I award you both the Scientific Discovery Ribbon. Daystrom can go fly a kite. Congratulations. 

Matthews/Semara: Response 

The applause was beginning to turn his palms into a fine ruddy paste, but he still joined the onslaught. 

Shayne: Commander Ohnari! Meet your fate, Doctor! Come on up! 

He smiled at her genuinely; holding ill-will was as unwise as it was exhausting, and knowing he had a CMO willing to put him in his place now and again was a blessing that few who had never commanded would be likely to understand. 

Shayne: Doctor. Your achievements are long and noteworthy, and they have benefitted this crew greatly. Most recently, your creation of an inoculation to protect all hands from great harm has made an immense difference, and has shielded the people you have never failed to serve. Beyond that, you have healed, and saved lives, in trying circumstances against all odds. It should therefore come as no surprise that you are being awarded the Silver Lifesaving Ribbon. Congratulations and thank you. 

Ohnari: Response 

Instead of departing as she normally would, Shayne flashed her a knowing grin, and subtly gestured to the side of the stage. 

Shayne: Mr. Dewitt! You’re next! 

He allowed himself a small cackle as the handsome fellow seemed to bite his tongue while walking. 

Shayne: Connor. Just because Arrow was old and temperamental does not mean that this “new” boat is any easier to contend with. You kept her running despite blackouts, burnouts, brownouts and blowouts. Whatever went down, you got back up, and this crew is alive because of it. We wouldn't be the same without you. Please accept the Captain’s Commendation for your efforts, in the recent past, and for all of it, too. 

He held out a hand with the box, and another to shake. 

Dewitt: Response 

Only a few more matters to attend to. 

Shayne: Mr. Hobart! ::he pretended to look around, and then be surprised by his first officers’ presence:: Ah! Oh. Yes. Good. Stand there for a moment. 

The captain pivoted on his heels and appraised Nolen warmly. 

Shayne: I left the ship for awhile. I should have been a wreck. Panicked, lost, worried. I wasn’t. You were in command. And that is good enough for me. The Leadership Excellence Ribbon is meant for people such as yourself, Mr. Hobart. Thank you. 

Hobart: Response 

He winked at his friend. Now the hard part would come… 

((OOC: Not quite done yet, friends- hang in there!)) 

Tag/TBC…

Captain Randal Shayne
Commanding Officer
USS Khitomer
NCC 62400
G239202RS0