====== Xmass party, Mess Hall, USS Chimera ====== Snowman, Father Christmas..everyone.." called the Shane beneath the tree. " Your attention please." The music stopped and the as the conversation died away. People stood with glasses and plates in their hands looking expectantly at the green and white elf. Rangi met Shanes gaze as she joined him for the short award ceremony. Shane had to smile as he watched her joining him under the Tree. She was clad in an Eskimo costume and it suited her very well. To a certain extend it made her looking a bit more thicker as she was in real ... but you cant say such something to a lady, can you? Now was the time many looked forward too. It was Christmass and by lucky chance the crew of the USS Chimera was not involved in any mission at the moment. No moster killing, no wild chasing around the galaxy, no saving of Federations ass thousands years in the past ... just some off time of relaxing for anyone. It was time to call family and friends ... folks one has not seen for the whole year if not longer, time for letters (sub-space one of course) to peoples that were hundreds of light years away. Time for resting ... for sorting out things that happend during the year ... time for thinking back in time ... and forward into one's future. Shane looked around and met many known faces in the crowd that surrouded him. It was his crew and he knew quite a number personally, friends of old and new ones, young promising officers and experienced veterans. On another note ... there were several known faces missing this year, (real-) life or death took its toll and there were faces Shane hoped to see around him at a party like this ... missing. Noone said that life was easy .... Shane raised the tall cup in his right hand and said: "First I would like to say a few toasts. The first one goes to you all .... as the best crew I have ever served with. This year wasnt the easiest one ... we have lost our ship and a lot of crew and often walked a rough path ... but in the end of the day ... we are still here and you are still listening to me. Toast to the excellent crew of the USS Chimera!" Many other folks rised their cups and those who had none (or empty) rushed to find a full one. There was quite a cheer among the assembled crew and applause. It was well earned cause the year was really a hard one and price everyone paid was high. "Then" Shane went on as the cheer faded after a moment, "I would like to speak a toast to the man who started the history of the Chimera and made all this possible. Its very sad that he cant be with us at the moment, but there is still hope that one nice sunny day he will join us again ... cheers to General Bretam!" "To the General!" "To General Bretam" sounded from all sides as everyone took an another sip from their cups to honour the first Commanding officer of the Chimera. For some younger crew was the General just a myth from the past as they have never met him ... but the majority of the crew could well remeber him. After the cheer faded again Shane rised his cup for the third time and said: "The last but not least toast is a big Thank You to all of you for all the hard work and dedication you have put into the Chimera. A ship is just as good as its crew and the Chimera's credit within the Special forces and even Starfleet is very high. <<OOC ... Orion award & Special Forces Cross >> . Let us continue with this tradition and let us bring further fame and glory to us all and the name os USS Chimera in the year 2406. Cheers!" Now was the applause great and long. The crew did really very well in the passing year. Many valiant and heroish events happened, they have saved the whole federation and a lot of effort and energy was put in the crew and the ship. There happened a lot of work behind the scenes ... hidden from the eyes of ordinary crew, both important and not and the Chimera worked like well-oiled clockwork ... and Shane hoped that the next year will be the same or even better. "Well" Shan said again "Its xmass time and a part of this tradition is presenting gifts. I do not dare to ignore this ancient tradition and blessed by SSF Command, I have a few to present". Shane waited for the colourfull mess of costumes to quiet down and said: "Ensign Nejor Okrin, front and center!" He noded to the Eskimo next to him and Rangi took the first blue velvet box from the table. As Nejor arrived in front of Shane and Rangi, Shane said: "Ensign, during the last mission your actions went far above and beyond the call of your duty. Your actions were commended to me by your superior officers and I hereby present you with the FLEET COMMENDATION ribbon. Congratulations Ensign" Rangi went over to Nejor and handed him the velvet box. Cause most of the crew wasnt in uniforms and many of the costumes were not fitting for putting on ribbons, the awards were presented in boxes ... Rangi only opened the box to be sure that its the right one for the right man. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Hawk Versey, front and center!" Shane called. Hawk needed a bit longer to come into the center of the hall and he was one of the few with no costume. Shane noded to Rangi and said: "It was not an easy time for Engineering lately. We've got a new ship and your Commanding officer keeps getting scratches and holes in it constantly. It came to my attention that you are constantly demonstrating excellence in your duties and therefore i present you with the TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE ribbon. Congratulations Lieutenant" As Rangi went over to the Lt, Shane called a name again: "Ensign Jason Stephens, front and center". After a moment that Jason needed to arrive he continued: "It came to my attention as well, that your skills and actions taken are by far not fit for someone with the rank of Ensign." Shane shruged pretending nicely: "I have no other choice then ... promote you to Lieutenant Junior grade with all the priviledges and responsibilities that comes with this rank. Congratulations Lieutenant!" Again ... it was time for Rangi to present the officer with a blue velvet box and shake his hand. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Terek Weranis, front and center!" Shane called again into the room. The young Bajoran science officer was clad in an Yeti costume and Shane had to do his best not to grin at him as he joined the little line of officers and stood at attention. "Lieutenant, my desk is quite full of PADDs from Lieutenant Oriana where she comendates you for your fantastic work in Science. I have to make an end to it ... here and now. Hereby I promote you to the rank of Full Lieutenant with all the priviledges and responsibilities that comes with this rank. As addition to that I present you with the FLEET COMMENDATION ribbon for the excellence in your duties and the effort that steps far beyond the call of duty. Congratulations Lieutenant!" Rangi went to the fresh backed Lieutenant and smiling at him she presented him with a solid pip in one box and the ribbon in the second box. "Second Lieutenant Richard Cortez, front and center!" sounded in the room again. The young marine came forward and stepped next to Terek. Cortez was wounded in the last assault on the Jem'hadar forces on Einhoften and still he looked a bit weak. Shane noded to Rangi and said looking at the ODA XO: "Lieutenant, I was made aware that your skills and actions are by far not compatible with the golden bar on your collar. I see no other way then to remove it ..." he made a slight pause" and replace it with a silver one in hope that it will suit your better. I am hereby promoting you to the rank of First Lieutenant with all the priviledges and responsibilities that comes with this rank. I could withness the hard work and dedication you've put into our ODA unit by first hand and have to say that I am impressed. While Major Walsh was busy elsewhere, you were able to fill his shoes very well and your cooperation with the Command team was an excellent one. I think that you are the perf! ect example of an officer to be awarded with the PALLAS MEDAL. Congratulations Lieutenant!" Rangi's part of the ceremony was the pleasant one. Handing over pips and bars and ribbons. Shaking hands and kissing. Not bad! Shane knew that the last velvet box will surprise its holder. Looking at Rangi who looked back at him with a question in her eyes he said: "Commander Rangi Summers, front and center!" There was no other way for Rangi then to obey and join the little file of officers. Shane took the last box from the table and went over to his beloved. "Commander" he said, "I am glad that our deeds are known and acknowledged beyond the scope of the Chimera and that even Starfleet Command known about the Chimera and her crew. I am happy that I can present you on behalf of Starfleet Command with the prestigeous SILVER MEDAL FOR SERVICE. I have met only a hand full of officer that were honoured with this award and am very glad you count now among this fine of the finest. Congratulations Commander!" Shane handed the open box to Rangi and the silver and blue medal shined in the lights of the xmass tree with bright colors. ====== End of log ====== <<OOC ... For the great effort and energy invested into the new WEB Site and for the dedication he showed for the sim, I am glad to present Skippy (aka LtJg. Jason Stephens) with the STAR CROSS FOR MERIT (OOC level award). Your work was mostly unseen by the commom simmer but it was not forgotten and is very valued by the Command team. Thank you Skippy and well done! >> <<OOC2 ... you can see most of the award presented in the log here - http://www.ucip.org/miscellaneous/awards-co.html >> Cmdr. Shane Guzman CO USS Chimera – A