Recognition of a Hero

Posted on Wed 22nd Aug, 2018 @ 12:37am by Commander Paul Graves PsyD & Eddie Hunt

1,237 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Oblivion
Location: Conference Room, Diplomatic Offices
Timeline: MD 11, 1045

Brigadier General Franklin Sinclair sat at one end of the table in the small conference room he'd reserved in the diplomatic suite to hold this particular meeting. Too many questions would be raised if Caroline Post of FNN were seen entering Marine Country or if he were seen entering the newly-renovated casino, which wasn't even open yet. But both of them could enter the diplomatic area without raising eyebrows, and that was how Sinclair wanted it. Bad enough that his people had to be put on show in such a widely publicized way; the least he could do was keep the preparations under wraps.

He sipped from his mug of coffee one last time and then glanced at the other people in the room. "Shall we begin?"

Caroline sensed the reticence of the general and reflected on her notes to find a way for him to bring enthusiasm to the project she'd proposed. As she saw it, everyone would be a winner by broadcasting the awards ceremony for Colonel Wellington. She'd done a brave and heroic thing, in the truest sense of the word hero - being willing to sacrifice herself for the good of others. Although Miss Post had wanted the opportunity to speak with her before any plans were made, Wellington had refused to speak with her. She understood the colonel's point of view, but a starbase filled with people on edge over pirate activity needed something positive, and it wouldn't do any harm to the Corps' image, or the Federation's, for that matter. Caroline freely admitted that it wouldn't harm her own career, either.

She nodded her head at the general, feeling she should say, "The defense is ready." Of course, levity was right out, so she merely said, "Yes, Sir", which the general was accustomed to hearing.

Sinclair took out a PADD and slid a finger across its surface a few times. "We have a total of seven officers and crewmen receiving awards, from the Marine ranks, at least, including Col. Wellington. I haven't heard from Captain Suzuki regarding any Fleet recipients." He glanced at Caroline Post. "I'm guessing you would like to proceed from lowest rank to highest in terms of us bestowing the honors, ending with the Colonel?"

Post nodded. "It makes the most sense. It builds to a climax. The others are good for morale, good advertising for Starfleet careers, but the lieutenant colonel is the prize, the hero everyone has heard about and no one has seen. I believe she is receiving the Federation Star of Valor? I don't suppose she'll get a promotion out of this?"

"She was only recently promoted to Lt. Colonel," Sinclair said. "She needs to have three years' time in grade, so promoting her now would be too soon. I don't imagine she'll have difficulty achieving promotion to full colonel in due time, with this on her record."

Major Cassidy, sitting in for the Aerospace wing, looked down into the depths of her coffee cup to keep from commenting.

"Ah, too bad," Caroline said. "It would have made an even better story. She might not think so, though."

"No, I doubt she would," Sinclair agreed. "Knowing her, I suspect she'll think an awful lot of fuss is being made, regardless."

"Our plan is to cover the ceremony itself for galactic distribution, and also about a 30-minute film, partly as propaganda for the Corps and the Federation. It would be very handy for pulling out to show how you protect even the hinterlands." Changing the subject slightly, the reporter brought up something else on her list. "I'd like to talk to each of the recipients, either before or after the presentation for a few minutes. Do you think that will be possible? Wellington has been remarkably reticent and has refused to speak with me, so far." She didn't know the general, didn't know if he were the kind to order the colonel to talk with her, but it didn't hurt to throw it out there.

"Would you be able to get a useful positive interview out of someone who might be hostile to it?" Sinclair pointed out. "I won't order anyone to sit for an interview, but I will promise to talk to a few of them, including Col. Wellington, if you like. But no promises. Obviously, she'd make the best air play, but I don't like to force people. And your questions would have to go through Media Relations, first."

Post nodded, "Already done, sir. The plan is approved all the way, with some refinements suggested by Starfleet to make your group look even better." She didn't frown, although there had been one or two things she hadn't been pleased to see on the list that came back. It felt like interference with the free press, but she was realistic. If she wanted access to anything the government was doing, she had to play their game, and making them look good was part of the price demanded.

Sinclair snorted. "My people are good enough and professional enough as they are. I'm not interested in them or their work being glamorized."

"I suppose you could say the entire thing is a done deal, but I'm here to work out the best way of doing it with the least amount of discomfort for you and your people. You have my entire cooperation with anything you feel is necessary," the reporter promised. She glanced at the major. She'd been awfully quiet. Was she upset that Wellington was getting all the glory? If so, maybe there was enough to spread around.

"Of course, I'd want a few words with you, General, and," she looked at Cassidy, "perhaps with you, Major, if you're agreeable? I'm certain someone with your experience would have something to add to the details."

"I'm willing," Sinclair said.

Cassidy looked up from her mug. "Details about...?" Her tone was guarded, but not hostile.

"Not missions, but maybe morale among the fighters? I understand several of them died, prompting Wellington's decision to go out alone. What has all this pirate activity, death and injury done to the fighter squadrons?" Caroline shrugged. "Or whatever you might like to contribute to the general cause of Starfleet out here on the edge? Is there anything you'd like Federation core members to know about what you face out here?"

Cassidy nodded slowly. "I'm willing to go on background for the situation," she agreed. "I would appreciate it if you didn't ask me questions about the specific actions of Colonel Wellington."

Ah, the light appears, thought the reporter. "Agreed. I wouldn't ask questions of anyone on that score, though I can't guarantee what they'll volunteer, of course. Nor will I lead anyone to discuss their commanding officer's actions, nor whether they were appropriate in the circumstances. Is that acceptable?" She looked at Cassidy and the general both.

Sinclair nodded. "Are there any recipients you would particularly like to talk to, Ms. Post?" he asked.

"Wellington, of course," she replied, "but otherwise, anyone who is willing to talk with us. Each of them has done something out of the ordinary, or they wouldn't be receiving awards, so they are all story-worthy." She picked up her PADD and stood. "I think I've taken up enough of your time, Sir. I'll send you a list and some time suggestions for the interviews, and we'll do them informally in comfortable surroundings."

 

RSS Feed