Leaderboard

Thanks all! I really can't speak highly enough of the support and guidance that I've received during my training. Informative, encouraging and really positive throughout. It has been a lot to take in but the support network that is in place has been second to none. I'm looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead

DATES: The class began on March 7, 2017 and ended March 6, 2017. LIST: sb118-academy2 COMMANDING OFFICER: Captain Akinor Onali Zaekia FIRST OFFICER: Lt. Commander Rune Jolara GRADUATES: Logaan Rostov Laehlani Antorii We're so glad you're here. My door is always open if you ever need anything!

Who let him in there?!?

Please welcome our newest Academy graduates to the UFOP: StarBase 118 fleet: Logaan Rostov and Laehlani Antorii! The post New Academy Graduates appeared first on UFOP: StarBase 118 Star Trek RPG. View the full article

Congratulations and welcome to the fleet! I had such a blast simming with you boh during the class and hope you both enjoy many happy adventures here!

Welcome to day five of our 20th annual awards ceremony! So far this week we’ve announced the winners of the Staff Awards, Length of Service Awards, Special Awards, and Duty Post Awards. Now we’re delighted to share the General (Ship) Awards, which have been presented by each captain to their crew. This is your chance to see how each of the other ships did and see who picked up what award. This is another category that has seen new awards added including: The Laudean Commendation, awarded for achievements in exploration with new lifeforms. The recipient will have shown great creativity in many facets of species creation or expansion, including physiological, psychological, cultural, social, and more, and their creativity will inspire their fellow simmers. It can cover many aspects of species development, but should primarily be based in IC simming. The Khan Award recognizes a simmer who thoughtfully develops a three-dimensional villain over the course of a mission or more. The Q Award is given for continually surprising their crew with unexpected, devious plot twists throughout the year, replacing the Kalendra Award from the Special Awards category. The winners this year, as in 2015, were chosen by the fleet's commanding officers (or in cases where the commanding officer was also nominated, the first officer was called in to decide) from the nominations made by you! The Order of Starfleet Merit and Achievement First Class (TOSMA) The Order of Starfleet Merit and Achievement First Class is given to members who show great dedication in their behavior and simming abilities. A candidate for TOSMA regularly contributes good, solid ideas to the plot and character development. They also take the time to edit and proofread their sims to ensure quality in their writing. Tristam Core, USS Invicta Ayiana Sevo, USS Gorkon Talia Kaji, USS Doyle Varaan, USS Darwin Nathanial Wilmer, USS Constitution Oddas Aira, Embassy of Duronis II Theo Whittaker, StarBase 118 Ops The Genesis Award The Most Improved Simmer Award. For officers who show conspicuous effort in improving their simming skills. Rosalee, USS Invicta Cory Stoyer, USS Gorkon Brandon Craigi, USS Doyle Graeme Cook, USS Darwin Chelin ch’Gabor, USS Constitution T’Leira, Embassy of Duronis II Scotty Cross Given to an officer who shows extreme creativity while solving a plot dilemma or in-character plot twist. Della Vetri, USS Invicta R’Ven, USS Darwin Jerome Milsap, USS Constitution T’Mihn, Embassy of Duronis II Neelix Award For extra, out-of-character simming devotion. This includes, but isn't limited to, helping fellow officers who are in need of simming aid, visibility on the forums, OOC list presence, upkeep of wiki pages, etc. Raissa Moonsong, USS Invicta Sabrina Holly, USS Doyle Varaan, USS Darwin T’Mar, USS Constitution Mirra Ezo, StarBase 118 Ops Nebula Bar Awarded to a simmer who has shown great imagination when creating or expanding upon planets, stars, stellar phenomena, and other physical environments and settings, such that these settings create a convincing, descriptive, realistic environment that inspires other simmers or enhances the flow of a given plot. Luna Walker, USS Invicta Tal Tel-Ar, USS Doyle Didrik Stennes, USS Darwin Laudean Commendation Awarded for achievements in exploration with new lifeforms. The recipient will have shown great creativity in many facets of species creation or expansion, including physiological, psychological, cultural, social, and more, and their creativity will inspire their fellow simmers. The Laudean Commendation can cover many aspects of species development, but should primarily be based in IC simming. Saveron, USS Invicta Nugra, USS Doyle Renos, USS Darwin Silver Palm Awarded to a simmer who has consistently boosted the morale of his/her crew. The recipient will be known to be able to add that spark to a plot whenever it may be lagging, or may be able to consistently bring enjoyment or a bit of humour to the sim, whilst keeping such sims relevant and realistic. Ryan King, USS Invicta Brandon Craig, USS Doyle Maxwell Traenor, USS Darwin Antero Flynn, StarBase 118 Ops Sheathed Sword Presented to those to decide to inflict mental and/or physical trauma on their character, and then dive into the resulting emotions and choices in a realistic manner. The name comes from a line in a Robert Jordan book where a warrior must be prepared to 'sheath the sword' in his own body, i.e. take a grievous wound to achieve one's goal (in this case, more realistic simming) as opposed to an actual goal of the character. Marcus Dickens, USS Invicta Selene Faranfey, USS Doyle Trel’lis, StarBase 118 Ops B-Plot Award For those simmers who manage to show a good portion of the character's life despite the demands of the main plot. Rune Jolara, USS Invicta Jaxton Vee, USS Gorkon Alexander Bishop, USS Doyle Randal Shayne, USS Darwin Jalana Rakel, USS Constitution Tyr Waltas, Embassy of Duronis II The Russ Bar The Russ bar is awarded to a writer whose knowledge of Trek lore is extraordinary. Named for Tim Russ, the actor who played Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager, who was already a dedicated Star Trek fan before securing the role on the show. Tristam Core, USS Invicta Ceciri Hakashrii, USS Doyle Brell, USS Darwin Jalana Rajel, USS Constitution Trellis Vondaryan, StarBase 118 Ops Pathfinder Award Given to those who have shown great care in the mentoring of fellow members. T’Lea, USS Invicta Quinn Reynolds, USS Gorkon Talia Kaji, USS Doyle Renos, USS Darwin Rustyy Hael, USS Constitution Brayden Jorey, Embassy of Duronis II Tatash, StarBase 118 Ops Khan Award Awarded to a simmer who thoughtfully develops a three-dimensional villain over the course of a mission or more. Alora DeVeau, USS Invicta Alucard Vess, USS Gorkon Tal Tel-Ar, USS Doyle Maxwell Traenor, USS Darwin Hannibal Parker, Embassy of Duronis II Theo Whittaker, StarBase 118 Ops Q Award Awarded for continually surprising their crew with unexpected, devious plot twists throughout the year. Roshanara Rahman, USS Invicta Michelle Tonston, USS Doyle John Valdivia, USS Darwin Alexander Williams, USS Constitution Irina Pavlova, Embassy of Duronis II Sal Taybrim, StarBase 118 Ops Please join us in congratulating these talented players!

Congratulations to Aitas of Starbase 118 Ops who is this rounds Featured Bio Contest winner and to Jocelyn Marshall of the USS Gorkon who is this rounds featured nominee! Be sure to stop by their profiles on the wiki and get to know them. The Featured Bio Contest Team is still looking for a representative (LtJG or higher) from the Andaris Taskforce and the USS Athena to join the team. Have you come across a biography that was really great? Have you been working on your own biography lately and are now ready to show it off for everyone to see? Or maybe you would like some pointers on how to improve your own biography? Head on over to the Featured Bio Contest’s forum and check out what we have to offer! While you are there, why not submit a nomination? The post Featured Bio Contest Results for Round 2 appeared first on UFOP: StarBase 118 Star Trek RPG. View the full article

Brilliant. If it goes any heavier, I'm going to have to ask you to please consider a fade to black.

This quip from our fearless leader: The wedding pictures are truly beautiful. I didn't know they made veils in Starbase size.

((Little Risa - Mirra and Flynn’s beach house)) ::Something had been bothering Mirra since they returned from the mission. Well, to be fair, after a mission such as that, lots of things would be bothering her. But this wasn’t about the mission. It was about the Captain…she had been well aware of his damaged telepathy, it wasn’t news. But it had been on her mind ever since he reached out to her telepathically in the Thirsty dog. When she took the time to sit down and think about it, she realized it wasn’t an issue with the Captain at all...it was her. She was desperately homesick. Coupled with the offhand, and entirely innocent comment made by Theo in his panicked realization she was onto his crush, it had settled further in. So, that was why, at this very moment, she was in the kitchen of the Little Risa beach house she shared with Flynn, putting the finishing touches on the meal of Raixen, her own mother’s recipe. She’d sent the very informal invitation to dinner, and had been quite pleased when he accepted. Just as soon as she plated the noodles, she heard the telltale sound of footsteps.:: Ezo: ~I’m in the kitchen!~ Taybrim: Hello? ::He stopped, realizing that the voice was in his head and just a tinge of embarrassment followed. He had just gotten so used to speaking all the time that he defaulted to it - even though it wasn’t the way of his people. Well, good thing no one could see him blush - though empathy could certainly feel the flush of embarrassment:: ~Hello! I’m hope I’m not late.~ Ezo ::Turning with a grin, she had both plates in each arm, giving a little head nod in greeting.:: ~Thank you for coming, I hope you’re hungry, my mother’s recipe makes enough for an invading army…~ ::Sal lifted his head and sniffed the air a bit. Ahh, that was a familiar scent. Raixen, if he wasn’t mistaken - though the key aroma was vilne, a savory spice that was a favorite in the lowlands.:: Taybrim: ~As all good Raixen recipes should~ ::She gestured with her head towards the back door, walking with bare feet across the kitchen and carefully sliding the glass door open with her foot before stepping through out on the back patio. The circular fire pit was already lit, casting shadows lazily around the deck furniture:: Ezo ~I thought we’d eat out here, by the fire tonight.~ ::turning her head, she smirked playfully:: ~ although I decided for forgo the dinner chime…~ ::A calm breeze blew through the deck, dancing the flames lightly. Ahh, the blissful late day sun in little Risa. Sal stretched a little, removing his own shoes and letting his arms stretch out in the loose Betazoid robes. If he closed his eyes he could almost pretend he was home for a moment.:: Taybrim: ~That’s OK. I think my own family only used the chime for formal dinners and holidays.~ ::Which was not uncommon among the middle and lower classes - well, those who were descended from such. Wealth hadn’t been a hardship on Betazed for decades if not centuries. But traditions were still passed down.:: Ezo: ::snickering slightly:: ~Pretty sure my family only took it out of its dusty old box when my great aunt came for dinner.~ ::Mirra’s family was unique in the sense they weren’t steeped in tradition. They respected it, honored it, but weren't necessarily concerned with it. Considering she and her brother weren't bound in arranged marriages, they were something of an anomaly.:: Taybrim: ::He offered her a smile, something that blossomed past the expression and into a feeling, a wellspring of empathy:: ~I deeply appreciate the invitation. It has been too long since I have partaken in a traditional sit down meal.~ ::a pause and a hint of humor entered his mind:: ~Lunches at the Illogical Eatery don’t count!~ Ezo: ::smiling softly, she bowed her head slightly.:: ~Of course. To be honest, I am surprised it has taken us this long to share a meal together.~ ::grinning:: ~pastries aside.~ ::Plates now arranged, she held her hands up in a slight “Tada!” Flourish. Gesturing towards the vacant seat beside her, she settled into the slightly overstuffed cushion of the patio lounger.:: Ezo: ~Please, dig in. I hope it is a pleasant reminder of home…::smirking:: and not a reminder of your previous dinner companion.~ ::She of course, was referring to Wannis. That woman was enough to make someone a monk. Praying to the Gods for blindness.:: Taybrim: ::Sal shivered at the thought - both a physical and a mental shiver. He absolutely hated being a judgemental person, but he had found with Wannis that there truly were people in the universe who could make one’s skin crawl.:: ~This is vastly preferably company to my last dinner. And by vastly I mean the difference between a sunbathing holiday on Risa versus one on Rura Penthe.~ ::His dark eyes sparkled with mirth:: ~This washes away the memories of the other in the best way.~ ::With a mouth full of food, she enjoyed the telepathic advantage of “talking” with one’s mouth full.:: Ezo: ~Well, my motives were entirely selfish. I hadn't realized how much I missed...well...this. Not having to “shield up” constantly. Having a casual conversation without the inevitable discomfort over an errant thought I wasn’t even listening to anyways.~ ::sighing heavily:: ~The amount of patients I have fidgeting, worrying that I’ll dig through their minds, being overly paranoid, thus making me overly paranoid. It’s exhausting.~ ::He blinked a little at that, understanding that paranoia. His own experiences had been somewhat muted - whether it was the perception that Betazoid women were more forceful than Betazoid men (which was true for some families) or whether he had washed most of his experiences prior to damaging his telepathy away with old memories was unclear. What Sal did remember keenly was how much his ill-fated betrothed struggled to keep her own shields up and how constantly exhausted she seemed. He had a deep empathy for that.:: Taybrim: ~It is.~ ::He agreed quietly:: ~And frustrating.~ ::Oh yes, he was starting to remember now. Talking to some people was like pulling teeth - especially when one was wearing a teal collar.:: Ezo: ::grinning:: ~That...and you, dear sir, are terribly out of practice.~ ::She nudged him lightly with her leg. Intending to soften the harsh observation. He was, in fact, out of practice. But it was entirely understandable, and not meant as an insult. They both could benefit from a little “homeworld” bonding.:: Taybrim: ::He looked up and shot her an amusedly admonishing glance:: ~I suppose for a long time I had no one to practice with. I can’t pick up any surface thoughts of those who are not either telepathically keen - or Betazed - anymore.~ ::He paused, looking off towards the skyline while contemplating the complex flavors of the meal before adding.:: ~I suppose I might be able to read them if I dug - but no one would want to test that, most of all me.~ Ezo: ::Smiling brightly:: ~You could always make Theo volunteer for it. For the sake of medicinal science.~ ::snickering, she could imagine the look of abject horror on his face should it ever be suggested.:: ~I bet his head is filled with engineering schematics and perfecting cosmopolitan recipes....~ Taybrim: ::He leaned forward again, offering a bit more of an open mind, a quiet calm to allay worry.:: ~Sometimes the world feels quiet. Usually it simply feels placid. Maybe that’s just me putting a positive spin on things.~ Ezo: ::smiling softly. Her heart twinged in mild sorrow. Telepathy was as natural a sense for Betazoid as much as sight:: ~I think that is a brilliant outlook.~ ::It was hard to describe what it was like to have one’s telepathy dampened. Sal supposed it was equally hard to describe to someone who could hear what it would be like to start going deaf. Well, maybe that was a good description.:: Taybrim: ~Have you ever worked with a patient who was blind? Someone who used their other senses to compensate? Perhaps their sense of hearing was sharpened or their sense of touch was refined so they could read with their fingertips? I did that with my empathic senses. I compensate for the loss of one with a sharpening of the other.~ Ezo: ::having finished her meal, she set her fork down, and leaned back, folding her legs beneath her.::~Actually yes, but not with sight. A little girl. I met her during my internship. Got a nasty infection, but didn't get medical attention in time, damage was too severe, lost her hearing as a result. But, she made up for it with her other senses. After time, she became so intune with her sense of touch, she could “hear” basic speech patterns. ::gazing into the fire in marvel:: miraculous thing, the body. Dull one sense, and often, the others will adapt. ::smiling:: and no amount of medicine could replicate that.~ Taybrim: ~How true.~ ::He chewed his last bite in thought before lifting his fork in a salute to the hostess:: ~Life is a miraculous thing. All the better that we have a fantastic doctor to shepherd us~ ::he winked, but the thought was earnest as much as it was flattering.:: Ezo: ::a small amount of red tinged her cheeks:: ~Well, it would certainly be easier if people would stop keeping me on constant alert...blowing off their arms and such~ ::shrugging slightly:: ~Not that it was done purposefully...I hope…~ ::Sal’s brows knit. Oh, the crew and senior staff of StarBase 118 had certainly kept the StarBase 118 medical department - and it’s chief in particular - busy. He felt badly about that. Worry and regret tinged his thoughts like a clinging film.:: Taybrim: ~Agreed, I do not want to see a repeat of some of the dark things our crew had had to endure recently. I am hoping that we will see less and less of the Orion Syndicate from here on out.~ ::He paused and despite him trying to hold it back, one thought - one name still trickled through.:: ~Chennel…~ ::It was the first audible sound she made that night which wasn’t positive. A low growl slipped through her lips. Too late to prevent its escape. That woman. That...woman. She haunted Mirra’s darkest nightmares and fired her blood like no other.:: Ezo: ~Gods curse the day that horrible witch crawled out of the fires of hell. ::clenching her jaw:: I used to believe that evil was an abstract concept. Never once expecting to meet it in the flesh…~ Taybrim: I’m sorry. ::He spoke it. He paused and his neck flushed a deep pink. Not only had the first thought that spurred this torrent of negative emotion come unbidden to his thoughts, but his first reaction was to interact in a way that was uniquely not-Betazed. The backlash was to beat himself gently up for that, silently.:: ~She is truly wicked. And I am sorry. Not just for bringing it up, but that we have not yet apprehended her. It stays in my mind - and on our radar.~ ::Lame, Sal… lame… He trailed off in thought, watching her to gauge the reaction and where to go next.:: ::Releasing her tightly clenched jaw, Mirra cleared her throat awkwardly. The absolute definition of an “over reaction.” Well, wasn’t she about to win host of the year...:: Ezo: ::flushing slightly:: ~No, please. I’m sorry...I...guess...well? We have a bit of a complicated history. ::she grimaced. And shuddered:: ~She had...uh…”plans” for me? I never wished to be a non-telepath more in my entire life.~ ::she shook it off and clasped his hand in both of hers:: ~I know it bothers you. It bothers all of us. Personal history aside, she’s dangerous. Very dangerous.~ ::smiling with encouragement:: ~Never doubt for a second my belief that we will bring her to justice.~ ::He looked up, locking Mirra’s gaze for a moment. His thoughts slowly organized into ideas that were calm and controlled, focused.:: Taybrim: ~She hurt my crew. She hurt you. Theo. Flynn. Tatash. She continued hurting. The team that rescued Lady Shadonna. The team who tried to apprehend her. Half my senior staff or more she had hurt. I do not want to witness her hurting another person, ever again.~ ::He wanted to think ‘I will not’ - but he was the sort of person who did not make promises that he could not keep. Until they located Chennel and acted, everything was still in that frustrating realm of possibility.:: ::Like many times before, Mirra found herself gazing in awe, enraptured in Sal’s determined speech. She knew he meant every single word. Down the the marrow of his bones. This, this was her Captain.:: Ezo: ::beaming:: ~You are a fantastic Captain. Has anyone told you that recently?~ Taybrim: ::He flushed again, this time with a bit of unbidden embarrassment. Which wasn’t something he showed much. Usually the diplomat side of him took everything in stride. Then again there was an art to well timed drinks of water, turns or other stalling tactics to pass the moment and regain perfect composure. Still, his smiled:: ~That’s why they pay me the big salary~ ::he winked - as Starfleet officers there was functionally no salary, just some extra privileges.:: ~But I’m honored that you think so. In my defense, I have a fine crew - I would not ask for better.~ Ezo: ::she laughed heartily, happy for the injected humor to lighten the mood. Big salary indeed.:: ~You are not wrong. This crew is amazing.~ ::sitting up formally, crossing her arms and donning a serious face:: ~And that is my professional opinion.~ ::uncrossing her arms, she grinned:: ~I think it is time for dessert, what do you say to some molten, possibly soon to be sacrificed confections?~ Taybrim: ~Molten confections?~ ::Someone had once told him about a molten cake… Sal had thought that sounded dangerous. He was trying to remember who threatened him with the recipe now.:: ~Are these a traditional sweet…?~ ::Mirra leaned over the side of the wicker lounger, producing a bag of marshmallows. A nod to their bonfire activities on Raskor I, once the now retired Commodore Kinney had finally been removed from the playing board. She held them aloft with a childlike grin.:: Ezo: ~Marshmallows!~ Taybrim: ::Grinning wildly:: ~Oh yes! I’m good at burning those!~ ::a pause, he considered this:: ~They were tasty when crispy.~ Ezo: ::smirking, she reached back and produced two more bags:: ~I am very good at burning them...like, tiny sugary torches.~ ::she was admittedly terrible at this. But, it was ridiculously fun, so she replicated enough to hopefully get a chance to eat a few in the process:: ~I can repair a stripped aortic valve on a rickety escape pod, but apparently a marshmallow is my downfall…~ Taybrim: ~I blame the stick. You know, right tool for the job and all…~ Ezo: ::snickering slightly:: ~Thank you for humoring me. And your vote of ill placed confidence~ ::smiling brightly, and handing him a skewer:: ~Ready?~ Taybrim: ~Well, if it’s ill placed confidence on you, only know that I lack the same confidence in my own skills where marshmallows are concerned.~ ::He winked and stabbed a marshmallow on the spit:: ~I’m ready as I’ll ever be.~ ::Carefully the stick was held out to toast the edges:: ~Maybe if I’m very patient…~ Ezo: ::biting her lip, she watched the little sugar puff as if it were a live grenade:: ~Slowly…~ ::A tiny ‘whoof!’ and the Marshmallow caught flame. He waved it around, which only made the burning catch faster. Finally Sal blew it out, half the marshmallow was a crispy blackened color.:: Taybrim: ~Or maybe I just really, really like them partly black?~ Ezo: ::her skewer and marshmallow lay abandoned beside her as she was currently overcome by a fit of laughter.:: ~Or that.~ ::shrugging her shoulders:: ~Perhaps it’s not a Betazoid thing….? Black eyes and black marshmallows. That is what we shall claim anyhow.~ Taybrim: ~I think that’s a grand idea. It saves … face.~ ::He grinned, and ate the blackened marshmallow anyways.:: Ezo: ::grasping the skewer with renewed determination:: ~My turn…~ ::easing the stick carefully toward the flames, she cautiously scooted the stick closer, only to have it instantly ignite as if soaked in starship fuel. Yanking it back, she blew on the flaming marshmallow in a fruitless attempt of salvage. Glancing up she grinned before popping the blackened confection into her mouth.:: ~Yep. Totally not a Betazoid thing.~ ::he leaned forward, watching the process and chuckling as the final product looked extremely similar to his own.:: Taybrim: ~You know what? That’s a good story and I’m sticking to it.~ ::He grinned towards her:: ~Hey… ::He tapped the bag:: ~at least we have a lot of chances to practice.~ Ezo: ::shoving a second marshmallow to take the place of the destroyed first, she lightly tapped Sal’s skewer with her own in cheers:: ~To practice!~ Taybrim: ::a marshmallow toast:: ~To practice!~ ~*~ A JP by: Lt. Commander Mirra Ezo, MD Chief Medical Officer Starbase 118 Ops C239205ME0 And Captain Sal Taybrim Commanding Officer StarBase 118 Ops E239010ST0

Welcome to day four of our 20th annual awards ceremony So far this week we’ve announced the winners of the Length of Service Awards, Special Awards, and Duty Post Awards. And now we’re very excited to present the Staff Awards, which are only for those members who have achieved the rank of commander or higher. These awards recognize the hard work of our staff, who do the behind-the-scenes work required to keep the engine of our community running, and smoothly at that! They help foster the fun simming environment we all enjoy. This year we have one new award to add to our list: The T’Pau Cluster of Distinction, which is presented for long-term achievement in leading the Training Team. In previous years, the Shuvalis Diamond of Recognition recognised long-term commitment and achievement in the Training or Publicity teams, but since both teams are so important we decided they each needed their own award. We’re also very happy to announce that the first Kathryn Janeway Award in six years will be presented to a very worthy recipient! This award recognizes those commanding officers who have made a great impact on their crew and left an indelible legacy on our community history – they may have retired and taken a break but they will not be forgotten. The winners this year, as in 2015, were chosen by the fleet's first officers from the nominations made by you! Staff Member of the Year Award For staff members who have contributed tirelessly to the organization through any number of OOC channels, while maintaining excellence in simming on their vessel. Quinn Reynolds, USS Gorkon presented by Aron Kells & Cassandra Egan Manno: "Even before she served as Captain-at-Large for the Executive Council last year, Emma (Flt. Capt. Reynolds) was specifically sought out by the EC to give feedback on a difficult issue. Since then, and just to give you some context for her good work over the last six months, she's been elevated to a full seat on the EC and promoted to fleet captain, and it's easy to see why. She's taken a set of difficult circumstances on the Gorkon, including the abrupt resignation of her XO at launch, and forged a cohesive, connected community of a crew. She's active on both the Captains and Executive Councils and I find myself often parroting her good advice -- and, in fact, wishing I'd said what she'd said first! She is an invaluable asset to the group, and I can't imagine serving as we do without her. In fact, as a previous recipient of this award, it's doubly my pleasure to present her with this because of our long history together. I first wrote with Emma when I (as Lily Ventu!) was an XO and lieutenant commander for the first time, and when Quinn had just been named a lieutenant JG and chief of her department. This was, if you can believe it, either 2007 or 2008--and while our first meeting was wonderful, some rocky times followed and neither of us was sure we would be sticking around with the group. However, it's incredibly gratifying to see Emma now as a fleet captain, a member of the EC, and as the (very!) well deserved Staff Member of the Year, and I hope everyone reading this will join me in congratulating Emma and thanking her for her service and her long years of dedication. You rock!" The Picard Award The highest honor given to those officers of Admiral rank. Recipients of the Picard Award must show an unfailing devotion to the club, as well as work continually on ways to better the atmosphere of simming in our community. Toni Turner, Embassy of Duronis II presented by Tristan Wolf: "What is there left to say about the indelible Toni Turner? She started as an eager ensign with little knowledge of Star Trek and now stands in the rank of Rear Admiral, one of only a handful that have reached that high over the course of 22 years. Above all, Turner is resilient. She faced a great many trials along the path to where she is now. But all along, she has been resilient and determined to prove all the naysayers wrong. And in the end, she outlasted all of them! Now she’s a commanding officer with one of our longest records in a simming installation for far longer than most others have even been a member. She’s a member of the Executive Council, and has been one for a number of years now. She just recently stepped down from a long tenure with the Training Team as a dedicated and tireless Deputy Commandant. There’s no greater honor in our community than the Picard Award, and I can’t imagine anyone who’s put more time, energy, sweat, and tears to get here. Congratulations, Toni Turner – this is your day, and you deserve it!" The James T. Kirk Cross Given to new Commanding Officers who show outstanding potential in the field of commanding. Sal Taybrim, Starbase 118 Ops presented by Aron Kells & Cassandra Egan Manno: "Oh, man, I really wanted to write this one out! Jamie, aka Captain Taybrim, is someone who I knew was going to rise to the very top when I first interacted with her. When I was launching her former CO and it was time to consider who would be his new XO, Jamie was the first one I thought of: She was experienced, thoughtful, conscientious, and a great writer, and she had just weathered a particularly unpleasant crisis in a way that very much impressed me and further convinced me that one of her greatest strengths was leadership. She commands her ship with honor and dedication--two of her nominations for this award came from members of her crew, both of whom wrote stellar nomination essays that dug deeply into what makes Jamie an excellent CO--and she's a thoughtful and erudite presence on the Captains Council and the Executive Council. What's perhaps most impressive to me, however, is how much thought Jamie puts into everything that she does. Her many years of experience running games and groups (some similar to SB118, and some wildly different!) have given her a considerable level of experience, and she's even evolved theories of game operations that she uses to guide her crews through mission planning and execution. If this sounds too cold, I'm sure that her crew will be the first to tell you that it isn't at all! Jamie's experience and theoretical knowledge combine to help turn the current iteration of SB118 Ops into one of the most enjoyable that the group has ever seen. Here's to this year's Kirk Cross winner--and I look forward to seeing what comes next!" The Shuvalis Diamond of Recognition For long-term achievement in leading the Publicity Team as a way of advancing peaceful relations with "newly discovered life forms. Tristan Wolf, Executive Council presented by Renos: "Tristan Wolf has long provided strong support for the publicity team by providing guidance, encouragement, helpful and informative reading materials to the team's facilitator and members. He is always available to bounce ideas off and shows his passion for this most important of teams. As a website administrator making sure we're optimized for search engines and facilitator of the news team and by making sure our blog always has fresh content he is helping to make sure we rank well with search engines. He has even paid for facebook advertising out of his own pocket to push our most successful social media pages to help us make a bigger splash and pull in more new players. While other people come and go, Tristan Wolf is always there whether the publicity team is doing great or otherwise. On a personal level, I am thankful for all of the support he gave me as former publicity team facilitator and could not have been as successful without his support and guidance. It's my view that he is long overdue recognition and thanks for all that he does behind the scenes, that isn't always seen but certainly contributes to our success." T'Pau Cluster of Distinction For long-term achievement in leading the Training Team. Selene Faranfey presented by Tristan Wolf: "Our Training Team is a pivotal part of our community, for a number of reasons. First, it acquaints new members with our way of simming, which is nearly unique – at this point – in the simming world, and a proudly cherished relic from days gone by. Second, it’s the primary training ground for our mid-level leaders, and future commanding officers, who learn about mentoring, providing simming feedback, leading a team, and working with our toolset. There are a myriad of moving parts that have only grown more complex in recent years as we’ve added new components. But Captain Faranfey has navigated these parts with aplomb, acting as a dedicated member of the team in the capacity of a training officer, and then later volunteering to take on a new leadership role with our “Statisticians Team,” which keeps track of our ever-growing database of records regarding the Academy. And when the former Academy Commandant stepped down, she was eager to learn the ropes as a Deputy Commandant, and work her way into the Commandant role. She now manages the Academy with ease, improving our materials, providing honest and empathetic feedback, and coordinating the other staff. It’s a difficult job in which Captain Faranfey is still learning and growing, but one that she’s shown herself quite adept at. So for her long-time leadership of the Training Team, it’s my honor to bestow the inaugural T’Pau Cluster of Distinction on Captain Faranfey. Congratulations to her!" The Sarek Star Given to a command officer who shows great diplomatic ability in working with members and staff. Renos, USS Darwin presented by Aron Kells & Cassandra Egan Manno: "For those who have worked with him in any capacity, James's receipt of this award seems like a no-brainer. "Shows great diplomatic ability in working with members and staff" seems like it could have been written about James himself, never mind the Sarek Star, and so the only disappointment to me here is that he can't win it again and again! James epitomizes the Sarek Star, so much that I wonder if we should perhaps rename it after him after this win...but that's a conversation for another time. In one of the nomination essays, James's nominator describes him as "a cornerstone of the fleet," and that couldn't be more accurate. James leads the way when it comes to thoughtful and considerate interactions with his crew, and the respect with which he treats all of them is obvious in the respect they show for him as a leader. His calm and compassionate voice is an important one when it comes to all of his OOC interactions, and many simmers who've interacted with him have great faith knowing that he's one of the select members of the Executive Council. I remember--and bear with me if I've shared this particular anecdote before!--but back a couple of years ago when James won several fleet awards (the Rising Star, the Order of the Valiant Heart, and the Strange Medallion, among others), Emma (Flt. Capt. Reynolds) and I were discussing James's future in the fleet. She said to me then, "There's a fleet captain in the making"--and while that promotion has already come true, James is so much more than simply another flag rank. He is one of the kindest simmers I've ever encountered, and I can't express how much more whole we are as a community because of his presence among us. Congratulations, James, and thank you for all you do!" Christopher Pike Pendant Awarded to commanding officers who command their ship with honor and dedication, and help to provide an creative atmosphere which fosters outstanding simming. Quinn Reynolds, USS Gorkon presented by Aron Kells & Cassandra Egan Manno: "One of the best parts about our awards process is that the nomination process is so egalitarian: Our newest ensign can nominate the most experienced captain, and the most experienced captain can nominate the newest ensign. In many cases, that single fact may help to decide who wins--and in the case of the staff awards, when a CO has the support of a member of his or her crew, that can speak volumes. The Christopher Pike Pendant, which is awarded to COs who "command their ship with honor and dedication, and help to provide an creative atmosphere which fosters outstanding simming," is an award that I expect to see crew members nominate their COs for--after all, who knows better than a crew about their experience with a CO? In the case of this year's winner, however, Emma was nominated not just once, and not even twice, but fully three times by different members of her crew. Since launching the Gorkon, she has established herself as a CO for the history books, both in her fleet affairs and, as the Pike Pendant so rightly says, as a CO who commands the utmost respect from her crew. However, it isn't just the volume of nominations that matters; rather, it's the content that's most important. Her nominators compliment her for high standards when it comes to writing; for her ease in assisting other simmers and seamlessly pushing the plot forward; for her warmth and welcoming of new members; and for the support she offers in helping her crew develop their characters. And while these would be impressive enough on their own, I want to also share that every one of her nominators mentioned Emma's positive and voluminous communications in some way--when she speaks, others listen, and when others want to speak with her, she listens. She is one of the finest COs our group has ever seen, and she thoroughly deserves this year's Christopher Pike Pendant. Congratulations!" Chief’s Citation Starfleet history is much more liable to recognize the triumphs of its notable officers, and while non commissioned and enlisted personnel occasionally receive recognition, the NCO backbone of a starship is likely to go unremarked upon. So that our integral support staff don't similarly slip through the cracks, the Chief's Citation recognizes those essential staff members whose determined work has benefited the group, IC and/or OOC, even while their primary service was not as the commanding officer of a starship or other simming installation. John Nugra, USS Doyle presented by Tristan Wolf: "Nugra has found a niche in which he has shined: Playing the part of the pinch hitter, ready to assist even before he’s asked. Over the past year, he has stepped in to help in moments when the Executive or Captains Councils are already stretched beyond their means, assisting me more than once when it felt like I just didn’t have another moment to give. And he did it with a smile. His loyalty, resourcefulness, and cheerful disposition have been of great service to our community, and for that, we recognize him with the Chief’s Citation. I’m proud, as the former recipient, to be the one to pin this medal on him. Many thanks to him for all that he’s done and will do going forward, and congratulations to him for this award!" Kathryn Janeway Award For retired Commanding Officers who have made a great impact on their crew and left an indelible legacy on our community history. Kali Nicholotti presented by Aron Kells & Cassandra Egan Manno: "As many of us have done, I spent some time away from SB118 during my tenure here. I had been a commander before I left, and I wanted to command again, and so I rose slowly up through command positions, carving out new relationships where I could and discussing my ambitions with other current COs and up-and-coming simmers. Marissa, aka Nicholotti, had recently begun her captaincy exams when she asked me to become her new XO. Her last one hadn't worked out, and while I was only with her for a short while, she made an immediate impact on me--warm, dedicated, and personable, she was the kind of CO who got to know everyone on her crew and cared about each of them individually, both in and out of character. Marissa's tenure with the group has, unfortunately, come to a pause, but it's important to recognize her indelible legacy. You'll find SB118 littered with those who she's helped and upon whom she's had a measurable impact. Her work is also written in the group itself--she revolutionized the way SB118 is optimized for searching and spearheaded our publicity efforts for some time. She launched the Excalibur and relaunched the Apollo, and guided Ben Livingstone (who many of you will also remember) to become a successful captain in his own right aboard the Columbia. While she may not be currently serving, her legacy is one that will last for years to come, and for that, we recognize and celebrate Marissa!" Please join us in congratulating these members of the staff!

Welcome to day three of our 20th annual Awards Ceremony! Yesterday we announced the winners of the Special Awards, and before that the Duty Post Awards. Today we are proud to present the Length of Service Awards, which are presented to members who have been continuously active for at least a year. There are also tiers for three, five, and ten years of continuous service, marking our most dedicated and long-serving members. This year, 28 players have reached a length of service milestone. Of those, 12 are celebrating their first milestone, having picked-up the award for one year’s active membership. Another 7 have achieved three year’s active membership and 8 more have been here for five years. One player has reached the incredible 10 year milestone, joining the list of 14 other players who have also reached this milestone in previous years. 1-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for one year. Miles Driscoll, graduated from training on September 17, 2013. Sabrina Holly, graduated from training on May 25, 2014. Nathaniel Wilmer, graduated from training on July 14, 2014. Randal Shayne, graduated from training on February 2, 2015. Rustyy Hael, graduated from training on February 15, 2015. Kurt Logan, graduated from training on March 10, 2015. Theo Whittaker, graduated from training on March 23, 2015. Mirra Ezo, graduated from training on May 11, 2015. Antero Flynn, graduated from training on May 11, 2015. Cassandra Ezi, graduated from training on May 31, 2015. Graeme Cook, graduated from training on June 16, 2015. Brandon Craig, graduated from training on July 20, 2015. 3-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for three years. Lael Rosek, graduated from training on September 19th, 2008. Arden Cain, graduated from training on May 24, 2011. T'Mihn, graduated from training on January 29, 2012. Aigle Phos, graduated from training on June 18th, 2012. Selene Faranfey, graduated from training on January 15, 2013. Chythar Skyfire, graduated from training on February 17, 2013. Alexander Williams, graduated from training on June 23, 2013. 5-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for five years. Alexa Dana, graduated from training on June 23, 2000. John Valdivia, graduated from training on June 5, 2005. Rune Jolara, graduated from training on November 16, 2005. Alucard Vess, graduated from training on Jan 24, 2009. Tristam Core, graduated from training on March 1, 2011. Eerie, graduated from training on March 20, 2011. Kaylessa Yesna, graduated from training on June 28 2011. Renos, graduated from training on May 5, 2011. 10-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for ten years. Marcus Dickens, graduated from training on April 19, 2005. Thank you for your service! Your dedication and loyalty is instrumental to our continued success.

Today, eight special awards are being presented to recognise players for specific aspects of simming or OOC work, such as going that extra mile for the Training Team, investing time and effort in forum participation that draws other people in or continuing to be a dedicated and reliable simmer despite having to overcome and sort of disadvantage while simming. Just like with the duty post awards, only one of each award is given each year, with one notable exception: The Xalor Clan Xifilis award is given to any player who has overcome any sort of disadvantage while simming. We don’t compare and weigh one person’s struggles against another but rather award this to all eligible and deserving candidates who are nominated for it. Only the very best are chosen so they are highly coveted awards that every player has a chance to be considered for by getting involved and giving it their best. The nominations in these categories are reviewed by a panel of five staff members: two commanders and three members ranked captain or above. The Rising Star Award For members who show great promise in many facets of their participation in the group, and to whom we look to as a future leader. Roshanara Rahman, USS Invicta Presented by Aron Kells & Cassandra Egan Manno: "Rich has been the finest first officer I've worked with during my time as a CO, and I don't mean that as hyperbole. However, he's no longer a first officer, and he counts himself among the recipients of the Strange Medallion, the coveted award that recognizes the finest first officers in the fleet. This year, it's my pleasure to present Rich with the Rising Star Award shortly after his assumption of the COship of the Invicta. Though it's only been a few months since he did so, and only half a year since the last awards, he's somehow improved on the high level of success I had the pleasure of speaking about in my last awards presentation. He maintains thoughtful, active roles on many teams around the fleet, including the FNS (for which he was the driving force in launching) and on the wiki, and he is a notable and thoughtful voice both on the Captain’s Council and, now, on the public Executive Council. He's already improved on Invicta's functioning, too, notably with the introduction of a Player Achievement system (http://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php/Invicta_Player_Achievements) to help guide our writers through promotions and give them ideas for what to do next when they're stuck and not sure what to sim. His desire for knowledge of and involvement in all aspects of Starbase 118's operations, and his drive to work towards group success, ensures that he already has a long string of triumphs behind him and that his star will continue to rise. Luminary Award For those who show great promise in their future endeavours in UFOP: Starbase 118 RPG. Given to members holding the rank of ensign, lieutenant junior grade, or lieutenant. Rustyy Hael, USS Constitution Presented by Jalana Rajel: "Sometimes you meet players for the first time and you just know that they will be special. One of these players I had the pleasure to mentor and see grow to a shining light in our fantastic community. Noelle, the player of Chief Engineer Rustyy Hael, has been an asset from the first time she simmed and only grew in time to a player I wouldn't want to miss. Her enthusiasm in simming and OOC work is simply contagious. Within a short time I knew that I wanted her on my staff and she would say she was tickled pink when I asked her. She has supported every player on the Constitution, she pours idea after idea into plots, gives characters a unique voice and makes sure that everyone has a bunch of fun. She goes above and beyond in her OOC work and simply enjoys to share her talents with those who can make good use of them. I have no doubt that Noelle will go far in SB118 and I can't wait for her to engulf everyone in her bubbly nature and creativity. I could not imagine a better choice for the very first Luminary Award recipient. Congratulations Noelle, you truly deserved it and we are very proud of you!" The Boothby Award For trainers who go above and beyond their Academy training requirements. These trainers display an outstanding example of dedication to bringing new cadets to our community. Maxwell Traenor, USS Darwin Presented by Selene Faranfey: "When it comes to the academy, the name that has stood out is Lt. Commander Maxwell Traenor. Since day one he has always made himself available to the academy staff in any position and provided his utmost care and diligence in leading classes. He received good reviews from the cadets training him, introduced them to the world of simming in ways that inspired confidence and enthusiasm. Lt. Commander Traenor is undoubtedly the best choice for the 2016 Boothby award. Congratulations, Maxwell!" Quark's Bar Quark's Bar is a special award and is awarded to members who are regularly active on the forums and have been supportive and involved in conversations enhancing the overall forum experience. Raissa Moonsong, USS Invicta Presented by Aron Kells & Cassandra Egan Manno: "It's my privilege to award the inaugural Quark's Bar to the fine writer who inspired it! Mandy, aka Raissa Moonsong, has been a force to reckon with on the forums since she joined Starbase 118, and when I was brainstorming awards to suggest commissioning for this awards ceremony, I thought about her accomplishments on the forums and how such accomplishments should be showcased to the entire fleet. "Mandy's impressive videos and toons have become an Invicta staple, and they've inspired similar toons and graphics threads on many other ships. To date, she's provided over thirteen forums pages and three hundred toons of the Invicta crew (and plenty of guests, as well), and she continues to submit video trailers, teasers, and credit sequences to celebrate mission launches and the beginnings of shore leave (under her 'production company,' Koala Video Productions). In all honesty, I don't know how she does it all--but I do know that we're glad she does, because her presence and dedication raises the quality of the forums experience for everyone she encounters. Congratulations and thanks for all your participation and good work, Mandy!" The Xalor Clan Xifilis Award Given to any simmer who overcomes any sort of disadvantage while simming. This award was originally called the "Rachel Garett Pendant," but was renamed for the 2000 ceremony to to honor a respected simmer in UFOP: StarBase 118 who passed away in that year. This is the only Special Award that is given more than once per ceremony. Renos, USS Darwin Presented by Aron Kells & Cassandra Egan Manno: "One of the things many of our simmers say is that they aspire to be as good as the future in which they write. Star Trek presents an egalitarian view of the future in which skin color, heritage, class, sex, gender, and more are no longer used as a basis for judgment and discrimination. But as ideal as that future may be, we're often a long way from it in the real world, and so it's more important than ever that we recognize those simmers whose real struggles represent positive movement toward Star Trek's idealism. I'm very pleased to recognize James with one of this year's Xalor Clan Xifilis Awards for the way he's faced his personal challenges with grace and dignity and, at the same time, has accomplished creating a safe space for his simmers to experiment with nonbinary and judgment-less characters by leading the way with his J'naii primary character, Renos. This Xalor Clan Xifilis Award recognizes the physical and emotional demands James has dealt with and the positive impact he has made and continues to make on our community. James makes our community a much richer, more inclusive place, and we are very lucky to have him here!" Tyr Waltas, Embassy of Duronis II Presented by Toni Turner: "Captain Waltas suffered with debilitating pain finally ending in surgery and a long recovery time. Other than the time in surgery and recovery, he pushed on with his sims, and since he has been back he has returned to his normal simming. From what I understand, the pain was excruciating and it was very difficult to sit at a computer for any length of time, but he remained steadfast in his membership on the Embassy/Thunder and the Captain Counsel, both as a staff member. Boris Hendon, Embassy of Duronis II Presented by Toni Turner: "He has suffered the after effects of a heart malfunction, and although his sims are short he never fails to bring humor into them. He has maintained his loyalty as a Embassy/Thunder crew member, and as a staff member - as Captain Sam Perkins- by participating in the Captain's Counsel. It is my honor to present the Xalor Clan Xiflis Award to Lt. Commander Boris Hendon!" T'Mihn Ah'mihghan, Embassy of Duronis II Presented by Toni Turner: "T'Mihn has not only improved as a simmer, she has done a masterful job of characterization, and simming several times a week, a feat not made easy while battling vision problems. It is with great pride that I present Lt. Commander T'Mihn Ah'mihghan with this award. Please join us in congratulating all the winners on their hard work this year. And many thanks to everyone who submitted the nominations that led to these presentations!

We have 10 simming superstars in the Duty Post category to get us started in style. Each award focuses on a different department, from the major ones such as medical, operations or engineering to the more unique, like diplomacy, intel or marines. Even civilians have a chance to be recognised for the valuable contributions that can be made to our stories by those who prefer the path less worn. Each of these awards recognises a player for excellence in simming their duty post. Since only one award per duty post is given each year, only the very best are chosen and they are highly coveted awards. You’ll see from our spread of winners – who range in rank from Ensign to Captain – that every player has a chance to be considered for one of these by consistently simming to the best of their ability and striving to improve their craft. The nominations in these categories are reviewed by a panel of five staff members: two commanders and three members ranked captain or above. Prantares Ribbon - Medical Awarded to those medical officers who has moved beyond competence to display a true gift for the healing arts in the context of space medicine. The officers given this award should display the ability to keep a steady hand in the often hazardous conditions in which they must practice, as well as the willingness to risk their own life to save the lives of others. Jaxton Vee, USS Gorkon Presented by Quinn Reynolds: "Luke has continually delighted the crew of the USS Gorkon with his medical officer, Jaxton Vee. Not only does he craft entertaining and thoughtful sims, engaging with the writers behind injured characters to help them achieve their story goals, but he goes out of his way to research real medical conditions, drugs and techniques to add realism from his sims, creating convincing sci-fiction maladies and cures. He has a real knack for making medically-oriented sims fun and interesting for everyone to read. "For these reasons, I'm delighted and very proud to present him with the Prantares Ribbon, for simming a truly remarkable medical officer in our fleet. Well done!" The Natasha Yar Pin - Security Named after the Chief of Security of the USS Enterprise-D, killed in the line of duty, this award is given to those Security officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in protecting and preserving the lives of their crewmates, even at risk to their own. Kurt Logan, USS Darwin Presented by Renos: "Drawing on a marine background, Kurt Logan is a diligent officer with an unorthodox approach to his duties and has overcome foes with such creative solutions as flour bombs and kitchen knives. Though he sometimes doubts his own suitability in the rank and file of Starfleet, his actions and intent speak volumes about his passion for duty and desire to protect his crew from harm. He has a depth, complexity and a big heart of gold. His writer Paul, has fleshed out the department to great effect with NPCs, which he uses to support the plot and show the wider role of security on the ship from the administrative side, to the officer sent to guard sickbay while the Captain is recuperating within. Paul has gone from strength to strength and I am incredibly proud and excited to present him with the Natasha Yar Pin! Well done!" The Voyager Medallion - Operations Named after the USS Voyager, this award is presented to those Operations officers who have shown great skill in keeping a starship in working order despite near-impossible circumstances. The officers receiving this award have advanced the field of Operations, making sure duty rosters, provisions, gear, and even recreation time are available... no matter what. Brell, USS Darwin Presented by Renos: "Brell is that ray of sunshine fighting through the thick clouds on a miserable day. Whatever the universe throws at the Darwin, he’s there making sure that nothing falls through the cracks. He is an experienced, hands on officer that can often be found in engineering - the heart of the ship when he is not on the bridge. Unafraid to get his hands dirty, Brell always knows where he’s needed most and acts as a bridge between departments. He can draw upon engineering and tactical knowhow to offer innovative solutions to complex problems before bringing the right might of skilled officers together to execute them. "The experience of his writer shines through in an approach that is centered upon supporting other departments and offering as many opportunities to his fellow players as possible. His sims contain just enough treknobabble and references to canon to add legitimacy and realism to scenes. Coupled with his ability to show the character’s emotional side he crafts interesting and compelling sims that suck you into the plot and makes you invested in what’s happening and that’s why I am truly delighted to present Lee, who plays Brell with the Voyager Medallion! Congratulations!" The Phoenix Award - Engineering Named for the vessel that legendary engineer Zefram Cochrane piloted during his historic first warp flight, this award goes to those Engineering officers who continue this tradition of excellence in the field of engineering. By performing their tasks with enthusiasm, imagination and diligence, by managing to make their equipment perform above and beyond its rated capacities, the officers meriting this award further the mission of their ship by their superior know-how. In short, miracle workers. Varaan, USS Darwin Presented by Renos: "Varaan is everything you would expect from a Vulcan - stoic, professional, organised, intelligent and logical. All these qualities and more make him an astonishingly good engineer. His writer Dan expertly gives us glimpses into some of the hidden emotion that lies behind the facade. He brings the engineering duty post to life in a way that is truly remarkable and has kept the sturdy Horizon class ship from falling apart in the face of attack from superior forces on numerous occasions. Not one to be easily defeated by difficult problems he has worked diligently with other departments where necessary to keep the ship in peak condition,investigate underlying faults and ensure a Borg device being studied by the science department does not overtax the Darwin's systems and remains safely quarantined. For his excellence and dedication to the duty post I am delighted to present Dan, aka Varaan, with the Phoenix Award. Congratulations!" The Cochrane Award - Science Given to those science officers who have contributed greatly to the advance of science in the midst of their Starfleet career, by staying knowledgeable about their field, participating in the community of science, but most importantly, by placing their knowledge at the service of their ship and its mission. Merrick R'Ven, USS Darwin Presented by Renos: "As a specialist scientist, Merrick R’Ven is dependable, reliable and authentic. He is highly intelligent and skilled in the field of cybernetics. Though he appears super cool and confident on the outside, his near-assimilation left him changed physically and with niggling worries about fitting in with the rest of the crew. His writer, Preston has an incredibly unique, engaging character and immense creativity and skill. His sims are infused with lots of relevant scientific jargon and Star Trek lore in a way that is easily accessible, entertaining to read and unrivaled in their immersiveness. By artfully blending science and drama he makes writing for a science officer look fun and effortless. He is truly deserving of the Cochrane Award and I hope he will display it on his wiki with pride! Congratulations Preston!" The Pilot's Sextant - Helm An award named after an old Earth navigational tool, the Pilot's Sextant is given to those Helm officers who have proven themselves to be the best of the best. From finding a safe route home to flying an emergency atmospheric landing, pilots who have earned the right to this award know the importance of staying focused, and puts their ability to make spectacular maneuvers at the service of their ship and its mission. Antero Flynn, Starbase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim: "Antero Flynn makes flying fun. He also makes the game fun for his fellow players. This is the greatest praise I can offer for a player because the entire point of a game is to have fun. From his exuberant Risian character, to his writing ability that brings the act of flying leap from the page and into the imaginations of his fellow crew, Antero Flynn has it all. Serving StarBase 118 Ops in the role of CAG officer, Antero has stepped into this role and taken ownership of it. He can bring the details of riding in a clunky civilian shuttle to life as easily as he can slip behind the helm of a starship and take the crew on a thrilling ride. And that's not counting when Flynn's party life B-plots aren't taking flight! "Most memorably in the past year Flynn took an impounded civilian transport and repaired it enough to bear an undercover away team to an independent planet. Under the persona of 'Dale Tucker, Space Trucker' he brought the shuttle Maximum Thrusters (aka 'Sweet Maxinne') to life, and it has become one of the crew's favorite memories!" The Order of the Valiant Heart - Counseling This award is given to those ship's Counselor who have shown great skill in protecting the mental health of their crewmates, clearly demonstrating superior ability to care, assist, and comfort those in need. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty in assisting their crewmates with their problems, and in preventing future problems from occurring. Paul Scudder, USS Darwin Presented by Renos: "Though Mark, who sims for Paul Scudder has only been with the fleet a short time, he has already shown a great aptitude for counseling. When Nicu Icavoc sustained horrific burns it was he who helped the Commander reach sickbay. His soothing manner helped the injured man remain calm and focused enough to get to sickbay. When the fearful patient later learned that he would have to have his hand amputated he refused treatment despite the fact his life was on the line. With great tact Paul was able to focus the patient away from the emotions holding him back and bring him to a place where logic could take over. As a result of the counselor's carefully considered approach, the patient changed his mind and allowed the life saving treatment to go-ahead. Paul Scudder is an incredibly talented and dedicated counselor who is clever, cool and can be relied upon to support his patients at every stage in their lives. His exceptional writer Mark is this year’s deserving recipient of The Order of the Valiant Heart! Congratulations!" The Semper Fidelis Award - Marines For those StarFleet Marines who have shown great skill in protecting their crew, accomplishing their mission, avoiding tragic loss of life in the line of duty, and upholding the values of the UFoP in times of crisis. Tatash, Starbase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim: "Tatash has gone above and beyond in creating a believable, interesting marine. He embodies the spirit of marines to the core, showing loyalty and dedication in character to those inside the marines and outside of its command structure. When Tatash stepped into the role of Marine commander, he started making changes in the department that more accurately reflected a realistic marine set up, taking from real world inspiration and mingling them with future forward Star Trek ideals. This hard work is seen in both the wiki and the detail of the marine department on SB118 Ops. "Beyond this, Tatash is an incredibly complex character. He shows himself to be compassionate, gentle with children, and Dan unafraid to show Tatash's weaknesses and emotions as well as his strengths. He reflects Tatash' stern sense of duty while simultaneously revealing his deep protectiveness of those who serve under him. Instead of a gun-slinging meathead, Tatash is an incredibly well developed character who agonizes about the decision to bring in lethal force and deeply feels the loss of his fellow crew. As a writer Tatash has a mastery of description. His posts are poetic and evocative. He writes about battles with a visceral darkness, highlighted by a true emotional conflict. Make no mistake: war is never good. It's not a trigger happy video game. It's a gritty reality that people get hurt in; that causes long term emotional scars and yet is sometimes necessary to preserve the freedom and way of the Federation. Tatash encompasses all of this and does a masterful job guiding the marine department on Ops and creating an integral part of our stories." The Black Cross - Intelligence This award is given to a member of the Intelligence community that strives to accomplish the goals of Starfleet Intelligence, while simultaneously upholding the ideals and structure of Starfleet command. This person has the cunning to gather intelligence by means of deceptive dialogue or espionage, as opposed to force drawn confessions. While matters of intelligence are often game changers, this person strives to attain those goals within the boundaries of their Commanding Officer, and the regulations of Starfleet. Trellis Vondaryan, Starbase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim: "Trellis Vondaryan started his career on Ops with big shoes to fill. Stepping into the position of intel officer on a base with an entire dedicated tower to Intel can be a daunting job, but Trellis not only accepted the challenge, he made the role his own and continued to shine in it. Collin is great at writing evocative posts that have deep emotional heart, while his character, Trellis Vondaryan, is a wonderful character to work with. Vondaryan does not play a lone wolf, but an optimistic researcher who always reaches out to others in an appropriate manner; while still managing to keep the mystique of being an intel operative. Of special note is the amount of effort Vondaryan puts on research and preparation of intel plots - both in and out of character. This makes his character and his characters actions feel realistic rather than sensationalized. "Working with all teams, and pressing on through injury and adversity, Vondaryan is embodies the role of both intel and Starfleet officer. He's an absolutely wonderful part of the StarBase 118 Ops crew, and one of the best intel officers I have seen played in many years." The Lwaxana Troi Medallion - Non-traditional roles This award is given to a member who takes a unique role outside of the normal StarFleet positions and creates a colorful and engaging character. Tyr Waltas – Strategic Operations, Embassy of Duronis II Presented by Toni Turner "Since Captain Tyr Waltas came to the Embassy, he has played a variety of positions - from XO of the Marines to Strategic Operations. He has made the transition from CO of his own ship to a productive member of our crew. He has been able to do it with a flair that is uniquely his emotionally. He is the catalyst between the Marines and the other members of the crew - the tie that binds. But beyond that he is a peacemaker when the plot calls for one, a mentor, and as he said when he joined the Embassy, "I have a lot more stories left to be told." And he tells them oh so well as he takes on a unique and non-traditional role outside of the norm, while creating a colorful and engaging character. And because of that, I am happy to present him with the Lwaxana Troi Medallion." The Strange Medallion - First Officer Named after Commander Sally Strange, widely known as one of the most creative and dedicated First Officers in the fleet's early years, this award is given to those who perform above the call of duty in the position of First Officer. Maxwell Traenor, USS Darwin Presented by Renos "Maxwell Traenor is an absolutely magnificent First Officer with a warm, upbeat personality that everyone cherishes. Jay’s sims are always highly entertaining and flawless and because if it he is frequently entrusted with the most important and difficult NPC roles. He is quite simply one of the finest staff members I’ve ever had the joy and privilege to work with. He is an outstanding and attentive mentor able to bring out the best in mentees. Aside from the many things he does to enrich the Darwin, including mission planning, world building, designing graphics, and so much more, he is also the facilitator of the Top Sims competition and has received great praise for his work in the Academy. He instills confidence in his crew as a leader, but remains approachable. He is incredibly reliable, honest, unafraid of taking the initiative and one of the fleet's very best up-and-coming officers! It is with great pride and delight I present his with the Strange Medallion. Congratulations Jay and thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for the ship and the wider fleet." Please join us in congratulating all the winners on their hard work this year. And many thanks to everyone who submitted the nominations that led to these presentations!