Jo Marshall

@Hutch @Quinn Reynolds - Thought this was really well written, guys! Lovely look at two old friends! -- ((Earth, Copenhagen)) Jhen Thelev yawned as he lifted the ice-blue teapot from the kitchen counter, pouring hot amber liquid into the glass teacup. Replicating tea was quicker, sure, but he preferred the little ritual of a proper brew. He was looking forward to having the next few days off after a particularly gruelling week of work. Although ‘gruelling’ could also be read as ‘tedious’, ‘dull’ and ‘repetitive’. The Andorian sipped his tea and drummed his fingers on the work surface. It was time, he decided, to do something he’d been putting off for quite some a while. Thelev: =/\= Computer, open a channel to the USS Gorkon, Admiral Quinn Reynolds. =/\= As the Federation logo spun lazily on the screen, Jhen found himself hoping that Quinn wouldn’t be around so he wouldn’t actually have to ask her in person. He had no idea what the time would be on her ship — she could be asleep, or off the ship doing… things. More likely, crawling around in a Jefferies tube fixing stuff on the sly. The thought made him chuckle, and even if he wasn’t exactly thrilled with his reason for contacting her, Jhen still thought it would be good to catch up with an old friend. The Starfleet logo blinked away, replaced by the sight of a mousy-haired woman sat in the panelled mushroom-grey ready room of a Sovereign-class starship. Light reflected off the admiralty brass on her collar, jacket discarded in favour of the grey-yoked vest afforded to command officers. The comm channel established, her eyes and smile came alive when she saw who was on the other end. Reynolds: =/\= Jhen! =/\= Her freckled face was little different to when he’d last seen it and very different to when he’d first seen it, all those years ago. He couldn’t help but smile. Thelev: =/\= Rear Admiral Quinn Reynolds, head of the Tyrellian Sector Taskforce… that’s quite a title you’ve got yourself there. =/\= Reynolds: =/\= It's a mouthful. ::She grinned.:: But you're a sight for sore eyes. How the hell are you? =/\= Thelev: =/\= I’d like to say older and wiser… but just older. It’s good to see you, Quinn. I’ve been meaning to get in touch for ages, but always something gets in the way. And I’m sure you’ve been more than busy out there. =/\= Her expression turned wry, an eyebrow lifting while her head dipped in a nod. Still, the delight continued to dance in her hazel eyes, beyond pleased to see her old friend and academy classmate. He was one of the few people still in the fleet who'd known her back then, in all her easily startled, stammering, and awkward glory. Reynolds: =/\= That's a polite way of putting it. =/\= Thelev: =/\= I know the Gorkon spent some shore leave on Earth last year, but I got called away to Bolus at short notice. Bad timing. =/\= Reynolds: =/\= I know. ::Her grin returned.:: You missed my wedding. =/\= Thelev: =/\= You got married?! ::Jhen was genuinely speechless for a moment:: But… how? Wouldn’t that have meant a whole day being the centre of attention? =/\= Reynolds: =/\= Yes. Yes it did. ::She chuckled.:: Although it turns when you throw a really big party it's fairly easy to hide in the crowd, even when you're the guest of honour. =/\= Thelev: =/\= Wow... I’m sure you were thrilled with that part. =/\= Jhen shook his head as he sipped his tea. Clearly there was a lot he had missed and he felt even more regret for not keeping in touch. He used the pause to regard Quinn for a moment - there was a lot more confidence about her now, hardly surprising given her rank and the fact she’d been commanding starships for years. But there was something else, a sadness maybe, that he couldn’t quite identify. He wondered briefly what those hazel eyes had seen… and thought it best that he didn’t know. Reynolds: =/\= I survived, just about. ::Her smile refusing to budge, she sat back in her seat.:: What about you? It's been forever since we last spoke, what have you been up to? =/\= Thelev: =/\= Me? Oh, I’ve been around here and there. After the Achilles was decommissioned I came back to Earth, spent some time working as a Starfleet liaison at the Federation Treaty Office. I even had a secondment to the Department of Temporal Affairs for a while. I’d say that I couldn’t tell you more because it’s classified, but really it’s because I had no idea what was going on most of the time. ::She grinned and he sipped his tea again, his antenna dipping in the Andorian equivalent of a shrug:: But last few years I’ve been part of Starbase Command. =/\= Reynolds: =/\= Stuck in an office. ::A finger pointed upward and performed a circular motion.:: I know the feeling. =/\= Thelev: =/\= That’s why I was contacting you, actually. Although I’d been putting it off because it felt too selfish. Hells, it feels even more selfish now…. ::Jhen sighed:: I want to get back out there, Quinn. Sitting in an office planetside, attending the odd meeting is, well, let's say it’s not exactly exciting. I miss being on a starship, on a bridge. I put in a transfer request months ago, but I’ve heard nothing. So… I was wondering if you had any ships that needed a new Chief of Ops or something...? =/\= He left the question hanging, his azure features turning a little plum-coloured with embarrassment. Her smile softened in reply, a gentle amusement creeping into her expression. Quinn hadn't been asked for many favours in her career, usually only by those in desperate situations seeking an equally desperate escape. Perhaps she didn't seem the type, and perhaps she wasn't; the last time she'd pulled a significant favour for a friend, it had backfired to say the least. Come to think of it, the last time she'd been asked for a favour was over a year ago now, when Sienelis — resigned to what she'd thought had been an early doom, or at the very least, exile — had asked if she could let Johns' insubordination toward a JAG officer slide. Quinn had done that and one better; she'd promoted the young Petty Officer. A decision that in retrospect, had really turned out quite well. Reynolds: =/\= I'm fairly sure I still owe you for hauling me and my ship out of an ocean, so... =/\= Thelev: =/\= Ha! You know, I had actually forgotten about that. ::He shook his head slowly.:: So many crazy adventures, you need the memory of a Cardassian to keep track of them all. Or just be a highly organised flag officer. But that’s exactly the sort of stuff I miss. =/\= Reynolds: =/\= Let me see what I can do. The Hawking is due to join our taskforce and the crew roster isn't finalised. How does an Oracle class sound? =/\= Jhen’s dark eyes sparkled and her smile widened again, delighted to have delighted. Intentional or not, he'd picked the perfect time to ask and she was more than willing to oblige. Perhaps she'd accumulated a bit of a reputation for it, offering positions in the taskforce for officers like Walter and Harry, Sienelis and Bjarnadottir, who for various reasons had asked her or been asked by her for a posting in the task force. Thelev: =/\= Well now! That would be quite something. ::he held up one blue hand:: But you know you don’t owe me any special treatment. If I was offered the job of technician on a prison transport right now I’d take it, just to get back out into the black. =/\= Reynolds: =/\= I'm just offering a posting to a good officer. You'll have to do all the hard work. =/\= Thelev: =/\= Ha! ::he laughed again:: Seems reasonable, Quinn. I’d like a challenge more taxing than sourcing a thousand stem bolts for Starbase 118. Although don’t get me wrong, those stem bolts can be tricky to find. ::The Andorian finished his tea with a flourish and placed the cup down on the surface in front of him.:: I appreciate it more than I can say. Thank you. =/\= Reynolds: =/\= You're very welcome. =/\= Thelev: =/\= Well, with that out of the way, I think there’s a few things you have to bring me up to speed on. Such as who is Mr Reynolds? =/\= Reynolds: =/\= Well. ::She grinned, a familiar touch of pink colouring freckled cheeks.:: I don't think you ever met Walter Brunsig... And so the conversation ran on, two old friends with a great deal to catch up on. Conversation, laughter and reminiscence ran on long into the small hours, counted in cups of tea and aching cheeks, until the two friends bid each other good night, to meet again soon. -- Commander Jhen Thelev Simmed by Lt (jg) Loxley Medical Officer USS Gorkon R238401JT0 & Rear Admiral Quinn Reynolds Commanding Officer USS Gorkon T238401QR0

Man, this has been hanging in my drafts for far too long, waiting for a good edit! This is what happens when I've suddenly got no admin to do! @Quinn Reynolds - In the time I've known you, you've been a wonderful Captain and an excellent friend; a soft-hearted goofball like no other, a goober for all seasons, fair, open-minded, conscientious, and with the patience of a saint. I'm always impressed by your unfailing devotion to the crew and community, to your staff in all the OOC roles you have, to those in your leadership scope in all facets of the CC and EC, and those who look up to you as the pinnacle of the kind of Captain they want to be. I could not even begin to imagine what you do on a daily basis to help keep this fleet ticking over. That Vice Admiral belt is a heavy one and one I don't think many would know how to cope with. Even when things get challenging and there's trouble at t'mill, you were still encouraging change, focusing on the good things, seeing the best in people. I loved Tony's presentation for you, reading all that history because as your crew, we can feel it threading through everything we do - that consistent strive to be more inclusive, to collaborate more, to think of the fleet as a whole from the start and participate in making it great, to challenge ourselves, and it's why we've got such a cracking ship of simmers who want to help everywhere they can. We work together as a whole. There are so many people across our community who tell me how lucky I am to be your XO and I damn well know it. Here's to you, boss, and all the gin! @Roshanara Rahman - Rich, my dude, you're ace. Thank you for doing everything you do in the Fleet and bringing that unbridled energy into your projects. I love your passion for new ideas and bringing them in with a resounding thunder. I'm really looking forward to seeing where you go in the future and what you do; all that energy has to get funnelled somewhere right? Another Bridge Crew night is on the cards. Me and Blake need to take you and Quinn to school. Bridge School. In all seriousness, thank you for being the tolerant, kindhearted soul you are. Your crew is lucky to have you. Somewhere, there's a Jacuzzi... @Oddas Aria - You've got a wonderful technical mind, a cool soul for projects, and bring a spark to anything you turn your hand to. I loved one of your nominations and I can't paraphrase this and do it any justice, so, "Innovation and adaptation are his unmatched strong suits, and under him, crews have flourished and stories have blossomed, relationships have developed and skills have been gained.... He is humble, exceedingly competent and possessed of a fighting spirit." I really enjoyed participating in the final swings of Capstone and it was a good framework for similar projects in the future, yet again showing where you're paving the way forward for the fleet. It's been rad how you've brought the Captain-At-Large role into the forefront, and one day I will pick your brains over a surgery session. Until then, keep being awesome! @Jarred Thoran - I had the auspicious task of trying to follow you up from last year, and I don't think these Wellington boots you left me with fit all that well for the FLOODS OF NOMINATIONS. It's been so cool to see you take command of the Atlantis and come into a Captain of your own forging this past year, and I know you've got great things ahead. All your nominations weren't shy about how you are a champion of your crew, capable, fair and always willing to listen to their ideas. You're a fantastic leader and the continued success of the Atlantis proves it. Well done, mate. Looking forward to that beer we'll have in the green, green grass of home! @Sal Taybrim - Diplomacy isn't the easiest thing to do sometimes, but you do it well with a level head and an open mind. The nominations I read spoke about how you are the driving force behind Ops, how you mentor with a firm but a steady hand and offer the chance for change to those wise enough and willing to take it. You're behind the scenes being supportive, considerate, stirring and determined, with a wealth of experience in roleplaying that comes through. It's clear to see Ops loves you as a leader and the community wouldn't be the same without you. Congratulations! @Randal Shayne - Ma boi levelled up! Seriously proud of the achievements you've made this year in everything you've done. Of all the chats we've had over this past twelve months, it's been evident how much you care about the group, how much you want to give something back by encouraging the best out of your crew no matter the ship you're on (and our of your friends, too!), and now you get to do exactly that with your own. You are, without doubt, one of the kindest and sharpest people, constant and unwavering support for everything out of character that goes on behind the scenes, and I'm so glad you've got your wings. Go forth, Captain! Do as the Captains do! Always choose the lesser of two weevils! I can't let this go by without saying how much I appreciate you both, here. @Jalana, you're an amazing Captain with an awesome crew, who does so much for keeping our Image Collective inspired, I don't know how you've got the creative energy sometimes. It's been one incredible year doing a deep dive into that with you and finding I've got a friend just over that border to the east. Nominations talked about how you keep high morale, the driving force and "consistent leader, mentor and diplomat" to help your crew shine, how you're a cornerstone of the Fleet, and that's just about as true as it gets. You're excellent and I hope this goes some way to show it! @Tony (Kells), you have been so cool in helping behind the scenes with this award season, I can't even begin. Thank you for your lovingly written presentations for everyone, for that reminder where the Fleet has come from and where the future lies. You had some wonderful nominations which talked about the new flair and dedication you brought to the Captain's Council Magistrate position, and the great changes you've brought about there in aiding collaborative discussion. I've had an earworm for the past six months telling me how amazing you are as a Captain and it's not hard to see when your crew have such energy, passion and dedication to the fleet — your crew is right there behind you with a resounding thunderous roar from the Thor. Thank you for being awesome! @FltAdml. Wolf, so, about next year... ::runs::

It's been a hard weekend, but better late than never! @Samira Neathler I'm really impressed by the way you've written Samira consistently for nearly two years at the level you have; she's a shining example of everything a security and tactical officer should be — fair, balanced, intelligent and sharp. Both in our universe (and out of it, echoes of Skarbek somewhere) you are beyond measure. As a department head, Samira is constantly looking for ways to open up the narrative for your fellow security officers (because they can be many) and ensure there's always something rolling for your guys when needed. You're a wonderful staff member and a great friend. I hope this award keeps your spirits high and confirms what we know - you're awesome in doing what you do for us. @Jona ch'Ranni Though you've not been with us long, I've been continually impressed by the ways you've demonstrated Jona's abilities in Operations as being far beyond that of a Helm/Coms/Ops officer. You've delved into what makes Operations what it is in a ship setting, ensuring he's there for everything from greeting new officers with their orders to getting them bunked in, sorting out one thing after another, and being flexible enough to take on other roles as the Ops role requires. It's not an easy role to fill (I've been there), but you make it look effortless. Hearty congratulations on this, dude! @Corliss I remember being awed the first time I read a proper session you'd written with someone a year ago (maybe even close to two now), where you counselled in a group therapy session following our first Skarbek run. It was a great session to read; back in those heady Ensign days. Since then, you've only got better; it shows that you've got a genuine interest in psychology and counselling when you write Corliss' approach to her sessions the way that you do. The way you make characters think is wonderful. I hope this award lifts you up for the next year, and gives you that oomph of encouragement to keep being excellent.

Totally depends on the character! I get the best character development when I'm writing with someone else, getting that bounce back and forth that makes you question the character's motivations.

I'm delighted to present the badges for this years award ceremony! See below for the full badge list. If you believe you should have earned the badge but are not listed, contact your CO. Learn more about badges and how to display them on your wiki pages here. And don't forget: Make sure you take our survey about the awards ceremony to let us how you think it went. The full ceremony has been posted on the wiki now, as with all previous ceremonies. Awards Chairperson Presented to a staff member that has held the position of Awards Chairperson for an Awards Ceremony. If more than one staff member holds the title, or is appointed an assistant or deputy, all receive the badge. Sky Blake, Veritas Ishkabella Journs, Atlantis Randal Shayne, Arrow Jo Marshall, Gorkon Awards Committee Presented to any staff member that participates in the yearly Awards Committee to select Duty Post and Special Awards. Nugra, Constitution-B Ash MacKenna, Juneau Jarred Thoran, Atlantis Awards Ceremony Nominator (Standard) A player must submit at least 1 nomination for a fellow player during an awards ceremony, in any category. This badge can be earned multiple times, but is only awarded once per year. A player earning an elite or legendary badge will not also earn the lower levels in the same year. Awards Ceremony Nominator (Elite) A player must submit at least 5 nominations for fellow players in any category. This badge can be earned multiple times, but is only awarded once per year. A player earning an elite or legendary badge will not also earn the lower levels in the same year. Awards Ceremony Nominator (Legendary) A player must submit at least 10 nominations for players on more than 2 vessels in any category. This badge can be earned multiple times, but is only awarded once per year. A player earning an elite or legendary badge will not also earn the lower levels in the same year.

Welcome to the final day of the awards ceremony. So far this week we’ve announced the recipients of the Staff, General, Length of Service and Special awards. Today we present the Duty Post awards. 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 Prantares Award - Medical The Prantares Ribbon is a duty post award and is awarded to those Medical officers who have 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. Addison MacKenzie, USS Thor Presented by Aron Kells: “What makes a good medical officer is, I think, more than just a medical tricorder and a dermal regenerator. For good or ill, every good medical officer needs to have an established bedside manner. It can be supportive, like Dr. Crusher, or irascible, like Dr. McCoy or The Doctor, but it's something that's so necessary to a character. Matt, who I had the pleasure of getting to know when he first entered the fleet with Doctor Addison MacKenzie, who began as a medical officer under my character, the Veritas's CMO at the time, has crafted Addison with a delicious point of view. Simply put, she knew she wanted to be the best, and she knew she could be the best, and that's how she approaches every interaction. Another nominator noted that her demeanor is "mature, professional but wryly funny" — a tall and nuanced order, but one that Matt pulls off extremely well for Addison. I don't think I've encountered a medical officer with so much personality, and that combined with MacKenzie's extremely competent approach to medicine makes her, and Matt, a shoo-in for this year's Prantares Ribbon.” The Natasha Yar Pin - Security The Natasha Yar Pin is a duty post award and is awarded 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. Samira Neathler, USS Gorkon Presented by Quinn Reynolds: “The character of Samira Neathler is written as one of the best examples of a security officer I have ever had the pleasure of reading and simming alongside. Sami has created a shrewd, intelligent and meticulous young woman who carries out her responsibilities with professionalism and restraint, always understanding that in Starfleet, violence is a last resort. We've seen her shine in protecting her fellow crew from dangerous situations while never stealing the spotlight from her fellow writers, shielding them from harm in character while encouraging their creativity and contributions out of character. It's a difficult balance to master and yet Sami achieves it time and time again. As chief, she runs the department with a light touch and a deft hand, meeting and greeting new additions with a wry sense of humour and an invitation to help improve and develop the role of security aboard the ship. She's an exemplar of how to write Security, following in the finest traditions of the on-screen officers and I'm so pleased to present her with the Natasha Yar Pin. Congratulations, Sami!” The Voyager Medallion - Ops The Voyager Medallion is a duty post award and is awarded 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. Jona ch’Ranni, USS Gorkon Presented by Quinn Reynolds: “There's something a little bit marvellous about the way Josh (Jona ch'Ranni) approaches the role of Operations Officer. It's a wonder to watch him take relatively mundane scenes of his character's day-to-day duties — PADDwork, inventory and more — that not just flesh out the department, but draw other writers into unexpected and delightful moments of character development. He crafts his sims in a way that really underscores and reminds us how important Operations to the smooth running of a ship, as integral to its fabric as the bulkheads and warp core. He writes his character with engaging, gentle humour and his attention to detail is reflected in his sims. It can't be overstated how much another simmer feels noticed and appreciated when an off-hand comment or situation they write into their sim is later reflected in one of Jona's. The events and situations that other people sim in their storylines are not just acknowledged but reflected in his own scenes with a unique Operations twist. He's a fantastic example of how to sim the Operations duty post and I'm delighted to present Jona ch'Ranni with the Voyager Medallion. Congratulations!” The Sisko Tactical Cross - Tactical The Sisko Tactical Cross is a duty post award and is awarded to those tactical officers who have shown cunning and bravery in battle. Master strategists, and experts in targeting and shield power distribution, these officers have done the impossible to save their ship and the lives of its crew. Melody Delri’ise, USS Juneau Presented by Oddas Aria: “One of the most competent Tactical Officers I have had the pleasure to work with, Ryan's Deri'ise has a combination of attributes that makes her formidable, yet not a cliche. Far from the brooding, tough, rough Tactical Officer that could be imagined, Delri'ise is a character that is a professional - a character that gets the job done efficiently. The award is well deserved for a player who helps sim so much about what goes on outside the ship, how those things affect the ship, and ways the ship and other crewmen can work to solve the problems at hand. Congratulations again Ryan, very well deserved!” The Phoenix Award - Engineering The Phoenix Award is a duty post award that recognizes engineers. 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. Romyana Casparian, Starbase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim: “Rebecca, who plays Romyana Casparian was posted to StarBase 118 Ops and hit the ground running. From the moment Casparian stepped onboard Starbase 118 Ops, right in the thick of a deadly mission, she has brought her skills and quick thinking to the table. She is consistently able to bring her quick thinking skills and creativity in engineering to her writing, balanced by a truly compassionate viewpoint of a young person struggling in a crazy galaxy. She punctuates action such as holding a ship together in a tense battle with small moments that let her character shine. Furthermore, she goes above and beyond for her fellow crewmates both in and out of character. One example is when Romyana's fellow crewmate, Lt Bailey, was in much need of her expertise. Because Bailey is an Elaysian, she had crutches and leg braces that did her few favors on away missions. Rebecca could immediately see possibilities for improved design and overall mobility. She jumped around the chance to help right away, running with the idea of improved braces and even making the crutches Lt Bailey’s favorite color - hot pink. All of this is bolstered by Casparian's energetic and positive presence on Discord where she is frequently inspiring her crew with new ideas, connecting with others on joint posts and bringing a fun voice to our downtime conversations. She is a friendly, and wonderful person to talk to and has brought an ongoing excitement to StarBase 118 Ops, which we all love! I am so happy to see Romyana recognized with this year's Phoenix award! Congratulations Rebecca, you have done a fantastic job and I am so proud of you!” The Cochrane Award - Science The Cochrane Award is a duty post award and is awarded 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. Quentin Collins, USS Juneau Presented by Oddas Aria: “For the second year in the row, I have the pleasure of presenting the Cochrane Award. Quentin, Justin, has consistently been the go-to source for all things science - whether telling me why it's why a particular piece of a mission needs to be changed because the science doesn't work, or coming up with a bit of techno-babble to solve an issue realistically, or using regular science to deal with a mission detail like filling out why an antagonist would e searching out a particular area of a newly discovered region of space. Justin is a seemingly endless well of knowledge dealing with all things Science related and seems to be able to apply it to the story at hand in a way that is relatable and not overwhelming. He has a quiet but joyous competence writing for science that the entire ship - and fleet - benefits from. It is my pleasure to present the Cochrane Award for these reasons and more.” The Pilot's Sextant - Helm The Pilot's Sextant is a duty post award that recognizes helm officers. 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. Ben Garcia, USS Thor Presented by Aron Kells: “Wes, who plays Ben García, is in the tricky but rewarding position of playing both the Thor's second officer and another duty post on top of that, in his case that of HCO (helm, communication, and operations). Both roles are very much open to interpretation, each perhaps more so than any other duty posts, and together? Well, let's just say that there are lots of possibilities! But Wes has taken a wholly fresh approach to García's duty posts, playing from strength to strength depending upon what the situation calls for. Need an away team leader? He can do that. Need an audit of the senior staff's crew quarters? He can do that. But this award recognizes the strongest helm officer of the year, and so I want to particularly laud Wes for the way he tackles that particular challenge. Helm is a notoriously difficult post to play well since helm's role in the story often boils down to pointing the ship and pressing the warp buttons. Wes, however, allows García to seamlessly meld his command experience with his piloting skills, as most recently evidenced by his recent turn as an away team commander and ace mission pilot for the Thor's first independent mission. However, I also have to draw attention to his excellent work in simming the Thor's final departure from Duronis II following the completion of the embassy's mission. Great work all around, Wes!” 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. Corliss Fortune, USS Gorkon Presented by Quinn Reynolds: “What a wonderful example of a Counsellor Corliss Fortune is! From the very first time she wrote a counselling session with one of the Gorkon's writers, it struck me with how well she approaches the role, bringing a remarkable authenticity to her sims. The research she's done into psychology shows through, with Corliss' patients being guided through their struggles with kindness and patience, backed up by genuine counselling techniques. We've seen her guide members of the crew through marriage counselling, the fallout of a father betraying his son, regressing a mother and daughter through past traumas to heal together, aid a recently joined Trill in understanding and exploring their new identity and support a member of the crew in coming to terms with life-altering injuries. She helps the ship's writers delve into their characters' psyches, crafting sims that inspire, wrench hearts, and begin journeys of lasting character development that we see reflected in sims months and sometimes years down the line. I'm delighted to present Corliss Fortune with the Order of the Valiant Heart. Well done, Corliss!” 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. Wes Greaves, USS Thor Presented by Aron Kells: “Now, what you have to understand first about Jacob, who writes for Wes Greaves, is that he is a marine officer. When he speaks about and sims for Greaves in particular, and marines in Trek in general, he carries real-world authority and experience with him. He's easily been the strongest, most thoughtful marine player I've ever encountered, but I'm very pleased to see him win the Semper Fidelis Award this year for more than the quality of his sims. He's recently embarked upon a complete redraft of the Thor's marine detachment, which anyone can now read on the wiki (https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Thor_Marine_Detachment). He also began a conversation on the Thor's OOC list about the place and status of marines, both on the Thor, and in the Trek universe, and it's been one of the most in-depth and thoughtful OOC conversations I've ever participated in as a member of SB118. As a result of that conversation and of his own experience and drive, Jacob created a guide to both simming for and the role of marines in our game, which I'm excited to share with the fleet as a resource for future marine players and anyone curious about what marines are doing in SB118's universe — so, consider this award very well deserved, but also a teaser for what this extremely talented simmer has in store for us!” 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. Ash MacKenna, USS Juneau Presented by Oddas Aria: “Marissa, the writer for MacKenna, is an experienced simmer and nowhere does this show more than when she is writing for an intelligence officer. Instead of going the obvious route and writing a character that is rogue or living in the shadows, Marissa writes a character collecting information from both conventional and unconventional sources. Using her position she contributes to both the lore and the action of a mission, the ship, and the region of space she finds herself in. Not only does she contribute to ships in meaningful ways - she does so in a way that is believable to the situation. The information comes to her character through hard work and manner befitting her position and in a way that allows other players a sense of wonder and inclusion in the story - encouraging them to contribute and to play along more. Marissa is one of the best writers I have written with, and I look forward to writing with her for a long time to come.” 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. Jo Marshall, USS Gorkon Presented by Quinn Reynolds: “It is hard to do justice to exactly how good Em (Jo Marshall) is as a First Officer, but I'll do my best! Every role aboard the ship she's involved with is attended to with enthusiasm, meticulous care and a generous dose of good fun. She's a constant force for improvement and positivity aboard the Gorkon; she handles the mentoring program with a kind and supportive hand, encouraging the other staff members to do their check-ins and offer advice on how to handle difficult situations. Her own interactions with her mentees and other members of the crew are all that could be asked for, offering solid guidance with humour and inspiration, always striving to encourage people to be the very best simmers that they can. She guides the plot with aplomb, consistently throwing in delightful twists that keep people on their toes, all the while providing plenty of opportunities for other members of the crew to shine. The efforts of others are always recognised and respected, with Em ensuring that her sims are beautifully written, acknowledging and including all the small details that other writers have introduced and building upon them. Her writing is some of the best I've seen, with evocative descriptions and characters that just beg to be interacted with. She fundamentally understands that this is a collaborative game, celebrating the contributions of our writers with every sim she sends and ensuring that everyone gets to feel like the star of the show and never a supporting character in someone else's story. More than that, her dedication and love for the fleet is shown in how she participates beyond the Gorkon itself. In the academy, she trains new cadets with care and enthusiasm, with other trainers and newly-graduated cadets talking of how much they enjoy working with her. She's also active with the Federation News Team, Poll of the Week, the Image Collective — each task attended to with the same dedication and care that we see in her efforts aboard ship. Em also takes her observer role on the Captain's Council seriously, actively participating in the discussions that take place there and helping to steer the fleet forward. She is, simply put, one of the best simmers and finest first officers that I have ever had the pleasure of serving with. Congratulations, Em! I am so proud and delighted to be able to present you with the Strange Medallion” Please join us in congratulating these talented players!

Welcome to Day Three of the Annual Awards Ceremony 2020! The Staff awards are only for those members who have achieved the rank of Commander or higher. Just like with last year, the first officers of the fleet were asked to vote on the nominations for each staff award, providing recommendations to the EC about who should receive each award. We’re so happy to have this valuable feedback and guidance for our staff awards! This year, we’ve introduced two new awards into the fold to celebrate the magnificent achievements of our long-term staff members, for the love and dedication they have poured into our community. These awards recognize the hard work of our community members who go above and beyond to ensure that everyone has a great experience here. There's so much behind-the-scenes work required to keep the engine of our community running, and these folks are a central part of that. Elinor of Kanist Order of Excellence Named for one of UFOP: StarBase 118's most significant founding members. This award recognizes those who have served the fleet as a staff member for at least 5 years, attained the rank of Rear Admiral or higher, previously been awarded the Picard Award and Staff Member of the Year Award, and continue to serve the fleet to the betterment of all members. This is the highest staff honor, celebrating longevity, dedication to the fleet, and the perseverance for wearing the Admiral's belt. Quinn Reynolds, USS Gorkon Presented by Aron Kells: "I first met Emma, aka Vice Admiral Quinn Reynolds, back in 2007. I had just been assigned to the Triumphant as its new first officer, and Emma had just seen Quinn promoted from ensign to lieutenant JG in the Triumphant's engine room. The Triumphant crew was very new, and when our CO took increasingly extended (and unannounced) breaks, I looked for help in navigating the uncertainties of my first XO gig. Even then, Emma was endlessly competent and a clear leader and I relied very much upon as Quinn became my acting XO at the tender rank of JG. In fact, my positive impression predates even that tomfoolery, back to when she reached out to me following my transfer to Triumphant. She'd noticed that I was running a PNPC whose last name was Reynolds and suggested that, since Quinn's surname was Reynolds, might they be related? If you've ever noticed the positive simming opportunities that Emma provides to others, then know that this, too, has been there since the beginning! Years later, when I took over the Mercury (and then launched Garuda and Invicta), I very much wanted Emma to return to sim with me, as she was then on a long-term LOA from the fleet. I'm delighted to say that she accepted and wrote Quinn as a captain of intelligence for a few important years. At the same time, after I had a couple of XOs who went on LOA and had no viable candidates, she offered to create a new character who could serve as XO — not because she wanted to sim the position necessarily, but because she knew the ship could use the help. We designed the character with a "kill switch" wherein he'd defect as a part of whatever mission if (and then when) another player was ready for the XO spot. Again, I want to draw your attention to the positive attributes on display here — playing cooperatively, making sure the ship came first, helping out and always adding to the ongoing story. When she launched the Gorkon, I hated losing her, but of course, I recognized that she was a stellar simmer and would come roaring back into that center seat. It's worthwhile too to highlight her choice of ship name — the Gorkon is the first ship in the fleet named for a fictional character, but specifically a character who embodied optimism regarding interactions between individuals and groups, as well as the peacemaking processes as a whole. Emma's credo is right there in the Gorkon's motto: "We succeed together in a greater whole." Nowadays, everyone in the fleet has likely had some interaction with Emma in some way, whether on the Gorkon, as a part of her service on the Executive or Captains Councils, on Discord, or as a part of her long-running leadership in the Academy (or something else entirely!). In fact, the Executive Council of 2015 would routinely seek Emma's opinion on tricky matters, even before she had returned to captain the Gorkon or serve on the EC. It is entirely fitting that Emma is the inaugural recipient of the Elinor of Kanist Order of Excellence, the group's new highest honor — and that she was also the only nominee for the award, and still received half a dozen nominations for the honor! She is the flesh and blood of Starbase 118, and I do now and will always toast to that once-JG who helped me figure out what the heck I was doing back in 2007." Honor of the Admiralty The highest award that can be conferred upon a UFOP: Starbase 118 staff member under the rank of Rear Admiral. This award recognizes those who have served as staff members for a minimum of five years in a multitude of disciplines. From facilitating our task forces, engaging with the Captains Council, and leading with the utmost dedication, these writers volunteer their time, effort, and skill to building our game and community and have comprehensively earned the respect and loyalty of members. Roshanara Rahman, USS Veritas Presented by Aron Kells: "Writes one of Rich's nominators: "He is quite literally the reason that I am still a member of this community." You can't ask for higher praise than that, and yet I think Rich, aka Fleet Captain Roshanara Rahman (and roughly 6000 other characters), has earned not only the respect this award signifies but all the substantial accolades that have come his way over the past decade. I was honestly not sure what to make of Rich at first when he transferred to the Mercury eight years ago. He was already a lieutenant commander and introduced Roshanara as such, so he was well-regarded around the fleet, but then he started suggesting ... things. Not bad things, certainly, but things I hadn't seriously considered before: long-ranging character arcs that lasted for months or years, novel ways to track and recognize promotions (which eventually morphed into the player achievement system), and then, once he became my XO and was able to access the Captain's Council, even bigger ideas about how specific aspects of the group ought to change. Many of the big, structural changes that have occurred over the past several years, from giving commanders the right to vote on most matters in the Captain's Council to the ongoing reform of rights for players on LOA, found their inception in Rich's ongoing fight to make the group more fair and equitable for all. And that's well before we even talk about the wiki! Along with Deliera (aka Lt. Cmdr. Blake and also about 6000 other characters) and a few others, Rich has completely revolutionized how we use the group wiki. Try the Six-Degrees-of-Rich game sometime: Find your way to a random article on the wiki and then click around through a few more linked pages. Odds are, most of those pages will have either been directly edited by Rich or will use a template that Rich either designed or dreamed up. Especially when we talk about the wiki, it's hard to imagine what Starbase 118 would look like without Rich. Despite all of his work, believe me when I tell you it was quite a job getting him to even think about going for promotion and command, even though I knew he'd be amazing. But for a long time, Rich was content to write and edit and work in the background. No matter the way in which you've encountered him, though, I hope you're able to see that Starbase 118 is an endlessly richer place (no pun intended, or maybe pun very much intended) for Rich's presence and all that he's accomplished and will continue to accomplish as one of our most productive and laudable staff members. He is absolutely deserving of the inaugural Honor of the Admiralty, and I'm only sad that he can't win this one twice, as I'm sure that he'll continue to dazzle us all with everything he does and the ways in which he makes Starbase 118 better for everyone." 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. Oddas Aria, USS Juneau Presented by Roshanara Rahman: "The past year has been an eventful one for Nicholas, the writer behind Captain Oddas Aria, and the fleet has soared because of his many contributions. While continuing to serve as commanding officer of his vessel, Nicholas planned and executed Project Capstone, a daring and unprecedented 12-week event where players came together to post as a new crew on the shakedown cruise of the USS Juneau. The event was the culmination of a wider yearlong fleetwide plot arc about the development of the Warp XV engine and arguably the most ambitious “joint” simming occasion since Operation Bright Star in 2010. After Capstone’s completion, Nicholas and his crew on the USS Eagle made the Juneau their new home, and behind the scenes, he took on a new role as the Captain-at-Large on the Executive Council. Since his term began, Nicholas has introduced regular CAL “office hours” on Discord and monthly summaries of EC business to the Captain's Council to ensure more of our staff know what’s happening at our fleet’s highest levels. This is all on top of his continuing duties as an Academy Deputy Commandant and co-facilitator for the Advanced Starship Design Bureau team! Our community’s finest staff members and captains are those who grow beyond just the bulkheads of their ships to see themselves as caretakers of the wider fleet as a whole. It is this legacy of service that has enabled our community to thrive for twenty-six years, a legacy that Nicholas has continued as our 2020 Staff Member of the Year." The James T. Kirk Cross Given to new Commanding Officers who show outstanding potential in the field of command. Jarred Thoran, USS Atlantis Presented by Jalana Rajel: "There aren't enough words to describe the impact that this year’s James T. Kirk Cross recipient has had on the fleet and his fellow writers, but I'll try. In his three years adventure of writing with us, he has won numerous awards showing that he is a dedicated writer that his fellow shipmates simply love to write and work with. He has shown early on that he was eager to do more than just show up: he trained new members of the fleet, mentored new players to his ships, became a First Officer, lead the publicity team and has shown great promise from the beginning of his Starfleet career. That potential has not stopped; on the contrary, he brought it into the way he is leading his ship, the USS Atlantis. While researching Richard's accomplishments it was anything but difficult to find voices who spoke highly of him. One of the strongest impressions he made was when he received command of the USS Atlantis. Under the best of circumstances that is a busy and stressful time, even though full of excitement. Things go very fast and are turbulent, especially when joining a new crew. But Richard has taken up this difficult role in a stride and quickly established himself as the kind of CO that inspires his fellow writers and brings out the best in them. Richard has an eye for what the members of his crew need to thrive and he assists them to the best of his abilities to get to their best selves. Richard's crew knows him as a hardworking, fair and compassionate CO who is always willing to listen, communicate and give advice. Between all this work behind the scenes, he does not forget to have fun while writing or joining in the playful banter in his ship's chat, which makes him a well rounded Commanding Officer. He is admired by his crew and the fleet at large and it's my honour and pleasure to congratulate Richard - and his IC counterpart Jarred Thoran - for receiving this great award, which is very well deserved. I can't wait to see where the next year leads you! " Chief’s Citation Recognizing the essential staff members whose determined work has benefitted the group In Character, and/or Out Of Character, even while their primary service was not as the Commanding Officer of a simming installation. Inspired by the non-commissioned and enlisted personnel who are the backbone of any starship but were rarely recognized in Star Trek lore in favor of the officers. Randal Shayne, USS Arrow Presented by Oddas Aria: "The recipient of the Chief's Citation Award is often one of those members of the fleet who works behind the scenes to make the fleet a better place, putting the hours in adding to those activities outside simming that make the fleet more of a club than just a place to come and play a game. Through their endeavors, they work to make the fleet a place to hang out, talk about our favorite things, and participate in a larger universe. Randal Shayne, the recipient of this year's Chief's Citation, meets the above criteria and more. As the Poll of the Week Co-Facilitator, a member of the ASDB, heading up the Picard Canon Committee, serving on the Captain's Council, and more Shayne is involved in several activities around the fleet that make our group the group it is. Congratulations to Commander Shayne!" The Sarek Star Given to a command officer who shows great diplomatic ability in working with members and staff. Sal Taybrim, StarBase 118 Ops Presented by Aron Kells: "It's my honor and delight to award this year's Sarek Star to Jamie, aka Fleet Captain Sal Taybrim. Though I've never simmed directly with her, I've known and respected her since she first came to my attention, the better part of a decade ago now. I was lucky to oversee her captaincy exam about five years ago, and not only was she clearly an excellent CO, but she also helped me rethink how to interact and empathize with my crew. I was predisposed to think positively of her already, though, after an event that had occurred a few years before in which Jamie had approached me on behalf of herself and others who, it seemed, didn't quite know how to articulate what sort of help they needed. At that point, Jamie was firmly established in my mind as someone who not only works well with others but advocates on behalf of others. Over the half-decade or so she's commanded Ops, I've only seen those qualities improve, and so it's very much time to recognize Jamie with the Sarek Star. However, I also recognize that I often view others from the very privileged position of having been a captain for quite a few years and that one's colleagues and crew are often the best when it comes to telling the real story. I read Jamie's nominations for the Sarek Star as impartially as I could, and I was pleased (but not surprised) to learn that she's very much held in esteem by folks on Ops and around the fleet. According to one nominator, "Jamie handles everyone she contacts professionally, with an outstretched hand of friendship and with firm guidance." Importantly, that nominator writes, Jamie has perfected that very tough balance between establishing firm boundaries and cultivating simmers with collaborative and unique opportunities on Ops. Another nominator notes that Jamie is "always on hand should there be a problem, or a crewmember has plot ideas for character development or plot point, always finding a pleasant and interesting balance between the two." And I'm sure that most folks, whether on the forums or on Discord, or somewhere else entirely, have noted Jamie's positive disposition — or, as one nominator put it, "the ever-present encouragement for all." Simply put, Jamie is not only a diplomat but is also a delight, an outstanding CO whose dedication to the growth and sustainability of her crew is second to none. This award is long overdue and extremely well deserved!" Christopher Pike Pendant Awarded to commanding officers who command their ship with honor and dedication, and help to provide a creative atmosphere which fosters outstanding simming. Oddas Aria, USS Juneau Presented by Roshanara Rahman: "Through the words of his nominators, the impact that Nicholas, the writer behind Captain Oddas Aria, has had on his crew is clear. They cite not just his creative energy but the care and support he gives to those under his command. One person noted, “He is humble, exceedingly competent and possessed of a fighting spirit. For every hit, problem and issue, Nicholas has the patience to face it and the desire to find the best answer possible.” As his former training CO and now fellow captain, I couldn’t agree more. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Nicholas develop from a cadet in 2016 to an outstanding first officer and now one of our finest captains. One thing Nicholas has never stopped doing since his first days in 118 is asking questions and advice when he comes across new or challenging situations. That humbleness cited earlier by a nominator has only helped him ensure that he is always learning and becoming the best player and now CO that he can be. And now with his first officer Commander Randal Shayne embarking on a new chapter of his own, Nicholas has ensured that the high standard he has set for himself and his crew will continue to spread throughout the fleet and to the next generation of officers. Congratulations and well-done, Captain!" 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. Rear Admiral Toni Turner Presented by Tristan Wolf & Oddas Aria: "The retirement of Rear Admiral Toni Turner (Ann) was a sad day earlier this year, as she ended a 14-year run with the fleet, having made a mark on nearly every area of our community. We want to recognize her dedication and loyalty, her boundless enthusiasm for simming, and her fierce advocacy for her crew. How do you encapsulate a career this long and mention all the things that need to be said? I recall so many moments from her time with us, even from those early days as a Counselor at Duronis II Embassy when she struggled to find her voice as someone who had only experienced Star Trek casually and wasn't intimately versed in all the fandom and lore. She was nothing if not persistent and determined, though, to command her own vessel and lead a crew, and nothing was going to stop her. She earned the affection of many in the group with her tireless willingness to volunteer for anything that needed help. As a result, she rotated through many positions in the fleet – winning 19 awards along the way, including the Boothby Award and Staff Member of the Year. In later years of her command, she was an active participant on the Captain's Council and then the Executive Council as a full member. As a Commanding Officer, she returned to the Embassy — after having served on the Challenger and Resolution — and earned the James T. Kirk Cross, Christopher Pike Award, and even the Picard Award. She was single-minded in her pursuit of finding and elevating new officers, encouraging them to look toward leadership and command. She was a booster of everyone she worked with and was incredibly empathetic to those who struggled with finding their voice as she had. We thank her for her long-time service to the fleet and hope she enjoys a restful retirement!" Please join us in congratulating these members of the staff!

Today we are proud to present the Length of Service and Special Awards! Length of Service Awards Length of Service Awards are presented to members who have been continuously active for at least a year, there are also tiers for three, five, 10, 15, 20 and even 25 years of continuous service. And, in recognition and celebration of the achievements of Commanding Officers, we’ve introduced a new award. These are length of service awards given to those who have served as commanding officers for their ships and stations continuously for five or ten years. This year, 47 players have reached a length of service milestone. Of those 22 are celebrating their first milestone, having picked up the award for one year of active membership. Another 12 have achieved three years active membership and six more have been here for five years. Three players have reached the incredible ten-year milestone, and one has reached 15 years! Additionally, we have two players celebrating their five-year command milestones, and our Fleet Admiral is heralding in 25 years! 25-year Length of Service For those who have been members continuously for 25 years. Special congratulations to Fleet Admiral Tristan Wolf for achieving his 25-year Length of Service milestone. None of this would be possible without Wolf's dedicated leadership, vision, and driving force for the past twenty-six years. Thank you, Admiral! 5-year Commanding Officer For those who have served as commanding officers for their ships and stations continuously for five years. Officers in this category are also appointed to the rank of Commodore to recognize their experience and leadership. Commodore Jalana Rajel, who took command of the USS Constitution-B (NCC-9012-B) on May 5th, 2015. Vice Admiral Quinn Reynolds, who took command of the USS Gorkon (NCC-82293) on July 7th, 2015. 1-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for one year. Jacob Horne, graduated from training on August 23, 2017 Ferier Kian, graduated from training on January 30, 2018 Ilana Ganarvuss, graduated from training on April 10, 2018 German Galven, graduated from training on July 29, 2018 Samira Neathler, graduated from training on August 27, 2018 Pholin Duyzer, graduated from training on September 13, 2018 Geoffrey Teller, graduated from training on September 17, 2018 Lazarus Davis, graduated from training on October 2, 2018 Corliss Fortune, graduated from training on October 3, 2018 Jona ch'Ranni, graduated from training on October 19, 2018 Chloe Waters, graduated from training on November 1, 2018 Willimina Bellweather, graduated from training on November 5, 2018 Wil Ukinix, graduated from training on November 13, 2018 Esa Darkkdust, graduated from training on November 20, 2018 Quentin Collins, graduated from training on December 1, 2018 James Colquhoun, graduated from training on December 1, 2018 Sheila Bailey, graduated from training on December 11, 2018 Ben Garcia, graduated from training on January 2, 2019 Quen Deena, graduated from training on February 6, 2019 Addison MacKenzie, graduated from training on February 19, 2019 Charlena Vanlith, graduated from training on April 15, 2019 Karen Stendhal, graduated from training on April 19, 2019 3-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for three years. Anthony Meeks, graduated from training on January 17, 2011 Yogan Yalu, graduated from training on November 13, 2011 Ket Shoba, graduated from training on August 18, 2013 Ceciri Ariadust, graduated from training on December 15, 2014 Luthas, graduated from training on June 8, 2016 Krindo Pandorn, graduated from training on August 9, 2016 Prudence Blackwell, graduated from training on August 17, 2016 Piravao sh’Qynallahr, graduated from training on November 21, 2016 Arturo Maxwell, graduated from training on November 21, 2016 Melody Delri'ise, graduated from training on January 19, 2017 Anath G'Renn, graduated from training on February 28, 2017 Jarred Thoran, graduated from training on May 8, 2017 5-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for five years. Raissa Moonsong, graduated from training on July 1, 2014 Cory Stoyer, graduated from training on November 10, 2014 Randal Shayne, graduated from training on February 2, 2015 Nijil, graduated from training on February 9, 2015 Kurt Logan, graduated from training on March 2, 2015 Arlo Thorton, graduated from training on March 23, 2015 10-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for ten years. Dassa Alexander-Dalton, graduated from training on October 1, 2004 Loxley, graduated from training on January 25, 2007 Roshanara Rahman, graduated from training on May 27, 2010 15-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for fifteen years. Nyka Wyss, graduated from training on January 22, 2004 25-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for twenty-five years. Tristan Wolf, graduated from training on… he's never been through the Academy! Enrollment time, Admiral! Special Awards 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. Geoffrey Teller, USS Thor Presented by Aron Kells: "The folks who nominated Brian (Teller) for this award wrote a combined total of over 2500 words in support of this year's Rising Star. Many of those highlighted the responsibilities he's taken on over the past year, including as the acting XO and then CO of the USS Diligent for a mission on the Veritas, and then the masterful job he's done as the XO of the Duronis II Embassy and, currently, the Thor. It's even more appropriate that Brian was also last year's Luminary Award winner, as that award recognizes one member per year who shows extreme promise in their SB118 career, but who is ranked lieutenant or under. His dedication, support, mentorship, and involvement have been recognized by all around him, from SB118's guiding councils to the ensigns onboard the Thor. In fact, a group of ensigns approached me unsolicited to sing Brian's praises, noting, among other positive qualities, that he's cheerful, shows a strong work ethic, and is always able to engage simmers who don't know where to go next. A few of his nominators wanted to celebrate "Future Captain" Teller with this award, but I don't think they went far enough -- so please join me in celebrating "Future Admiral" Teller, this year's Rising Star!" Luminary Award Given to members holding the rank of ensign, lieutenant junior grade, or lieutenant. For those who show great promise in their future endeavours in UFOP: Starbase 118 RPG. Alieth, USS Thor Presented by Aron Kells: "I also have the pleasure of recognizing Andrea, aka Lieutenant JG Alieth, this year's winner of the Luminary Award! Even if you haven't simmed with her directly, you've surely encountered Andrea before -- she sims on the Thor, but she's active all over the fleet forums and Discord, and her work as a part of the Image Collective has already become legendary. Her work with her RL husband Miguel, aka Ensign Sirok, produced the Thor's redesigned logo, and this led to a complete logo redesign for all the ships in the fleet. Her sim quality, too, is extremely high, and all of this came when she was just an ensign -- she was only promoted to lieutenant JG a couple of weeks ago! The whole SB118 fleet is lucky to count Andrea as a member, and I look forward to seeing what she does next. If this year is any guide, perhaps we'll be looking forward to Rising Star Alieth in 2021...?" The Sarpeidon Award Awarded to members who have made outstanding contributions to the 118Wiki. Sarpeidon was the world in TOS's "All Our Yesterdays," in which the planet's population created a library containing their entire world's history. This is, in essence, what our wiki strives to become: a collection of our group's history and a simming database. Sky Blake, USS Veritas Presented by Roshanara Rahman: "It seems only fitting to talk about Sky Blake's writer Deliera and her contributions to the 118Wiki in particular because it was through the wiki that we first connected. Long before we wrote together as shipmates and now CO and first officer, I stumbled upon Deliera's wiki page for her character and her behind-the-scenes pages and was in awe. I reached out to her later to help launch the Featured Bio Contest, which ran from 2012 to 2017 and highlighted great wiki bios from across the fleet. In 2014, we launched the Wiki Operations Team (now squadron), where she served as Vice Chief of Wiki Operations and eventually as team facilitator. Today, she continues her work on the wiki as an administrator, ensuring this vital resource of our fleet stays organized and up to date. Taking care of this important work doesn’t often draw attention to itself, and so I'm glad to see that this year six separate nominations were submitted for Deliera to be recognized with this award. Clearly, her dedication and hard work has not gone unnoticed. Besides her own contributions to the wiki, other players also cited how she can always be counted on to provide advice and guidance for those learning how to use it. She is a tireless champion of the power of the wiki to help people further tell their characters' stories, and she is so well-deserving of this award!" 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. Samira Neathler, USS Gorkon Presented by Quinn Reynolds: "Week after week, one name that stands out in the Academy is that of Samira Neathler. She's a stalwart member of the team, volunteering her time and energy whenever she can while knowing when she needs to step back for a week or two to recharge her batteries so that she can continue giving her best — a balance that's trickier than it seems! In every position she fills, she stands out as an exemplar of that role; her sims are beautifully written and set a fantastic example for our cadets, as an XO she keeps the class running smoothly with her organisational skills, as CO she supports both the cadets and the other members of the training team by offering feedback, insight and encouragement. The nominations consistently spoke of what a fun and welcoming environment she makes for our cadets, and how much she inspired and encouraged our newer trainers in their own path through the academy. For all these reasons and more, I'm delighted to present Samira Neathler with the Boothby Award. Congratulations, Sami!!" 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. Jo Marshall, USS Gorkon Presented by Tristan Wolf: "The Captain's Council debated, this year, how to handle the rise of our Discord chat room when it comes to the Awards Ceremony. The end result was to wait until we had a better sense of what was to come in the next year. But it's clear, nonetheless, that many people in the fleet felt like Quark's Bar, created for the forums, as applying to the chat room as well – we had seven different nominees, many of which mentioned Discord. Everyone who was nominated was a vital and enthusiastic voice in our community. They're all people who've contributed to making the vibe fun in the last year – a place where people want to congregate. But one person, Jo Marshall, had the clear endorsement of the Awards Committee. Marshall has been tireless in helping to develop the OOC vibe, particularly on Discord. Between assisting in setting up the bot, to creating fun and interactive commands, and even helping to edit our staff guide to managing Discord, she's been proactive every step of the way. How can we forget that she also led the project to expand our custom emoji, including adding a number of Black actors into the mix. Our Discord is more fun because of everything she's brought to the table. She also led the charge in planning and executing this year's Writing Challenge revival, which saw the largest ever amount of participation in a challenge – all on the forums. Between the theme and rules she put in place, writers from every ship in the fleet demonstrated an incredible level of creativity that put our judges panel to the test in deciding who would win. I've so much appreciated Marshall's quick wit, friendly and helpful personality, and willingness to go the extra mile to try new things. She absolutely deserves this award!" 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 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. Karen Stendhal, Starbase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim: "Stefania, the writer behind Lieutenant JG Karen Stendhal, has proved her strength and determination since the moment she joined SB118. From Italy, English is her second language, which is a true struggle in and of itself. But she constantly works to overcome this challenge, upholding a fantastic personal standard of writing as well as a willingness to add as much as she can to each mission. Her writing improves with each and every sim and she brings a wonderful sense of humor and charm to her character and her narrative. Simming with Lieutenant Stendhal is a joy and will bring a smile to the face of any of her fellow crew. During recent events known globally (COVID19), her world has been turned upside down. Italy was one of the first countries quarantined after China. She let us know that she was in a very tense lockdown and dangerous situation. Still, she wrote on, never letting the craziness of the real-world affect her enthusiastic and lively writing. She even maintained an MSNPC throughout the crisis, assisting with our last mission as a leader as well as a player. Stefania, you are truly an amazing and enduring writer. Thank you so much for all your enthusiasm, humor and wonderful simming. I am so proud to be able to honor you in this year’s fleetwide awards! " Toryn Raga, USS Atlantis Presented by Jarred Thoran: "The past year has not been kind to Toryn. Living in Florida he has been at the mercy of numerous storms and tornadoes that have at times prevented him from simming.. Additionally, with the spread of COVID-19, Toryn has been deeply affected, both in a professional and personal capacity. Lesser people would no doubt have thrown in the towel, but Toryn has persevered through it all and is an inspiration to his crewmates. It is my honour to present him with the Xalor Clan Xifilis Award. " Sheila Bailey, Starbase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim: "Aly, the player behind Lieutenant JG Sheila Bailey, is an incredibly strong player who is passionate about disability awareness and portraying characters that are not disabled, but differently-abled, showing a true depth of characterization and an honest willingness to explore these characters and allow others to learn more about those characters through writing. In the tradition of all the best characters in fiction, Aly’s characters are in part a reflection of herself and some of her real-life struggles. Some days she does not have the energy to write and Aly communicates well with her fellow crew on days when she needs to rest or take a break, and still maintains a full time posting and excellent writing. We can see in her love for her characters, a passion for this awareness in real life, as well as an overwhelming strength to shine through difficult times and bring something truly creative and meaningful to out simming on StarBase 118 Ops. Aly, you have grown to be a brilliant and respected simmer on StarBase 118 and this shines through all the effort and passion you put into your writing. I am so proud to be able to recognize all your hard work and honor you in this year’s fleetwide awards!" Noa T’Nessa Levinson, USS Juneau Presented by Oddas Aria: "Since coming aboard Ensign Levinson has made herself an invaluable member of the crew by being a source of unending positivity, friendliness, and willingness to lend a hand where needed. In addition to her steadfast devotion to maintaining a positive atmosphere, she has honed a set of simming skills that is hard to rival - using extended prose and commentary in a way that moves the story purposefully and realistically. These are all great qualities for a player to have, something grateful COs love to find in a player that has only been with us a short time, and qualities we are astounded to find in players that are not playing in their native language. The amount of time she puts into each sim, and other interactions with the group, in a language, not her own is an example to all of us and makes the entire group better." The Community Champion Award For members who participate in – or help facilitate – simming community events, representing the best of UFOP: SB118 to other organizations by hosting events, acting as contest judges, or otherwise contributing their expertise in a way that benefits the wider community. Tristan Wolf, Starbase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim: "At first, this award may seem like a no-brainer. Fleet Admiral Tristan Wolf founded this community and remains on as its head administrative officer. Many players only see Fleet Admiral Wolf as the overarching admin that helps run the game. But what does running the game actually mean? What does it all entail? What does Fleet Admiral Wolf do behind the scenes? Let me take you through just a portion of everything Fleet Admiral Wolf does to support this community. First, he’s the driving force behind our publicity efforts, which reaches out to Star Trek fans across the globe and helps bring new players into the game. If you came here through a link, advertisement, Facebook or Google search, you had contact with Wolf’s work. If you’ve made a new friend in the past year you have certainly been facilitated by Fleet Admiral Wolf’s work. Going along with this Fleet Admiral Wolf runs our News Team which is not only a major factor in publicity but keeps our members constantly informed and entertained. He helps organize every major taskforce from the Chat team to the Academy and makes sure all members are informed of everything from forum outages to fun events on Discord. If you’ve been able to participate in something entertaining on the forums or a fun event on Discord, again Fleet Admiral Wolf helped make that happen and made sure you got the news. Moreover, Jordan, the person behind Fleet Admiral Wolf is a champion for creating a stable, long-term, inclusive, and safe community for writers of every background. He is passionate about making sure this community stays supportive of all players and Star Trek ideals. He guides the game’s staff in timely discussions about how to continually improve our community for all members. Jordan is also consistently focused on fleetwide unity and supportive of all our ships and crews. No one is more concerned about the fleet as a whole and making sure every ship is successful and every player has a good place to sim than Fleet Admiral Wolf. Everyone from newly posted Ensigns to seasoned veterans matters to this game and they matter to our Admiral. All of this has created an unprecedented run of 26 years and counting of a stable, complex and well-crafted game run by volunteers, founded on a dream that Fleet Admiral Wolf had of having a place where people could write about a better future full of fantastic adventures and strong friendships. We are all here today, celebrating awards and enjoying wonderful stories because of Fleet Admiral Wolf’s constant dedication to this community. I would like to personally thank you, Jordan, for creating this wonderful game and I hope that every player will join me in congratulating you as this year’s Community Champion!" Please join us in congratulating these talented players!

Russ Bar winners - Looking forward to a battle of the Russ Bar next Trivia contest! Pathfinder winners - Keep doing what you're doing. Mentoring is a wonderful way to help new players feel welcome in the group and find their feet. You're invaluable. @Wil Ukinix Somehow, I knew I'd see your name in the Khan Awards @Anath G'Renn Honestly, your way with words astounds me sometimes. You're a marvellous writer. Congratulations to everyone! They're so well deserved!

Welcome to day one of the annual Awards Ceremony! We’re very excited to present the General Awards. The General (Ship) Awards have been presented by each captain to their crew. The winners this year, as in previous years, 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! This is your chance to see how each of the other ships did and see who picked up what award. 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. Lazarus Davis, USS Constitution Caitriona Cayne, USS Gorkon Ash MacKenna, USS Juneau German Galven, Starbase 118 Ops Addison MacKenzie, USS Thor Wil Ukinix, USS Veritas Esa Kiax, USS Atlantis The Genesis Award The Most Improved Simmer Award. For officers who show conspicuous effort in improving their simming skills. Jacob Horne, USS Constitution Joshua Sutton, USS Gorkon Artinus Serinus, USS Juneau Solaris McLaren, Starbase 118 Ops Tara Wilkins, USS Thor Charlena Vanlith, USS Veritas David Knight, USS Atlantis Scotty Cross Given to an officer who shows extreme creativity while solving a plot dilemma or in-character plot twist. Toryn Raga, USS Atlantis Randal Shayne, USS Juneau Arturo Maxwell, Starbase 118 Ops Charlena Vanlith, USS Veritas 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. Edward Spears, USS Constitution Samira Neathler, USS Gorkon Noa Levinson, USS Juneau Romyana Casparian, Starbase 118 Ops Wes Greaves, USS Thor Ceciri Ariadust, USS Veritas Esa Kiax, USS Atlantis 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. Edward Spears, USS Constitution Jo Marshall, USS Gorkon Randal Shayne, USS Juneau Anath G'Renn, USS Atlantis 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. Jalana Rajel, USS Constitution Artinus Serinus,, USS Juneau Nijil, Starbase 118 Ops Alieth and Alexander Brodie, USS Thor Raissa Moonsong, USS Veritas Ishkabella Journs, USS Atlantis 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. Corliss Fortune, USS Gorkon Quentin Collins,, USS Juneau Karen Stendhal, Starbase 118 Ops Geoffrey Teller, USS Thor Clik Zae'Li, USS Veritas Ishkabella Journs, USS Atlantis 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. Cade Foster, USS Constitution Genkos Adea, USS Gorkon Sheila Bailey, Starbase 118 Ops Addison MacKenzie, USS Thor Roshanara Rahman, USS Veritas Serala, USS Atlantis 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. Ravenna Carter, USS Constitution Jo Marshall, USS Gorkon Melody Delri'ise, USS Juneau Sheila Bailey, Starbase 118 Ops Dar Elandra, USS Thor Timothy Alentonis, USS Veritas Toryn Raga, USS Atlantis 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. Chloe Waters,, USS Juneau Sirok, USS Thor Jarred Thoran, USS Atlantis Pathfinder Award Given to those who have shown great care in the mentoring of fellow members. Yito Seja, USS Constitution Jo Marshall, USS Gorkon Quentin Collins, USS Juneau Alexander Brodie, USS Thor Jansen Orrey, USS Veritas Kurt Logan, USS Atlantis Khan Award Awarded to a simmer who thoughtfully develops a three-dimensional villain over the course of a mission or more. Lazarus Davis, USS Constitution Quentin Collins, USS Juneau Sal Taybrim, Starbase 118 Ops Quen Deena, USS Thor Wil Ukinix, USS Veritas Serala, USS Atlantis Q Award Awarded for continually surprising their crew with unexpected, devious plot twists throughout the year. Quinn Reynolds, USS Gorkon Anath G'Renn, USS Atlantis Please join us in congratulating these talented players!

Welcome to the fleetwide awards ceremony for 2020, or, in world, 2397! I'm filling in for some hefty boots here, so I'll try to make it quick and lively so we can jump into the deep end and kick the awards off! There are five categories of awards: General Awards (which some ships have presented to their crews already!), Duty Post, Special and Staff Awards recognise players across the rank spectrum for all sorts of IC or OOC achievements. The member Length of Service Awards continue to grow, recognizing membership lengths of one, three, five, 10, 15 and even 25 years! A remarkable number of simmers have been around for such extended periods, and they count among our numbers. This year we’re celebrating our 26th year as a vibrant and incredible community of players coming together. A massive thank you to everyone who submitted nominations this year, and to everyone who had the heart there but not the energy for it. It's been a rough time all around the world and that you're choosing to spend your free time and creative energy here is honestly heartwarming. I've really loved seeing how we celebrate one another, keeping us propped up through the trials and tribulations of a turbulent time, and how every single nomination is a note of love, respect and gratitude for our fellow writers. It's a huge reminder that everyone is appreciated and valued for our imaginative contributions to our collective. Keeping all of this running behind the scenes is no small task — more like Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill only for it to keep rolling back down — and yet, it runs smoothly; the welcome is warm and generous, and we have a fantastic fleet to show for it. To that end, I’d like to extend a special thanks to our tireless leader Fleet Admiral Wolf and our wonderful leadership team who continuously drive forward to make the fleet better and better with every passing year. No request for help is too much, nor too silly, and I know everyone in the fleet has benefited from the guidance you all have given over the years. With the addition of the new length of service awards celebrating those in command for five and ten continuous years of commanding a ship or installation, the fleet is in a fantastic position of stable leadership and the ripple effect is felt at all levels. So, on behalf of the entire fleet, thank you for doing everything you do! Stay weird. Stay unique. The future's here, let's take it for a ride. Happy 26th anniversary everybody! -- Em (Jo Marshall) p.s. Can I have the champagne now?

Ooooo you've got one there! Almost like a Nova-class equiv of a Captain's yacht.

When we talk about shuttlecraft, we mean the fictional vehicles used within our science fiction universe. They are vehicles built for quick trips in space, for small crews and cargo, and for transporting between the large orbiting interstellar starship and the planet surface down below. Because of the ever-growing nature of starships and how they operate in space, landing these huge space vehicles became more of a hazard and a hindrance to the plot; instead, the ships stay moored in space like sea-fairing vessels of old would remain out of the shallow waters while "launchers" in the form of shuttlecraft are used to ferry the Away Teams down through the atmosphere. Used alongside the transporter technology, a starship crew has multiple options to land on the surface of a planet or slip through space. Relied on for so much, yet the humble shuttlecraft has limited capabilities, making them perfect for the short-range transport and runabouts for longer-range travel where taking the starship wouldn't be possible. On many ships around the ‘fleet, shuttlecraft have become personal projects, with some characters developing their own shuttlecraft through the sim over time, whereas other characters detest using them for one fear or another brought on by experience. Fans of Star Trek have recreated shuttlecraft on top of their minivans, showing the love there is out there in the real world for these people carrier equivalents flinging us through space. The design and style of shuttlecraft varies across the Trek but that’s for another poll; for this one, we want to put your helm officers’ love to the test. This week, we want to know which of these favourite Starfleet-designed shuttlecraft is your favourite?

The concept of Starfleet is of a deep space exploratory and the defence service for the United Federation of Planets; a union based on equality, the sharing of knowledge, science, technology, resources and a mutual defence of the borders making up the Federation presence in the Alpha and Beta quadrants. During times of peace, Starfleet's principal function is advancing the wealth of knowledge this partnership influences, making new discoveries, seeking out new life, and extending the hand of diplomacy wherever it can. However, the Dominion War and the invasion of the Borg brought Starfleet technology into a new realm — the heavy-hitting warships to defend and protect. In our group, we have several of these powerful starships; some relics of the war that's been and gone, others designed for the region of space they operate in, each with their reasons for existing in the galaxy in the run up to 2400. Designed for warfare and combat, these vessels are the last line of defence against those who would invade the Federation and threaten the inherent peace cultivated within the territory. With a selection of ships ranging from battleships to cruisers, escorts to destroyers, when a hostile alien force comes knocking on the door, Starfleet is ready to execute that defence policy. So, with that in mind, this week we want to know which of these ships under the warship classification packs the most punch for you. Which of these ships is winging in to defend your Federation from the terrors of the deep? Which of these warships would you want to see sliding into battle?

Yet, when Voyager comes on the TV by chance and the theme is on (opening or closing) it's a must watch. Dangit, imma make a spotify playlist...