Promotions and Awards

Posted on Mon Mar 2nd, 2020 @ 4:24am by Admiral Jake Yamaguchi & Franklin Armstrong & Division Admiral April Dragon & Commander Nalla Furban & Fleet Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Director Tienn Gyce

Mission: Mission 40: Thirty Pieces of Silver
Location: Various Locations - USS Dreamcrusher
Timeline: 1230Hrs - August 10th, 2391

Teval walked over to Hakaya, whom was sitting quietly in the back, saying, "Are you holding up alright."

Hakaya nodded, and sighed. "Can't believe she is gone."

"Anastasiya." Hakaya nodded slowly but didn't say anything. Teval then sat next to Hakaya and pulled her close, hugging her. After a minute of just sitting in silence, Hakaya asked, "So whats next here."

Teval looked around the room. "the promotions and awards are about to be handed out throughout the crew. That's about to start in a few minutes."

"Well, you probably get your purple heart now," Hakaya commented, "So, might as well get it over with, as if you don't have enough already."

"Tell me about it," Teval stood back up, then walked back over to the group.

Commander Torilla Yamaguchi gently placed a large crate at the feet of Captain Zara Tane before she placed a PADD into the smaller woman's hands. "That's the medals list... and this one is the promotion list." she handed Zara a second PADD.

"I know I farce the uniform a lot, but I will make this special for these guys," Zara spoke quietly for her friend and XO.

Teval walked over to them, saying, "We're ready to get started."

"You don't have respect for the uniform." Yamaguchi responded softly. "People see that.."

Zara cleared her throat and tapped the podium to get everyone's attention. Then she forced a smile as she began, "Everyone knows that I, personally, don't care for ribbons and honors. But I know others need that recognition. More so since I'm bad at forgetting to tell folks they do great jobs..."

When no one laughed at her joke, she uncomfortably went on with, "Right... Well as CO, I personally have seen several of the the senior staff go beyond their jobs to perform exemplary. And as I call your names, please stand on the line..."

"Lieutenant Benice Gyce, Lieutenant Nalla Furban, Lieutenant Commander Ra'Vak, and Flight Major Wukari Kalina," Zara read off the list and signaled for Torilla to start opening the rank boxes.

Torilla began handing out ranks boxes to the personnel indicated. "Congratulations." she would say to each and every one of them.

"For Lieutenant Commander Nalla Furban, I also want to give her the Department Honor Badge for her medical achievements in medicine and the crucial part her device played in many of the injuries," Zara acknowledged, and nodded to Torilla.

Torilla lifted the item indicated as she gently placed it into Nalla's left hand before shaking her right hand.

"The next person I call up is being given the purple heart for sustaining severe injuries in the face of mortal danger," Zara spoke with pride. "Commander Teval Vakar however, isn't the only one who put himself on the line. And your department heads called forward aren't the only ones being rewarded. Everyone pulled their weight, and we are here to celebrate those lost and those still with us."

Zara then eyed April and gestured to the podium for her to take her cue.

April Yamaguchi subtly nodded as she stepped forward, she went up to the podium as she cleared her throat. "Normally I don't give speeches like this as I prefer not to, I didn't know any of these people... I didn't have that privilege, you did... these people's memories will live only so long as you remember them.." she paused. "I've been asked to give out medals and awards to specific people... though if it were up to me, I'd give everyone a medal..." she paused. "Captain Zara Tane..." she paused.

Zara pulled down her jacket and walked skeptically up to April. She really hoped this wasn't what she hoped it was.

April peered down at her as she gently placed a small black box into Zara's hand with her left hand. "For your crew... and the fallen," she said quietly as she gently shook Zara's hand with her right.

Torilla watched in silence.

"Thank you Admiral," Zara said. It was only because of what April said, that made Zara suck it up.

Torilla regarded Zara, a soft look in her eyes as she could feel a wave of emotion from the small Trill woman as she sighed and tried not to be too loud or too obvious about it.

"I take this medal with a heavy heart... For I will never rest easy, knowing I did not save everyone," Zara spoke remorsefully as she took her space in the line and looked at her feet to hide her watery eyes.

April could only nod her head, as she too knew exactly what Zara was speaking of. "Commander Teval Vakar." she said quietly.

Teval quietly and reluctantly walked over, not saying anything as he stood in front of April.

"The Christopher Pike Medal of Valor is awarded for acts of singular heroism and bravery, for your actions in saving the lives of your crew-mates at horrific risk to yourself, I award you this.." as she gently placed two medals into his single hand. "The Purple heart is awarded for injuries sustained in the line of duty.. " as she gently lifted her right arm as she gave him an old style salute.

Torilla watched in silence as she could feel the emotions cooling from her sister in law. While April looks cool, calm and collected, she actually shone like a star in the middle of the night.

Teval nodded, unable to effectively return the salute with a missing hand, and then silently returned to the line.

The rest of the wards went out quickly and in order. April called names as Torilla handed out the medals, before long the entire affair was finished as April nodded to Torilla. "Company... Dismissed.!" Torilla called out loudly.

"Where is Toshnarr?" April inquired of Torilla.

"He's in Tranquility's burn unit... his outer layer of skin was very badly burned so he's presently shedding it."

"I wish everyone else was as fortunate." April sighed softly. "I'll go visit the wounded shortly. I need to find out how Franklin is going to sort out things with Raymond... Quick-Shots son... who is now an orphan."

"No he ain't... He's got you guys.." Torilla smiled at April and Franklin. "I know Quick-Shot would have been honored to have you guys take in his son.. but what of his name?"

Franklin didn't hesitate. "He'll keep his original family name... Durden, A man needs a name and I won't have his family end like this... No. I'll see to it Raymond lacks for nothing... His father was my friend... I-"

"Its okay." April gently took her husbands hand in her own. "We'll take in Raymond and we'll raise him like he's one of ours... but letting him keep his name is an excellent idea... Jacob would have wanted that.."

Franklin never got misty-eyed ever so for Torilla this was a major shock. "I'm sorry I never got to know Jake Durden... Had I known who he was... I would have made the effort."

"Jake was a good man... who was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Franklin sighed. "He deserved better than this..."

"Yes he did." Torilla responded. "They all did.."