SIM:Reider, Luke/Continuing the Tradition

Admiral Luke Reider makes a stop on the way home from Deep Space 72, to promote Commander Hebron, give him his new assignment, and a few other things... ::Luke stepped off the transporter pad feeling rather worn and tired. Having just left Deep Space 72, he was on his way back to StarBase 118 when he had received word that he was needed at another promotion... Figures. He had just done the promotion of Captain Torrack Demma to Fleet Captain, and now he was going to be promoting Commdander Hebron to Captain. Apparently the administrative staff at StarBase 118 was going to keep him busy around the clock...:: ::A small escort waited for him nearby. He greeted them, and then followed the lead guard straight to meet Commander Hebron. The man's temporary quarters on the Kodiak were relatively nice. Reider assumed that Hebron's position as Hollis's past first officer probably meant he would be receiving the VIP treatment. It's only fair...:: ::The two met, shook hands, and exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes. All the while, the nagging knoweldge of his brother's current medical condition gnawed in Luke's mind. Nevertheless, he had a duty, and he would do it. And cheerfully at that.:: ::After a few minutes, Reider left Hebron's quarters with the escort, to find his own overnight accomidations.:: ((The next day...)) ::With a good night's sleep and more than enough freshening up behind him, Admiral Reider left his quarters for the ship's conference room. The dress uniform, shining with it's fair share of metals and pips, fit snugly on the Admiral. A good fit, and not one bit too tight around the neck. As always, the ever present security detail led and followed him through the corridors.:: ::The ceremony that is prepared is small. Just a few officers from the Kodiak, and a few from the Tiger. Mainly the senior staff of both ships. All are seated, and talking quietly when the Admiral enters. He smiles at the group, and begins.:: REIDER: I think you'll all find it amusing to note that this is the second promotion I've done in one week. ::Smirking:: With that said, let me introduce myself: Admiral Luke Reider. Being that most of you have been away from StarBase 118 for a month, at least, you haven't gotten the chance to meet me personally. I hope to get to know all of you that would have me, in the coming years. The door to my office is always open... even though I'm usually never there! REIDER: Anyway, I'm happy to announce that as most of you know Commander Xan Hebron has filled all necessary requirements for the promotion to Captain. REIDER: But beyond just filling requirements, he has exceeded them. As you all well know, he has just manuevered a tough ship through a tougher situation, and come out alive. Through the past few months he has helped guide the crew of the Tiger through adversity with a steady hand. His acheivements have not gone unnoticed by his former captain, or by StarFleet. Commander Hebron, please come forward. ::The Admiral gently opens the small black box that was waiting for him on the table, and picks up the shiny filled pip. Xan approaches and waits quietly, his hands behind his back.:: REIDER: StarFleet hereby bestows the rank of Captain, with all it's priviledges and responsibilities on you, Xan Hebron. Congratulations. ::Deftly, Luke pins the pip on. It's obvious he's done this more than once. He extends his hand to Hebron.:: REIDER: Good work. Hope to see great things from you in the future. ::They shake hands, as the group applauds. Hebron turns, heading back to his seat. Reider stops him, grabbing his shoulder gently.:: REIDER: Oh, by the way... ::The new captain looks to the Admiral, a bit confused. Luke turns to one of the security detail, which is waiting by the door of the conference room. The head officer hands him a PADD.:: REIDER: These are the specifications of the USS Constitution-B, your new ship. ::Hebron's eyes widen.:: REIDER: You might want to have your crew pack up. She'll be here within a few hours... ::Chuckling, the Admiral hands the PADD to Xan. It contains the full rundown of the new ship, including the time of arrival, it's first mission specifications, and information on the new crewmembers and families that will be merging with Hebron's current officers. There is more applause, as the excited crew stand, hoping to see what's on the PADD. Just a few minutes later, the slightly illegal alcoholic drinks are brought out and the crew celebrates. Reider mingles with the officers, spending most of his time talking with the new captain, as well as Hollis about both of their last missions. Once most of the drinks were gone, the bottles empty, the crew departed for their work stations, or for other activities.:: REIDER: I'm sorry I couldn't spend more time on your ship, Captain, but I have to be heading back to StarBase 118. I have some personal business to attend to. HEBRON: [response] REIDER: Well, good luck. And remember, you can contact me if you need anything at all. The StarBase keeps a close eye on me. ::Smiling::

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Luke continues the night by giving the USS Kodiak awards. ::The crew mingles for a while, before the final part of the night begins. As they are quieted, the Admiral moves to the table, where a number of black boxes, not unlike the one Hebron's pip was found in, are resting in neat little piles. Each box has imprinted on it, in gold letters on the lid, the name of the receiving officer.:: ::Luke looks up at the crowd, now all holding glasses and small dishes, and smiles once again.:: REIDER: As my final duty before I get to return home, and you folks begin the preperation to move to a new ship, I have a number of awards to give out. We will begin with the USS Kodiak crew. All of these officers have been reported on heavily, and I feel like I've gotten to know them through the numerous updates on them from their captain. I am excited to reward them this way. ::Reider opens the first box. A small gold badge lays on the red velvet lining of the box.:: REIDER: The TOSMA-One award is given to those officers who show strong talent in being a part of a crew. The qualities of a TOSMA recipient include ingenuity, loyalty, creativity, and sociability. They show careful attention to detail, and often double-check their work. Many I've seen are avid users of spell-checkers when it comes to writing reports for their captain. ::Luke smiles.:: Lieutenant Commander Medai Cyrce fits this profile well. As a Chief Medical Officer aboard the USS Kodiak, he has acted with perseverance and dedication to his role. But he also manages to incorporate the ideas and abilities of those around him to augment his work, to everyone's benefit. Mr. Cyrce, please come forward. ::The officer steps out of the crowd. Luke hands him the box, then shakes his other hand vigorously. He picks up the next box and opens it. A gold cross, which would hang from a short, red, white, and blue strap were it suspended, glimmers in the box.:: REIDER: The Scotty Cross. Given to those StarFleet officers who show unparalleled creativity when in crisis situations. The 2nd Officer of the Kodiak has just that. Creativity in all it's forms. The Kodiak has undoubtably been saved a dozen times by her skills and abilities as a budding command officer. Lieutenant Commander M'Gret, would you please come forward and accept your award on behalf of the United Federation Of Planets, and StarFleet. ::The Vulcan steps forward, and accepts the award with grace and dignity. Reider moves on to find a shining blue-greenish bar in the next box. A shining star, surrounded by a dense starfield is framed in an oval.:: REIDER: Imaginative is the word that comes to mind when I see this award. The Nebula Bar signifies the achievement of an open mind. A mind that is welcoming to the adventure of space-exploration. A mind that appreciates it's environment, whether it be beautiful, or horrifying. Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations, is a Vulcan philosophy. Members of the group of Nebula Bar recipients understand this concept well. Lieutenant Jordan Hurne, the Kodiak's Operations officer knows detail. He is an officer that StarFleet recognizes as well-balanced and thus awards him the Nebula Bar. Congratulations Lieutenant. ::Jordan steps forward as Luke hands him the box. Crewmembers pat him on the back as he walks by.:: REIDER: This next award is one that I particularly relish giving. I remember a young officer I had aboard the USS Lilith. He was rather young, obviously inexperienced, and fresh out of the academy. The first day he walked onto the bridge, he tripped getting off the turbolift, knocked over someone holding my coffee, and broke his wrist in the fall. Needless to say, I mourned the loss of my morning beverage for at least 10 minutes. ::Scattered chuckles.:: Anyway, he had the steady hand of a Vulcan officer a few ranks ahead of him to help guide him in the growing process of becoming a true Fleet officer. With plenty of hard work, and lots of agility training, he eventually excelled in the field of tactical analysis. I met this young man again, years after the coffee incident on a StarBase near Bajor, where he was commanding a small fleet of ships as part of the Dominion War. There is another among you who we've seen such growth in, and who we hope to see great things from in the future. Lieutenant Junior Grade John Sheriden. His grasp of the post of tactical officer, and his ever present nearly empathic abilities, makes him the newest recipient of the Barclay Bead. ::As John comes forward, the admiral hands him the box, still open, which contains a small elongated tear-drop shaped bead, with a purple face. The two shake hands as Luke moves on, smiling as he picks up the next box.:: REIDER: It is in battle that we sometimes see the true character of a man. And even more so do we see the dignity of a man in his ability to remain composed when battling wounded. The Purple Heart has been awarded to military officers for over three hundred years among Earth-based operations. Lieutenant Junior Grade J.D. Stark, the Kodiak's Wing Commander, knows the value, and horror of injury in war. Unfortunately, he can not be here to receive his awards, and as such, Captain Hollis will accept it for him. He remains in our thoughts. ::The Purple Star, a pendant which actually looks more mauve than purple, sits in the box as Reider hands it to Hollis. The next award bears the symbols of a medical cross, a bird, and a fork & knife set. The bar's gold surface is set on aother shining metal bar, slightly larger.:: REIDER: Where would we be without those officers who's names are marked in our Hall of Fame in the "Neelix Award" category? Probably a lot less entertained, and loathing the replicators all that much more. The three symbols on the Neelix Award symbolize the ability to extend one's self into a variety of diverse fields, above and beyond the call of duty. The officer who is to receive this has gone above, numerous times. She has volunteered numerous times to assist in the field training of new officers, and is always available to lend a helping hand. We appreciate her enough to make her a recipient of the Neelix Award. Lieutenant Junior Grade Jessa Anassasi, please come forward. ::With much gratitude, Luke shakes Jessa's hand as he hands her the box. The last box in the Kodiak group holds another small gold badge.:: REIDER: The last Kodiak award is the TOSMA-Two. Five out of the twenty recipients in the 118 fleet who have received this award, have gone on to become great captains. Rendary, Marlin, Valarious, Adler, and McHendry are just one-fourth of those who have shown their commanding officers the qualities of enthusiasm, originality, and intelligence. The TOSMA-Two is a highly honored award among those stationed out of StarBase 118, and it is with honor that I extend this award to the twenty-first crewmember to receive it in our fleet. Lieutenant Junior Grade Christopher Hutton, you may come forward and accept your award. ::Finally, the crew breaks the silence with scattered applause. Hutton shakes Reider's hand as the crew break for a few moments to congratulate their fellow officers who have been honored. The admiral takes a PADD from the table and reviews the awards for the Tiger, as everyone mingles for a few more minutes.:: After the Kodiak awards, Luke gives the USS Tiger awards. ::Reider finds the first box for the Tiger and opens it. The Rachel Garrett Pendant, rests on the red velvet lining of the box. The orb's surface is rippled, but the metal is smooth and shiny. Summoning up his speeches, the admiral continues where he left off a few minutes ago.:: REIDER: When Rachel Garrett became the first female starship captain, of the USS Enterprise-C, most said she would never make it. I remember hearing how she was talked about... you would have been surprised. Even though women had served on just about every StarFleet bridge-crew, the thought of a woman leading a starship on a deep space mission, for some reason, scared some people. Others have... taken that step into the realm of the unknown. Have been able to, walk the road less travelled. ::Reider seemed to become excited as he walked forward raising his hand.:: It is these people who pave the way for those among us who fear to voyage ahead. Lieutenant Commander T'Lara Cha'Stelin, an exceptional officer, has done just that. While not the first to carry a pregnancy to full term while on duty. And she gave birth not on her own starship!... but on a Ferengi vessel! Come forward T'Lara. ::The woman comes forward, accepting her award with a graceful smile. Luke moves on.:: REIDER: The Silver Palm is... a bit humorous when you take a look at the award itself... ::The admiral sets the box containing the next award on the table, facing everyone. Most lean in to take a closer look. The face of the award is gold, and depicts a beach scene. A silver palm tree is in the foreground, with a shooting star above it.:: REIDER: When you first thing "Silver Palm", you would envision a palm leave. You know, long, green, many fronds coming off of it. I suppose that the graphical designers for the award itself took the interpretation a different way, instead deciding that "Palm" meant the entire tree, not just the fronds of it. ::Shrugging.:: But I suppose it fits the purpose of the award. What better than a bit of humor to signify an award given to those officers who lift moral? Lieutenant Michael Rourke, recently promoted, does just that. Not only does he provide a moral lifter, but he is a mentor to those around him. How many of you were taken under the wing of this fine officer and given guidance? Please come forward Mr. Rourke. ::Rourke, the ship's helm officer emergencies from the assembled crew and extends his hand first to receive his award, and then to be congratulated by the admiral.:: REIDER: TOSMA Two, again. But no less relevant simply because we see it for a second time tonight. I spoke a little about those officers who receive this award, but there is still more to say. The description of this award mentions enthusiasm. This is one of the staple qualities necessary to be a successful fleet officer. After all, can we really do our jobs to our peak efficiency if we don't love what we do? This next crew member has not only shown improvement from when she first arrived at her post, but she has grown beyond it. She is a fighter, and someone who has nobly sacrificed herself for others when the occasion demanded it. She continues to set an example for those around her. Lieutenant Cheliz Dacht, congratulations. ::The woman steps forward, accepts her award, and returns to be among her crew members. The Purple Star award is the next, in the box the admiral holds.:: REIDER: "No man left behind." That was once a mantra among the armed forces of Earth. The concept is simple. No soldier is to be left to die on an enemy field. Were they prisoner, wounded, or simply trapped under fire, a fellow soldier is obligated to do whatever they can to assist their comrade. Even when he himself was wounded, Lieutenant Junior Grade Jelani Firewind struggled to save the lives of other officers who were being held captive by the Breen. For that, we award him the Purple Star. ::The young officer walked to the front of the room, and received the award.:: REIDER: And finally, the last crew member among the Tiger officers. I was truly amazed at the number of courageous acts this crew carried out during the battle with the Breen. The Scotty Cross is a measure of one's ability to think on their feet. A hostage situation is one of the best (or worst) times, one could discover this talent. Lieutenant Junior Grade Quanzel Shiran, also a newly promoted officer, took part in the rescue of some of her fellow officers. Most notably, officer Firewind can thank her for her assistance in that difficult time. Congratulations Shiran. ::The final Tiger officer steps up to Reider and accepts her award. Proudly, the crew stands together for applause to acknowledge their achievements.::