Oddas Aria

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 Oddas Aria, Denali Station Awards Committee Member Presented to any staff member that participates in the yearly Awards Committee to select Duty Post and Special Awards. Alora DeVeau, Denali Station Gogigobo Fairhug, StarBase 118 Ops Lia Rouiancet, USS Oliva E. Butler Addison MacKenzie, USS Artermis Jo Marshall, USS Gorkon 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.

With all the awards presented, and congratulations said, and maybe an award or two taken by you yourself, all that is left is for us to say another thank you. This year there were over 500 nominations written, by over 70 nominators, over half of the Fleet. You are out there nominating, recognizing each other's good work, and wanting the good work to be rewarded. You all deserve a round of applause. This year, the Awards Committee has done a tremendous job sorting through the nominations, and making sure all the nominees were qualified and were the best in the respective categories. This took a lot of their time, and a lot of effort to make sure they got it right. Please take a little time to say 'thank you' when you see them about, Alora DeVeau Jo Marshall Lia Rouiancet Addison MacKenzie Gogigobo Fairhug In particular, thank you Alora for helping turn all the various forum posts and other writings into cohesive documents for the wiki and places it will ultimately get posted on. Also to Jo for answering the questions I had getting started when I took this on this year. Of course, some of the Awards take a lot of input by the Executive Council, the First Officers, and the Commanding Officers - and, so thank you for your hard work both during the buildup to the ceremonies, and throughout the year. The hard work of leadership falls on you - leading ships, tasks forces, and making the hard choices throughout the year. Making sure the Fleet runs smoothly so we have the opportunity to write and play, and to have a place to interact. Thank you for all you do, even before we thrust the responsibilities of the Award Ceremonies on you, which involves reviewing all those great nominations and making even tougher decisions. Additionally, there are a number of donors who give financially to the running of the Fleet, Kalianna Nicholotti Josh Herrick Jacob Horne Oddas Aria April Gordon Yogan Yalu Genkos Adea Kailar Tod Serala Nolen Hobart Toxin Arlill Savel Jo Marshall Valin Dermont Marty Tucker Jaseb Chevalier Marty Tucker Christopher Caldwell A number of anonymous donors who give without recognition. Finally, thank you all for being a great Fleet and a great set of friends, you are all amazing and I appreciate you all. I can't wait to see how the next year turns out. -Oddas Aria, Nicholas

Welcome to the final presentation day of the awards ceremony! Throughout this week, we have been revealing the deserving winners of the Staff, General, Length of Service, and Special awards. Today, we are thrilled to present the highly anticipated Duty Post awards. Each award highlights the best in specific departments, ranging from medical to intelligence, from counselling to civilian - representing all the various roles that make up our universe. Every award presented here acknowledges a player's exceptional performance in embodying their duty post. Given that only one award is given per duty post each year, these accolades hold significant value and are highly sought after. Our diverse array of winners, spanning from Ensign to Admiral, demonstrates that every player has an opportunity to be recognized. By consistently simming to the best of their ability and continuously striving to enhance their skills, every player has a chance to be considered for one of these prestigious awards. Voyager Medallion - Operations 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. Toxin Arlill - USS Octavia E. Butler Presented by - Lia Rouiancet From the moment Erik stepped into the role of Toxin Arlill, he has pushed forward what it means to be an operations officer in the 118 fleet. His dedication to his craft is evident in his sims, in which he showcases not just Arlill’s technical prowess, but also provides a refreshing sense of humor that brings life to the often complex world of starship operations. Erik's impact extends beyond his individual contributions. He has elevated the ops department to new heights, transforming it into a robust, collaborative, and integral part of our storytelling. It’s telling that the first specific location on the OEB to receive its own wiki page (outside of the bridge, that is) was the operations center! He's an operations powerhouse both in and out of character. Even before the ship changeover, the detailed 3D renderings of the ops center on the ‘Oumuamua combined with the strong simming he engaged in brought the department to life in a way I haven’t seen before in ops. Since then, he’s, just for example, created a full deck-by-deck room plan for the OEB in Canva – and to say this goes above and beyond just doesn’t do his work justice! What really sets Erik apart, though, is his generosity. Erik embodies the spirit of collaboration and community that defines 118, and his cooperative style and friendly demeanor will make him an excellent mentor in the months to come. His contributions have not only enriched his fellow simmers’ experience but have also set a new standard for what an operations officer can be. His creativity, dedication, and camaraderie make him an incredibly deserving recipient of the Voyager Medallion. Congratulations! Shaxs Star - Security / Tactical 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. Kirsty Lee Carpenter - USS Ronin Presented by - Karrod Niac One of the rarest and most difficult challenges in our game is to set aside a character and a vessel and try something wholly new by bringing a new PC to life aboard a new vessel. Fortunately for the Ronin and the fleet as a whole Lieutenant Commander Kirsty Carpenter (Justin) has done so with grace and incredible creativity. Since joining the Ronin during her launch Kirsty has had a wonderful journey with a nuanced backstory and a core of real emotion that plays out in every sim. She has struggled and suffered but grown and triumphed in equal measure and has become an indispensable part of what makes the Ronin so special. I’ll never be able to adequately thank Justin for earnestly embracing such a huge change but it is my sincere hope that this recognition makes a small down payment on that much larger debt. Congratulations! Semper Fidelis Award - Marines Awarded to Starfleet Marines who have demonstrated exceptional proficiency in defending their crew, completing their mission, averting terrible loss of life in the line of duty, and maintaining the United Federation of Planets' principles in times of crisis. Their knowledge of Starfleet equipment and armaments is second to none and their dedication to the mission is only surpassed by their leadership abilities, courage, and dependability. Arturo Maxwell - USS Octavia E. Butler Presented by - Lia Rouiancet It is my great pleasure to present this year's Semper Fidelis Award to Iain, the talented writer behind the character Arturo “Max” Maxwell. Iain’s an excellent simmer — that’s a given for an award like this! — but what really sets Iain apart is the depth and humanity he brings to the role of a marine. Through Max, Iain’s shown his fellow simmers that there's far more to this position than, even as the lowest officer, there’s much more to being a Starfleet marine than just being a grunt. Max is a fully realized character with a rich past, a compelling family life, and a touching, complex relationship with his daughter. In fact, one of Iain's greatest strengths is his ability to populate the ships he sims on with a diverse cast of NPCs. Each new character he introduces is distinct and serves to add to the complex weave of the crew. This talent for creating memorable supporting characters has significantly expanded the depth of our storytelling. Beyond his excellent simming, Iain himself has quite a reputation (in a good way!). His kindness, thoughtfulness, and willingness to engage with others despite his busy life have made him a favorite among his fellow writers. It's no wonder that everyone seems to want a scene with him! He’s an exceptionally worthy winner of this year’s Semper Fidelis Award, and it’s my honor to recognize him as such. Congratulations, Iain! Prantares Ribbon - 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. V’Len Kel - USS Ronin Presented by - Karrod Niac Within our game the Medical Officer role is a complex challenge where you’re often tapped to be a counselor, a confidant and a physician all at once yet Lieutenant Commander V’Len Kel (Don) does so with an enormous display of grace and dignity. Since the Ronin’s launch he has navigated injury and trauma with calm dedication and has become a source of comfort and compassion for all who visit Sickbay. He has repeatedly demonstrated a level of compassion and empathy that would make a Betazoid blush and he does so often and gladly. He is a delight to sim with, a joy to read and an integral part of the Ronins soul. You have my thanks and respect for all that you do and I look forward to seeing you climb even greater heights as time goes on. Congratulations! 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 place their ability to make spectacular maneuvers at the service of their ship and its mission. Christopher Caldwell - USS Astraeus Presented by Mei’konda Delano Ensign Caldwell joined Starbase 118 at a difficult time, in the middle of a mission during an action scene. As his ship was taking damage, he was introduced by having the NPC helmsman be injured, at which time he was called from the lower decks to take over helm during combat, something he had never done before. Ensign Caldwell's player, Chris, not only simmed his character's proficiency in this stressful situation, but the near nervous breakdown his character had to deal with afterward. It's exactly the sort of character complexity and consequences I love seeing in sims. Later, during his next mission, a fellow officer performing a EVA was knocked off of their tether and sent spiraling into space. As shown in the linked sim, several players in a runabout came up with a delightfully cinematic rescue maneuver, which Caldwell executed. He plays a great helmsman, and we're delighted to have him. 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. Doz Finch - USS Gorkon Presented by Quinn Reynolds All of Ryan’s nominations spoke about what an imaginative, evocative, and generally wonderful writer he is, and I fully agree! His character, Doz Finch, is an experienced member of the enlisted ranks who experienced a personal trauma which pushed her into making the leap to officer. Ryan’s simmed that transition, with all of its advantages and disadvantages, with incredible flair. He has a real knack for writing an engineer, having Doz jump into tasks with glee, solving problems with a sleeves-rolled-up, grease-on-the-cheek gusto, conjuring vivid descriptions of emotion and action, while never overwhelming his scene partners with technobabble. Even more impressive is Ryan’s ability to use an engineering problem to create character moments; from fixing a plasma leak with another engineer to solving an issue in the arboretum with an operations officer. It’s all so very well done, and I’m incredibly proud to present him with the Phoenix Award. Congratulations, Ryan! Order of the Valiant Heart - Counselling Awarded to Counselors who have demonstrated exceptional expertise in preserving their crewmates' mental health, clearly exhibiting 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. Arthur Strathmore - Denali Station Presented by Oddas Aria Arthur, Jackson, is a relative newcomer to the game, but has made quite a mark to the game. He has grabbed the role of ‘Counselor’ by the horns, made it his own, and expanded it both in scope and details, but been extremely successful both in the aspects that are explicit (such as counseling sessions), but also implicit (such as advising those around him). It has been some time since I have encountered such a good writer in this role and it is a blessing and a pleasure to have him aboard my ship. Thank you and congratulations Jackson! Natasha Yar Pin - Security Awarded 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 fulfillment, 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. Zenno - USS Arrow Presented by Randal Shayne Zenno redefines what a Security Officer can be, and John redefines how you can write one. Bringing wit, wisdom, and, occasionally, wrath, Zenno is a formidable presence on the Khitomer, and John brings him to life in a rich, believable and engaging fashion. It can be easy to fall into the trap of turning the security department into a bunch of superheroes, or paranoid soldiers; Zenno demonstrates that competence, patience, efficiency and thoroughness bring about the best results, and sets an example for others with his realistic and believable portrayal. Beyond this, though, John has taken the time to flesh out the security department, introducing characters and introducing compelling narratives that turn what would normally be a bunch of nameless stand in NPCs into a thriving, detailed aspect of the Khitomer’s compliment. Rising talent in any division could learn from his example, and I look forward to his continued rise through the ranks. Congratulations, Lieutenant- this is well earned. 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. Tahna Meru - USS Gorkon Presented by Quinn Reynolds Eris, the writer of Tahna Meru, has brought us a character who’s delightful in her complexity, without ever being difficult to understand. A Bajoran who’s bucked the wishes of her family by leaving her homeworld to explore the galaxy, you can see her scientific curiosity and training reflected through every aspect of her character. She’s thoughtful, creative, and attentive to detail, and Tahna’s sims lean on both real world and Star Trek science for believable, yet appropriately Trek explanations. Often taking the role of a team leader, Tahna carefully considers a problem from all angles, listening to the opinions and expertise of her fellow teammates before she begins theorising. Not just a good scientific method, but a fantastic way to collaborate with others as we progress through our story. Her writing is vivid and engaging, really bringing the reader into the heart of the situation and along for her journey. I’m absolutely delighted to present her with the Cochrane Award. Congratulations, Eris! 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. Evan Ross - Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim Intelligence is a difficult role to play. It’s not especially well defined in Star Trek canon and some of the examples we see on screen are used as the bad guys rather than our protagonists. So it’s a rare treat to watch a player step into the role with a charming and empathetic character and really own the role in a way that makes their fellow players want to engage with the department. Hannah, who plays Evan Ross, does an excellent job bringing Intelligence to life in a realistic and enjoyable way. Evan is not a moody shadowy loner hanging out in a corner. He’s a fun, nerdy, awkward person with a fierce intelligence, a strong skillset and a handful of intriguing flaws that makes him a well rounded character. Ross shines at research and strategy, which perfectly fits the duty post of intelligence, but he also needs to rely on his teammates to help him implement plans. I particularly like how Evan plays intel as a role where knowledge is power and strength comes from sharing knowledge. And I especially like how Evan's strengths and weaknesses are explored. I love reading about his anxieties, his worries and his struggles as much as I love reading about his triumphs. All of this makes Evan Ross feel like a living breathing person. To round all of this out Hannah, the player behind Evan is a consistently great writer with strong narration and great dialogue. Hannah’s been a great player on Ops, contributing to mission planning, playing exciting MNSPCs and helping lead teams to success. For all of these things I celebrate Evan Ross as this year’s Black Cross recipient. Congratulations Hannah, you have done a fantastic job and I am thrilled to be writing with you! 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 Operations... Esa Kiax - USS Astraeus Presented by - Mei’konda Delano Lieutenant Commander Esa Kiax, written by Matt, has been an Operations officer for over five years, and his experience in writing for the position shows through constantly. Operations can be a difficult role to define, as they are a combination of most other departments' backup as well as being something unique all on their own. Logistics on a starship or base are not always easy to write in an interesting way, but Matt does so consistently. In working to make the role a visible and useful one, Matt has described the large Operations area, the people who work there, and the process of logistics in a delightful and interesting way, and his character also performs the more interesting on-screen 'Data-like' duties of Operations with at least as much artistry. In fact, in our current Fleet Blockbuster, the Operations area has been the center of a Changeling infiltrator attack, and makes a great venue for an action set piece. For continuous dedication to Medical... Talia Ohnari - USS Khitomer Presented by - Randal Shayne This fleet has existed over three decades now, and as the years go by, they bring us closer together. Each of us started as a wide-eyed stranger, and over time, we’ve grown into something of a family. Good and bad are celebrated and lamented, not just in our writing, but in our real lives, too. The point is we’re connected, and that connection can affect us deeply. It’s for this reason that I felt Roxanna was eminently deserving of this Emeritus recognition. Nearly ten years as a medical character of some stripe or another has honed her writing craft into a scalpel of talent and tenderness, humor and hope. She brings her best for our benefit and enjoyment, facing down some of the most painful and challenging moments in life to continue being the beacon of delight that she is known as. On days where life stings, or our hearts are cold, her words and her presence salve the struggle, and rekindle our hearths. It’s impossible to say just how much good she has done for us; how much is a smile worth amidst a wretched mood, or a quip during dark moments? All I can say is that Roxanna, IC and OOC, embodies the best qualities of this community, and medical officers past and future. Congratulations, Roxanna, and thank you. For continuous dedication to Security... Aine Sherlock - USS Octavia E. Butler Presented by - Lia Rouiancet It’s my distinct pleasure to once again present the Natasha Yar Pin to Jared, the talented writer behind Lieutenant Commander Aine Sherlock, the Butler’s exceptional chief of security (and, as of a few weeks ago, also our second officer!). Jared won the Yar Pin two years ago, and we celebrated then his ability to bring depth and nuance to the role of a security officer. This year, he has not only maintained that high standard but has further elevated Aine Sherlock into a truly formidable character. Jared writes Sherlock as a force to be reckoned with, proving that strength comes in all sizes. While her short stature might not immediately suggest a physically imposing security officer, Jared's portrayal leaves no doubt about Sherlock’s capabilities. Through his simming, we see a character who is fiercely protective of her ship and crew, unwavering in her commitment to their safety. But, as I’ve seen firsthand and as his nominators noted, what sets Jared's portrayal apart is the multifaceted nature of Sherlock's approach to security. She's not just about brute force; Jared shows us a character who is constantly analyzing, adapting, and strategizing. In every situation, Sherlock considers potential threats, weighing not just when to act, but how to respond most effectively. This balance of quick thinking and measured action is the hallmark of an exceptional security officer, and one that, in this case, has been recognized as the fleet’s best twice in three years. Jared's consistent excellence in portraying Aine Sherlock, his ability to showcase both the physical and intellectual aspects of a security officer, and his ongoing contributions to our fleet make him a most deserving recipient of the Emeritus Natasha Yar Pin. Please join me in congratulating Jared for his outstanding work and for continuing to set the bar high for security simming in the 118 fleet! For continuous dedication to Science... Alora DeVeau - Denali Station Presented by - Oddas Aria DeVeau, Amanda, has won the Cochrane Award before, and for good reason. She writes the science officer role with superb perfection. She introduces the little details our adventures look to for fleshing out the world, she makes things feel ‘real’ and is one of the ‘go to’ people for when things need to be finalized, checked, and put together for consistency. Amanda does an amazing job - congratulations and thank you for making Denali Station great, and the Fleet Amazing! For continuous dedication to Engineering... Kimberly Stapledon - USS Constitution-B Presented by - Jalana Rajel From the Moment Kevin, the writer behind Kimberly Stapledon, has joined the Constitution, we got to see his brilliant ideas, bringing the position of an Engineer to life in a refreshing way. Kimberly's passion for holograms was used as a creative solution during her first mission with the Conny, as she used holographic bugs and spiders to distract and herd a group of very angry Nausicaans, which in the end helped to protect hostages from their wrath. During another mission when faced with possibly being on a time-traveled Enterprise under Captain Kirk, a boarding party was taken out by Kimberly turning off Gravity aboard the ship. During the same mission she also used her knowledge of coding to hunt down contaminations in the system and fix the problem that caused. All that while working together with other crew members of Engineering and other departments for the best solutions for problems. Kevin has a knack for technical solutions, ideas and improvements that some of us wouldn't even think of - I know I wouldn't - while making sure that all of us understand what he is thinking of, including others into solutions and doing it with so much gusto and enthusiasm that it's a joy to watch. It's my joy and pleasure to present Kevin with the Phoenix award for his brilliant writing of his Engineering position. I can't wait to see what else he'll come up with. Congratulations! For continuous dedication to Tactical... Michele Winters - USS Octavia E. Butler Presented by - Lia Rouiancet Two years in a row! Just last year, we celebrated Joel's exceptional work with Jack Kessler. This year, he has once again demonstrated his remarkable ability to breathe life into a complex tactician, this time with Michele Winters. What makes this achievement even more impressive is the seamless transition Joel has made from one character to another, all while maintaining the high standards of tactical simming we've come to expect from him. Even while he’s developed Kessler’s story in the background, he’s shown us that his tactical simming chops remain intact as he explores the duty post with a wholly different character. Winters is a fascinating character who straddles the line between a traditional Starfleet officer and a marine. Joel's nuanced portrayal highlights the unique perspective this dual nature brings to the role of tactical officer. While Winters possesses the analytical skills required for threat assessment, it's the marine aspect of her character that shines in Joel's writing, and that sets Winters apart from the other tactical officers in the fleet now and in years past. Joel has masterfully crafted Winters as a character who embodies the mindset of a warrior, always ready to take a proactive stance when necessary. This doesn't mean she's quick to resort to force; rather, Joel portrays her as constantly evaluating situations, assessing threat levels, and preparing appropriate responses. It's this balance between readiness for action and thoughtful consideration that makes Winters such a compelling character. Joel's ability to create such a well-rounded and engaging character in Winters, especially following his excellent work with Kessler, is a testament to his skill as a writer and his deep understanding of the tactical role in the 118 fleet. Congratulations, Joel! Please join us in congradulating all these wonderful players!

Welcome to Day Three of the Annual Awards Ceremony 2023! The Staff awards exclusively honor members who have achieved the rank of Commander or higher. Like year's past, the Fleet's first officers to gather input and filter the nominees for each staff award. Their recommendations are instrumental in helping the EC (Executive Committee) decide the recipients for each accolade. We deeply appreciate their valuable feedback and guidance, as they significantly contribute to the success of our staff awards. These awards are a celebration of the remarkable efforts made by our community members who consistently go above and beyond to create an exceptional experience for everyone involved. Behind the scenes, there is a substantial amount of work involved in keeping our community thriving, and these individuals play a pivotal role in making it all happen. Staff Member of the Year Award Awarded to Staff Members who have contributed tirelessly to the organization through any number of Out of Character channels, while maintaining excellence in simming on their vessel. This is an award granted to any staff member, regardless of rank. Serala Presented by Roshanara Rahman Serala’s player Jim is best known as the first officer of USS Astraeus, a duty post he’s served in faithfully for the past four years, beginning on the USS Atlantis under Jarred Thoran’s command. After Thoran’s sudden departure just as the crew were looking to begin their next adventure aboard USS Chin’toka, Jim’s steady hand led his crew through the transition to the ship’s next captain, Mei’konda. During this time, Jim worked diligently with the Executive Staff to ensure as smooth a transition as possible, and in the nearly two years since that challenging moment, Jim has continued to show that tireless and steadfast service not just to his ship but to the entire StarBase 118 RPG community in his roles as Chat Team facilitator, Training Team instructor, Academy Statistician, and a member of the Image Collective. In each of these roles, Jim contributes regularly to the needs of the organization, a cycle of repeated and oftentimes “silent” service that defines so much of what it means to be a staff member in the fleet. Statistics and paperwork need to be filed for the StarBase 118 Academy to function, but it is rare that the cadets or even other Training Team members participating in a class are ever made explicitly aware of the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep vital spreadsheets updated and forms filled. Likewise, while the highlights of the monthly chat sessions on our Discord are the fun updates and stories shared by each of our ships’ members that participate, it is only through the guiding moderation of the Chat Team facilitator that a coherent and enjoyable discussion is able to be had among the large number of people gathered without descending into chaos. In his role as Chat Team facilitator, Jim has worked on how to expand the moderated chat fleet events beyond just the traditional monthly fleet chat to also include fleet watch-alongs and other special events like the annual trivia challenge. He has overseen the expansion of the chat schedule to include times that are more inviting to our members in Asia and Oceania, and he has always been an enthusiastic supporter of finding new ways to engage our members in our fleet’s chats, especially in the new era of using Discord. Returning to his work as First Officer, both Jim’s captain Aaron as well as his nominations for this year’s Award Ceremony highlight his work as a patient and thorough mentor, a skillset that he has honed not only from his time on his ship but as a dedicated member of the Training Team. As Jim continues in his constant service to his ship and the wider organization, I look forward to seeing how and where next in the fleet he will apply his dedication and the leadership lessons he’s learned from the challenges he’s tackled. Congratulations and thank you, Jim! Sarek Star Awarded to Commanding Officers who show great diplomatic ability in working with members and staff, related to conduct Out of Character. Organisation, collaboration, mentorship, and ultimately making our game tick can be challenges in every respect, but those Staff Members awarded with this have a clear ability to walk those lines. Rivi Vataix Presented by Quinn Reynolds It’s something of a running joke that Rich and I so often start a discussion with entirely opposing viewpoints. You might think with constant disagreement like that, there’d be an undercurrent of hard feelings. I’m happy to say that couldn’t be further from the truth! He is someone for whom I, and so many others, hold an incredible amount of respect, admiration, and affection for. And in so many ways, that’s down to his ability to communicate effectively with other people. His ability to hear what you’re saying, his thoughtful responses, his dedication and care for others, his talent to lighten the mood with a well-timed joke, his willingness to compromise (with grace!) when needed, all make for a remarkable diplomat. Even more so when you consider how our communication is almost entirely text-based, absent the nuances of expression and tone. He’s so very deft in handling discussions, and I often walk away from a conversation with Rich having learned a way to improve my own communication. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how the nominations talked about how much his crew admires his diplomatic abilities, and how much his handling of challenging situations has influenced them. They see someone who has nurtured his communication skills, who is willing to seek the advice and opinions of others to ensure he does his best for his crew, always striving to always be kind and fair, yet knowing when it’s necessary to be firm. It’s a tricky balancing act, and he pulls it off with aplomb. Congratulations Rich, and thank you! James T. Kirk Cross Awarded to new Commanding Officers who show outstanding potential in the field of commanding. Their advancement into commanding their own ship can be fraught with challenges, but the receiver of this award has met them head on with vigour. Karrod Niac Presented by - Lia Rouiancet Oh man, am I ever proud to award this year’s James T. Kirk Cross to Brian, aka Karrod Niac! Brian's journey to command has been marked by outstanding leadership, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the growth of both his crew and the 118 fleet. As CO of the Ronin, Brian has demonstrated incredible skill and passion and united a diverse group of simmers, integrating veterans and newcomers alike into a cohesive, engaged ship. The Ronin's consistent high activity and large number of sims are a testament to Brian's ability to inspire and motivate his crew. What sets Brian apart, and sets his command up for (what I hope will be) many years of success, is his inclusive leadership style. His open-door policy and genuine interest in every crew member, from ensign to first officer, have created an environment where everyone feels heard, respected, and valued. This approach has fostered a supportive and dynamic atmosphere that encourages creativity and participation from all. Brian's talents extend beyond his ship. His recent appointment as magistrate of the CC showcases his commitment to the broader fleet community. His involvement behind the scenes and his willingness to take on additional responsibilities demonstrate his dedication to the success of Starbase 118 as a whole. As a simmer, Brian continues to impress everyone around him (and even those who are just looking from afar — guilty!) with his ability to craft engaging missions that challenge pre-established lore, bridging the past and future of our shared universe. He flexes his well-developed storytelling muscles and creates exciting opportunities for character development and growth, keeping his crew consistently engaged and enthusiastic. Brian's leadership is characterized by patience, reason, and balance. He navigates challenges with a level head, offering guidance and support to his crew even in difficult situations. His positive attitude and problem-solving skills make him an invaluable resource and an inspiring example to those around him. Brian has not only met the challenges of command but has exceeded expectations, growing into a captain that his crew and the entire fleet can be proud of. His exceptional leadership, dedication to his crew and the fleet, and his ability to create a thriving, supportive community on the Ronin make him an incredibly deserving recipient of the James T. Kirk Cross. His command embodies the spirit of this award, demonstrating the qualities of an outstanding leader who inspires those around him to reach new heights. Congratulations, Brian! Honor of the Admiralty Awarded to Staff Members who have served 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. This is the highest award that can be conferred upon a StarBase 118 PBEM RPG staff member under the rank of Rear Admiral. Ash MacKenna Presented by - Addison MacKenzie I have the distinct pleasure of awarding Marissa the Honor of the Admiralty. Not only have I been the beneficiary of her leadership and friendship over many years now, she has made an indelible mark on this organization’s history. As one of our longest-serving writers, she is also one of the most decorated, having earned many of the highest IC and staff level awards we offer, and receiving the Honor of the Admiralty is a recognition of both her length and depth of service. If you look into Marissa’s long bank of characters, you’d be hard-pressed to find a duty post for which she hasn’t written or a service award she hasn’t won, and this includes extensive service as a commanding officer. In the time that I’ve known her (and certainly well before that), she has always been happy to jump in where necessary, to fill whatever role is needed, or lend a hand without being asked. This certainly extends just as much to her OOC involvement in the fleet. In addition to having received recognition for her long-term achievement in the Publicity Team via the Shuvalis Diamond, she is currently a Deputy Commandant of the Academy and the facilitator for the Social Media Team, as well as being a former Captains Council Magistrate and having her hands in so many other staff-level elements of this organization over the years. I think I would be both reasonable and accurate in saying few areas of Starbase 118 haven’t been impacted by Marissa at some point during her long tenure. …Except maybe the wiki. I know she’s not a big fan of the wiki. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient for this award. Many, many congratulations, Marissa! Christopher Pike Pendant Awarded to Commanding Officers who command their ship with honor and dedication, and help to provide an creative atmosphere which fosters outstanding simming. Not only do they lead by significant and exceptional example, but they engineer their vessels to be inspirational and creative powerhouses for all who sim on board. Addison MacKenzie Presented by - Lia Rouiancet First, I want to say congratulations, Matt, for setting a sterling example of what it means to be a commanding officer in the 118 fleet. Your contributions have not only enriched the Artemis but have raised the bar for leadership across the entire community. Matt's journey as a commanding officer and a pillar of the fleet has been nothing short of remarkable. Since taking command of Artemis, he has proven himself again and again to be a powerhouse of a leader, guiding not only his ship but the many OOC groups, teams, and task forces he lends his expertise to, including this year (and very deservedly) the Executive Council. Under Matt’s stewardship, the Artemis has not only reached a strong and stable position in sim rates but has also evidenced an environment of unprecedented crew stability. The Artemis’s Discord (both public and staff) was noted by one nominator as a testament to his dedication, and Matt’s presence creates a dynamic and interactive atmosphere that keeps his crew consistently motivated and inspired. Matt's leadership style is characterized by his ability to stay ahead of challenges. He demonstrates an impressive knack for anticipating issues and addressing them head-on, often delegating tasks effectively to his staff. When faced with unexpected situations, Matt's quick thinking and decisive action clearly demonstrate his adaptability as a leader, whether that’s in response to an unexpected plot twist in the sim or a timely issue on the Captains or Executive Council. The stability and success of the Artemis crew under Matt's leadership speak volumes about his abilities as a captain. He’s dedicated to mentoring and guiding his simmers, and is never afraid to tackle a difficult situation. A nominator noted a particular circumstance in which Matt easily worked with a challenging simmer who consistently pushed the boundaries of realism in their sims. Matt's approach to this situation — helping the simmer understand the consequences of their character's actions and guiding them towards more appropriate and realistic storytelling — demonstrates his dedication to maintaining the integrity of the shared story while supporting individual growth. Matt's exceptional leadership, his commitment to nurturing his crew's talents, and his ability to navigate challenges with grace and wisdom make him a most deserving recipient of the Pike Pendant. His captaincy embodies the spirit of this award, demonstrating the qualities of a steward who not only leads but inspires and elevates those around him. Matt, the 118 fleet is incredibly lucky to have you! Chief's Citation Award Awarded to 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. Alora DeVeau Presented by Quinn Reynolds I can hardly think of anyone more deserving of this award than Amanda! A long-time member of the fleet, she has poured an incalculable amount of her time and energy into various pursuits over the years. She’s a driving force in the Newsies team, organising and conducting interviews for our several features; not just an interesting read for our current members, but a huge help in showing the world that we’re both an active and engaging place to join. In a similar vein, she’s a friendly face to many of our new members; often on hand to greet new people and answer their questions when they join our Discord server, regularly taking part in Academy classes to train them, and maintaining contact via normal and cross-ship simming after their graduation. All of this greatly contributes to a positive experience for those who join us, and we’re not at all suspicious that she’s using the African violets she hands out as part of a long-term plan for insurrection. Her ship also benefits from her enthusiasm and commitment to making the fleet a welcoming and fun place to be. She’s a kind and dedicated mentor, ensuring that anyone under her wing enjoys regular check-ins, sound advice, and thoughtful guidance. We’re fortunate to count her as one of our members, and is definitely numbered among those we consider the backbone of the fleet. Thank you for everything you do, Amanda, and congratulations on being this year’s winner of the Chief’s Citation Award! Strange Medallion Awarded to First Officers in the fleet who are consistently dependable, perform above the call of duty in their position, and excel not only in simming, but also in their dedicated Out of Character activities. Those awarded are regarded as leaders who excel in their facilitation of their crew, raising the bar and lifting up simmers to the podium. Named after Commander Sally Strange, widely known as one of the most creative and dedicated First Officers in the fleet's early years. Tomas Falt - Denali Station Presented by - Oddas Aria As one who nominated Tom for the Strange Medallion, it was great to see him win this Award. Since coming aboard Denali Station - indeed, since joining the Juneau, he has been a steadfast presence, quick to pitch in, quick to lend a hand, and someone who is always willing to help find a way to make running the ship both pleasant and a smoother running operation. In many ways, Tom compliments me in all the best ways - comfortable reaching out to people, knowing when to temper feelings, and when those feelings are getting diminishing returns. His advice is something I rely on, in the same way that I know when he says ‘I got this’ I do not have to worry about it ever again. To say I am beyond pleased he received this award would be an understatement. Congratulations Tom, good job.

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. We've also got tiers for three, five, ten, fifteen, twenty, and yes, even twenty-five years of continuous service. It's a prestigious road and we celebrate those who travel it. We've got some serious milestones to celebrate this year, folks! We've got numerous players who have reached long service achievements and many newcomers with their first-year awards -- and in between, veterans with their three and five-year badges. Let's give a big round of applause to all these officers who have made our community shine bright for so long. These players make our game great, with their dedication to their craft, writing, and long-term play. 1-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for one year. Kaito Moore, graduated from the academy June 7, 2023 Torvi Ylvor, graduated from the academy May 25, 2023 Alex Forsyth, graduated from the academy October 3, 2022 Araxxu Vahin, graduated from the academy June 12, 2023 Avander Promontory, graduated from the academy November 1, 2022 Doz Finch, graduated from the academy September 6, 2021 Gila Sadar, graduated from the academy June 26, 2023 Isabelle Basilia, graduated from the academy December 28, 2021 James Bowers, graduated from the academy June 12, 2023 Jora Kalis, graduated from the academy December 1, 2016 Josh Herrick, graduated from the academy May 18, 2023 Jovenan, graduated from the academy November 7, 2022 Luxa Lorana, graduated from the academy April 30, 2023 Madison Marsh, graduated from the academy June 26, 2023 Nolen Hobart, graduated from the academy January 24, 2023 Savel, graduated from the academy April 4, 2023 Senak, graduated from the academy March 19, 2023 T'Ama, graduated from the academy April 12, 2023 Toxin Arlill, graduated from the academy November 1, 2022 Toz, graduated from the academy November 22, 2021 Zenno, graduated from the academy June 12, 2023 3-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for three years. Aine Sherlock, graduated from the academy December 13, 2020 Alieth, graduated from the academy February 1, 2020 Dekas, graduated from the academy February 1, 2021 Gogigobo Fairhug, graduated from the academy November 21, 2017 Ikaia Wong, graduated from the academy November 2, 2020 John Kendrick, graduated from the academy January 4, 2021 Robin Hopper, graduated from the academy June 21, 2021 Scotty Reade, graduated from the academy April 20, 2021 Tahna Meru, graduated from the academy January 1, 2021 5-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for five years. Addison MacKenzie, graduated from the academy February 19, 2019 Azura Ada, graduated from the academy October 2, 2018 Chloe Waters, graduated from the academy November 1, 2018 Esa Kiax, graduated from the academy November 2, 2018 Haukea-Willow, graduated from the academy August 14, 2018 Karrod Niac, graduated from the academy September 17, 2018 Kimberly Stapledon, graduated from the academy January 19, 2008 Kirsty Lee Carpenter, graduated from the academy December 1, 2018 Salkath, graduated from the academy November 24, 2014 Samira Neathler, graduated from the academy August 27, 2018 Wil Ukinix, graduated from the academy November 13, 2018 10-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for ten years. Jansen Orrey, graduated from the academy June 7, 2008 Mei'konda, graduated from the academy February 1, 2013 Sal Taybrim, graduated from the academy October 6, 2013 15-Year Member For those who have been members continuously for fifteen years. Ash MacKenna, graduated from the academy May 1, 2009 Lael Rosek, graduated from the academy October 1, 2004 Special Awards 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. Nolen Hobart, USS Khitomer Presented by Randal Shayne Once in a great while, a new member joins our fleet whom anyone, from the most inexperienced to the greatest of our grizzled staffers, may look up to as a leader. It doesn’t matter their rank, or ship, or division; they bring their A-game wherever they are, whatever they’re doing. Their positivity, dedication and enthusiasm touch everything, raising spirits and setting new bars for the whole community. To these people, it’s less a matter of if they’ll become a CO, but when. Nolen Hobart is that rare, treasured wonder. The Rising Star Award was created for people such as him, who find joy in helping others, leading by example, and exploring the frontier, both in and out of character. Writing with and working with Isaac has been a highlight of my entire command tenure, and he inspires others (including me) to new heights. This award could not be more deserved. Congratulations, Isaac, and thank you for all that you do. 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. Madison Marsh, Starbase 118 Ops Presented by Sal Taybrim Dedicated and motivated players can make a big impact on the community at any rank and Matt who plays Lieutenant JG Madison Marsh is certainly one of those players. From the first day Madison Marsh was assigned on StarBase 118 Ops Matt was ready to succeed. One of the very first things Madison Marsh did was gather up her fellow Ensigns and jump into the Denali Invitational representing Ops with the Ensign’s Joyride! Following this Matt actively communicated with his mentor and staff laying out a plan for his character to achieve goals. Madison Marsh wanted to be a leader and Matt took the initiative in and out of character to connect with his fellow crew, play critical MSNPCs for two missions in a row, be a driving force in mission planning and work with shore leave scenes to develop a leadership role for Madison and bonds with her fellow crew. Matt has also been a source of community connection. Starting with the Denali Invitational, Matt formed bonds across ships. He’s an active member of the Fleetwide Chat and on Discord, creates cross ship Joint Posts to keep his relationships with his cross-fleet friends active, and has actively jumped in to write for taskforces. Matt served as the 2024 writing contest judge for Ops and was a cheerleader for the event to our crew, which prompted excellent participation from Ops. Matt is an excited, dedicated and motivated player who not only makes Ops a better place to play with their hard work, but makes the community a more fun place! Thank you so much for everything you have done, Matt - I am so proud of you! Sarpeidon Award Awarded to a simmer who has made outstanding contributions to the 118Wiki. Sarpeidon was the planet in TOS's "All Our Yesterdays" where the inhabitants built a library collecting their whole world's history. This is essentially what our wiki aspires to be: a repository of our group's history and a simming database. Gnai, USS Artemis Presented by Addison MacKenzie Ensign Gnai (Lich) has only been a member of the 118 community for a few short months, but their impact, particularly on our wiki, already runs deep. Wiki work, particularly the menial tasks of categorizing pages and images, is often thankless work that few people are eager to dig into. In their short time in our community, Lich has already single-handedly categorized over 3,500 files to assist Wiki Ops in reducing the number of uncategorized images on the wiki, and has made an impression on their colleagues for doing so with positivity and initiative worthy of recognition! Thanks for your work, Ensign! 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. Gila Sadar, USS Artemis Presented by Addison MacKenzie Few of us might use the term “chatterbox” in a positive light, but I think the term certainly applies to Michelle, the writer behind Gila Sadar. They are an immensely important part of the OOC morale among the Artemis crew, always contributing to the conversation both in the Artemis ship channel and Officer’s Chat. Additionally, Michelle is frequently highlighting the contributions of other writers on the forums, and someone who understands the value of welcoming new members to our community. “Gila has been a MASSIVE part of why I immediately felt welcomed from the start on the Artemis.” Part of what makes 118 so special is the opportunity to form special connections with the others we write with, both IC and OOC. Michelle is the embodiment of everything we look for from a Quark’s Bar recipient, and I am personally grateful for all she has done for morale on the Artemis! Congratulations, Lieutenant! 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. Oddas Aria, Denali Station Presented by Alora DeVeau Nick, the writer behind Commodore Oddas Aria, has been an integral part of our organisation for the last eight years. During this time, he has made an indelible mark on the SB118 Community. Despite being a self-proclaimed introvert, Nick has consistently involved himself in the daily life of our group. Beyond his accomplishments on his own ship, he spearheaded the development of Aria, the program that allows SB118 to efficiently track the numerous sims sent to each ship. Previously, a single person had to use a cumbersome spreadsheet to monitor the number of sims each member sent every month. In addition, Nick developed the code for the Sim Archive and played a pivotal role in Project Capstone, the fleetwide blockbuster that led to the development of the Warp XV drive and the launch of the USS Juneau. Most recently, he organized and ran the Denali Invitational, another fleetwide event that invited all interested members to join those on Denali for a small craft race, either as racers or visitors to the station. Nick's contributions extend beyond these achievements. Over the years, he has served as a judge for the now-retired Top Sims Contest, co-facilitated the Advanced Starship Design Bureau, acted as Deputy Commandant for the Training Team, and coordinated the annual Awards ceremony twice. These roles showcase his dedication to enhancing the community and providing opportunities for others to get involved. Everything Nick has done has been aimed at fulfilling a need or making the game more enjoyable, something to benefit the group at large. It is my great honor to present this year's Community Champion Award to Nick. We are deeply grateful to have you as an important and valued member of our community. Well done, and congratulations! 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. Robin Hopper, Amity Outpost Presented by Rivi Vataix The multiple nominations Keegan, the player behind Robin Hopper, received for this award all cite his tireless dedication to “engage with anyone and help anyone,” particularly when it comes to Keegan’s involvement with the Training Team, Image Collective, and the wiki as a wiki administrator and member of the Wiki Ops squadron. His involvement with these three areas of our community in particular means that he’s often called upon to help assist those who are just starting out with our community, from brand new members learning how to sim in the Academy or junior officers beginning to expand their wiki character pages beyond the basics. Keegan’s graphics work for character avatars and other images is renown. Not only is the quality of Keegan’s work well-known to those across the fleet, it serves as a shining beacon to inspire others. As one nominator put it, “When I first joined, I wasn't certain that the request that I would be making for my character image would even be *possible*, but almost as soon as I had posted it in the forums, [he] hopped on and offered to take on the challenge. I was blown away by how good my character's portrait looked, as well as how fast they were able to make it! And every other image I've seen him make for others (or for himself/his own characters) on the wiki and elsewhere has similarly blown my mind, both in terms of quality and speed of response. [He’s] someone that I look up to immensely regarding photoshop/image manipulation skills, and someone that I've found to be endlessly open to discussion about said things. [...] Keegan has created so many innovative and aesthetically pleasing pages, templates, [and] what-have-you on the wiki, and his work has been a major inspiration for my own fiddling around with character page layouts.” For being a constant and supporting presence in our community, it is my pleasure to present Keegan with this year’s Northern Star Award. Thank you for helping all of our members, from the newest cadets to our seasoned staff, and being a big part of what makes the StarBase 118 RPG community special. 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 demonstrate passion and ingenuity in editing and composing news reports, assisting in the upkeep of our In Character news service, the expansion of the 118 cosmos, and providing inspiration for our members. Genkos Adea, USS Artemis Presented by Addison MacKenzie Elliot (Genkos Adea) has a very no-nonsense approach to his OOC contributions to the fleet. He has a long history with the FNS and his contributions to that team help ensure that much of our OOC material is always updated. He plays a vital role in making sure several articles for the FNS are edited and posted each month, that the monthly ship reports meet the standards and criteria for FNS articles, and has also had a heavy hand in posting the poll of the month on the forums. One wouldn’t normally think about these as being responsibilities critical to the functioning of our organization, but this work ensures that our quality content is reaching the far corners of the web and helping to recruit more members to our community. Congratulations, and thanks for all your work, Elliot! 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. Jo Marshall, USS Gorkon Presented by Quinn Reynolds What can I say, except I’m surprised that Em hasn’t won this award before! She’s created art we see all around the fleet, from character images to many of our ships’ logos. Her generosity with her time has seen her help many other ships with their Halloween avatars over the years, and her skill has seen them admired by many. I think it’s fair to say SB118 would look very different if she was not a member of the Image Collective. She does an absolutely exceptional job, and has helped out so many in the fleet with her talents. I’m delighted to present her with the Okuda Award for everything she’s done over the years. Congratulations, Em! 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 Drex, Denali Station Presented by Oddas Aria Drex, Barbara, is one of the ‘non-native’ English speakers we have in our Fleet, but if she does not tell you you would never know. She is engaging, with good writing, fun stories, and overall writing a sense of fun in her character that makes her a pleasure to write with. Thank you Barabara for writing with us, and Congratulations! Is’Kah, USS Ronin Presented by Karrod Niac Is’Kah (Kaitlyn) is a simmer who routinely brings a creative zeal to her writing that is engaging, dynamic and unconventional. She does it with a great deal of passion and energy while gladly taking on NPC’s in addition to her fascinating PC, the Vulcan/Trill hybrid Is’kah. The fact that she does all this while wrestling with a condition that routinely causes her a great deal of physical pain only makes her accomplishments that much more notable and for that I’m proud to award her this special recognition. Ronin Strong, Kaitlyn! Karen Stendhal, USS Octavia E. Butler Presented by Lia Rouiancet It’s my great pleasure to present one of this year's Xalor Clan Xifilis Awards to Stefania, the talented writer behind Counselor Karen Stendhal. Written English is, of course, our primary medium of expression, and as a non-native English speaker, Stefania has not only overcome the language barrier but has excelled in crafting engaging, nuanced, and creative sims. Stefania's journey with us has been one of perseverance and dedication. After a three-year absence due to personal challenges, she returned to our community with the same exuberance that had initially endeared her to her fellow simmers. Her ability to reintegrate is a testament to her resilience and passion for storytelling. Her sims are filled with clever twists and fun dialogue, and she has even taken on the challenge of writing an NPC with an unusual speech pattern, demonstrating her linguistic versatility. Stefania's endurance, perseverance, and simming abilities make her a most deserving recipient of the Xalor Clan Xifilis Award. Please join me in congratulating Stefania for her contributions and for making Starbase 118 an integral part of her story. Her presence in the 118 community is a shining example of how perseverance and talent can transcend linguistic boundaries and enrich our shared experiences. Lina Dahlquist, USS Gorkon Presented by Quinn Reynolds I’m delighted to present this award to Mick, the person behind Lina Dahlquist. He is one of our many writers for whom English is a second language; something many of the Gorkon crew didn’t realise until recently! He doesn’t just use English, but does so in a way which communicates the vibrancy of his character; her hopes, dreams, struggles, and disappointments. It’s a testament to an ongoing dedication to his writing craft, and I’m very proud to recognise his ability to overcome the language barrier to create such engaging sims. Congratulations, Mick! Please join us in congratulating these talented players!

Greetings and welcome to the 2024 (2401) Fleetwide Awards Ceremony! Welcome to the 2024 (IC: 2401) Starbase 118 Awards ceremony. This cherished tradition in our community is an annual celebration, where we recognize those members who have made us laugh, cry, feel fury (ICly!), or joy, and inspired us in this world we all know and love. A big thank-you goes to everyone who took the time and effort to nominate their fellow members. And of course, we deeply appreciate everyone who spends their free time with us, writing, creating, and adding to this universe we all know and love. Our members are invaluable; without you, Starbase 118 wouldn’t exist. Whether you’ve been here for 30 years or 30 minutes, you are a part of what makes this community so exceptional. This year’s Awards ceremony is particularly special as Starbase 118 celebrates its 30th anniversary. We are not only honoring the vibrant minds and talents within our ranks, but also the perseverance and dedication of those who keep this community thriving. For many of us, this community has become a significant part of our lives, and I think we can all agree that SB118 is something truly unique and special. Thank you, each one of you, for being a part of this extraordinary group. Happy 30th anniversary, Starbase 118 – and here’s to many more! Now, let’s get to the heart of this week’s celebration. There are five categories of awards: General Awards (which some ships have presented to their crews already!), Duty Post, Special and Staff Awards distinguishing players across the rank spectrum for many achievements. The member Length of Service Awards continues to grow as we award membership lengths of one, three, five, ten, fifteen, and beyond! -- Oddas Aria and Alora DeVeau

Welcome to day one of the annual Awards Ceremony! We’re very excited to present the General Awards The General (Ship) Awards have been distributed by each captain to their respective crew members. As per tradition, this year's winners, just like in previous years, were selected by the commanding officers of the fleet. In situations where the commanding officer was also nominated, the first officer took on the responsibility of making the final decision. The nominations were submitted by you, offering you an opportunity to observe the accomplishments of other ships and discover who received each award. B-Plot Award Awarded to simmers who, despite the demands of the core storyline, illustrate a substantial portion of the character's life. Their sims convey the journey of their character while bringing their fellow crew members along for the ride, allowing for collaboration and making their world feel as though their fellow writers are a part of it. Harrison Blackwood: Amity Outpost Vitor Silveira: USS Artemis Esa Kiax: USS Astraeus Lhandon Nilsen: USS Octavia E Butler Indrid Yirah: USS Constitution-B Tomas Falt: Denali Station Vylaa zh'Tisav: USS Gorkon V'Len Kel: USS Ronin Combs Cross Awarded to individuals who bring their ships to life with well-rounded PNPCs, enhancing plots and character development, without detracting from the main story and characters of the sim. They add depth and colour to the universe, and make the journey the experience. Named for Jeffrey Combs, guest star of a thousand faces. John Carter: Amity Outpost Jovenan: USS Artemis Arturo Maxwell: USS Octavia E Butler Atan T'Seva: USS Constitution-B Alora DeVeau: Denali Station Talia Ohnari: USS Khitomer Korras: StarBase 118 Ops Luxa Lorana: USS Ronin Genesis Award The Most Improved Simmer Award. Awarded to officers who show conspicuous effort in notably improving their simming skills. Kaito Moore: Amity Outpost Savel: USS Artemis Sylvie Doucet: USS Astraeus Toz: USS Octavia E Butler T'Ama: USS Constitution-B Alex Forsyth: Denali Station Lina Dahlquist: USS Gorkon Madison Marsh: StarBase 118 Ops Khan Award Awarded to a simmer who thoughtfully develops a three-dimensional villain over the course of a mission or more. They create well-rounded and grounded villains, who may be mustache twirling murderous maniacs, or the hero of their own story. A superb villain should be a formidable and deserving foe to your heroes. They should neither be so weak that they are easily defeated, nor should they be so powerful that they can only be defeated by chance. Wil Ukinix: Amity Outpost Genkos Adea: USS Artemis Azura Ada: USS Constitution-B Araxxu Vahin: Denali Station Luxa Lorana: USS Ronin Laudean Commendation Awarded to those who 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, such as expansion of the species on the wiki and documenting their history, but should primarily be based in In Character simming. Charlena Vanlith: Amity Outpost Gnai: USS Artemis Yinn: USS Octavia E Butler Mingxing Shimisi: USS Constitution-B Kettick: Denali Station Quinn Reynolds: USS Gorkon Zenno: USS Khitomer Ian O'Connor: USS Ronin Haukea-Willow: StarBase 118 Ops Nebula Bar Awarded to a simmer who has demonstrated great imagination in 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 improves the flow of a given plot. Kimberly Stapledon: USS Constitution-B Oddas Aria: Denali Station Ash MacKenna: USS Khitomer Gogigobo Fairhug: StarBase 118 Ops Luxa Lorana: USS Ronin Neelix Award Awarded to officers who go above and beyond the call of duty by displaying additional, Out of Character commitment. This includes assisting fellow officers in need of simming assistance, facilitating Out of Character discussions with the crew, maintaining wiki articles, and more. Jansen Orrey: Amity Outpost Gila Sadar: USS Artemis Serala: USS Astraeus Avander Promontory: USS Octavia E Butler T'Ama: USS Constitution-B Drex: Denali Station Samira Neathler: USS Gorkon Connor Dewitt: USS Khitomer Saschenka Kreshkova: StarBase 118 Ops Luxa Lorana: USS Ronin O'Brien Award Awarded to individuals with the rank of Lieutenant or Lieutenant Commander who assist the ship's command staff by mentoring crew, arranging missions, updating the wiki, and performing other activities critical to the successful operation of our sims. These officers serve as the backbone of their ships and stations, assisting in making simming enjoyable for everyone on board. Named after one of Trek's most devoted and tenacious support personnel. Robin Hopper: Amity Outpost Lael Rosek: USS Astraeus Jack Kessler: USS Butler Laria Herren: USS Constitution-B Tomas Falt: Denali Station Doz Finch: USS Gorkon Connor Dewitt: USS Khitomer Solaris McLaren: StarBase 118 Ops Luxa Lorana: USS Ronin Pathfinder Award Awarded to individuals who have taken great care in mentoring other members during their early stages of simming and beyond. They are great communicators who continuously find ways to motivate and inspire their mentees. Nathan Richards: Amity Outpost Genkos Adea: USS Artemis Mei'konda: USS Astraeus Aine Sherlock: USS Octavia E Butler Diz'mim: USS Constitution-B Alora DeVeau: Denali Station Quinn Reynolds: USS Gorkon Nolen Hobart: USS Khitomer Gogigobo Fairhug: StarBase 118 Ops V'Len Kel: USS Ronin Q Award Awarded to a simmer who keeps their team guessing with unexpected, clever plot twists throughout the year. Though they may be sudden, unexpected, and even dramatic changes in direction, the twists must be realistic and sensible. The twists should never happen in such a way that people feel misled, fooled, or embarrassed. Great narrative twists always increase, not decrease, other simmer’s participation in the story. Kaito Moore: Amity Outpost Vitor Silveira: USS Artemis Toxin Arlill: USS Octavia E Butler Eleanor Park: USS Constitution-B John Kendrick: Denali Station Vylaa zh'Tisav: USS Gorkon Luxa Lorana: USS Ronin Russ Bar Awarded to a writer who possesses exceptional grasp of Trek mythology. Named after Tim Russ, the actor who portrayed Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager and was a huge Star Trek fan before landing the part. Ikaia Wong: Amity Outpost Talos Dakora: USS Artemis Christopher Caldwell: USS Astraeus Avander Promontory: USS Octavia E Butler Ba'el: USS Constitution-B Ayiana Sevo: USS Gorkon Chloe Waters: USS Khitomer Madison Marsh: StarBase 118 Ops Scotty Cross Scotty Cross Awarded to an officer who shows extreme creativity while solving a plot dilemma or in character plot twist. Robin Hopper: Amity Outpost Hallia Yellir: USS Artemis Karen Stendhal: USS Octavia E Butler Azura Ada: USS Constitution-B Doz Finch: USS Gorkon Ezra Zerva: USS Khitomer Sheathed Sword Awarded to individuals who choose to inflict mental and/or physical suffering on their character, then dig into the following feelings and decisions in a realistic manner. The term is derived from a passage in a Robert Jordan novel in which a warrior must be prepared to 'sheath the sword' in their own body, i.e. incur a painful wound to attain one's objective (in this case, more realistic simming) rather than a genuine aim of the character. Jaseb Chevalier: USS Artemis Esa Kiax: USS Astraeus Lhandon Nilsen: USS Octavia E Butler Laria Herren: USS Constitution-B Ghee’looth Xiron: Denali Station Tahna Meru: USS Gorkon T'Reyna: StarBase 118 Ops Kirsty Carpenter: USS Ronin Silver Palm Awarded to individuals who are renowned to offer that spark to a plot when it is lagging, or to consistently bring fun or a touch of humour to the sim, while keeping such sims current and realistic. They constantly raise their crew's morale in a variety of methods, including Out of Character. Rebecca Iko: Amity Outpost Genkos Adea: USS Artemis Christopher Caldwell: USS Astraeus Josh Herrick: USS Octavia E Butler T'Ama: USS Constitution-B Kettick: Denali Station Doz Finch: USS Gorkon Nolen Hobart: USS Khitomer Corey Wethern: StarBase 118 Ops Quentin Beck: USS Ronin The Order of Starfleet Merit and Achievement First Class (TOSMA) The Order of Starfleet Merit and Achievement First Class is awarded to members who show great dedication in their behavior and simming abilities. A candidate for TOSMA gives strong, solid ideas to the storyline and character development on a regular basis. They also take the time to edit and proofread their sims to guarantee that their writing is of high quality. Nathan Richards: Amity Outpost Jovenan: USS Artemis Charles Matthews: USS Astraeus Margaret Walker: USS Octavia E Butler Indrid Yirah: USS Constitution-B Ghee’looth Xiron: Denali Station Tahna Meru: USS Gorkon Zenno: USS Khitomer Evan Ross: StarBase 118 Ops Ian O'Connor: USS Ronin Vega Award Awarded to individuals who bring the worlds of their crews to life with art, videos, and all kinds of artistic endeavours. Named for one of the Federation's earliest colonies. Torvi Ylvor: Amity Outpost Aine Sherlock: USS Octavia E Butler Jalana Rajel: USS Constitution-B Oddas Aria: Denali Station Jo Marshall: USS Gorkon Nolen Hobart: USS Khitomer Alieth: USS Ronin Please join us in congratulating these talented players!

The Commodore is wearing the latest from the Aavaro Wilds, specifically Uliria Peltori of Lightside. The leaves change with the seasons of the wearer's home planet as the dress's landscape responds to the movement of the wearer, translating it to wind and weather.

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. Leave yourself plenty of time to get dressed up so you're not left out in the cold, you wouldn't want to be the odd man out! 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.

It's my station, and if I want all the candy I'll take it!

DATES: The class began on 2023-07-03 and ended 2023-07-11 LIST: sb118-Academy2 COMMANDING OFFICER: Commander @Samira Neathler FIRST OFFICER: Lt. Commander @Gogigobo Fairhug GRADUATES: @Jhryn Kuva Welcome to the fleet – we're so glad you're here!

Aria would try for something simple this year.

At least @Alan Letts isn't lacking in the self-esteem department.

The ones that come from a can? They were put there by a man ...

DATES: The class began on 11/14/2022 and ended 11/22/2022 LIST: sb118-Academy3 COMMANDING OFFICER: Lt. Commander Elizabeth Snow FIRST OFFICER: Lt. Commander Jo Marshall GRADUATES: Jackie Mason, Ops Welcome to the fleet – we're so glad you're here!