The Awards

Fleet Captain Samji looked around at the gathered officers from on stage and decided that it was about time to recognize all the brave men, women, and gender neutral officers before him.

Thus he cleared his throat which echoed out through the large hall thanks to the amplification in front of him. It caused everyone to look his way and if not already seated, they did so, and the murmur of conversation eventually died down.

"Wow..." Samji started unexpectedly. "I stand here thinking about the fact that we have awards to give out today. Awards that have been reviewed and authorized by Rear Admiral Kotari and an official recognition by Starfleet of your heroic, creative, and ingenious actions. But a mere piece of platinum, a token, does not measure up or even begin to honor what you have done in this past week."

His voice began to rise in volume as he went on. "You have succeeded, against overwhelming odds... in spite of four separate factions who were all intent on our destruction... you succeeded in saving the Federation, but also those who were out to destroy us. You have saved the whole Galaxy."

With pride in his voice, he boomed, "Not only have you secured the Azimuth Horizon, but have also subdued the Klingons, captured the Romulans' leader Empress Sela, decimated the remainder of the Horizon's Children cult, made what looks to be a long lasting peace at last with the Undine, and, as it turns out, we have even succeeded in ridding ourselves of the vile cancer within the Federation that was known as Section 31. The details of that last part will be classified for some time, but suffice it to say, we will be better off without them."

"History will remember Lotus Fleet for what we have sacrificed... and what we have done here! It is Lotus Fleet that has made our lives, and the lives of future generations safe again!"

A cheer and applause burst out throughout the hall from the officers assembled there. It lasted for minutes and eventually Fleet Captain Samji had to hold his hands out to ask for silence so he could continue.

Finally, when he was able to speak again, he said, "The Federation, ladies and gentlemen... is in your debt. We will attempt to repay that debt here tonight... in whatever miniscule way possible."

"Please rise for the playing of the Federation Anthem."

The gathered group listened proudly and with respect as the brass instruments rang out in a symbol of the Federation they all loved, stood for, fought for, and unfortunately that many... too many, had died for.

When the music ended and they took their seats, Samji pulled out a PADD listing the official awards, he began by describing the process. "I want to note that while there are many awards that will be distributed in the weeks to come, these are the ones that will be given to our most prominent and highest ranking officers. This is not meant to diminish the achievements they so rightfully deserve, but for the sake of time, we can not possibly verbally announce them all. A full list will be available, of course, to anyone who wishes to take a look."

"Also, we will be giving out some awards to those who took part in several missions immediately prior to the Azimuth Horizon Operation. Since we were involved in planning efforts, we of course, did not have the time, or frankly the need, to worry about such a thing as awards at the time."

"We will proceed in the order of the ships, starting with the Lotus."

((OOC: All listed here will receive the OOC Azimuth Horizon Crusade award))

"Captain Gould receives the Starfleet Command Decoration. He successfully led the Lotus through Operation Horizon while secretly hunting an Undine agent aboard the ship. These actions clearly demonstrated a superb ability to lead and maintain control over a hostile insurgent situation."

"He also receives the Starfleet Medal of Honor, which is our highest award, only given to a very few amount of Starfleet officers throughout history. For leading the fleet in the successful Operation Horizon and for personally leading a rescue mission aboard an auxilliary craft to save senior officers of the crippled starship Artemis within the dangerous area of the Azimuth Horizon anomaly, Captain Gould truly deserves to be recognized among the greatest Starfleet officers that have served since the Federation's founding."

((OOC: Redding also receives the RP Veteran Award for participating in 10 or more episodes))

"His tactical and security officer, Lieutenant Josh Vincent will first receive the Starfleet Tactical Decoration for his actions on the Alsea prior to the operation. This award is given to Mister VIncent for taking command of the Alsea's tertiary section and engaging the Klingons with strategic thinking while simultaenously commanding the section with distinction."

"For his actions in the Azimuth Horizon operation, Mister Vincent receives the Starfleet Award For Valor for defending the Lotus from the Klingon flagship and boarding parties and taking part in the rescue of the Artemis command crew after the ship's destruction."

"Josh will also receive a promotion to Lieutenant Commander. Congratulations Mister Vincent."

Fleet Captain Samji, then turned to the McKenzie table.

"Captain Daniel Crist will receive the Starfleet Command Decoration for successfully leading a covert operation against the Horizon Children Cult, bringing back precious data that helped to defeat them, while also commanding the lead ship that accomplished this feat."

((OOC: Crist also receives the RP Veteran Award for participating in 10 or more episodes))

"Lieutenant Commander Sorripto, while currently under arrest for actions taken during the operation still deserves an award for actions taken prior to the Azimuth Horizon fleet action. He receives the Star Cross for effective mission planning and on-site action during a covert operation against the Horizon Children Cult that helped identify key figures of the group, which lead later to the rescue of lost officer Joseph Daystrom Sisko.

((OOC: Sorripto also receives the RP Master Award for participating in 5 or more episodes. He also receives the Character Sacrifice Award for great OOC writing while sacrificing the freedom of and trust put in his character))

"Lieutenant Snowfire K'Leysha will receive two awards for actions taken in the Fleet Action. The reason for the first one, the Vulcanian Scientific Legion of Honor, is classified..."

The reason for the classification was to protect the young officer from fallback from her own people if they had learned the true reason that she was receiving the award. Only the Captains and a handful of science officers in the room, along with herself would truly know why. She provided the hypothesis and established the theories and calculations leading to the use of artificial wormholes that permanently secured the Azimuth Horizon anomaly from threatening the universe.

"Luckily the second award can be stated most freely and well-deservedly," he said with a smile and a few people chuckled at this. "For sacrificing her safety and for ingenuity while performing a telepathic override of the McKenzie's systems that allowed her to temporarily disable all systems throughout the enemy ship, the HCS Prophecy, she receives the Lotus Fleet Medal of Distinction."

"Snowfire will also receive a promotion to Lieutenant Commander. Congratulations to you!"

((OOC: Snowfire also receives the RP Master Award for participating in 5 or more episodes))

"As for the Alsea," he said, turning again past the group of Lotus officers, and facing the respective table.

"Captain Rachelle Rivers will receive the Starfleet Command Decoration for effective battle strategies during the battle with the IKS Kang as well as for attempting diplomatic solutions to an otherwise impossible situation involving the ship commander Ja'rod."

((OOC: Caltern also receives the RP Master Award for participating in 5 or more episodes))

"Lieutenant Oseno Jureth receives the Grankite Order of Tactics for actions prior to the Fleet Action, for ingeniously using plasma ejections of the Azimuth Horizon anomaly in facing successfully a Klingon incursion while serving as tactical officer on board the USS Alsea."

"He also joins several fine officers receiving the Starfleet Command Decoration for exemplary leadership in taking command of the USS Alsea against a Romulan incursion, during Operation Horizon and against an Undine incursion."

"Finally, for demonstrating true integrity and diplomatic ingenuity by saving an Undine ship from the grasp of an Azimuth Horizon rift, thus resulting in the operation receiving the assistance of the Undine during the final minutes of the Operation, Oseno Jureth receives the diplomatic award Starfleet Silver Palm."

"For taking on the command of the Alsea when needed, Mister Oseno shows significant aptitude for leadership and also receives a promotion to full Commander. Congratulations Commander!"

((OOC: Jureth also receives the RP Master Award for participating in 5 or more episodes))

"Lieutenant Commander Niomo Lire II had to leave suddenly for personal reasons, but we wanted to acknowledge his hard work. He will receive the Starfleet Engineer's Decoration for extreme dedication and commitment throughout two separate missions in keeping the Alsea in fighting condition under combat and hazardous space situations."

"For the Spectre, Commander David Rogers also receives the Starfleet Command Decoration for efficiently assuming command of the USS Spectre when his captain was incapacitated during Operation Horizon."

The commander would also receive the Temporal Ribbon of Excellence for thwarting a time alteration event from Klingon agents on early 21st century Earth. However, even the fact that he would receive this award would be highly classified as it is whenever it is granted.

"Last but not least, the crew of the lost ship USS Artemis."

"Captain Kheren and Lieutenant Commander Syntron will both receive the Starfleet Medal of Commendation for actions prior to the Fleet Action. These awards are granted for most meritorious conduct in the line of duty during preliminary preparations of Operation Horizon."

In truth, another time altering event had occurred that required the classification of the true reasons behind the awards. Syntron deserved it for self sacrifice, direct involvement, and definite leadership in restoring the timeline; and for theoretical and applied advancements in temporal mechanics. And Captain Kheren was receiving it because through his leadership, the company and crew of the USS Artemis selflessly and anonymously sacrificed all with him to restore the timeline and to fully resolve a time paradox in a most exemplary manner.

"Mister Syntron will also receive the Daystrom Award for extraordinary commitment and work towards a solution to the Azimuth Horizon's runaway reaction and also for overseeing the operation that sealed the Horizon entirely. For demonstrating his aptitude as a First Officer in this operation, he will also receive a promotion to full Commander. Congratulations Commander!"

((OOC: Jeff T also receives the RP Master Award for participating in 5 or more episodes))

Fleet Captain Samji continued. "Captain Kheren will also receive the Christopher Pike Medal of Valor for extraordinary leadership in saving the crew of the Artemis while sacrificing his own safety, and moving without hesitation toward completing the next phase of the operation with only a portion of the ship intact."

"Finally, he deserves the Starfleet Citation for Conspicuous Gallantry for putting the needs of Lotus Fleet and the Federation ahead of his own life on numerous occasions during Operation Horizon in the face of clear and present danger."

((OOC: Kheren also receives the RP Professional Award for participating in exactly 15 episodes!!))

"Congratulations to all for receiving these awards and promotions!"

A thunderous round of applause echoed through the banquet hall from the many different species and genders assembled there pronouncing their appreciation for the efforts of the officers recognized that day.

"Thank you all again, and everyone please enjoy the refreshments," Fleet Captain Samji said before stepping from behind the podium.

"One moment everyone."

The voice of rear Admiral kotari suddenly cut throught the applause and congratulations already filling up the hall. Everyone turned to face the stand again and, indeed, the Boslic officer was now standing there, motionning for Fleet captain Samji to join him.

As the two leading field officers of lotus Fleet stood face to face, Kotari spoke with a voice filled with authority, solemnity and pride.

"Operation Horizon stands as the latest of the finest examples of what Starfleet is all about; dedication, resolve, cooperation and competence, all uplifted with unswerving selflessness and faith in the forces of life, peace and the brotherhood of all sentience, from this universe and even beyond. Lotus Fleet is the elite division of Starfleet; but such a status can never be bestowed; it can only be earned... earned by the people willing to give the time and effort to achieve what we set ourselves to accomplish, through both perils and promises... people like Fleet Captain Allen Samji."

There was a thunder of applause following the words of the Boslic man. When the acclamation died down, Kotari spoke again. In his hand, he held a small velvet-covered box he opened to let the ambient light play on the gold and silver highlights of the medal that lied in it.

" For the display of exemplary leadership in the most difficult of situations, Starfleet Command is awarding Fleet Captain Allen Samji, Commanding officer of Lotus Fleet's Headquarters and forces in the Hromi sector and head officer of Operation Horizon, the Prentares Ribbon of Commendation. Congratulations, Fleet Captain."

Again, applause rose throughout the great hall as Kotari pinned himself the prestigious award on Samji's white dress uniform. Then, after exchanging a proud and respectful stare, they both turned to face the applauding crowd. Again, the Rear Admiral waited for the applause to die down all by itself before looking at all the officiers and fleet members massed before them. His gaze became stern and his voice hard in the silence and the stillness.

"What is this? I thought there was a celebration to be held here!"

And indeed, from that moment on, there was.