Lhandon_Nilsen Posted September 30 Posted September 30 (edited) I love it when we get to the awards, and I love that we do it differenly every single time it comes around at the end of shore leave. Sometimes we go for a really intimate one on one, or one on two scenes and sometimes we get the whole ship involved. This time around we are going for the latter. Awards are also a great time for you to do a audit of who you have simmed with and who is left to reach out to and start a scene. They are also a great time to layout what your characters relationship is with each individual character and maybe even set up some future plot lines. Today, @Morro Caras does that masterfully. I knew, right away, who was important to Morro, I learned more about Morro's background and what these awards means to him. Quote ((Solar Sail Observation Hall, Deep Space 14 )) Ensign Morro Caras was at the engineering table with the rest of his fellow engineers. He was in his dress uniform for the ceremony and had styled his hair to appear a little more kempt than usual. He had just gotten done going around to the different tables and saying “hi “to the crew he knew, and getting a good layout of the incredible domed venue. He looked up at New Bajor; but as soon as he saw the Captain and her first officer walk out, he knew it was business time. Morro settled in his chair as a hush fell over the large room. Rouiancet: Thank you all very much for spending your last night of shore leave with your friends and crewmates aboard Deep Space 14. Before we begin our next mission, I want to focus on you and celebrating your achievements. I'd like to begin by awarding each of these pips to a different officer. I'll ask them both to join me up here now: Lieutenants, Junior Grade Karen Stendhal and Lhandon Nilsen. Caras watched as Stendhal and Nilsen approached the front. Rouiancet: Please hold your applause until after my remarks. The two officers stood facing the crowd. Rouiancet: Counselor Karen Stendhal. The care and professionalism you've shown to the crew of the Octavia E. Butler is a credit to your duty post. You are a wonderful example of an officer, not only in the skill and knowledge you demonstrate in the course of your duties, including as a member of the away teams and shuttle crews you participated in during this mission. You likewise do your people proud, as your courage and willingness to dive headfirst into mindscapes and mental back alleys puts you in dangers I don't think anyone else can fully appreciate. Finally, I understand your dedication to your calling extends even to your leave time, when you used some of your downtime to help your crewmates. You have more than earned this promotion. Congratulations, Lieutenant Stendhal. Promontory: (sincerely) Congratulations Lieutenant! Nilsen: Congrats Karen. You deserve this. Stendhal: Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. You're all wonderful! A thousand thanks! You're all amazing. Caras had worked with the counselor in the last mission. She had shown him her incredible positive attitude even when dealing with a tedious and grueling task. Something that left a dark shadow over the rest of the mission. He was sure that if she had been in engineering with them she would have been on his side to try and get everyone to talk about their feelings. Something 2nd Lt. Sh'shelor was seemingly fully against. There was still a question that he hadn’t followed up on… Were they still due for a date? Morro had never quite figured that out. Rouiancet: Now, then, Lhandon. I'm particularly proud of you, since I've watched you grow from an uncertain ensign aboard the 'Oumuamua to the assistant chief of one of the most important departments on the Butler, and now as a full lieutenant. I hear, too, that not only did you demonstrate time and again your knowledge and growing experience of and with operations systems, you're also turning out to have a real flair for diplomatic matters. (beat, slightly dry) Not that there was much to liaise with in this mission -- (normal) but even so, you have likewise put in the work, the time, and the energy to have more than earned this promotion. Congratulations, Lieutenant Nilsen. Promontory: Congrats kid! Morro smiled at the familiarity that the word “Kid” implied. Lhandon had really made an impression on Morro, they had only known one another for a short while, but he was the first real friend that Morro had made here. That “kid” from Promontory meant that Lhandon really did have that ability to be friendly with almost anyone and make them feel familiar with him. Morro had experienced that with Lhandon first hand. Someone who actually took the time to get to know him and trade hobbies and ideas with; and also spend what might seem to others as an inordinate amount of time in the gym. Nilsen: Thank you sir, this…it means a lot, thank you. Stendhal: Congratulations Lhando! You're more than deserving of this promotion! Rouiancet: Now, before Commander Promontory calls up our next two promotees, please join me in a round of applause for these two fine officers! Promontory: Here here! Caras stood up to applaud, he couldn’t help it. He was legitimately happy for both of them, people he had recognized as what he thought a good officer should be. It felt good that this was a reinforcement of that. Not only did he feel that they were good officers, ones he should take advice and trust in, but it was now being reinforced. Nilsen: ::To Rouiancet and Promontory:: Thank you sirs. I’ll erm… Stendhal: I'd like to echo the sentiments of our new lieutenant Nilsen herer. Thank you very much. The newly promoted officers returned to their chairs. The Captain and her XO exchanged looks and Promontory began. Promontory: We have some additional officers that deserve special recognition. The first officer made a long pause, almost like he was testing something Promontory: Will Ensign(s) Yinn/Loq and Lieutenant Richards please come forward. Promontory: And as before, let’s hold the applause. Morro didn’t really know Yinn and Loq well. He had heard that they were two people now combined into one due to some kind of incident. Morro wondered how often StarFleet officers ran into life changing situations that completely altered their perception of their own existence and changed daily life for them, and kept coming back into work. That alone showed their dedication to StarFleet. Promontory: Ensign, despite the challenges and strain of your two-body problem, you have continued to perform—even excel—in your assigned duties. I also understand you spent some time last mission phase shifted, but were able to help yourself and others get back. Throughout your time onboard, you have served the ship and your crew with distinction over several missions now and it is my genuine pleasure to recognize those efforts by awarding you the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Commander Promontory added a hollow pip to each of Loq's collars. Rouiancet: Congratulations, Lieutenant. Yinn: Thank you, sir. They nodded respectfully, both heads in perfect unison. Richards: Congrats. You earned it! Promontory: Lieutenant Richards, come forward! Promontory: With some of our personnel changes of late, we find ourselves without a chief of security. (smiling at Rouiancet) I understand without regard to your own career, you’ve stepped up to ensure the ship remained safe from enemies both near (another look at Lia) and far. In light of this, we’d like to officially recognize you as our Acting Chief of Security. Caras had never really met the last Chief of security. Typically he didn’t want to cross paths with anyone who was too stuck up in security. He had a healthy fear of all security of any ship drilled into him as a kid by his family. With this appointment, Caras felt more at ease. Caras had served a large portion of the last mission with Richards, and he had presented himself as an extremely competent officer. Richards seemed a little on the serious side to Caras, but then again that probably is what made him perfect for this appointment. Rouiancet: You've really been holding things together, Lieutenant. You deserve this. Richards: Thank you, Sirs. Avander nodded to Yinn and Richards. Promontory: Lieutenants. Yinn (both voices in unison): Commander. Rouiancet: Congratulations. (raising her voice) And now, please, a round of applause! Caras cheered with the rest of the crew as the recently promoted officers made their way back to their seats. Rouiancet: As the commander and I award ribbons, yeomen around the hall will provide the named officers and crew with the ribbons and stars they've earned. (beat) First, I would like to recognize Lieutenants Anton Richards, Toxin Arlill, and Josh Herrick with the Leadership Excellence Ribbon. Each of these three lieutenants rose magnificently to the challenge of command, whether that was of a shuttle mission, a dangerous mission group, or the Butler's bridge. You can, and should, look to these three as future commanders. Congratulations! Morro watched as the recipients were awarded their ribbons. He was proud to have recently worked with all of them. Rouiancet: Next, I would like to recognize a pair of medical officers who are a credit to their chosen duty post. First, Doctor Toz has earned the Silver Lifesaving Ribbon, both for her specific work in caring for the officers and crew of the Unity Dow as they rephased -- including one Barney Nilsen, notably, as the first returnee -- and in general for her role in ensuring the safe recovery of as many officers and crew as possible. (beat) I would also like to recognize Doctor Jania Nis with the Silver Lifesaving Ribbon. She found herself called up in the midst of an ongoing crisis and, with little context, was instrumental in preventing the loss of life in nacelle control. Congratulations and an enormous thank you to both of you! Again, yeomen swiftly presented the medical officers with their ribbons as the applause crescendoed, and again, The CO waited for the applause to quiet before she continued. Rouiancet: I would like now to recognize a particular group of officers with two ribbons, the Explorer's Ribbon and the Federation Cross. Lieutenant Maxwell, Lieutenant Commander Katsim, Lieutenant Commander Promontory (a nod to Avander), and Captain Walker -- who couldn't be here today, unfortunately -- showed uncommon bravery and went well beyond the requirements of their duties as they experienced the crucible of the planet's surface. I honor all of you with these ribbons. Rouiancet: Finally, before I turn over the presentation to Commander Promontory, I want recognize another group of officers with the Innovation Ribbon. Actually, I wish to recognize several groups, including those who were instrumental in understanding the phasing phenomenon, as well as those who contributed to our exploration and understanding of the OVIV system itself, whether from the Butler or as a team on assignment. Therefore, I'd like to recognize Lieutenants Yinn/Loq, Toz, Nilsen, Arlill, and Wauhk, Lieutenant Commanders Promontory and Katsim, Ensign Kovacs, and Petty Officer First Class Una Qualunque. And myself, I suppose. Caras had to stifle a little bit of a chuckle. He hadn’t really thought of that part of being a captain before. When presenting the awards and trying to be fair, if you were instrumental in the group you felt needed to be rewarded you would have to include yourself wouldn’t you? Rouiancet: And now, for the remaining ribbons, I present again Commander Promontory. He exchanged places with her at the podium and pulled up his PADD. There were enough awards left to announce that he would need the crib sheet to ensure he didn’t miss anyone. The XO swapped places with Rouiancet at the podium as he hoisted up his PADD. It was like he had a weight to it, a lot of names. Promontory: First up, we want to honor Lieutenant Maxwell with the Medal of Commendation. We’ve already acknowledged the horrors on OVIV-B. (involuntarily shuttering) But in addition to experiencing all that, Max gallantly rescued a fellow crewmember. (beat) And Haggis. He looked over at Maxwell and raised his hands to begin another round of clapping. oO Haggis? Who is Haggis?Oo Caras thought. He made a mental note of it, ask the computer who Haggis is. Promontory: And now for a ribbon we’d prefer to never award, but nevertheless, the Purple Heart is given to those who have been injured in the line of duty. Lieutenants Arlill, Sh'shelo, Nilsen and Ensign Caras put their bodies and lives on the line to get the Dow operational and out of the system. While I understand they will make full recoveries, the effects of radiation poisoning can be quite serve. And before we give these officers the proper applause, I want to mention one more officer who will be given the Purple Heart, in absentia, Lieutenant Kessler. Promontory’s eyes scanned over to their table and zeroed in on their target. Lahl. Promontory: Because friendly fire is still fire. Caras chucked at that but then realized his name had been called. His first award! He winced thinking about what had happened to them. Promontory was right. It wasn’t great that they had to award it, but all of them had been severely poisoned and they all could have died. Caras had to keep himself from bowing as the yeoman gave him his ribbon. He had no idea what to do; he had never gotten one of these before. Promontory: And now, the Starfleet Investigation Ribbon is awarded to individuals who use investigative skills to solve a crime, defuse a threat, or resolve a dangerous situation. And this last mission had more than it’s share of threats and dangerous situations. From the bridge of the Dow, to the unpleasantness in its Engineering as well as those who navigated intelligence gathering on Port Coray we have over a dozen officers deserving of this award. Promontory nodded to the yeomen to begin distributing the ribbons as he read out their names, starting with their command officer next to him on the dias. Promontory: Captain Rouiancet, Lieutenants Herrick, Nilsen, Kessler, Richards, Arlill, Sh'shelor Herrick, Toz, Maxwell, Xaivis and, of course, two of our newest Ensigns Caras and Lahl! A second award!? Caras wasn’t sure what to do, so one again he did the same dance with the previous yeoman that had just delivered him his last award. The Yeoman looked at him with a look that said “what is this guy doing?”. After their little “dance” Caras received his award. Promontory: And speaking of gathering intelligence, I’m pleased to award one of my personal favorites, the Intelligence Star. We entered the mission with almost no information about the system and in a short manner of time collected more than Starfleet had previously known. I’m happy to announce that Captain Rouiancet, Commander Walker, Lieutenant Commander Sherlock, Lieutenants Kessler, Arlill, Richards, Stendhal, and Ensign Caras will all be receiving this ribbon. Another ribbon!? This time the yeoman that had given Caras the last two awards played a game much like musical chairs with another yeoman to not have to give this next ribbon to Caras, but lost. Leaving Caras as the last one that hadn’t received the Intelligence Star. The Yeoman let out a sigh and did the “dance” with Caras once again. This time it was more prolonged, and it was awkward as they no longer had the applause left to cover them giving the award. They had a slight look of embarrassment as they went back up to the stage staring daggers at Caras. Promontory: One more award deserves your attention before we let you return to your meals. The Starfleet Medal of Valor is awarded to individuals who have displayed extraordinary bravery and courage in the finest traditions of Starfleet, even when not engaged in conflict with a traditional enemy. The acts of heroism our crew performed were particularly notable and involved a conspicuous risk of life, setting the recipient apart from their comrades. For their service we award the Starfleet Medal of Valor to Captain Rouiancet, Lieutenants Herrick, Nilsen, Kessler, Richards, Arlill, Sh'shelor, and Ensgins Caras, Lahl. Thank you thank you thank you. The medal of Valor. Caras thought he was going to faint. Had he really done something so incredible to receive something so prestigious? He wasn’t sure. But that yeoman seemed resigned to their fate, and decided they wanted to get this over with and ran up to Caras, but they were somehow beaten by another yeoman. They almost seemed mad as they presented the ribbon to Ensign Lahl instead. Staring at Caras the whole time. Did Morro just make an enemy without saying anything to them? Promontory: And again, for all those who have been honored tonight and a general thanks to the crew overall! (clapping, but slower to spare his hands) And now, I encourage you to tuck in to the food. Be sure to congratulate your fellow officers and enjoy the evening. Caras had never thought much of awards. All of the ones that were given out on Orion ships were at the whim of the captain, and that could change from season to season. Most of their rewards were monetary, like a certain piece of loot from the last haul. Or they were “rank” or better quarters. Caras appreciated StarFleet. These ribbons meant something, they would let people know the deeds he had done, and he wouldn’t have to say anything. He wasn’t one to argue if he should get them or not. If given the choice he’d just say “Just doing my job”. In the end that’s what StarFleet was rewarding, doing the thing he had committed to doing. Duty, service. Sometimes the distinction was what two people thought was their job, that’s what distinguished his record from another, that and circumstance. He would like to think that anyone would do the same thing and get the same awards if presented with the opportunity. That Is what he thought, Morro Caras was still fairly Naive and ignorant. He didn’t understand the difference between those two points of view; but he was starting to. The Psychic vision he had received was in the recesses of his mind now. The doubts sewn by the real Z’Mat were now exacerbated by the last mission. A small crack had formed in the foundation of Caras’ character. At least it didn’t get in the way of his appetite as he did as Promontory had bade, and tucked right into the food. [[TBC?]] ((OOC: Not sure if these scene is breaking out into more conversations)) --- Ensign Morro Caras Engineering Officer USS Octavia E. Butler O240106MC1 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "USS Octavia E. Butler – StarBase 118 Star Trek PBEM RPG" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sb118-butler+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sb118-butler/ff9d6d60-85dc-435c-9046-1a2cb2d0502bn%40googlegroups.com. Edited September 30 by Lhandon_Nilsen Fixed title 1 Quote
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