Jo Marshall

Welcome to the Writing Challenge 2023! Last year, we had a fantastic run of entries for the challenge, and once again, it's time to boldly go where no writer has gone before! Let's face it, writing can be tough. Staring at a blank page can be like staring into the abyss. But writing to a prompt for a small challenge can be just the kick in the cosmic pants needed to get the creative juices flowing. It can be a fun way to explore new genres and themes, nerd out about your favourite franchise, and find out new ways to write you'd never thought you could. Dig into those realms of plot ideas you've got brewing, drag out the lists of "what if" and try it out! This year, the leading entrant of last year's contest, Fleet Captain @Kali Nicholotti has ingeniously provided the prompt for our community this time around... "If you've come to the end... you've only found another beginning." I can imagine some of your heads are already churning through the prompt and coming up with all manner of ideas. Themes immediately spring to mind of change and transformation, the characters ploughing through the depths of their development and emerging stronger for it. Or maybe renewal and continuation, for characters that reach a turning point and discover a new path, forging their destiny ahead. Perhaps your characters will endure, exploring themes of perseverance and resilience, against insurmountable obstacles, and overcoming them through determination and teamwork. The creativity of this community is in the details. From the eloquent prose and deep emotion to the twists and turns of plot magic, this group truly invites you to boldly go where no one has gone before. Rules & Guidelines: Word count should be a minimum of 300 and a maximum of 3000. One judge will be chosen from each ship to help select the winner. Members are welcome to submit solo stories, or team up with a buddy to submit a collaborative epic, but only one story per person, please! Your submission should be in the format of a short story. Prose, not sim formatting. (See here for examples.) All members are welcome to submit entries for the community to read, but only those from active simmers will be reviewed by the judging panel for the final winner selection. If you want to submit a story but don't want to enter it into the challenge, prefix the forum post with "showcase" and let us read your good stuff! Submissions are, by default, non-canon – if you find a way to shoehorn this into your own backstory, you're free to use it if you wish, but certainly not a requirement. You can create whatever characters make sense for the story. You don't have to use or reference any of your current characters. Rank is not an issue here – write as an Ensign or a Captain, civilian, whatever makes sense for your story! And you're free to use characters you've already written for in sim, but please don't include anyone else's. Submit your story directly into the first post of a new thread. Use the following format for the thread title: [Primary Character Name(s) of author(s)]: "My Story's Interesting Title" Tristan Wolf: "Five Ways to End Your Starfleet Career" All stories must be submitted by Sunday, May 28th at 11:59pm Pacific Time. Good luck!

WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT This year, we tasked all our artists with representing what they, or their characters, consider to be: "Through Hardship Into the Stars" From the vibrant and mysterious flora to the otherworldly fauna, and the sprawling cityscapes that soar above it all, the possibilities for inspiration are endless. This is your chance to bring to life the fantastical worlds of Star Trek and create something truly out-of-this-world. So fire up your imagination and get ready to take the community by storm with your vision of the future! We have two submission categories: Digital and Non-Digital. Our judges have pondered and deliberated over the beautifully crafted entries submitted for the StarBase 118: Graphic Contest 2023, and we can now reveal the winners are... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Digital Winner Talos Dakora: "Decay" "The world is afflicted by death and decay. But the wise do not grieve, having realized the nature of the world." Absolutely smashing digital image that evoked all the feelings for a ship lost and the wild worlds taking over once more, committing that which once soared through space to the ground. This piece cracked a hole, and no doubt affects every Captain. Our judges had this to say: Non-Digital Winner Jovenan: "Rebuilt" "To me, that represents the ideal of determination; of not giving up, no matter how grim and dire the circumstances appear to be; of rising up after being beaten down; and finally, succeeding." Jovenan cinched the top spot for this category with a glimpse through the looking glass, of a colony rebuilding after devastation, and the resilience of a hardy people returning their world from the brink of destruction. Beautifully done! Our judges had this to say: All our fantastic entries will be displayed on the contest gallery page, with special features for the winners on our DeviantArt social media. You can find all the entries on our forums here including all the non-competing entries submitted for fun and stretching those creative muscles. Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest this year! Roll on 2024!

'Ello! I've shot you a DM on Discord.

Welcome to the party, folks! Good luck in your assignments!

We are proud to present this... StarBase 118: Graphic Contest! In this contest, we recognize the amazingly talented artists we have among our membership. Anyone can join, no matter the level of artistry. The theme of this round is: “Through Hardship Into the Stars” From the vibrant and mysterious flora to the otherworldly fauna, and the sprawling cityscapes that soar above it all, the possibilities for inspiration are endless. This is your chance to bring to life the fantastical worlds of Star Trek and create something truly out-of-this-world. So fire up your imagination and get ready to take the community by storm with your vision of the future! Show us through your art! We have two submission categories: Digital and Non-Digital. Both categories will have a winner and runner-up who will receive a badge. You could participate in any of them, but not in both. Entries will be displayed on the contest gallery page of all entries, with special features of the winners on our DeviantArt social media. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES The theme must be included, it's the challenge. The submitted work has to be done by you and created for this contest (no previous works). You can use stock images and the like and put them together, but the final work must have your stamp on it and should be clearly derivative from the stock used. Any kind of graphic style is allowed. You can paint, use 3D renders, mix different source images, make collages, and animations, draw, manipulate photos, make a video, cross stitch etc. as long as the final work is yours and originally created for the contest. If you do a non-digital piece, make sure to photograph/scan it to display it in the forum. Everyone can submit one piece of work. You don’t need to be part of the Image Collective or any other taskforce to participate: everybody is welcome to do so! The image must be recognisably within the Star Trek universe, yet, please do not use canon characters of the Star Trek series. Please add your name (your primary character which we identify you with) in the lower corner as a signature. Image size: At least 1200x630 pixels (either horizontal or vertical, by your choice, but images bigger than this minimum are encouraged) To submit the image, start a new thread in this contest forum with your primary character name, that way we do not have to dig for it and tag it with 'graphics contest 2023' Eager to get started? Is your mind full of images that want out? Well then ready, set, GO! Submission deadline is March 10th 2022 If you have any questions, please post them here. Who knows, someone else might have the same!

As you lay in bed, your feet dangle out of the covers. You feel a hand grab your foot.

Well done, guys! Great work! Good luck in the Fleet!

Really digging the vibe of the opening, and picking up on the passage (and the theme!) of time. Well done @Bryce Tagren-Quinn, fantastic writing! -- ((Unknown Location, Rogue Planet)) Tickticktickticktickticktickticktick. The sound of a wristwatch marched on, dinging off the rock walls of the damp converted caverns. With the acoustics in such a place, it was almost like music. Music, that made her think back to happier times. Easier times. Less conflicted times. Less tumultuous, less fighting. Her dark eyes watched the heartbeat of the second hand ticking away in a sort of visible jolted fashion on the watchface, her thoughts consumed by the memories of the wrist it once adorned. Her father’s. Shaking her head at the thought, she pushed down the gray-green sleeve of the ill-fitted jacket she wore, covering the watch, and blew out a breath. He often spoke about the past, of a world she never knew. A world he promised to show her, but died before even having gotten the chance. His final words were that of apologies, garbled as they were, a hand covered in blood reaching, trembling into her long dark, curly tresses as he laid on his back on the surface of this world. Her hair, wild and long and blowing in the wind, catching some of the blood. He said he was sorry he could never take her back. His eyes, once bright and blue, slipping into the depth of darkness by the second. But, it didn’t matter. It was a world she never experienced, never knew. His final words were focused on pieces that mattered to him and he failed to see how his passing ripped her apart in different ways. Her hand had found its way to his wrist, guiding his hand onto her cheek, thumb smearing red, as he shuddered out his final breaths. The past would not repeat itself. Voices traveled down the corridor. Lights positioned along the walls cast obscure shadows across various formations, some of which were used as a means to provide storage for some of the equipment… and others, places to lock potential threats. Pulling the courage from within, the tall form moved around a bended corner, catching sight of some of the elders, causing her steps to slow. She studied them, crossing her arms, her face slowly shifting from curiosity to anger. Lips, normally full but chapped, set in a firm line. After a moment or two of considering her moves, she charged forward, her wild hair flowing in thick curls behind her. A door opening, a scuffle… voices… Her feet carried her faster until she was there… with the interlopers, sealing the door behind her. Courage found in the plasma rifle slung across her body, heart beating wildly against the strap. The strange blue creature had… zh’Tisav: Human?! A pause, and rage coursed through her… zh’Tisav: Cardassian?! It was at this moment, she raised her hand and thumped down HARD onto the blue one’s head, disorientating the creature, and allowing it to loosen its hold on one of the elder’s throats. How… infuriating and dull could the elders be?! The human woman coughed a few times in pain before holding up a pleading hand. Rosenblatt: ::Raspy:: Please, this is all a big misunderstanding! They’re just kids! Ghaamar: They didn’t know what they were doing. Never even seen a runabout... O’ Marshall/ Fortune: response Kelley: I would hardly call myself a child! And a runabout? ::she laughed sardonically:: That’s not entirely true and you know it! She planted her hands on her hips, throwing back her head. O’Marshall/Fortune/Rosenblatt/Ghaamer: Response Seething, she spun around at the group – a human male, a blue creature she thought now was called an Andorra, and a dark-eyed female – in strange uniforms. Uniforms with similar symbols to her father’s but that carried deception and pain before. This was HER home and she would be damned if she’d allow ANYONE to rip everything she knew away from her. Kelley: I wouldn’t listen to them. We know why you’re here. O’Marshall/Fortune/Rosenblatt/Ghaamer: Response Kelley: Time and time again we’ve heard those same stories and every single time… someone dies. Her face twisted, her hand touching smoothed down faint features along her forehead. O’Marshall/Fortune/Rosenblatt/Ghaamer: Response – Ark’Va Kelley ??? Rogue Planet As simmed by: Ensign Bryce Tagren-Quinn, M.D. Medical Officer USS Gorkon (NCC-82293) T238909AT0

Bev. Wholeheartedly believe Season 3 of Picard will come out with them having been in a relationship for years, ala Grissom and Sarah.

Welcome to the fleet @Marcus Barrick! Have fun and reach out if you need anything!

@Samira Neathler @Alora DeVeau I loved this exchange 😄

Nomination Badges I'm delighted to present the badges for this year's 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: 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. Jo Marshall, USS Gorkon Genkos Adea, USS Excalibur-A Awards Committee Member Presented to any staff member that participates in the yearly Awards Committee to select Duty Post and Special Awards. Karrod Niac, USS Excalibur-A Alora DeVeau, StarBase 118 Ops Shedet, USS Constitution-B Randal Shayne, USS Arrow Kalianna Nicholotti, USS Excalibur-A 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 last 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 are recognised for the valuable contributions those who prefer the path less worn can make to our stories. Each of these awards recognises a player for excellence in simming their duty post. Since we give only one award per duty post each year, we chose only those who sim the duty post in an exemplary fashion to represent. You’ll see from our spread of winners — who range in rank from Ensign to Captain — every player can be nominated for one of these by consistently simming to the best of their ability and striving to improve their craft. The Prantares Award - Medical Awarded to Medical officers who have moved beyond standard competence to display a true gift for the healing arts in the context of space medicine. Officers awarded 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. When they are not actively caring for patients, many doctors spend their time on duty undertaking medical research or familiarising themselves with the findings of previous medical studies. Like their colleagues in the Science department, they have utilised their specific abilities in cross-department collaboration. Trovek Arys, StarBase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim: Where do I even start? I mean that. There is so much good in what Sarah, the writer for Trovek Arys brings to the position of Chief Medical Officer that we could be here for hours. So let me hit the highlights… When she came onboard StarBase 118 Ops, Trovek Arys had to transition from Counseling to Medical. While the player, Sarah, stated that she was thrilled to write in medical, she also stated that the character, Arys, was less than thrilled about the change. We were introduced to Trovek Arys with a beautiful interplay of narration and action where the writer brought an electric joy to describing 24th-century medical phenomenon, while the character groused about the change of department and the gritty reality of a dangerous combat situation. This mix of focused attention to detail combined with genuine character development makes all of Trovek Arys’ sims a delight to read. Strictly in terms of medical simming, Sarah is an incredible researcher with a vast knowledge of Star Trek and together she combines the two into an excellent study of what medicine could and should be in the late 24th century. Her focus on realistic detail helps her build sims that feel like medicine in Star Trek times and enhance the setting and narration of each mission. Dr. Trovek is entirely committed to simming realism and her writer pays careful attention to canon medical procedures, creatively intuiting new treknology for medicine. In terms of character development, Sarah is a master at giving you insight into who Trovek Arys is and what makes her tick. She is not immediately warm and friendly to everyone, and sometimes it is surprising which characters she does and does not get along with. This may seem like a downside for a medical officer, Sarah is not afraid to narrate Arys’ flaws as well as her strengths. This makes the character compelling and even better Sarah is focused on character development - so even when Arys does not start out on good terms with a character there is a challenging and satisfying progression as the characters get to know one another. Trovek Arys as a character is incredibly responsible and reliable. The sort of officer you can count on to make difficult decisions and take the lead when necessary and this is also exactly what Sarah can do as a player. She immediately started helping teams push the mission forward to a positive conclusion and assisting fellow players. She has reached out to every player on her ship to start scenes with them and often helps them achieve their story goals as well as hers. As a doctor she follows up with patients long-term, creating holistic recovery story arcs and engrossing medical scenes. Add to this Sarah is a strong supporting simmer OOC. She mentors fellow crew, helps with the wiki and quote of the month and cheers her fellow players on the forums. She is the complete package! Sarah is an excellent writer, showing excellent slow realistic character development, an excellent focus on trek-based medicine and excellent OOC support. I am so proud to be able to present the 2399 Prantares Ribbon to Doctor Trovek Arys! The Natasha Yar Pin - Security warded to Security personnel who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to safeguard and preserve their crewmates' lives, even at the danger of their own. As an investigator, police officer, and soldier, the Security officer must be intimately familiar with all of Starfleet's armaments as well as many other styles of hand-to-hand combat. To ensure adequate duty fulfilment, the Security officer must also be well-versed in Diplomacy and Legislation. Named after the USS Enterprise-Chief D's of Security, who was killed in the line of duty. Artinus Serinus, USS Arrow Presented by Randal Shayne: I am delighted to present the fleet’s Natasha Yar Pin to Lieutenant Commander Artinus Serinus. For those who know of Joseph, this won’t come as a surprise. He has written and worked alongside me for the majority of my staffing career, providing an example, camaraderie, and perspective throughout. I know I am not alone in receiving the benefits of his dedication and wisdom, but speaking personally, Arrow would not be—and could not be—the ship it is without his steadfast presence and contributions, past and present. So much of what Joseph offers is imbued in his writing, and he is among the most capable and knowledgeable writers I know. He brings his position to life, building outward and upward as only a leader can. His words give depth and weight to the tribulations of our little ship, and he uses his real-life experience to formulate realistic interpretations. He quickly became, and has since maintained, a gold standard (pun definitely intended) on the Arrow, and has been a foundational presence both in and out of character. In essence, Joseph and Serinus both have earned this fully, and I could not be more proud to present the Natasha Yar Pin in recognition long due. Congratulations, Lieutenant Commander! PS: Please scritch the targlet for me- one of these days Shayne will meet her. Until then… The Voyager Medallion - Ops Awarded to 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, have acted as the liaison between the Command, Science, and Engineering departments, and are technically proficient in operations maintenance, making sure duty rosters, provisions, gear, and even recreation time are available... no matter what. Karrod Niac, USS Excalibur-A Presented by Kalianna Nicholotti: It is my honor and pleasure this year to present the Voyager Medallion to Commander Kerrod Niac. Having served in multiple capacities on more than one ship during his tenure with our group, Brian brings his absolute A-game to everything he does, and serving as Operations Chief is no different. I first met Brian when he guest simmed the bad guy for Commander MacKenzie's commander's practical. While I had been made aware of his reputation, I did not know what to expect. Over the course of the mission, I found that I had been treated to some of the best and most intriguing writing I had the pleasure of reading in some time. And I liked having him aboard a lot... ...right up until he blew a hole in my ship. While the ship survived that commander's practical, his presence left a mark that lasted far beyond the repairs of that part of the Resolution's hull. When he requested to sim with us again after his LOA, I knew that we were in for a treat and I was absolutely not wrong. Brian came aboard swinging and stepped into some really big shoes (really, have you seen how tall Yalu is?). From day one, he showed us all what it really meant to be an operations officer, what operations did, and how he could make the position his own. He dives in with everything he has and quickly became the ops officer we always wanted, but never realized we needed. To that end, I couldn't be more proud to present this award to him this year, and I can't wait to see where he goes from here...provided it doesn't involve any more holes in the ship. The Sisko Tactical Cross - Tactical Awarded to Tactical officers who have shown cunning and bravery in battle, including supporting their colleagues in Security, liaising with other departments, and showing the ability to think strategically in a tense situation. Master tacticians, and experts in targeting and shield power distribution, these officers have done the impossible to save their ship and the lives of its crew. Jack Kessler, USS ‘Oumuamua Presented by Ossa V’Airu: It's not easy to master a duty post right off the bat, and yet that's exactly what I feel Joel (the writer for Jack Kessler) has done. He had a really good idea of who Kessler was when he joined the Thor, and over the last six months or so he's refined that as Kessler has found his way. He also does an excellent job of writing Kessler as a tactical officer who is focused on tactical situations and context -- more Worf on DS9 than Worf on TNG. Joel also plays Kessler as a rounded, eager young Starfleet officer, who not only knows his duty post well but embraces all elements of his shipboard service. One nomination, for example, noted that Kessler actively sought out the counselor during his first shore leave, both to establish their relationship and to debrief his first mission. Kessler is able to think beyond just firing torpedoes to really contextualize a situation, whether it's a standoff between two ships or galactic politics, and this is really the mark of a great tactical officer. Another nomination noted that beyond simming Kessler well, Joel routinely contributes solutions that advance the plot IC and are impressively innovative OOC, including firing torpedoes underwater from a downed Thor and using the complement of marine Valkyrie fighters to create a makeshift shield grid for the badly damaged Thor. I’m enormously impressed with Joel’s simming for Kessler, and I’m honored to recognize him with this year’s Sisko Tactical Cross. Shaxs Star Awarded to dual posting Security/Tactical officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in protecting and preserving the lives of their crewmates. Not only do they show cunning and bravery in combat, these officers know how to safeguard lives without firing a phaser, using their knowledge and experience to prevent violence and stay true to Federation ideals. This award is only available to those fulfilling the dual role of Security/Tactical, and not the individual duty posts. Toryn Raga, USS Chin'toka Presented by Mei’konda Delano: A long-term and reliable Security/Tactical player, Toryn made the transition from Marine into this more versatile role some time ago, where he has shown great ability and enthusiasm in both writing for his character manning the weapons and shields of a starship, as well as in leading away teams or security details which require the proficiency of a Starfleet Officer. Rameses, Toryn’s player, can always be counted on to drive the plot forward in creative and action-packed ways without exceeding the bounds of carefully tempered violence that members of Starfleet must occasionally use to protect those around them. Rameses’ long-term devotion to this dual role of Security and Tactical leader has made him invaluable to the Chin’toka in a role that can sometimes lend itself to excesses, and he very much deserves this award of the Shaxs Star. The Phoenix Award - Engineering Awarded to Engineering officers who continue this tradition of excellence in the field of engineering. Named for the vessel that legendary engineer Zefram Cochrane piloted during his historic first warp flight. 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. Hallia Yellir, USS Excalibur-A Presented by Kalianna Nicholotti: This year I am absolutely thrilled and so proud to present the Phoenix Award to Lieutenant Hallia Yellir. A long-time member of the fleet who has served on multiple ships and in multiple capacities, tackling Engineering was not a plan, nor a first choice. It was a spur-of-the-moment challenge that was presented, and I can only say that I am so glad that Ryan chose to step up into this role. Originally science and security, engineering was definitely not something Ryan might have considered without the idea being set out for him. The fact remained that we had a lasting gap, and even though we were a science ship, we had more than a few science officers. Shifting was the natural course of action, but no one was completely set on it at first because we wanted to make sure that it would be fun and sustainable for Ryan and the players he interacted with. As with all things, there were worries, there were concerns, and then...Ryan simmed Hallia into the role and all of that seemed to simply evaporate. Transferring any confusion or lack of 'techno' information into the character herself has led to one of the most enjoyable engineering characters that I have ever had the opportunity to read. The character's concerns and inward thoughts bring her to life in a way only Ryan can, and her personality absolutely shines, especially when things get rough. And we all know how rough things can get down in engineering. Knowing now what we know, the only thing I would change is how long we left the role open when we had an amazingly talented Chief Engineer right there. It is so exciting to see where Ryan will grow with Hallia next! The Cochrane Award - Science Awarded to 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. They have performed weird and wonderful feats of scientific innovation and ingenuity, enabling their commanding officer to make those informed decisions. Noa Levinson, USS Chin'toka Presented by Mei’konda Delano: Noa Levinson is a highly proficient and enthusiastic Science Officer player. Making extensive use both of Memory Alpha, our own Wiki, and occasionally independent research into real science, Adi, Noa’s player, is able to integrate these things into his writing in ways that are engaging to his fellow players, drive the plot forward, and which occasionally inspire us to look into the science he’s putting forth ourselves, giving us an opportunity to learn more about both the science of Star Trek and, occasionally, the real world! Have you lost the bleeps, the sweeps and the creeps? Then the Science department has you covered. Away team lost and likely abducted by aliens? Same answer. Need to find them, then look no further than Noa Levinson. Whether it's having to navigate the imposing Jenatris Cloud while being hunted by fanatical Valcarians wanting to wipe out the Federation colony fleet to build the first colony in the Par'tha Expanse, where Noa (Adi) used their skills to boost the sensors as much as they feasibly could with the interference. Or calculate the best possible course to evade their pursuers and even put the enemy in harm's way to keep the fleet alive. To finding creative ways to scan for commbadge signals through interference from both a cloaking device and storms. Noa is always showing off their creative writing and showcasing how much the science officers on board any ship are just as critical as Command, Tactical, Security or Medical. I always look forward to seeing what creative ways Noa will find to handle whatever situation arises. The Pilot's Sextant - Helm Awarded to Helm officers who have proven themselves to be the best of the best, dedicating themselves to improving their specialisation. From finding a safe route home to flying an emergency atmospheric landing, pilots who have earned this award know the importance of staying focused on their task at hand and placing their ability to make spectacular maneuvers at the service of their ship and its mission. Ulasso, USS ‘Oumuamua Presented by Ossa V’Airu: Helm is one of the trickiest duty posts to play well. It feels like even canon Trek has had trouble with finding things for its pilots to do, and even then actors can interact with their consoles -- but our helm simmers have to convey all the action and intention with their words. Waldo, who sims Ulasso, demonstrated right away that he was a master at doing so. Although he's only just been promoted to lieutenant JG (this past weekend!), he's already masterful both at writing complex, enjoyable maneuvers when the situation calls for it and describing pertinent thoughts and memories to his character and the context in quieter times. The ability to bridge intense action and quiet reflection in single scenes, and sometimes in single sims, is one that Waldo had in his toolkit from the beginning, and he can connect such actions – the choice of a perfect maneuver for a high-stakes situation, for example – to a formative Academy experience. Doing so makes for excellent simming, but not unique simming, since this is the standard for Waldo. It’s a pleasure to recognize his abilities with this year’s Pilot’s Sextant. The Order of the Valiant Heart - Counselling Awarded to Counselors who have demonstrated exceptional expertise in preserving their crewmates' mental health, clearly exhibiting the excellent capacity to care for, support, and soothe those in need. They have gone above and beyond the line of duty in supporting their crewmates with their problems, and preventing future issues for the good of the officer, and the good of the ship. John Carter, Amity Outpost Presented by Roshanara Rahman: Ken, the writer behind Counselor John Carter, has been a veteran StarBase 118 member, most well-known for previously playing a Marine known as Hannibal Parker. When Veritas was in need of a counselor, he expressed interest to me in exploring this role with a PNPC, Katy Toliver. I was excited that Ken wanted to try this new duty post because since he came under my command, I had gotten to see how talented of a writer he was, and I looked forward to reading what he would come up with in writing this new kind of character for him. When the crew finished the Veritas storyline and moved to Amity Outpost, Ken and I had frank discussions about his long-term plans in the fleet and how best he could achieve them. One of those ways was retiring Parker and embracing a new character that would let Ken show a character’s IC development that would parallel his own OOC development as a simmer. This new character would allow Ken to more fully demonstrate his simming and collaborative storytelling abilities by having him get deeply involved with his shipmates’ storylines and character arcs. With the creation of Counselor John Carter, Ken has been able to do just that. Numerous players have told me how much Carter has made an impact on them, both in his own personal story of love and loss through divorce as well as the counseling sessions he does with the Amity crew. Furthermore, during missions, Carter plays important roles as both chief counselor and second officer of the Federation’s embassy to the Delta Quadrant. In our first mission, he delicately negotiated a way to balance respect for the religious beliefs of a nomadic species with the needs and interests of Amity and the Federation. His participation in a ritual with that species was instrumental in gaining their trust. In our current “Disaster”-style mission where the crippled USS Independence-B finds itself trapped in a strange spatial anomaly, Carter has stepped up to command the bridge and make hard decisions to keep his crew alive during a crisis. It’s been a pleasure to read Ken’s writing and work with him as his captain on both his OOC and IC goals. I’m looking forward to seeing the continued development and journey of John Carter as well as his player’s. Congratulations, Ken, on being recognized with the fleet’s duty post award for counseling. This accomplishment reflects the impact you’ve had on your crew and is well-deserved! Black Cross - Intelligence Awarded to Intelligence officers who strive to accomplish the goals of Starfleet Intelligence while simultaneously upholding the ideals and structure of Starfleet Command. They display the ability to obtain intelligence through deceptive dialogue or espionage rather than forced admissions. While intelligence is frequently a game changer, this individual attempts to achieve those aims within the constraints of their commanding Officer and Starfleet laws. They are experts in research and diplomacy, as well as reconnaissance and communication. Talos Dakora, USS Excalibur-A Presented by Kalianna Nicholotti: It is an incredible pleasure to present this year's Black Cross to Travis (Lieutenant Talos Dakora). Writing a black collar isn't always the easiest or most straightforward thing to do, especially when there is much ambiguity and borderline dislike (IC of course) of the secretive duty post and those who serve in it. Travis has taken that challenge on, head first, and has absolutely shined in the process. Dakora is far from the typical shadow-walker. Of all the intel officers I've written for or with, I must say that he brings more realistic ideas into his writing of the post than others, falling back on the character's marine career and the troubles of the Dominion War in a very honest and forthright manner. Travis has managed to work in the character's past into the present, write about interpersonal relationships and the aftermath of the various things he has experienced aboard, and in the process create a very real person that we all look forward to reading. Beyond that, Travis has faced some uphill moments in his path to where he is today, but as a long-time member of the fleet, he is an asset and a credit to his ship and his fleet, where I hope to see him continue to grow. With a steady hand always willing to help, a creative mind that works to tie many pieces and bits that other players put out there while tossing out ideas of his own for everyone to use, and just enough humor to make us all smile, Travis has a bright future with us and I look forward to sharing many more missions with this particular spook. The Lwaxana Troi Medallion Awarded to members who take on a unique and non-traditional role outside of the normal Starfleet positions, while creating a colorful and engaging character such as, but not limited to: Diplomat, Civilian or Mission Specialist. They have integrated into the crew and made their chosen specialist position an invaluable resource for their ship. Yogan Yalu, USS Excalibur-A Presented by Kalianna Nicholotti: This year, I am pleased to present the Lwaxana Troi Medallion to Justin, the writer behind Lieutenant Commander Yogan Yalu. While he came aboard as our pilot and did a stellar job 'behind the wheel', the host of other roles that he has taken on in the past year has truly earned him this accolade. Having moved into the Strategic Operations role, he is consistently looking outside the norms to tie in other events happening around our area of space and sometimes even the fleet, simming a duty post we have limited knowledge about and making it every bit as real and as vital as any other. Add to that the plethora of other characters in various atypical roles that we don't normally see, and you'll easily understand how Justin was the perfect player for this award. From the librarian who dances with feathers and does math as a talent, to the internal affairs investigator who offers a comfortable approach complete with hot cocoa, to the mind-switched holocharacter controlled security officer, to a host of other characters that filled various roles aboard the ship, there is no question in my mind that Justin knows how to play a non-traditional role. With every one of his characters being colorful, engaging, unique, and yet very real all at the same time, Justin brings to the table something unique that adds an edge to our story and sends it into the realm of the unforgettable. The Excalibur benefits greatly from his contributions, as does the fleet in his other creative capacities. I am thrilled to be going into another year with him aboard and I look forward to what he brings into the fray next. Prestigious Service Medallion Awarded to members in the fleet who are steady and unwavering from their chosen Duty Post. This is a divisional award for each (Gold, Red, Blue) to celebrate a continuing player in the divisional role who has already won (and still qualifies in the eligibility criteria) a duty post award in a similar vein to how we enhance the Service Ribbons each time one is won. For continuous dedication to Medical... Cade Foster (Sal Taybrim), USS Constitution-B Presented by Jalana Rajel: I couldn't be happier to have the joy and pleasure to present the Prestigious Service Medallion Prantares Ribbon to my year-long friend and writer of one of the most impactful characters I have had the honor to write with. Cade Foster at first glance is a cranky, cynical old man. Don't get me wrong he is that, but also so much more. Coming from writing as a Medical Officer myself and having served with many, all of them have brought their own spin to the department. But Cade's spin is the most authentic and raw I have seen in my time. Cade is the embodiment of the Veteran who has seen almost everything, survived wars, lost friends and carries his scars running deep. He masks that pain and experience with cynicism, sarcasm and a dark sense of humor. Under this hard outside shell, though, he never stopped to care deeply for everyone under his care. He does not hesitate to risk his own physical, emotional, and maybe even moral well-being if it means he can save just one life. But that is not where it stops, he also cares about the small things. If you got a medical condition or an injury you sustained in a mission? He follows up on that to make sure you get the best care in the Galaxy. Because he knows he's a brilliant surgeon and doctor, not afraid to point that out, with connections in all four quadrants and uses that to the advantage of everyone around him. He uses whatever methods he needs to in order to break through to a person and get them to begin the healing process, be it a gentle word or tough talk, smashing walls coping or enjoying a chat during a round of minigolf. He is Counselor, Medical Officer, shoulder to cry on and Space Dad for the Conny crew. Neither of us would want to miss this realistic, deep and three-dimensional character, having dug his way into our hearts. I couldn't imagine anyone more worthy of this award! Congratulations, Jamie! For continuous dedication to Tactical... Vitor Silveira, USS Excalibur-A Presented by Kalianna Nicholotti: It is an honor to present the inaugural Prestigious Service Medallion Sisko Tactical Cross to Lieutenant Vitor Silveira's writer Bruno. Over the course of my career, there have been plenty of collective moments that have become fond memories of the story that stay in my mind. Then, there are some players who can create those moments all on their own. Having experienced Bruno's writing as an Ensign, JG, Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander, JG, and Lieutenant again, I can honestly say that he is one of these. Tactical in and of itself is not a duty post I have ever even experimented in because, like engineering, it takes some knowledge to truly bring it to life. A good tactical writer possesses their own kind of magic that lends to the protection of ship and crew while maintaining the realism of characters who are not infallible. Bruno does this and while his character can sometimes be a wild card, he is always acting in the perceived best interests of those he serves with. He often presents the challenges in his character's mind and works to share the path towards a solution with any who would like to join. Beyond that, he's been steadfast and reliable, while taking feedback and offering it, generally being an integral part of my crew over the years. I have always enjoyed simming with him and I look forward to working with him for many years to come. Tactical is his home, and he'll always say that he's willing to help out elsewhere, but returning 'home' is always his final goal. Always learning and growing, I am excited to share his journey as we head into another year. For continuous dedication to Helm... Cadfael Peters, USS Chin’toka Presented by Mei’konda Delano: In addition to his other duties, serving as the Chin’toka’s primary wiki editor, a staff member, and most noticeably to me as a person who can be relied upon consistently to have a PNPC available to fill any role we’re a little thin on in our duty roster, Cadfael Peters, the recipient of the Pilot’s Sextant last year, has continued to perform the often difficult and nebulous position of Chief Helmsman aboard the Chin’toka. To that end Cadfael (Riley) is always good at showing off little tidbits of what a pilot does when there's nothing exciting or a need for any aerial acrobatics. However, Riley's portrayal of a helmsman definitely shines when there is a need for said helmsman to make a risky maneuver. In particular, Cadfael continues to show a flare almost visual in its description when he has the opportunity to write his character flying a starship or shuttle with style. Early this year, Cadfael inverted the Chin’toka as it descended down through an atmosphere in order to catch a shuttle within one of our shuttle bays, upside down! It may have technically been a crash landing, but it sure was a fun one to read. For that reason, I’m delighted to award Cadfael Peters with one of our first Prestigious Service Medallions for the Pilot’s Sextant. Congratulations! For continuous dedication to Counselling... Corliss Fortune, USS Gorkon Presented by Quinn Reynolds I am absolutely thrilled to recognise one of the fleet’s most stalwart simmers with one of the first Prestigious Service Medallions! Corliss Fortune has been writing as a counsellor aboard the Gorkon for nearly four years now, and she continues to delight and astound with the skill she shows in her duty post. The writer balances her character’s bright and bubbly nature with gentle, genuine care and concern for her fellow crew, and when faced with a new situation, dives with glee into the OOC research to bring realism and heart to her sessions. She deftly assists her fellow crew in exploring their characters' trauma and flaws, helping them to develop their characters while showcasing her own character’s professional skills and abilities. All the while, she maintains Corliss’ effervescent nature without ever stealing the spotlight from other simmers, and that’s a truly remarkable talent to have. We are so fortunate to have her with us, and it’s with great pleasure that I award her this year’s Prestigious Service Medallion: Order of the Valiant Heart. Congratulations! Please join us in congratulating these talented players!

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. This year, thirty-two players have achieved a length of service milestone. Eleven of them are enjoying their first anniversary, having received the accolade for one year of active participation. Another nine people have been here for three years and nine others have been here for five years. One player has reached the remarkable ten-year mark, while two others have reached fifteen years! 1-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for one year. Kivik, graduated from training on 2021-06-01 Scotty Reade, graduated from training on 2021-04-20 Ikaia Wong, graduated from training on 2020-11-02 Cassandra Mason, graduated from training on 2021-03-01 Elizabeth Snow, graduated from training on 2020-07-26 Dekas, graduated from training on 2021-02-01 John Kendrick, graduated from training on 2021-01-01 Bryce Tagren-Quinn, graduated from training on 2012-09-01 Meidra Sirin, graduated from training on 2020-07-01 Tahna Meru, graduated from training on 2021-01-01 Aine Sherlock, graduated from training on 2020-12-13 3-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for three years. Wil Ukinix, graduated from training on 2018-11-13 Quentin Collins, graduated from training on 2018-12-01 Edward Spears, graduated from training on 2018-02-01 Lazarus Davis, graduated from training on 2018-10-02 Addison MacKenzie, graduated from training on 2019-02-19 Karrod Niac, graduated from training on 2018-09-01 Samira Neathler, graduated from training on 2018-08-27 Corliss Fortune, graduated from training on 2018-10-03 Sheila Bailey, graduated from training on 2018-12-01 5-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for five years. Ceciri Ariadust, graduated from training on 2014-12-15 Kettick, graduated from training on 2014-07-01 Talos Dakora, graduated from training on 2011-11-01 Vitor Silveira, graduated from training on 2012-06-20 Hallia Yellir, graduated from training on 2017-01-19 Piravao sh’Qynallahr, graduated from training on 2016-11-21 Prudence Blackwell, graduated from training on 2016-08-17 Ishani Kasun, graduated from training on 2016-06-15 Henry Maxwell, graduated from training on 2016-11-21 10-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for ten years. Jalana Rajel, graduated from training on 2012-06-11 Ashley Yael, graduated from training on 2005-11-12 15-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for fifteen years. Atan T'Seva, graduated from training on 2006-12-09 Quinn Reynolds, graduated from training on 2007-01-25 Special Awards Great Bird Award Awarded to an officer who contributes to the development and/or invention of a new method of simming, thinking, or seeing the Star Trek universe. It has only been presented twice in the group's existence, for creating the community, and for defining a new way of what a ship-based sim can be. This is a unique distinction and the greatest honour bestowed upon any officer. Roshanara Rahman (Rivi Vataix), Amity Outpost Presented by Ossa V’Airu: The very first email I ever wrote to Rich was back in September 2012, when he wanted to transfer to the Mercury, the ship I’d begun COing a few months prior. I didn’t know much about him, but I still began my message to him by saying “I'm very happy to have you join us.” He let me know then that he was interested in playing a new character, Roshanara Rahman, and he linked me to the wiki bio he’d created for her. Even from that brief intro to Rich and Rahman, I could tell that he put a lot of thought and feeling into his simming – and about a week after that, he presented a group portrait he’d made of the senior staff to the Mercury’s OOC list. About two weeks after that, he was spearheading the Mercury’s entry for the second annual Halloween Avatar contest. Within a month, I couldn’t imagine my ship without Rich, and thanks to his innovative thinking, I didn’t want to. Jump forward to now, almost a full decade later, and Rich’s fingerprints are all over Starbase 118 – and much like when I first got to know him, he’s irrevocably changed things for the better. When I initially nominated him for this award, I focused mostly on his creation of Amity Outpost, since it is a simming installation that, I believe, improves the simming status quo. I wrote in that nomination that Rich has expanded our corner of the Trek universe with the effect and atmosphere of Amity, and by demonstrating his commitment to changing things up by giving up a Starfleet PC for a thoroughly non-Starfleet CO. However, when I started to talk with other staff members, I received some healthy reminders that Rich’s contributions go much deeper than the simple introduction of a new installation, however innovative. He’s fundamentally changed the nature and operations of Starbase 118 in more ways than I can count – but since I want to make sure he’s recognized well, I’ll try to name some of the most important! For one, if you clicked on those wiki links, especially the old Rahman bio, you probably saw that they’re quite different from our standard pages and bios today. Edit a modern wiki page, scroll to the bottom, and you’ll see the list of templates employed on the page to help make the wiki streamlined and user-friendly. Rich didn’t create all those templates singlehandedly, but he did spearhead the overhaul of the wiki and collaborated with many others, culminating in the creation of the Wiki Ops squadron, where Rich is still the Chief of Wiki Ops. Speaking of creation, Rich has left a substantial trail of game-changing groups in his wake. These include Veterans Affairs, which, in his own once-upon-a-time words, “is a community-oriented taskforce run by general members to support their colleagues who face issues that usually come up after the ensign phase of the SB118 experience and aren't addressed in the Academy.” Ensuring that the Starbase 118 fleet is a fair and equitable place for everyone is one of Rich’s goals, toward which he works tirelessly, which has most recently included the creation of the Investigating Diversity & Inclusion Committee (IDIC). Rich has also put together group elements that are based on expanding and exploring the breadth and depth of the universe we share. These include the Federation News Service, which offers both its member-writers and the larger fleet an outlet for creating and reading about the Trek universe beyond our characters and ships, and the Advanced Starship Design Bureau, which delights in technical details and takes as part of its manifesto that “specifications should mean something” and should “be a fun, interactive process.” I’ve emphasized elsewhere for this awards presentation that part of exceptional leadership in the Starbase 118 fleet is having fun and ensuring that others are having fun, too, and Rich exemplifies that like no one I’ve ever had the pleasure of simming with. Everything he does is in the service of making sure that as many folks are having the best time possible, and whether that’s best done through fleetwide groups and initiatives or through individual interactions, he will do it. As a final example – back when Rich and I were a command team on Garuda and Invicta, one of us accidentally typed DOOF instead of DOOC on a direct email to the other, and from that point, all our direct emails were DOOFs. It’s a small thing, but one that I think exemplifies Rich at his best – creative, smart, fun, and always making sure that you’re having a good time, too. Rising Star Award Awarded to members of Lieutenant Commander rank or higher who show great promise in many facets of their participation in the group, and to whom we look to as a future leader. Officers who qualify for this award consistently demonstrate their capabilities in leadership and facilitation of their fellow officers, including a recognisable dedication in their In Character and Out of Character activities to enhance the community. Wes Greaves, USS ‘Oumuamua Presented by Ossa V’Airu: Jacob (Wes Greaves) won last year's Luminary Award for his impressive accomplishments up until then, including his excellent simming for and reimagining of Starfleet marines, as well as his leadership skills and the beginning of his participation in fleetwide taskforces. A year later, I'm delighted to recognize him with the Rising Star Award as, well, his star continues to rise! He follows in the eminent footsteps of Brian (aka Karrod Niac, formerly Geoffrey Teller), the only other simmer in the history of Starbase 118 to earn first the Luminary Award and then the Rising Star Award, and it’s been my absolute pleasure and honor to be a part of both their journeys. Jacob’s leadership skills have been further honed through membership in the Academy and as first officer of the Thor and ‘Oumuamua, and he further serves the fleet as a mentor on Thor and ‘Oumuamua and as a member of the ASDB. As of this awards season, he's in the midst of his promotion to full commander (lieutenant colonel, in Greaves' case, as he plans to remain a marine -- the only one to do so in the group's history while also serving as a commanding officer simultaneously!), and I confidently expect to see Captain (or Colonel!) Greaves before long, and for Jacob to become a steadfast member of Starbase 118's fleetwide staff. Jacob is also the well-deserved recipient of the Strange Medallion this year, and his nominations for that award and the Rising Star came from friends and colleagues from across the fleet, who both sang Jacob’s praises and helped to put those praises into a fleetwide context. “From the very beginning,” one nomination noted, “he’s been kind, level-headed, has sought to work out what is best for the group as a whole and has always tried to encourage those in the group.” Another said that, “His reputation proceeds him and he's earned the respect of those beyond the bulkheads of his own ship.” Yet another, from a newer member of the ‘Oumuamua crew, said that he was “instrumental in guiding us, while still encouraging us to come up with creative solutions of our own to get out of the perilous situation. OOC, via email and through discord, Major Greaves is usually the first to offer a helping hand when anyone has questions. He is always reliable.” One final quote: “He has fun, but even more wants others to have fun.” And while Jacob’s qualities are many, ultimately this is what I want to see in someone the whole fleet recognizes as a rising star: He’s having fun, and he wants to help everyone else have fun, too. It’s my privilege to recognize an extremely deserving Jacob with this year’s Rising Star Award. Luminary Award Awarded to members holding the rank of Ensign, Lieutenant Junior Grade, or Lieutenant. Officers qualifying for this award have shown outstanding promise in their future endeavors by displaying their skills in leadership, dependability, and dedication to the community. Trovek Arys, StarBase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim: I am thrilled to be able to present this year’s Luminary Award to Sarah, aka Doctor Trovek Arys, Chief Medical Officer on StarBase 118 Ops! Sarah is a powerhouse simmer who was also recognized with Ops’ TOSMA award this year, and in the words of her crewmates her “dedication to creating better stories' ' is one of the most notable and driving factors of her simming. Able to sim consistently above full time, even as a Lieutenant JG Trovek Arys was capable of leading away teams, coming up with creative solutions for plot complications and being able to offer tags to other simmers that opened doors for them to join into the action. During shore leaves, she was masterful at creating side plots and actively invited other players to join in. When asked to join Ops’ staff she was quick to jump in and lend a hand and soon was performing far above her rank and helping with administrative details including wiki upkeep, mission summaries, mid-mission and weekly plot updates as well as quickly mastering mentoring skills to touch base with her fellow crewmembers. You might know Trovek Arys from Discord, where she is an active and welcoming chat member, who is quick to say hello. She’s also an amazingly supportive member of the forum community and frequently posts in the appreciations forums, not only recognizing her crewmates, but initiating a positive conversation around appreciation sims from other ships. In this, you can clearly tell Sarah has a love of simming and the stories that we can make possible in a game like this. But one of the best qualities about Sarah is that she is brave enough to look at something and give constructive criticism. Sometimes getting quality feedback is difficult, and having someone who can look at how we run a ship and how we structure our missions and she raises compassionate yet critical feedback is both rare and intensely valuable. It started an ongoing discussion on ‘how can we do better?’ and Ops had markedly improved because of her feedback. But what truly makes her an outstanding up-and-coming leader isn’t just that she started a conversation with great feedback - but that she was also willing to put in the hard work alongside other staff members to make things better. She’s implemented a weekly mission report that helps keep all players on the same page with the mission and together Ops staff was able to update and clarify their wiki and player’s handbook to update old and outdated information to match new simming and story standards. Sarah dug right in and started doing the wiki updates once a consensus was reached on staff. This is the mark of a true leader in the community - one who is willing to be brave enough to say ‘this could be better’ and committed enough to then follow through and help make it better. As this game grows, it will continue to improve, and we need brave, dedicated individuals like Trovek Arys who love simming and see the potential our sims have to bring meaningful stories to life. It is a joy to work with her and I look forward not only to the stories we have to tell together, but watching how she grows and can help the game grow and improve in the future! It is my privilege to honor Sarah as our Luminary for 2399! Locutus Award Awarded to members of the Publicity Team who go above and beyond their monthly requirements for participation on a regular basis. These team members are enthusiastic about spreading the word about our role-playing community and are actively looking for new methods to draw people into the fold. Samira Neathler, USS Gorkon Presented by Kalianna Nicholotti: Having led a number of taskforces and worked with tons of people over the years, I can speak to the ever-changing landscape of officers who come and add their personal touch to a project for a while and then leave again. It's nice, of course, to have so many willing to jump in here and there, but at the same time, having a set, stable core to rely on over the long haul is a cornerstone of any successful team. Over the relatively short time that the Social media team has been in place publicizing our group, Samira Neathler has been a steadfast and stable pillar around which so much else is done. Without Samira's consistent additions, posts, and input, the team would be nowhere near where it is and our social media accounts, particularly Facebook, would not be so active, alive, and interactive. Knowing we are active does so much to help push people to join, even if they aren't interacting with the posts themselves. Sometimes just seeing them can spur them to put in an application. Thus, though this may sometimes seem like a repetitive or even boring job, I can attest to the value and importance. To that end, for the efforts, time, care, and attention put into this job, I am proud to present the Locutus Award to Samira Neathler! Thank you for all you do, and I look forward to another year of working with you! 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. Maz Rodan, USS Arrow Presented by Randal Shayne: When the Arrow was commissioned, one of my preparations included creating the wiki pages for her. I was like a kid in a candy store, yoinking this style and that template and- ooh, that’s a cool GIF…! It was too much, and I quickly realized I’d need help in building and maintaining our nascent pages. Everyone, at some point, has had a hand in contributing to our wiki, but Lieutenant Commander Maz Rodan is the one who not only built upon the framework, but has maintained it, and grown it, in the two years since we’ve been launched. When I head to the Arrow page, I’m always tickled to find that it looks just as sharp as before, but now with up-to-date links. The alert icon in the corner fits the status of the ship. Changes, major and minor, can be found with every new addition of information to ensure that it’s all presentable. His work is not limited to the Arrow- all across the wiki, we can enjoy his input, either as a result of direct contributions or advice and guidance that he helps other players with. His consistency, willingness to help out, and desire to make the wiki the best it can be is why I am truly proud to present this distinction to David, with my thanks. Boothby Award Awarded to a trainer who has gone above and beyond their Academy Training Requirements. These trainers provide an excellent example of commitment to bringing new cadets into our community, strong leadership and innovation to encourage new members into simming, and are continuously offering successful and imaginative training programmes. Genkos Adea, USS Excalibur-A Presented by Quinn Reynolds: I love presenting this award! It gives me a chance to honour one of our fabulous training team and thank them for investing their time and energy in one of the fleet’s most important endeavours. Genkos Adea has proven himself one of the Training Team’s most dedicated members and volunteers regularly, in any post that’s needed. He brings his trademark wit to the role and ensures that classes big and small run smoothly, guiding both the training team members and cadets through the week with patience and positivity. The nominations spoke not just of the cadets who learned from him and thanked him in their feedback, but also staff who’ve used his leadership and mentoring as a gold standard when stepping into the CO roles themselves. High praise, and very well deserved, and it’s for this reason I am delighted to present Genkos Adea with the 2022 Boothby Award! Quark's Bar Awarded to members who are regularly active on the chat room, and forums, and have been supportive and involved in conversations enhancing the overall community experience with activities like keeping a quote thread up to date, consistently nominating simmers in the Appreciations forum, starting engaging chat discussions, attending chat events regularly, or being a helpful presence for new players. Ikaia Wong, Amity Outpost Presented by Roshanara Rahman: If you visit the fleet Discord server, you’re going to run into Ikaia Wong’s writer S4RK at some point. If the StarBase 118 Discord server is like the titular bar that this award is named after, then S4RK is no doubt our Morn! And just like those on Deep Space 9 often noted how much Morn talked with other patrons at Quark’s and added to the life of that establishment, S4RK is a beloved presence on the 118 Discord server. They were nominated by not one, not two, but six separate players for this award! For an award based on one’s impact in a community forum like the Discord server, it only seems fitting to quote the people directly who enjoy what S4RK brings to this venue every day. Here are just a few select excerpts from some of those nominations: “S4RK, Ikaia Wong's writer, is a constant presence on the Discord, always a cheerleader wanting to ensure that the chat areas are fun and welcoming. He shares his art and animations with his fellow fleetmates and he engages with them in interesting conversations about life, Star Trek watch-alongs, and other musings.” “Wong. Wong, Wong, Wong. Where to begin with Wong? [...] He's always finding ways to chat and perk people up in Discord, like coming up with games, or posing questions.” “What I also like is the way he makes us part of the little projects he does, either OOC or even IC. [...] If there's one person who's spreading a positive vibe on Discord, it's Ikaia Wong.” “They embody the very essence of this award through their kindness, humor, engagement, and helpfulness.” I want to end this citation with a particularly poignant comment from one of Wong’s nominators: “It is warming to see Ikaia spread his big heart beyond the Amity channel and bring his joy to the entire fleet. In recent times of RL darkness, Wong brings the light that the world needs.” I wholeheartedly agree! Congratulations, S4RK and thank you for all the joy you bring to our Discord server and community! The Xalor Clan Xifilis Award Awarded to simmers who overcome a disadvantage throughout simming. This award was initially known as the "Rachel Garett Pendant," but was renamed for the 2000 event to commemorate a valued StarBase 118 PBEM RPG simmer who died that year. In each event, this award can be given to all qualifying simmers. Connor Dewitt, USS Arrow Presented by Randal Shayne: The past few years have tested all of us, and though the consistency and dedication shown by our members is universally impressive, there are some challenges overcome that make me sit back, shake my head and chuckle in amazement. One of these individuals is Tim, who writes for Arrow’s Connor Dewitt. It’s one thing to work on overcoming a language barrier, but to do so in a way that earns him the TOSMA, on top of building a house? Impressive and remarkable. It’s this sort of thing that inspires me to do my best daily, and in recognition of challenges met head-on, I am pleased to remark upon Tim’s success and contributions with the Xalor Clan Xifilis Award. R'Ariel, USS Arrow Presented by Randal Shayne: When you aren’t feeling your best, just finding the motivation to write three times a week can be a struggle. Insisting on high-quality writing each time must feel monumental. But to then balance all of this alongside a cheerful and soulful attitude and a genuinely helpful outlook? That takes a strength I’m not sure I could match, and yet Lieutenant Commander R’Ariel makes it her modus operandi. In many ways, Kat is not just the counselor IC- her writing is provocative and soothing and depthful to the point where I feel like I’m being counseled alongside my character. Her ability to balance exquisite character growth, conflict, and helpful anecdotes makes her a singularly unique individual in my time here, and it is my pleasure to recognize her determination with the Xalor Clan Xifilis Award. Sera, USS Juneau / Denali Station Presented by Oddas Aria: Sometimes the biggest challenges are those that come within, the doubts, the anxieties, and the constant fears that what you are doing is not enough among your peers. Sera not only faced these fears in the past year, but destroyed them, constantly turning in superior work that amazed her peers, staff, and Commanding Officer alike. She does so with “kindness, humor, and love” and, in the words of the nomination “I feel like I've been able to be more comfortable with my own struggles, and my growth into better things because of Hope's friendship, vulnerability, and openness about things she's dealt with, and her willingness to just be there.” Congratulations Sera, you deserve it and much more! Trovek Arys, StarBase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim: As StarBase 118 has grown and matured, the way we approach the game and its players has changed. With the addition of Discord and better open channels of communication we start to understand that while we write the game in English, there are so many incredible players across the globe that have English as a second language. And often we don’t even realize this because their skills at writing are so good. As her nominator puts it: “ I have always been amazed at those who are able to speak more than one language, but even more amazed when that second language is English. English is not an easy one to learn, has many rules and just as regularly breaks them. To then go beyond and actually write fiction in a language that is not one’s native tongue is even more astounding!” Lieutenant Trovek Arys, however, does just that. Born speaking German, she also knows English, but she does more than simply know it - she uses it artistically to create beautiful sims and engaging characters. She doesn’t just write something and do the bare minimum, either, she always engages in the scene and adds her own flair. She goes above and beyond, in any language and I am so proud to be able to recognize her accomplishments! Vitor Tito, StarBase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim: One of the wonderful things about SB118 is how many people there are from all over the world. It never ceases to amaze me at how much of the globe is represented in our group which, when you think about it, isn’t all that large considering. Even more astounding is how many of our members are from other countries where English is not the native language. Bruno, the player behind Lt. JG Vitor Tito is one such member. Hailing from Portugal, he lives in a land that speaks a language very different from our sim, and yet he participates using English and does so beautifully. His characters are fun and engaging, and I know that there are times our language doesn’t make sense, and yet he navigates it so well despite that. Furthermore, it has been absolutely beautiful to watch his mastery of both writing and the English language grow over his long tenure on StarBase 118, and with each new sim he gains a better ability to describe the struggles his characters are going through and he continues to connect with his audience on a whole new level. This consistent improvement is not only compelling to read but absolutely inspiring and a great reminder that we are all on a journey to improving our communication skills. I am so happy to be able to recognize all of Bruno’s hard work for so many years and so proud of how far you have come! The Community Champion Award Awarded to members who participate in – or help facilitate – simming community events, representing the best of StarBase 118 RPG to other organizations by hosting events, acting as contest judges, or otherwise contributing their expertise in a way that benefits the wider community. Jaelyne Isa, USS Chin'toka Presented by Mei’konda Delano: Consistent and well organized, Jim / Commander Jaelyne Isa has been facilitating our monthly Fleet chats on Discord for quite some time now. Jim is very well organized, and his predictable methods of encouraging conversation between disparate members of the fleet who are assigned to different vessels, people who may not always get many chances to communicate and catch up with what other ships are up to, is a highly valuable service that he provides to SB118. Northern Star Award Awarded to members holding the rank of Lieutenant or Lieutenant Commander who show constant commitment to the fleet as members of task forces and through our other fleet endeavours. These officers are vital to the success of our fleet, showing their support and enthusiasm for their crews and our community through their tireless efforts. Alieth, USS Gorkon Presented by Quinn Reynolds: Everyone in the fleet has seen Alieth’s fingerprints. As the facilitator of the Image Collective, she has not only helped many of our members realise an image of their character, but her art direction led the way in the fleet’s new branding, bringing a clean, bold and modern identity to 118. On top of that, she has been a driving force in establishing and increasing the fleet’s presence on Deviant Art—something which has brought in several new members! Her efforts are not restricted to the art and graphic design field, either. On the Gorkon, she’s a tireless member of the ship’s mentoring team, helping the fleet retain simmers by welcoming, guiding, and inspiring new additions to the fleet. She also gives her time to the training team, welcoming and teaching new cadets and expanding her own repertoire of skills. She supports and encourages her fellow simmers with her activity on the forums, highlighting the quotes and sims which stir the emotions. For everything she does, for her unfailing devotion and dedication to making our fleet a better (and prettier!) place to be a part of, I’m proud to present Alieth with the Northern Star Award. Jake Sisko Prize Awarded to members of the Federation News Service Team who regularly go above and beyond in their contributions and participation. These team members show dedication and creativity in editing and writing news reports, helping to maintain our IC news service, build the 118 universe and provide inspiration for our members. Yogan Yalu, USS Excalibur-A Presented by Jo Marshall: Wow, this is an honour! The Federation News Service holds a very special place in the heart of many article writers and article editors who dedicate a chunk of their time every month to expand on our universe. Making sure we have articles to go out every week is a feat in itself, and one Justin rises to with aplomb. Since coming back to the Fleet from his leave of absence, Justin has cracked forward with such vigour in the FNS, that it's left me astonished. He's got plans for the future of it, developing guides for our writers, hoping to bring more of our Fleet into the FNS fold. He writes fantastic articles that are the springboard for missions, for spin-offs, and never fails to come up with something utterly brilliant, insightful, and creative. Where he gets his ideas from, I'll never know, but it's a well I do not want him to stop tapping. For boundless enthusiasm that I couldn't stem even if I wanted to, total dedication to making the FNS the best it can be, and one astoundingly creative writer, I am incredibly happy to present Justin with the Jake Sisko Prize this year! Okuda Award Awarded to members of the Image Collective who regularly go above and beyond in their contributions to this team's efforts, creating images and graphics for the fleet. These team members display their artistry and dedication with a visual feast for members new and old, bringing our creations to life and stoking imaginations. Aine Sherlock, StarBase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim: Recognized with the Vega award on ship, Aine Sherlock’s contributions to the fleet at StarBase 118 go well beyond just their own ship. Jared, the writer behind Aine is a prolific contributor to the image collective, and specializes in not only character portraiture but more complicated designs such as 3-D models, blueprints for locations and odd jobs such as memorial plaques, coffee designs and in-world signage. This amazing graphics talent helps to being our setting alive and invigorates our wiki! Aine’s skills are always growing and the player is not afraid to tackle challenges. Special thanks for all the hard work done on the 3-D models of Amity station as well as settings for the Excalibur-A and StarBase 118 Ops! It is commendable for a graphic artist to support their ship, but Aine goes above and beyond, supporting other ships and installations at a fleetwide level. Nominations from across the fleet recognized and thanked Jared for his willingness to work with others and incredible graphic skill. A true graphics wizard, a wonderful fleet supporter and an amazing player, I am thrilled to present Aine Sherlock with this year’s Okuda Award! It is very well deserved! Please join us in congratulating these talented players!

Well done, everyone! Fantastic commendations and nominations, enjoy your well-earned shiny ribbons!

Greetings and welcome to the 2022 (2399) Fleetwide Awards Ceremony! You're all welcomed into StarBase 118's biggest week since... well, since this time last year. Hosted this year by two terribly British people. The glamour, the excitement, the length... At least it doesn't take ages to sail across the Atlantic and all we need to do is log in to the networked connectivity box and magic seems to happen. This is the most magnificent of occasions, when the skies break and the mighty and the excellent of our literary community descend upon us, bathing us in their brilliance, immersing us in their grandeur, and showering us in their artistry. Not only do we get to harp on about how amazing everyone is, but we get to harp on about how amazing everyone is, and that is quite lovely. There are five categories of awards: General Awards (which some ships have already given to their crews!), Duty Post, Special, and Staff Awards, which recognise players of all ranks for a variety of accomplishments. We continue to reward membership lengths of one, three, five, ten, fifteen, and even twenty-five years in the member Length of Service Awards! A tremendous number of simmers have been around for such a long time, and they are counted among us. For nearly three decades we have been honouring the best writers and roleplayers in our community. It is a tremendous honour to be part of this event as it celebrates some of the most talented, those who have dedicated their time, efforts, blood, sweat, and occasional tears. As the facilitators for this year, we'd like to express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who took the time to submit nominations. It's always incredible to read how you all celebrate one another, all the delicious narratives, and coming together as a community despite all that's going on in the world. Every nomination was jam-packed with deep respect, gratitude, and admiration for our fellow authors and roleplayers, and the occasional bribe, and it should serve as a reminder that we appreciate everyone's presence, ongoing efforts, and contributions. As our community grows and matures in the twenty-ninth year, we want to express our gratitude to our courageous chief, Fleet Admiral Tristan Wolf, who always takes time to offer assistance on any situation, large or little. Similarly, no amount of thanks could adequately express this community's gratitude to the members of the Executive Council, Captain's Council, and those who lead and serve on our numerous taskforces for your infinite enthusiasm and leadership in ensuring we ALL enjoy a safe, creative, and innovative experience. Now, less of that, and more of this. Happy 28th anniversary everybody! — Em (Jo Marshall) and Elliot (Genkos Adea)

Our judges have spent the last week deliberating through all the entries and finally revealed that the winner of the Writing Challenge 2022 is... Corliss Fortune, from the USS Gorkon! @Corliss' story "Revelations Hitting Like That Time We Crashed In The Ocean" is a heart-rendering personal log of the Chief Medical Officers onboard the countless starships we conceive and delivers a powerful punch in the feelings. It produces sentiments of rich and lasting characterisation, which, when done correctly, have the impact of a phase torpedo. Well done, Hayley! Our runner-up this year is @Ulasso, the writer behind the Helm, Communications and Operations Officer onboard to USS Oumuamua! They've nabbed the runner-up badge for their story "Fire Flower" a moving tale from the Saurian Ensign, reliving moments of his life prior to joining Starfleet. It's a wonderful story, truly touching, and deserves heaps of praise. Thank you, Ulasso! For this year, we've also got a special mention for @Nathan Richards' entry, A Lifetime Spent In The Final Moments, a clever twist on the prompt and sent shivers racing down spines! Beautifully done! Every contribution to this Writing Challenge has been fantastic, and I cannot thank every one of you enough for the thrills, twists, turns, and memories you've delivered. It's been a tremendous demonstration of the incredible skill available on StarBase 118, as well as the range of brilliance on every ship and station. It's been a pleasure to read them all, and each one deserves recognition. Thank you for contributing your pieces, allowing us inside the worlds of your spotlighted characters, and providing us with a taste of what goes on behind the scenes. You are truly amazing. Thank you again to @Wes Greaves, winner of the 2021 challenge, and provider of the marvellous prompt! The winner, runner-up and judges, are in receipt of one of the following badges! Thank you once more for making this year's challenge so successful and enjoyable! We look forward to seeing even more incredible entries next spring! Please join me in congratulating the winners!

These are wonderful guys, well done!

Awards Ceremony season is upon us, and it's time to get all dressed up for the big event! Before we launch our ceremony, we encourage everyone to change their forum avatar to their character wearing glamorous attire like the kind you'd see on the red carpet. There's no need to get things perfect – lots of players just find a picture of their character's actor somewhere on the web and use that, like so: But if you're looking for something more spiffy, you can also head to the Graphics Requests forum and open a new thread asking for some help. Make sure you leave plenty of time for the team there to help get something that works – best to start earlier than later! Once you have an image you like, you can change your forum avatar by following these instructions. Challenge: Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create the designer name for your avatar's outfit. You can include as much or as little detail as you want. Loaned from the Nova Collection from Betazed? Stolen from the Qo'nos M'ritih museum? Designed by Bajoran protégé Gelys? A showpiece by the Trill artist Pana? Weave a tale around it and it'll be featured in an FNS article.

Every time she thinks something is a good idea, I'm sure Rix buys stock in duranium

Unfortunately not! We ask for a judge from each ship that isn't participating in the contest.

Welcome to the Writing Challenge 2022! Last year, we had a fantastic run of entries for the challenge, with some smashing stories that really knocked it out of the space park. We had the laughs, we had the tears, and we shared them all with our fellow writers here on our beloved StarBase 118. Taking a prompt and writing something out of the ordinary for us is a great way to burst through the writing block walls and twitch those itchy keyboard fingers into creating a masterpiece. Dig into those realms of plot ideas you've got brewing, drag out the lists of "what if" and try it out! As our winner of last year’s challenge, Lieutenant Commander @Wes Greaves has come up with the prompt for our community this time around... "The texture of their shirt... I'll never forget the way it felt in my hand that day." Doesn't that just punch you in the gut? Themes immediately come to mind of the dramatic and hard hitting development we put our characters through in the course of the mission, in the consequences faced on shore leave. Perhaps your character will go on a journey of self-discovery, or explore themes of finality and endings, retribution and atonement, and perhaps a dash of mortality? Star Trek has often demonstrated that these little, concentrated moments may be at the heart of the human (and alien!) experience. The creativity of this community is in the details. From the eloquent prose and deep emotion to the twists and turns of plot magic, this group truly invites you to boldly go where no one has gone before. Rules & Guidelines: Word count should be a minimum of 300 and a maximum of 3000. One judge will be chosen from each ship to help select the winner. Members are welcome to submit solo stories, or team up with a buddy to submit a collaborative epic, but only one story per person, please! Your submission should be in the format of a short story. Prose, not sim formatting. (See here for examples.) All members are welcome to submit entries for the community to read, but only those from active simmers will be reviewed by the judging panel for the final winner selection. If you want to submit a story but don't want to enter it into the challenge, prefix the forum post with "showcase" and let us read your good stuff! Submissions are, by default, non-canon – if you find a way to shoehorn this into your own backstory, you're free to use it if you wish, but certainly not a requirement. You can create whatever characters make sense for the story. You don't have to use or reference any of your current characters. Rank is not an issue here – write as an Ensign or a Captain, civilian, whatever makes sense for your story! And you're free to use characters you've already written for in sim, but please don't include anyone else's. Submit your story directly into the first post of a new thread. Use the following format for the thread title: [Primary Character Name(s) of author(s)]: "My Story's Interesting Title" Tristan Wolf: "Five Ways to End Your Starfleet Career" All stories must be submitted by Sunday, May 29th at 11:59pm Pacific Time. Good luck!