Promotions "
By: Admiral Stone , Admiral , [NPC]
Dr. Alyssa Caitlin Northrop, Chief Intel Officer, [PST]
Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Craig Whitmore , Engineer , [NPC]
Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]
Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]
Jeff Westfall, Tactical Officer, [PST]
Kelly Forrester, Acting Operations Manager, [RNPC]
M'Ressha Mikat , Fighter Pilot , [NPC]
Maxine Lucinda Tapert, Computer Specialist, [PC]
Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]
Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Rita Marx , Roving Reporter , [NPC]
Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58206.27 2000

The audience stood at attention as Admiral Stone, Captain Ian Hunter, Commander Wright and Major Madriani entered the auditorium. Attendance was light as they usually were for these things when it conflicts with shoreleave. Hunter looked around as he walked up the isle to the podium. Behind the stage were large viewing portals that looked out into space.

Seeing Rita Marx present, Hunter recollected his thoughts one more time. He cleared his throat.

"Good Evening, As you were."

The crowed relaxed and sat down in their chairs.

"Before we begin," said Hunter, "Admiral Stone has asked to say a few words."

Hunter stepped back and the Admiral stepped to the podium.

With a brazen face, Stone looked through out the room as if he could see into the soul of everyone there.

"Exactly four months ago this day, I stood here and watched as this ship and crew of the USS Zion left this station," he said pointing backwards with his thumb over his shoulder.

"And it was four months this morning that I heard Admiral Aldous dedicate this ship, the Zion, as an instrument of peace and diplomacy."

Stone took a long breath. Spying Rita Marx he held his tongue back a bit more than he'd like to have.

"But when diplomacy fails, and goodwill turns to blood letting, it is a testimony to all of what the Maquis and its Alliance are about."

Several Klingons up in the balcony began to hollar and shout inciting the rest of the crowd to stand and applaud.

Stone gestured for them to be quiet.

"By now, you have all read the accounts of this ship's brave crew and of its senior officers. The stories of its encounters with the Federation Armada and then fearlessly going on to a battle at Pacifica.

"It pains my heart to know that the battle has cost many lives of our Federation brothers, and I know how hard it is to wage such fierce conflicts..." Stone grit his teeth, "But I promise you, if we all follow in the example of this crew. This war *will* come to an end and the Cardassian-Federation union will fall."

A generous round of applause sparked up. Sarik stood in the middle of the crowd. Being tall he could see everything happening. A member of his department asked him what was going on. And Sarik just gestured to be silent at the moment.

Admiral Stone stood for a minute waving and then turned and relinquished the floor to Hunter.

"My crew knows I'm not one for long speeches, and tonight will be no different." said Hunter. "For the men and women of the Zion, who fought long and hard and still did not make it back, this night is for them. It is also for the returning.

When I took command of this ship, for many of you this was your first assignment. Now in just four short months you are seasoned veterans. I am proud of you all and you all deserve recognition.

It is important how ever to recognize those who have gone beyond the call of duty."

Hunter stood aside and let Admiral Stone take the podium again.

"As I call your name, please come forward."

"Doctor Teilani Dane," called out the Admiral. "Promoted to full Lieutenant."

Teilani stepped forward and smiled at both the admiral and the Captain.

Hunter greeted the doctor with a handshake and attached the Pips to her collar.

"Thank you Sir, Admiral," she responded returning the handshake. Then she wanted to step down but halted as Stone continued.

Stone continued, "And also, because the good doctor did not balk at signing on with the USS Zion even after being on a ship that was completely destroyed. Her unwavering nerves and steady dedication has earned her the McCoy cluster."

Teilani's eyes widened and blinked a few times.

Hunter placed a box in her hand, "Congratulations Doctor."

Wright smiled at the doctor and shook her hand, "Congratulations Doctor," he said.

Thank you Commander, Wow I don't know what to say Sirs, as she opened the box Teilani said in all honesty. It was true the compliment from the Commander meant a lot to her, but it was not only her who earned this award. She was going to dedicated to the rest of the medical staff as well.

She had wanted to say much more but this would have to wait. Glowing with pride she stepped down the podium and back to her place again.

"Let me see," Gloria her head nurse said.

Sarik nodded at Dr Dane who went down the podium. "Well done doctor." He said. "Your performance as chief medical officer has been more than satisfactory."

All eyes returned to the stage as Adimiral Stone called out the next promotion, "Giuseppe Silvio a promotion to full Lieutenant.

As Silvio approached, Stone added, "He also receives the Cochrane Medal of Excellence for his exceptional service in ensure the return of the Zion following heavy damage it sustained in the course of battle."

Silvio was all smiles as he left his seat next to Patia and made his way up to the front.

Hunter pinned the new pips on Silvio and shook his hand, "congratualtions," he said giving Silvio the little box with his medal.

"Thank you Captain," replied Silvio.

"Good work Lieutenant Silvio," said Wright with a smile as he shook Silvio's hand.

"Thank you Commander," said Silvio before returning to his seat.

"Next," said Stone, "Patia Zoei, promotion to full Lieutenant."

Patia looked straight ahead as she quietly stepped forward.

"...and a medal of Commendation for her outstanding role in the incident enroute to Rura Pente."

She inclined her head slightly, in acknowledgement of the words the offered by the Admiral.

Hunter pinned the new pips on her collar and shook her hand, Congratulations Counselor."

"Thank you, Captain."

He handed her the box with her medal.

She smiled and offered her thanks again as she accepted the box.

The Admiral smiled. "Jeff Westfall, promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade."

Westfall stood, marched to the podium, and stood before his superior officers, thumbs down the seams of his trouser legs.

Hunter pinned on the pips and shook his hand. "Congratulations Mr. Westfall".

Westfall saluted the Admiral, the Captain, the First Officer, and Major Madrani, and said, "Thank you, Sirs," after shaking the Captain's hand. "Thank you for a fine crew, whom I am proud to call Comrades in Arms," he said loudly enough so that even Rita Marx could hear, and not worry about being misquoted in the assembled company --there were plenty of witnesses he didn't *care* what lies she published. Then Admiral looked up and said, "Maxine Tapert, promotion to Lt. Junior Grade."

Maxine rose from her seat and stepped forward, managing not to look as nervous as she felt.

"she is also being awarded the Citation of Valor for her contribution in resolving the past conflicts."

That made her blink and look at the Admiral as a smile broke over her face. She hadn't expected *that*.

Captain Hunter shook Max's hand, "Congratulations, Max, job well done," he said pinning on her new pips.

"Thank you Captain, Sirs," she nodded respectfully to the Admiral and Wright and shook Hunter's hand with more exuberance than she'd meant to. "Thank you," she offered again and returned to her seat before she did something stupid.

Admiral Stone looked up as he called the next name, "Sam Carter, promotion to Full Lieutenant."

Samantha looked up as her name was called. She looked at Lt Jarvis and arched her eyebrows. Then Craig Whitmore pushed her forward. "Your name is called Sam." he said with a chuckle.

Sam stumbled on to the little podium and smiled.

Hunter greeted Sam with a handshake and then pinned on her new pips, "Congratulations Sam."

Now a big smile played across her face as she felt the smoothness of the little pips. "Thank you... Captain!." She then hurried off the podium, being in the spotlights was nothing for her.

Sarik noticed that most of the crew were awarded for their contribution to the ship and its mission. It was a good performance the whole crew did that past few missions, these recommendations were a good indication of it. He straightened his uniform to pay respect to those who have been awarded.

It pleased Teilani to see so many happy faces. This speech of Stone and the valuable words of the Captain did wonders for crew morale.

Stone glanced over at Hunter and then looked back at his PADD.

"Melissa Jarvis," he said, "promoted to full Lieutenant."

Melissa had not expected a promotion so soon. She stood up and walked to the front.

Hunter pinned the pips on her collar and shook her hand, "Congratulations," he said.

"Thank you Sir," she replied.

"And she is also being given a commendation for bravery for her role in the boarding of the Federation vessel, the Yamato."

The captain placed the small box in her hand, "good work Lieutenant."

The mention of the Yamato brought back a flood of memories. Sadness flickered in her eyes for a brief moment, until she pushed it away. Forcing a smile onto her face she accepted the award with a polite, "Thank you."

Melissa returned to her seat.

"Next, said the Admrial returning his attention to the list, "Dr. Alyssa Northrop, received a field promotion to Chief Warrant Officer and assumed duties as Acting Chief Intelligence Officer. She is hereby officially promoted and assigned that rank and position."

She had never expected to recieve any sort of official recognition for the work she'd done on Pacifica. That was the nature of the business she was currently in. Much of it was classified and people generally couldn't know about. So when her name was called out in the middle of the ceremony, she was honestly surprised. Alyssa rose from her seat near the back of the room and moved to the front to do what the others had done: shake hands with the higher ups. "Thank you, Sirs....for expressing the confidence in me to allow me to continue doing this job."

Hunter nodded and smiled, "of course chief," he said shaking her hand.

"...and while on Pacifica, Dr. Northrop fought along side our Marines. For that she is being given the Combat Merit."

And the hits just kept on coming it seemed. Apparently Madriani hadn't told anyone about her little stunt in the office building. She smiled to herself and told herself to remember to send the Major a bottle of something later. "Thank you, Sir...again. I don't know that I deserve this....but I suppose that decision was made by someone that thinks I do."

"Of course you do," said Hunter handing her the small box.

Northrop had never been very good at accepting awards....and part of her was worried that it was showing at this very moment. Never the less, she accepted the medal and returned to her chair as quickly as she was able.

"Ensign Kelly Forrester, promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade as well as a promotion to acting Operations Manager."

Kelly stood up and went up and accepted her pips.

"M'Ressha Mihkat, is being awarded a Commendation of bravery, for his actions in battle against the Federation armada. A purple heart for serious injury suffered in the line of duty and a medal of honor for rushing to the rescue of two squadrons of marines and a fellow fighter pilot."

Blitzer stood up, he was very surprised, he looked at Max who was sitting next to him, "I don't believe it," he whispered to her.

He walked down to the stage where Major Madriani handed him the awards. He saluted his senior officer who saluted back. "Good work," he said.

Admiral Stone smiled at Hunter, "Next, Commander Jonathan Wright, awarded purple heart for injuries suffered at the hands of an enemy."

Wright groaned inwardly. He was thankful that the Admiral has not mentioned that he was injured by a holographic shark. Wright forced a smile onto his face and stepped forward to accept the award. "Thank you Sir," he said.

"And to Captain Hunter, the Star Cross for his leadership in the Battle of Pacifica"

Hunter stepped over to the Admiral and shook his hand, "Thank you sir."

Stone turned to the audience, "Those of you who serve in the Maquis alliance, are invited to a reception at 2200 in reception gallery 5. Thank you all for coming."

***

The Spoils of War By Rita Marx

Today this reporter got to watch as the Crew of the USS Zion were given promotions and rewards by the Anti-Admiral war monger Stone. When the Zion was commissioned then Fleet Admiral Aldus proclaimed that the Zion would be a ship of peace. What has happened to that vision? Today we rewarded people for taking a beautiful ship and pretty much reducing it to scrap. Don't get me wrong though, I do not blame the hard working crew of the USS Zion, not at all.

In truth the blame can be placed squarely on the shoulders of Admiral Stone. He has taken the bold directive for peace that Admiral Aldus assigned to this ship and perverted it to his war making designs. The Admiral has indeed spoiled the good intentions of peace. Shame on you Admiral.