Ensign Lyra Voss: Awards, Pt. 2 - Well Done, Good Show
Sarah Terry
((Beachfront – Raskor II))
The commodore seemed to be enjoying this entirely too much. Perhaps he’d missed his career as an actor. Or a stage magician. Not that he hadn’t had a hell of a career in Starfleet, but it was no wonder her grandmother wanted to recruit him for the House of Eloquence.
Taybrim: I wanted to give you all a quick update, and confirm that despite the oddity of the waves of memory loss, your actions have opened up valuable diplomatic conversations with the Ameoneians. Sometimes a shared hardship brings people closer together and this seemed to be the case for the Ameoneian delegation. Your willingness to work together had opened diplomatic doors that a simple conference may have overlooked.
She’d spent a good chunk of time after the mission ended getting her brain put back together in sickbay, so she hadn’t had the opportunity to meet any of the Ameoneian delegation, but it was good to hear they hadn’t held the memory loss madness against the Federation.
Any: ?
Taybrim’s gaze hit on Evan - she knew how instrumental he had been in dealing with the Ameoneians.
Taybrim: Commander Ross, you remaining unaffected by the memory loss and your calm, focused actions and diplomatic focus during difficult, even dangerous times made a distinct impression on Minister Ifra, which carried forward to the rest of the delegation. I would like to recognize your efforts with the Diplomacy Ribbon.
Ross: ?
This time, Taybrim was not satisfied with a little wave from the audience.
Taybrim: No, no sitting, I’m not done yet. ::his dark eyes sparkled:: You were present at a critical moment when your commanding officer experienced over a decade of memory loss and started tracing steps of a former life. You stepped forward and took up a leadership role that helped protect your fellow crewmembers and while also respecting the Ameoneian delegation. For this I recognize you with the Leadership Excellence Ribbon.
Ross: ?
She cheered and clapped as he accepted the recognition. Despite whatever reticence he might have felt about command, there was no doubt in her mind that he was capable of being a great leader. Plus, it was always more fun to watch everyone *else* get tortured with awards and ribbons.
Any: ?
Taybrim: Never underestimate the impact that you have when you stay calm under pressure, and direct people who need direction. You did an excellent job, Commander and I pleased to recognize your hard work.
Ross: ?
When he sat back down nearby, she leaned over with a laughing whisper.
Voss: Didn’t I tell you you had to be careful about ending up in a red uniform one of these days?
Any: ?
Taybrim let the noise die down and then started up again.
Taybrim: Next, let me turn to Lieutenant Sylvax. You were all over StarBase 118 this mission! Quickly on you were called into the Civilian sector to break up fights between civilians and to wrangle your memory affected crew. You prevented a heated situation from escalating and got your crew to safety. For being flexible enough to jump into a call for help and to settle the situation peacefully I would like to recognize your hard work with the Unity Ribbon.
She very clearly remembered Ryden walking into sickbay flanked by S’zurak and Nagazi (not that she knew any of them at the time). That was when she’d dropped Wyn’s coffee. And that was just from seeing them - she couldn’t imagine having to try to stop them from getting into a bar brawl.
Sylvax: ?
The commodore chuckled softly.
Taybrim: But that’s not all. After bringing your crewmates to sickbay you immediately jumped into medical action and were a driving force in discovering a way to reverse the memory loss. You were an integral part of why so many people on StarBase 118, including many of the crew gathered here today can remember everything that happened. For this I want to recognize your excellent service with the Innovation Ribbon.
Sylvax: ?
Any: ?
Taybrim: And thank you for being so flexible on this mission. I know it can be difficult when you are travelling across the StarBase trying to jump in and help different teams, but you showed adaptability and skill across many areas.
Ryden had definitely stepped up to the plate during the mission. It was even more impressive when you considered how shortly after his joining this had all taken place. That fact that he’d had the wherewithal to do any of it boggled her mind. If she’d had several lifetimes worth of memories shoved into her brain (or abdominal cavity?), she was pretty sure she’d be crawling around like a useless blob for at least a month. If not longer.
Sylvax: ?
Any: ?
Taybrim: Ensign Munshi, for a first mission you had quite a test and I want to recognize how important your contributions were to the success of your team. You started by trying to get a fellow crewmate through the initial memory loss to safety. I recognize how challenging situations like this can be and I want to recognize your contributions with the Unity Ribbon.
Munshi: ?
Taybrim: Furthermore, your skill at engineering helped in three critical issues. You helped get the Zambezi docked, you helped Mrs. Vanderly correct the course of the Beau Soleil, and you helped reset the weather systems in the civilian sector, all of which helped keep your crewmates and civilians safe and put your excellent engineering skills to the forefront. I would like to recognize your hard work with the Spliced Mainbrace Distinction.
She clapped enthusiastically for Alok. There was no such thing as an easy first mission. Oh, you might roll out of the Academy feeling like, after four years, they’d surely prepared you for everything, but invariably, you would discover that such a feat was impossible. It sounded like Alok had handled the situation with focus and precision - two traits she’d seen on display first hand during their time with CHRLI.
Munshi: ?
Voss: Congratulations!
Any: ?
Taybrim: Ensign, I know when we first spoke that you were coming here to start new with StarBase 118 and in one short mission you have proven yourself an integral member of this crew. I am glad that you have joined us and I looked forward to seeing where you go, and how you grow in your career.
Munshi: ?
Any: ?
Taybrim turned to Sol next. Their trip to Betazed together had given Lyra a tiny bit of a window into their Spymaster as a person, and it had been nice to start getting to know her that way.
Taybrim: Commander McLaren. Sol. ::he smiled.:: You were a busy officer this mission as well. You also started with recognizing that something was wrong and you helped talk a fellow crewmember back into dock and into safety. Your ability to connect with your crewmates and help them in all aspects of missions had blossomed over the years. I am pleased to recognize your quick and calm thinking with the Unity Ribbon.
McLaren: ?
The commodore’s dark eyes danced as he continued.
Taybrim: Also, if I may say, your years as director of the Intel Tower have given you a canny ability at leadership. Something I think suits you very well. In this past mission you took command of the same situations I just highlighted. Bringing the Zambezi into dock, getting your team to assist the Beau Soleil, and then laser focusing and moving your team into the civilian sector to stop the malfunctioning weather systems before we had floods in San Francisco. For your ongoing stong leadership I want to recognize your hard work with the Captain’s Commendation. ::he paused and smirked:: Or is that Commodore’s Commendation? Nah, too much alliteration.
McLaren: ?
Any: ?
He lowered his voice and spoke with a deep warmth.
Taybrim: And personally, Sol? I am so proud of you. I know, without worrying, that I can depend on your leadership even when things go sideways. Thank you.
It was very sweet to see how much they cared about each other. She wondered how long the two had served together. The way they spoke to each other, it must have been a good few years at this point.
McLaren: ?
Any: ?
After the applause ended, Taybrim’s gaze turned again, and this time, it landed right on her. Oh no. Her grip on her drink became a little tighter.
Taybrim: Ensign Voss, Ensign sh’Sonora and Commander Foster – all three of you experienced the memory loss effect. Now, I will admit there is no award in the Starfleet database for those who experience memory loss and still focus your will and your actions towards working with your crewmates to make the mission a success despite the hardship you are undergoing. But I did want to personally recognize that each of you made the choice, even with the memory loss, to focus on what needed to be done. To trust your fellow crew, and to work together to successfully reverse the memory loss, protect the starbase and keep over one hundred thousand civilians safe.
Ugh, it was like she could feel her ears ringing. What did you say to that? “Yes, thank you, I’m sure everyone enjoyed my panic attacks, somehow-even-more-crippling self-esteem issues, general deflecting sarcasm, and eventual yelling. Well done. Good show.” No, better to just stop after the first few words.
Voss: ::with an awkward little nod:: Thank you.
sh’Sonora/Foster: ?
Taybrim: If any of you ever doubted that you belonged in Starfleet or that you have earned the accolades you receive, wipe that doubt from your mind. Under the greatest duress you all achieved what others in the galaxy could only dream of.
An interesting turn of phrase. She looked up at Taybrim with a half a smile.
Voss: Hey now. I don’t think I want any more things wiped from my mind, even if they’re doubts.
Four help her, was she trying to make a joke? Why did she ever bother trying to make jokes?
sh’Sonora/Foster: ?
Any: ?
Taybrim: Ensign Voss, after researching what had happened, you ventured into the civilian sector with Lieutenant Drex and Doctor Wethern to locate the source of the memory loss. You focused your fellow crew, you helped create a containment field, that rendered the artifact inert and that allowed our medical teams to enact the reversal procedure. All of this while you were struggling against the effects of the very thing you worked to contain. For this I recognize your excellent efforts with the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon.
The flush on her cheeks only intensified as she was singled out. It wasn’t that she didn’t crave validation (she absolutely craved validation), but she was deeply convinced that she was going to do or say something mortifying in the gulf of silence that opened up when the entire room looked to you for your response. Maybe she should start coming up with a list of possible phrases to use in advance? Not that that would help her now. She’d already said “thank you.” What else could she say?
Voss: That’s very… ::ahh, very what? no, abort:: Thank you.
UGH. Well. Whatever. You could say thank you more than once. She made a mental note to get that list together as soon as possible.
Any: ?
Taybrim: Ensign sh’Sonora, you had some close encounters. But you also were an integral help in getting the Beau Soleil back on course and helping your team control the weather patterns in the civilian sector. Your skill at piloting was critical, and it is even more impressive how much your retained of that skill with the memory loss. For your extraordinary focus in your chosen discipline, I want to recognize you with the Spliced Mainbrace Distinction.
Thank the Four - she could just go back to clapping and cheering.
sh’Sonora: ?
Voss: Nice work, Mi’sh!
Any: ?
Taybrim: And Commander Foster, despite memory loss, you remain one of the most dedicated and experienced doctors in the Trinity sector. Your willingness to be the test subject combined with your sharp medical observations helped Dr. Sylvax develop the best and safest way to reverse the memory loss. For this I want to reconize your work with the Innovation Ribbon.
Foster: ?
It had been interesting to get to know Wyn while they were both affected by the memory loss, but she was glad she’d been able to start getting to know the person he was today over the last shore leave. And she was looking forward to meeting his tribbles someday.
Any: ?
Taybrim took a deep breath and let the moment settle.
Taybrim: I think that just about covers things. ::His dark eyes sparkled once again:: Well, almost. But before we get to the final stage, let me take a moment to once again congratulate this crew. You have proven that even when things are difficult you will work together, protect the people under our care and ensure a positive outcome.
Another raised glass and more cheers. She finally relaxed back into her chair, ready to watch the rest of the evening’s announcements.
Any: ?