Awards Ceremony, Part 2

Posted on Wed 7th Nov, 2018 @ 12:59am by Commander Mikaela Locke & Lieutenant Colonel Brooklyn Wellington & Commander Paul Graves PsyD & Khellian s'Siedhri MD & Brigadier General Franklin Sinclair
Edited on on Mon 12th Nov, 2018 @ 4:41pm

724 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Oblivion
Location: Hunt's Fortune
Timeline: MD 14, 1900

As Cassidy returned to her position at the front of the ad-hoc Company, Sinclair moved behind the lectern. He glanced at the holographic notes projected in front of him, invisible to the audience, and then cleared his throat. "Gentlesophonts, distinguished guests, Marines. It is an unfortunate statistic that as many as twenty-five percent of Valor awards given by the United Federation of Planets Marine Corps are given posthumously. The departed heroes give the rest of us a shining example of the greatest traditions of the Corps -- of selflessness, of valor, of never surrendering in the face of insurmountable odds.

"And with those traditions in mind, it is perhaps remarkable that seventy-five percent of those who distinguish themselves in living up to those examples survive to be awarded the medals that can never repay, but only recognize, these incredible acts and people. Today, it is my honor and privilege to call Lieutenant Colonel Brooklyn Wellington front and center."

Brooklyn let out a breath as she moved from the front row, containing senior officers and dignitaries and took her position next to General Sinclair, as he was behind the podium, and saluted.

Khellian watched the Colonel leave his side and was intrigued to find the professional mask that slid over her features.

Sinclair did not return the salute; he left the Colonel standing in that position. "To all who hear these presents, greetings. Be it known that on or about Stardate 72612.83, Lieutenant Colonel Brooklyn Wellington did, at great risk to herself, sortie from Starbase One-Zero-Niner in response to an intruder who had already engaged and destroyed several of the aerospace patrol craft under her jurisdiction. In engaging and destroying this intruder, Lieutenant Colonel Wellington demonstrated the courage and selflessness which underlies the best traditions of the United Federation of Planets Marine Corps. In recognition thereof, the Starfleet Secretariat awards to Lieutenant Colonel Wellington the Aerospace Medal, with all privileges and responsibilities attendant thereto."

Sinclair looked up from his reading, picked up a small box, and stepped off the podium. He came to attention before Wellington, raised a salute, and murmured quietly enough for only her ears, "Well done, Colonel."

Wellington nodded slightly. "Thank you, General," she replied just as quietly.

"Kinda makes one proud," Helena Nordstrom said, sotto voice, "when it doesn't make me want to wring her neck."

Beck didn't say anything. She'd had her own brush with death, and didn't like to think about it. She imagined Wellington would have been a lot happier having a discussion with other fighter pilots about the pros and cons of various fighters. She and Brooklyn had an off-and-on friendship, and it had been more off since the events leading to her near-death. Finally, she just nodded to indicate that she'd heard the first sergeant.

After pinning the medal on her uniform, it had been suggested that she make a speech--which she really didn't want to do. Normally an award recipient wouldn't make a speech but this seemed more of a publicity stunt than anything else and they had to make the populace happy. She stepped to the podium and stood for a moment, gazing over the audience. 'This really sucks,' she thought as she cleared her throat.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is an honor to be standing here," she began tactfully and took a deep breath before continuing. "However, the real heroes are the eight pilots who could not be here today. To you, they may simply be pilots. To me, they were my brothers and sisters--they were my family. To a Starfleet Marine, there is no better feeling than to know that another Marine will have your back--no matter the cost. However, they were also brothers, sister, fathers, and mothers to their personal families as well. They lived their lives fearlessly, and with honor. Now, the United Federation of Planets Marine Corps would like to present the closest relatives of those we lost with the Starfleet Aerospace Medal and Purple Heart."

General Sinclair joined the other dignitaries on the podium, watching Colonel Wellington hand out the posthumous awards. It was, he thought, the hardest part of his job -- sending young men and women into danger. The fact that they had volunteered to be Marines made it somewhat easier when sending them out, but no easier when they didn't come home afterward.

 

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