JP: Commodore Taybrim & Lt. Cmdr. DeVeau - Awards and Accolades - Part 1
Jamie LeBlanc
((Main Ballroom - Resort - Virixis VI))
It was the night before they were heading back to StarBase 118 and it was time for one comfortable, private, awards ceremony. The ballroom was set with soft golden globes that shimmered across the hardwood floor and gave a peaceful glow to the room. Soft, inviting sofas and chairs dotted the area, an open bar and a selection of delightful desserts completed the look.
The dress was casual, comfortable, but attractive. Sal Taybrim was present early, dressed in a light tan Betazoid suit, carefully sorting a set of polished boxes.
He looked up, offering Alora a smile as she entered.
Taybrim: Good evening, Commander
It was formal. Too formal. Not the dress code. That had been something more relaxed, though Alora hadn’t gone so far as to simply show up in jeans and a t-shirt . No, she’d gone a bit dressier than that. A somewhat form fitting shirt of black and white stripes with a tie at the neckline was joined by an a-line skirt that stopped at the knees. Laced, white sandals also hovered somewhere in between. Simple, comfortable, somewhat casual, and somewhat dressy, it was the sort of outfit that could fit a plethora of situations. No, that wasn’t what was so formal - rather the address. The way he spoke to her, and even the way she responded.
DeVeau: Good evening Commodore.
Taybrim: I believe everyone is showing up within the next ten minutes. ::a pause:: how are you this evening?
DeVeau: Fine, thank you. And you?
It was stiff. She didn’t like stiff. And she didn’t like formal. But Alora was struggling to figure out exactly where she sat in the midst of everything. So, for the moment, formal it was, and though she was uncertain, the smile she offered her commanding officer, while small, was nonetheless sincere.
Taybrim: I am well. ::he gave her a warm, sincere smile back.::
She paused to study him after his response, seeking something, anything that might give a hint that what he said was true, or if he was holding back something. Alora knew he bore a lot upon his shoulders. She wished she could somehow lighten his load.
DeVeau: I see you have everything all prepared.
He nodded. Awards after a harrowing mission were a unique occasion, half celebration and half reminder of the terrible things they faced- and all they had saved.
Taybrim: I do. :he nodded:: Admiral Hauke approved everything without question.
DeVeau: Glad to hear it.
They deserved the awards, every last one of them. Many of the crew had a longer history with the Cult while some, like her, had only been involved toward the end. Either way, a battle had been fought and one, and now they could celebrate that.
He settled back as the celebrants entered, getting drinks and desserts while they settled.
Taybrim: Want anything to drink?
DeVeau: Um. Sure. Just some water, thank you.
Still stiff, still uncertain, Alora hated - but had no idea what to do about it. It didn’t matter, it wasn’t the time or place. Right then and there, it was about the crewmembers, not about her and her uncertainty.
Taybrim: Water it is.
He strolled off and returned shortly afterwards with two glasses. Both tall and clear, hers was clear water and his was something slightly fizzy and bitter smelling.
She took the glass with a grateful smile and sipped at, allowing herself another long look at the Commodore. Had shore leave helped? Alora had heard about at least one of his adventures.
DeVeau: So I learned something over shore leave .
Taybrim: Oh? ::he quirked a ginger brow:: and what is that?
She managed a wry smile, turning the glass in her hand.
DeVeau: I should never actually tell you to ‘go jump out of a shuttle’. You’ll actually do it.
He grinned. He couldn’t help it.
Taybrim: ::a light cough:: Yes, well - yes. I’ll take it as a challenge.
That was a better. A little lighter, a shared smile. It helped Alora relax just a bit. Turning her gaze toward those who had gathered. The wave of bodies had slowed to a trickle, and as they spoke, only one or two people came in. A quick glance danced over the faces gathered.
DeVeau: I think everyone’s here now.
Taybrim: Shall we?
Alora nodded, though she took one last sip of her drink before setting it aside and followed the Commodore. He stepped forward to the cleared section to the side of the bar and looked towards the assembled crew.
Taybrim: Hello friends. ::His tone was warm, brotherly.:: I wanted to gather together before we head back home to recognize your accomplishments on this last mission. It was a difficult and harrowing trial that some of you have been working with for months, if not years.
Moving over to the table where Sal had been sorting the boxes earlier, Alora took up position, then lifted a box, holding it in her hands. It wasn’t quite time yet, so she turned, listening to the encouraging words from their commanding officer.
Taybrim: I know sometimes words cannot fully express what you have endured to bring peace to the Trinity sector. But I will try. Know that I appreciate each and every one of you, your deeds and your sacrifices.
There was a pause and Alora realised a glance had been cast in her direction, Sal’s dark eyes settling upon her briefly. Was she supposed to say something? She was supposed to say something, wasn’t she? Glancing between him briefly and those assembled, the silence extended a moment longer before she finally spoke.
DeVeau: All of you are to be commended for your actions. The Cult was an insidious and dangerous foe. Yet not one of you hesitated to put your lives on the line in order to fight against the evil that threatened not only the Klingon Empire, but all of those who dwell in this sector. You are each to be commended for your bravery.
Taybrim: I agree, you have all done a tremendous job.
There was a glance from Alora back to Sal and she murmured softly where only he could hear.
DeVeau: Perhaps you should stick to giving the speeches rather than me.
That was definitely not Alora’s forte. Scientific analysis? Check. Rephrasing said scientific analysis results in a way that might actually make sense for a layperson? Check. Speeches? not so much.
Sal grinned at her, dark eyes sparkling - a rare sight to see in these past few days, but it seemed jumping out a shuttle had done him some good.
Taybrim: I would like to first recognize the crew with two important, universal honors. First, the Senior Staff of StarBase 118 Operations is recognized with the Peacekeeper Service Ribbon. The Federation and Starfleet both officially recognize your efforts as a lynchpin in keeping the peace in the Trinity Sector and preventing war between the Klingon Empire and the Gorn Hegemony. ::he took in a slow breath and smiled.:: I could not be more proud of each and every one of you.
Alora nodded in agreement. Each one of them deserved that award, without a doubt. She glanced over at the table, then reached out to open the boxes that held them within. As individuals were called up, they would also receive those two alongside them. A third box was opened as the Commodore continued.
Taybrim: The second, is the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, also given to the entire senior staff. Starfleet recognizes your efforts working alongside the Klingons in all areas - On the Serenity, on the Strike Force, On the bridge of the Narendra, in the High Council Chambers and even in the courtroom, you have all done a tremendous job.
Deveau: There is no doubt that because of your bravery, skill, and dedication, we have strengthened our alliance with the Klingon empire. Well done, all if you.
Taybrim: Now, Ensign Talas Beck, if you could please join us?
Talas: ?
Taybrim: Beyond the two awards I just mentioned I wanted to personally recognize your excellent flying of the USS Narendra and professional presence on the bridge. You did a tremendous job in navigating a literal minefield and turning that against the cult, as well as working with Kaskis Ril to keep the Narendra and our Klingon allies safe. Your gallantry is awarded with the Silver Star.
Sal looked towards Alora to present the awards.
Taybrim: And your commendable piloting skills and good decision making on the bridge are recognized with the Captain’s Commendation!
Talas: ?
Taking up the awards, first the ones originally give to the whole crew, then the Captain’s Commendation, Alora steps up to Talas and carefully pins each one on him.
DeVeau: Well done, Ensign Talas. Your skills have served your fellow crewmembers and Starfleet well.
Taybrim: Congratulations, Ensign. You have done a tremendous job!
Talas: ?
Alora offered a smile to the Bajoran officer, then caught Sal’s eye. Turning, she once more gathered each of the three previous awards, then opened yet another box.
Taybrim: Next, would Prudence Blackwell please join me?
Blackwell: ?
Taybrim: Lieutenant, yourself alongside Lieutenant Zel and Commander McLaren were part of an infiltration team that successfully diffused the bombs laced with silicon platinochloride before they could release a deadly poison on the Klingon High Council. For your undercover work, you are recognized with the Intelligence Star. And for your quick thinking in diffusing those bombs before they could be detonated you are recognized with the Innovation Ribbon!
Blackwell: ?
A second round of ribbons were given, pinned upon each individual. Accompanying them was Alora’s bright smile, sincere and grateful for the role they played in the mission.
DeVeau: Congratulations for a job well done, all of you.
Taybrim: Lieutenant, you and your team was instrumental in preventing untold loss of lives and you were an integral part in preventing interstellar war. Thank you so much.
Blackwell: ?
DeVeau: You all deserve this.
To Rue, Alora allowed a brief touch, a gentle hand upon her arm before letting it drop to turn her attention back to the Commodore who continued with the ceremony.
A JP by:
Commodore Sal Taybrim
Commanding Officer
StarBase 118 Ops
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~and~
Lt. Cmdr. Alora DeVeau
First Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
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~Julian Beck
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